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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes10142009 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 14, 2009 Present: Chairman Baldwin, Vice Chairman Moran, Clerk Jess Aptowitz, Selectman Dentino, Selectman Sandra Levine, Nick Riccio, Interim Town Manager Absent: Chairman Baldwin asked the boy scout troop to lead the meeting with the pledge of allegiance. Scouts Tim Mons, Alex Lucht and Michael Healey were present at the table in addition to Scout master Peter Ham and Chairman Wayne Lampron. The troop would like to sell trees on a lot next to the police station from November 21't to Christmas. Last year they sold about 700 trees and hope to do as well this year. Motion: To allow the troop use of the land during these dates and to waive the electric hookup fee. (Moranl Aptowitz) 5:0 passes All the boys are going for their communication badge. Selectman Levine asked why they felt this was an important badge to have. Each scout responded why they felt communication was an important skill to learn as they were preparing to leave. As the troop was preparing to leave, Sr. Patrol Leader Chris McKay, spoke a few words of thanks to everyone for their support. Amos Robertson, concerns over issues at the schools. He has noticed that the Jordan Jackson school parking area has been dark since the light reduction plan has been in place. Please have someone look at the situation as it is hazardous to the safety of the public and employees alike. The Board of Selectmen was not aware that there was a reduction in parking lots in addition to the streets. Selectman Dentino and Aptowitz indicated that this issue will be discussed in further detail at the next light commissioners meeting. Boord of Selectmen Minutes of October 14, 2009 Vehicle Use policy discussion Selectman Aptowitz asked if a car is given to an employee as a condition of employment, does the employee get it as long as they work here or can the privilege be revoked/ changed during employment? Mr. Riccio will consult with labor counsel for clarity. Selectman Moran drafted this policy last year and it has languished over the year waiting for contract negotiation to be finalized. However, that hasn't happened and he would like to move forward with the policy now. Chairman Baldwin would like to see if the authority for issuing vehicle can be placed with the Board of Selectmen instead of at the discretion of the town manager. Town counsel will be consulted on this matter as well. A list of items that the board would like to see in the vehicle policy will be brought to the next meeting for discussion. All contracts and letters will be copied for next week. Selectman Dentino: He does not like the way the sixth paragraph on the first page reads. Selectman Levine: Having to carry a beeper or cell phone means you get a car, however, not all communication devices and emergency equipment would warrant a car. Selectman Moran further explained the criteria for possibly having a car as listed in draft policy. He also disagrees with Selectmen Dentino and Baldwin that the board should control the car policy as he considers the use of this policy a "day to day" operation. The board should hire a town manager that can follow the direction of the board but use his best judgment as well. He does not want to micro manage the town manager in such issues. After a lengthy discussion the board decided to pull together a list of requirements by Monday for the next meeting. Weekly Business . Warrant No. 10015T in the amount of $156,111.07 Motion: To approve. (Levine/Dentino) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10015E in the amount of $88,798.88 Motion: To approve. (Moran/Dentino) 4:0:1 passes (Aptowitz abstain) Boord of Selectmen Minutes of October 14, 2009 2 Discussion: Selectman Aptowitz does not agree with payment of a clothing allowance. Warrant No. 10015S in the amount of $4,800.00 Motion: To approve. (Levine/Moran) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10015SV in the amount of $394,800.45 Motion: To approve. (Moran/Levine) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10015PT in the amount of $266,827.55 Motion: To approve. (Moran/Levine) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10015TV in the amount of $76,835.34 Motion: To approve. (Levine/Dentino) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10015PS in the amount of $1,334,446.29 Motion: To approve. (Levine/Moran) 5:0 passes . Meeting minutes of August 12,2009 Motion: To approve as corrected. (Levine/ Aptowitz) 4:0:1 passes (Moran abstain) . Meeting minutes of August 26, 2009 Motion: To approve as corrected. (Moran/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes . Meeting minutes of September 2, 2009 Motion: To approve as corrected. (Moran/Levine) 5:0 passes . Meeting minutes of September 16, 2009 Motion: To approve as corrected. (Moran/Levine) 5:0 passes . Meeting minutes of September 30, 2009 Motion: Hold for next meeting. Correspondence . Invite to Open House of Mansfield Adult Day Health Center (300 Branch St) October 22nd 4pm to 7pm. . Invite to Open House of Rehabilitative Resources newly renovated homes at 651 South Main St. on Friday, October 16th 3-5pm . 2 letters from residents in regards to their support of Knockouts salon. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 14, 2009 3 Selectman Dentino would like all correspondence put in each meeting folder, not just action items. He doesn't always see the letters in the correspondence folder. . Two letters from residents in regards to street lighting on Brown Ave and Bellview Drive. . Draft letter from Rick Alves for the BOS to send to our state representatives regarding funding for the Canoe River Campground Dam. Motion: To make corrections and bring back next week for signature. . Bea Kearney will be staying for an extra day to finish the fiscal year out. Free cash numbers will available by next week. . Revolving fund accounts need to be approved at the special town meeting in addition to some house keeping items. He will have a better idea next week if it is necessary to have the special. . The tax classification hearing is set for November 4th. . The annual fire fighters memorial service will be held on the South Common (and at the Elks hall in case of rain) on October 25th at 9am. . We have received applications from applicants for the Mansfield Housing Corp. in addition to IDC. The board will try to get them in at the October 28th meeting. . MMAS open house will be Saturday, October 17th from 2-4pm. . Hathaway Patterson will be conducting a ground breaking ceremony on Friday, October 23rd as well. . The Police Dept has received an award from the Executive Office of Public Safety. They have been awarded first place in the "Gold" category of the MA Law Enforcement Challenge for calendar year 2008. Selectmen's Old . Old business from Selectman Dentino: None . Old business from Selectman Levine: Has a date been set for town counsel interviews? Chairman Baldwin stated she hoped to do in mid November. Update of cost of expanded GATRA bus service? No, responded Mr. Riccio, he has not been able to connect with Mr. Gay. Clarification on last week: I wanted to thank all the landscapers and garden club for their donations and labor. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 14, 2009 4 . Old business from Selectman Aptowitz: Attended Intervention Program at Patriots Place last week and it was very well attended. It will be broadcast on A&E soon. Questions about overlay account issues. (Assessors Office) . New business from Selectman Moran: Road study by DPW needs to be looked at. . Old business from Chairman Baldwin: None . New business from Chairman Baldwin: Please email the board the previous tm contract so they can all review. . New business from Selectman Aptowitz: Selectman Moran and himself are on the tm search committee and would like to start drafting a contract for the new town manager. Hopefully any lingering lock box issues have been resolved at the last meeting. If not, let the board know. Use of enterprise accounts for supplementing general fund accounts. A possible use may apply in using some funds for a new ambulance. He is general opposed to doing this but the need is very real. Although this is a MMED issue, the Board of Selectmen would have to vote on this for this to happen. . New business from Selectman Dentino: For the record, he does not think any donation can be made without town meeting approval. While a noble cause, he also does not believe in using enterprise accounts for anything other than their intended use. . New business from Selectman Moran: He has spoke with Selectman Aptowitz on the tm contract issue and our consultant needs to have our criteria as well. . New business from Selectman Levine: The Town of Mansfield has been awarded Gold status by the Bio Tech Counsel. We are one of very few communities that have achieved this status and we will be getting a presentation soon. Thank you Kevin in starting the ball rolling. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 14, 2009 5 Motion: Adjourn at 9:09pm (Moran) 5-0 Passes jl~ aroUl~ Signature of Clerk f~ ~ oCV'lV' Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 14, 2009 6