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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 03/05/2025Select Board Meeting Minutes March 5, 2025 Present: Ms. Maureen R. Doherty, Chair; Mr. Brendan Roche, Vice -Chair; Mr. Walter Wilk, Clerk; Ms. Diana Bren and Mr. Michael A. Trowbridge Sr. were present in Meeting Room 3 A/B at Town(16TIEWTOvin Dumas, Town Manager and Mr. Matthew Violette, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Dirokto�, %�6reia)ss IffEfdAE 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting - Pledge of Allegiance Z015 HAR 20 A 10: 1 b Ms. Maureen Doherty, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:07PM. She then reminded eyery, a that the meeting was being broadcast live and taped for future broadcast on Mansfield Cable.,She ftE _ S hose h, present to stand for the pledge of allegiance. Mr. Trowbridge asked the Chair for a moment of silence to honor Robert Barry, a former longtime Municipal Building Committee member who passed away last week. Mr. Trowbridge extended his condolences to Mr. Barry's family members and added that he will be greatly missed. 2. Discussion and Consideration to Opt Out of Vote by Mail for the May 13, 2025 Local Election Ms. Doherty invited Ms. Jenifer Davis, Town Clerk, who asked the Select Board, on behalf of the Board of Registrar's, to opt out of Vote by Mail for the May 13, 2025 local election. Mr. Trowbridge asked if there was a particular reason this was being asked. Ms. Davis explained that unlike State elections, mail in ballots are optional for local elections and towns do not receive reimbursement for the costs associated with mail in ballots. She noted that the cost of having a mail in ballot would be $5,000. Mr. Trowbridge asked if decreasing the options available to residents to cast their votes would be a good decision because of the override ballot question. Ms. Davis added that the Town has never provided the Vote by Mail options for local elections and there will still be absentee voting and early voting at the Town Clerk's office. Mr. Trowbridge then asked what percentage of people vote in a local election and Ms. Davis responded that last year it was about two percent. Mr. Trowbridge stated that he redacts his objection as it is a small number of people in which this pertains to. Motion: To opt out of conducting Vote by Mail for the May 13, 2025 local election. (Wilk/Roche) Passes 5:0 3. Discussion and Consideration of the 2025 Live Nation License Agreement and Entertainment License Mr. Dumas opened by reviewing the change for the 2025 license which include an extension of the curfew of 11pm should there be a delay or disruption due to severe weather. Mr. Wilk asked if the document had been reviewed by Mr. Dumas. Mr. Dumas responded that he and Public Safety had both reviewed the document and it was ready to be signed. Mr. Roche asked Mr. Dumas if there was a fee that the town pays for events such as the Mansfield High School graduation ceremony. Mr. Dumas responded no but he asked Mr. Sandoval to verify, however it took a moment to get Mr. Sandoval through the GoToWebinar. Mr. Roche asked if Xfinity did a multiple year capital program. Mr. Sandoval stated that the process for events starts in July but confirmations can't be provided until February, and in relation to the two graduations Xfinity offers the venue for free to North and Mansfield High School. He then stated that both Norton and Mansfield High Schools pay some funds in terms of staffing, but those terms are agreed upon in advance. Ms. Doherty asked if personnel costs could be factored into the agreement with Xfinity. Mr. Sandoval responded that the cost is dependent on what the schools have requested for graduate numbers and it is not a static rate. Mr. Wilk clarified that he interpreted Ms, Doherty's question was aimed to explore the possibility to see the staffing charges to be included in the agreement. Mr. Sandoval said that is a moving target as the rates change every year. Mr. Sandoval noted that he did not have the numbers off the top of his head but they do the best to offer everything at cost. Ms. Doherty recognized the Police Chief Ron Sellon and asked if he had any comments to add and he said no that they had already voiced their concerns about the agreement with the Select Board Meeting Minutes March 5, 2025 Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager. Ms. Doherty then recognized the Fire Chief Desrosiers who said that he also had no comments and was content with the agreement. Ms. Bren commented that it was great to include the language about delays due to weather in the agreement. Motion: To approve 2025 Live Nation License Agreement and Entertainment License. (Wilk/ Roche) Passes: 5:0 4. Town Manager's Report ➢ Update on the Supply of Emergency Water to the City of Attleboro ➢ Update on the Reservoir Street Communications Tower Project ➢ Update on Cell Phone Tower Town Project on East Street ➢ Miscellaneous Select Board Questions and Comments on Town Manager's Report Mr. Dumas started his Town Manager's report stating that Mansfield received communication from Attleboro, thanking the Town for the emergency supply of water and the city no longer needs assistance from Mansfield, He noted that this provided the Town with $200,000 in revenue. Mr. Dumas then provided an update on the tower projects on Reservoir Street and East