HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 10/25/00
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Chairman David W. McCarter; Clerk Bradford E. Wills; Selectmen
Amos M. Robinson, Louis P. Amoruso and Daniel Donovan.
John O. D'Agostino, Town Manager
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of
October 25, 2000
00 NOV - 2 PH 12: I 8
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag.
· Warrant No. 18 not ready for review and approval
Motion: To postpone until next week's meeting
(Amoruso-Robinson) All in favor Passes
. Warrant for November 7th Election
Motion: . To sign and post
(Wills-Robinson) All in favor Passes
· Minutes of October 18, 2000 Selectmen's Meeting
Motion: To approve
(Amoruso-Robinson) All in favor Passes
Town Manager and Staff:
· Memo from Lorilee Fish, Park & Recreation Director, requesting consideration
be given to awarding a portion of the Rodman Ride for Kids donation of $3,000
to the Park & Recreation Summer Camp scholarship fund
Motion: To donate the funds to the Park & Recreation Summer Camp
scholarship fund
(Wills-Amoruso) All in favor Passes
· Notice of Halloween Parade Sunday at 2:00 p.m. beginning at the South
Common and to be moved to the Qualters Middle School in case of rain
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 25, 2000
1
State and Local Government:
· Letter from James J. Hager, Superintendent of Southeastern Regional
Vocational -Technical School requesting additional funds of $47,565.00 to their
School Committee. Mr. Hager would like to be present to answer questions when
the matter is discussed/voted. (Southeastern is already scheduled on the
agenda for November 8th)
This is money that was given to them on the Cherry Sheet but the Selectmen
need to vote to release the funds. We will discuss this further on November
8th.
Residents:
· Letter from Carole Andrews of 211 Willow Street requesting "hidden driveway"
signs w/ approval memo of Lance Lawson attached
Motion: To allow the signs as recommended by Ptlm. Lance Lawson
(Amoruso-Robinson) All in favor Passes
. Letter and Petition from residents of Lantern Lane and Surrey Drive requesting
"pooper scooper" signs with a side note attached from Caroline Ledger of 50
Lantern Lane requesting the Town consider a leash law for cats
It was noted the State classifies cats as free-roaming. The question will be
directed to the Animal Control Officer for additional information and
recommendation.
Motion: To grant the sign request
(Wills-Donovan) All in favor Passes
Anthony Oduard/~ 100 Highland Avenue - spoke about the increase in taxes and
noted he wants to make sure he's getting his money's worth. He spoke of actions
taken at the Special Town Meeting and asked if we got a reasonable price on the
construction of the Hutchason Field. Mr. D'Agostino advised him that the Town did
the work internally. Mr. Oduardi asked why the parking lot and fence were not part
of the project originally. Mr. D'Agostino noted there was resistance from the
abutters who did not want the parking lot. Selectman Amoruso explained it was a
capital improvement project that was phased in over time, with the funds spread
out over time so the appropriation wouldn't happen all in one year. Mr. Oduardi also
asked about the remediation at Memorial Park and why we had to get equipment.
He noted it was an expensive "oversight." Mr. D'Agostino explained it was removed
prior to remediation and what was left was the bare necessity of items. They were
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 25, 2000
2
aware that the capital improvements appropriation would not be sufficient to
replace the equipment. Mr. Oduardi also questioned the $20,700 additional needed
for the MUNIS software. Mr. D'Agostino explained we dId not have the MIS
Director on staff at the time the proprietary software was reviewed When it was
purchased and we later hired an MIS Director, there were additional modules that
needed to be purchased He noted the State a/so changes the reporting regulations
required of the Town, often necessitating the purchase of additional modules.
Chairman McCarter pointed out that last year we projected the tax rate would be
$18.77 if the overrIde passed It wJ'l/ be $18.75 He also reviewed the capital
projects approved over the last few years included in the tax rate at $2.30. It was
noted previously that 2001 would be the peak year on the debt override projects.
