HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes05272009-20090819113710
Town of Mansfield
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of May 27, 2009
Present:
Chairman Ann Baldwin, Vice Chairman Kevin Moran, Clerk Jess Aptowitz,
Selectman Sandra Levine, John D'Agostino, Town Manager
Check Donation
Town Manager D'Agostino presented Carol Luca, West Side Benevolent representative with
a check for $300 that was raised by the town employees during the annual May pt town
hall breakfast.
Unsung heroine Claire DeRosa was named one of the top 100 Heroines of 2009 honored by
the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW).
There are many individuals in our communities who volunteer their time and energy
towards community and school activities, Rep. Barrows stated in his nomination letter. "It
is the efforts of these special people who enrich the lives they touch every day. Claire
DeRosa surpasses that definition to not only better the lives of the children and neighbors
with whom she works, she inspires others around her to do the same."
Children Tom, Tim and Kristen and husband Tom were present for award.
Scott Leite, Health Agent, is a candidate for the tm search sub committee.
Has worked for the town for over 20 years and is a former selectman in Rehoboth.
Vast experience working with professional search committees over the years and would
like the chance to assist Mansfield with their current search.
· Selectman Moran asked what the most important task the town manager should be
able to do. Answer: In addition to management functions and long term planning, a
good town manager should have interaction with the various town boards and
committees. Active knowledge in applying town charter to the job is a plus.
· Selectman Aptowitz asked "how would you feel if the candidate you advocated for
was not selected?" Mr. Leite stated it happens and you deal with it. You work with
the manager that is appointed.
Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 27, 2009
1
· How should the tm deal with town contracts, labor negotiations, etc?
Mr. Leite responded that some one has to make the final decision with regards to town
legal matters however; the tm often should employ assistance with large tasks such as
contract and labor negotiations.
· Selectman Levine asked Mr. Leite how he felt about ranking candidates?
The consultant should separate the candidates among qualifications and then forward to
sub committee for review.
· Selectman Levine: What do you think are characteristics that make a candidate rise
above the rest?
A confident management style that works well with others and fosters department
communication is key; however they must be able to make a solid decision once input is
given and considered.
· Chairman Baldwin: What makes you stand out from the other applicants?
I have over 30 years of varied municipal experience and willingness to serve the
community.
The Board of Selectmen then thanked Mr. Leite for taking the time to come and talk with
them.
Lee Azinheira, DPW Director; Ken Hackett, Waste Water Operations Manager and Kurt
Gaffney, Water Superintendent were present for discussion.
In 2006, we established sewer projections to fund capital improvements that included
20'Yo increases for FY07, 08, 09 and 12'Yo for FYlO.
We are proposing a 4 'Yo water rate increase for FYlO in order to meet the proposed FYlO
budget. The initial budget required an 8'Yo rate increase, but we have reduced the budget
by $150,000 due to various departmental changes.
Selectman Aptowitz asked if any cutbacks have been made in the 09 budgets? (both water
and sewer) Mr. Azinheira stated his staff has been able to change things up and operate
short handed. However, it has been difficult and not everything got done as soon as they
Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 27, 2009
2
would like. They have decided to continue to operate this way so they would not have to
layoff any new employees (that had filled open positions).
Selectman Moran asked about the use of chemicals. Are we going to see a large spike in
use or price for this coming year? Mr. Gaffney stated they try to project usage but you
can never really tell. They are however saving money by changing from potassium
hydroxide to sodium hydroxide use.
Motion: To approve 12'7'0 increase (sewer) effective June 1,2009 for July monthly bills.
(Moran/Levine) 4:0 passes
Selectman Levine asked if any changes were made in usage of sodium products.
I
11
!I
'I
II
,
!
Mr. Gaffney stated that there were changes in the pumping rates at Walsh and at Cate
Springs there were no changes in sodium usage or pumping.
Selectman Aptowitz had questions about staffing vehicle usage but will address it at
another time.
Selectman Moran was worried about chemical usage rates and costs. Answer: A lot
depends on the weather so it is difficult to accurately forecast sometimes.
Cate Springs will have upgrades done this year and Walsh Well hopefully the year after.
Chairman Baldwin asked if the open but not filled positions are still funded for the FylO
budget year? Answer: Yes, just in case it is truly needed.
Motion: To approve 4'7'0 increase (water) effective June I, 2009 for July monthly bills.
(Levine/Moran) 4:0 passes
Board of
st
inte
Mary Barton Rau, Interested in community service and feels that the Board of Registrars
is an important one.
Selectman Levine: What do you think is important on this job?
A voter registration drive to get more residents involved in the voting process.