Street. Mr. Dumas stated that the snow and ice deficit is at $109,276. Mr. Dumas then announced that Live Nation/Xfinity Center is excitedly hosting the 250th Firework Celebration event on October 18'h. He then stated that he spoke to the State delegation and requested $200,000 for the 250th Celebration and $50,000 for a third year of the Downtown Sign and Facade Program. Mr. Dumas noted that the State delegation is set to visit a Select Board and just need to know what date. Ms. Doherty said she had been working on those dates with Ms. Carrie Champagne and Mr. Dumas said he would follow up with her. S. Public Comment Ms. Sandra Levine from 20 Walnut Street came forward and asked if Mansfield was done giving Attleboro a water supply and Mr. Dumas confirmed it ceased last week. Ms. Levine then stated that there were talks of permanent vaults to allow for water transfers for communities around Mansfield and asked if that is included in the 2026 budget. Mr. Dumas responded that it is not included in the 2026 budget as Mr, Shawn Precourt needs to do further work and research for that. The Chair took items out of order and skipped to agenda number seven at 6:27PM. 6. 6:30PM —Public Hearing in Accordance of M.G.L. Chapter 138, Section 12 for a Transfer of an All Alcohol On Premises License for Legends Music LLC dba Xfinity Center, located at 885 South Main Street pending routing through Town Departments and Public Safety Motion: To open the public hearing at 6:30PM. (Wilk/Roche) Passes 5:0 Attorney Elizabeth Pisano, Attorney from Upton, Connell & Devlin, LLP was present on behalf of the application Legends Music, LLC. Ms. Amanda Parker Regional Manager with Legends Music was also present. Ms. Pisano stated that this application is to transfer the all alcohol license for the Xfinity Center to Legends Music with a proposed manager of record being Jaime Rivera. She stated that all operations will remain the same. She listed other locations and venues in which the company has maintained a successful liquor license and operation across the country and noted that Mr. Rivera has been working at the Xfinity Center since 2017 and was with Delaware North the current vendor since 2007. Ms. Pisano stated that every Legend's staff member will be TIPS certified. Ms. Parker stated that they have 85%of staff returning to the Xfinity Center from last season. There were no questions or comments from the public or the Board members. Motion: To close the public hearing at 6:37PM. (Roche/ Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 Select Board Meeting Minutes March 5, 2025 Motion: To approve Transfer of an All Alcohol on Premises License for Legends Music LLA dba Xfinity Center. (Wilk/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 The Chair then moved to agenda number eight. 7. Vote to Direct Planning Board to Conduct Public Hearings for Citizen Petition Zoning Article of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant Motion: In accordance with Mass General Law Chapter 40A Section 5, to forward the proposed zoning bylaw amendments submitted by citizens petitions, for School Street and West Street, to the Planning Board for public hearing. (Wilk /Bren) Passes 5:0 The Chair then skipped to agenda number thirteen. 8. Discussion and Consideration on Including the Solid Waste Fee in the Override Budget and Eliminate the Individual Fee Mr. Violette opened by explaining the spreadsheet he had provided to the Board to demonstrate the override options with and without the solid waste fee. He highlighted the column that demonstrated the total impact of a $2 million override and a $2.8 million override. He stated that currently the solid waste expense of $800,000 is being paid by 6,700 residential properties but by building it into the override amount the expense is now spread across all properties including businesses. Ms. Doherty added that this came up at the Tri Board meeting by the Town Manager. Ms. Bren stated that she liked how this was explained and the data is easy to understand. Motion: To include the solid waste fee in the override budget and eliminate the individual fee. (Wilk/ Roche) Passes 5:0 9. Update on Warrant Article 14 Regarding Massachusetts General Law Chapter 258, §13 Mr. Violette gave a summary about Article 14 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. He stated there was a discussion with Town Counsel revealed that it doesn't have to be on warrant and it is the decision of the Select Board. Mr. Dumas explained that this item needs to go on the ballot. Mr. Wilk provided an example of a member of the Municipal Building Committee getting sued for a decision made and this would pay the legal fees of that committee member. Mr. Roche asked for clarification stating that this item needs to go on the ballot but it doesn't necessarily need to be added to the warrant and Mr. Dumas confirmed that was correct. Ms. Doherty, asked Mr. Trowbridge about a policy that indicated that members have up to a million dollars in fees. He stated that he did recall something that mentioned this. Ms. Doherty asked if it was possible that the vote went on a ballot but never made it to a Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Violette said he would be happy to follow up with the Town Clerk on ballots in the past to confirm. Mr. Trowbridge stated he will review his own folder of policies. Ms. Doherty stated that she always puts items on the agenda that Board members asked for and asked is anyone had anything else. Ms. Bren asked about bringing the DEI Committee in to a meeting and Ms. Doherty stated that she is working to invite all Boards and Committees in to present and asked if Ms. Bren would like for them to come in separately and she responded yes given that their charge is a little different than the other committees. Ms. Doherty then asked Mr. Violette to review the draft warrant as presented. Mr. Violette then went through the articles and provided a summary of each. 