Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes03172010 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 17, 2010 Present: Chairman Baldwin, Vice Chairman Moran, Clerk Jess Aptowitz, Selectman Dentino, Selectman Sandra Levine, William Ross, Town Manager Absent: Folk Festival 2010 Harold Henry, Chair of Event Planning is here to request fee waivers from the Board of Selectmen for the permit fees of this year's festival. This year's event will be at the High School again from April 23-25 2010. The police and fire depts. have signed off on routing slips and are all set for the event. After a brief discussion a board member made the following motion: Motion: To approve the license and waive associated fees. (Aptowitz/Moran) 5:0 passes MMED FYll budget Gary Babin, MMED Director is present for meeting. Mr. Babin gave the board a brief overview of the FYll budget and asked the board for a vote this evening. Selectman Dentino requested budget information from FYlO for comparison purposes. Mr. Babin stated that it was distributed at a previous meeting however; he will forward Mr. Dentino another copy. Selectman Levine stated that she could not vote for this budget at this time. She is not in favor of fincomm's recommendation over Mr. Babin and Mr. Ross. Gavel passed to Vice Chairman Moran - Motion: To approve MMED FYll budget. (Dentino/Baldwin) 4:1 passes (Levine nay) The MMED had experienced pole and breaker damage over the past week. Essex and Mill Sts. area were affected for 3-4 hours and have been fully repaired. Mr. Ross commented on the fine construction and upkeep of the MMED equipment and staff. The Board of Selectmen agreed. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 17, 2010 Q&C Gary Egan, Patricia Road. Mr. Egan has comments on the new meals taxes that some of our neighboring towns have approved. He would like to see the town adopt this small tax as well. The amount of the tax increase would be pennies per person served however; it would amount to several thousand of dollars for the town coffers. Selectman Levine stated that she disagrees with passing a meals tax. The residents are already struggling and are facing a possible large override at town meeting. Selectman Dentino also disagreed with Mrs. Levine, concurring that it would be pennies per person, but could add up to a sizable amount of revenue for the town. Gary Eagan, East St. He would like to suggest ideas for funding the budget. Police, fire and our certified personnel are well educated and need funding to keep up. School personnel (in the schools) only work half the year and are paid for full time work. Also, many parents are concerned about losing athletic and enrichment programs, perhaps they should look into fund raise themselves instead of looking to the schools to pay for these extra programs. Town services and infrastructure are crumbling as the school budget continues to grow. We need to pay attention to what the whole town needs. Andy Gazzolo, Chairman of the FinComm. briefly went over the latest FYll budget for the board. We have received good news from the state, indicating an increase in revenue from last year. However, we are not sure where the funds are coming from. Selectman Levine would like to see funds added back to stabilization however several town buildings are in disrepair and we need to spend what ever funds we have on repairs. Weekly Business Warrant No. 10037T in the amount of $328,813.91 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Moran) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10037E in the amount of $429,950.21 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Moran) 4:0:1 passes (Dentino) Warrant No. 10037PT in the amount of $255,339.39 Motion: To approve. (Moranl Aptowitz) 4:1:0 passes (Dentino) Boord of Selectmen Minutes of March 17, 2010 2 Warrant No. 10037TV in the amount of $74,356.73 Motion: To approve. (Moran/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10037PS in the amount of $1,320,808.41 Motion: To approve. (Levine/Moran) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 10037SV in the amount of $404,615.37 Motion: To approve. (Moran/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes . Application for parade permit from Memorial Day parade on May 31't. Motion: To approve permit. (Moran/ Aptowitz) 5:0 passes · Water Installer license renewal application from Cat Alley Farm. Motion: To approve license. (Aptowitz/Moran) 5:0 passes . Board of Selectmen meeting minutes of December 9, 2009 Motion: To approve. (Levine/ Aptowitz) 4:1:0 passes (Dentino nay) Correspondence . Letter from the Elks requesting the following waivers for their annual carnival at the Comcast Center. 1. Special permit for the fireworks display. (fire dept has been notified) 2. Waiver of any and all fees associated with carnival (usually building dept) 3. Permission to have MMED display banner at Chauncy & N. Main St. from April 15'h thru May 3rd. Motion: To approve the above requests pending routing approvals. (Levine/Moran) 5:0 passes · Annual town meeting warrant postings were read by the clerk. Annual town meeting is April 13 and then postponed to May 4'h. Motion: To sign warrants for posting. (Aptowitz/Levine) 5:0 passes Selectman Moran would like to go with fincomm's recommendation of May 4'h. However, Selectman Levine feels that date is too early. Selectman Dentino also opposes having town meeting that early as well. Motion: To postpone town meeting to May 4'h. (Moran/Levine) 4:1 passes (Dentino nay) Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 17, 2010 3 Town Manager Report . Review of memo to the board regarding GA TRA service in town. Residents have expressed interest in expanded service that is not currently available. This service should not cost the town any additional funding as it is covered through our MBT A fees. Mr. Ross is still reviewing parking lot collection systems as well. He will be reviewing a system that Attleboro is working on. Selectman Dentino is concerned that the buses would be underutilized and that is would cost the town more money. Mr. Ross stated that demand for service has increased and he was assured by Mr. Gay, GATRA Director, that is would not cost any more than it does now. Mr. Ross will look into it further and see if the ridership is there for the service. . Mr. Ross also has comments on a possible solution regarding the several down town parking issues we are facing. The board will review the letter and discuss it next week. Board of Selectmen old and new business . Old business from Selectman Dentino: Still waiting for comp/overtime analysis. . Old business from Selectman Levine: She has questions regarding the place and date of the budget forum. The original date was problematic and it has been rescheduled to April 14'h. The issue of use of a moderator was also discussed. After a lengthy discussion the Board of Selectmen suggested the budget forum be held in twenty minutes increments with the bos, school committee and FinComm each have their say. Then the audience will have time to ask questions of their own. The use of a moderator or facilitator continues to be a sticking point. Chairman Baldwin asked Mr. Ross if he had any opinions on which way the forum should be presented. Mr. Ross stated that he has heard from many residents and he too feels that an "in town" facilitator should be used. Whether Superintendent Hodges and he does it, the town clerk or the town moderator does it is not a concern to him. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 17, 2010 4 · Old business from Selectman Aptowitz: Update on Comcast license discussions? Mr. Ross would like a member of the bos to attend a meeting with him, the fire and police chiefs and Mr. Montgomery. Selectman Aptowitz would like to assist in that matter. . Old business from Selectman Moran: None . Old business from Chairman Baldwin: None . New business from Chairman Baldwin: None . New business from Selectman Aptowitz: He will be attending Smith and Nephew tour tomorrow night with Bill and Sandy. . New business from Selectman Dentino: This budget forum we have been discussing is of the utmost importance. We need it to go as smoothly and neutral as possible. · New business from Selectman Moran: He provided a brief overview of budget news around the country. MA is not the only state that is experience budget and revenue shortfalls. This is a country wide problem. . New business from Selectman Levine: None Adjournment Motion: Adjourn to Executive Session at 9:15pm (Moran) 5-0 Passes Roll Call vote: Chairman Baldwin, Selectman Moran, Selectman Dentino aye, Selectman Aptowitz aye, Selectman Levine aye, 5:0 passes fe# ~U/~ Signature of Clerk ~/ 21, 2(/1(/ Date of Approval Boord of Selectmen Minutes of Morch 17, 2010 5