Chairman Baldwin stated that she knows that Mary is involved in educational matters as
well.
Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 27,2009
3
Motion: To appoint Mary Barton Rau to a term expiring Jan 2010. (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0
passes
Eric Hart, Town Accountant and Karen Dumont, Town Manager Executive Secretary
assisted Mr. D'Agostino with the budget presentation.
As you know FY09 has been a challenge and FYlO will be even more so with reduced aid and
municipal layoffs. As the Senate has not released their budge yet and town meeting must
go on we are operating on an assumption of revenue utilizing the most recent figures to
date. As it stands the municipal side will have to cut 12 positions next year. These cuts
would include 2 firefighters and not filling two vacant police officer positions.
Mr. D'Agostino went over the FYlO expenditures and reductions at great length during a
PowerPoint presentation and the board then adjourned for a five minute recess.
Fire Chief Boldrighini: No one wants to see one dept. being pitted against another. We
have worked very well with the schools in the past and look forward to working with them
in the future. Unfortunately our run #'s are up and continue to rise. If the town starts to
cut fire fighters public safety starts to fail as the need for services cannot be met.
Multiple runs are becoming common place and this leaves the town vulnerable to not being
able to respond to a call in a timely manner or not at all. Fire personnel have been
stretched thin and have had to rely on mutual aid more and more. Fortunately the staff is
well trained and has been able to respond to emergencies accordingly.
Police Chief O'Neill: The facts speak for themselves. Our town population has grown
substantially over the years thus attracting business to a large commerce park and
unfortunately, crime.
The day shift is as busy as ever controlling traffic and attending to matters of public
safety. The evening shift has always been an active one responding to calls and will
continue to be so as the economy suffers.
Brenda Hodges, School Superintendent spoke briefly about the FYlO budget.
5 million dollar deficit with 2 million dollars in cuts so far. Class size will definitely rise
and teachers will continue to be cut in order to balance the school budget in future years.
Net school spending starts at "foundation level" that was started in the 1980's as a theory
of what each town or city should be minimally spending on education. The Town of
Mansfield spending one of the lowest amounts per pupil in the state (compared with other
Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 27, 2009
4
similarly sized school systems). A large number of graduates pass the MCAS and go onto
college. Mansfield's drop out rate is also one of the lowest around.
The town has spent a lot of money in the past on the school system and it is in danger of
losing this standard of education if funding is not available.
Selectman Moran stated yes, we do not want to pit one department against the other,
however Chapter 70 funds are not being distributed as usual this year and the municipal
side of the town government will disproportionately suffer.
He went to conference where it was supported that towns can and should share the
stimulus monies. "It's still revenue to the town and we should take our share."
He further stated that the board should not abdicate its responsibility to direct funds
appropriately. Mr. D'Agostino then asked the board to take a vote to restore the fire
department positions, but the board declined to.
Selectman Aptowitz asked "why do people move to the Town of Mansfield?" The schools,
excellent public safety, etc... As a resident and selectman he understands that public
safety is paramount and as a parent of a special needs student, adequate school spending is
equally important. Budget cuts have not been make privy to the bos on an ongoing basis;
the tm makes these cuts, not the bos.
The bos and school must work together so each other's needs may be addressed. Public
safety equipment and school needs are equally important and must be worked out. One
budget must be presented at town meeting. The bos usually supports the fincomm's
recommendations but they have not seen them yet.
Selectman Aptowitz attended regional Board of Selectmen meeting last week and there
were a lot of good ideas of how the schools and municipal sides can work together.
Mike Trowbridge, School Committee came to the podium and stated that the school has
made cuts to an already understaffed department and will have to make additional cuts
without the stimulus funds.
Five minute recess called. (Levine/Moran) 4:0 passes
Selectman Levine stated that this is indeed a tough time and she can't say which services
are more important than another. Although we are one town, there are two budgets,
the school and the town budget. The schools have much more flexibility with their budget
due to education reform and are doing a great job with the funds they have. However,
The fire dept has substantial needs as well and we depend on them for our safety and our
lives. The same is true for the police dept. Can we sacrifice road work? Well, that
Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 27, 2009
5
affects the schools, public safety and traffic safety as well. So what has to give? We all
have to give a bit for the good of the community as a whole.
A lengthy discussion ensued between the town manager, bos and school committee.
Andy Gazzolo, FinComm Chairman, spoke about the budget crisis we are currently in and
about the future issues that we will continue to have until we find a new way to control
costs.
The board decided to postpone town meeting until June 16th and to meet over the next two
weeks with school and municipal officials in an attempt to hammer out a solution.
