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Home My WebLink AboutSelect Board 05/19/2021Select Board Meeting Minutes May 19, 2021 Present: Mr. Neil Rhein, Chairman; Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Vice -Chair; Mr. Frank DelVecchio, Cler�k/: r. Jess Aptowitz and Mr. Steve Schoonveld. Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager and Mr. Barry LaCas$stZ�aE Manager/Finance Director were also present in meeting room 3A/B at Town Hall. ; rll ?i C�FRK �11tt Mr. DelVeccchio arrived at 5:05PM. 2Q11 0 -3 A 11' 40 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting -Pledge of Allegiance M1,"aNsFIE -D Mr. Neil Rhein called the meeting to order at 5:02PM. He then asked those present to st4ilAisi �ledAecff Allegiance. He reminded everyone that the meeting was being broadcast live and taped for future broadcast on Mansfield Cable. Mr. Rhein then read a statement in regards to addressing false information that was posted on social media about the Town Manager's evaluations and salary increases. Mr. Rhein provided information for the purpose of transparency and went through the series of events since Mr. Dumas interviewed for the position of Town Manager through the most recent evaluation. Agenda #2 was skipped until further in the agenda. 3. Resident Questions and Comments There were no resident questions or comments. 4. Discussion and Consideration of Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles Mr. Rhein stated that articles 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 15 would all be passed over and the Board did not need to take votes on them. Mr. Schoonveld asked to discuss Article 1 and stated he would not support that article and provided his opinion on the matter. The Board had discussion with Mr. LaCasse and Mr. Dumas on all of the articles on the Town Meeting Warrant and all of the following votes were taken. Motion: To support Article 1. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 4:1 (Schoonveld-Nay) Motion: To support Article 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, 13 and 14. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 Motion: To support Article 16. (Schoonveld/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 Motion: To support Article 19. (Trowbridge/Schoonveld) Passes 5:0 Motion: To support Article 20. (Trowbridge/DelVecchio) Passes 5:0 Motion: To support Article 21. (Trowbridge/DelVecchio) Passes 5:0 Motion: To support Article 22. (Trowbridge/DelVecchio) Passes 5:0 Motion: To support Article 24. (Aptowitz/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 Motion: To support Article 25. (De lVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 Motion: To support Article 26. (DelVecchio/Schoonveld) Passes 5:0 Motion: To support Article 27 and 28. (Trowbridge/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 The Board decided to meet the hour prior to Town Meeting and will consider supporting Article 33. 5. Consideration of MMAS One Day Beer and Wine Licenses for Thirteen Dates and Consideration to Waive the License Fee for Each Event Select Board Meeting Minutes May 19, 2020 Motion: To approve the one -day beer and wine licenses for Thirteen Dates for MMAS and waive the license fee for each event. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 6. Discussion and Consideration for Massachusetts School Building Authority Statement of Interest Applications for MHS and Qualters Middle School Boiler Replacements Mr. Trowbridge stated that this was voted last year by the Board, but the schools did not receive the grant so they are reapplying this year. There was no further discussion. Resolved: Having convened in an open meeting on May 19, 2021, the Select Board of the Town of Mansfield, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated May 14, 2021 for the Mansfield High School located at 250 East Street, Mansfield, MA 02048 which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future. Submitted Statement of Interest — Priority 5- the Mansfield High School was constructed in 1967, the building boilers & related components were last upgraded in 1989 and currently do not operate effectively & efficiently. This situation and the environment it creates presents many challenges in delivering the best education possible for the students of Mansfield; and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest Form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the Town to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 Resolved: Having convened in an open meeting on May 19, 2021, the Select Board of the Town of Mansfield, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated May 14, 2021, for the Qualters Middle School located at 240 East Street, Mansfield, MA 02048 which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future. Submitted Statement of Interest — Priority 5- the Qualters Middle School was constructed in 1953, the building boilers are over 25 years old & in poor condition, they do not operate effectively & efficiently. This situation and the environment it creates presents many challenges in delivering the best education possible for the students of Mansfield; and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest Form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the Town to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 7. Discussion and Consideration to Lift the Phase II Mandatory Outdoor Water Restrictions Mr. Dumas stated that there is ample water and the restriction will go back to Phase I. Motion: To lift the Phase II Mandatory Outdoor Water Restriction. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 8. Warn to Adopt Mansfield Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy Chairman Rhein stated that this is part of becoming a Green Community and Mr. LaCasse stated that this is one of the criteria that the Town has to meet. Mr. LaCasse stated this is a standard policy and the School Committee will also be voting on it. Mr. LaCasse stated that it does not apply to large trucks, fire trucks, and buses and it is more about right sizing vehicles. Mr. Rhein asked Chief Sellon to speak because he heard that the Police Department is possibly purchasing new hybrid cruisers this coming year and the Chief responded that he was going to try and purchase hybrid vehicles. 2. Town Manager's Report ➢ Highway Division Update ➢ COVID Restriction Update Select Board Meeting Minutes May 19, 2020 ➢ Tax Title Land Sale Reminder ➢ Water Department Recognition ➢ PFAS Grant Notice ➢ Economic Development Update ➢ Public Safety Open House ➢ Swearing in Ceremony Reminder Select Board Questions and Comments on Town Manager's Report Mr. Dumas stated that COVID cases were down and many things are opening. Mr. Dumas stated that the COVID task force will be meeting next week to go over Town protocols. He stated that the Water Division received recognition from the State for outstanding performance and achievement in the medium and large community systems category for 2020. Mr. Dumas then updated the Board on a PFAS Grant Notice, Economic Development, Public Safety Open House and swearing in ceremony for June 2nd 9. 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) Vote To Approve Meeting Minutes: • April 21, 2021 b) Vote To Approve Warrants: • Town Vendor Warrant No. 21046T in the amount of $558,190.21 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 21046E in the amount of $1,504,484.50 c) Permits and Licenses: • Consideration of Mansfield Pride event on June 1:t at 6PM with a rain date of June 31d • Consideration of Community Sidewalk Coloring Art Fest from June 4th to June 6th Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 10. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21046PT in the amount of $380,972.08 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21046PT in the amount of $380,972.08. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21046TV in the amount of $119,483.78 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21046TV in the amount of $119,483.78. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 11. Correspondence • Resignation of Conservation Commission Member Mr. DelVecchio read the letter from Kostas Lukos who was resigning from Conservation now that he was elected as the Town Moderator. 12. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions Mr. Schoonveld asked about the Town celebrating Juneteenth and wanted to bring that idea forward and the possibility of using the Town's Facebook page to do so. Mr. Schoonveld then stated the need for a policy on diversity and inclusion and suggested the creation of a Masterplan Implementation Committee. Mr. Schoonveld then stated that any seniors who took a year off due to COVID should call the Town Hall or COA for getting back to work in the senior tax work off program. Mr. Schoonveld then asked if there was a way to predict the increase to taxes or split based on the current evaluations of home properties and noted that it should be part of the Town Meeting presentation. Lastly, Mr. Schoonveld asked that Article 1 be changed to reflect the proper name of the fund. Select Board Meeting Minutes May 19, 2020 Mr. DelVecchio stated that he agreed with Mr. Schoonveld on the need for a Diversity and Equity policy and that the Board should start working on goals and objectives as it is the new year and also assessing the goals from last year. Mr. DelVecchio then commented that it is good to be in person and sometimes on a virtual meeting you do not get a person's sense of tone. He stated it is okay to disagree, but should be civil to one another. He also said that its okay to stand on your "soap box" but what is said should be accurate. Mr. Aptowitz thanked Mr. Rhein for the statement that was read in regards to the Town Manager at the beginning of the meeting and noted that everyone needs to work together. Mr. Aptowitz stated that some of the comments were directed at staff and he knows how hard Kevin and his team are working. Mr. Rhein stated that Town Meeting is Monday at 5:30PM at the Xfinity Center and that the quorum needed is 100, but hopes that many more will attend. Mr. Rhein stated that he wanted to go through the list of goals at the next meeting on June 2"d and update the status of each of the goals. Also, at the next meeting the Board will discuss board and committee assignments. He also stated that he would like input of discussion topics by members so that when the schedule allows the Board can discuss some items of interest in depth. He then stated that South Common looks great and gave kudos to DPW, KMB and garden clubs and everyone else involved. Mr. Rhein re -read the statement that was not heard due to audio problems at the start of the meeting. 13. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 14. Enter into Executive Session and Not Return to Open Session under Exemption No. 2, M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21- a.) To discuss strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non -union personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non -union personnel. b.) Approve Executive Session Meeting Minutes of March 31, 2021 Motion: To enter into Executive Session and Not Return to Open Session under Exemption No. 2, M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21 to discuss strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non -union personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non -union personnel and approve Executive Session Meeting Minutes of March 31, 2021 at 6:49PM. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Mr. Aptowitz-Yes Mr. DelVecchio-Yes Passes 5:0 Signature Mr. Schoonveld-Yes Mr. Rhein -Yes Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Mr. Trowbridge -Yes Dat� Select Board Meeting Minutes May 19, 2020