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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 03/19/2025Select Board Meeting Minutes O March 19, 2025 Present: Ms. Maureen R. Doherty, Chair; Mr. Brendan Roche, Vice -Chair; Mr. Walter ```W'Ik Cc�e GW�uma Ms. Diana Bren and Mr. Michael A. Trowbridge Sr. were present in Meeting Room 3 A/B..pI Tgvy1� �ls, Town Manager was also present. I " ' `' r a 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting - Pledge of Allegiance 1025 A Ms. Maureen Doherty, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:01PM. She then remigde e)(eW00 that the meeting was being broadcast live and taped for future broadcast on Mansfield QAOJO.'MeFAHAFala those present to stand for the pledge of allegiance. 2. Discussion and Consideration of Common Victualler License for Lawadessa Cafe Mr. Antwan Hannah and Ms. Zenia Hannah were present and stated that they are opening a restaurant at 300 North Main Street and will have salads, sandwiches and pastries and seating for people to socialize. Ms. Bren commented that she was familiar with their food and she was looking forward to visiting and welcomed them to Mansfield. Mr. Roche wished them luck. Mr. Wilk and Ms. Doherty welcomed them to Mansfield. Mr. Trowbridge wished them the best. Ms. Doherty then asked when they were going to open and Ms. Hannah responded that they are hoping to open in April. Motion: To approve the Common Victualler license for Lawadessa Cafe. (Wilk/Roche) Passes 5:0 3. Discussion and Consideration to Authorize the Select Board to Execute the School Street Order of Taking, as Authorized by Articles 13 and 14 of the Town of Mansfield 2025 Special Town Meeting held on January 9, 2025 Mr. Josh Reinke, DPW Director was present along with Attorney Timothy Curley from Brooks and DeRensis. Attorney Curley stated that he could answer any questions the Board may have on the matter. Mr. Dumas stated that this is paid for by SRPEDD and is the section of School Street from West Street and ends just before Route 140. Mr. Roche asked if it was ending at Spring and Willow Street and Mr. Dumas responded it was right after that street. There was no further discussion or questions. Motion:: I hereby move that the Select Board acquire by eminent domain for municipal purposes, more specifically for use as right of way easements for roadway improvements, including but not limited to construction, drainage, utility, access, and/or related purposes, as authorized by Articles 13 and 14 of the Town of Mansfield 2025 Special Town Meeting held on January 9, 2025, and authorize the Select Board to execute and enter into any and all documents necessary to effectuate the acquisition of the following properties: PARCEL NO. PROPERTY LOCATIOP BOOK & PAGE REFERENCE TITLEHOLDER TE-1 231 Spring Street 28676/74 Miranda M. Besse & Devon J. Peters TE-36 231 Spring Street 28676/74 Miranda M. Besse & Devon J. Peters TE-2 130 School Street 15819/181 Michael Olesch & Lauren S. Olesch TE-3 120 School Street 6721/158 Elizabeth J. Cleveland TE-22 120 School Street 6721/158 Elizabeth J. Cleveland TE-37 120 School Street 6721/158 Elizabeth J. Cleveland TEA 112-114 School Stre 28420/274 Cacciapaglia School LLC TE-6 102 School Street 14026/205 Joseph F. Homer, Jr. & Linda M. Homer TE-23 109-111 School Stre 13368/54 Kimberly Wisniewski TE-24 107 School Street 14741/317 Nancy L. Kelley TE-25 101 School Street 22707/149 Alaa A. Hosny Select Board Meeting Minutes March 19, 2025 TE-8 88 School Street 9217/41 Steven A. Thibodeau & Alison N. Thibodeau E-1 165 Spring Street 1255/60 Mansfield Spring Brook Cemetery Corp TE-5 165 Spring Street 1255/60 Mansfield Spring Brook Cemetery Corp TE-7 165 Spring Street 1255/60 Mansfield Spring Brook Cemetery Corp TE-9 165 Spring Street 1255/60 Mansfield Spring Brook Cemetery Corp TE-10 165 Spring Street 1255/60 Mansfield Spring Brook Cemetery Corp TE-19 71 School Street 13863/245 Patrick Kevin Ruse & Beth Williamson - Ruse TE-39 71 School Street 13863/245 Patrick Kevin Ruse & Beth Williamson - Ruse TE-26 77 School Street 27111/39 Mary K. Eastwood & Brian D. Feeney TE-27 63 School Street 1829/262 Judith A. Ammidown TE-28 59 School Street 9118/333 Wayne M. Martin TE-29 47 School Street 20541/30 Christopher Rehrey & Lindsay Rehrey TE-11 67 Coral Street 9764/326 Loretta M. Wilner & David W. Wilner TE-12 28 School Street 26188/124 Claudia Amanda Andrade TE-13 22 School Street 8622/144 John M. Carroll, Jr. & John E. Wallask TE-30 45 School Street 9184/99 Gustave C. Enzie & Lauren L. Enzie TE-31 35 School Street 25881/311 Daniel Rabinowitz & Adrienne Girard TE-32 29 School Street 28472/37 Nicholas J. Piro TE-33 23 School Street 10827/167 John Butler & Kathy Butler TE-14 18 School Street 24188/265 Kenneth J. Donnelly & Mary U. Wheele TE-15 14 School Street 26504/54 Michael J. Farese TE-17 6 School Street 1803/4 Mansfield Congregation ofJehovah's Witnesses, Inc. TE-18 1 School Street 20644/67 Scott