Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 10/09/02 r' r'''' :,' ,. '.' . ",!!,,'" .) , " '. I,} ! .,' t' I r Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9, 2002 r: ! f' !;:: . . '..... ;~~ 02 OCT r 7 ,r 8: 36 I" . , ,", " ; I:.. U t' ,~ ¡~" (' (', P,'"', ~ ! ¡ j r~ rr--'. ~r T ,/ 'bC" "'j" S ~ . .,.' '../ ~ Present: Chairman Daniel Donovan; Vice Chairman Michael W. McCue; Clerk Steven W. MacCaffrie; and Selectmen David W. McCarter and Louis P. Amoruso Town Manager John O. D'Agostino The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. . Warrant No. 15 in the amount of $2,794,486.59 Motion: To approve and sign (MacCaffrie-McCue) 5-0 with Selectman McCarter abstaining from Municipal Building Committee payroll (' . Minutes of October 2, 2002 Selectmen's Meeting Motion : To approve (Amoruso-McCarter) 4-0-1 with Selectman McCue abstaining because he was not present for the meeting . License Renewals - all have been reviewed and approved by the appropriate department heads r Common Victualler Kenneth M. DeFazio dba Trattoria La Cueina Di Nonna at 160 North Main Street · Approve (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Spiezio Enterprises Inc. dba Geno's Restaurant & Lounge, 407-409 North Main Street . Approve (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Village at Willow Crossings, 25 Cobb Street · Approve (MacCaffrie-McCue) 5-0 Passes Cheng-Du Restaurant, 249 North Main Street · Approve (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9,2002 1 (' Gary P. & Janet S. Eagan dba Honey Dew Donuts, 99 Copeland Drive · Approve (MacCaffrie-McCue) 5-0 Passes Cousins Pizza and Subs · Approve (MacCaffrie-McCue) 5-0 Passes Bertucci's Restaurant Corp. dba Bertucci's Brick Oven Pizzeria, 243 Chauncy Street · Approve (MacCaffrie-McCue) 5-0 Passes Tahana Inc. dba Tahana Restaurant, 60 Oakland Street · Approve (MacCaffrie-McCue) 5-0 Passes Fresh Catch Inc., 30 Chauncy Street · Approve (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 5-0 Passes F &W Inc. dba Dubs's Discount Liquors · Approve (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Auto Dealer Lance, Inc. Buick, Pontia, GMC, 2 Chauncy Street · Approve (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Kenneth Tulio Picciandra dba Cottage Auto Sales, 127B North Main Street (discussion followed regarding need for Special Permit) · Postpone for one week for staff input (MacCaffrie-McCue) 5-0 Passes r Live Entertainment Weekdays Tahana Inc. dba Tahana Restaurant · Approve (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Automatic Amusement Device Spiezio Enterprises Inc. dba Geno's Restaurant & Lounge, 407-409 North Main Street · Approve (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Weekday Music Machine Spiezio Enterprises Inc. dba Geno's Restaurant & Lounge, 407-409 North Main Street · Approve (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes · Cable Van Agreement - Selectman Amoruso noted AT&T Broadband will provide up to $32,000 for a step-type van for Cable Access with equipment installed either from the old van or new equipment purchased by Cable Access. There is provision for insurance and the option remains for them to keep the old and new vans or just the new van. It was decided December 31, 2002 will be the date r inserted by which the Licensee must provide the new van. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9, 2002 2 r Selectman Amoruso noted the agreement has been reviewed and revised many times and is now in its final form for the Selectmen's approval and signature. It gives Cable Access the vehicle they're looking for, built to their specifications, and it gives the license renewal committee a figure to work with. It will also get the van off AT&T's hands so they no longer have the liability for it. Selectman McCarter asked that Cable Access also review the agreement and give their input. Selectman Amoruso noted the $32,000 will not be an additional pass-through to the subscribers and Cable Access wants the van. Town Manager D'Agostino noted part of the hold-up has been our desire to work with Cable Access to obtain an agreement for what they wanted. Selectman Amoruso recommended we take this now while we can get it. William Gerber of the Committee to Monitor the Cable License noted $12,000 of labor costs, according to Frank Foss, will be passed through to the subscribers, in addition to the labor costs of the installation. Selectman Amoruso noted that is not the agreement reached with AT&T Broadband. Mr. Gerber said they are allowed to pass through to subscribers and their original agreement was to provide $12,000 for the van. Anything over that they will pass through. Selectman Amoruso noted that is not what was agreed to in our (' discussions. Selectman MacCaffrie suggested adding another paragraph to the agreement stating there will be no pass-through and see if Mr. Foss will sign it. Motion: To add "no costs associated with the purchase, replacement, installation, labor and AT&T related materials costs shall be passed through to the subscribers as part of the purchase agreement for this van" authorizing the Board of