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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 02/21/2024� Select Board Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024 Present: Ms. Diana L. Bren, Chair; Mr. Neil Rhein, Vice -Chair; Mr. Brendan Roche, Clerk; and Mr. Michael A. Trowbridge Sr. were present in Meeting Room 3 A/B at Town Hall. Mr. Kevin Dumas, Town Manager and Mr. Matt Violette, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director were also present. Ms. Maureen R. Doherty was present via GoToWebinar. 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting -Pledge of Allegiance Ms. Bren, Chair called the meeting to order at 5:33PM. She then asked those present to stand and state the pledge of allegiance. She then reminded everyone that the meeting was being broadcast live and taped for future broadcast on Mansfield Cable. 2. Town Manager's Report ➢ Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) ➢ Xfinity Center ➢ SEMRECC ➢ Miscellaneous Select Board Questions and Comments on Town Manager's Report Mr, Dumas began his report stating that the Schools were looking to send in a grant request to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for a roof replacement project at the Jordan Jackson school however due to the budget pressures this project cannot be moved forward even with the possibility of a 52% reimbursement. It is estimated that his project will cost $4 million however it is still will be on the capital improvement plan. Mr. Dumas then stated that the Xfinity Center met again with public safety and are working on the items needed to be ready for the March 20th Select Board meeting. Mr. Dumas then noted that SEMRECC is in the investigatory stage about a possible merger with MECC another regional dispatch center. Mr. Dumas stated that the MBTA will be coming to Mansfield at the end of March for a site visit and further discuss the TOD. Mr. Dumas explained how the new website will be developed to help with keeping the public informed. He then stated that the Town has formally expressed interest in applying for grants as part of the One Stop for Growth. Mr. Dumas stated that he had a virtual meeting with the Bristol Country Treasurer last week and he was made aware that there, was $38 million in unobligated funds and now the county is under $10 million and sadly there may not be funding for projects such as a new center for the COA. Mr. Dumas then asked Mr. Violette to give a budget update. Mr. Violette stated that he presented at the February 8th Budget Subcommittee meeting that there was a $3.4 million deficit and to date made some reductions totaling $484,333. He stated the new shortfall $2.8 million. Mr. Violette stated that with these reductions it is no longer a level services budget and provided some next steps that he will be taking. Mr. Dumas further noted the budget pressures and many of them are non -discretionary and out of the control of the town like health insurance which is increasing by 6.55 percent. s Mr. Roche no questions on budget and asked if the public and members of the Board could be invited to the MBTA site visit. Mr. Rhein had no questions. Mr. Trowbridge asked about Opioid funding and if that was an agenda item, Mr. Dumas clarified that it will be a future agenda item not tonight. Mr. Trowbridge then asked about SEMRECC and if the Select Board would receive an in-depth report before a vote is taken by the SEMRECC Board. Ms. Doherty had no questions. Ms. Bren asked Mr. Dumas about when the meeting could happen for a policy workshop. The Board was in favor of looking at another night other than Wednesday. Mr. Trowbridge asked for the flag policy be on the agenda for the next meeting. Select Board Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024 3. Public Comments Mr. Peter Wiggins of Norton came forward and stated that the Town of Norton is facing the same budget issues and people need to be kind when it comes to decisions like this. Ms. Sally Fehervari of 86 Lawndale Road came forward and stated that she is glad to hear the Board will be discussing a flag policy at their next meeting. 4. Presentation by Director of Public Buildings & Special Projects Mike Ahern with Town's Consultant Woodard and Curran of Dustin/Prescott PFAS Treatment Plant Mr. Mike Ahern, Director of Public Buildings & Special Permits was present along with Ms. Srivalli Sakuru, Project Manager and Engineer and Ms. Tyler Feeney, Project Engineer from the Town's Consultant Firm, Woodard and Curran. Mr. Ahern stated that as part of the Clearing House Process he was before the Select Board tonight seeking the Boards support of the PFAS project at the Dustin -Prescott wells located on East Street. He explained that the project is similar to the other PFAS sites but it will have six vessels instead of four because of the higher volume of water that is processed at the site. The goal is to have the site completed mid -year of 2025. Ms. Sakuru and Ms. Feeney provided a presentation giving a brief overview of PFAS and project environmental considerations. They then went through the details of the project including site upgrades and the new building that is to be constructed. Ms. Bren asked how long of a life a metal pre- fab building has and Mr. Ahern stated about 50-75 years. Mr. Trowbridge asked the price of the project and Mr. Dumas responded $9 million, however there is zero percent financing and $5 million in federal and state grants has been received so the Town will only be borrowing $4 million. Mr. Rhein asked if the Town has already voted to borrow the money and Mr. Dumas responded yes. Mr. Rhein then asked how long the filters last before they need to be replaced and Ms. Sakuru stated about every 18 months, however it depends on how much PFAS is being removed and how much water is being pumped. Mr. Rhein asked if we can market that we have drinkable PFAS free water here in Mansfield which can be a selling point. Mr. Dumas stated that after all the wells are done we will be PFAS free, but not yet PFAS free. Mr. Dumas stated that he is not aware of any Town doing this number of projects and we are well ahead of surrounding communities. S. Discussion and Consideration for the Dustin/Prescott PFAS Treatment Plant at 500B East Street Motion: To approve the Dustin/Prescott PFAS Treatment Plant and associated well improvements at 500E East Street as part of the municipal clearing house process. (Roche/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Roche -Yes Rhein —Yes Trowbridge — Yes Doherty — Yes Bren — Yes Passes 5:0 6. Discussion and Consideration of Common Victualler and Entertainment License for Elmanahry Mansfield Group Inc. dba Classic Pizza Mr. Sodky came forward