HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes12172008-20090212115915
Town of Mansfield
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of December 17, 2008
Present:
Chairman Sandra Levine, Vice Chairman Ann Baldwin, Clerk Kevin Moran,
Selectman George Dentino, Selectman Jess Aptowitz, John D'Agostino,
Town Manager
Lee Azinheira, DPW Director and Mark Cook, Highway Operations Manager were present
to discuss the changes in this year's policy.
The Winter Operations Manual has just been updated from the 2006 version and the
majority of the changes are in relation to salt/sand details.
The dept. is utilizing the industry recommended best management practices that start
with anti icing application at or just after snow starts falling. Recommendation for towns
is the application of straight salt at a rate of 200 pounds per lane mile. Anti icing provides
safer roads sooner, produces black pavement after storm, less labor and fuel costs and
uses less materials thus saving money.
At extremely low temperatures salt does not work, therefore sand is spread which
improves traction only.
Mr. Cook estimates that the town spends about $2,400 an hour per storm and usually
takes about 8 hours of work per storm to treat and clear the roads.
The board asked various questions about the areas of town that are designated low salt
areas. These are due to the topography of the land and the distance to town wells.
Chairman Levine asked about the options available for sidewalk clearing. Mr. Cook stated
that although the town is responsible for clearing roads and sidewalks the downtown
merchants and landlords usually clear their way to the street. However the town still has
to come down and remove the snow.
Mr. D'Agostino stated that it costs $2,000 just to do the down town area versus $2,400
for the rest of the town. Perhaps we should forgo side walk clearing during these fiscally
tight times. Perhaps the business's can shovel the sidewalk in front of their businesses in
order to provide customer access to their shops.
Board of Selectmen Minutes of December 17, 2008
1
Mr. Cook responded that it really depends on the temperatures and type of snowfall we
receive. If it remains cold and snowy the banks get too big and block parts of the sidewalk
and street/parking areas.
Selectman Dentino asked if we could use the Clemmey Tank area for snow removal. Mr.
Cook responded that we do not have permission to use that site. The storage area near
the dog pound on Fruit St. is used some time for snow storage but it is in a residential area
and the snow removal equipment makes a lot of noise.
Motion: To approve Winter Operations Manual. (Baldwin/Moran) (Dentino/ Aptowitz
abstain) 3:0:2 passes
Motion: To approve Winter Maintenance Procedures. (Baldwin/Moran) 5:0 passes
The MA Dept. of Public Safety requires cities and town to have trench approvals and
licenses. Lee Azinheira was designated as the town's officer to issue permits at town
meeting. Mr. Azinheira is asking the board to approve a small fee to cover the
administrative costs of issuing this license.
Motion: To approve trench fee of $25.00 (Aptowitz/Moran) 5:0 passes
Thank you letter drafted to Mass Highway for working in cooperation with the Mansfield
DPW to address the deteriorated pavement on a small section of Rt. 106 and the
intersection of Copeland Drive.
Motion: To have Chairman sign and send letter to Mass Highway. (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0
passes
Andy Gazzolo, Chairman FinComm was present for subcommittee assignment discussion.
1. Salaries, Benefits and Union Contract negotiations:
Greg Arnold, Chair; Andy Gazzolo sub
George Dentino, Kevin Moran sub
Lisa Losiewicz, Jean Miller sub
John D'Agostino, sub tbd
Board of Selectmen Minutes of December 17, 2008
2
2. Public Safety:
Jim Lazzara, Chair; Karl Chambers sub
Ann Baldwin, Jess Aptowitz sub
Mike Trowbridge, Jean Miller sub
Arthur O'Neill, sub tbd
3. Capital Projects:
Charlene Lavin, Chair; Karl Chambers sub
Sandy Levine, Ann Baldwin sub
Mike Trowbridge, Jean Miller sub
John D I Agostino, sub tbd
Planning rep: tbd
FinComm has been meeting with the School Committee on a regular basis and they know
that their budget needs a lot of work in order to make their budget numbers for FYlO.
