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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 09/24/2024Select Board Meeting Minutes September 4, 2024 Present: Ms. Maureen R. Doherty, Chair; Mr. Brendan Roche, Vice -Chair; Mr. Walter WiIk,,Clerk; And Mr, Michael A. Trowbridge Sr. were present in Meeting Room 3 A/B at Town Hall. Mr. Kevin Dumas and Mr. Matt Violette, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director were also present. Not Present: Ms. Diana Bren 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting - Pledge of Allegiance !; Ms. Doherty, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:0313M. She then reminded everyone iRbt tt�r�eeting was being broadcast live and taped for future broadcast on Mansfield Cable, She then asked 4erys-e present to stand and recite the pledge of allegiance. r 2. Mansfield ADA Self -Evaluation and Transition Plan Presentation Ms. Sarah Raposa, Director of Planning and Ms. Amy Donovan Palmer, Health Director were present to review the ADA Self Evaluation Plan. Ms. Raposa explained that a grant was awarded from the Massachusetts Office on Disability to use for an ADA Self Evaluation. Ms. Donovan Palmer received a grant from Community Health Inclusion Index (CHIT) and she has created an Inclusive Health Coalition (IHC). A video was shared at the meeting that was prepared by Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD). Ms. Raposa then discussed the next steps that would be happening noting that it will begin with the prioritization of the list of improvements. Ms. Doherty then asked each Select Board member if they had any questions or comments. Mr. Roche thanked them for the work and appreciates the planning involved. Mr. Wilk asked them to consider speaking with CIP about Roland Green because the use of that building may change in four to five years so it may not make sense to spend a lot of money on the building. He also asked why unwrapped pipes are a violation and no one was sure, but it could be due to someone in a wheel chair hitting a hot pipe. Mr. Trowbridge asked how many IHC members there were and Ms. Donovan Palmer responded about twenty. Ms. Doherty asked if this could lead to making Mansfield an "Age Friendly Community" and Ms. Raposa said they would look into it. 3. Discussion and Update with the Planning Board Chair Ms. Sarah Raposa, Planning Director and Mr. Michael Feck, Chair of the Planning Board were present to update the Board on all the items they have been working on. They began by discussing the MBTA Communities and stated that have submitted their application to the State and should know by November 4th if the Town now complies with the law. She then stated that in 2023 both the Select Board and Planning Board approved the Housing Production Plan and highlighted three areas the Planning Board wanted to work on those next. Mr. Feck stated that a,lot of it is affordable housing and the push from the state to create more affordable housing. The Mass Housing Plan was passed and he thinks it is a good avenue to allow Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in residential zones. He stated that the Planning Board has now formed three subcommittees; two of the committees are focused on housing and looking at ADU's because Mansfield's current ADU bylaw will be in conflict with what the State law allows as of February 4, 2025. He then stated that the other committee looking at smart overlay districts to promote density housing. Lastly, he spoke about the MBTA Communities and the TOD Parkway. Ms. Raposa then noted that the Planning will be reviewing the zoning for gun shops and when the Board was considering a Fall Special Town Meeting. She noted that she will be back in December for a Master Plan updated. Mr. Trowbridge asked Mr. Dumas if the Town was having a Fall Town Meeting. Mr. Dumas responded that his office has reached out to the Schools and currently the first two weeks of December are booked but they are thinking that it could happen in January. Ms. Raposa liked January for a Town meeting because they have at least a month for the advertising requirements. Mr. Trowbridge was concerned about the zoning of gun retail Select Board Meeting Minutes September 4, 2024 stores and knows it will be hot button item. Mr. Wilk asked about a traffic study for the TOD and Ms. Raposa responded that she appreciated his patience, but at the September 25th Planning Board meeting will be providing comments and including information on traffic. Mr. Roche thanked them for the work and the update. Ms. Doherty appreciated the work and encouraged Mr. Wilk to speak with Mr. Roche or Mr. Feck to talk more about the project. She then stated that she lives in an ADU and she likes affordable housing and that is how she was able to come to Mansfield and wants others to have the same opportunity. Ms. Doherty then stated that she is interested in having the Planning Board guide the Select Board because they are a new Board and do not have experience with development agreements and she wants to make sure the Select Board fulfills their role in the process. 