Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes10292008-20090202133939 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 29, 2008 Present: Chairman Sandra Levine, Clerk Kevin Moran, Selectman George Dentino, Selectman Jess Aptowitz, John D'Agostino, Town Manager Lynn Tokarczyk, Government Incentives Consultant, Pat O'Rourke, Covidien, Director State and Local Taxes, Bob Kievert, Medline Tax Manager, Jon Mahoney, Industry Director Life Science, MA Office of Business Development, State Representative Jay Barrows, Ed Tartufo, Tri- Town Chamber of Commerce, and Don Cleary, TIF Committee Chairman were all present. Jay Barrows, State Representative spoke briefly about the importance of companies such as Covidien and Medline staying and expanding in Mansfield. Mr. D'Agostino also expanded upon how Covidien has been a great corporate neighbor which employee many Mansfield residents. Don Cleary, TIF Committee Chairman outlined the Covidien TIF proposal that the committee is recommending to the Board of Selectmen for approval. Lou Andrews also spoke as a member of the TIF Committee and not only is he in favor of approving the TIF Plan that Covidien is looking for, he hopes they grow so much that they come back to the board in five years and ask for another TIF for another building. Walter Jenkins, 15 Conrod Court. While he is in support of the TIF's and both Covidien and Medline expanding in town, he is concerned about the length of the TIF for Covidien. The board members each mentioned the pros and cons of offering a TIF agreement to Covidien and wished them well at town meeting. Motion: To approve 777 West St. as an EOA and recommend the proposed TIF Plan and TIF Agreement to Town Meeting. (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 29,2008 1 Mr. D'Agostino then expanded upon how Medline has also been a great corporate neighbor which not only employee many Mansfield residents but gives back to the community in somany ways. As part of Medline's community involvement, Medline plans to provide medical supplies for ambulances through the Mansfield Fire Department. Don Cleary, TIF Committee Chairman outlined the Medline TIF proposal that the committee is recommending to the Board of Selectmen for approval. Mr. Kievert mentioned that November 1st is a Mansfield Clean Up Day and the Medline employees are excited about participating in it this year. Medline will also be supplying gloves for this event as well. Motion: To approve 560 West St. as an EOA and recommend the proposed TIF Plan and TIF Agreement to Town Meeting. (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes Scott Barbato, Union Steward and Darrell Enos, Public Safety Dispatcher Mr. Enos noted the great differences between the old job description that was written in the 1980's and the new one that was just finalized this year. The job of a dispatcher is now a highly specialized position that you need extensive training in order to perform. The board will review the information presented and follow up with them at an upcoming meeting. Kevin McNatt, Chairman was present and provided the board with an update on what the committee has been doing. The current grant cycle does not start until March so it is slow right now but will be picking up soon. FY09 will be the third year that the committee has been in existence and they have been able to assist many organizations and programs in town through the past two years. They anticipate that this coming round will be just as fruitful. The board members each thanked Mr. McNatt for coming in and giving them an update. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 29, 2008 2 William Moore, Chairman was present and gave the board an update of the projects that have recently been completed and are under way. The MBC now has a new secretary, Kathleen Reynolds, and she is doing a wonderful job. Tom Ratliff, Jim Lazarra, Jack Goldberg and Andy Gazzolo from FinComm were present for discussion. Jim Lazarra asked if the town will be looking at joining the GIC this coming year. Mr. D'Agostino stated that the SMHG (our health care group) is looking at it and will be comparing a GIC increase against any their group would receive. In addition, enrolling in the GIC is a long process that must be approved at town meeting. After a long and protracted discussion the board entertained a possible spending freeze for the rest of FY09. The FinComm would like to see a O'Yo increase in salaries and expenses for FYlO. However, union contracts are up at the end of FY09 and bargaining for FYlO I 11 and 12 contracts have not begun. · Warrant No. 17B in the amount of $980,164.54 Motion: Approved (Aptowitz/Moran) 3:0:1 passes (Dentino abstains) · Warrant No. 17 A in the