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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 10/20/2021Select Board Meeting Minutes October 20, 2021 Present: Mr. Neil Rhein, Chairman; Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Vice -Chair; Mr. Frank DelVecchio, Clerk; Mr. Jess Aptowitz and Mr. Steve Schoonveld. Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager and Mr. Barry LaCasse, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director were also present in meeting room 3A/B at Town Hall. 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting- Pledge of Allegiance Mr. Neil Rhein, Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:30PM. He then asked those present to state the Pledge of Allegiance. He reminded everyone that the meeting was being broadcast live and taped for future broadcast on Mansfield Cable. 2. Town Manager's Report ➢ MMED Li htin Proj1ect g g N� ➢ DPW Road Repair Route 106 v,b ➢ Project Nucleus IX ➢ Business Development tf � M ➢ Budget &,CIP Update _ Co x ➢ Miscellaneous Items = D o0 Select Board Questions and Comments on Town Manager's Report - n Mr. Dumas began his report stating that the COVID numbers were down and as o—today4her�re sixteen cases. He stated that there is a new podcast that will be available from the Health Agent. Mr. DumaiThen thanked Mansfield Electric and the Light Commissioners for the lighting project at the Library/COA building and noted how happy the residents are with how the project turned out. Mr. Dumas stated that the Veteran's Day parade is returning on Thursday November 11' and then Mr. Dumas provided an economic development update for the Board. Mr. Dumas then identified that Walgreens was the name of the company for the TIF Agreement which was previously referred to as Project Nucleus IX. He then stated that the Town did not receive the grant for the 50 West Street reuse opportunity, but that he will work to pursue other grant opportunities for the project. Next, Mr. Dumas provided a paving/construction update. Mr. Trowbridge asked if the TIF Committee has set a date for their next meeting and Mr. Schoonveld responded that he anticipates Thursday next week. Mr. Trowbridge asked for the Board to post to attend that meeting and Mr. Rhein agreed. Mr. Schoonveld asked if there was a Halloween parade and Mr. Dumas there was not but there is a Halloween Hunt event from Park and Recreation. Mr. Schoonveld then asked about the Governor's vaccine requirement and how that may affect the Town. Mr. Dumas responded that it does not impact the Town. 3. Resident Questions and Comments There were no resident questions or comments. 4. Board of Library Trustees Update Ms. Catherine Coyne, Library Director and Nancy Breef-Pilz, Chair of the Board of Library Trustees were present and they provided an update on the many programs that have been working well and what changed with the pandemic. She stated they have added a lot of virtual programming that they will continue with them because they have been able to reach a broad range of residents. Ms. Breef-Pilz stated that there were lots of challenges through pandemic and the staff was able to find ways around those challenges and she gave the example of curbside pickup. She stated the first concern was the custodial needs in the building and not having a custodian in the building for the same hours that the library is open and secondly the Board of Trustees is looking to expand the space of the library. She stated that they have been in the same space for 30 years and would like more space. Mr. Schoonveld asked how many residents the library serves and Ms. Coyne stated that there are approximately 14,000 library cards that are issued. Mr. Schoonveld commented that he loves the online books that are offered and thanked them for the work they do. Mr. DelVecchio echoed what Mr. Schoonveld said and it Select Board Meeting Minutes October 20, 2021 is great to see that library offers so many programs besides just books. Mr. Trowbridge noted that the Town is trying to redo the 50 West Street property and when the COA moves there may be space opportunities, he then asked Mr. Dumas to find out what he could do in regards to the custodial needs. Mr. Aptowitz commented that the library has changed over the years, but the services are needed and they have adapted and evolved. Mr. Rhein thanked Ms. Coyne and Ms. Breef-Pilz for attending and for the work of the library staff and Board. S. Tax Classification Discussion with the Board of Assessors Mr. Dan Brogie, Chief Assessor was present along with the Board of Assessors to provide a presentation to the Board on the Fiscal Year 2022 Tax Classification. Mr. Greg Matoian, Chair for the Board of Assessors introduced the Board members. Mr. Brogie began the presentation explaining what a tax classification is and then explained that this year's assessments are based on the sale of properties in the calendar year of 2020. He stated that single family values have increased 4.5%, condominium values increased by 5.4%, commercial values increased 15% and industrial values increased 25.4%. Mr. Brogie stated that single family homes and condos make up about 85% of the taxable parcels in Town and his chart reflected that the average of property values has steadily increased over the last five years. Mr. Dumas then reviewed a spreadsheet with the Board and stated that due to the information provided by Mr. Brogie there is an opportunity for the Board to consider lowering the split from 1.34 as it was last year to somewhere in the range of 1.16 to 1.20. Mr. Aptowitz asked Mr. Brogie for the average assessed value compared to other towns because residents need to understand how their tax bill is calculated. He stated that the tax rate may appear to be lower in another town, but you need to look at a home of a comparable value and cannot simple compare the tax rate from one town to the next. Mr. Trowbridge thanked Mr. Brogie for his presentation and asked if the information could be added to the Town's website. Mr. Trowbridge then asked if at a future meeting could the Assessors discuss a small business tax classification. Mr. DelVecchio asked if there are any trends or if there is a decline this year. Mr. Brogie responded it is too soon to tell by what percentage, but the sales of 2021 are going up. Mr. DelVecchio then commented that the commercial property values increased and previously it was thought that they were not assessed property and he asked if the increase being shown tonight was from that or if the sales were up. Mr. Brogie said that many times when a commercial property sells it is part of a larger sale of multiple buildings and he has to look at their income and expense information and fill that into the model. The sale may also have included personal property and other items and the sale is not always just the building. Lastly, Mr. DelVecchio stated that this was an excellent presentation and maybe a podcast could be done for the public. Mr. Schoonveld thanked everyone for the work and asked if the reevaluation year had any effect on the commercial property and personal property values that increased. Mr. Brogie stated that properties are evaluated every year and personal property requests are sent to every building owner in Town, they may or may not return it so there are far less properties to work with compared with the residential properties. Mr. Schoonveld asked for Mr. Brogie to provide information for the average tax of all of the different residential home types like all the colonials and all the raised ranches. Mr. Schoonveld also asked if that information could be done for commercial property types. Mr. Rhein thanked everyone and stated that it will be considered on November 17th. 6. Consideration to Approve and Sign Special Town Meeting Warrant Motion: To approve and sign the Special Town meeting Warrant as presently prepared, and to allow the Town Manager to make any necessary, corrective or non -substantive changes thereto at the recommendation of Town Counsel. