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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 04/20/2022Select Board Meeting Minutes ' April 20, 2022 % J Present: Mr. Neil Rhein, Chairman; Mr. Frank DelVecchio, Clerk; and Mr. Jess Aptowitz were present in Town Hall, Meeting Room 3 A/B. Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager and Mr. Barry LagA5�1,;IV�btant Town Manager/Finance Director were also present. F:r,iiS OFFICE Not Present: Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Vice -Chair and Mr. Steve SchoonvMA- 1 i Y 19 P 12: 4LI 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting - Pledge of Allegiance Mr. Neil Rhein, Chairman called the meeting to order at 5:30PM. He then asked Mr.' R*. nFFM6rTey to lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance as he was the newest Eagle Scout in the Town of Mansfield. He reminded everyone that the meeting was being broadcast live and taped for future broadcast on Mansfield Cable. 2. Swearing in Ceremony of Fire Fighters Chief Justin Desrosiers was present an introduced each of the three fire fighters Edgar Vigil, John Harrison and Evan Benson. Chief Desrosiers introduced all three individually and provided some background on each of the new fire fighters. Each of them were pinned by their significant others and then Ms. Jennifer Davis, Assistant Town Clerk was present to swear in each of the firefighters. The Select Board members provided a welcome to the fire fighters and wished them lots of luck in their career here in Mansfield. 3. Town Manager's Report ➢ Grant Award ➢ Budget Update ➢ Capital Improvement Program Update ➢ State Legislation Update ➢ Miscellaneous Items Select Board Questions and Comments on Town Manager's Report Mr. Dumas began his report stating that COVID numbers are at 17 which are still considered low. He then stated that there will be a final budget presentation and consensus meeting on April 27 at 6PM at 500 East Street. Mr. LaCasse stated that all documents have been updated based on the last Budget Sub meeting but they are on website. Mr. Aptowitz asked for copies to be left at the Town Clerk's office. Mr. Dumas continued his report stating that the Police Department has received a grant for a $1,500 defibrillator for one of the cruisers. Also, the Town will be able to seek seventy five percent reimbursement for the January 2022 store related expenses like overtime or and snow removal as part of Federal disaster assistance. Mr. Dumas then noted that the Fire Union has a memorial stone in honor of Michael McLaughlin a former firefighter that will be placed as part of the annual remembrance ceremony on June 12th. Mr. Dumas then stated that Mr. Mike Ahern has advised him that the Municipal Building Committee has received five responses to the RFP for design services of the property at 50 West Street and at their meeting on April 28th, they are hoping to have a final recommendation. Lastly, Mr. Dumas updated the Board on the Balcom Street bridge project. Mr. Aptowitz asked if two cars could get through the Balcom Street Bridge and Mr. Dumas confirmed they could. Mr. DelVecchio asked about the governor's release of funds and if there is a total expected to receive back for the storm expenses to reduce the budget and Mr. Dumas responded that he does not have the exact number and that it will not be received in time but when it is received, it will go towards Free Cash that year. 4. Resident Questions and Comments Mr. Peter Wiggins was present and stated he celebrated his 36th birthday and he is not worried about COVID S. Consideration of Common Victualler and Entertainment License for Beans and Seeds Cafe located at 22 South Main Street Ms. Helen Davis was present and introduced her new business that was opening at 22 South Main Street. Select Board Meeting Minutes April 20, 2022 Motion: To approve the common victualler and entertainment license for Beans and Seeds Cafe located at 22 South Main Street. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 3:0 6. Consideration of Lodging House License for Trinity Place located at 121-123 North Main Street The applicant was not present and no motion was made. Mr. Aptowitz asked for this to be investigated as this should be considered a zoning enforcement issue. 