4. Town Manager's Report ➢ Harry B. Chase Jr. Place ➢ Intermunicipal Agreement with the Town of North Attleboro (IMA) ➢ Goals and Objectives ➢ Miscellaneous Items Select Board Questions and Comments on Town Manager's Report Mr. Dumas began his report stating that the dedication of Harry B. Chase Jr. Place was last week and it was a great turnout. He then stated that he is working on an IMA with the Town of North Attleboro for water service. Mr. Dumas stated that he is looking forward to the Board's input on goals objectives at a special workshop night or at an October meeting. He stated that Mr. Violette is working on having departments work on updating CIP requests. He then stated that the Dustin Prescott well project came in higher than expected and will be addressed as part of the CIP process. The Chair then asked if any members had any questions and there were none. Ms. Doherty then stated that within the two weeks if anyone had any suggestions for goals and objectives to send those to her and the Town Manager. S. Public Comment There were no public comments or questions from. 6. Discussion and Consideration of Change of Manager Application for Bertucci's Restaurant Ms. Doherty asked for the manager of Bertucci's to come forward, Mr. Luke Lopez came forward and introduced himself to the Board. Mr. Trowbridge asked when the application was received. Ms. Champagne responded that it was in August. Mr. Trowbridge asked when the last manager left and Mr. Lopez responded within the last couple months. Mr. Trowbridge noted that it was his job as the manager to notify the Town when he leaves and emphasized the importance of this. Motion: To approve the change of manager application for Bertucci's Restaurant pending routing through Town Departments. (Wilk/Trowbridge) Passes 4:0 7. Discussion of Bi-Annual State Delegation Invitation to the Select Board and Topics for Consideration Ms. Doherty stated that the State Delegation is coming in October and asked the Board what topics would they like them to discuss. Mr. Trowbridge stated that funding, budget and COA and also anything else that may be coming down the pipe that may affect the Towns budget. 8. Discussion and Consideration of Whether or Not the Town Should Hire a Consultant to Conduct an HR Audit to Review and Establish Policies and Procedures to Deal with any Deficiencies that are Revealed. As per the Charter the consultant will report directly to the Board. Ms. Doherty stated that HR is our most critical component to look at and the Board members are not subject matter experts and the Board should bring on a consultant. Mr. Wilk stated that if the Board is going to do this it should be a GAP analysis of what polices the Town has and show what best practices are and get the policies up to date and fresh. Mr. Trowbridge stated that the HR manager should be here for this discussion and Mr. Wilk agreed and stated she should come to the next meeting. Ms. Doherty Select Board Meeting Minutes September 4, 2024 stated that the Board should decide whether to move forward and then have the HR person come in. Mr. Trowbridge asked where the money would be coming from for this and Ms. Doherty responded that it should be under $10,000, Ms. Doherty stated that it has been discussed about moving along with policies and this would be the next step and if there was a vote she would then be happy to sit with HR so this could move forward. She stated that she is trying to protect the Town and there have not been many updates to policies over the years and she wants to do a good job for the Town. Mr. Trowbridge asked why HR was not invited to this meeting and Ms. Doherty stated that first the Board needed to decide whether to move forward then we would sit down with HR and write the scope of work. Ms. Doherty asked if the HR Director was available now to come to the meeting and Mr. Dumas responded that she has a different schedule and does not work on Wednesdays. Ms. Doherty asked for this item to be tabled until Wednesday the 1811 after the Robert Barry presentation so that she would not be here longer than she needed to be. 9. Discussion on Progress Made on Workshop Items Ms. Doherty stated that Ms. Bren is not here to provide an update. She then asked Mr. Roche about the subcommittees. He responded that he looked through the list and is trying to take a look at which ones are ad hoc and should be made more permanent and which could possibly be part of other Boards. 