Selectmen to sign the agreement after the addition with the date of December 31, 2002 and the date blank for the date of signing. (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Fire Chief Edward A. Sliney, Jr., came before the Selectmen to announce his intention to retire as Mansfield Fire Chief on November 2nd. He also corrected misinformation printed in various newspaper articles to dispel any rumors resulting from them. The Chief reported his cancer is still in remission and current health issues stem from his cancer surgery and subsequent treatments. He and his wife have lived in Mansfield their entire lives and raised their family here. She also runs a business in Mansfield and they have no plans to move out of Town. He's worked for the Fire Department since 1971, rising through the ranks to the position of f Chief, and he considers it an honor and privilege to have done so. Chief Sliney Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9, 2002 3 r reported he has struggled with multiple sclerosis and cancer and his doctors have advised him to seek retirement. After much reflection he has heeded their advice and the Bristol County Retirement Board voted in September to accept his retirement. He is now reviewing the information with his attorney and will finalize the process, with an anticipated retirement date of November 2nd. Selectman MacCaffrie noted it was his pleasure as a Norton call firefighter to work with him and wished him happiness. The remainder of the Selectmen expressed their thanks for Chief Sliney's service and extended their congratulations on his career, and their well-wishes on his antieipated retirement. Mark Renkert of 6 Eric Road, President of the Mansfield Condominium Assoeiation, was in attendance to discuss Town trash pick-up for condominium owners. Mr. Renkert noted he did not get in touch with all the other condo homeowners. He spoke of last year's agreement to collect the trash, dependent on funds. Last year, and again this year, there has been no funding. He has updated Selectman MacCaffrie with the information provided the Board prior to his election. (' Mr. Renkert attempted to clear up misconceptions about their being a burden to the Town. He suggested the Town find out if there are any written agreements between the condo associations and the town regarding the condo associations' responsibility to pick up the trash. He reviewed the number of town services they use that are not considered a burden to the Town and suggested the only reason they don't get trash pickup is because their units are attached to others. He also spoke of various condominium documents, over which the developer has control until the condominium development is completed. At that point the documents are re- written into a condominium assoeiation agreement, which is an agreement of the owners. He noted condo fees would not drop with Town trash pickup, stating they have other things they can do with the fees collected. He likened it to examples of other services the Town has provided with no condition attached as to fees being lowered by the condo association. The few extra dollars they save get put into other projects for the benefit of the condo owners. Mr. Renkert stated it is not an agreement with the Town. He noted they will have to purchase big dumpsters and will incur other expenses in relation to Town trash collection. He presented a copy of the condominium association document. Town Manager D'Agostino suggested it may be a problem, with Village at Willow r Crossings requesting it next. It was noted, however, they are a business Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9, 2002 4 r condominium. Selectman McCue pointed out it's a question of equity and they had been asked to bear with the Town through the negotiations with the former and current contractors. He noted, however, we are in extremely tough financial times with every nickel and dime being counted, and next year is predicted to be even worse. Selectman McCue noted speaking with both our State Representatives last night and received their indication there will be further cuts to local aid. He also noted this would add to the base if we just do one condo this year and it would be a delicate balancing act. He stated there is no intention to move away from the intent to provide the service, but it is not financially feasible to do so at this time. Mr. Renkert noted he finds it aggravating to hear the Board talking about spending $150,000 to clean up an empty lot or the possibilities of providing a municipal golf course, but then not having the funds for trash collection for condominiums. It was noted none of those projects mentioned have happened Mr. Renkert said he does not want the Town to forget about condominium homeowners. Selectman McCue noted a pending law in Rhode Island to require trash pickup for condominium homeowners, suggesting they have encountered some of the same problems. Selectman Donovan asked if the associations would be willing to contribute towards the expense. Mr. Renkert noted there will be expenses they will have in conjunction with the pickup. He pointed