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. Select Board Meeting Minutes March 5, 2025 Mr. Wilk stated that the last Budget meeting was a Tri-Board meeting so everyone is all caught up. He stated that next the final numbers need to be made for the Town and School budget. Mr. Violette stated that the Town has almost established a balanced budget and once there are updates from the Schools budget the budget will be finalized. Ms. Doherty asked about dates for public forums and when there will be a final list and Mr. Violette responded that he should be able to send that out later this week. Mr. Wilk asked about the FAQ document and Mr. Dumas responded that it is all set. Ms. Doherty then stated that on April 2nd public presentation of the budget at the Select Board meeting. Mr. Roche asked if the Southeastern Regional Assessment was the expected amount and Mr. Violette said yes and that he had been using the unofficial number that he was given. 11. Select Board Member Committee and Liaison Updates Mr. Wilk stated that the Tri-Board meeting. Ms. Doherty gave her time to Ms. Nancy Griffin to talk about the 250th Celebration. Ms. Griffin stated that Saturday, March 291h the untold stories of Mansfield with Robert MacDonald. There is a Genealogy workshops starting April 12th offers insight to family history. The Grand parade is going to be Saturday, May 17th at 11am and Incorporation Weekend will be August 22nd the2411. 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: ➢ February 19, 2025 ➢ February 25, 2025 B. Vote to Approve Warrants: ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 25035T in the amount of $313,644.06 ➢ Electric Vendor Warrant No. 25035E in the amount of $120,732.71 ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 25034TL in the amount of $4,817.50 ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 25036T in the amount of $1,979,641.04 ➢ Electric Vendor Warrant No. 25036E in the amount of $326,877.33 ➢ School Vendor Warrant No. 25036S in the amount of $530,682.36 C. Consideration of Permits and Licenses: ➢ Consideration of Banner Application for Keep Mansfield Beautiful ➢ Consideration of Banner Application for Friends of the Mansfield COA ➢ Consideration of Banner Application for DSF of Mansfield Dollars for Scholars ➢ Consideration of Banner Application for Mansfield Youth and Cheer ➢ Consideration of Special Events Application for Park and Recreation — Mansfield Common Market ➢ Consideration of Drainlayers License for Plainville Pump & Excavating Inc. ➢ Consideration of Drainlayers License for ATL Construction Inc. ➢ Consideration of Drainlayers License for Petroleum Engineering Inc. D. Proclamations: ➢ Patricia Debold — Mansfield Elks Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (Wilk/Bren) Passes 5:0 14. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2533PT in the amount of $1,035,286.92 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 2533TV in the amount of $332,685.77 Select Board Meeting Minutes March 5, 2025 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 2533PS in the amount of $1,982,886.97 • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 2533SV in the amount of $608,596.01 This item was skipped as the wrong payroll numbered week is wrong and then the Chair moved to item number fifteen. 15. Correspondence ➢ Notice from the Keolis Commuter Services ➢ Notice from Xfinity Mr. Wilk read the list of correspondence items. The Chair then moved back to Agenda number three. 16. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions There were none. 17. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 18. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the Select Board meeting of March 5, 2025 at 7:1013M. (Trowbridge/Roche) Passes 5:0 Sig ture Date Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne and Michelle Henderson Documents used in meeting: 1. Memo from the Town Clerk/Board of Registrar of Voters 2. 2025 Live Nation License Agreement 3. Transfer of Alcohol License — Legends Music LLC 4. Draft of Warrant Article 14 of the Annual Town Meeting 5. Meeting Minutes of February 19, 2025 and February 25, 2025 6. Banner Application for Keep Mansfield Beautiful 7. Banner Application for Friends of the Mansfield COA 8. Banner Application for DSF of Mansfield Dollars for Scholars 9. Banner Application for Mansfield Youth and Cheer 10. Special Events Application for Park and Recreation — Mansfield Common Market 11. Drainlayers License Application for Plainville Pump & Excavating Inc. 12. Drainlayers License Application for ATL Construction Inc. 13. Drainlayers License Application for Petroleum Engineering Inc 14. Proclamation for Patricia Debold — Mansfield Elks 15. Notice from the Keolis Commuter Services 16. Notice from Xfinity Select Board Meeting Minutes March 5, 2025