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 7. Discussion and Consideration of Special Fall Town Meeting Warrant Articles Motion: To support Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles 1-10. (Trowbridge/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 Mr. DelVecchio asked to discuss Article 11, he proceeded and read the article. He stated that in the past he expressed interest in discussing this and spoke with Mr. LaCasse and while his concerns were alleviated he was thinking of having more money added to the special education fund and less in the OPEB, however he wanted to Select Board Meeting Minutes October 20, 2021 cooperate. Mr. Trowbridge stated that he agreed with Mr. DelVecchio and he supported giving more money to the special education fund, however he believes there needs to be a policy written. Motion: To support Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles 11-14. (Schoonveld/DelVecchio) Passes 5:0 Motion: To support Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles 15-17. (Schoonveld/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 Mr. Rhein stated that Article 18 is being withdrawn and Article 19 has not been voted by the Planning Board so the Select Board would not take a position yet. Motion: To support Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles 20-23. (Trowbridge/Schoonveld) Passes 5:0 8. Discussion and Consideration of Town Manager's Contract Mr. Rhein stated the current contract is due to expire on January 2, 2022 and the Select Board met twice in executive session on September 1st and 15th and as a result a contract was written and the Board is now considering to vote it publicly. Select Board members then made a few comments in regards to Mr. Dumas and the work he does for the Town. Mr. Rhein also summarized the key pieces of the contract for the public including salary. Mr. Dumas stated that it has been an honor and privilege to serve the Town. Motion: To approve the Town Managers contract effective January 2, 2022 to January 2, 2025. (De lVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 9. Continued Discussion of 50 West Street Property Mr. Rhein stated that the Town did not receive the grant. Mr. LaCasse confirmed that this shifts the focus to new construction and look at new grant opportunities. Mr. Aptowitz stated that grants were necessary for completing the project. Mr. Schoonveld also noted many communities are looking to build a COA and it is competitive. 10. Resident Questions and Comments There were no resident questions or comments. 11. 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 Warrants: • Town Vendor Warrant No. 22015T in the amount of $1,931,983.46 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 22015E in the amount of $1,594,525.38 • School Vendor Warrant No. 22015S in the amount of $331,246.18 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 22016T in the amount of $1,635,401.71 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 22016E in the amount of $400,987.28 • School Vendor Warrant No. 22016S in the amount of $92.47 B. Permits and Licenses: • Consideration of Special Events Application for Veteran's Parade on November 11, 2021 • Consideration of Special Events Application for Christmas Tree Lot for BSA Troop 51 C. Consideration of Proclamations: Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 12. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22015PT in the amount of $473,103.16 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22015PT in the amount of $473,103.16. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 Select Board Meeting Minutes October 20, 2021 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22015TV in the amount of $141,363.20 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22015TV in the amount of $141,363.20. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 22015PS in the amount of $1,806,573.38 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 22015PS in the amount of $1,806,573.38. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 4:1(Trowbridge Abstained) • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 22015SV in the amount of $579,751.18 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 22015SV in the amount of $579,751.18. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22016PT in the amount of $468,050.47 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22016PT in the amount of $468,050.47 (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22016TV in the amount of $143,406.58 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22016TV in the amount of $143,406.58. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 13. Correspondence Notification from Verizon Has Thank You Note from Daughters of the American Revolution Mansfield Chapter House Mr. DelVecchio read a summary of the above correspondence items. 14. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions Mr. Trowbridge had no comments or questions. Mr. Aptowitz stated that the lighting project at the Library and COA was a success and he has received lots of emails and calls from seniors that are really happy that it was done. Mr. Schoonveld stated that there are 631 companies in Mansfield and 57% do not pay any personal property taxes. He then stated that Representative Auchincloss helped get a grant for N. Attleboro to help with PFAS and he hoped that Mansfield could also get that opportunity and asked if he could be invited to a meeting. Lastly, he stated that Walgreens had a facility in Memphis, Tennessee that is twice as large as the one in Mansfield and our TIF is more favorable for the Town than the one there. Mr. DelVecchio commented that the idea of a small business exemption and looking at that it sounds like a good thing but want to do something that is effective. Mr. Trowbridge said to be clear he wasn't sure he supported it either, but need to talk about it and look at it closely. Mr. Rhein stated that Town Meeting is November 4, 2021 need at least one hundred voters present. He then asked for the manager of the Xfinity Center and the police and fire chief come to a future meeting to have a season recap. 15. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 16. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the October 20, 2021 Select Board meeting at 7:13PM. (Trowbridge/Schoonveld) Passes 5:0 Signature t /�/ Date Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Select Board Meeting Minutes October 20, 2021