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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVolunteer Advisory Sub Comm 12/09/2021Volunteer Advisory Sub -Committee Meeting Minutes for December 9, 2021 Present: Frank DelVecchio and Jess Aptowitz Guests: Beth Ashman -Collins, Chair of Planning Board and Mr. Kevin McNatt, Vice_-Chai"f Non -Profit Gift Fund ^° • Open the Meeting Mr. DelVecchio called the meeting to order at 6:OOPM..ern • Approve Meeting Minutes of August 30, 2021, September 14, 2021 and Wo26 1 Motion: To approve the meeting minutes of August 30, 2021, September 14, 20�?1 and-.C)ctoi+r 26, 2021. (Aptowitz/DelVecchio) Passes 2:0 n 1 F_� m • Interview Michael McClanahan for Planning Board (6:OOPM) Mr. Aptowitz stated that the first two interviews were included Ms. Beth Ashman -Collins, Chair of the Planning Board. Mr. Michael McClanahan was present and Mr. Aptowitz noted that Mr. McClanahan was seeking reappointment. Mr. McClanahan then introduced himself and stated that he lived on Cottage Street, he was a local developer, and that his children graduated from Mansfield Schools. Mr. Aptowitz then asked him what attracted him to serve on the Planning Board and he responded that when he was putting in a development there was a situation with paving the road that didn't make sense and went against common sense so that was the moment he decided to get on the Planning Board. Mr. Aptowitz then asked him what his strongest attribute was and he said that he does his homework on each item and goes to the site to see if he likes it or not. He added that you have to look at the area and cannot just look at a piece of paper. Mr. Aptowitz then asked if he sees any situations where his personal beliefs would interfere with making decisions and Mr. McClanahan responded that he is fair and honest and will voice his opinion. He added that you have to consider all parties including abutters but if an item confirms to the law then you have to approve the item. Ms. Ashman -Collins then asked Mr. McClanahan what he was looking forward to working on and he responded that it was the train station area. He stated that the northern accesss has been approved and the landowners want to do something and he wants to make sure the project goes right and believes that the project will relieve traffic on the Route 106 corridor. Mr. DelVecchio commented that prior to this it was unsolvable without a second access point. Mr. Aptowitz stated that he had no further questions and has known him a long time and Mr. DelVecchio and Ms. Ashman -Collins agreed that they would recommend him to the full Select Board. Mr. McClanahan then left the meeting. • Interview Mark Corsillo for Planning Board (6:15PM) Mr. Aptowitz introduced Ms. Ashman -Collins who explained what the Planning Board was and the items that they work on. Mr. Aptowitz introduced Mr. Mark Corsillo and thanked him for applying. Mr. DelVecchio also thanked him for coming to Select Board meetings and for attending Town Meeting. Mr. DelVecchio also noted that there was only one opening and shared his experience of how he did not get appointed to the Finance Committee the first time he applied. Mr. Aptowitz commented that he appreciates those who step up to be on the Planning Board because there is a lot involved and they meet more than once a month. Mr. Aptowitz then asked Mr. Corsillo to introduce himself. Mr. Corsill stated that he has lived in Mansfield for four years and worked in Boston but now due to COVID he is working from home. He stated that he has a technical background and formerly he held a real estate license, but it has since lapsed. Mr. Corsillo stated that he has been going to Select Board meetings and is interested in politics and how things happen or don't happen in local government. He stated that he has worked with the Town Clerk at the elections and enjoys getting more involved in the different parts of the Town. He stated that he participated in the master plan workshops, and noted that it was what interested him in the Planning Board, and liked that it has a long-term impact. Mr. Aptowitz then Volunteer Advisory Sub -Committee Meeting Minutes for December 9, 2021 asked Mr. Corsillo what his strongest attribute was and he responded that it was his curiosity. He stated that he likes learning about Mass General Law and he enjoys debating issues in the Town Facebook group and likes to explore different areas of Town and learning about the history of the Town. Mr. DelVecchio stated that there is a broad range of backgrounds and Ms. Ashman -Collins agreed that the Planning Board needs perspective from all residents and a wide variety of people with various backgrounds. Mr. Aptowitz then asked him how he would handle a situation where his family or friends were involved in an item that was coming before the Planning Board. Mr. Corsillo stated that he doesn't have a business in Town and doesn't think there will be any conflicts of interest however he would recuse himself if needed. Mr. Aptowitz recommended that if you're not sure just speak with the Town Clerk or the Chair of the Board or Committee you're on. Ms. Ashman -Collins then asked Mr. Corsillo what he loves about Mansfield and he responded that he loves how easy it was to get involved in Town as a resident and that you do not get that level of involvement in a big city. Mr. Aptowitz commented that he wished there were spots for everyone and that at the December 1511 meeting it would be on the agenda for the full Select Board and then Mr. Corsillo left the meeting. Mr. Delvecchio stated that there were two qualified candidates from different perspectives. He stated that it has been past practice to reappoint the one who has been serving. Mr. Aptowitz agreed. Ms. Ashman -Collins added that there eventually will be an opening. Motion: To recommend to the Select Board that Mr. McClanahan be reappointed to serve on the Planning Board. (Aptowitz/DelVecchio) Passes 2:0 Ms. Ashman -Collins then left the meeting. • Interview Ben Esposito for World War II Scholarship Committee (6:30PM) Mr. Aptowitz stated that he has known Mr. Esposito for many years through real estate and then described the process and the purpose of the Volunteer Advisory SubCommittee. Mr. Esposito said he moved here in 2003 and started his real estate career at ReMax in Foxboro since 2006 and has lived all over Town and now lives in West Mansfield. He stated that he is starting his own business and opening a real estate office Downtown on North Main Street. Mr. Aptowitz then asked him what interested him in applying and Mr. Esposito responded that his neighbor Louis Della Valle suggested he apply. He stated that he does not have too much time to give to volunteer but thought this is a good way to start as he believes this committee requires a tremendous amount of time. Mr. Aptowitz asked him what is strongest attribute, Mr. Esposito responded that he has a calm demeaner, can make good quality decisions, and likes to solve problems. Mr. Aptowitz then asked if a situation arose of a conflict of interest what would he do and he responded that he would recuse himself from making decision and believes that he is fairly impartial and as part of his profession he has a fiduciary responsibility to act in his client's best interest. Mr. Aptowitz stated that he thought Mr. Esposito was a good candidate to recommend to the Select Board. Mr. Aptowitz thanked him for volunteering his time and Mr. DelVecchio wished him luck with his new business Downtown. Mr. Esposito then left the meeting. Motion: To recommend to the Select Board that Ben Esposito be appointed to serve on the WWII Scholarship Committee. (Delvecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 2:0 • Interview Matthew Griffin for Non -Profit Gift Fund (6:45PM) Mr. Aptowitz stated that the last interview of this meeting was for the Non -Profit Gift Fund (NPGF) and noted that Mr. Kevin McNatt, Vice -Chair of the NPGF was present. Mr. Matthew Griffin the candidate was present and Mr. Aptowitz explained the new format and process for volunteers. Mr. Aptowitz then asked Mr. Griffin to tell them about himself. Mr. Griffin explained that he has lived in Mansfield Volunteer Advisory Sub -Committee Meeting Minutes for December 9, 2021 23 years, has been active in the Boy Scouts Troop 17 for six or seven years, and noted that he would be stepping away from that next year but wanted to be able to give back to the Town. He stated that he was familiar with many of the Boards and Committees but the NPGF has a direct effect on change within the community. Mr. Aptowitz then asked him what his strongest attributes were and Mr. Griffin responded intelligence, hard work ethic and integrity. Mr. Aptowitz then asked about conflicts of interest and if he saw a situation where his personal beliefs would get in the way. Mr. DelVecchio added the example that Mr. Griffin is involved now with a non-profit organization and what if they came before the Committee with a request. Mr. Griffin responded that he didn't foresee a strong conflict of interest and does not have any financial interest in a non-profit organization at this time. He added that he has opinions and that he has a strong moral character and would recuse himself if necessary. Mr. McNatt gave an overview of the NPGF and stated that the Town was given money from the golf tournament and Select Board created the NPGF Committee because they didn't want to decide how those funds were dispersed. He stated that often have more requests than money and the Committee tries to be impartial and support all non -profits in Mansfield. Mr. Griffin was given an opportunity to ask questions and stated that two people have expiring terms and asked if one of them leaving. Mr. McNatt responded that Ms. Nancy Wall was leaving. Mr. DelVecchio noted that Ms. Wall will be missed. Motion: To recommend to the Select Board that Matthew Griffin be appointed to serve on the Non - Profit Gift Fund Committee. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 2:0 • Other items not known 48 hours in advance of the meeting There were no other items. • Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the meeting at 6:50PM. (Aptowitz/DelVecchio) Passes 2:0 I I I fV1 Id Sign re Date Prepared by Carrie Champagne