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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes02242010 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 24, 2010 Present: Chairman Baldwin, Vice Chairman Moran, Clerk Jess Aptowitz, Selectman Dentino, Selectman Sandra Levine, William Ross, Town Manager Absent: Workshop with Planning Board The Planning Board members attended in addition to Shawn Burke, Planning Director. Planning Board Chairman French gave a brief recap of what they are proposing for attracting development downtown. (Primary North Main St area) Selectman Dentino suggested that the "down town" area be extended to the North End for TOD purposes. The Planning Board thought that was a good idea and will look into incorporating it into the final draft for the overlay district. Lee Azinheira, DPW Director also spoke to the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board on recommendations for water and sewer connection fees. Mr. Azinheira furthered clarified that he too would like to see the downtown developed however the town is coming close to expending their water capacity and if the plant is not expanded soon the town may have to impose a water moratorium. Selectman Levine asked if our capacity numbers included "planned but not implemented" projects. People watching the broadcast may think that we are almost out of capacity right now. Mr. Azinheira stated that we are not currently at capacity however; it may happen as soon as next year if conservation actions don't prove to be enough to support our projected use. Mr. Ross also cautioned that even with our conservation measurements, we still need to plan and save for fire safety water usage. All water and sewer fees are placed in enterprise funds for water and sewer expenditures and upgrades. The developer / homeowner pays for the water/sewer meters and the town provides the labor for installation. All condos and multi family units have separate water meters installed on the property. Boord of Selectmen Minutes of February 24. 2010 Selectman Dentino has questions about the progress of the towns I & I program. Mr. Azinheira stated that it is in constant flux. Pipes are fixed and then more leaks are detected. I & I is an important project that needs continual attention. Selectman Moran asked just how soon Mr. Azinheira thinks a possible moratorium is. Mr. Azinheira can't really put a date on it but it may come up as soon as the fall town meeting. Mr. Ross commented that the inter-municipal sewer agreement between Mansfield, Norton and Foxboro is proceeding. He will be meeting with those town's managers soon. The Planning Board members and the Board of Selectmen members continued to discuss the other issues that the downtown faces. The parking is limited, the sidewalks are narrow and in disrepair, etc. They would also like to be able to utilize the north common more (but as stated previously, parking is an issue.) Ambulance receipts discussion Fire Chief Boldrighini is present for an ambulance receipts update. Every so often Chief Boldrighini updates the Board of Selectmen on uncollected ambulance debt and the status of collections and revenue. After a very brief discussion the bos voted. Motion: To allow Chief Boldrighini to write off outstanding debt from 1-1-05 to 12-31-07. (Moran/Baldwin) gavel passed to Clerk Aptowitz. 5:0 passes Q&C None Vehicle discussion - part II Mr. Ross has had a chance to read the proposed vehicle policy and has provided the board with his comments. Chairman Baldwin asked the board if they were ready to vote this evening. Selectman Dentino liked Mr. Ross's ideas but would like to discuss them further prior to voting on the policy. Mr. Ross commented that Selectman Moran has done a lot of work on these vehicle policies and would like to work further with him. The Board of Selectmen agreed that Selectman Moran would be the appropriate person to review this with Mr. Ross. Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 24. 2010 2 Selectman Levine would like to see the driver guidelines incorporated into the vehicle policy. Weekly Business Warrant No. 10034T in the amount of $299,054.10 Motion: To approve. (Moran/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10034E in the amount of $476,482.88 Motion: To approve. (Levine/Moran) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10034PT in the amount of $274,078.99 Motion: To approve. (Levine/Moran) 5:0:1 passes Warrant No. 10034TV in the amount of $82,256.90 Motion: To approve. (Moran/Levine) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10034SV in the amount of $29.51 Motion: To approve. (Levine/Moran) 5:0 passes . Board of Selectmen meeting minutes of December 16, 2009 Selectmen Dentino requested a week extension to review. . Board of Selectmen meeting minutes of January 20, 2010 Motion: To approve. (Moran/Levine) 3:0:2 passes (Aptowitz/Baldwin abstain) . Hackney carriage license application from Bill's Taxi Service. Motion: To approve license. (Levine/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes Correspondence . Letter Neil Rhein, Keep Mansfield Beautiful Committee requesting the bos sign the attached proclamation in order for them to qualify