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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 01/24/01 Present: Board of Selectmen Minutes of 0 I FES - I PH 3: I 7 January 24, 2001 MANSFIELD MASSACHUSETTS Chairman David W. McCarter; Clerk Bradford E. Wills; Selectmen Louis P. Amoruso, Amos M. Robinson; and Daniel Donovan. John O. D'Agostino, Town Manager RtC£\V£O TOWN CLERKS OFF IGE (~ The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Motion: To go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining issues and to return to Open Session at the conclusion of the discussion. (Amoruso-Wills) Roll Call Vote: Robinson, aye; Amoruso, aye; Wills, aye; Donovan, aye; McCarter, aye. Passes 5-0 r The meeting reconvened in Open Session at 7:38 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. · Minutes of January 17, 2001 Motion : To approve (Amoruso-Wills) 5 -0 Passes · Warrant No. 31 in the amount of $1,410,027.45 Motion : To approve (Amoruso-Donovan) 4-0-1 with Chairman McCarter abstaining from Municipal Building Committee payroll; Selectman Robinson abstaining from School Department payroll; and Selectman Donovan not present when the vote was taken r · Letter from Time Out Productions requesting permission for a portion of their 17th Annual Massachusetts Triathlon to pass through Mansfield on Sunday, August 5th. Has been reviewed and approved by the Police Chief and Fire Chief. Motion : To approve (Amoruso-Wills) 4-1 (Donovan opposed) Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 24, 2001 1 ~ (~ · Letter from Mansfield High School All Sports Booster Club requesting permission to run a 5K road race on May 20th. Has been reviewed and approved by the Police Chief. Motion : To approve (Robinson-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes · Letter from Foxborough Water and Sewer Commissioners requesting a joint meeting regarding sewer flow for the proposed Public Safety Building for the Town of Foxborough. The Selectmen agreed to meet February 22, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. at the Foxborough Town Hall and asked that Lee Azinheira and Ken Hackett be advised of the meeting and asked to attend · The next Subcommittee Meeting to review the Tweeter Center license was set for Tuesday, February 13,2001 at 7:00p.m. Clerk Wills requested that Bruce Montgomery be notified. r Dan Donovan - commented about reading in the newspaper of the six young ladies from Mansfield whose poetry has been accepted for publication. Laura Cummings and Kathleen Tartufo are their teachers. He commended all those involved. r Christine Flass, 115 Rumford A venue - spoke about the Community Preservation Act that was passed last fall at the State level, giving Towns enabling legislation. She asked if there would be a subcommittee appointed to work on it. Selectman Donovan said he is opposed to Mansfield's participation in the program, fearing it would put us in another override. It was noted it is a surcharge on a tax and not an expense that would create an override situation. It's based on assessed value, excluding the first $100,000. Selectman Amoruso noted we have reserved space on the Town Meeting Warrant for such an article and it should be offered as an option to the townspeople," however historically it has not fared well in the past. Chairman McCarter said it has been discussed and the Board is aware of it and the fact that it has to be acted upon quickly. Mr. D'Agostino noted as many groups as possible would have to support and endorse it in order to get it passed at Town Meeting. The committee formulated as a result of the Act should also be comprised from as diverse a group as possible. He noted the land available on Essex Street is now a top priority. Clerk Wiïls said he w/Ï/ vote against it because we're taxed enough already. Another $100 could be more than some people can withstand Chairman McCarter asked the Board if they support putting the issue on as a warrant article. If not, there are citizen groups who would like to do so. Selectman Amoruso ( Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 24, 2001 2 r suggested the matter be put on the agenda for next week Mr. D 'Agostino said he was expecting to report on it under his report tonight. He noted the two options- going directly to the ballot box, or approving at Town Meeting and after 45 days have elapsed, put it to the voters as a referendum question. Mr. D'Agostino noted they are discussing the proposal tonight, but are not looking for a vote tonight, due to the amount of information to be digested. Mr. Azinheira highlighted the changes made in the policy since it was presented and discussed at the workshop. Bob Chappell of Woodard & Curran was also present to field questions. Mr. Azinheira reviewed the changes made in the draft of January 23, 2001, a copy of which is