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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 08/23/00 Present: r'1Ah3FIELD MASSACHUSETTS Chairman David M. 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 August 23, 2000 RECEIVED I$JUrl '{('OFFfCE t .~; 1, i.,... :0,., , '.._...) 00 AUG 3 I PM 2: 0 I The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Motion: To go into Executive Session to discuss the deployment of security personnel and to return to Open Session at the conclusion. (Amoruso-Wills) Roll Call Vote: Donovan, aye; Wills, aye; Amoruso, aye; Robinson, aye; McCarter, aye All in favor Passes The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 7:40 p.m. 1. Warrant No. 08 - $3,852,982.46 Motion: To approve and sign (Amoruso-Robinson) All in favor, with Chairman McCarter abstaining from Municipal Building Committee payroll; Selectman Robinson abstaining from School Department payroll and invoices; and Selectman Amoruso abstaining from Parks and Recreation payroll Passes Warrant No. 09 - $1,034,787.66 Motion: To approve and sign (Amoruso-Robinson) All in favor, with Chairman McCarter abstaining from Municipal Building Committee payroll; Selectman Robinson abstaining from School Department payroll and invoices; and Selectman Amoruso abstaining from Parks and Recreation payroll Passes 1. Drainlayer's License for: · O'Keefe Trucking & Equipment, Inc., 61 G%skie Road, Chepachet, RI 02814 Board of Selectmen Minutes of August23, 2000 1 Motion: To approve the drainlayer's license as recommended by the Town Engineer (Amoruso-Robinson) All in favor. Passes 2. Minutes of August 9, 2000 Selectmen's Meeting Motion: To approve (Amoruso-Wills) All in favor Passes 3. Proclamation to be signed for The Order of Red Men (voted on at last meeting) Motion: To sign the proclamation (Amoruso-Wills) All in favor Passes 4. Proclamation from Massachusetts Senate in honor of Mansfield's 225th Anniversary 5. Proclamation from Massachusetts House In honor of Mansfield's 225th Anniversary 6. Proclamation from United States Senate In honor of Mansfield's 225th Anniversary Town Manager and Staff: . Memorandum from Town Clerk Helen Christian with dates for a possible special town meeting in October Motion: To set October 17, 2000 as the date for a Special Town Meeting, with the warrant to open on September 13, 2000 and close on September 20,2000. (Amoruso-Wills) All in favor Passes . Memorandum from Kurt Gaffney, Water Operations Manager, requesting Selectmen vote to increase the cost of new 5/8" x i" or 1-inch meters by $80. for new businesses that want the Water Department to supply them with a meter. Fees recommended would be: Board of Selectmen Minutes of August23, 2000 2 Meter Residential Installation of new 5/8" x i" meter Installation of new 1-inch meter $115.00 $165.00 Proposed Business Fees with Radio Device $195.00 $245.00 Motion: To approve the fees as recommended (Amoruso-Wills) All in favor Passes Residents: · Letter from Sue Call requesting permission to hold a block party on Bella Vista Avenue Saturday, September 9th, with a rain date of Sunday, September 10th - favorable recommendation of Fire and Police Departments attached Motion: To approve with conditions set forth by Police and Fire Departments (Wills-Amoruso) All in favor Passes · Letter from Kimberly A. Walsh of 6 Hidden Lane requesting "Slow Children" sign on Hidden Lane - favorable recommendation of Ptlm. Lance Lawson attached Motion: To erect "Caution Children Playing" sign (Amoruso-Donovan) All in favor Passes . Letter from Synthia Chase of 67 South Main Street regarding her dissatisfaction and frustration with MediaOne · Letter from Joe DelGrosso of 26 Webb Place complaining of MediaOne service Other: · Letter from The Mansfield Music & Arts Society outlining their requests in conjunction with their September 23rd_24th Outdoor Arts Festival on the South Common - copies of interdepartmental correspondence attached re: 1. fee waiver for erection of tent 2. permission to put up signs on the North and South Commons on September 1st 3. use of Town Hall parking lots 4. assistance from Police Dept. for traffic control Board of Selectmen Minutes of August23, 2000 3 Motion: To grant permission to put up signs on the North and South Commons, for temporary no parking signs for Union Street, for the use of Town Hall parking lots for the Festival, and to notify Police of Chief requesting attention to their traffic needs during the Festival. (Amoruso-Wills) All in favor Passes . Letter from Christopher L. Johnson requesting permission for Rodman Ride for Kids to pass through Mansfield on Saturday, September 23rd - favorable recommendations from Police and Fire Departments attached Motion: To approve (Amoruso-Robinson) All in favor Passes . Letter from Hockomock Area YMCA requesting fee waiver for school inspections - covered by fee waiver policy Kevin McNatt, President of Mansfield Historical Society - extended an invitation to the public and to Town Officials for Saturday, September 