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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 01/07/2026Select Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2026 Present: Mr. Walter Wilk, Chair; Mr. Michael Feck, Vice -Chair; Mr. Kostas Loukas, Clerk and Ms. fiau're�H,RI,) Doherty were present in Meeting Room 3 A/B at Town Hall. Mr. Josh Reinke, Acting Town Nlana�er Was"als6l i i IC(_ present in meeting room 3 A/B. Not Present: Mr. Brendan Roche 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting -Pledge of Allegiance A Mr. Wilk called the meeting to order at 6:3313M. He then read the broadcast message and asked those present to stand for the pledge of allegiance. 2. Discussion of Joining the 495/Metro West Partnership Ms. Sarah Raposa, Director of Planning and Development came forward and wanted to introduce the Board to the regional economic development group 495/Metro West Partnership. She stated that the 495/Metro West Partnership is a well -established regional group along the 495 corridor that focuses on economic development, business retention and attraction and workforce development. Mansfield currently is just outside of the range of the partnership however if Mansfield would like to proceed with joining the Partnership a request can be made to their Executive Steering Committee. This would require a formal vote of the Select Board and if accepted the Town would need to submit a letter of request to join. She stated that the cost to join is $500-$1,000. Ms. Raposa asked the Board if they had any questions. Mr. Feck commented that he liked everything he just heard. Ms. Doherty asked if the Town was still keeping memberships that the previous Economic Development Director had and Mr. Reinke stated he would need to look into. Ms. Doherty thought this would be valuable. Ms. Doherty then asked Ms. Raposa if she would like to be the liaison and she responded that she would love to. Mr. Wilk stated that the Board could take a formal vote at their next meeting. Mr. Loukos asked how the Executive Director was paid and Ms. Raposa responded that the municipalities pay a small fee and private businesses pay a larger free to be part of the partnership. 3. Update on Bicentennial Court Expansion Project Ms. Sarah Raposa stated that this is a Mansfield Housing Authority project and she was here to provide an update as Andrea McDougall the Executive Director had another meeting tonight. Ms. Raposa stated that she is part of the working group that is putting together the information on the potential expansion project. She stated that the Housing Authority received a grant for a housing feasibility study. Ms. Raposa stated that this does tie into the Master Plan and 100 units is what is ideal. She stated that they are looking at a mix of market rate and affordable units. She stated that the RFP is set to be released in January and it would not be the typical housing authority funding model. It would be a private developer on leased property. Mr. Wilk asked how many would be affordable units and Ms. Raposa responded around 20% and a developer that proposed more affordable units would be ranked higher. Mr. Feck asked what was the Towns Subsidized Housing Inventory Metric (SHI) and Ms. Raposa responded that it is 10.41%. Mr. Feck commented that it's important for the Town to stay above 10%. She stated that she is not worried about neighborhood opposition. Ms. Doherty asked if there could be a local preference for affordable units and Ms. Raposa responded that they could. 4. Discussion and Consideration of the Mansfield Hazard Mitigation Plan Ms. Katelyn Gonyer, Conservation Planner was present and stated that she was here to provide an update on the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). She explained that it started in 2020 when there was a grant to update our 2009 HMP. She explained that when Ms. Raposa came on Board and she helped get the RFP and then SRPEDD became our consultant. Ms. Gonyer explained that the HMP is a long-term plan that identifies risks from natural disaster to help reduce, eliminate or mitigate and prevent the impact to hazards on life and property. She explained that once plan is adopted and approved by the Select Board then the Town would Select Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2026 then be eligible for FEMA funding. She stated that there were several workshops for residents to ask questions and provide feedback. Ms. Gonyer stated that they have sent the draft to MEMA and FEMA and have their comments and are working with SRPEDD to incorporate those comments. Motion: To support Mansfield Hazard Mitigation Plan and send a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 4:0 5. Town Manager's Report Y Miscellaneous Items ➢ Select Board Members Questions and Comments Mr. Reinke stated that the snow and ice budget was $389,440 for FY2026 and with the recent storms they have used $137,506. He then thanked those that worked New Year's Eve. 6. 