M. Morrisson TE-34 17 School Street 28433/301 The David S. Cass Revocable Trust of 2023 TE-35 9 School Street 2422/334 Cathy A. McGowan D-1 Owner Unknown TE-38 Owner Unknown said parcels being further described and shown on a plan of land entitled "Plan of Easements Owned by the Town of Mansfield, Massachusetts, Bristol County Showing Location of Easements for the Purpose of Reconstructing School Street, Dated October 25, 2024, Scale 1" = 20', Prepared by Russell J. Bousquet, PLS #35389" to be recorded with the Bristol North County Registry of Deeds, together with the Order of Taking; and to further authorize the Select Board to.award damages for said takings to the affected owners of said land, the amount per owner being specified in the aforementioned Order of Taking. (Wilk/Bren) Passes 5:0 4. Discussion and Consideration on the Town Counsel Submissions to Short List for Interviews Ms. Doherty explained the procurement process that the Board went through for Town Counsel Legal Services so that the public could understand. She stated that all five submissions were brought to the full Board for review. She stated that Mr. Mike Ahern and Mr. Violette met with her to open the submissions and determine if they all met the minimum requirements of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Ms. Doherty asked if anyone had any questions and Mr. Trowbridge asked about the start date for the new firm as he saw one place said April 1st and another said September 15t. Ms. Doherty responded that it was to award the contract the beginning of April and then there would be a transition period. She stated that the review is happening at tonight's meeting and then the interviews will be at the next Select Board meeting on April 2nd. Mr. Dumas asked if the Board tonight would be deciding on the date of implementation and he commented that he wanted to make sure there was enough implementation time to get all departments up to speed and Select Board Meeting Minutes March 19, 2025 stated that a June start or July 1st to coincide with the start of the fiscal year would be preferred. Ms. Doherty responded that the firms have included their ideas and steps they would take to implement the change. She added that she did not see this as a disruption and it will be a process that will be acceptable by everyone. Mr. Dumas asked if he could be part of the process and noted that he has not been part of any of the discussion thus far. Ms. Doherty believed there to be a long process of transiting. Mr. Roche asked if any of the Board members have worked with any of the firms previously. Mr. Trowbridge responded that he may have done a subdivision with Gay & Gay in 1989. Ms. Bren, Mr. Roche and Mr. Wilk had no work with them. Ms. Doherty responded that the Town of Stoughton used KP Law at first and then several other firms but she had special construction council and they were not any of these firms. Mr. Wilk asked if they could reduce down to three firms to interview instead of two. Ms. Doherty responded that it is typically two. Mr. Wilk, Mr. Trowbridge and Mr. Roche all had three they wanted to interview. Mr. Roche also noted that the firm Gay & Gay is Town Counsel only and Clifford & Kenny is Labor Counsel only, so it may be necessary to interview three. Ms. Doherty noted that KP Law, Harrington Heep and Brooks & DeRensis were both Town and Labor Counsel. Ms. Doherty then asked the Board for their first and second choices. Mr. Wilk responded that his first choice was KP Law and then second choice was Harrington Heep and third was Clifford & Kenny. Mr. Trowbridge had Brooks and DeRensis, Clifford & Kenney followed by Gay & Gay. Mr. Roche had KP Law as his first choice and then Clifford & Kenny and third was Harrington Heep. Ms. Doherty responded that she chose KP Law, Clifford & Kenny and Harrington Heep. Ms. Bren responded that she had Harrington Heep, Brooks and DeRensis followed by Clifford & Kenny. Ms. Doherty summarized and stated that Clifford & Kenney, KP Law and Harrington Heep could all be interviewed and then decide whether it is one firm or go with a split like there is now with one firm doing Town Counsel and another doing Labor Counsel. Mr. Trowbridge commented that he was concerned that the costs look high. Ms. Doherty responded that some of them are but it depends on the parameters set up and the importance of being mindful of money being spent. Mr. Dumas noted that an increase in legal is not budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Mr. Wilk asked if the costs could be negotiated and Mr. Ahern responded they could. Ms. Doherty also noted that a couple firms would not charge for the transition work that would need to happen. Mr. Wilk asked if they would advise the two firms not being interviewed and Mr. Ahern responded that you would not and would wait to see what happens with the three firms being interviewed. Mr. Roche commented that no one would be essentially eliminated yet. Ms. Doherty