and stated that he is purchasing the business and has plans to add more items to the menu and will continue to provide the best service. The Select Board wished him well with his new business. Motion: To approve the Common Victualler and Entertainment license for Elmanahry Mansfield Group Inc. dba Classic Pizza. (Roche/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Roche -Yes Rhein —Yes Trowbridge — Yes Doherty — Yes Bren —Yes Passes 5:0 7. Discussion and Consideration of Job Descriptions for Police Department • Part -Time Front Desk • Problem Oriented Policing (POP Team) Police Officer Select Board Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024 Mr. Dumas stated that now formalizing both of these positions. The POP officer used to just be an officer pulled off of a regular shift. Motion: To approve the job descriptions of Part -Time Front Desk and Problem Oriented Policing Police Officer. (Roche/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Roche -Yes Rhein — Yes Trowbridge — Yes Doherty — Yes Bren — Yes Passes 5:0 8. Discussion of Tax Abatements for Seniors Mr. Violette spoke with Ms. Ann McCarthy the Chief Assessor and Mansfield does provide all the state statutory exemptions for seniors. Ms. McCarthy is working to get all of the information in one document that will show the requirements a person needs and help create more awareness on the available resources for seniors. Mr. Violette thanked Mr. Trowbridge for sending the information from the Town of Sudbury and noted that although the Towns are similar the average tax bill in Sudbury is twice as high as those in Mansfield. He further noted that a lot of people do not qualify because of the threshold of income. 9. Select Board Member Committee and Liaison Updates Mr. Rhein had no updates. Mr. Roche stated there is a planning workshop on Wednesday, February 281h from 7-8:30pm here at Town Hall on housing. Mr. Trowbridge stated that Budget Subcommittee as a Tri-Board is next Wednesday at 6PM. Ms. Bren stated that there is a DEI Meeting tomorrow at 6PM. 10. Public Comments There were no public comments. 11. 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: • none B. Vote to Approve Warrants: • Town Vendor Warrant No. 24033T in the amount of $429,077.75 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 24033E in the amount of $380,217.51 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 24034T in the amount of $773,916.97 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 24034E in the amount of $57,310.07 • School Vendor Warrant No. 240345 in the amount of $927,811.65 C. Consideration of Permits and Licenses: • Consideration of Event Application for 5K by the Mansfield High School All -Sports Boosters D. Consideration of Certificates and Proclamations: • Certificate for Community Servings Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (Roche/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Roche -Yes Rhein — Abstain Trowbridge — Yes Doherty - Yes Bren —Yes Passes 4:0:1 12. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 24033T in the amount of $818,286.09 } Select Board Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 24033T in the amount of $818,286,09. (Roche/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Roche -Yes Rhein —Yes Trowbridge — Yes Doherty — Yes Bren—Yes Passes 5:0 Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 24033TV in the amount of $255,987.88 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 24033TV in the amount of $255,987.88. (Roche/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Roche -Yes Rhein — Yes Trowbridge —Yes Doherty — Yes Bren — Yes Passes 5:0 School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 24033PS in the amount of $1,936,192.08 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 24033PS in the amount of $1,936,192.08. (Roche/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Roche -Yes Rhein — Yes Trowbridge —Abstain Doherty —Abstain Bren — Yes Passes 3:0:2 • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 24033SV in the amount of $607,708.40 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 24033SV in the amount of $607,708.40. (Roche/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Roche -Yes Rhein — Yes Trowbridge — Yes Doherty — Yes Bren — Yes Passes 5:0 13. Correspondence Memo from Verizon Letter from Xfinity Letter from Department of Conservation and Recreation Notice from the Town Clerk Mr. Roche read the above list of correspondence items. 14. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions Select Board members had no comments of questions. 15. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 16. Enter into Executive Session and Not Return to Open Session for the following reasons: a. Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21, Exemption 6, to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real estate currently taxed under M.G.L. Chapter 61 Section 8 (Conversion of land to residential, industrial or commercial use; notice to city or town; first refusal option) located at 177 Old Elm Street and if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body. b. Approve Executive Session Meeting Minutes of December 20, 2023, January 3, 2024 and January 17, 2024 Motion: To enter into Executive Session and Not Return to Open Session for the following reasons Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21, Exemption 6, to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real estate currently taxed under M.G.L. Chapter 61 Section 8 (Conversion of land to residential, Select Board Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024 industrial or commercial use; notice to city or town; first refusal option) located at 177 Old Elm Street and if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body and consideration to approve Executive Session Meeting Minutes of December 20, 2023, January 3, 2024 and January 17, 2024 at 6:46PM. (Roche/Trowbridge) Roll Call Vote: Roche -Yes Rhein — Yes Trowbridge —Yes Doherty — Yes Bren — Yes Passes 5:0 Signature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Date Documents used in meeting: 1. Presentation for Dustin/Prescott PFAS Treatment Plant 2. Common Victualler and Entertainment License for Elmanahry Mansfield Group Inc. dba Classic Pizza 3. Job Descriptions for Police Department: • Part -Time Front Desk • Problem Oriented Policing (POP Team) Police Officer 4. Event Application for 5K by the Mansfield High School All -Sports Boosters S. Memo from Verizon 6. Letter from Xfinity 7. Letter from Department of Conservation and Recreation s. Notice from the Town Clerk 9. Ribbon Cutting Certificate for Community Servings Select Board Meeting Minutes February 21, 2024