Mr. Oduardi asked if we have a Clerk of the Works protecting the Town's interest
on the Route 106 project. Mr. D'Agostino explained we have staff (Town Engineer
and Assistant Town Engineer) who supervise the work. He further explained the
process of hiring a Clerk of the Works on specific types of projects overseen by
the Municipal BuJ'lding Committee and instances where we've saved money on
projects supervised by staff
Mr. Oduardi then asked about the Police Firing Range, noting Attleboro has a firing
range. The Chief views our range as an asset in the training of police officers. It
will be looked at in a larger context at the Mansfield Green area. Mr. Oduardi
questioned the process used in appropriating funds and obtaining bids. Mr.
D'Agostino explained the process used under State regulations and the length of
the process. Mr. Oduardi pointed out he has a friend who is a professional football
player who advised him to "pound" the synthetic surface to be used on the fields.
He stated he did that to the sample piece at Special Town Meeting and particles of
black material came through the surface. He noted steel-belted radials are used in
the synthetic material and they may cause eye injuries. He suggested it be
investigated further.
Ed Bezarro, 44 Smiley A venue - updated the Board on the neighborhood campaign
to stop the location of the Judge Rotenberg Center(JRC) in their neighborhood.
Considerable pressure has been put on former Judge Pereira and Judge Mahoney
and they have learned they are not able to do anything at this time because the
JRC has not yet applied for any licenses-therefore, in their opinion, the house
does not yet exist. They are still very concerned about what is going to happen and
requested the Selectmen approach the JRC to determine how the licensing works.
He noted their 'particular concern are the behaviorally disturbed kids and if they
are under the purview of the Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) and if they
can be housed with mentally retarded children. Town Manager D'Agostino noted
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 25, 2000
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the licenses involved are State licenses. Mr. Bezarro noted their inability to get
much information. Mr. D'Agostino suggested he would set up a meeting with the
JRC and also invite DMR officials to attend The purchase of the home is
scheduled for November 15th. Mr. Bezarro noted the JRC is being very close-lipped
because of the unwanted negative attention the citizens group has brought on
them. Canton was able to limit the JRC to mentally retarded and autistic clients.
He suggested the precedent has been set, and the local citizen group is trying to
achieve the same goal. He noted they do not want clients with behavior problems
who have made bad choices in the past. He stated it's not "if", but rather "when"
they break out of the residence and will again make bad choices, creating a public
safety problem for the town. Mr. D'Agostino noted in his initial talks with the JR~
they were adamant about not limiting their clientele. Mr. Bezarro noted the JRC
makes $170,009 per year per client for the behaviorally disturbed clients. He
pointed out that once they are here, they become Mansfield residents and can be
transitioned into the public school system.
Mr. D'Agostino reported:
· A request from AT&T Broadband regarding customer service data made
through the review committee. The Town would have to request the
information in writing to make the determination if they are meeting
customer service standards
Motion: To send a letter to Frank Foss requesting the information
(Donovan-Wills) 4-0-1 with Selectman Robinson abstaining because
of his previous employment with the cable provider Passes
· The need to schedule a public hearing on November 15th for the Limited
Sunday Holiday Opening of package stores between Thanksgiving and New
Year's Day. Selectman Robinson noted in the past the Board has only
approved the late opening on New Year's eve with a police detail and
participants in the program should be advised that, if they request an
extension of the time, a detail will be necessary.
· The Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners (Selectmen) is invited to a
public open house featuring the Compost Facility on Saturday, November 18th
from 12-3. The Facility is located off Fruit Street. Hamburgers and hot
dogs will be served.
· We are scheduling a meeting with VHB and GA TRA November 3rd at 11:00
a.m. at Town Hall. He has requested the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Lee
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 25, 2000
4
Azinheira, Shaun Burke, and John Sullivan to attend. We will also be looking
at this meeting at the reconstruction of the Route 106 overpass.
Representatives Hyland and Poirier and Senator Joanne Sprague are
expected to be present.
· October 30th at 6:30 p.m. we will be meeting to discuss the location of
parking regulation signs in Mansfield's Back Bay section. Following the
meeting there will be a recommendation of any parking changes needed in
that area.