attached hereto. It was noted that if abuse becomes apparent, the policy can be modified. r Mr. Chappell reviewed the examples of connections exempt from water conservation. The goal is to take the capacity available and apportion it fairly. Mr. Gaffney noted there are several subdivisions on the drawing board that would come under review with the policy. Mr. D'Agostino noted the need to balance the policy, pointing out the maximum withdrawal pumping with and without the Morrison Well. Motion: To approve water connection policy as presented (Wills-Donovan) Selectman Amoruso suggested the Board look at some of the aggregate changes, further suggesting the Selectmen accept the policy as is, with an aggregate number at which someone would have to institute water conservation measures. The motion was amended to change the end of paragraph 9 to read, " "Any project that, as a whole (all phases), exceeds 20% of the Town's annual water allocation will be subject to the requirements of paragraph 4 for any amount over the 20'0." Vote: 5-0 as amended Passes (' Lee Azinheira, DPW Director, and Dick Paulsen, Parking Enforcement Clerk, were present. Mr. Azinheira provided a color-coded map of the area under discussion and the notice to residents, distributed following the Board's vote in March of 1997. The current proposal includes minimal change, with the area in yellow representing two hour parking Monday through Saturday in the central business area. The areas in green would be two hour parking Monday through Friday and are the secondary areas of the downtown business district. He suggested that because of the impact, the Board may want to hold a public hearing. Selectman Amoruso (' Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 24,2001 3 r r - noted the area in pink, indicating no parking anytime, will be a problem in the area of West Street between North Main Street and the area of Fulton Pond as it is used extensively on Sunday mornings for church and at times when there are events on the South Common. He suggested taking a second look at the area. Mr. Azinheira noted the change was suggested by Ptlm. Lance Lawson. The consensus was to allow parking on West Street from North Main Street to the bridge at Fulton Pond. Mr. Paulsen explained the ticketing process, noting five tickets remaining unpaid is the limit before someone goes on the boot list and can be towed. From there parking tickets are turned over to the Registry of Motor Vehicles for further action. Selectman Amoruso suggested taking a look at the streets off County Street going in the opposite direction, noting with the new station moving north, that area may be affected. Motion: To accept as amended (West Street and Old Colony Way) (Wills-Donovan) - the second was subsequently withdrawn Mr. D'Agostino noted we are looking to provide ten additional parking spaces in the area of the senior housing on Park Street. Mr. Paulsen suggested additional parking could also be provided behind Jimmy's Pub. The residents of the Back Bay area were previously notified of the meeting when this was discussed. Selectman Amoruso noted additional streets have been added since that time and another public hearing would be appropriate. Motion: To accept the changes (West Street and Old Colony) (Donovan-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Motion: To present this plan as amended to the public to seek their input at a public hearing. (Amoruso-Donovan) 5-0 Passes Mr. Donovan asked Mr. Azinheira questions about sidewalk and hydrant clearing, noting he received calls from some areas of town. Mr. Azinheira said they are reviewing the policy and will be coming in with some recommendations. Selectman Robinson spoke of receiving a call from Heather Lane at 5:15 p.m. Sunday because the street had not been plowed at all. The procedures were discussed and people were encouraged to contact DPW if a street is overlooked The Town Manager reported on the following: · Recently went into Boston to meet with Senator Sprague regarding our water resources application. We do not have a definite date, but the meeting was effective and there is movement on the part of the State to issue our permit. In September, when comments were due, the Fisheries and Wildlife Division had not commented. It is now January and the State is Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 24,2001 4 r I saying they're waiting for comments that should have been received in September. Positive action is anticipated shortly. · Met with Norton officials today on our outstanding water bill. The meeting went fairly well and we anticipate a tour of the facility with the Norton officials so they have a firsthand understanding of how the secondary water is used as part of the treatment process at the plant. We're hopeful that a resolution will be reached Soon. We're