out trustees of the association do not even receive a stipend anymore. r Selectman McCarter noted businesses are paying taxes also and we don't pick up their trash, asking where we draw the line. Town Manager D'Agostino noted the smaller businesses on the main street get trash pickup on a limited basis if they generate no more trash than a one family dwelling. Selectman McCarter noted trash was not as expensive when the condos were built as it is now back and said it's now become a big issue. Selectman Amoruso noted their agreement on the issue, but pointed out it's a matter of money. Town Manager D'Agostino suggested allowing townspeople the opportunity to propose a by-law and present it to Town Meeting for the consideration of the Townspeople. Mr. Renkert said it would single them out as being different because it was never done for single-family homeowners. Selectman MacCaffrie noted townspeople had to vote for the increased cost of trash pickup and they supported it. Costs will continue to rise and there may be a point when the townspeople decide they no longer wish to support it. Mr. Renkert reported there are a total of 526 units with three trash contracts in effect. A couple of the complexes don't have enough room for sufficient parking let alone being able to provide space for a large dumpster. If the Town moved to a pay-as-you-throw program, Mr. Renkert noted they would not be interested in r participating. Selectman Amoruso stated we are not realizing an increase in Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9, 2002 5 ~ recycling as we would like to and may move to a pay-as-you-throw program to increase recycling. Paul Boyden, Chairman of the Conservation Commission; Jack Vultaggio, Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA); Richard Feeley of the Municipal Building Committee (MBC) were present to give an update on their board's activities and current issues. Due to time constraints they were asked to return at a time to be determined following the conclusion of the Special Town Meeting. The Town Manager passed out finaneial informationlfinancial status data of the Town. He noted we are committing a certain number of articles to free cash and a certain number to raise and appropriate. Salary increases occur on a year-to-year basis and would be raise and appropriate articles. The Finance Committee has voted on all the financial articles with the exception of two. We are proposing to spend $1,070,521. in certified Free cash, leaving a balance of $198.92. $760,109. will be transferred into Stabilization. This represents a commitment on the part of the (' Town to increase the amount of money taken from Stabilization to balance the budget. An increase in salaries is being requested for non-union personnel as we said we would. Charter School assessment has increased with the elimination of the reimbursement, collective bargaining issues with the Fire Department will be $25,856; outfitting two new dispatchers and training $13,338. Police cruisers had been taken off and are being done now at a cost of $58,000. Animal Inspector is increasing $1,500. for additional duties added to a union employee. Library/COA air conditioner failed and needs to be replaced by raising and appropriating $15,000 for engineering, design and replacement. The $8,000. being requested for hazardous waste collection is for a second day in the fall. Drug Mitigation for 3- tier prescription program is set at $94,040. There is an increase of $178,503. in property/casualty liability insurance, and $6,000 is being requested by IDC for marketing brochures. The bottom line is $725,005.37 under raise and appropriate. Revenue will come from Excess Capacity - State amounting to $467,808. and $312,884. from new growth. He is proposing in the Warrant to raise and appropriate $725,005.37 The Town Manager noted this is a conservative approach and we are not taking it to the limit of Proposition 2 1/2 by $55,686.63, stating we've positioned ourselves well from a financial perspective. The bleachers article will be a borrow article that will impact the fiscal budget next year. r Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9, 2002 6 r Streets proposed for acceptance at the Special Town Meeting to be held October 22,2002 include Cobbler Road, Holstein Road, and Ridgeview Road. Clerk MacCaffrie read the Notice of Public Hearing as it appeared in The Sun- Chronicle on October 2, 2002. Motion: To open the hearing at 8:45 p.m. (Amoruso-McCarter) 5-0 Passes A memorandum from Town Engineer John D. Sullivan, Jr., was read into the record, wherein he recommended acceptance of Cobbler Road (all punch list items completed), Holstein Road (if remaining punch list items are satisfactorily addressed prior to the hearing), and Ridgeview Road (if remaining punch list items are satisfactorily addressed prior to the hearing). Cobbler Road - Alan Willis, developer, said he had no comments and just wanted the road approved for acceptance by theTown. Holstein Road - Jack Riccio, developer: Town Engineer John Sullivan reported (' everything was complete as of today. Ridgeview Road. - AI Endruinas, developer: Town Engineer John Sullivan reported the punch list items is substantially complete, but there were a number of things still being worked on today which they expect to complete by the end of week. The following residents of Ridgeview Lane were in attendance to ask questions and present their concerns: Kevin Enos of 27 Ridgeview Lane, Jim Keady of 23 Ridgeview Lane, and Mike Miley of 19 Ridgeview Lane. Concerns: 1,000 trees were to be planted in back of the houses and it doesn't look there are that many. AI Endruinas noted there was a walk through this afternoon. He stated that following the walk the only items remaining were to clean the catchbasins and manholes, which will be done by Saturday. There is one section of sidewalk that was damaged and it will be replaced tomorrow morning. They are planting an additional 500 trees in the open space area. 50'0 of them were planted today, with the remainder being done tomorrow. He said they took delivery of them only last night and couldn't get them all in today. They planted 1,500 two years ago where r they were supposed to go. Mr. Enos noted the plans called for a two-year saplings. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9,2002 7 r r (' Mr. Endruinas responded that they have now been there for three years. This was done for restoration of the old gravel pit being turned over as Open Space. Residents continued with their questions: Stockade fence - who is in charge of maintaining it? Ungers-it's on their property. Corner of street is very dark - what can be done about it? Concrete in front of retention pond? Pile of broken concrete removed today. The layout of the property - the fences issue was never clarified. Are they going in or not? Shaun Burke, Planning Director, noted they are talking about on the developer's plan it called for 60 feet of decorative 4-foot picket fence on property lines. The subdivision is a compacted cluster subdivision. The applicant's engineer decided to put in a fence between the properties to better define property lines - not to contain property. This has been discussed with a number of residents, with a number of calls asking if they need the fence. In some cases residents complained it was causing problems with landscaping. He was also receiving calls concerning the state of the property on the left as you enter the subdivision. Mr. Burke suggested to the developer that if people agreed they don't want the decorative fence, to replace it with a 6-foot stockade fence to screen the property adjacent to the newer homes as the new residents travel down the new way. None of the decorative fencing has been put in; however, 500 feet of stockade fence has been substituted for it. The developer obtained signatures from eight residents saying they don't want the decorative fence. This was not required by the Planning Board, but rather something the developer agreed to. The residents suggested they were 50/50 on the fence issue. Mr. Keady asked if this a swap, noting it needs clarification. Mr. Burke replied it is a swap and that he exercised his judgment and said if enough people don't want them, in his opinion it made more sense to take a decorative fence and make it a functional fence. There was nothing on the plan for the stockade fence and it was done as a concession to the residents. Residents asked who's responsible for the first 300 feet of Ridgeview - it will be town property (grass strip) most likely maintained by those adjacent to it. Mr. Miley asked about the pile of logs and decaying timber. It's a habitat created for those creatures who live in it (behind drainage area). Mr. Endruinas said if the Board wishes it be removed, he will remove it. Selectman MacCaffrie suggested the problem is the result of our agreeing to modify the plans. He stated if plans showed fences, they should all be there. Chairman Donovan noted these issues are not an issue to be addressed by the Selectmen- stating we need to determine if the road is ready for acceptance. He pointed out the purpose of the hearing is to get the streets accepted so they can be plowed this winter and the residents can get emergency services if needed. It was suggested that the Director of the Light Department can measure the lumens of the light and it's not something that's part of this procedure. The color of the fence was also questioned by residents. The agreed the street appears functional. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9,2002 8 f' Town Engineer John Sullivan stated he is confident all the work will get done by the end of the week and the items remaining are not substantial issues. If they are not done, he will stand up at Town Meeting and recommend against acceptance. Motion: To close the public hearing at 9:15 p.m. (MacCaffrie-McCue) 5-0 Passes Motion: To recommend Holstein Road for acceptance (MacCaffrie-McCue) 5-0 Passes Motion: To recommend Cobbler Road for acceptance (MacCaffrie-McCue) 5-0 Passes Motion: To table Ridgeview Road until next week. (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Selectman MacCaffrie noted the warrant has three streets submitted for acceptance and stated this is something that should be done at the Annual Town Meeting. He further noted that all work should be complete prior to the streets being put on the warrant for acceptance. (' The notice of public hearing as it appeared in The Sun-Chronicle on September 25, 2002 was read by Clerk MacCaffrie. Motion: To open the hearing at 9:20 p.m. (Amoruso-McCarter) 5-0 Passes John Iannuzzo, Vice President and Distribution Center Manager of Amerisource Bergen Corp., said they are operating in a 100,000 sq. ft. area, began a major expansion project, and wanted to increase the number of gallons of flammable liquids. Factory Mutual and the Fire Department have inspected the storage area and approved it. 90% of what they are storing is like isopropyl alcohol and is stored in one-gallon containers inside. The employees are familiar with how to handle them. They are a wholesaler and distributor and things come in packaged and go out packaged. Selectman Amoruso asked why they put acetic acid in with the rest of the materials. Mr. Iannuzzo replied that it will not be in the flammables storage room. (' Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9, 2002 9 ("' Motion: To close the public hearing at 9:25 p.m. (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Motion: To approve the storage of 1,200 gallons of flammable liquids at Amerisource Bergen Corp., 101 Norfolk Street (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Article 1 - deals with a zoning change to expand lot size requirements for residential developments in Industrial Zone districts. Planning Board conducted a hearing and we proceeded with their recommendation. Selectman MacCaffrie asked if the public hearing was held prior to the article being submitted, noting he doesn't like things submitted then changed He also asked why it's being restricted to only south of Route 106. Selectman Amoruso noted north of Route 106 already has this requirement. Table until next week. Article 2 - $86,762.89 for outstanding bills Motion : To support r (Amoruso-McCue) 5-0 Passes Article 3 - Appropriation from Water Division Free Cash $2,069.18 to pay prior year's bills Motion : To support (McCarter-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Article 4 - Raises discussed previously totaling $28,450.13 for non-union personnel Motion : To support (Amoruso-McCue) 4-1 with Selectman MacCaffrie opposed Passes Article 5 - $223,450.19 from free Cash to Wastewater Depreciation Trust Fund - transfer monies Motion : To support (McCue-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Article 6 - $200,000 from accounts listed to Wastewater Depreciation Trust Fund All funds came from the Trust and are being put back in. Motion : To support (Amoruso-McCue) 5-0 Passes r Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9,2002 10 Article 7 - Charter School Assessments r Motion: To support (McCarter-MacCaffrie) 5-0 Passes Article 8 - $25,856. for Fire Department needs Motion : To support (McCarter-Amoruso) 4-1 with Selectman MacCaffrie Passes Article 9 - $13,338.24 for Public Safety Dispatch Motion : To support (Amoruso-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Article 10 - $58,000 for two additional cruisers Motion : To support (Amoruso-MacCaffrie) 5-0 Passes Article 11 - $1,5000 for added duties and responsibilities for Animal Control Officer Motion : To support (Amoruso-McCarter) 4-1 with Selectman MacCaffrie opposed Passes (' Article 12 - $170,000 to develop a Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan Motion : To support (Amoruso-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Article 13 - $128,000 for bleacher seats, press box and fencing for field behind High School - It was noted the Finance Committee tabled the article and CIP supported it. SBAB reimbursement was discussed. It was $950,000 at 67cro reimbursement originally. Current calculations show $7,000 encumbered on High School Field and a $35,000 balance on East Street field. Selectman MacCaffrie read a letter of October 1st from Christine Lynch stating they cannot approve additional monies. Table to get clarification Article 14 - $70,000 to complete East Street field Table Article 15 - $15,000 for Library/COA HVAC system Motion : To support (McCarter-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes r- r Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9, 2002 11 · (' Article 16 - $8,000 for second day of Household Hazardous Waste Collection Motion : To support (Amoruso-McCue) 5-0 Passes Article 17 - $94,040 to create Employee Mitigation Fund for Prescription Drug Reimbursement Motion : To support (Amoruso-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Article 18 - $178,503 for Workers Compensation Trust Fund, etc Motion: To support (Amoruso-McCue) 5-0 Passes Article 19 - $380,540.62 as State's share of the cost for Chapter 90 work Motion: To support (Amoruso-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Article 20 - $6,000 for IDC marketing purposes Motion : To support (McCue-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes r Article 21 - Establish Airport Revolving Account now and at Annual Town