as an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. The Board voted 5-0 to create the Mansfield Beautification Committee on May 14, 2008 and they have been hard at work ever since. Neil would like to give a special thanks to Lee Azinheira and Mark Cook for their participation in the last training session on Jan 30'\ it was a cold Saturday.) Motion: Accept and approve resolution for the Beautification Committee. (Levine/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes Boord of Selectmen Minutes of February 24, 2010 3 . Request from The Jamie Fund 5K event manager Heather Hagerty. They would like to have the second annual road race on August 28th. Motion: To approve pending approval of Police Chief. (Moran/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes . Letter of request from Tim Richmond, Max Performance Race Director. Their August 15th race involves a small part of Mansfield (corner of Maple * Bird) and have contacted PD for detail coverage. Motion: To approve pending approval of Police Chief. (Moran/Levine) 5:0 passes . Letter of commendation from Chief O'Neill to Michael Melberg of Car Quest Auto Parts for his part in apprehending the Webster Bank robbery suspects. . Letter of recognition from the Board of Health for all the help that town employees, volunteers and health staff generously gave during the flu clinics. . Donation from TPC event was received and will be deposited into NPGF account. Motion: To accept donation to NPGF. (Moran/Levine) 4:0:1 (Aptowitz abstain) Selectman Aptowitz suggested that the Board of Selectmen vote to put the money into an ambulance fund to purchase a new ambulance. His concerns will be put before the NPGF committee for consideration. Selectmen Levine, Moran and Dentino have reservation about not utilizing the gift fund committee. Town Manager Report . Recap of auto insurance letter from Mr. Ross to Board of Selectmen. The board wanted Mr. Ross to add the town as an additional insured. However, the town's policy already covers personal use of employee vehicles for town business. Mr. Ross then asked if he could have Atty. Mangiaratti adjust his contract to reflect this change. The Board of Selectmen agreed. . Draft policy of compensatory time use is in the works and he will forward to board for consideration at an upcoming meeting. . Update on cable access budget request. He will be having a discussion with the committee chair soon. Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 24. 2010 4 Board of Selectmen old and new business . Old business from Selectman Dentino: None . Old business from Selectman Levine: She would like to know why the Torres report was taken from the town clerks office as the report had not been released by the board. Motion: To keep the Torres report under lock and key in the town managers office. (Baldwinl Aptowitz) 5:0 passes · Old business from Selectman Aptowitz: Thank you Bill for following up on the cable access budget request. Any updates on union negotiations? Mr. Ross will be moving forward soon. . Old business from Selectman Moran: Update requested on DPW maintenance records. . Old business from Chairman Baldwin: None . New business from Chairman Baldwin: She too thinks Mr. Dentino's idea of a joint bos/school/fincomm meeting is good however, she also watched the school committee meeting last night. The school committee needs to review their budget and cut it as an override is not an option this year. Mr. Ross also commented that he has been receiving several calls from residents that the sidewalks and the streets are crumbling. Our infrastructure is falling apart and we have not addressed it due to funding. Selectman Aptowitz then commented that the townspeople need to be aware of where their money is going and get involved. Mr. Ross suggested that he, Chairman Baldwin, Superintendent Hodges and Chairman Gazzolo sit down to discuss a meeting date that will work for both committees. . New business from Selectman Aptowitz: MMED meeting on Monday, March 1''. . New business from Selectman Dentino: He would like to have the Board of Selectmen conduct a joint meeting with the School Committee and FinComm to Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 24, 2010 5 discuss the budget with the public. It could be at the high school so many residents can attend. . New business from Selectman Moran: The MMAS has a show and an art exhibit going right now and it was very good. Selectman Moran's father is turning 80 soon and the Board of Selectmen wishes him a very happy birthday. . New business from Selectman Levine: She would like to see the cable access committee spend some money to upgrade the cable TV cameras in the second floor conference room at town hall and the airport. Selectman Levine has heard from industrial business owners in regards to the new tax rate. Commercial/industrial rates went up this year and the businesses are having a hard time paying the increase. She is concerned that business will leave town if they are continually taxed higher. Adjournment Motion: Adjourn at 9:23pm (Levine) 5-0 Passes .Pe# ~U/~ Signature of Clerk '/1ta-t-c4,;1, 2t? It? Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of February 24. 2010 6