9th, to attend Founders' Day programs. There will be a monument dedication for J. Ralph Allen at Spring Brook Cemetery at 10 o'clock, followed by an Open House and refreshments at Copeland House, 53 Rumford Avenue. At 2 o'clock there will be program at the Fisher Richardson House, 354 Willow Street, featuring "Petticoat Patriot", a costumed storyteller. He noted it will be a good opportunity to tour the house, which will close for the season after the ceremony. The program will be outdoors, but will be moved to the Library in the event of heavy downpours. Clifford Bergesen, 57 Shawmut Avenue - said he is concerned about 2 hour parking signs put up in downtown area. As a resident of the downtown area, he does not like the idea of not being able to park on his street. He asked about the general status of the situation and how residents and their guests can park on the street. Town Manager D'Agostino reviewed the history of the parking prohibition, dating back to 1997 when an earlier Board established a "no parking" zone in the DowntownlBack Bay area. He explained that the problem will be exacerbated over the next several months when less parking is available at the Train Station due to construction, forcing commuters to find other areas in which to park. Saturdays were included in the parking restriction at the request of business owners downtown. Mr. Bergesen asked about resident stickers for those living on the street so they can park in front of their houses. Board of Selectmen Minutes of August23, 2000 4 Brian OrlandI: 60 Shawmut A venue - suggested police officers can run the plate to see if the car does belong to a resident of the street. Mr. D'Agostino noted the parking clerk does not have that technology available to him at this time. Mr. Orlandi noted one of the signs falls between two driveways. He said he would like to believe people would realize there's a driveway and should not park there. Selectman Robinson noted that problem occurred on Rumford Avenue. Selectman Donovan, who lives in the area, noted there are so many signs that it looks terrible. Chairman McCarter asked the Town Manager to look into the situation further and suspend enforcement until the matter is reviewed. Selectman Amoruso asked that the policy be reviewed and a special decal or sticker be made for those living in the area to allow them to park in front of their homes. The sign between the two driveways will be removed. Motion: To request that the parking restriction not be enforced pending a review by the Town Manager and recommendation to the Board (Amoruso-Donovan) All in favor Passes William Ellis, Court Street- asked how long the construction will be going on, noting the signs look permanent. Town Manager D'Agostino noted they are permanent signs, precipitated by the construction about to take place that will be displacing commuters from the parking spaces in the area of the Train Station. Mr. Ellis stated it's starting to look like Back Bay in Boston with all the signs. Selectman Amoruso assured the residents the Town would work to solve the problem. Town Manager D'Agostino will be reviewing the matter with Staff and w/Ï/ make a recommendation to the Board on a long-range solution. He also w/Ï/ invite resIdents to a meeting to get their feedback, noting some residents may want to have no parking aI/owed on their streets. Brian OrlandI: 60 Shawmut - noted Mansfield does not currently have a use variance, so telecommunications can only be located in Industrial Zones now. He noted the Circuit Court has ruled that is limiting and in conflict with the Telecommunications Act. Town Manager D'Agostino and Selectman Amoruso noted the State regulatory agencies can overrule the Town. Mr. Orlandi was advised to talk with the Planning Board about the issue. The hearing was opened at 8:20 p.m. with Clerk Wills reading the newspaper advertisement. Attorney Arthur M. Pearlman was present to represent Madhuben R. Patel of Kanku, Inc., to whom the license is requested to be transferred. Motion: To open the Public Hearing (Wills-Amoruso) All in favor Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of August23, 2000 5 Attorney Pearlman noted Kanku, Inc. Madhuben R. Patel has worked at the Southboro General Store for more than a year. She operated Monty's Variety Store in Randolph for 1 t years and is now purchasing The Store. Ms. Patel no longer works for the store in Southboro and will be spending forty hours per week at this store. The Store will continue with its present areas and the layout of the store will not change. Ms. Patel is familiar with the laws of the Commonwealth regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages and will familiarize herself with the regulations of Mansfield. Selectman Donovan asked about the closing time. Attorney Pearlman said they intend to close at 9:00 a.m. The State, however, will not allow that to be put on the license, since the Commonwealth mandates they close at 11:00 p.m. and may close earlier if they wish