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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 06/03/2026Select Board Meeting Minutes June 3, 2026 R F CF--Fvr1) Present: Mr. Walter Wilk, Chair; Mr. Kostas Loukas, Vice -Chair; Mr. Mark.'CcYS)llo, Clerk<Mr: B�e�r0 n Roche and Mr. Michael Feck were present in Meeting Room 3 A/B at Town Hall. Ms. Mallory Aronste n, (T wn JhO .ii', li n Manager was also present. F �� ,� t,c rj q 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 messageand asked, those present to stand for the pledge of allegiance. Mr. George Chmielecki of 795 Ware Street came forward and stated he is hard of hearing so he will record so that he can catch what he missed. 2. Discussion and Consideration to Approve the Revised Water Regulations and Fee Schedule Policy Mr. Josh Reinke DPW Director was present along with Mr. Shawn Precourt, Water Operations Manager. Mr. Reinke read from a memo that he was given from Mr. Precourt. He stated that the changes were highlighted in the document the Board received and he noted a couple of the bigger changes for those present to hear. Mr. Corsillo asked where the fines were listed for when there are restrictions for watering lawns and Mr. Reinke and Mr. Precourt thought they were listed as part of this policy but noted that it may just be within the water restrictions notice that goes out, but he would follow up. Motion: To approve the revised Water Regulations and Fee Schedule Policy as provided. (Corsillo/Loukos) Passes 5:0 3. Interview and Consideration to Appoint Members to the Non -Profit Gift Fund Committee (1 vacancy) ➢ Jacqueline Curtis Steve Schoonveld, Mansfield, MA Mr. Schoonveld and Ms. Curtis were present. Mr. Corsillo asked them each to share about their education and work experience and they both shared their backgrounds. Mr. Feck asked them what interested them to apply for this Committee and Ms. Curtis state that she has been curious about this committee and has been involved with organizations that have recipients of grants from the Committee. Mr. Schoonveld stated that he heard Mr. Healey, Chair of the Non -Profit Gift Fund Committee state that they were looking for new members and he applied the next day and then went to the planning meeting they had. Mr. Schoonveld then shared that he would like to reposition the committee because the committee should not be funding the Town expenses. He would like to have a committee that could stand independently from the Town and get corporate donations. Mr. Loukos asked the conflict of interest question. Ms. Curtis responded that she is on the Board of Library Trustees so she would not participate in any discussion of items for the library. Mr. Schoonveld responded that he did not think his involvement with other organizations would have any bearing but would recuse himself. Motion: To appoint Jackie Curtis to serve on the Non -Profit Gift Fund Committee to an unexpired term to expire on December 31, 2027. (Corsillo/Loukos) Passes 4:1 Mr. Feck made a nomination to appoint Steve Schoonveld to serve on the Non -Profit Gift Fund Committee however the motion was not seconded. 4. Interview and Consideration to Appoint Members to the Planning Board (2 vacancies —1 full voting member and 1 associate member) Bryan Haworth (Current Associate Member Seeking Full Voting Member) ➢ Kaitlyn Malkin Sarah Medeiros Y Brian Mukasa Select Board Meeting Minutes June 3, 2026 Michael Parsons Y Edith Sullivan Ms. Sarah Medeiros was not in attendance but all of the other candidates came forward. Mr. Feck recused himself because his company sometimes presents before the Planning Board. Mr. Wilk asked each candidate to explain their background and why they wanted to be on the Planning Board. Mr. Brian Mukasa stated that he is from Sharon and went to Brandeis University and studied economics and also went to UMASS- Boston for a graduate level in economics. He stated that he wanted to be on the Planning Board because Mansfield looks very different from when he was growing up and wanted to get involved and get an understanding and experience with land use, planning and special permits. Ms. Kaitlyn Malkin stated that she graduated from Mansfield High School and went to UMASS-Amherst for political science and then went to law school at Northeastern University. She stated that she is interested in joining the Planning Board because she has had some experience with property law classes and the Planning Board creates laws at the local level and that is interesting to her. Mr. Mike Parsons also shared his educational experience and stated that he was from New Hampshire and moved to Mansfield thirteen years ago and he wants to be involved in guiding the future of this Town. Ms. Edith Sullivan stated that she works at Goodwin Law. She stated that she grew up in Virginia and bought her home here two years ago and has been getting to know Mansfield over the last couple of years and she wants to give back to this community that she enjoys living in. Mr. Bryan Haworth stated that he is from Somerset, Massachusetts and was an Economics