7. Presentation and Discussion of Draft DHCD Guidelines for MBTA Communities and Compliance with the Planning Board Mr. Shaun Burke, Town Planner was present and introduced Mr. Arek Galle and Mr. Bill McGrath who were present from Beta Group. There was also several members present from the Planning Board. Mr. Burke explained that everyone was present tonight to discuss the MBTA Communities Housing Initiative. This program was adopted into law over a year ago and was Governor Bakers wider Economic Development Bill. This initiative is for the MBTA Communities in the State which Mansfield is one of and this is bill is to create zoning that would allow multi -family development by right within half mile of the train station. He stated that tonight we are not deciding on what the zone will be, but simply looking for a decision if the Board would like to move forward and have the Town Manager complete the one -page form to send to the Department of Housing and Community Development stating that Mansfield would like to participate in the initiative. This would give the Planning Board time to plan and design an overlay zone and work with Beta Group. He stated that it would be a consideration for a future Town Meeting. Mr. Chris McDermott, Economic Development Director was also present and provided background on the initiative and Beta Group's involvement. Mr. Galle then came forward and outlined the program and explained how the program will allows the Town to continue to be eligible for many grants. Mr. Aptowitz asked if the Planning Board had opined on the item and Ms. Beth Ashman -Collins responded that the Planning Board was in support of this initiative and the Town is already well positioned for it as well as the Master Plan being supportive of this development. She added that there are the details to work out, but there is no reason why Mansfield would want to be excluded from grants. Mr. DelVecchio asked for confirmation that there would be public participation in the discussion and Mr. Galle responded that good planning always involves public participation. Mr. DelVecchio noted that there are not many people taking the train at this point after COVID and it is expected that it will re-establish itself, but is there any concern that the new environment shaped by COVID will make transit -oriented development less desirable. Mr. Galle stated that there is no let up in the housing market and that it is still desirable to have a walking community, near a downtown and access to public transportation. He stated that some communities are going to find it hard to add to their density because the community already has high density like Arlington and Sommerville, but Mansfield has some undeveloped land and there is a range of housing within the half mile around the train station. Mr. Rhein asked who would give the final approval on this and Mr. Dumas responded that it would be a vote at Town Meeting. Mr. Rhein asked what grants the Town would lose eligibility to and Mr. Dumas responded MassWorks which is one of the largest grant opportunities which was used to make improvements to North Main Street and by the train station. Additionally, Mr. Dumas stated that Mansfield would not be eligible for the One Stop program for grant infrastructure and Housing Choice grant which had previously help construct the multi -use path from middle common to the train station. Mr. Rhein asked for an idea of how large fifty acres was and Mr. Galle provided some conceptual maps of what the overlay could look like. Mr. DelVecchio asked how many acres are there around the train station now that are not developed and Mr. Galle responded there is probably about twenty acres between the private land owners and the Town's portion. Motion: To authorize the Town Manager to complete and submit the one -page form to DHCD stating Mansfield's intent to participate in the MBTA Communities Housing Initiative. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 3:0 8. Consideration to Reappoint Mr. D. Austin Horowitz to the Board of Registrar of Voters Select Board Meeting Minutes April 20, 2022 Motion: To reappoint Mr. D. Austin Horowitz to the Board of Registrar of Voters for a three-year term to expire on March 31, 2025. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 3:0 9. Consideration of Form 268A Section 20D Disclosure Approval Mr. Dumas stated that Kasia Fernette was hired as the Regional Epidemiologist and is also an appointed member of the Board of Health. He stated that it is not a conflict for her to hold these two positions, but the Board has to approve the form 268A proving that. Mr. Rhein asked for confirmation that her position was a new position funded through a grant. Motion: To approve Form 268A Section 20D Disclosure. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 3:0 10. Select Board Member Committee and Liaison Updates Mr. Aptowitz stated that he was invited to the ribbon cutting at the new building at Bristol Aggie High School because he is on the Bristol County Advisory Board. He then stated that the Volunteer Advisory Committee will be coming up at the next Select Board meeting for the Housing Authority. Mr. DelVecchio stated there are two candidates for consideration and recommended that his fellow members view the recording. Mr. DelVecchio stated that the Finance Committee meeting is meeting tomorrow and heard the report from Mr. Dumas and Mr. LaCasse on the Budget Subcommittee earlier. Mr. Rhein stated that the new banners are now up and that the Downtown Committee meets again on May 2"d He then stated that MMED will be meeting on Monday April 251n 11. Resident Questions and Comments Ms. Sandra Levine, 20 Walnut Street was present and asked when the public hearings on the budget. Mr. Aptowitz responded that the budget has been balanced and is online and copies will be available for the public to pick up. Mr. Dumas stated that there will be a presentation on April 27' at the Budget Subcommittee at 6PM at the Public Safety Community Room. He then stated that on May 11tn will be a presentation of all the Town Meeting articles for the public to attend. It will be in meeting room 3 A/B and is also a virtual meeting at 4:30PM. Also, he noted that it will be re -broadcast on Mansfield Cable. 