to. They would be responsive to the needs and concerns of the neighborhood. Dennis Baker and Perry DiMascio, current owners were present. Selectman Amoruso noted the Town requires TIP training. If Ms. Patel has had the training within two years and can give us that information, we will honor that. The corporation is purchasing the business. Town Manager D'Agostino asked if the proposed owners have had any violations during their operation in South borough. Attorney Pearlman said they have not. Motion: To close public hearing (Donovan-Amoruso) All in favor Passes Motion: To approve transfer of the license to Kanku, Inc., Madhuben R. Patel, Manager (Amoruoso-Donovan) All in favor Passes Town Manager D'Agostino reviewed the policy in place, noting he further broke down the on-call and on-duty status personnel as of July 18th and extrapolated additional employees to be covered. These positions are Highway Division Operations Manager, Special Projects Manager, and Water Department Manager. On-call personnel opted to be allowed to take vehicles home in lieu of additional compensation. The policy also deals with how vehicles are retired and maintenance of vehicles. Cost factors were reviewed for repairs, insurance, gasoline with the $856.89 being the annual operational cost for the Town Manager's car, with $15/per week being deducted from his salary as an accounting procedure. He noted the policy as it is now appears to be fair and is working well. The fleet use policy is Board of Selectmen Minutes of August23, 2000 6 used by most municipalities for on-call and duty status personnel and is beneficial both to employees covered by the policy and to the Town in responding to calls. The benefit also reduces the amount of compensation paid and is economically advantageous as opposed to having to compensate on-call personnel for carrying a beeper. Chairman McCarter asked if we are covered if an employee uses the car for personal use and has an accident. Town Manager D'Agostino explained the restriction is put on by us, not the insurance company, and we would be covered in such a case. The vehicles taken home are to be used for business purposes only. Chairman McCarter asked the Town Manager to double-check to be sure we are covered in the event an employee uses the vehicle for personal business. The Town Manager announced that: · the Fisher Richardson assessment and repair recommendations have been received. Town Meeting voted to match a $7,500 grant. $113,300 has been estimated to be necessary for the repairs. The consultants did an excellent job and on September 2pt at 7:30 p.m. there will be presentation of their findings at Town Hall, to which all are invited. From there we will begin to map out a strategy for the restoration of the Fisher Richardson House to protect it. Selectman Amoruso expressed concern that $113,000 can build a house. The Town Manager noted it could be less, but has to be reconstructed to original standards and has to be put out to bid at prevailing wages. He will have a copy left at the Library Reference Desk for review. · We are working on the Time Capsule project with the Editor of the Mansfield Buzz, Eagle Scout candidate Joseph Cuneo, , and Kevin McNatt of the Historical Commission. Plans will be made to open the capsule in 100 years at the Fisher Richardson House. · Foxboro has applied for a water withdrawal permit. He asked if we want to attend the public hearings and/or further evaluate the proposal based on the impact it may have on the Morrison Well. We will have 60 days to comment or appeal. They are just beginning the process and will have to be permitted under the Interbasin Transfer Act. The Water Resources Board of Selectmen Minutes of August23, 2000 7 Commission is currently reviewing the application. Selectman Amoruso noted we need to be monitoring the process to be sure it will have no impact on our wetlands or what we are planning to do. Chairman McCarter stated he does not want to escalate anything that will prejudice our attempts. The Town Manager noted it has already been determined that we can increase our withdrawal capacity without impact on the Cedar Swamp. Selectman Donovan asked if we will be able to handle the wastewater generated. He was advised they cannot increase beyond their approved capacity, and not all the water will be discharged to our treatment plant. · He has provided information on the cost of Attorney August's services for the Ascertainment Meeting scheduled for next Thursday. He reviewed the issues to be discussed at that meeting. · Repairs have begun on the Route 106 underpass. It will be patched with concrete, then paved with bituminous. The project should be completed in the next few weeks, provided we are able to get a blacktop contractor in to do the work. · Mosquito spraying is on-going in Norton and Mansfield and the Board of Health is monitoring the situation very closely. Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a far larger concern in public health than the West Nile virus and spraying and trapping mosquitoes has taken precedence. Selectman Donovan: · 20 Church Street property is a mess. It is vacant and nobody is taking care of it. · Asked if the Kingman Pond problem has been resolved. Mr. D'Agostino noted we currently address the elevation of the pond by moving boards to dam it. The level has been purposefully reduced to keep backyards from flooding. · Hercules site is being used as a dumpsite. Mr. D'Agostino stated we are working with Ralph Penney to work on a closure plan. The dumping is illegal and we will check it out. · Had a complaint about the water on East Street being undrinkable down by the Norton line. The water also has a terrible odor. He asked if there is anything going on down there. Board of Selectmen Minutes of August23, 2000 8 · Asked about the status of the JordanlJackson roof. Mr. D'Agostino said it is in litigation and we may have to put a new roof on. We've hired a metallurgist as an expert witness. · Noted the Urban Population Planting Program will give us trees if we need them and asked Mr. D'Agostino to look into it. · Suggested we send Foxboro a bill for the work we did at their request Motion: To send them a bill for the $10,000 we spent (Donovan -no second) Chairman McCarter noted it was brought before the Board at the time, and we knew we were going to pay. Selectman Amoruso stated at the time it was to our mutual benefit. He did, however, agree with the sentiment. · Reported on the meeting regarding the Train Station held last evening. Clerk Wills: · Asked the Town Manager to check to see if Ken Hackett got the amount of flows Norton was looking for at the last water & sewer meeting Selectmen Robinson: · Asked for an update on the Mill Street sewer extension, noting two weeks from today the busses will be rolling in that area and wanted to know if we're on target so the School Department can plan accordingly. Mr. D'Agostino noted there was a meeting regarding the issue today and he will get a report on that meeting. · Would like to begin talking about the water ban with Lee and Kurt because September is when people need to get lawns started and homeowners and landscapers need to plan. Clerk Wills suggested people may want to take advantage of the three-day weekend over Labor Day to get the lawns in. Mr. D'Agostino pointed out the need to balance the need to water versus the conservation efforts required as part of our Interbasin Transfer Permit. Chairman McCarter: . Asked when the Hutchinson Fields will be playable. Town Manager D'Agostino reported they have to do fencing and parking and will need additional money for the construction of the girls' softball field. We're targeting the Spring of 2001. People are now using it on a limited basis to toss a Frisbee around and for open space. Board of Selectmen Minutes of August23, 2000 9 · Would like to have a Train Station project presentation at a September Board meeting. Selectman Donovan: · Recyling Company in Maine that takes roofing shingles, etc. Commercial Paving Co., Inc., 2 Gibso Rd. Scarborough ME 04074 www.cpcrs.com Clerk Wills: . Asked if the lights at Memorial Park are on a timer. The Town Manager replied that he doesn't believe they are. Mike Ahern would have to speak on that, but he believes they're shut off manually at 11 o'clock. · Light Commissioners meeting Monday. He asked if Attorney Kesten is going to to come in. He also asked the Town Manager to find out if there's a hearing scheduled on the post trial motions. · Reported on the NEPPA meeting, stating he found it to be interesting and went to all six lectures, which covered all aspects electric light departments. Customer Service was stressed. Phil Trombley, President of the Utility Workers, talked about the dangers of downsizing and the work that doesn't get done as a result. The importance of good equipment was emphasized when working with live wires. Ken Mellor of California, Director of Consulting, spoke on what happened with deregulation, with electricity going from 3.9 cents to over 20 cents. The result was price freezes, with investors not being interested in building power plants. Brownouts resulted. He said he met many people and people complimented us on hiring Jack Beliveau, who is well respected in the field. Chairman McCarter: · He would like Attorney Mangiaratti in to go over pending litigation. He noted the Water Park is pending before ZBA and there are still many people that think Great Waves is going to be using our Town water for the pools. There were restrictions put in place by the State. We got it in writing that they are not going to use Town water to fill the pools and he doesn't understand why there's that misconception. Motion: To adjourn at 9:55 (Robinson-Donovan) All in favor Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of August23, 2000 10 ,:/';:-":,' fJ -/ / ..r ._ 'I. /,", " , './~,/' Clerk's signatu~e Î ~'i "J,I,) (. /~<¿" y., \~ 51 .~.¡) I Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of August23, 2000 11