· There is a workshop scheduled for November 8th with the Southeastern
Regional Schools.
· The Water Connection Policy Workshop is scheduled for Thursday,
November 16th at 7:30 p.m. with the Planning Board, Board of Health, DPW
Director Lee Azinheira, and Woodard and Curran
· We are in the process of putting down sod (between 220,000 and 230,000
sq. ft.) at the Plymouth Street fields.
· The facility at Memorial Park is almost completed. A Bonfire on
Thanksgiying Eve is being planned, with a committee working out the details.
Clerk Wills asked if we have an update on the Norton water bill. We need to
schedule a quarterly water meeting sometime in November.
Selectman Donovan asked for an update on Mill Street. The laterals will be in and
the street repaved by the end of the month. There have been some delays, but the
contractor has done a magnificent job. Seven of the seventeen laterals are in and
we expect it to be complete by the end of the month. He also asked how far we
have progressed with the chipping of Route 106. They are heading up the hill.
Selectman Robinson spoke of the brown water situation that he has already spoken
to the Town Manager about. He also spoke about the incident involving the USS
Cole and noted proper respect is not being given to our flag. He asked that a policy
be developed for the Town's display of the flag. He suggested the Town should do
something to honor those killed in action.
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 25, 2000
5
Selectman Amoruso advised the Board that he will be working on a questionnaire to
send out to the cable subscribers regarding service levels. He noted he would
welcome any questions Selectmen would like to see included. The questionnaire will
probably go out with the cable bills and be returned to the Selectmen's office.
Town Manager D'Agostino noted the license will not be available on our website
because it exceeds our capacity. A copy will be available at the Library reference
desk and ways to make it available electronically will be explored. Sections
determined to be relevant by the Ad Hoc Cable group can be made available.
Selectman Amoruso noted those sections that pertain to performance standards
would be appropriate. He also noted he would like to see the maps of the Town
provided by SRPEDD available on the website.
Chairman McCarter advised the public that there are vacancies on all Boards and
Committees and encouraged residents to apply for the positions. He also spoke of
the two notices received from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC)
and asked how the violations went directly to the ABCC without going through the
Selectmen as local licensing authority. At the hearing on September 26th, the
license suspensions were done, but there is a provision for the licensee to negotiate
a fine in lieu of the suspension. Mr. D'Agostino noted the Chief went right to the
ABCC because of the sensitivity of the matter which involved two of his officers.
Chairman McCarter questioned whether the Board of Selectmen could still hold a
public hearing, noting the process does not usually by-pass the local licensing
authority. Selectmen stated they believe the Chief should have come to the Board
first as the local licensing authority. Selectman Amoruso said he would also like to
be able to hold a hearing, noting the Board will be sitting to decide on the renewal
of these licenses. He would also like to know what the violations were so that we
have them in our files for future consideration. Mr. D'Agostino will get an
explanation from the Chief
Clerk Wills not~d a letter from William Sweet regarding the Hercules Dumpsite.
He asked if we should hold off on the study. Mr. D'Agostino saId it was an action
brought by an individual and we will be meeting with the indivIdual and the CDC from
Atlanta. The issue is whether there is a public safety or health hazard at the site.
We still have State requirements that must be met despite this action and we st/Ï/
have to comply with the State regulations.
Clerk Wills also suggested the Town Manager negotiate with Coke and/or VeryFine
for the municipal buildings to generate revenue. He would also like to start a
workshop on the Tweeter license for next year after all the comments are in from
Staff.
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 25, 2000
6
Motion: To start the licensing process with an independent meeting with staff in
January.
(Wills-Donovan) All in favor Passes
Discussion followed as to whether the license should be negotiated by the Town
Manager, a sub-committee or the entire Board. Selectman Amoruso noted a
meeting with staff is a good first step, with a sub-committee taking over after
that. A workshop will be set up with staff
Motion: To adjourn at 9:10 p.m.
(Donovan-Wills) All in favor Passes
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Date'of Approval
Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 25, 2000
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