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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 10/15/2025Select Board Meeting Minutes October 15, 2025 RECEIVED FOWIN CLE��°SS�tSOFFICE Present: Mr. Walter Wilk, Chair; Mr. Michael Feck, Vice -Chair; Mr. Kostas Loukas, Clerk; Mr. rendan' e and Ms. Maureen R. Doherty were present in Meeting Room 3 A/B at Town Hall. Mr. Josh gIl'2JBlmfcli g A q: 53 Town Manager was also present in meeting room 3 A/B. MANSE IFLD 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting - Pledge of Allegiance MASS,ACHUSI' TTS Mr. Wilk called the meeting to order at 6:30PM. He then read the broadcast message and asked those present to stand for the pledge of allegiance. 2. Tax Classification Presentation with the Board of Assessors and Chief Assessor Ms. Ann MacCarthy, Chief Assessor was present to provide a presentation on the tax classification and she announced that she would be back November 51h for the public hearing to set the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2026. Ms. MacCarthy stated that tax classification allows communities to have a different tax rate for different classes of property. She stated that single family home values increased by six percent and condos increased five percent whereas the commercial values increased less than half a percent and industrial values decreased by one percent. Ms. MacCarthy then stated that Mansfield is in line with neighboring communities with both their tax rate and the average single-family tax bill. Ms. MacCarthy noted that the Fiscal Year 2026 maximum allowable levy was $83,260.645 and she then presented a table with options for the tax rate. The Select Board members shared comments and thanked Ms. MacCarthy for the presentation. 3. Town Manager's Report ➢ School Street Construction Update ➢ Special Town Meeting Warrant Closing —October 171h at 12 noon ➢ 25011 Celebration Event— October 18th ➢ Town Manager's Roundtable/Economic Development Outlook —Tri Town Chamber Event ➢ Automatic Payments for Water/Sewer/Trash bills via UNIPAY ➢ 1-95 Northbound Rest Area Closure Select Board Members Questions and Comments on Town Manager's Report Mr. Josh Reinke began his Town Manager report stating that they had a meeting with the State last week about the School Street project and they have an anticipated start date of May 151. Mr. Reinke then announced that Special Town Meeting Warrant closes at noon on October 17' and he then reminded everyone that the 250th Celebration Committee is hosting a Food Truck and Firework event Saturday at the Xfinity Center starting at 5PM and admission is free. He then announced that he attended the Tri-Town Roundtable Discussion that includes the Town Managers from Norton and Foxboro Mr. Reinke then stated that water and sewer bills are available to pay through Unipay and residents can set up automatic payments. He then shared that the 1-95 Rest Area is closed while they complete the project and the area is anticipated to open in the late fall 2025. Mr. Reinke noted that the Town of Norton may need to buy water from Mansfield and if this happens there will be an IMA between Norton and Mansfield, he further noted that Mansfield has the capacity to do so. Mr. Roche asked about the errors with the commuter parking payments. Mr. Reinke responded that Mansfield police have worked on a resolution. The app will be updated tomorrow and refunds will be issued to anyone who was over charged. Mr. Roche asked if the Town hired a weights and measures person. Mr. Reinke was unsure but Mr. Roche said that other towns are regionalized and there may be an opportunity for savings. Ms. Doherty commented that she was happy about the automatic water payments and asked how much that would save the Town in dollars and staff power. Mr. Reinke stated that it will depend on how many people sign up for automatic payments, but there was no charge for setting this up. Ms. Doherty then stated that there was an oversite and the Select Board should have appointed Nancy Griffin to the 25011 Committee when the Town Manager left. Select Board Meeting Minutes October 15, 2025 Motion: To appoint Nancy Griffin as a member of the 2501h Celebration Committee. (Doherty/Loukos) Passes 5:0 Mr. Wilk asked about Roland Green being on the Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Reinke responded that it was and under review by Town Counsel. He stated that there are two articles one for demolition of the school and another to pay for remediation. Ms. Doherty stated that at the CIP meeting there was a vote to support the upgrades of the PA system at Jordan Jackson and QMS using Free Cash and asked if that is going to get funded now and Mr. Reinke responded that it is on the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Ms. Doherty then asked to talk about how much of the Free Cash should be used for CIP and how much should be held. 4. Public Comment (Per the Select Board Operating Procedures: The Chair may give visitors who are not listed on the agenda