The proposed budget represents an approximate 8/0 increase over the current budget.
If there is a level funded budget this year, they will have an over 3 million dollar shortfall,
obviously much more if a reduced budget is necessary.
Mr. Gazzolo also had a suggestion in regards to the travel policy. He proposed that the
board let the Town Manager approve/disapprove travel on a case by case basis (and inform
the board) so personnel does not have to come before the board for approval.
. Warrant No. 24B in the amount of $3,583,639.44
Motion: Approved (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 4:0:1 passes
· Warrant No. 25A in the amount of $322,550.38
Motion: Approved (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
The park and recreation department needs to put an ad in the paper for
programming.
Motion: To allow $610.00 for park and rec advertising. (Aptowitz/Baldwin)
5:0 passes
· Minutes of October 10, 2008
Motion: To hold for further review.
Minutes of November 25, 2008
Motion: To approve minutes of November 25th. (Baldwin/Moran) 4:0:1 passes
Board of Selectmen Minutes of December 17, 2008
3
Motion: To approve Common Victualler licenses for the following:
Family food mart: (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Fresh catch all alcohol license (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Fresh catch (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Trattoria (Aptowitz/Dentino) 5:0 passes
Fridays (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Fridays (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Mansfield Deli (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Mansfield Deli (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Holiday Inn (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Quans Kitchen (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Sweet and Crafty (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Cosi (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Cat man Cafe Music Machine: (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Cat man Cafe (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Holiday Inn weekday entertainment (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Geno's entertainment (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Geno's seven day license (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Elks Lodge (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
VFW entertainment (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Regent Cafe j/a 5:0 passes
Lodging Licenses:
Fulton Place Lodging (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
James McLaughlin (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Billings Realty Trust, 18 Thomas St. (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Billings Realty Trust 20-22 Thomas St. (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Car dealer licenses:
Jeep Chrysler Class I (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Old Colony Dodge Class I(Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Lance Pontiac Class I (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Pro's Auto Sales Class II (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Clemmey auto class II (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Webb Auto Class II (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Shaw Auto Leasing Class II (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Times Past Automobiles Class II (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Cottage auto sales Class II (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Clemmey class III (Aptowitz/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
Board of Selectmen Minutes of December 17, 2008
4
· Memo from Neil Rhein regarding a "Keep Mansfield Beautiful" fund raiser at Papa
Gino's, Mansfield Crossing. On Thursday, December 18th (tomorrow) from 4pm to
9pm 20% of sales made during this time will be given to the committee. (must
have copy of flyer or mention promotion)
· Congrats to The Fire Dept. for being awarded two grants. SAFE is the amount of
$4,464.62 and the firefighting equipment grant in the amount of $7,792.00.
· The annual MMA business meeting will be held during the MMA annual meeting
and trade show on Saturday, January 24, 2009 from 1O:00am to 12:00pm at the
Hynes Convention Center. The bos needs to vote on who will represent the board
for voting purposes.
Motion: To appoint Selectman Aptowitz as a sub for Chairman Levine as the
voting member. (Moran/Baldwin) 5:0 passes
· Letter from Kathy Ferrell, thanking Selectman Dentino for his efforts.
· Email from Dan Pascucci about concerns over meeting agendas and placement.
· Email from Chuck Boehm, concerns over lack of cuts in town budget.
· Email from Kevin Kemp, concerns over town travel policy and offers suggestions.
Robert Reid, 44 Oak St. He knows that all the board members try to represent the town
the best they can however, last weeks meeting was awful to watch and he would really like
to see the Board of Selectmen work together for the common good of the town.
· Two budgets are being prepared for FYlO: 01'0 increase and 51'0 decrease.
· Mr. D'Agostino is looking to have a 01'0 increase in health care costs this year,
SMHG is in discussion with Blue Cross to accomplish this.
