HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes11052008-20090202134142
Town of Mansfield
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of November 5, 2008
Present:
Chairman Sandra Levine, Clerk Kevin Moran, Selectman George Dentino,
Selectman Jess Aptowitz, John D'Agostino, Town Manager
The Planning Board members consisting of Tom French, Chairman, Doug Annino, Don Cleary,
Beth Collins, Olivier Koslowski, and Shawn Burke, Planning Director are present for
discussion.
Chairman French gave a general overview of the Master Plan; he noted that it was
completed on time and under budget. The plan was completed in May 2008 and adopted by
the Planning Board in June 2008. The Master Plan has been dedicated to Bernard Dolan, a
long time Planning Board member. This plan is an update of the 1996 Master Plan with
significant changes.
Don Cleary focused his Master Plan recap on economic development; primarily focusing in
the down town and train station areas of town.
Doug Annino focused his recap on environmental stability and Green initiatives.
The difference in Master Plans is that previous ones focused on land use because
Mansfield was not built out. Now, being built out, we are concentrating on two objectives:
Economic development and working toward a green community. As such, many of the
tenants in the industrial park are starting to use green/sustainable products, increasing
their recycling and promoting other environmentally friendly initiatives.
Beth Collins focused her recap on future and ongoing Master Plan issues. The board will be
taking a short time out of each meeting to discuss these as they come up.
The board asked various questions about downtown revitalization. While several new
buildings have sprung up over the past few years there are still several small, older
buildings that don't seem to quite fit into the direction that the Master Plan is guiding
them through. They will eventually most likely be rehabbed or torn down to further match
the downtown plan. Limited off street parking has been an issue so larger
business's/restaurants won't likely locate there.
The Town of Mansfield is primary full of single family homes and the Planning Board would
like to see more of a mix with condos/apartments for people such as single/elderly
Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 5,2008
residents. Making the plan is just the beginning; implementation will be the most
complicated but most exciting part of it.
Infrastructure, Smart Growth and energy conservation are also huge issues that the town
is starting to deal with. However the largest focus for the Planning Board for this coming
year will be the implementation of this plan and its initiatives.
Recap of board activity over the past year was presented by Shawn Burke. They have been
moderately busy with the Master Plan, cottage development with The Village at Willow
Crossing, down town revitalization and small sub divisions through out town.
Motion: To support article 2 (Aptowitz/Dentino) 4:0 passes
Motion: To support article 3 (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes
Motion: To support article 4 (Aptowitz/Moran) 3:0:1 passes (Dentino abstain)
Motion: To support article 5 (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes
Motion: To support article 6 (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes
Motion: To support article 7 (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes
Motion: To hold article 8 for CIP recommendation
Motion: To support article 9 (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes
Motion: To support article 10 (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 p-asses
Motion: To support article 11 (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes
Motion: To support article 12 (Moranl Aptowitz) 4:0 passes
Motion: To support article 13 (Moranl Aptowitz) 4:0 passes
Motion: To hold article 14 for more information
Motion: To support article 15 (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes
Motion: Based on financial alarms sounded by the FinComm, I make a motion that the Town
of Mansfield immediately implements a spending freeze on all non essential purchases.
Additionally the bas would ask that the school committee implement a similar action for
their budget in addition to an immediate freeze on all hires for the town and hope that the
school will do likewise. (Aptowitz/Dentino) 2:2 fails (Levine/Moran nay)
Discussion: General input from the board members and Town Manager D'Agostino in
regards to the motion. A lengthy discussion ensued on the necessity of such an early
freeze in the budget year. Selectman Moran would like to wait and possibly not implement
cut backs and freezes until FYlO or at least until free cash has been certified. While
it should be Mr. D'Agostino decision as Town Manager to determine what is needed
and essential; if this freeze is voted the board should provide guidance on what
they consider to be essential.
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Mr. Gazzolo, FinComm Chairman stated that the School Dept. has already talked
about a spending and hiring freeze. The town needs to utilize the staff they
already have and if a reduction in services is the result, so be it.
Clerk Moran read the public hearing notice into record.
Rick Alves, Engineering, Shaun Burke, Planning Director and Keith Signoriello, Developer
and resident of Suzanne Lane were present for discussion.
This is a six lot sub division with five houses currently built. The subdivision has been
complete for over a year and since Mr. Signoreillo missed the spring town meeting he would
like to get the street approved at the fall special town meeting. Both Mr. Alves and Mr.
Burke agreed the as-built is complete and the project is ready for acceptance.
Motion: To close hearing. (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes
Motion: To approve the intension to layout the way of Suzanne Lane. (Aptowitz/Moran)
4:0 passes
Clerk Moran read the public hearing notice into record.
Greg Matoian, Board of Assessors Chairman introduced himself and the rest of the
Assessors (Doreen Boyd, Glen Nirenberg) in addition to Nancy Hinote, Assistant Assessor.
Mansfield Crossing and Fairfield Green had the two largest tax valuation increases this
year with Mansfield Crossing up 9 million and Fairfield Green up 13.9 million. (Both
developments were not complete last year.)
There was a 6.1 ~o decline in residential evaluations with commercial/industrial staying the
same. The average assessed value of single family home was $403,700. Total taxable
evaluation = $3,474,969,010.00.