an opportunity to speak to the Board during the Public Comments session; however, the Chair may limit their speaking time at the discretion of the Chair.) Beth Collins of 7 Atwood Street was present virtually and voiced concerns with staffing levels at Mansfield Fire. She stated that there has been an increase in the amount of calls and some calls require mutual aid from other communities. She further noted that Mansfield staffing does not meet the national standards. Ms. Collins asked fellow residents and the Board to keep this in mind with the upcoming budget. Ms. Sara Walsh was not yet at the meeting so the Chair skipped to item $6 5. Discussion and Consideration of Updated Financial Policies with Chair of the Finance Committee Ms. Sara Walsh came forward and stated that the Finance Committee reviewed all of the policies. The first change was editing the documents with Select Board instead of Selectmen. She stated that the policies were reviewed by the Towns new legal counsel and made the recommended changes. She then stated that there was a recommendation to create an MOU between the Town and Schools to make it clear what side pays for what expenses and she gave the example that the Town side of the budget has the benefits. Mr. Feck had a comment on the Free Cash policy and stated that it is not being truthful when it is said that Free Cash is not being used to fund the operating budget. He stated text books have been paid for by Free Cash and they are not a capital expense. Ms. Walsh stated that text books have gone back and forth and Mr. Wilk commented that he can see both sides but noted that it is important to have some flexibility. Ms. Doherty stated that the Town Charter is specific about CIP but it is generally large purchases. Ms. Walsh stated that she would have this discussed at the Finance Committee meeting tomorrow. Mr. Loukos stated that there may need to be an update in the Charter because it states that it is a facility or a major piece of equipment and today we would consider a Chromebook a major piece of equipment for a school. Ms. Doherty stated that on the Free Cash policy instead of one time purchases it maybe should say capital purchases. Motion: To approve the updated financial policies pending the edits to the Capital Improvement Projects. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 6. Discussion and Consideration of Common Vic License for Mansfield Deli Mr. Tony Pluton came forward and stated that he is purchasing Mansfield Deli. He stated that he has owned a couple of businesses and his most recent was Grand Slam Pizza in West Bridgewater. He stated that he and his partner Beni Kola have a lot of experience and are looking forward to being a part of Mansfield. Motion: To approve the Common Vic license for Mansfield Deli. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 7. Discussion and Consideration of Town Manager Screening Committee Charge Ms. Doherty summarized the charge of the Town Manager Screening Committee. She started that they have extended the time for a couple more weeks to get more people to respond. She stated that there will be Select Board Meeting Minutes October 15, 2025 seven members: Superintendent of Mansfield Schools, a representative of the business community recommended by Tri-Town Chamber, last years recipient of the Lifetime Community Service award and then 4 residents at large. Motion: To approve the Town Manager Screening Committee Charge. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 Skipped back to agenda #5. 8. Discussion and Consideration of Capital Charge Waiver/Reduction Request for Butter Dreams 291 North Main Street This item is not needed tonight. 9. Discussion of Budget Communication Proposal from John Guilfoil Public Relations Mr. Reinke stated that he wanted to show what the private sector has to offer for messaging about overrides. He stated their proposal has options from $10,000-$20,000 per year but he believes changes could be handled in-house. Ms. Doherty commented that some of the charts on the Towns website are hard to read and should be revised to be ADA compliant. Mr. Roche also noted that Paige Duncan from Foxboro did a great presentation at MMA on debt exclusions and this could be a good example to look at. Mr. Loukos commented that it would be great to have one page with all the information for someone to understand an override. Ms. Doherty commented that it may have been too much information last year. Mr. Loukos commented that he would rather the complaint be there is too much information than not enough. 10. Discussion and Consideration to support State Representative Markey's Bill H999-An Act Establishing a Deer Population Control Commission Mr. Wilk stated that the Board received a letter from State Rep Markey seeking the Boards support on a bill he has filed. He stated that the proposed bill is to establish a deer population control commission. Mr. Loukos commented that the thinks it is a good idea because the deer are not only causing accidents they are affecting crops in rural areas of the state. Motion: To send a letter of support for Bill H999-An Act Establishing a Deer Population Control Commission (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 11. 