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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 06/02/2021Select Board Meeting Minutes June 2, 2021 Present: Mr. Neil Rhein, Chairman; Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Vice -Chair; Mr. Frank DelVecchio, Clerk; Mr. less Aptowitz and Mr. Steve Schoonveld. Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager and Mr. Barry LaCasSR i"bTown Manager/Finance Director were also present in meeting room 3A/B at Town Hall. i't (j,rR¢{S OFFICE 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting -Pledge of Allegiance 20ZI JUN I l P I: Mr. Neil Rhein called the meeting to order at 5:30PM. He then asked those present to state the Pledge o Al egiance. He reminded everyone that the meeting was being broadcast live and taped for future broaWa"s - Mansfield Cable. 2. Town Manager's Report ➢ Highway Division Update ➢ COVID Task Force Update ➢ Post Town Meeting Follow-up ➢ SRPEDD Commission Special Recognition ➢ Community Gardens and reLeaf Update ➢ Xfinity Center Update ➢ One Stop Grant Update ➢ Miscellaneous Items Mr. Dumas began his report stating that the COVID numbers have gone down drastically and as a result of the restriction lifting, all Boards and Committees will be returning to in person meetings and a hybrid model will begin for seven committees which means they will have both virtual and in person participation. Mr. Dumas shared that Mr. Lee Azinheira was being recognized by SRPEDD for his many years of service to the district. He then provided an update on the Xfinity Center, One Stop Grants, DPW and Water Director retirements and all of the highway department projects. Mr. Aptowitz asked to have the new manager of the Xfinity Center in to an upcoming Select Board meeting to introduce himself and review the season. Mr. Aptowitz also asked for a notice to go out to residents whose roads are being chip sealed. Mr. Dumas confirmed that it does go out to those whose street is affected and will make sure it is posted on the Town's website. Mr. Schoonveld agreed that he would like the notice so he can read it to those that question him about it. Mr. Dumas then stated that reLeaf is expected to receive their final approval from the Cannabis Control Commission in July and Community Gardens is finishing design work. Select Board Questions and Comments on Town Manager's Report Mr. Schoonveld asked about the overlap of the DPW Director and their replacement and what Mr. Dumas considers ample time and Mr. Dumas responded that he hopes to have the new person hired by the fall and it would be a six month overlap ideally. He also hopes to do the same for the Water Department Director and the expense has been budgeted. Mr. Schoonveld then asked about the tax title property auction and noted that the Town of Seekonk is having a similar auction next week. Mr. LaCasse answered that he would be attending the Seekonk auction to gather some information and ideas, he added that there were minimums decided and bidders were off by $30-40,000 and the Town is not in a position to give the properties away. Mr. Trowbridge recommended having the properties ready and get the variances ahead of time. 3. Resident Questions and Comments There were no resident questions or comments. 4. Discussion and Consideration of Proposed Police Training Facility This item was passed over. S. Consideration to Adopt Mansfield Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy Mr. LaCasse stated that this policy is required if the Town is going to become a Green Community. He stated that it did not apply to fire apparatus or police cruisers or large equipment. Mr. Schoonveld asked if this applied to new Select Board Meeting Minutes June 2, 2021 1 vehicles not the average of the entire fleet. Mr. LaCasse responded that it was for new vehicles. Mr. Aptowitz asked if electric charging stations will need to be installed. Mr. LaCasse answered that the Town is not required to go to all electric. Mr. Rhein added that hybrid vehicles do not require charging stations and there are grant opportunities to add public charging stations if the Town wanted to do so. Mr. Aptowitz asked if this information would be shared with the purchasers from departments and Mr. LaCasse explained the meeting that happened amongst the department heads and the green community coordinator to review the program and the impact to their department. Motion: To adopt the Mansfield Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 6. Discussion and Consideration of Revised Job Description for Director of Public Works Mr. Dumas highlighted the items that were changing from the original job description to this proposed job description. The Select Board asked a few questions which were answered by Mr. Dumas. Motion: To approve the revised job description for Director of Public Works as presented. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 7. Discussion and Consideration of Select Board Subcommittees, Committee Assignments and Liaisons Mr. Rhein provided a list of the following liaisons and Board/Committee Assignments. Mr. DelVecchio will be a liaison to Airport Commission and Finance Committee. Mr. Schoonveld will be a liaison to Planning Board, Recreation and Open Space, Cable Access, Board of Assessors. Mr. Aptowitz will be a liaison to Board of Health and Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Trowbridge will be a liaison to the Council on Aging. Mr. Rhein will be a liaison to Keep Mansfield Beautiful and Conservation. Mr. DelVecchio will be a representative to Budget Subcommittee, CIP and Town Manager Strategic Development. Mr. Schoonveld will be a representative to Waste Reduction & Recycling and TIFF. Mr. Aptowitz will be a representative to Audit Committee, Bristol County Retirement Board and MFN. Mr. Trowbridge will be a representative to CIP, Budget Subcommittee, and MFN. Mr. Rhein will be a representative to Community Service Awards, Downtown Advisory Committee and Waste Reduction & Recycling. Mr. Rhein also discussed adding a subcommittee to interview candidates for Board and Committee appointments. The Board shared similar views that it can be awkward to interview in public and amongst other people seeking the same appointment. and it may also be deterring some people from volunteering. Mr. Trowbridge agreed to do some research to see what other towns are doing and bring the information back to the next meeting. The Board also discussed having a workshop with other committees to discuss the Master Plan with various boards and committees. Motion: To appoint Mike Trowbridge to serve on the MFN for a three-year term to expire June 30, 2024. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 8. Discussion and Consideration to enter into negotiations for Successor Agreement with the Town Manager Mr. Rhein stated that the current contract for the Town Manager ends in January of 2022 and that a new contract needs to be developed. Mr. Rhein stated that negotiations would be conducted in executive session and then discussed in open session once an agreement is reached. Motion: To enter into negotiations for a successor agreement with the Town Manager and have the Chair and Vice - Chair represent the Board in the negotiations. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 9. Consideration to Reappoint D. Austin Horowitz to serve on Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) Mr. Schoonveld asked about number sixteen in his application where Mr. Horowitz stated that he does not believe the SRPEDD appointment disqualifies him from serving on the Board of Registrars of Voters, but asked that the Town seek affirmation from Town Counsel. Mr. Trowbridge responded that it is only elected officials that are excluded from being able to serve on a Board of Committee unless specified in the Charter. Motion: To reappoint D. Austin Horowitz to serve on Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District to a one-year term to expire on May 20, 2022. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 Select Board Meeting Minutes June 2, 2021 10. Execution of Order of Taking Regarding Acceptance of Julia Lane as a Public Way Motion: To sign the order of taking regarding acceptance of Julia Lane as a public way. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 11. Execution of Order of Taking Regarding Acceptance of Lorraine Way as a Public Way Motion: To sign the order of taking regarding acceptance of Lorraine Way as a public way. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 12. Continued Discussion of 50 West Street Property Mr. Dumas stated that Mr. Mike Ahern did follow up on the request to have the property appraised and the market value is estimated at $450,000, Mr. Trowbridge stated that if it was zoned differently it would be worth more. Mr. Schoonveld asked if the property could be rezoned to make the value higher. Mr. Trowbridge responded that it would not be fair to the neighbors. Mr. Rhein asked what the next step would be and Mr. Dumas stated that the Board needs to decide to keep the property or make it available for surplus. Mr. Rhein stated that a grant possibility was discussed and asked if there was a deadline and Mr. Dumas answered that the grant had been submitted. Mr. Trowbridge asked for a workshop with the Planning Board, Park and Rec and the COA. The Board expressed similar opinions that the property should be kept as it would be expensive to purchase a property in the downtown for the COA. The question was whether or not the building should be remodeled or torn down. 13. 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: • May 19, 2021 • May 24, 2021 b) Vote to Approve Warrants: • Town Vendor Warrant No. 21047T in the amount of $873,640.16 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 21047E in the amount of $71,794.35 • School Vendor Warrant No. 210475 in the amount of $946,308.65 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 21048T in the amount of $377,639.00 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 21048E in the amount of $29,650.12 C) Permits and Licenses: • Consideration of Hands -On Montessori School Lease Renewal for July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022 Mr. Schoonveld asked if the school had paid their lease. Ms. Champagne answered that they had and the next check is due on July 111 Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 14. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21047PT in the amount of $382,327.63 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21047PT in the amount of $382,327.63. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21047TV in the amount of $120,189.03 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21047TV in the amount of $120,189.03. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 21047PS in the amount of $2,044,067.36 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 21047PS in the amount of $2,044,067.36. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes: 4:0:1 (Trowbridge Abstain) • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 21047SV in the amount of $496,213.71 Select Board Meeting Minutes June 2, 2021 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 21047SV in the amount of $496,213.71. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21048PT in the amount of $469,738.56 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 21048PT in the amount of $469,738.56. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21048TV in the amount of $157,973.83 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 21048TV in the amount of $157,973.83. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 15. Correspondence • Letter from National Grid providing an update on the current vegetation management plan and YOP. 16. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions Mr. Schoonveld stated that he got a text from someone stating they like the idea of having a subcommittee for the Board to interview candidates for committee appointments as it can be awkward. Mr. Schoonveld stated that Town Meeting went well except the last article and asked what could the Town do to fix that going forward. Mr. Dumas responded that it was a decision of a previous Select Board to not have Town Counsel opine on Citizen Petitions, however a solution could be to have Town Counsel provide information to the Town Manager and he could have a conversation with the citizen. He agrees that the Town should not be paying legal counsel for a citizen. Mr. DelVecchio also agreed with having a subcommittee for committee appointments and stated that people may not be comfortable interviewing in public, but would do great on a committee. Mr. DelVecchio then stated that Town Meeting went well except in regards to the quorum count at the end, he stated that the new moderator did a great job. Mr. DelVecchio then stated that he has a draft proclamation forJuneteenth that he would like the Board to consider at the June 16th meeting. Mr. Aptowitz stated that the first concert at the Xfinity Center is on July 10th and is hoping that it will be safe and successful season. He restated that he would like to Jason Sandoval come to a meeting to meet the Board. He then stated that the police and fire swearing in ceremony was great and the building looks like new and it is being well taken care of. Mr. Trowbridge stated that next week is a workshop with Northeastern University students from 4-6:30PM and asked to have the presentation ahead of time to review. He then asked for an update on the North Main Street Fire Station and Mr. Dumas responded it would be in the report that is sent to the Board later on. Chairman Rhein congratulated all the police and fire personnel that were promoted or recently hired and wished them the best. He then referenced and article in the globe about cities and towns spending lots of money on PFAS removal and some towns are now banning the mosquito spray companies because it may not be clear what chemicals may be going back into the ground water. 17. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 18. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the June 2, 2021 Select Board meeting at 7:OOPM. (DelVecchio/Schoonveld) Passes 5:0 Signature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Q,t._.z_ Cl14 Dat Select Board Meeting Minutes June 2, 2021