Motion: To extend meeting to llpm. (Aptowitz/Levine) 4:0 passes
Motion: To change the date of town meeting to June 16, 2009. (Levine/Moran) 4:0 passes
Mr. D'Agostino made a closing statement to the bos and the audience about the budget
issues at large and why the cuts that have been made where made. In his 28 years of
public service this is the first time he has to make such drastic cuts in services and
personnel.
Bob Slavin, Slavin Management Consultants and Tom Groux from Groux & Associates were
the two consultants that interviewed last week. After a brief discussion the following
motions were made.
Motion: To appoint Groux and Associates as the town manager search firm.
Tom has been a tm and is a MA consulting firm intimately acquainted with MA law.
(Levine/ Moran)
Motion: To appoint Slavin Management Consultants (Aptowitz/Baldwin) after passing gavel
to Vice Chairman Moran. Vote from Selectman Dentino opened and he voted for Slavin
making a 3:2 passes (Levine/Moran nay)
The bids were then opened and Slavin Management bid base cost of $14,280.00 plus travel
expenses from Georgia and Connecticut in addition to professional fees not to exceed
$22,134.00. Groux and Assoc. bid base cost of $9,000 plus travel expenses from Chatham
($75 round trip) in addition to professional fees of up to $2000.00.
Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 27, 2009
6
mittee composition discussion
Not discussed.
· Warrant No. 48B in the amount of $1,334,165.63
Motion: Approved (Moran/ Aptowitz) 4:0 passes
· Warrant No. 48A in the amount of $1,769,506.18
Motion: Approved (Moran/ Aptowitz) 4:0 passes
· Minutes of bos meeting on April 8, 2009
Motion: Hold for next week
· Minutes of bas meeting on April 15, 2009
Motion: Hold for next week
Drainlayer license application from C&N Construction:
Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes
Application for street closure for Family Fun Night on July 14th
(North Main St. from 5pm to 9pm)
Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0 passes
The Airport has received grant to update the Airport Master Plan. The MAC now
requires the bos to sign off on all grant assurances.
Motion: To approve the chairman signing the grant. (Levine/ Aptowitz) 4:0 passes
Fund transfers: John explained why there were two transfer requests before the
board. One for printing costs in tm office. One in MIS.
Motion: Transfer from town clerk to tm printing (town warrants) $2,134.53
(Levine/ Moran) 4:0 passes
Motion: Transfer for MIS server and printer down $4,500.00 (Levine/Moran)
4:0 passes
Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 27, 2009
7
· Invitation to Boy Scout Troop 51, eagle court of honor on June 2pt at 2pm.
Ryan Burke and Alan Miller are being honored.
· Invitation to a creative problem solving workshop to identify student opportunities
to assist municipalities in moving toward economic and environmental sustainability
on May 29th, 9am at SRPEDD in Taunton.
· Invitation to Bristol Aggie graduation on June 4th at 7pm in Dighton.
· Letter from Joseph Murphy, Marshall Ave requesting two additional stop signs at
the intersection of Smiley and Marshall Avenues. NOTE: (Officer Lawson does not
feel it is warranted but as road commissioners it is your call) The board deferred
to Officer Lawson in this situation.
· Letter from Edward Rosenberg of the Elks inviting the board to join them on June
14th for the Flag Day Ritual; 3pm at the South Common.
· Email from Thomas Fuller, Darby Drive asking the board to consider several items.
· Letter from the Old Colony Council, Boy Scouts of America, announcing this.years
honorees. They are State Senator, James Timilty and his sister, Governor's
council member, Kelly Timilty.
Ongoing Verizon FISO issue: No. Attleboro has also requested permits be pulled by
Verizon and they won't. Atty. Mangaretti will draft a letter to Verizon and discuss it
with the board next week.
· Old business from Selectman Levine:
· Old business from Selectman Dentino: Not present
· Old business for Selectman Moran:
· Old business from Selectman Aptowitz:
· Old business from Chairman Baldwin:
Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 27, 2009
8
· New business from Chairman Baldwin:
· New business from Selectman Aptowitz: Please look into parking issues on Mill St.
near Flint Farm during peak evening and weekend hours. The street gets very
congested.
· New business from Selectman Dentino: Not present
· New business from Selectman Moran: Always been in favor of education but
other services are important too. He looks forward to meeting with the school
committee and working our issues out.
· New business from Selectman Levine:
Motion: To adjourn at 10:56 PM
(Aptowitz) 4-0 Passes
f~ ~1V~
Signature of Clerk
au,~ 12; 2~~~
Date of Approval
Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 27,2009
9