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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 11/4/2020Select Board Meeting Minutes November 4, 2020 Present: The members of the Select Board were present in meeting room 3 A/B. Mr. Frank DelVecchio, Chairman; Mr. Neil Rhein, Vice -Chair; Mr. Jess Aptowitz, Clerk; Mr. Michael Trowbridge and Mr. Steve Schoonveld. Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager and Mr. Barry LaCasse, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director were also present. ICE"FIVED f �.,.. 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting - Pledge of Allegiance 7 OFFICE Chairman DelVecchio called the meeting to order at S:OOPM. He then asked those present to state he Pledge of Allegiance. He reminded everyone that the meeting was being broadcast live and taped for future broadcast on NifiQikh@e.Ah@rnj$@ DelVecchio read a statement and provided an email address and phone number to those watching directing, residents to send their questions in, and they would receive a response within twenty-four hours. ' I n _ 2. Town Managers Report • COVID-19 • DPW Construction • New Restaurant • CARES Act Update • Miscellaneous Update Mr. Dumas began his report with a COVID update stating that based on the current data it is likely that Mansfield will remain in the red zone for a second week. He added that Chief Desrosiers has secured two testing labs for the purpose of testing staff for COVID if required rather than requiring Town staff to seek out their own exams. Mr. Dumas reminded members of the public to stay diligent in protecting themselves and the community. Mr. Dumas reported that the Town will receive $12,100 toward recycling efforts and he then provided an update of all the construction projects and paving. He then thanked the Electric Department and Commissioners for their approval of parking lot light improvements at the Library and COA. He then announced the opening of Trattoria Romana on October 27th and noted how busy it has been and that it is a great positive addition to Mansfield. Station Square at 300 North Main Street received their final certificate of occupancy and half of the units are rented. Mr. Dumas then updated the Board on the Election, Town Meeting, the CARES Act and the parking study with Nelson Nygaard that needed some small changes. 3. Resident Questions and Comments There were no resident questions and comments. 4. Consideration of Waiver of Moratorium for School Street — Community Gardens Mr. Steve Chorney from Community Gardens was present with DPW Director Lee Azinheira. Mr. Azinheira stated that Community Gardens is asking for the Boards consideration on a waiver of a moratorium to make a road cut on School Street at their site to bring utilities across the road. Mr. Azinheira stated that the five-year moratorium ends in October of 2021 and it is expected that they would be making the road cut in the Spring just a few months prior to the end of the moratorium. He stated that they will mill and pave a patch and he will determine a size to make sure there are no bumps because it is a very busy road. Mr. Chorney agreed to the terms that Mr. Azinheira specified and Mr. Azinheira added that all the information would be specific and detailed on the permit. Motion: To approve to waive the moratorium for School Street with the condition that the developer will mill and overlay the road as presented and subject to the satisfaction of the DPW Director. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 S. Discussion and Consideration of Special Events Application for Car Show at 885 South Main Street This application was withdrawn due to the Governor's new restrictions and as an abundance of caution. 6. Tax Classification Presentation Mr. Daniel Brogie, Chief Assessor was present at the Board meeting and went through a PowerPoint presentation to provide the Board with background information so that they could make a decision on the tax split at their next Select Board Meeting Minutes November 4, 2020 meeting during the Tax Classification Public Hearing. Mr. Brogie explained what a tax split was and stated that overall values are on the rise. Single family home values are up on average four percent and condominiums are up nine percent which was the largest change to values. He then showed a table comparing the tax rates of surrounding towns. The Select Board members then asked questions and made comments. 7. Discussion and Consideration of Updated Job Description for the Assistant Treasurer/Collector Mr. Dumas explained that the current Assistant Treasurer/Collector was retiring and in reviewing the job description for advertising the position it was discovered that the qualification of having MA Municipal Assistant Treasurer/Collector certification should be listed as preferred because individuals are not able to get that qualification without being in the position. Mr. Schoonveld stated that he was abstaining from the vote as he knows someone who is interested in applying based on the change that Mr. Dumas just explained. Motion: To approve the updated job description for the Assistant Treasurer/Collector as presented. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 4:0:1(Schoonveld Abstained) 8. Consideration of Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles Mr. Trowbridge suggested making one blanket motion or if someone has one or two they want to pull out and discuss the Board could do that but believed the Board had ample time to review them. All of the Board members were in agreement with Mr. Trowbridge. Motion: To support all articles in the Special Town Meeting Warrant as presented. (Trowbridge/Schoonveld) Mr. Schoonveld asked for confirmation if all should be voted and Mr. LaCasse stated that it will be recommended that Article twelve be passed over and no action taken. Motion Amended: To support all articles in the Special Town Meeting Warrant excluding Article number twelve. (Trowbridge/Schoonveld) Passes 5:0 9. Discussion and Consideration of PY21 Goals and Objectives Mr. DelVecchio asked the Board members to review the document closely and asked Mr. Rhein to add a section for a list of accomplishments. Mr. Schoonveld made some comments for suggested changes to the document. 