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 no public comments. 7. Discussion and Consideration of 10AM Early Sunday Alcohol License for Burton's Grill & Bar Ms. Champagne stated that when Burton's first applied the hours were not discussed and they did not realize that Mansfield has a separate license for early Sunday alcohol sales so they are asking to be able to open at 10AM on Sundays. Motion: To approve the 10AM Early Sunday Alcohol License for Burton's Grill and Bar. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 4:0 8. Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Presentation Mr. Reinke provided a preliminary FY2027 Budget. He stated that the information is posted on the Town's website. He began with a budget overview of revenue and expenses and stated that the budget shortfall currently is $5.1M. He showed the forecasted expenses and revenue. Mr. Reinke noted that the health insurance is one of the key unknown expenses. The current budget assumes an 18% increase for active employees and hoping that percentage is decreased. He stated that at the Tri-Board meeting it was decided to move forward with preparing a $3M override budget and then a balanced budget with $5.1M in cuts. Mr. Reinke then went through the next steps. Ms. Doherty commented that it is important to look at efficiencies and the need to look at why there is a loss of revenues and we are documenting this and have more trustability. Mr. Feck on the audit side people want to see the data and want to see us compared to other towns and are we delivering the same services. Mr. Feck stated that at the last Tri-Board meeting he stated that they need to have explanations for the data from the schools. He questions why the per pupil spending is higher than similar school districts and further noted that Mansfield is the highest taxed Town in the area. Ms. Doherty asked how she could get something on the Tri-Board agenda. Mr. Wilk asked Ms. Champagne if she did the agenda and Ms. Champagne responded that Ms. Sara Walsh does. Mr. Wilk stated that they can email Ms. Walsh and copy him on the email. 9. Discussion and Consideration to Approve the 2026 Renewal Certification from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission Mr. Wilk explained that the form shows that Alba Restaurant did not renew their license and there were no licenses that were not approved. Motion: To approve the 2026 Renewal Certification from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 4:0 Select Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2026 10. Discussion and Consideration to Appoint John McGarry as a Full Voting Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals Ms. Champagne stated that Mr. McGarry was appointed as an associate member to the Zoning Board at the last meeting and he is interested in being the full voting member that is now available. Motion: To appoint John McGarry as a Full Voting Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals to an unexpired term to expire on April 30, 2029. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 4:0 11. Discussion and Consideration of the Town Ethical Advocacy Hotline Phone Should Go to Labor Counsel or Town Counsel Mr. Wilk asked it is mainly HR items that would go to labor counsel. Ms. Doherty stated that this also fills the requirement from the Audit Committee so that anyone can call a hotline to report fraud and abuse. She stated that she spoke with Attorney Brown who suggested that because he is on retainer it makes sense financially for the calls to start with his firm. Calls that involve labor matters could be sent over to labor counsel. Mr. Loukos asked if the hotline with the State through the Attorney General's office would satisfy the internal controls and Ms. Doherty responded that it would not. Motion: To create a hotline monitored by Town Counsel. (Loukos) Motion Amended: To create a hotline monitored by Town Counsel as outlined in the operating procedures. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 4:0 12. Town Manager Update and Discussion Ms. Doherty provided an overview of the hiring process and what has happened so far including the establishment of the screening committee. The screening committee interviewed and made recommendations of three candidates to the Board and they will be interviewed tomorrow night. She also noted that the candidates all were in Town on Monday and met majority of the staff. Mr. Wilk commented that the timeline that was established is on track and we are still unsure when the person would be able to start as they may have contract obligations. Mr. Loukos commented that there were opportunities for the community to be involved along with employees of the Town. 13. 