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. Wilk stated that there has not been Budget Subcommittee meeting and the next one is scheduled for November 101h. Ms. Doherty stated that at CIP they stated there is $800,000 in Free Cash and $250,000 is being used for the intercom systems at two of the schools. She stated that now the Select Board decides what to do with the rest of the funds. Mr. Wilk asked if any BANS were being paid down and Mr. Reinke confirmed there were. He also stated that some funds are going into the Finance Committee Reserve Fund which leaves about $300,000. 12. Select Board Member Committee and Liaison Updates There were no updates. 13. Public Comments (Per the Select Board Operating Procedures: The Chair may give visitors who are not listed on the agenda an opportunity to speak to the Board during the Public Comments session; however, the Chair may limit their speaking time at the discretion of the Chair.) There were no public comments. 14. Review and Approve Consent Agenda Select Board Meeting Minutes October 15, 2025 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: ➢ September 30, 2025 ➢ October 1, 2025 B. Vote to Approve Warrants: ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 2615T in the amount of $3,706,928.54 ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 2615E in the amount of $347,681.97 ➢ Electric Vendor Warrant No. 26155 in the amount of $775,278.98 C. Consideration of Permits and Licenses: ➢ Consideration of Special Events Application for Veterans Day Parade and Service ➢ Consideration of Banner Application for Veterans Day ➢ Consideration of Special Events Application for Forest Park Halloween Stroll D. Proclamations: ➢ Firefighter Lincoln Holske Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 15. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: ➢ Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2613XT, 2615PT and 2615MT in the amount of $1,089,047.51 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2613XT, 2615PT and 2615MT in the amount of $1,089,047.51. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 ➢ Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 2615TV in the amount of $341,552.38 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 2615TV in the amount of $341,552.38. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 ➢ School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 2613MS and 2615PS in the amount of $2,043,078.93 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 2613MS and 2615PS in the amount of $2,043,078.93.(Loukos/Roche) Passes 4:0:1 ➢ School Deductions Vendor Payroll 2615SV in the amount of $607,721.77 Motion: To approve Deductions Vendor Payroll 2615SV in the amount of $607,721.77. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 16. Correspondence ➢ Letter from Erika Cervasio Mr. Loukos stated the Board received a letter from Erika Cervasio. 17. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions Ms. Doherty stated that tomorrow from 11-2 is the retirement celebration at Public Safety for Captain Kevin Fontes. She stated that the Halloween COA luncheon is October 31st and the Halloween parade is on Saturday, October 25th. Ms. Doherty then stated that at the October 29th Select Board meeting there will be discussion with Labor Counsel on operating policies and procedures. The Board then discussed the interview process for the candidates for the Town Manager Search Committee. The Board decided to asked the candidates to complete the board/committee application and have them to come in on the October 29th to answer a couple questions like why they want to be on the committee and what skills do they bring. Mr. Roche stated that Abolition Day is happening on Saturday from 10AM to 4PM on South Common. Select Board Meeting Minutes October 15, 2025 18. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 19. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the October 15, 2025 Select Board meeting at 7:47PM. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 Signature Date Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Documents used in meeting: 1. Notice of 1-95 Northbound Rest Area Closure 2. Tax Classification Presentation from Chief Assessor 3. Updated Town of Mansfield Financial Policies 4. Common Victualler license Application from Mansfield Deli 5. Town Manager Screening Committee Charge 6. Proposal from John Guilfoil Public Relations 7. Letter from State Representative Markey's 8. Special Events Application for Veterans Day Parade and Service 9. Banner Application for Veterans Day 10. Special Events Application for Forest Park Halloween Stroll 11. Letter from Erika Cervasio 12. Meeting Minutes of September 30, 2025 and October 1, 2025 Select Board Meeting Minutes October 15, 2025