stated she would start doing reference checks. Ms. Doherty then asked if any members had any questions about the process. Mr. Trowbridge commented that the present firm has not had a raise for many years and feels bad that they are not being given an opportunity to interview and if there are concerns they could be addressed in the interview. Ms. Doherty responded that she thought it could be awkward to have that discussion publicly. Mr. Wilk commented that he did not care if another firm was also interviewed. Ms. Doherty then commented that the Board should interview all five and asked if members wanted to interview the top firms first and then have the other firms in after that. Mr. Trowbridge agreed. Ms. Doherty stated that the interviews will be scheduled for April 2"d and the Board will interview Harrington Heep, KP Law and Clifford & Kenny and if the Board is not satisfied the other two firms could be scheduled to come in for an interview. Ms. Bren asked the Chair if she could help prepare the Board and wanted to know if they will be given a time frame or a standard set of questions. Ms. Doherty stated that she is going to ask if there are any questions the Board would like to ask to get them to Ms. Champagne so there will be a set of questions and expects that each firm will start by giving a five-minute overview. Ms. Doherty stated that she would like to come and listen to the first part of the meeting and then have them go to the hallway as a courtesy to the other firms. Motion: To invite on April 2"d the law firms of Clifford & Kenny, KP Law and Harrington Heep to interview. (Bren/Roche) Passes 5:0 5. Town Manager's Report Select Board Meeting Minutes March 19, 2025 ➢ Water System Flushing Announcement ➢ Grant Announcement ➢ Override Questions & Answers ➢ Goals & Objectives ➢ Water & Sewer Rates FY2026 ➢ EPA — SCAS ➢ New Health Insurance Plan Roll Out ➢ Miscellaneous Select Board Questions and Comments on Town Manager's Report Mr. Dumas began his report by reading a water system flushing announcement from the Water Department. He then announced that Conservation has received a $20,000 grant from the Taunton River Water Shed Alliance to deal with Japanese Knotweed. Mr. Dumas stated that he has updated the question and answer handout for the override. Mr. Wilk asked if the override question and answers packet to be put on the website when its ready. Mr. Dumas responded that he is creating a new page and will have it on the page along with all the other related information. He then stated that goals and objectives document will be updated and in next meeting packet. Mr. Dumas stated that he has been in touch with David Fox to analyze the water and sewer rates for Fiscal Year 2026 and there will be more to follow on this. Mr. Dumas then provided an update on his term on the EPA — Small Communities Action Committee noting that they are on hold due to the federal administration. He then provided a summary on the new health insurance plan and the roll out that is scheduled. He stated that the snow deficit is $121,039.32 and he stated that Chapter 90 funding for roads is going up fifty percent and he is not proposing a road bond at the upcoming Town Meeting. Mr. Dumas then announced that Congressmen Auchincloss has asked to have a public forum on April 5ch and will be hosting two sessions at Mansfield High School Auditorium. Ms. Doherty asked if there is an updated list of dates for meetings and Mr. Dumas responded that Mr. Violette will send that out tomorrow. Mr. Wilk asked about the new health insurance plan and asked if that plan has a free physical and free bloodwork and Mr. Dumas responded that it does. Ms. Doherty thanked everyone for their work in the insurance group. 6. Public Comment There were no comments from the public. 7. Discussion and Consideration to Open, Amend and Close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant Mr. Dumas stated that there are several items that are needed so this would remove Articles 5, 7, 9 and 14 and clean up that warrant. Motion: To open the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. (Wilk/Roche) Passes 5:0 Motion: To amend the Annual Town Meeting Warrant by removing Articles 5, 7, 9 and 14. (Wilk/Roche) Passes 5:0 Motion: To close the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. (Wilk/Roche) Passes 5:0 Ms. Doherty asked what the process is for Citizen Petitions and Mr. Dumas responded that Town Counsel reviews them and provide feedback to the petitioner as to whether it will pass to form legally. 8. Discussion and Consideration to Sign the Warrant for Annual Town Meeting Motion: To approve and sign the warrant for Annual Town Meeting. (Wilk/Roche) Passes 5:0 9. 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 19, 2025 Mr. Dumas thanked the Board for the vote at the last meeting to include the trash fee in the override amount which reduces the impact to residents. He then stated that on Mr. Wilk's request they have included the chart of the impact of the override to tax bills for several different house values in the frequently asked question document that will be made available. 