· He is also looking into departmental consolidation and reduction of town hall
hours in order to cut budget costs. Unfortunately layoffs may occur as well.
· The Town of Franklin has consolidated some departments and the board will be
going there soon to see how they are handling it.
Board of Selectmen Minutes of December 17, 2008
5
Selectman Aptowitz would like to remove items 3 and 4 from the proposed list of
attorneys.
Motion: To remove these from attorney list. (Aptowitz/Dentino) 5:0 passes
Motion: The remaining attorneys will be called for an interview. (Dentino/ Aptowitz)
5:0 passes
Interviews will be 30 each on either January 6th or 7th 2009.
. Old business from Chairman Levine: Vote to make gift account for fuel assistance.
Motion: To create gift account. (Baldwin/Moran) 4:1 passes (Dentino abstains)
· Old business from Selectman Dentino: Shawn Road sign needed. Thank you for
requesting medical review. Questions about staff requirements at the Library.
· Old business for Selectman Moran: Draft guidelines for alcohol regs handed out
for review.
· Old business from Selectman Aptowitz: None
· Old business from Selectman Baldwin: None
· New business from Selectman Baldwin: None
· New business from Selectman Aptowitz: Thank you to Mr. D'Agostino for
coordinating a meeting with Mass Highway in regards to the School St.
intersection lights.
Frank and Jack are on audit committee from FinComm. Please put on cable scroll
that members are needed.
Prepared statement regarding travel/professional development policy and staff
comments from last weeks meeting.
· New business from Selectman Dentino: What is the Cultural Council?
Mr. D'Agostino stated it is a group of residents appointed by the town manager
that are in support of the arts in the community.
Board of Selectmen Minutes of December 17, 2008
6
· New business from Selectman Moran: He realizes that many people have strong
opinions about the role that the board members play in managing the town.
They obviously don't always get along with each other and can't please everyone.
However, they do care about the town and the poor fiscal times we are in.
Please continue to contact him with any questions or comments.
. New business from Chairman Levine: December 30th at 7pm is the next meeting.
The professional development and vehicle policies are on December 30th agenda
for discussion.
. Executive session with Brenda Hodges for school budget items will be that evening
as well.
Motion: To adjourn at 10:45 PM
(Aptowitz) 5-0 Passes
Ie>> ~~~
Signature of Clerk
?b~ It; 2~~f'
Date of Approval
Board of Selectmen Minutes of December 17, 2008
7
Page 1 of 1
Karen Doucette
From:
Sent:
To:
Anne Jasinski [annejasinski@comcast.net]
Tuesday, February 10, 2009 1:46 PM
selectmen
Subject: Re: Sign Request for South Common
My apologies -I also meant to ask for permission to display a banner for "Hearts at Play" over RT 106...1 believe
that the application for the Electric Dept was emailed to me from your office in the past...can you forward again?
Thank you,
Anne Jasinski
----- Original Message -----
From: Anne Jasinski
To: selectmen@mansfieldma.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 10,20091:43 PM
Subject: Sign Request for South Common
To whom it may concern:
I would like to request permission to display a sign (approx. 7'x6') on the South Common for the 4th
Annual "Hearts at Play" family fun night to be held Friday, March 20th from 4-9pm at MP Courts in
Foxboro.
This is a fundraiser run by the Lea family of Mansfield to benefit Children's Hospital Boston
Congenital Heart Defects research. They are also planning on providing Mansfield Football with
Automated Defibrillators with the proceeds (they have already donated defibrillators to the Mansfield
soccer and baseball leagues). We will be using the easel type sign that we have in the past (that
does not require stakes in the ground...secured with sand bags).
If you would like more information regarding the fundraiser, please see www.heartsatplay.org
Please let me know if this would be possible at your earliest convenience.
Thanks for your consideration!
Anne Jasinski
abiasinski@comcast.net
508-339-1013
2/12/2009