Clerk Moran read Vice Chairman Baldwin's letter into the record. "I apologize for my
absence. Let it by known that I favor a split rate to a 1.10 or 1.11 split."
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Bob Freerksen, Lakeview Ave. In most of the country commercial property is rated 100 -
150'70 more than residential. These businesses utilize many avenues such as write offs and
the use of their property. Home owners do not have this option so their rate should be
much lower.
Motion: To close public hearing. (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes
Motion: To approve and set split rate from 1.06 to 1.10 ($12.02/$13.62)
(Aptowitz/Dentino) 3:1 passes (Moran nay)
Board of Assessors update: They have been very busy with tax recaps and abatement
applications this year.
· Warrant No. 18B in the amount of $941,528.32
Motion: Approved (Aptowitz/Moran) 3:0:1 passes (Dentino abstains)
· Warrant No. 19A in the amount of $319,629.45
Motion: Approved (Aptowitz/Moran) 3:0:1 passes (Dentino abstains)
· Minutes of October 1, 2008
Motion: To approve with changes. (Aptowitz/Moran) 3:0:1 p-asses (Dentino
abstain)
· Email from Neil Rhein regarding the November 1st clean up event, Thank you to the
30 plus volunteers who helped out. 40 bags of trash were collected through out
town.
· Letter from Comcast stating that effective December 1st Mojo channel 881 has
been discontinued. Channel 848 is shared by Versus and the Golf Channel.
Effective Dec 8th Versus HD will move to full time on channel 865 and the Golf
Channel HD will expand to full time on 848. In addition Bristol County has been
designated as part of the Providence DMA for HD channels so it will be a challenge
to add Boston channels in HD.
· Email from resident requesting that Mansfield resident only lots be kept at $2 a
day instead of the new MBT A $4 fee.
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· Sewer use regulation change. The proposed change is simply to lower the ph
restriction from 6.5 su to 6.0 suo Lee Aziheira, DPW Director explained the reason
for the proposed change.
Motion: To accept the ph restriction change from 6.5 to 6.0. (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0
passes
Liz Cristo, Sturbridge Dr. Thank you for keeping the townspeople informed and
involved with the town's finances. Hearing this information at the meetings is
encouraging.
Pam Gagnon, Gladiola Terrace. Comparison of fiscal management of Miriam Hospital in
RI with the Town of Mansfield municipal government.
· FYlO budget projections are being submitted in two formats this year. A level
funded budget and a 5'10 decrease budget.
· Also looking at 0'10 increase of health care premium so program design and service
changes to meet that objective will need to be negotiated.
· FY09 budget outlook, $400k of new growth this is not earmarked may be a budget
cushion where needed most.
· Discussion of MBT A rates and contract renewal possibilities.
· Old business from Chairman Levine: Asked if TM RFP had been sent out. No one
has given secretary the list of lawyers so no. Selectman Baldwin will be asked to
provide list to secretary for submission.
· Old business from Selectman Dentino: RFP for contract review needs to be sent
out. Once the secretary receives the information from the board it will be done.
Motion: To 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 is for January 2007 to present.
· Questions about town car use and mileage expenditures. Mr. Azinheira has
provided Selectman Dentino with a break down of expenses however he does not
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feel it is an accurate picture of expenses. Mr. Azinheira further explained that
the cost arrived at by using reimbursement for a private vehicle vs. the actual
town costs of a town owned vehicle is different and the town costs are much less.
· Travel policy again. Selectman Dentino would like to see the travel policy from
1981 enforced. Chairman Levine suggested that they amend the 1981 policy to fit
the present time. Discussion followed to consolidate all the documents relating to
vehicles into 1 document and place on the next agenda for vote.
Motion: To enforce the vehicle use policy of 1981. (Dentinal Aptowitz) 1:2:1 fails
(Levine/Moran nay, Aptowitz abstain)
· Old business for Selectman Moran: He would like to formalize the town policy for
liquor licenses. The board will review a policy at the next meeting. Kevin is point
person.
· Old business from Selectman Aptowitz: The current fiscal year is tight and next
year looks even bleaker. We need to start now in controlling costs.
· Old business from Selectman Baldwin: Not present
· New business from Selectman Baldwin: Not present
· New business from Selectman Aptowitz: FlU with Atty. Mangaratti about audit
committee review.
· New business from Selectman Dentino: We need to focus more on energy
conservation. In addition, he would like to see the board participate in the school
student essay competition. He has asked the board to do this for the past few
years.
· New business from Selectman Moran: For the record he is in support of
conservative spending and when the time comes, he would also be in support of a
spending freeze. However, he does not feel we are there yet.
Congratulations to Reps Poirier, Barrows and Senator Timilty on recent win. Good
show for first time candidate Devin Romanul.
· New business from Chairman Levine: The November and December bas schedule
needs to be set as most Wednesdays in December are the eve's of holidays.
The board will meet on November 19th, the day after town meeting. December
meetings are yet to be determined.
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Motion: To adjourn at 11:18 PM
(Aptowitz) 4-0 Passes
~~ ~UI~
Signature of Clerk
fJ..~ I~ 2~~~
Date of Approval
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