10. Select Board Member Committee and Liaison Updates Mr. Trowbridge, Mr. Roche and Mr. Wilk had no updates. Ms. Bren commented that Parks and Rec has opened registration for summer camp and other fun activities. Ms. Doherty updated the Board on the coffee hour at the Council on Aging and a budget speaking event with the Republican Town Committee and she noted that the Democratic Town Committee has now invited the same group to speak at their next meeting. 11. Public Comments There were no comments from the public. 12. 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: ➢ March 5, 2025 B. Vote to Approve Warrants: ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 25037T in the amount of $313,644.06 ➢ Electric Vendor Warrant No. 25037E in the amount of $120,732.71 ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 25038TL in the amount of $4,817.50 ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 25038T in the amount of $1,979,641.04 ➢ Electric Vendor Warrant No. 25038E in the amount of $326,877.33 C. Consideration of Permits and Licenses: ➢ Consideration of 2025 Commercial Parking Lot License for Mass Arts Center ➢ Consideration of One Day Beer and Wine License for St. Gregory Greek Orthodox Church ➢ Consideration of Special Events Application for St. Gregory Greek Orthodox Church D. Proclamations: ➢ None Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (Wilk/Roche) Passes 5:0 13. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2535PT in the amount of $1,035,286.92 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2535PT in the amount of $1,035,286.92. (Wilk/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 2535TV in the amount of $332,685.77 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 2535TV in the amount of $332,685.77. (Wilk/ Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 2535PS in the amount of $1,982,886.97 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 2535PS in the amount of $1,982,886.97. (Wilk/ Trowbridge) Passes 3:0:1 (Trowbridge and Doherty Abstain) • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 2535SV in the amount of $608,596.01 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 2535SV in the amount of $608,596.01. (Wilk/ Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2537PT in the amount of $924,277.66 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2537PT in the amount of $924,277.66. (Wilk/ Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 Select Board Meeting Minutes March 19, 2025 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 2537TV in the amount of $295,691.70 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 2537TV in the amount of $295,691.70. (Wilk/ Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 2537PS in the amount of $1,953,604.08 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 2537PS in the amount of $1,953,604.08. (Wilk/ Trowbridge) Passes 3:0:1 (Trowbridge and Doherty Abstain) • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 2537SV in the amount of $600,836.41 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 2537SV in the amount of $600,836.41 (Wilk/Trowbridge) Passes 5:0 14. Correspondence • Letter from Southeastern Regional School District • Letter from the Commonwealth of MA— Department of Telecommunications and Cable Mr. Wilk read the list of correspondence items. 15. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions There were none. 16. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting Ms. Doherty stated that there was a request that came in from the Water Department to have two licenses approved. Motion: To approve the 2025 Water Installer Licenses for ATL Construction Inc. and Petroleum Engineering Inc. (Wilk/Roche) Passes 5:0 17. Adjourn do : To adjourn the March 19, 2025 Select Board meeting at 7:YPM. (Roche/Wilk) Passes 5:0 Sign re Date Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Documents used in meeting: 1. Common Victualler Application for Lawadessa Cafe 2. School Street Order of Taking Draft Motion 3. Water System Flushing Announcement from Water Operations Manager Shawn Precourt 4. Proposals for Town Counsel Services 5. Annual Town Meeting Warrant 6. Meeting Minutes of March 5, 2025 7. 2025 Commercial Parking Lot License Application for Mass Arts Center 8. One Day Beer and Wine License Application for St. Gregory Greek Orthodox Church 9. Special Events Application for St. Gregory Greek Orthodox Church 10. Letter from Southeastern Regional School District 11. Letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — Department of Telecommunications and Cable 12. Water Installer License Applications for ATL Construction Inc. 13. Water Installer License Applications for Petroleum Engineering Inc. Select Board Meeting Minutes March 19, 2025