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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 11/05/2025Select Board Meeting Minutes November 5, 2025 Present: Mr. Walter Wilk, Chair; Mr. Michael Feck, Vice -Chair; Mr. Kostas Loukas, Clerk; Mr. Brendan Roche and Ms. Maureen R. Doherty were present in Meeting Room 3 A/B at Town Hall. Mr. Josh Reinke, Acting Town Manager was also present in meeting room 3 A/B. 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting -Pledge of Allegiance Mr. Wilk called the meeting to order at 6:30PM. He then read the broadcast message'nd asked those_' present to stand for the pledge of allegiance. 2. 6:30PM Public Hearing -In Accordance with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40 $ecti6n 561,t6 Select Board will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose to adopt the percentages of the 'local twit levy to be borne by each class of real and personal property for Fiscal Year 2026 �.--3 (,Y ' In Accordance with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40, Section 56. The Select Board }of the Town of Mansfield, MA will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 3A/B, Mansfield Town Hall, Six Park Row, Mansfield, MA. The purpose of the hearing is to adopt the percentages of the local tax levy to be borne by each class of real and personal property for Fiscal Year 2026. Motion: To open the Public Hearing at 6:33PM. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 Ms. Ann MacCarthy, Chief Assessor was present and stated that she was at the last meeting of the Select Board and reviewed all of the information and she asked if anyone had questions. Ms. Doherty asked her what would the impact be on the Town if we didn't change the tax rate and left it the same as last year. Ms. MacCarthy responded that it would be the shift and last year the shift 1.38 then the rate would be $13.09 for residential and $19.81 for commercial. She stated that this is a decrease for commercial and goes up a little bit for residential. Mr. Wilk asked if there were any members of the public who had any comments but there were none. Motion: To close the Public Hearing at 6:38PM. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 Motion: To set the tax split at 1.38. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 3. Discussion and Consideration to Appoint Retired Captain Kevin Fontes as the Municipal Hearing Officer for the Fire Department's Code Violation Ticketing Program Chief Desrosiers was present with retired Captain Kevin Fontes seeking the Board to appoint him as the Municipal Hearing Officer for the Fire Departments Code Violation Ticketing program. The Chief stated that they are just beginning with the ticketing program and a hearing officer is a requirement. He added that Captain Fontes is beyond qualified and has done this work for majority of his career. Motion: To appoint Retired Captain Kevin Fontes as the Municipal Hearing Officer for the Fire Department's Code Violation Ticketing Program. (Loukos/Roche) Passes 5:0 4. Discussion of Roland Green Property located at 29 Dean Street Mr. Reinke invited Mr. Mike Ahern to come forward for this agenda item. Mr. Reinke stated that the Town engineer has looked at the property and provided a sketch showing that the parcel could be divided into three duplex or three single family lots. Mr. Wilk asked what the lots could be sold for and Mr. Reinke responded that duplexes would have a higher value. Mr. Wilk noted that would be on the tax rolls within a year instead of sitting vacant. Ms. Doherty commented that if the lots were cleaned and ready for building, they_ might sell higher. Mr. Loukos commented that he was in support of having it torn down so that it does not deteriorate and becomes a hazard. Select Board Meeting Minutes November 5, 2025 Motion: To authorize the Town Manager in preparation for Town Meeting to prepare the property for demolition and development of the bid documents. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 S. Consideration to Make the Roland Green School located at 29 Dean Street Available for Disposition This item should happen after Town Meeting so the Board skipped this item. 6. Town Manager's Report ➢ MIIA Member Services Update and Impacts to FY27 ➢ E-bike Mansfield/Norton Town Forums ➢ Finance Committee Information and Listening Sessions — 11/12, 11/13 and 11/15 ➢ Miscellaneous Items Select Board Members Questions and Comments on Town Manager's Report Mr. Reinke stated that he met with MIAA representatives last week and they have advised us to estimate a 16-18% increase for insurance rates for next year. He stated that this now raises the deficit to $5.6M. He then stated that the Town of Norton and the Town of Mansfield held public meetings about a -bikes and they were very informative and productive. Mr. Reinke then stated that the Finance Committee is hosting listening sessions on Wednesday and Thursday next week from 6-8PM and Saturday 1-3PM at the Public Safety Complex. 7. 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.) There were none. 8. Review Town Manager Screening Committee Mr. Wilk had each of the Select Board members state who they nominated to be on the Town Manager Screening Committee. Ms. Champagne shared her screen showing a chart of the information and the four people who had the most nominations were appointed to the Screening Committee. Town Manager Screen Committee Walter Brendan Maureen Kostas Michael Total Alien Bryer 0 Brian Eagle z x x 3 Charlie Mulcahy z`. x x 'x x 5 Cindy Deltano x x 2 David Cramer 0 Jackie Curtis 0 James Carlson 8:: x x 3 Mark Corsillo 0 Michael Bergquist x x 2 Rachel Tyrrell 0 Ralph Penney x x x x 4 Sally Fehevari x 1 Scott Feely 0 9. Discussion and Consideration to Approve and Sign the Special Town Meeting Warrant Mr. Wilk went through the warrant briefly. Motion: To approve and sign the warrant for Annual Town Meeting. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 Select Board Meeting Minutes November 5, 2025 10. Discussion and Consideration to Authorize the Town Manager to act on behalf of the applicant, as its agent, in filing applications for, executing agreements regarding, and performing any and all other actions necessary to secure for the applicant such as grant(s) and/or loan(s) for planning or construction of Water Pollution Abatement Projects or Drinking Water Projects as may be made available to the Applicant pursuant to the provisions of the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act (MGL c21, section 27-33E, inclusive, as amended), and the Water Pollution Abatement Revolving Loan Program (MGL c29C) for the following project: Lead and Copper Rule Compliance Engineering Services Mr. Reinke stated that this is so he can sign the grants and loan from the State. Motion: To Authorize the Acting Town Manager to act on behalf of the applicant, as its agent, in filing applications for, executing agreements regarding, and performing any and all other actions necessary to secure for the applicant such as grant(s) and/or loan(s) for planning or construction of Water Pollution Abatement Projects or Drinking Water Projects as may be made available to the Applicant pursuant to the provisions of the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act (MGL c21, section 27-33E, inclusive, as amended), and the Water Pollution Abatement Revolving Loan Program (MGL c29C) for the following project: Lead and Copper Rule Compliance Engineering Services. (Loukos/Roche) 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 asked Mr. Reinke to check the status of employee benefits consultant and where they are with the benchmarking process. 12. Select Board Member Committee and Liaison Updates Ms. Doherty asked to speak about CIP. She stated that the committee met and learned that there was not an abundance of free cash but did approve the PA system upgrade for the Jordan Jackson and Qualters Schools. She stated that the Committee is meeting again tomorrow night and Town Counsel is coming to talk about the committee's role and to provide guidance. The Board then discussed the CIP process and the confusion there is about the process and the need for clarification. 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 comments. 14. 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: ➢ October 15, 2025 B. Vote to Approve Warrants: ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 2617T in the amount of $1,378,980.67 ➢ Electric Vendor Warrant No. 2617E in the amount of $249,834.49 ➢ School Vendor Warrant No. 2617S in the amount of $775,081.87 ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 2619T in the amount of $3,384,074.54 ➢ Electric Vendor Warrant No. 2619E in the amount of $3,893,203.08 ➢ School Vendor Warrant No. 2619S in the amount of $618,555.27 C. Consideration of Permits and Licenses: ➢ Consideration of Special Events Application for 250th Celebration Committee Select Board Meeting Minutes November 5, 202S ➢ Consideration of Sign Request for Veteran's/Military Parking Space at Town Hall ➢ Consideration of Sign Request from West Side Benevolent Circle D. Proclamations: ➢ May Institute Ribbon Cutting Certificate ➢ Certificate for Lorilee Fish Dedication Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (Loukos/Roche) Passes 5:0 15. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: ➢ Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2617PT in the amount of $1,137,919.63 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2617PT in the amount of $1,137,919.63. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 ➢ Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 2617TV in the amount of $387,769.38 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 2617TV in the amount of $387,769.38. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 ➢ School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 2617PS in the amount of $2,007,343.48 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 2617PS in the amount of $2,007,343.48. (Loukos/Roche) Passes 4:0:1 (Doherty Abstained) ➢ School Deductions Vendor Payroll 2617SV in the amount of $593,796.62 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 2617SV in the amount of $593,796.62. (Loukos/Roche) Passes 5:0 16. Correspondence ➢ Email from Michael Bergquist Mr. Loukos stated that they received an email from Michael Bergquist. 17. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions There were no comments or questions. 18. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 19. Discussion and Consideration of Select Board Policies and Procedures with Labor Counsel Ms. Jaime Kenny, Labor Counsel stated that she was asked to look at the operating policy of the Select Board. She stated that she looked to make sure it was uniform and cleaned up some language. The other major change was the access to legal counsel and not having to have permission from the Town Manager. Ms. Doherty stated that the Select Board had a code of conduct and now that is incorporated into the operating procedures. Motion: To rescind the Select Board Code of Conduct. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 5:0 Motion: To approve the Amended Policies and Procedures. (Loukos/ Passes 5:0 20. Enter into Executive Session and not return to open session pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares Motion: To Enter into Executive Session and not return to open session pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A, Section 21 (a)(3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares at 7:32PM. (Loukos/Doherty) Roll Call Vote: Doherty — Yes Lou kos—Yes Roche —Yes Feck— Yes Wilk - Yes Passes 5:0 Select Board Meeting Minutes November 5, 2025 Signature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne 7/�S Date Documents used in meeting: 1. Certificate for Lorilee Fish and May Institute Ribbon Cutting 2. Email from Michael Bergquist 3. Revised Select Board Operating Procedure 4. Special Events Application for 250th Celebration Committee S. Sign Request for Veteran's/Military Parking Space at Town Hall 6. Sign Request from West Side Benevolent Circle 7. October 15, 2025 Meeting Minutes 8. Special Town Meeting Warrant 9. Possible Division of the Roland Green Property into house lots 10. Fire Department's Code Violation Ticketing Program 11. Public Hearing Notice for Tax Classification 12. Options Table for Tax Split 13. Voting/Tally Sheets for Select Board Members from the 10/29 meeting for the applicants of the Town Manager Screening Committee Select Board Meeting Minutes November 5, 2025