HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes11192008-20090210140026
Town of Mansfield
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of November 19, 2008
Present:
Chairman Sandra Levine, Vice Chairman Ann Baldwin, Clerk Kevin Moran,
Selectman George Dentino, John D'Agostino, Town Manager
Moment of silence for fallen Mansfield soldier Corey Shea and family observed.
Announcement: This evening's meeting will be abbreviated due to illnesses of BOS
members and families.
The town's sewer use regulations were approved by the board at last weeks meeting.
However, a clerical error was made and the reference to the October 2004 revision was
omitted. As such, Mr. Azinheira would like the board to re-sign the documents.
Motion: To resign and approve the documents with the omitted reference from the 11-5-
2008 vote. (Baldwin/Dentino) 4:0 passes
Announcement: Rt. 106 from and including the Copeland Drive intersection to Rt. 140 will
be repaired for the next few days by Mass Highway and at the states expense.
There was a meeting in North Attleboro this past Monday regarding Comcast and the
Providence DMA designation and as it was poorly attended another meeting is going to be
set for an evening time so more people will be able to attend.
Motion: Adopt the Town of Raynham's letter concerning this issue to Mansfield's needs
and send to Barney Frank's office with Chairman signature. (Baldwin/Moran) 4:0 passes
. Warrant No. 20B in the amount of $907,504.72
Motion: Approved (Baldwin/Moran) 3:0:1 passes (Dentino abstains)
. Warrant No. 21A in the amount of $469,903.03
Motion: Approved (Baldwin/Moran) 3:0:1 passes (Dentino abstains)
· Acceptance of Suzann Lane as voted at STM on November 18, 2008.
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Motion: Acceptance of Suzann Lane as read by Clerk Moran. (Moran/Baldwin) 4:0
passes
. Motion: The board will meet next Tuesday, November 25th at 7pm as Wednesday is
the day before Thanksgiving. (Baldwin/Moran) 4:0 passes
. Statement from Selectman Moran regarding the FinComm's request for immediate
budget cuts. He supports efforts to reduce spending however he did not support
the previous week's spending freeze due to lack of specificity. The board needs to
know what the effect of a spending freeze would be on essential and non essential
services in order to make an intelligent vote. He would like the department heads
input before any cuts are decided on so the least amount of harm is done through
the reduction of town services. He is requesting that the Town Manager gather
this information in order to have this on the December 3rd meeting agenda.
. Vice Chairman Baldwin stated that Mr. Gazzolo was more concerned about a hiring
freeze than a spending freeze and she agrees.
. Discussion of hiring freeze for non essential personnel. This would exclude public
safety personnel. Selectman Dentino feels that in his mind, that the town managers
secretary should not have been hired as the board was still discussing which
positions were essential. Town Manager D'Agostino explained that prior to his
arrival in 1997 not only was there a full time executive secretary but that there
was also an Assistant Town Manager to handle the work load of a busy town
executive office. He has never asked for that position to be reinstated and there
is no way possible that one secretary or even a secretary and a half could possibly
handle the many complex and confidential matters that the bos and TM's office
handle on a daily basis.
Selectman Moran and Chairman Levine added that while personnel and services may
need to be cut, executive level personnel are necessary to the proper operation of
the town. The FinComm serves as a advisory board to the bos and is not in a
position to dictate policy to the board.
Motion: To institute hiring freeze for non essential personnel. This would exclude
public safety personnel. (Baldwin/Dentino) 2:2 fails (Levine/Moran nay)
Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 19, 2008
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· Letter of concern from Eddy St. resident regarding speeding on Branch St.
The Police Department has been notified.
. Letter from Chief O'Neill authorizing Kohl's Department Store to open and close
early during the months of November and December. However the Planning Board
does not agree with this assessment and has stated that a formal application would
need to be filed to modify the special permit.
. Memo from Lee Azinheira regarding rt. 106/Copeland Drive. Paving is tentatively
scheduled for this week. More info to follow.
. Memo from Lee Azinheira regarding the rules for the Mansfield Green. Due to
fiscal constrains the department has had to hold off on implementing a swap area
within the Green.
. Memo from TM D'Agostino regarding Bay Communications agreement.
Motion: To approve agreement as written. (Moran/Baldwin) 4:0 passes
None
Chairman Levine would like to amend the Questions and Comments policy last adopted
by the board in 2003. She would like to add guidelines to the policy (that have been
posted on the Selectmen's meeting room door.)
It appears that the Chairman has the discretion to provide, suspend or some how alter
the use of Q & C during meetings. However the Board of Selectmen may need to take
a vote of the board in order to amend the policy. Follow up of this item will be
discussed next week.
Old and new business was suspended for this weeks meeting.
· Old business from Chairman Levine:
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. Old business for Selectman Moran:
. Old business from Selectman Aptowitz: Not present
. Old business from Selectman Baldwin:
. New business from Selectman Baldwin:
. New business from Selectman Aptowitz: Not present
. New business from Selectman Dentino:
. New business from Selectman Moran:
. New business from Chairman Levine:
Motion: To adjourn at 8:43 PM
(Baldwin) 4-0 Passes
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Signature of Clerk
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Date of Approval
Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 19, 2008
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