amount of $286,396.26 Motion: Approved (Aptowitz/Moran) 3:0:1 passes (Dentino abstains) · Minutes of Executive Sessions - not to be released November 11, 2007 November 28, 2007 February 13, 2008 April 30, 2008 Motion: delayed until next week · Minutes of September 24, 2008 Motion: To approve minutes. (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes · Parade permit for Christmas parade on November 30, 2008 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 29, 2008 3 · Warrant for special town meeting on November 18, 2008 Motion: To post warrant for special town meeting (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes · Letter from Neil Rhein requesting permission to install a neighborhood sign in the median strip on Autumn Lane. Staff has responded that they do not have a problem with this request. Motion: To allow installation of sign as shown on plan. (Aptowitz/Moran) Discussion: Who will be installing and maintaining the sign and area surrounding it? The DPW will install the sign and the residents will maintain the area will assistance with the Beautification Committee. Amended Motion: To allow installation of sign in accordance with building codes. (Aptowitz/ Moran) 4:0 passes · Notice to MBT A commuter parking lot operators: Effective Saturday. November 15, 2008 *** board discussion***held for next week - · Memo from Roxanne Donovan, Treasurer/Collector regarding collateralization of town deposits. Approximately 90'10 of the towns funds are now collateralized /insured. Please note that most banks reduce the interest rates on collateralized accounts. Pam Gagnon, Gladiola Terrace. Questions on board policies. · Short overview of 1990 lease between the town and the MBTA. The term of the lease in for 10 ten years. There is a one year reverter clause with 180 days notice to terminate lease from date of execution. Also, trying to institute a resident discount parking rate was tried a few years back and did not work. However, we can try again with some new suggestions. · Brief review of Special TM warrant for next week. Board of Selectmen MinuteS of October 29, 2008 4 · Old business from Chairman Levine: None · Old business from Selectman Dentino: Town vehicle policy. When is the board going to revisit this? Selectman Moran would like to see more information from Mr. D'Agostino before bringing this back for a vote. · The question of new hires. There was a water dept. employee that went from part time to full to fill an existing position. Selectman Dentino and Mr. D'Agostino disagree what constitutes a new hire. Questions about Veterans Services line items. There appears to be more money in this account than needed. Mr. D'Agostino stated that the funds expended this year will not be recouped until next year. In addition, it is difficult to forecast what Veteran Benefits will be needed from year to year. Phone costs: The town is spending over $4,000 a month on telephone calls. In addition the school dept. is spending $2,500 a month. Mr. D'Agostino has discussed combining the plans with the Superintendent. However, they have not done so. Motion: 10 accept RFP for Shawmut Ave and sending out to applicants. (Dentinol Aptowitz) 2:1:1 passes Breakdown of legal bills from Atty. Kesten are not done properly and he would like new records provided. Request for January 2007 to present. · Old business for Selectman Moran: Announcement regarding Pop Warner tryouts. Happy to see a renewed interest in business's locating in Cabot Business Park. · Old business from Selectman Aptowitz: None · Old business from Selectman Baldwin: Not present · New business from Selectman Baldwin: Not present · New business from Selectman Aptowitz: Best wishes for Bea Kearney's retirement. She has worked tireless for the town. The fire dept. had a firefighter memorial this past Sunday. It is a special day for the dept. and Selectman Dentino made a plea for more residents to observe this. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 29, 2008 5 Thanks to Mr. D'Agostino for putting the financial data requested on the town website. · New business from Selectman Dentino: None · New business from Selectman Moran: None · New business from Chairman Levine: Please send letter of congratulations to the Conservation Agent, Michele Grenier in regards to the state acceptance of the towns open space plan. Request for Christopher D'Arpino to return retail beer and wine license as he is relocating his business. However the board does not have a process in place for this. Request for more information on taxi/livery services in town. Motion: To adjourn at 11:32 PM (Aptowitz) 4-0 Passes ~p~ aroU/~ Signature of Clerk f~~ 2t 2tltlf' Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 29, 2008 6