also looking at the pOSSibility of hiring an independent consultant at our expense to determine if it is feasible that we left a valve on and the 60 million gallons could have been used. · Spoke of the approaches to the Community Preservation Act. r · The Police Management Study is now available at the reference desk of the Mansfield Public Library. As soon as we hire our MIS Director, we hope to have it available on the internet as well. There will also be a series of meetings set up with the Police Chief and command staff to implement a majority of the changes recommended, including traffic detail at the Train Station. Selectman Donovan asked if the Chief had spoken to the Town Manager about the survey he's planning to do on his own. The Town Manager said that has not been discussed further and he is not in agreement with the approach suggested by the Chief. Selectman Donovan also asked for additional information on the difference in incidents documented by Mansfield versus those of other area towns. · We had some discussion with GA TRA looking for funds for a study to determine the cost of the repairs at the Route 106 underpass. The road is holding up fairly well, but the ice is back. GA TRA is willing to fund 80% of the cost, leaving approximately $15,000. The demands on Chapter 90 funds will mean that there will be less money available to the Town for road improvements. The Route 106 project will require $175,000. from the Town. Selectman Robinson commented further on the sidewalk construction proposed by MassHighway along Route 106, as well as the intersection improvements and signalization. The 25% design was presented on January 11"h. They hope to be at 100% by late summer and get it out to bid Town Manager D'Agostino noted Representative Poirier and Senator Sprague were very instrumental in getting the project moving forward earlier than we had anticipated. · We are in the process of exploring the possibility of creating a new program for seniors, allowing them to stay in their homes longer. The program, funded through grants or a small Town apPropriation, would provide Inoney Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 24,2001 5 ~ , for small, limited home repairs. We are looking for grant money from the Executive Office of Cornrnunity and Developrnent. We are also looking for ways to creatively use our experts for repairs qualifying senior residents have had done to their hornes to ensure they have been done according to code. Selectman Robinson: · School Crossing Guard at East Street - the situation needs to be looked at. He recently Saw a crossing guard at that location corne very close to being hit between the Robinson/Middle School crossing. He suggested a police officer be stationed there. Mr. D'Agostino said we'll have the Chief in to discuss this further. r- Selectmen Amoruso: · Asked if Frank Foss of AT&T Broadband has been scheduled. He wHI be in on February 7"'. Selectrnan Arnoruso said he is writing a letter and will give it to the Board. · Asked about the situation with Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical School. The Town Manager is meeting monthly with Superintendent Hager. Mr. Flannery has indicated he wHI not be able to make a meeting with the Selectmen because this is a very busy time for him, but he wI'll provide the Board with a report of what's happening. Clerk Wills: · Would like the traffic light at Hope and Prott Streets checked. The cycle does not seem to be operating properly. · Asked why the Board has not seen the Town Meeting Warrant if it's being closed next week. A draft wi'll be available. If there's anything the Board would like on the warrant, a spot can be reserved · Asked when Atty. Max Volterra will be in to discuss the Jordan/Jackson roof. He is scheduled for February 7h and we are waiting to see if the members of the Municipal BuHding Committee are avaHable that night also. Selectman Robinson said he wHI not be here on the 7h and requested it be rescheduled for February 14!". Motion: To accept the Alcohol Violations policy prepored by Town Counsel on the Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 24,2001 6 ~.. (Wi lis-Donovan) 5-0 Passes Chairman McCarter: · Requested Town Manager evaluation forms be completed and turned in. Chairman McCarter called for items of new business. There were none forthcoming. Motion: To go into Executive Session at 10:08 p.m. to continue discussing strategy in the collective bargaining agreement and to come out of Executive Session for the sole purpose of adjourning (Amoruso-Wills) Roll Call Vote: Donovan nay; Wills, aye; Amoruso, aye; Robinson, nay; McCarter, aye 3-2 Passes The Board reconvened in Open Session at 10:26 p.m. r Motion: To adjourn at 10:26 p.m. (Wills-Donovan) 5-0 Passes £~[ liv$ r ( Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 24,2001 7