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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 03/02/2022Select Board Meeting Minutes March 2, 2022 Present: Mr. Neil Rhein, Chairman; Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Vice -Chair; Mr. Frank DelVecchio, Clerk; Mr. Jess Aptowitz and Mr. Steve Schoonveld were present in Town Hall, Meeting Room 3 A/B. Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager and Mr. Barry LaCasse, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director were also present. RECEIVED 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting -Pledge of Allegiance t IRKS OFFICE Mr. Neil Rhein, Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:30PM. He then asket osre present to state the Pledge of Allegiance. He reminded everyone that the meeting was being broad ' t�ll�b � A d 4A 48future broadcast on Mansfield Cable. , o- 2. Town Manager's Report"� I ��JSETTS ➢ COVID-19 & rescinded municipal buildings mask mandate ➢ Snow Deficit ➢ FY2023 Budget Update ➢ Town Grant Discussion ➢ SRF Funding Application Walsh Well and Status Select Board Questions and Comments on Town Manager's Report Mr. Dumas started his report stating that there are seven reported cases over the last ten days and the mask mandate was rescinded as of Monday. The current snow and ice deficit is $404,318.92. Mr. Dumas then stated that Town Meeting will be at high school on May 191h and the warrant closed yesterday and he anticipates that the Select Board will need to meet on April I` to sign and approve the warrant so that it can be posted. Mr. Dumas then noted that there will be updates in the Board's report on Economic Development and PFAS litigation. Mr. Dumas stated that there is a new hire at the Fire Department, Evan Benson who is a Mansfield resident and was previously recognized as a child by the Mansfield Fire as a local hero when he was on his paper route he heard someone in a home calling for help. He went into the house and called 9-1-1 as she had fallen. Mr. LaCasse then provided a budget update to the Select Board. Mr. Dumas provided information on SRF Funding for the Walsh Well project. Mr. Dumas then provided a review of the grant dollars that were awarded to Mansfield since fiscal year 2014 through the current year to see how well the Town has done making use of the grants and improving services to the residents and infrastructure. Mr. Aptowitz asked about Town Counsel's review of all articles and asked if the Town is paying for Town Counsel's review of articles. Mr. Dumas responded that it something additional and believes the cost is worth it. Mr. Aptowitz then asked Mr. LaCasse if any of the cuts are on the school side and Mr. LaCasse responded that it does not include the school side. Mr. Trowbridge said that he was glad Mr. Dumas brought up grants because at the Finance Committee meeting it was said by Mr. Eagle that the Town does not apply for grants and it is not true. The Town applies for grants and there have been more applied to since Mr. Dumas has arrived and I know there are some that the Town does not get and a significant amount of time is invested in those applications. Mr. DelVecchio commented that he was also at the Finance Committee meeting and Mr. DeSantis did ask to get the information and Mr. Dumas provided some answers tonight. Mr. DelVecchio further noted there were questions about cyber security efforts and it is not something that should be discussed publicly and he did not like the commentary that the Town does not have any. Lastly, Mr. DelVecchio stated he was happy to hear about the website upgrades. Mr. Schoonveld stated that there is a ton of money out there in grants and a sense of urgency to apply for them for infrastructure. Mr. Dumas agreed that there is a lot of money out there but it is important to understand that Mansfield has always had state funding for roadways due to Mr. Azinheira involvement with the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Joint Transportation Group. As a Town there is money spent designing the projects that line up with the cycle to capture the federal and state dollars. Mr. Schoonveld stated that the Housing Choice grant application is due and Mr. Dumas responded that he has met with Planning Director, DPW Director and Select Board Meeting Minutes March 2, 2022 Conservation Agent and at this time there is no availability to add any additional projects at this time. Mr. Schoonveld then asked why Town Meeting was occurring after the election and Mr. Dumas responded that originally, they were considering a date in June but have backed it up into May. Mr. Trowbridge stated that it has been before and after the election in years past. Mr. Schoonveld asked if there was a timeline of the important dates leading up to Town Meeting. Mr. LaCasse responded that there was and currently he had given Town Counsel two weeks to review the submitted warrant articles. Mr. Schoonveld noted the importance of Town Counsel reviewing every article. Mr. Schoonveld stated he needed the salary and FTE allocation across departments report before the next Budget Subcommittee. Mr. Schoonveld then asked for the original MUNIS report that provides all of the departments and their requests for fiscal year 2023 before any adjustments had been made. Mr. LaCasse responded that he could get that information and stated that the Schools budget for personnel services was 3.9% increase and 2.71%for expenses and he would have to go back to see what the Town's percent was as he did not have that information. Mr. Rhein asked if a citizen puts forward a request that will not pass the Attorney General's Office does Town Counsel review give the citizen a recommendation on what they need to change. Mr. Dumas responded that its not the same level of detail and they will state what law makes their article illegal and the citizen can go back and change the wording however they would have to have to get signatures from those that originally signed their article. Mr. Rhein then asked how the snow deficit gets paid for and Mr. Dumas responded that there were several ways including building into next years budget, a reserve fund, free cash or a transfer and appropriate from current budget or any other source of revenue. 