Meeting an Enterprise Account - authorize expenditures of up to $20,000 Motion : To support (Amoruso-MacCaffrie) 5-0 Passes Article 22 - $760,109 from Free Cash to Stabilization Motion : To support (McCue-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Article 23 - Funds for Route 106 eminent domain takings Motion : To support (Amoruso-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Article 24 - Youth Soccer to renegotiate the terms and extend current license to use Plymouth Street Recreational Facility by ten years Motion : To support (Amoruso-McCarter) 4-1 with Selectman MacCaffrie opposed Passes r Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9, 2002 12 r- r Article 25 - Deed issues relative to Plymouth Street Recreational Facility - Discussion about rewording - didn't like "change the deed" Will get proper wording for the motion from Town Counsel. Intent is fine. Concern was expressed about committing residents 30 years from now. Table until next week and work out. r r Article 29 - Kenneth Wright petition to be eligible for appointment as a full-time Mansfield Police Officer, notwithstanding the maximum age requirements Need to check to see if Town Meeting approved whether the State would then be able to do their part. Believes new regulations restricted the abl1ity of communities to take this action. Table to hear from Chief The Town Manager reported: . We should be proud of the fact we were able to achieve this objective and not tax to the limit of 2 t and do it in a manner that would allow us to meet the needs of the community as a whole. Selectman Amoruso said being able to work our way through taking a hit (Charter Schools figure) added to the insurance situation and coming out with $200,000 for Reserve Fund and the abl1ity to put money back into Stabl1ization is commendable and something the Town Manager as the leader of the Town should be proud of. Selectman McCarter asked where Free Cash came from (unexpended appropriations in the budget as the result of instituting a spending freeze on everything but essential items). Selectman McCarter suggested perhaps some budgets are inflated Town Manager D'Agostino indicated last year at this time we had about $300,000 unexpended. We don't have too much appropriated in light of the total budget. It's a very small percentage and this is well below what many towns end up with as free cash. Selectman McCue noted the goal of the budget is to spend every cent or you wouldn't be appropriating the amount needed. He noted this is a 2 percent variation, stating a budget is a monetary statement of a goal. Police and Fire turned back between $120-130,000. If your budget is not based on your needs, you'll need reserve fund transfers. That was reduced and we still turned back $130,000 from the Reserve Fund. The balance was from smaller amounts from various departments collectively. The Town Manager then reviewed the Cherry Sheet Analysis provided to the Selectmen, noting variances between what was budgeted and what was received. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9,2002 13 He noted in particular the $296,318 budgeted but not received for Charter r School reimbursement. He next reviewed non-union personnel salary increases proposed at 4 1/2'0 and noted he has taken himself out of the mix for any kind of increase. He will be the only non-union employee not receiving an increase. Selectmen asked why 4 1/2% across the board The Town Manager explained it is to establish parity between union and non-union employees. Previous increases ranged from 3'0 - 9% and 4 1/2'0 is lower than what they've received in previous years. The total of the proposed increases for FY2003 is $28,450.13 which equates to 3.78'0 The variance from 4 1/2'0 relates to the library as result of a position vacated and the person hired came in at a lower salary. The total amount of increase for '03 is $28,450.13 vs. $37,627 in the warrant article. Increases would be retroactive to July 1st, which is when non-union personnel received increases. Chairman Donovan asked the Town Manager why he excluded himself. Mr. D'Agostino stated he felt it was not appropriate at this point to consider his raise and said hopefully it will be addressed by the Board at a later time. Selectman MacCaffrie said he can understand parity, but noted not everyone gets a raise in this day and age. He suggested that perhaps we're giving too much money to the union personnel, suggesting 2 1/2-3% is reasonable, after having received 6%, 7%, and 12% the previous year. Town Manager D'Agostino r suggested we would be hard pressed to say we couldn't afford it based on the financial picture just provided. Selectman Amoruso noted stating at the time of the budget we were sending the wrong message to the people who were non- union. He thinks a number relative to what the union people received makes sense. Selectman McCarter asked why it's across the board, asking if some people deserve more and if so why we don't pay them. The Town Manager explained that in this particular case with only a small amount of money to work with, you want to treat people fairly and equitably. At