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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 09/15/2021Select Board Meeting Minutes September 15, 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,,AsRft&(rtffi Manager/Finance Director were also present in meeting room 3A/B at Town Hall. _MkKS OFFICE 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting - Pledge of Allegiance ZOZI DEC — 2 P 2: 18 Mr. Neil Rhein, Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:3013M. He then asked thosq,p�q�� fto state the Pledge of Allegiance. He reminded everyone that the meeting was being broadcast live and it�ethfiYiT~r�Ig 4r°adcast on Mansfield Cable. Mr. Trowbridge then asked for a moment of silence to recognize Tony Caponigro a former Select Board member who passed away on September 31. Mr. Rhein then wished everyone a good fast for those that celebrate Yom Kippur that begins at sundown. 2. Town Manager's Report ➢ Free Cash Allocation Update ➢ Economic Development Position Update ➢ Collector/Treasurer Update ➢ Miscellaneous Items Select Board Questions and Comments on Town Manager's Report Mr. Dumas began he report stating that the COVID numbers are down from the last meeting. He stated that the Board of Health has issued a mask mandate for all municipal buildings which applies to visitors and employees until further notice. He added that he has authorized the Health Department to work with Penta Comminutions to start a PR campaign to educate residents about COVID-19. He then stated that the Conservation Agent and Planning Director received an EPA grant that will assist with the Town's stormwater resiliency. Mr. LaCasse then presented a summary on the use of free cash for consideration at Fall Town meeting. The Select Board asked questions and reviewed the CIP items, the projects with grant opportunities and ARPA Funding through the County. Mr. Dumas then announced the flu clinics that were scheduled and encouraged anyone nine years and older to attend. Mr. Dumas then updated the Board on economic development and ongoing business relations items. Lastly, Mr. Dumas provided a paving update. 3. Resident Questions and Comments There were no resident questions or comments. 4. Discussion and Consideration of Common Victualler and Entertainment License for Providence Bagel Motion: To approve the common victualler and entertainment license for Providence Bagel. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 S. Discussion and Consideration of the Change of Manager Application for Blazin Wings, Inc. This item has been moved to the October 6, 2021 agenda. 6. Update with Penta Communications Ms. Deborah Penta was present virtually to provide an update on the Phase II marketing campaign of Discover Mansfield. She noted that it has been a busy few months and she shared the results of what has happened since she was last at the Select Board. She mentioned several business outreach meetings that have proven to be successful as well as the launch of the Discover Mansfield website. The Select Board members thanked Ms. Penta and asked a few additional questions. 7. Discussion and Consideration to Continue the Trash and Recycling Committee Mr. Rhein stated that this was discussed over the summer and whether the Board should continue with the Trash and Recycling Committee or not. Mr. Trowbridge said he would leave that for Mr. Rhein and Mr. Schoonveld to Select Board Meeting Minutes September 15, 2021 decide. Mr. Schoonveld stated they have completed their mission and will be helping review the RFP's, but if Board wants to give us a new charge the Committee will be happy to continue. Mr. Rhein said he would like to rename it to the Recycling and Waste Reduction Committee. Mr. Trowbridge stated that they should come up with name and charge and come back to the Board for approval. 8. Discussion and Consideration to Appoint Sally Fehervari to serve on the Open Space and Recreation Committee Mr. DelVecchio provided a summary stating that the Volunteer Advisory SubCommittee met last week and many people know Ms. Fehervari as she is very active in Town. He did note that she was the only candidate, but there was still a positive recommendation to appoint her. Motion: To appoint Sally Fehervari to serve on the Open Space and Recreation Committee to an unexpired term to expire on December 31, 2021. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 9. Discussion and Consideration to Appoint Jeffrey Paten to serve on the Conservation Commission Mr. Aptowitz stated he was also interviewed as part of the Volunteer Advisory SubCommittee. He stated he was the only candidate, but was well qualified and is recommended to be appointed to serve on the Conservation Commission. Motion: To appoint Jeffrey Paten to serve on the Conservation Commission to an unexpired term to expire on December 31, 2024. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 10. Continued Discussion and Consideration of a Mansfield 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee Mr. Rhein stepped out at 7:12pm and returned at 7:14PM. Mr. Dumas provided a summary of the draft of the 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee. Mr. Dumas stated that it will take a tremendous amount of organization for a large-scale event or series of events. The date of August 23, 2025 is the date that events and activities should take place as that weekend officially marks the 250th Anniversary. Mr. Dumas anticipates that other businesses and groups would host events as well during this time. Mr. Trowbridge added that he would like to see the Downtown Business Association, Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce and Historical Society involved and Town Manager and then have it open to six residents instead of the ten in the prepared draft of the Committee that was sent to the Board. Mr. Schoonveld suggested removing a Select Board member and add an additional resident making it seven residents. The other members of the Board agreed. Mr. DelVecchio suggested adding the Superintendent or designee and the same for Town Manager or designee. Mr. Trowbridge stated that he would like to be a liaison and assist with fundraising. Motion: To approve the charge of the Mansfield 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee as amended. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 11. Discussion and Consideration of the Select Board's Intent to Take a Vote on Reducing the Quorum Needed for Special Town Meeting and Schedule Such Vote for October 6, 2021 Mr. LaCasse stated that as a precaution he would like the Board to consider reducing the quorum as an insurance policy to ensure that Town Meeting can move forward. Mr. Rhein asked where the meeting was going to be and Mr. LaCasse responded that they are planning for the High School and use the DPW Highway garage if necessary, should there be a health and safety concern because the doors should be opened and provide air circulation. Mr. Rhein asked how many people attended the last fall town meeting and Mr. Schoonveld responded that it was around 125. Motion: To publish the Select Boards intention to take a vote on reducing the quorum needed at Special Town Meeting and any other town meeting during the pendency of the Governor's State of Emergency and schedule such vote to happen at the Select Board Meeting on October 6, 2021 at 6:0013M. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 12. Discussion and Consideration to Open the Special Town Meeting Warrant and Schedule it to Close on October 6, 2021 at 413M Select Board Meeting Minutes September 15, 2021 Mr. Schoonveld suggested giving thirty days to keep the warrant open to give residents enough time to collect signatures. Mr. Aptowitz agreed. Motion: To open the special town meeting warrant and schedule it to close on October 6, 2021 at 4PM. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 13. Discussion of Select Board Goal 3 (Volunteer Advisory Sub Committee) and Goal 9 (Green Communities Designation) Mr. Rhein stated he asked for this item and would like to discuss these two goals. He stated that the Volunteer Advisory Subcommittee is an accomplished goal. Mr. LaCasse stated that goal 9 is the Green Communities Designation and of the five criteria, four have already been accomplished. The last item is the energy reduction plan which should be done in October and ready for the Board's consideration. 14. Discussion and Consideration of Building Department Administrative Assistant, Planning Department Administrative Assistant, Conservation Department Administrative Assistant and Zoning Department Administrative Assistant Job Descriptions Mr. Dumas stated that they were not new positions and were updates to the current job descriptions. He stated this arose due to the Planning Admin moving to a different department. He stated that he met with the three employees and Human Resources to re -do the job descriptions. The Zoning Admin position was eliminated several years ago, but it is being added back for part time hours. The Board members asked some questions to which Mr. Dumas answered. Motion: To approve the job descriptions for Building Department Administrative Secretary, Planning Department Administrative Secretary, Conservation Department Administrative Secretary, and Zoning Department Administrative Secretary and allow the Town Manager and Unions to make any necessary, corrective or non -substantive changes that may be needed. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 15. Continued Discussion of 50 West Street Property Mr. LaCasse updated the Board that MIS Director put a new section on the website in the government section called town projects. 16. Resident Questions and Comments There were no questions or comments from the public. 17. 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: • September 1, 2021 B. Vote to Approve Warrants: • Town Vendor Warrant No. 22010T in the amount of $1,648,262.94 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 22011T in the amount of $761,488.68 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 22011E in the amount of $1,950,333.26 • School Vendor Warrant No. 220115 in the amount of $278,667.24 C. Permits and Licenses: • Consideration of Event Application for Dan Jonghin for a Neighborhood 5K • Consideration of Event Application for Block Party on Colonial Drive • Consideration of a Change of Date for the Special Event Application for the Randy Tatum Social • Consideration of Hackney Driver License for Paul DelloRusso Select Board Meeting Minutes September 15, 2021 • Consideration of Hackney Carriage License for two vehicles for Already Taxi D. Consideration of Proclamations: Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 18. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22010PT in the amount of $477,687.08 Motion: To approve Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22010PT in the amount of $477,687.08. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22010TV in the amount of $142,561.20 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22010TV in the amount of $142,561.20. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22011PT in the amount of $590,971.87 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22011PT in the amount of $590,971.87. DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22011TV in the amount of $191,302.73 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22011TV in the amount of $191,302.73. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 22011PS in the amount of $1,804,923.20 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 22011PS in the amount of $1,804,923.20. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 3:0:2 (Trowbridge and DelVecchio Abstain) • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 22011SV in the amount of $552,570.88 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 22011SV in the amount of $552,570.88. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 19. Correspondence • Letter from Southeastern Regional School District • Memo from the Planning Board —TIF Committee Representative Mr. DelVecchio read a summary of the two correspondence items. The Board discussed the letter from Southeastern and the allocation and Mr. LaCasse explained that the amount was increasing because the ESSER II grant was not able to be used to offset the amount due. 20. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions Mr. Schoonveld asked when the tax classification hearing was and Mr. Rhein responded that it was the first meeting in November and their presentation was October 20th. Mr. Schoonveld then asked about vacant building enforcement and Mr. LaCasse stated that the bylaw that was passed lays out the process and he stated that he will find out if there have been any enforcements needed. Mr. Aptowitz asked about the reconstruction of the roadway from Citgo up to the schools and he wanted to know if the road was going to become narrower due to sidewalks like he had heard from some residents. Mr. Dumas responded that that was not accurate and he could do a presentation to the Board on the project, however he explained that there would be a sidewalk on one side and a shared use path on the other side similar to what had been done on Park Street. Mr. Aptowitz then asked about the cell service in East Mansfield and noted that it is a public safety issue if someone cannot use their cell phone to call 9-1-1 and Mr. Dumas responded that he will follow up with Ellen Cummings again and request a meeting. Mr. Rhein asked about the medical marijuana facility and the legal case and what the high-level overview implications. Mr. Dumas responded that if they decide to pursue building a facility they can have medical and recreation marijuana sales regardless of what the zoning is in Mansfield at that specific location. Mr. Rhein then thanked Samsonite for their community service this weekend to help cleanup along Route 140 and Copeland Drive. He also thanked public safety for the 9-1-1 ceremony. Select Board Meeting Minutes September 15, 2021 21. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 22. 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. 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 at 8:0213M. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Schoonveld—Aye Delvecchio — Aye Aptowitz — Aye Trowbridge — Aye Rhein - Aye Passes 5:0 Signature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Date Select Board Meeting Minutes September 15, 2021