major in college and is a data scientist which means he basically uses math and numbers to tell a story that helps his employer make economic decisions. He stated that he has been an associate member of the Planning Board for the past year. Mr. Corsillo asked if each candidate was available on Wednesday evenings and everyone responded that they were. Mr. Loukos then asked the ethics/conflict of interest question that everyone answered that they would recuse themselves if there was a situation that presented itself. Motion: To appoint Bryan Haworth to serve as a full voting member of the Planning Board to an unexpired term to expire on December 31, 2027. (Corsillo/Loukos) Passes 4:0 Mr. Wilk asked for someone to make the motion to appoint the other candidates. Motion: To appoint Kaitlyn Malkin to serve as an Associate Member of the Planning Board to an unexpired term to expire on December 31, 2029. (Corsillo/Roche) Passed 3:0 Motion: To appoint Michael Parsons to serve as an Associate Member of the Planning Board to an unexpired term to expire on December 31, 2028. (Corsillo/Roche) Passed 3:0 Motion: To appoint Brian Mukasa to serve as an Associate Member of the Planning Board to an unexpired term to expire on December 31, 2029. (Corsillo/Roche) Motion: To appoint Edith Sullivan to serve as an Associate Member of the Planning Board to an unexpired term to expire on December 31, 2029. (Corsillo/Roche) Mr. Corsillo stated that it would be helpful to talk about the merits of each candidate. He stated that Ms. Malkin being a lawyer would bring a new perspective and skillset to the Board. Mr. Loukos thought Mr. Parsons has been to many meetings and brings a good perspective. Mr. Roche thanked everyone for applying and they all were great candidates. He also encouraged them all to be looking ahead for the Master Plan Committee if they are not appointed tonight. The Board then voted for who they wanted to appoint and Mr. Roche, Mr. Corsillo and Mr. Loukos voted for Mr. Parsons. Mr. Wilk voted for Ms. Sullivan. Then Mr. Corsillo, Mr. Loukos and Mr. Roche voted for Ms. Malkin. S. Discussion and Consideration of Revised Flag Policy Mr. Wilk stated that this discussion would move to the next meeting to have Town Counsel. Select Board Meeting Minutes June 3, 2026 6. Discussion and Consideration to Raise the Pride Flag and Juneteenth Flag in the Month of June 2026 Motion: To raise the pride flag and luneteenth Flag in the Month of June 2026. (Corsilio/Loukos) Passes 5:0 Mr. Roche wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who sent in comments. Town Manager's Report ➢ Monthly Report, May 2026 Scheduled OML Training with Town Counsel — June 10'h ➢ Financials Update y Miscellaneous Items Y Select Board Members Questions and Comments Ms. Aronstein provided an update on the May 2026 report and she noted that the report is available online for anyone wants to read it. She stated that her first Mansfield Town Meeting happened and she thought it was a good meeting. She noted that the Town is holding a training with Town Counsel on June 101h for employees and board and committee members. She then provided a financial update. She stated that on the Town side she has had layoff conversations. She also stated that open enrollment has concluded and there was not much movement to different plans and it did not yield the savings they were anticipating. Mr. Corsillo asked about the budget transfer for the police cars and thinks it may have been moved to the wrong budget line and Ms. Aronstein stated that she would confirm with the Town Accountant because it was supposed to go to the capital overlay budget line. Mr. Loukos stated that he liked the Budget Roadmap that was posted, he also noted that the budget has been talked about at every Select Board meeting since he has been on the Board. He added that the Town needs folks to participate in the budget process. He then stated he was glad to see the room full of people. 8. 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.) Mr. Scott DuPont came forward and Mr. Wilk asked him to stay and have a conversation after he reads his statement. Mr. DaPonte stated that he has been President of the Mansfield Educators Association for fifteen years and he has been at the meetings and Mr. Wilk knows how to reach him and asked why he was being asked tonight, because he is feeling like he is being ambushed. He further commented that this was not the place for the conversation. Mr. Wilk stated that there is a lot of the information that has been shared that is inaccurate and he wanted an opportunity to level set. Mr. DaPonte asked if this was public comment and if he could speak and Mr. Wilk responded that the Select Board can make comments and he as the Chair can limit time but he would not be tonight and asked again if Mr. DaPonte would stay after he reads his statement. Mr. DaPonte said he was going to read the statement and then allow the Board time to reflect on that statement and he was not prepared for a discussion tonight. Mr. DaPonte then read his statement. Ms. Lynn DiCorpo of 879 West