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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes11142012 Town of Mansfield .LC HVED Board of Selectmen OFFICE Minutes of November 14, 2012 201) JAN 25 A 10: tt b Present; Chairman Olivier Kozlowski, Vice Chairman George Dentino, Clerk,Ke-ins i Moran, Selectman Jess Aptowitz, Selectman Annino, Nick Ricci X1;1 ; .k.Ts Absent: William Ross, Town Manager LR Kyoto Inc. is buying Kyoto Steakhouse from Kyoto Enterprises and is represented by Atty. Kenneth Coleman. Hun Fang Chen is the new proposed Manager of Record. The hearing notice was read into the record and the hearing was opened. Motion: To open public hearing. (Moran/Annino) 5:0 passes Atty. Christopher Coleman is also present and gave the Board of Selectmen a brief review of the transfer of the license. The restaurant will remain the same as it is. Selectman Dentino asked if the whole staff will be tips training and Atty. Coleman stated yes. Selectman Annino asked if the manager will be moving to Mansfield. (She is from out of state presently). Selectman Moran expressed the importance of having alcohol trained staff and having a manager on duty that is responsible for license. Selectman Aptowitz also wanted to make sure that all the staff are properly trained in alcohol service. He also asked Ms. Chen how she would handle patrons that are inebriated and she stated that she would deny them service. Selectman Aptowitz stated she should feel free to call the police with any problems. Chairman Kozlowski stated that they take their Managers of Record very seriously. He wanted to let them know, the board needs to know any licenses changes as soon as possible. No public comments were made. Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 14, 2012 1 Chairman Kozlowski had a few questions about the renewal of the license under the new ownership. Mr. Ross explained that the current owner will renew the license for 2013 and once the ABCC approves the transfer the 2013 license will be then held in the new owners name. Motion: To close hearing. (Moran/Annino) 5:0 passes Motion: To accept transfer of license. (bentino/Moran) 5:0 passes Motion: To accept Ms. Chen as the Manager of Record. (Moran/Annino) 5:0 passes The Board of Selectmen congratulated Ms. Chen and her husband on the purchase of the restaurant and wished them good luck. l I „, .;}a}f' f„ Mr. Ross reviewed the issue of an unpaid legal bill from the Conservation Commission. He saw it in the warrants a few weeks ago and did not approve authorization of the bill prior to services rendered. Mr. Ross stated that he had consulted with Mr. Stanbrook and it was deemed an unlawful bill. As such he wanted to bring it to the boards attention for review. Selectman Aptowitz stated that the board has commented on several occasions that boards and committees need to get authorization from the town manager prior to using outside legal services. He then suggested that the board meet with the ConComm next month to review this. Motion: To support Town Accountants decision not to pay bill. (Aptowitz/Annino) 5:0 passes Selectman Annino is disappointed that this has gotten this far, as boards and committee have been told not to use legal services, without prior approval. He then asked the town would be sued if we didn't pay it. Mr. Ross stated they wouldn't be able to due to the fact that the ConComm wasn't authorized to enter into a contract with the vendor. Selectman bentino is concerned that the ConComm was planning on using funds that they were not able to. The ConComm has experienced members that should know better. Chairman Kozlowski asked how Mr. Ross knew this bill was problematic. Did the town accountant bring it up? Mr. Ross stated no, he reviewed the warrants every week and noted that when he saw this bill he did not recall authorizing the services. He then called the town accountant for his opinion. Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 14, 2012 2 Atty. Hucksam (from town counsel) is a wetlands attorney and could have very easily handled the matter should the ConComm had asked. Selectman Moran reiterated that the ConComm should have been aware of this and needs to follow the rules of the town. Mr. Ross will send board and committee chairs a memo reminding them of the rules and regulations of using outside counsel. Both Chief O'Neill and Chief Boldrighini are present for discussion. Selectman Dentino stated that he understands this discussion is relating to public safety needs at the Comcast Center and he is a strong proponent of getting more police and fire coverage there. He recently visited the Gillette Stadium with Jess and Olivier and saw that they had a large treatment center for police and fire to utilize. He asked Chief Boldrighini if he could use a bigger one than they currently have. Chief Boldrighini stated that he is looking forward to working with the subcommittee on the requirements for next year's concert season. He cannot state exactly what they will need until those meetings begin. Selectman Dentino is concerned that he and the board members that are not on the subcommittee will not know of proposed changes in a timely fashion. However, Selectman Aptowitz stated that the subcommittee kept minutes of their meetings last year and made sure the whole board was kept up to date on the discussions and will again this year. Selectman Annino thanked the Chiefs for all the dept. does in providing public safety to not only the Comcast Center, but the whole town. Unfortunately injuries and arrests seem to be escalating during the concert season and wanted to know if police and fire had any ideas on what else can be done to curb these issues. Again unfortunately, Chief O'Neill stated that if people are going to take drugs and drink themselves silly there is nothing that public safety can really do to prevent this. Another way they can help is with traffic control. They had held patrons at the gates for certain concerts and it didn't work out that well as the road is just too narrow to handle all the traffic concerts bring in. They have a great relationship with the Town of Norton and try to collaborate on services. Regrettably Norton does suffer from our traffic issues some times. Selectman Aptowitz stated that he has volunteered at major events in town and that Mansfield and Norton do try to work together for the betterment of the communities. Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 14, 2012 3 Selectman Moran stated they do have shows come to town sometime that tax the towns services and wanted to know what would happen if the towns fire or police were busy at the Comcast Center. Chief Boldrighini stated they plan for these occasions and staff accordingly. Chief O'Neill stated that the Comcast Center issues really started to flare up during the 2009 season. Alcohol and drug started to be bigger issues at the concerts that the center was now bringing in. There has also been a shift in the way society is behaving and deeming as "acceptable" behavior. Chief O'Neill stated that we have a "young alcohol soaked" society and it is hard to fight back at. In addition, Selectman Dentino asked a few questions about the license agreement itself. He asked about the differences in service between "The Golden Courtyard" and the general admission areas. Chief O'Neill stated that full alcohol is available in the fenced courtyard area and only beer and wine in the general areas. However, he feels that Selectmen Dentino is referencing drinking in the parking lots and that is a different issue entirely. Selectman Dentino feels we need to do mare to deter drinking in the parking lots. However, Chairman Kozlowski stated thatwe are talking about alcohol service within the facilities, not the parking lots. But none the less, Selectman Dentino stated that this still needs to be addressed in the license. Chief O'Neill stated that without 200-300 officers at shows, they do the best they can and have to prioritize what segments of t e crowds to address first. The kids, the idiots and then the general public. And now tha medical marijuana is legal and can be used in public, all bets are off. Selectman Dentino does not see the marijuana use as a problem. He would like to see an over 21 lot created and police the others.) However, Chief O'Neill does not see that as a feasible event right now. We just don't have the resources. Selectman Dentino further stated that we need to expend the resources; we need the public safety personnel in order to stop the deaths and injuries that are occurring there. Nonetheless, Chief O'Neill further stated that yes, the drinking and drug use is rampant, and cannot not be controlled without a change in society. Chairman Kozlowski asked the Chiefs what they could realistically use this season. He indicated that the Chiefs already have the right to require as much staff as needed for any given concert and the Chiefs do utilize the personnel they feel they need for any given show. Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 14, 2012 4 Selectman bentino suggested that the Comcast Center should not allow anyone without a ticket into the parking lot. This would include patrons on foot. Multi stations should also be along the entrances for drugs and alcohol just like at Gillette. The patrons are then patted down by male and female attendants prior to be allowed into the facility. The lawn is also a huge problem. It is poorly lit and not patrolled by security as often as the regular seating areas. Police Chief O'Neill stated he would love to have ticket checks however our area is just not set up for it. It really backs up traffic on 5. Main St. and causes a mess through Norton. Chief O'Neill stated that these problems are not just in Mansfield or in Foxboro, it is country wide. It all comes down to personal responsibility and these kids don't show any. Both chiefs thanked the board for hearing what they need and will meet with them soon. None Warrant No. 13020T in the amount of $44,561.58 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Annino)4:1 passes (Dentino nay) Warrant No. 13020E in the amount of $1, 52,529.02 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Annino) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 130205 in the amount of $742,561.99 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Annino) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 13020PT in the amount of $91,446.74 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Annino)4:1 passes (bentino nay) Warrant No. 13020TV in the amount of $85,201.61 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Annino) 5:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 14, 201B 5 None • The Veterans Service Agent is on medical leave but the Asst. Agent will be filling in from the district. • The Town of Norton wanted a new 495 ramp but they need to consult with us first. • The offices will be closed at 4pm next Wednesday and closed Thursday for Thanksgiving. • Chairman Kozlowski: Thank you to the residents that did come to town meeting. Next Monday there will be a budget subcommittee meeting and a Community Garden wrap up meeting following. The Veterans Day service was ver nice and he really liked that we added Howard Gallipo to the Keach Wall in additi n to the Korean War Wall. He also suggested that the Town advocate to get Ho and Galipeau on the Viet Nam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. and the rest of he Board supported that. • Selectman Annino: The North Co mon Committee met last week and since we didn't have a special town meeting will b ready for next spring. • Selectman Aptowitz: A woman spoke with him about the MBTA lots. They do not • have late spots reserved for commuters and the Mansfield lots fill out quickly. After a lengthy discussion the Board of Selectmen decided to step up enforcement of commuters that do not park they are supposed to. He was disappointed that we could not have special town meeting last night due to a lack of a quorum. It affects the way the town operates and can hold up a lot of important town business. We also need to schedule a meeting with Bruce Montgomery to go over our Comcast Center discussion. • Selectman Moran: The cable advisory committee is coming to finalizing the Comcast Cable contract and copies are available in the Board of Selectmen room. • Selectman Dentino: What we really need is a charter change to address the issues Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 14, 2012 6 we keep coming up against. He, along with the rest of the board, is disappointed that we couldn't get a quorum for last night's town meeting. It doesn't speak well of the residents and he hopes the people will turn out to support town business next time. Motion: Adjourn meeting at 9:06pm (Aptowitz) 5:0 passes evuz %11.4vteut P404414, 9, 2013 Si9#1 tcvte etera Vate "viziprovele III II Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 14, 201 7