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. Ms. Doherty stated she is in the process of getting an opinion from Town Counsel on what she can or cannot participate in because her son and daughter in law work at Mansfield schools and she wants a clear outline to ensure there is no conflict of interest. 14. Select Board Member Committee and Liaison Updates Ms. Doherty stated that at the Council on Aging this Friday they are kicking off senior safety 15. 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. 16. 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 Select Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2026 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: ➢ November 19, 2025 ➢ December 3, 2025 Y December 17, 2025 ➢ December 18, 2025 B. Vote to Approve Warrants: ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 2627T in the amount of $347,730.64 ➢ Electric Vendor Warrant No. 2627E in the amount of $102,731.97 ➢ School Vendor Warrant No. 2627S in the amount of $456,627.93 C. Consideration of Permits and Licenses: ➢ 2026 Common Victualler License Renewal for Nasiff Marketplace ➢ 2026 Common Victualler License Renewal for NY Pizza 2026 Common Victualler and Entertainment Licenses Renewal for Stefano's Pizza ➢ 2026 Common Victualler License Renewal for Providence Bagel ➢ 2026 Water Installers License for Riccio Excavation Co. Y 2026 Water Installers License for Tufts Corporation ➢ 2026 Water Installers License for Pohl Brothers, LLC D. Proclamations: Y Mansfield Police Proclamations Y In Recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on behalf of the Daughters of the American Revolutionary War Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 4:0 17. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2625PT in the amount of $924,157.22 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2625PT in the amount of $924,157.22. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 4:0 Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 2625TV in the amount of $302,650.68 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 2625TV in the amount of $302,6S0.68. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 4:0 School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 2625PS in the amount of $2,024,580.56 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 2625PS in the amount of $2,024,580.56. (Loukos/Feck) Passes 3:0:1 Doherty Abstained a School Deductions Vendor Payroll 2625SV in the amount of $594,776.25 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 2625SV in the amount of $594,776.25. (Loukos/Doherty) Passes 4:0 18. Correspondence • Email from Robert MacDonald • Emails from Steve Schoonveld • Letters from Xfinity • Letter from the Elks • Letter from Andrew Bank • Email from Soundminds Psychiatry LLC • Notification from Verizon • Letter from Harrington Heep Select Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2026 Mr. Loukos read the list of correspondence items. Ms. Doherty asked if the Board could discuss the letter from the Elks, Harrington Heep and Andrew Bank. Mr. Loukos commented that the Board met with Town Counsel we can discuss correspondence without having to read every letter. Mr. Wilk stated that those correspondence items can be added to the next agenda. 19. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions There were no comments or questions. 20. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 21. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the January 7, 2026 Select Board meeting at 8:06PM (Doherty/Loukos) Passes 4:0 Signature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Documents used in meeting: V �-6 Date 1. Memo from Town Planner Sarah Raposa for 495/Metro West Partnership 2. Memo from Town Planner Sarah Raposa for Bicentennial Court Expansion Project 3. Mansfield Hazard Mitigation Plan 4. Early Sunday Alcohol Sales for Burtons Grill and Bar S. Fiscal Year 2027 Initial Budget as posted on website 1/1/2026 6. 2026 ABCC Renewal Form Board/Committee Application from John McGarry 8. Meeting Minutes from November 19, 2025, December 3, 2025, December 17, 2025 and December 18, 2025 9. Common Victualler Application for Nasiff Marketplace 10. Common Victualler Application for NY Pizza 11. Common Victualler and Entertainment Applications for Stefano's Pizza 12. Common Victualler Application for Providence Bagel 13. Water Installers Application for Riccio Excavation Co. 14. Water Installers Application for Tufts Corporation 1S. Water Installers Application for Pohl Brothers, LLC 16. Mansfield Police Proclamations 17. In Recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on behalf of the Daughters of the American Revolutionary War Proclamation 18. Email from Robert MacDonald 19. Emails from Steve Schoonveld 20. Letters from Xfinity 21. Letter from the Elks 22. Letter from Andrew Bank 23. Email from Soundminds Psychiatry LLC 24. Notification from Verizon 25. Letter from Harrington Heep Select Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2026