10. General Budget Discussion — Including Budget Subcommittee Update The general budget discussion agenda item is a regular Select Board agenda item that will be for the discussion on any fiscal year budgets and may include discussions of past fiscal years or future fiscal years. Mr. Violette stated that after the last Budget Subcommittee they discussed level services and the bar keeps changing. He stated that he intends to have three budgets the first being a current service budget, second version will be personnel needs and the third version will be a 1% budget and what reductions would happen to get balanced. Ms. Doherty thanked Mr. Violette for his work. 11. Select Board Member Committee and Liaison Updates Mr. Roche stated that the next DEI meeting is scheduled for October 15% the Planning Board has a TOD workshop on September 25' and CIP is in the works. Ms. Doherty stated that the Audit Committee is meeting on September 25th and will be combined with Light Commissioners. Ms. Doherty then stated that the COA had a summer luncheon with themed hats and the event was well attended. Mr. Trowbridge stated that the Bristol County Commissioners met and there nothing new on MFN. 12. Public Comments There were no public comments. 13. 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 and events have been routed through Town Hall Departments and any conditions have been noted below. A. Vote to Approve Meeting Minutes: ➢ August 7, 2024 ➢ August 21, 2024 B. Vote to Approve Warrants: ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 25009T in the amount of $571,293.27 ➢ Electric Vendor Warrant No. 25009E in the amount of $76.652.93 ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 25009T2 in the amount of $18,308,43 ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 25010T in the amount of $1,317,581.01 ➢ Electric Vendor Warrant No. 25010E in the amount of $88,208.67 Select Board Meeting Minutes September 4, 2024 ➢ School Vendor Warrant No. 25010S in the amount of $1,205,937.22 C. Consideration of Permits and Licenses: ➢ Consideration of Special Events Application for Car Show for Rumford LLC ➢ Consideration of Signage Request for WWII Vets Memorial Trail Weighted Race (Event Applications was already approved) ➢ Consideration of Banner Application for the Road to Diversity ➢ Consideration of Water Installers License for LaFrance Equipment Services D. Proclamations: ➢ Proclamation for Robert Barry ➢ Proclamation for 9/11 Ceremony Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (Wilk/Trowbridge) Passes 4:0 14. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: ➢ Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 25009PT in the amount of $1,304,578.05 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 25009PT in the amount of $1,304,578.05. (Wilk/Trowbridge) Passes 4:0 ➢ Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 25009TV in the amount of $411,772.71 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 25009TV in the amount of $411,772.71. (Wilk/Trowbridge) Passes 4:0 ➢ School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 25009PS in the amount of $1,550,873.18 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 25009PS in the amount of $1,550,873.18. (Wilk/Trowbridge) Passes 3:0:1(Doherty Abstained and Mr. Trowbridge voted yes out of necessity) ➢ School Deductions Vendor Payroll 25009SV in the amount of $424,384.44 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 25009SV in the amount of $424,384.44. (Wilk/Trowbridge) Passes 4:0 15. Correspondence • Notice of Public Hearing and Request for Comments from the Department of Public Utilities • Notice from Xfinity Mr. Wilk stated the two correspondence items. 16. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions Mr. Trowbridge asked about Economic Development Director position and if that would be put on an agenda for the Board to discuss, Ms. Doherty responded that it would be after the Budget Subcommittee because that committee discussed not filling open positions. Mr. Trowbridge stated that it should be a discussion as the Select Board not the Budget Subcommittee telling us and Ms. Doherty responded that it would be sometime after the Tri-Board meeting. Mr. Roche thanked the Town Clerks office for running the election for the State Primary and for all the volunteers who work at the polls. He then asked about the Town Hail front steps being in disrepair and Mr. Dumas responded that it is in capital improvement plan. Mr. Wilk had no comments or questions. Ms. Doherty stated that on September 11th there will be a 9/11 memorial ceremony at 500 East Street at the public safety building. She then asked about the PFAS project at the Dustin Prescott wells and why it was Select Board Meeting Minutes September4, 2024 such a jump in costs and Mr, Dumas responded that it is due to the high number of these projects and is a supply and demand issue. 17. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 18. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the September 4, 2024 Select Board Meeting at 7:54PM. (Trowbridge/Roche) Passes 4:0 Signature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Documents used in meeting: 1. ADA Self -Evaluation and Transition Plan 2. Change of manager application for Bertucci's Date 3. Meeting Minutes of August 7, 2024 and August 21, 2024 4. Special Events Application for Car Show for Rumford LLC 5. Signage Request for WWII Vets Memorial Trail Weighted Race 6. Banner Application for the Road to Diversity 7. Application for Water Installers License for LaFrance Equipment Services 8. Proclamation for 9/11 Ceremony 9. Proclamation for Robert Barry Select Board Meeting Minutes September 4, 2024