Street came forward and stated that as the other seventy five percent of the members here the views expressed here are not view expressed by the rest of the Town. Ms. Beth Collins of 7 Atwood Street came forward and stated that she wanted to thank the teachers in green who give love and care to her children. She then stated that her understanding of public comment is that there is not a back and forth. Mr. Loukos commented that there is a lot to unpack here and thanked everyone who spoke. He stated that it was the mission of the Select Board to have transparency and communication with the public. Mr. Loukos commented that he knows these are difficult conversations and he wants the Towns and Schools to work together to find a solution. Select Board Meeting Minutes June 3, 2026 Mr. Wilk stated that a decision was made to not proceed with an override if certain issues were not addressed. He stated that when the Town gives a 2% raise it is really equating to about a 4.5% raise because of steps, lanes and longevity. Last year's override failed along with 70%of overrides across the State and when an override is put forward it needs to be a multiyear override. Mr. Corsillo commented that it was not a surprise that the Town was not going to have a balanced budget for over a year. The concern from residents was that messaging presented was for a budget that included an override. He stated that there was over a year to start that work and people were upset that it was a last- minute change. Mr. Corsillo stated that it is not just bodies and some of the dehumanizing language that is being used in the conversations is also of concern. He stated that its staff, teachers, paraprofessionals, educators and employees. Ms. Lynn DiCorpo came forward again and stated that the question about nothing being done for a year should be asked of the School Committee. Ms. DiCorpo also commented that the Select Board and former member Maureen Doherty do not have to be accused of an ambush because she thinks the ambush was the other way around. Mr. Steve Schoonveld of 21 Newton Street came forward and stated that he left the School Committee because the seventeen of us (School Committee, Select Board and Finance Committee) were not doing our jobs. He stated that they started the year planning for an override and were not doing the hard work. He stated that the everyone needs to find appropriate ways to save money and reduce costs and work with the Planning Board to find more revenues and to get the industrial park full. Mr. Corsillo asked what percentage of the tax base is commercial verses residential. Mr. Feck commented that the buildings in the industrial park will not be considered new growth because new growth is new construction. Mr. Corsillo stated that them being filled would generate personal property tax increases and Mr. Feck agreed. Mr. Feck stated that the biggest drivers in the budget are salaries and benefits and new growth needs to grow by 2.5 percent to account for salaries and benefits increases that generally increase 5 percent each year. He added that this is also before any other line items in the budget increasing so it would be about another 1 percent more in new growth and that is just not going to happen. Mr. Corsillo stated that a lot of frustration from residents is that their taxes are going up more than 2.5 percent each year. Mr. Wilk asked if the Chief Assessor could come to an upcoming meeting. Ms. Jean Southard from 15 Old Elm Street came forward and stated that what she hears sounds like a communication problem. She stated that she recently spoke with someone who lived in a town that passed an override. She explained that each department campaigned for what they needed the override for and she believed if people know what they are paying for they are more likely to pay for it. Ms. Marie Grygienc of 165 Stearns Avenue came forward and a couple weeks ago she came up to talk about communication and listening. She stated that she was rudely interrupted and Ms. Southard is right that we have a communication problem and everyone needs to listen and work together. 9. Discussion of Select Board Summer Meeting Schedule The Select Board decided that they would meet on July 151h and August 191h and it was noted that they may schedule other meetings if there is something urgent that comes up. 10. Discussion and Consideration of Board/Committee and Liaison Appointments Audit Committee— Kostas Loukos Bristol County Commissioners — Kostas Loukos ➢ Budget Subcommittee (2 members) —Walter Wilk and Michael Feck Capital Improvements Plan (2 members) -Brendan Roche and Mark Corsillo Community Service Awards Committee —Brendan Roche Select Board Meeting Minutes June 3, 2026 Downtown Advisory Committee— Walter Wilk ➢ Tax Increment Financing Committee — Kostas Loukos ➢ Town and School Needs Assessment Committee (2 members) — Michael Feck and Brendan Roche Y Council on Aging Liaison — Mark Corsillo ➢ Industrial Development Commission Liaison — Kostas Loukos Y Open Space and Recreation Liaison - Brendan Roche Y Planning Board Liaison — Michael