12. 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: • Revised March 2, 2022 Meeting Minutes B. Vote to Approve Warrants: • Town Vendor Warrant No. 22041T in the amount of $844,436.59 • School Vendor Warrant No. 22041S in the amount of $404,912.08 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 22042T in the amount of $289,026.57 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 22042E in the amount of $277,524.93 C. Consideration of Permits and Licenses: • Consideration of Brunelle Contracting, LLC for a 2022 Drain Layers License • Consideration of Special Events Application for the Class of 2022 Senior Parade on Saturday, June 4th • Consideration of Special Events Application for Mansfield Pride Ceremony on Wednesday June Bch (Rain Date June 911) • Consideration of Special Events Application for Juneteenth Commemoration, Thursday, June 16th D. Consideration of Proclamations: None Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 3:0 Select Board Meeting Minutes April 20, 2022 13. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22041PT in the amount of $384,530.19 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22041PT in the amount of $384,530.19. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 3:0 Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22041TV in the amount of $123,034.85 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22041TV in the amount of $123,034.85. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 3:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 22041PS in the amount of $1,807,495.94 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 22041PS in the amount of $1,807,495.94. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 3:0 School Deductions Vendor Payroll 22041V in the amount of $578,803.17 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 22041V in the amount of $578,803.17. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 3:0 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22042PT in the amount of $385,128.00 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 22042PT in the amount of $385,128.00. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 3:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22042TV in the amount of $123,168.58 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 22042TV in the amount of $123,168.58. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 3:0 14. Correspondence Notice from TEC Associates of Amtrak's 2022 Yearly Operational Plan for herbicide application of the Massachusetts Coastal Railroad Mr. DelVecchio noted that the Board received Amtrak's plan for herbicide application along the train tracks. 15. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions Mr. Aptowitz stated that there is a Light Department meeting on Monday and negotiations have started. Mr. DelVecchio commented that it is election season and it is important for people to ask questions because sometimes the information is inaccurate and misleading. Mr. Rhein asked about Green Communities and when it is expected to receive the designation from the State. Mr. LaCasse responded that it is a rolling application and everything has been submitted and he hopes to have an update from Lisa Sullivan soon. Mr. Rhein asked about electric vehicles at the Police Department and if that has happened. Mr. DelVecchio stated that there are three hybrid vehicles that the police have. He said at the CIP meeting they noted that so far so good and it is saving in fuel costs. Mr. DelVecchio stated that there is not enough infrastructure for electric vehicles. Mr. Rhein noted that the Keep Mansfield Beautiful cleanup is on April 30th. Mr. Rhein also stated he saw a post about a crack on the pickle ball courts. 16. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting Mr. Dumas handed out some information on wrapping traffic light control boxes and that it would be on the next Select Board agenda for consideration. 17. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the April 20, 2022 Select Board Meeting at 6:46PM. (Aptowitz/DelVecchio) Passes 3:00 e/—' ! `/'% �t-1 Si nature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Date Select Board Meeting Minutes April 20, 2022