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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes02182009-20090410114634 Town' of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 18, 2009 Present: Chairman Ann Baldwin, Vice Chairman Kevin Moran, Clerk Jess Aptowitz, Selectman George Dentino, Selectman Sandra Levine, John D'Agostino, Town Manager Mr. Barbero came to the podium to officially thank the fire department for all their efforts in saving them from their burning home on West St. last month. Their response time was five minutes from the time they called and the police did a wonderful job in keeping the road clear for all the fire apparatus. The outpouring of generosity from the community has been overwhelming as well; they love Mansfield and plan on staying here for a very long time. Selectman Dentino made a motion to offer Mr. Barbero a waiver of town fees associated with rebuilding their home. However, Mr. Barbero, while in deep appreciation of the gesture, asked that not be done as his insurance carrier has everything covered and he wants to contribute to the town in these tight financial times with the fees the town is due. Bill Clemmey, 780 South Main St. Follow up comments about MMED work done at Clinical Science Laboratories back in 2005. He has more information for the board and would like to see them follow up on it. This issue will be discussed in more depth at the March 2nd Light Commissioners meeting. Held until March 4th meeting. · Warrant No. 34B in the amount of $1,250,792.33 Motion: Approved (Levine/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes · Warrant No. 34A in the amount of $1,518,635.11 Motion: Approved (Moran/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 18, 2009 1 · Meeting minutes from December 30,2008 Held for next week · Request for drainlayer license from Dejonco Construction Corp Motion: To approve and sign license. (Moran/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes · Email from Don Cleary regarding the lack of recycling at the Mansfield schools. · Email from Robert Goldman expressing his disappointment with Mrs. Levine. He disapproves of the fact that Mrs. Levine contacted independent counsel and would like the board to address the matter. · Letter from the Ma State Lottery regarding Tedeschi applying for KENO to Go. · Fuel memo from Lee Azinheira briefly discussed. Mr. D'Agostino stated that a 5% reduction municipal budget was discussed department by department. In addition, the town is looking at changing from MUNIS to a different financial software package. This will save almost 200,000 over a five year contract period. As the schools are still on a dos program they need to convert to a platform that matches ours (MUNIS) in order to migrate to the new program (if they choose to do so) in the next year or two. (The schools are currently in process of converting from dos to a windows based system) House budget 1 and adjusted state revenues were briefly discussed. With an anticipated 4/0 savings in health care and a 0/0 increase in salaries due to possible union concessions, we could possibly fund the fire fighter/paramedic position that is due to be cut in these reductions. The deficit is smaller than expected so with these reductions we are in good shape going into FYlO. That is a snap shot of the budget on the town side. Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 18, 2009 2 John has also spoken with Brenda and Ed on working with their FY09 budget deficit and possible reductions in FYlO. We have worked out preliminary numbers on net school spending. It appears that there is room for reductions and remain above net school spending by 50 - 80 thousand dollars. The 70/30 revenue split between the schools and town was also mentioned in passing. Mr. D'Agostino feels that a discussion of wholesale layoffs on the town side is premature right now as he is looking to gain union concessions, health care savings and wage freeze for FYlO. The unions are looking at concessions, particularly the teachers union, for a minimal impact on personnel. "In reality, we may not get there but I think we are in better shape than surrounding communities." Andy, Jim, Jack from FinComm came up to the table to join the discussion. Two - page statement from FinComm read by Jack Goldberg. In summary they have significant concerns about Mr. D'Agostino's budget plans and would like the Board of Selectmen to take immediate action in establishing budget priorities. Mr. D'Agostino objected to the statement and said they are wrong, presumptuous and he is doing the best he can in conjunction with Brenda and Ed. FinComm is an advisory board and, as the town manager, he will handle budget changes as needed. There is a philosophical difference between what the FinComm wants and the town manager wants. FinComm does not feel the budget is sustainable and the only way to cut costs is through layoffs. The town manager and the Board of Selectmen would like to avoid that if possible. Town Accountant Eric Hart and John will be presenting a full outline of the FYlO budget tomorrow night at the FinComm meeting. Selectman Aptowitz feels the FinComm, the town manager and the board should have a budget workshop in order to iron out differences before town meeting. · Old business from Selectman Levine: Several calls from residents that think turning off lights is a good way to cut costs. She also wants to discuss different ways that residents can request that a particular light can stay on. · Old business from Selectman Dentino: Issue of turning off street lights. He has received calls from 6 residents that are not in favor of this. Further info wanted on truck repairs paid under snow and ice. Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 18, 2009 3 More info wanted by Selectman Dentino on getting lump sum quotes for town counsel. The exact process and qualifications needed are yet to be determined however the Board of Selectmen voted to at least start the process by selecting search firms. i Motion: Pursue firms for interviews/ RFP for qualifications/price on town counsel firms. (Dentino/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes · Old business for Selectman Moran: Rt. 106 railroad bridge work is being done by MA Highway, not the town and the work will resume in the spring. · Old business from Selectman Aptowitz: Has anyone followed up with Atty. Torres regarding his progress on contract evaluation? Chairman Baldwin has spoken with him and he will be wrapping up his report next week. He would also like an update from Mass Highway about coming and looking at the Rt. 140 lights situation near Mansfield Crossing. · Old business from Chairman Baldwin: She has spoken with the Atty. Generals Office and they confirmed what Mr. D'Agostino stated last week about not having personal email addresses on the town website. (Selectman Dentino would like his town email address removed from the website and people can contact him at home.) · New business from Chairman Baldwin: Please contact Lou Amoruso regarding coming to Monday's light commissioners meeting. She has also received tm evaluations from the board and will compile for next meeting. · New business from Selectman Aptowitz: Really wants to see the boards and the town manager come together and work out a balanced budget. Mill St. is full of potholes and wondered if the DPW is aware of it. They are and are working on it. · New business from Selectman Dentino: Wants to form subcommittee's for a tm search committee and a professional union negotiator. He would like to use reserve funds for these expenditures. However Mr. D'Agostino stated that the Board of Selectmen have a legal expense line item that they can utilize. Motion: To conduct analysis of national/MA firms that provide TM search's. (Dentino/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 18, 2009 4 · Mr. D'Agostino gave a brief overview of the search committee process that was in place when he was hired in 1997. He is also in favor of using a professional union negotiator in order to provide continuity in negotiations from one administration to another. · New business from Selectman Moran: Is the police department still looking at getting new ticket machines for the train station? Yes, they plan on bringing it forward at the annual town meeting. · Questions about street light reductions. He will bring it up again at the light commissioners meeting for further explanation. · New business from Selectman Levine: None Motion: To adjourn at 9:50 PM (Aptowitz) 4-0 Passes /~ ~U/~ Signature of Clerk ~~ ~ z~~f' Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 18, 2009 5