3. Resident Questions and Comments There were no resident questions or comments. 4. Discussion and Consideration of the Change of Manager for TGI Fridays Mr. Al DeNapoli and Mr. Mark Wilson were present virtually on GoToWebinar. Mr. DeNapoli stated that he was present again and noted that things are volatile in the restaurant industry. Mr. Aptowitz stated some concerns that he had and Mr. DeNapoli hopes that Mr. Wilson will be here a long time as he has been with the company six years. Motion: To approve the change of manager application for TGI Fridays. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 S. Discussion/Vote of the Board/Committee Liaison Role Mr. Trowbridge stated that he reviewed some other Towns and found that the Town of Pembroke had a procedure which he used to draft for Mansfield on the role is of a liaison. He believed the intent for it was to provide of conduit from a board or committee to the Select Board. Mr. DelVecchio stated that there is a strong Town Manager and it provides a contact person for smaller Boards if they have a question or concern. He said he has questioned the need for the liaison role, but it has been helpful. He further added that as the Finance Committee liaison he likes to attend their meetings, but he tries not to participate in the meetings. Mr. Schoonveld noted it was well written and that he thought the liaison role was working well and there have been some cases of concern. Mr. Schoonveld stated that he did not want to see Mr. Aptowitz on a Board of Health meeting and speaking on behalf of the Select Board and stated that Mr. Aptowitz said that he thought the Select Board would be in favor of a mask mandate. Mr. Aptowitz commented that Mr. Schoonveld attending the Board of Health meeting after Mr. Sollecito had already been to the meeting and spoke on the issue of the Peabody Power plant was not his place. Mr. Aptowitz expressed that he was frustrated and that this item is being discussed tonight only because Mr. Schoonveld has not "stayed in his own lane." Mr. Schoonveld responded that as a Select Board or Light Commissioner member it is okay to have an individual opinion and come together at an open meeting and form an opinion together. As a liaison he also felt that he has a right and obligation to give his opinion at a meeting. He further noted that he did not speak on behalf of the whole board and stated it was his individual opinion. Mr. Rhein stated that the role of the liaison was to be a conduit and if a board of committee needs help then they go to the liaison. Mr. Rhein stated that Mr. Aptowitz felt that Mr. Schoonveld was going beyond that role and acting like an Select Board Meeting Minutes March 2, 2022 additional member of a Board or Committee and getting overly involved and that was not the original vision for the liaison role. He added that when a member attends a meeting, they know each of us as a Select Board member and may give more weight to what is said. Mr. Trowbridge agreed and said that even when a Select Board members stated that it is their own opinion or thoughts it is still viewed as being said by the whole Select Board. Mr. Aptowitz added that Mr. Schoonveld asked to attend the meeting and speak and he should have just come as a resident and spoke during resident questions and comments. Mr. DelVecchio commented that he heard about that situation after the fact and he is the Chair of the Light Commissioners. Motion: To approve the Mansfield Select Board liaison role and procedures. (Trowbridge/DelVecchio) Mr. Rhein offered an amendment to number one under responsibilities. He stated that it should read "However the Select Board liaison may attend meetings upon invitation of the Chair of his or her assigned boards and committees when significant issues are being discussed and or action needs to be taken." Motion Amended: To approve the Mansfield Select Board Liaison Role and Procedures as stated by Chair Rhein. (Trowbridge/DelVecchio) There was further discussion and Mr. Trowbridge stated that he would like to add a fourth item under chair responsibilities with the following text "The Board or Committee Chairman can contact the Select Board Chair in the event that the process is not being followed." Motion: To approve the Mansfield Select Board Liaison Role and Procedure as amended by Chair Rhein and Mr. Trowbridge. (Trowbridge/DelVecchio) Passes 4:1 (Aptowitz-Nay) 6. Discussion and Consideration of Revised Job Description for Part-time Seasonal Park Attendant Mr. Dumas stated that this job description was revised as the person currently in the role is not going to continue this upcoming summer. Mr. Dumas stated that he would like the specific dates for the special events removed so that this document does not need to be approved each year. Motion: To approve the revised job description for part-time seasonal Park Attendant omitting the special event dates. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 7. Select Board Member Committee and Liaison Updates Mr. Trowbridge stated that CIP has not met and Budget Subcommittee met last week and there is another next week and everyone is welcome to attend at the public safety building. Mr. Aptowitz had no update. Mr. Schoonveld has not attended the last few Board of Assessor's meeting and there is open position in the Park and Rec Department and Cable Access has had no meetings. He then stated that the Planning Board is active and would like to give them kudos and that the discussion with the Barrett Consulting was well done. Mr. DelVecchio stated that he also received lots of positive comments about Barrett Consulting. He then stated that the Finance Committee did meet and some comments were made about grants and I did make some comments as the information seemed incorrect and it may have been a member who misspoke and me not understanding, however he believed the Finance Committee was making progress and newer members are catching up to speed. He further commented that the Finance Committee consists of seasoned professionals who are successful in their day jobs and are committed to the Town. Mr. Rhein stated that Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee is meeting tomorrow and the Downtown Committee is meeting on Monday. S. Resident Questions and Comments There were no resident questions or comments. Select Board Meeting Minutes March 2, 2022 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: • October 6, 2022 • February 16, 2022 • February 23, 2022 B. Vote to Approve Warrants: • Town Vendor Warrant No. 22034T in the amount of $345,892.94 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 22034E in the amount of $77,207.03 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 22035T in the amount of $366,127.87 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 22035E in the amount of $46,312.59 • School Vendor Warrant No. 220355 in the amount of $478,298.85 C. Consideration of Permits and Licenses: • 2022 Water Installers License for E. Watson Excavating, Inc. D. Consideration of Proclamations: • Ralph Maloon —RIM Engineering Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 10. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 220334PT in the amount of $416,774.07 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 220334PT in the amount of $416,774.07. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22034TV in the amount of $131,537.08 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22034TV in the amount of $131,537.08. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22035PT in the amount of $433,926.45 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22035PT in the amount of $433,926.45. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22035TV in the amount of $137,776.41 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22035TV in the amount of $137,776.41. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 22035PS in the amount of $1,755,657.70 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 22035PS in the amount of $1,755,657.70. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 4:0:1 (Trowbridge Abstain) • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 22035SV in the amount of $568,006.06 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 22035SV in the amount of $568,006.06. (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 11. Correspondence • Letter from the Commonwealth —Search for Lease Space • Letter from Xfinity • Letter from Keolis —Vegetation Plan for 2021-2025 Commuter Rail Mr. DelVecchio read a summary of the above correspondence 12. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions Select Board Meeting Minutes March 2, 2022 Mr. Aptowitz stated that the Board of Health is discussing a citizen's petition on banning plastic nip bottles tomorrow night. Mr. Aptowitz also noted that he will be having a call with Verizon on the cell phone service. Mr. Schoonveld asked if the non-profit gift fund policy was sent to Town Counsel. Mr. Dumas stated that he did have a conversation and could speak to Mr. Schoonveld. He then asked if the testing of the ground soil at the North Main Fire Station affect the abutting property. Mr. Dumas stated that the required action was taken and have to report if it is close to property lines. Mr. Schoonveld then asked if there is a list kept of all the issues known about on Town properties and identified properties that are suspected to have issues so they can be addressed before investing in design work. Mr. Dumas responded that any issues that have been discussed have been completed with DEP. Mr. Schoonveld then asked about the ARPA grant and what that money will be used for. Mr. Dumas stated that it is more complicated and could speak to Mr. Schoonveld later on that. Mr. DelVecchio commented that he enjoyed the meeting tonight. He then commented that the use of Barrett Consulting Group to get some high-level advice on zoning was great to see the Town making progress. Mr. Trowbridge asked about the 250th Celebration Committee and if there was anyone interested. Mr. Dumas responded that there were two interested people. Mr. Trowbridge then asked about the Fall Festival and Mr. Dumas stated that it will be on the agenda for discussion at the Downtown Committee meeting. Mr. Rhein commented that he wanted to give condolences to the family of Vincent Guerrini who passed away, he was a longtime police officer and longtime resident. 13. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting Enter into Executive Session and Not Return to Open Session under Exemption No. 6, M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21- • To consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body; Motion: To enter into executive session and not return to open session under exemption number 6 of M.G.L Chapter 30A Section 21 to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body; (DelVecchio/Trowbridge) Mr. Rhein declared that it would have a detrimental effect. Mr. Trowbridge commented that he wanted to give condolences to the family of Ralph Maloon, a former member of the Planning Board, Town Charter Committee and worked in Town and had designed 27.2 miles of roadway in Mansfield. He then noted the passing of Mr. John Stanovitch. Mr. Trowbridge stated that he had asked for a certificate to present to RIM Engineering. Mr. Schoonveld asked if it could be framed instead of just giving a paper copy. Mr. Aptowitz agreed that it should be laminated or in a frame. Roll Call Vote: Aptowitz —Yes Trowbridge —Abstain Schoonveld —Yes DelVecchio —Yes Rhein - Yes Mr. Trowbridge abstained from the vote and stated he would not be participating in the discussion due to a prior conflict Passes 4:0:1 Signature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Date Select Board Meeting Minutes March 2, 2022