HomeMy WebLinkAboutVolunteer Advisory Sub Comm. 03/14/2023Volunteer Advisory Sub -Committee
Meeting Minutes for March 14, 2023
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Present: Mr. Frank DelVecchio and Mr. Jess Aptowitz attended the m��t10 �t9�iKAF Uting room
2 A/B. Mr. Michael Healy, Chair of the Conservation Commission was alffli`Wrlt P 15b
• Open the Meeting MANSFIELD
Meeting was called to order by Mr. Aptowitz 5:OOPM. MASSACHUSETTS
• Consideration to Approve Meeting Minutes of December 22, 2022, December 13, 2022 and
November 9, 2022
Motion: To approve the meeting minutes of December 22, 2022, December 13, 2022 and November 9,
2022. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 2:0
Interview Bryan Duarte for Airport Commission
Mr. Duarte was present and Mr. Aptowitz explained the process and asked him to share a little bit about
himself. He stated that has been a resident for 23 years and was a Coach with Mansfield Youth Baseball.
He stated that he moved here in 2017 and is part of a flying club at the Mansfield Airport. He also added
that his daughter worked at Hangar 12 the restaurant that is located at the airport. He then stated that he
is a software engineer for a company in Warwick, RI. Mr. Aptowitz then asked him what attracted him to
apply for this vacancy. Mr. Duarte stated that Kevin Bullock the Airport Manager mentioned there was a
vacancy on the Airport Commission. He stated that he has attended a few Commission meetings and
wants the facility to continue to thrive and continue to be an asset to the Town especially with Boston
Med Flight located there. Mr. Aptowitz then asked him if he could see any conflict of interest issues and
how he would handle it. Mr. Duarte responded that he would have them go through the appropriate
channels and believed he would remain objective. Lastly, he stated that he wanted to get involved rather
than just be a resident.
• Interview Robert Smith -MacDonald, Jeff Plante and Ryan O'Hara for Conservation Commission
Mr. Aptowitz introduced Mr. Healy to the candidates and he gave an overview of the Conservation
Commission. Mr. Aptowitz then asked the candidates to introduce themselves and tell everyone a little bit
about themselves. Mr. Plant was asked to go first and he stated that he has three children and moved here
in 2002 from NH. He stated that he was in the Army for nine years and has a degree in mechanical
engineering. Mr. MacDonald then stated that he was a high school history teacher for Mansfield Public
Schools. He has a master's in education and is a lifelong steward of the environment and during COVID he
spent lot of time on the trails in Great Woods and wants to protect the environment. He stated that he has
an eleven -month baby and wondering what will happen in 20-30 years and wants to protect the natural
resources that the Town has. Mr. O'Hara then was asked to tell everyone about himself and he stated that
he is 22 years old, born and raised in Mansfield and graduated from Boston College with a degree in
environmental science. He stated that he also has a background in biology and chemistry and had taken
environmental law classes and is familiar with the major statutes. He added that his internship was with
the Town of Wayland in the Conservation Department. He stated that he has recently left his first job
doing remediation work because he didn't want to work with hazardous materials and is considering going
back to school in May for a degree in data analytics and tie that to environmental studies. Mr. Plante then
stated that he wanted to withdraw his application because he believed the other two applicants were over
qualified. He added that he would love to volunteer where he could be needed.
Mr. DelVecchio then asked each candidate what attracted them to apply to the Commission. Mr.
MacDonald stated that he sees environmental stewardship as an extension of living here and is looking to
serve as an example for his students and be aware that its important to volunteer and have civic
responsibility. Mr. O'Hara stated that his motivation was not to come in with strong opinions and he
wanted to make a difference and absorb the information and think even for his age he has some good
experience and can help make decisions that are good for the Town. They all then discussed upon conflict
of interest items and Mr. Healey stated that they are working more recently with enforcement issues with
Town Counsel and that can be difficult.
Mr. DelVecchio said that it is great to have two enthusiastic candidates and would recommend both for
appointment to the Conservation Commission.
• Other items not known 48 hours in advance of the meeting
There were no items.
• Adjourn
The meeting ended at March 14, 2023 at 5:57PM. (DelVecchiioo//Aptowitz) Passees,2:0
Signature Date
Prepared by Carrie Champagne