a minimum those on this list deserve this amount of money. There were differences in the previous years. Most of the people stay late, do their jobs, and don't put in for overtime. · Announced there will be a public hearing on Charter 40B on October 21st at 10 a.m. at the McCormick Building · Offer has been made by Nova Scotia to fly someone up to pick out a tree for the flagpole. The Town will have to pay for it and the matter will be discussed further. · AT&T Broadband is causing heartburn over the burial of wires on North Main Street. We will revoke their pole permit and take down the poles if we don't r Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9,2002 14 r get their cooperation. A letter was sent to Frank Foss today to work within the right-of-way to bury the wires. Motion: To support the revocation of AT&T Broadband's pole permit if we do not receive their cooperation in the burial of the wire on North Main Street (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes The 11:00 p.m. curfew was reached at this point in the meeting. Motion: To extend the meeting an additional five minutes (McCue-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes · Spoke of letters received from the Cable Monitoring Committee, suggesting they need the Board's action. · The MassHighway District 5 issue is not settled yet. The State is saying we have permanent lighting; District 5 is saying we don't. We're holding the road opening permit until we receive something definite in writing as to the permanency of the traffic signals. r · Asked that Selectmen submit their MMAS Special Permit comments prior to next week's meeting so they may be incorporated into draft form. He spoke of the process that will be used next week for the hearing. Comments from staff are available and should be incorporated as conditions. A super-majority of the board is needed for approval (4/5's). Selectman MacCaffrie noted we have 60 days to act following the hearing. Selectman McCue: · Reported Norton has entered into a contract for a desalinization plant. Town Manager D'Agostino suggested we keep our options open and be an interested party, stating his doubt that Easton wJ1l allow it to go through. · Spoke of an article in to day's Sun Chronicle about looking into Municipal Light Departments. He noted the headline was speculative and misleading, stating Jack Believeau and Kim Stoyle run a great ship and we don't have any issues of that magnitude. r Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9, 2002 15 Selectman MacCaffrie: r Motion: That Questions and Comments be held immediately after the reading of the warrant each week for a period not to exceed 20 minutes, including any discussion. Any remaining comments will be held and will take place at the end of the meeting or at the beginning of the next meeting. (MacCaffrie-no second) Chairman Donovan stated the agenda is set by the Chairman and such a motion would be usurping the authority given the Chairman. Selectman Amoruso noted that if Questions and Comments are allowed, everyone who wants to must have a chance to make his/her statement. Selectman McCarter: · Announced a CHIP program to be held Saturday, October 26th from 10-3 in Town Hall. It includes taking fingerprints, tooth prints, and DNA of children to be used by law enforcement in searching for missing children and is sponsored by the Moms Club of Mansfield. r Motion: To adjourn at 11:10 p.m. (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 5-0 Passes /0/;';; ~ Date of Approval (' Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9, 2002 16 'ï""ð'Wr"), ~ \e.v k " , r ~~~~~L~,\C~L¿r<YRAL COUNCIL u... Septemb~r 30, 2002 ¡~Q~~i,~ŸJigþ Library i"'ll\ S:ÏNP\YttMèªTING In Attendance: Shirley Amoruso, Carolyn Conway, Diane Giordano, Andria Micheli, Dianne Scarchi iii The Meeting opened at 7:00 p.m. This was an open meeting for the public to attend. We were available To advise prospective applicants on how to fill out the necessary Forms. No one attended. The input meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.. General Business Meeting opened at 7:31 p.m. 1. The first order of business is New Members. Veronica Gagnon's member- r ship is up on October 5, 2002. Andria Micheli I s membership is up on October 25, 2002. We all need to be pro-active about getting new members. Five to seven new members would be ideal. 2. We opened the incoming mail and processed (7) reimbursements. NOTES: If after twelve months approved applicants have NOT sent in a "Reimbursement Form", we will send them a reminder letter. (After the approval date, they have eighteen months to collect their money.) If we Do not receive a reimbursement form from them, we will plan to re-allocate the money during the next cycle. (The next cycle would be October 15th two years later.) We can then add the money to whatever amount that the State gives us at that time. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.. A tentative date was selected for our next meeting on Wednesday, October 16th @ 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall. r Respectfully submitted: Dianne M. Scarchilli