Feck 11. General Budget Discussion — Including Budget Subcommittee Update The general budget discussion agenda item is a regular Select Board agenda item that will include discussion on any fiscal year budgets and may include discussions of past fiscal years or future fiscal years. Mr. Corsillo stated that the big issue that we keep hearing from the residents is that their tax bills are going up over 2.5 percent and have been over the last ten years because of the shrinking commercial tax base. One of the ways in which we can sell an override is if we grow the commercial tax base it will help reduce the burden on the residents. Ms. Aronstein stated that as part of the tax classification hearing process the Board could shift more of the burden onto the commercial businesses. Mr. Loukos stated there is so much to talk about on the topic of the budget. He stated that the Roland Green School property sale will help. He stated that it was important to recognize the budget process for last year was touched by three different Town Managers. He stated that the budget process this coming year will be different and that everyone does need to work together. Mr. Roche added that we also did not have a Finance Director in place when Mr. Reinke was Acting Town Manager so it was hard to do long term planning without that position. He stated that overall, he thinks everyone is on the same page for what the end result needs to be, but the steps to get there are still be worked through. Mr. Wilk stated that the Town employees are going to have to pay more for insurance or something because there is no way the residents are going to be able to absorb a three or four year override. Mr. Loukos stated that he would support an override if there is give from everyone. Ms. Aronstein stated that taxes mean services and people need to understand that. She stated that they have a whole communication plan and the only way out is together with clear messaging and everyone having the opportunity to give their opinion. She stated that they need to right size the town and rebuild because there have been so many quiet cuts that are affecting employees. Mr. Feck commented that the solution needs to be sustainable. He stated that the Town is operating like there is two or three percent in new growth every year but there is not. Mr. John Ellard,'rown Treasurer came forward and read a statement. He stated that he is strongly opposed to his department losing one employee and was formally putting on the record and disclosing the risk the Town is accepting by doing so. He explained exactly what the Treasurer's Office does and provided a history of the department. He stated that there is a not a single town that is the size of Mansfield that has less than five full time employees. Mr. Ellard listed some of the risks and the costs associated with each of them. Mr. Wilk asked about payroll in house and if they use a company like ADP. Mr. Ellard responded that the decision was made to go with MUNIS and process payroll in house. Mr. Corsillo wanted to know what the cost savings would be to go to an outside vendor for payroll processing and Mr. Ellard responded that he was not sure. Mr. Feck stated that he trusts Ms. Aronstein's decision and understands that these are difficult decisions to make. Mr. Loukos stated that the Board hired Mallory to make these types of difficult decisions but he thanked him for putting the Board on notice. Mr. Roche appreciated his thoughts and noted that it is not the Boards job to do the day-to-day decision making. 12. Select Board Member Committee and Liaison Updates Mr. Roche provided an update on SRPEDD. Select Board Meeting Minutes June 3, 2026 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 none. 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: 7= May 6, 2026 B. Vote to Approve Warrants: ➢ Town Vendor Warrant No. 2649T in the amount of $2,658,495.04 ➢ Electric Vendor Warrant No. 2649E in the amount of $2,184,126.83 School Vendor Warrant No. 26495 in the amount of $1,022,198.17 C. Consideration of Permits and Licenses: ➢ Consideration of Special Events Application for Mansfield Women of Today ➢ Consideration of Special Events Application for Logam Foundation Consideration of Water Installers License for Hydra Tech Inc. ➢ Consideration of License Agreement with the Hands -On Montessori School for Fence at 12 Creeden Street Consideration of Drainlayer's License for Grant Brothers Associates D. Proclamations: ➢ Proclamation for Catherine Coyne ➢ Proclamation for Firefighters Sunday ➢ Certificates for Mansfield School Retirees Motion: To approve the consent agenda pending routing for event applications. (Corsillo/Loukos) Passes 5:0 15. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2647PT & 2648MT in the amount of $946,070.34 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 2647PT & 2648MT in the amount of $946,070.34. (Corsillo/Loukos) Passes 5:0 e Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 2647TV in the amount of $305,782.40 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 2647TV in the amount of $305,782.40. (Corsi llo/Loukos) Passes 5:0 School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 2647PS in the amount of $2,008,390.47 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 2647PS in the amount of $2,008,390.47. (Corsi llo/Loukos) Passes 5:0 • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 2647SV in the amount of $563,356.76 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 2647SV in the amount of $563,356.76. (Corsi llo/Loukos) Passes 5:0 16. Correspondence ➢ Email from Deb Hebert ➢ Email from Barbara Gordon Email from Mark Vigorito ➢ Email from Sally Fehervari ➢ Email from Marcia Szymanski Select Board Meeting Minutes June 3, 2026 ➢ Letter from TEC Associates ➢ Letter from Shawn Precourt — Retirement of Michael Gregory, Water Licensed Equipment Operator ➢ Invitation to Mansfield High School Graduation ➢ Invitation to Mansfield Schools Retirees Reception Mr. Corsillo read the list of correspondence items. 17. Select Board Member's Comments and Questions Mr. Roche thanked Ms. Champagne for the certificates for the retirees at the reception last night and thanked everyone for coming to speak at our Select Board meetings. 18. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 19. Enter into Executive Session and Not Return to Open Session: ➢ Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21(a), Exemption 3 to discuss strategy with respect to litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body for ongoing Conservation violations located at 120 Forbes Blvd, 130 Forbes Blvd, 505 West Street, 509 West Street, 493 West Street and O'Reilly Tree Service and the chair so declares ➢ Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21(a), Exemption 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 with the following unions: • American Federation State County and Municipal Employees Council 93, AFL-CIO, Local 1702 Department of Public Works, Units A and B • Mansfield Permanent Firefighters Local 1820, International Association of Firefighters • Mansfield Police Association member of the Massachusetts Coalition of Police United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO-CLC, Local Union 9517, Unit 3, Supervisory Unit United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO-CLC, Local Union 9517, Unit 2, Non - Supervisory Unit Southeastern Public Employees Association Clerk's Unit of Town of Mansfield Motion: To enter into executive session and not return to open session Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21(a), Exemption 3 to discuss strategy with respect to litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body for ongoing Conservation violations located at 120 Forbes Blvd, 130 Forbes Blvd, 505 West Street, 509 West Street, 493 West Street and O'Reilly Tree Service and the chair so declares and Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21(a), Exemption 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 with the following unions: American Federation State County and Municipal Employees Council 93, AFL-CIO, Local 1702 Department of Public Works, Units A and B; Mansfield Permanent Firefighters Local 1820, International Association of Firefighters; Mansfield Police Association member of the Massachusetts Coalition of Police; United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO- CLC, Local Union 9517, Unit 3, Supervisory Unit; United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO-CLC, Local Union 9517, Unit 2, Non -Supervisory Unit and Southeastern Public Employees Association Clerk's Unit of the Town of Mansfield at 8:30PM. (Corsillo/Loukos) Select Board Meeting Minutes June 3, 2026 Roll Call Vote: Corsillo — Yes Feck —Yes Passes 5:0 Signatu e Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Documents used in meeting: Roche —Yes Lou kos—Yes Wilk - Yes 7�15%2(0 Date 1. Revised Water Regulations and Fee Schedule Policy 2. Board and Committee Applications from Steve Schoonveld, Jacqueline Curtis, Bryan Haworth, Kaitlyn Malkin, Sarah Medeiros, Brian Mukasa, Michael Parsons and Edith Sullivan 3. Revised Flag Policy 4. Town Managers May 2026 Monthly Report 5. Summer Meeting Calendars —June, July and August 6. List of Board/Committee and Liaison Appointments of the Select Board 7. May 6, 2026 Meeting Minutes 8. Consideration of Special Events Application for Mansfield Women of Today 9. Consideration of Special Events Application for Logam Foundation 10. Water Installers License Application for Hydra Tech Inc. 11. License Agreement with Hands -On Montessori School for Fence at 12 Creeden Street 12. Drainlayer's License Application for Grant Brothers Associates 13. Proclamation for Catherine Coyne 14. Proclamation for Firefighters Sunday 15. Certificates for Mansfield School Retirees 16. Email from Deb Hebert, Barbara Gordon, Mark Vigorito, Sally Fehervari, Marcia Szymanski 17. Letter from TEC Associates 18. Letter from Shawn Precourt — Retirement of Michael Gregory, Water Licensed Equipment Operator 19. Invitation to Mansfield High School Graduation and Retirees Reception Select Board Meeting Minutes June 3, 2026