10. Review and Approve Consent Agenda All items on the Consent Agenda may be adopted with a single motion. Any member of the Select Board may request that an item be withdrawn from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration in which case that item will be voted on separately from the remainder of the Consent Agenda. All licenses have been routed through Town Hall Departments and any conditions have been noted below. a) Approval of Select Board Meeting Minutes for: • September 30, 2020 • October 21, 2020 b) Vote To Approve Warrants: • Town Vendor Warrant No. 21017T in the amount of $486,430.98 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 21017E in the amount of $74,405.77 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 21017S in the amount of $549,891.03 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 21018T in the amount of $244,280.54 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 21018E in the amount of $48,789.68 c) Permits and Licenses: • Considerations of Special Events Application for Kathleen E McCloud Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 Select Board Meeting Minutes November 4, 2020 11. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21017PT in the amount of $393,659.61 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21017PT in the amount of $393,659.61. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 3:1:1 (Aptowitz-Abstain, Schoonveld-No) • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21017TV in the amount of $127,060.14 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21017TV in the amount of $127,060.14. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 21017PS in the amount of $1,721,041.86 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 21017PS in the amount of $1,721,041.86. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 4:0:1 (Trowbridge Abstain) • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 21017SV in the amount of $526,566.22 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 21017SV in the amount of $526,566.22. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21018PT in the amount of $424,681.40 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21018PT in the amount of $424,681.40. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 3:1:1 (Aptowitz-Abstain, Schoonveld-No) • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21018TV in the amount of $130,694.42 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21018TV in the amount of $130,694.42. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 12. Correspondence • Letter from Bristol County Agricultural High School Mr. Aptowitz read a summary stating that the assessment owed for one student was $2,417.00. 13. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions Mr. Schoonveld stated that it was a great tax hearing and that it was good to see Dan stepping into the role so well. He stated that he went to the new Italian restaurant and that the area of Town looks vibrant. He then asked if there was any updat on the RFP for fire station. Mr. Dumas answered that bids are due in November and there have been three interested parties who have walked through the property. He then congratulated the representatives Adam Scanlon, Ted Phillips and Jay Barrows as well as Senator Feeney on their reelections. He then congratulated Mansfield's own Brendan Walsh on his first campaign. Mr. Trowbridge stated that there will be a virtual Veteran's Day next Wednesday and Town Meeting is Saturday. Mr. Aptowitz congratulated all the winners of the election, he noted that everyone deserves to be congratulated because it is hard work and it takes a lot to put your name on the ballot. He then stated that the new restaurant is a beautiful new building and once the chocolate factory apartments are finished it is going to be a very nice area. He then commented that he hoped to see people Saturday at Town Meeting. Mr. Rhein agreed with Jess on the restaurant and that whole area of Town has come a long way. He then congratulated Marianne and her staff on the election. Mr. Rhein then asked about downtown tree plantings in two areas and Mr. Dumas stated it is all in the plans and will look nice once completed. He commented that it was not good that the Town is in the red zone and there were 1,629 new cases statewide that was reported by the Boston Globe. He hopes that people remain careful and diligent. He then stated that at a future meeting or maybe a goal of the Board could be to address reducing taxes for senior citizens. He referenced that in the state of New Jersey where his parents are from that they freeze taxes for seniors who are below a certain income level. Mr. Dumas answered that that is not allowed in Massachusetts. Mr. Rhein then asked when the Board was going to talk about plans for the reuse or selling of the police station. Mr. Dumas stated that in December or January there will be a discussion to go through a full synopsis, but the challenge is that the radio tower needs to be there currently for the communication of the Police Department. Select Board Meeting Minutes November 4, 2020 Mr. DelVecchio stated that Town Meeting was Saturday at noon. He stated that he has received a few questions as to why Town Meeting is happening during COVID and explained that it is not ideal situation and would want to get as many people as we can, but people should come if they feel comfortable. 14. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no additional items. 15. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the Select Board Meeting of November 4, 2020 at 6:3813M. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 41�41L. Signat e Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne ltl Date Select Board Meeting Minutes November 4, 2020