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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 09/18/02 ;"'\.1" i. ' ~"' :~ ' \" q r~ !', II F·F\C:t~ f Board of Selectmen n·-"; C"'~r'" ~r Minutes of u¿ ;)Lr ~J) September 18, 2002~"; :" L D 1"1 f\'S, S (\ C;~U~ETT 5 10: 09 Present: Chairman Daniel Donovan; Clerk Steven W. MacCaffrie; Vice Chairman Michael W. McCue; and Selectman David W. McCarter. Selectman Amoruso was away on vacation and not present at the meeting. 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. 12 in the amount of $5,714,386.45 Motion: To approve and sign (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 4-0 with Selectman McCarter abstaining from Municipal Building Committee payroll Passes r · Minutes of September 11, 2002 Motion: To approve and sign (MacCaffrie-McCue) 4-0 Passes · Motion To open the Warrant for the October 22, 2002 Special Town Meeting (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 4-0 Passes Selectmen McCarter asked about the Capital Improvement Articles that were postponed in the spring. Articles can be put on and taken off before the warrant is signed, and can also be withdrawn on the floor of Town Meeting if revenues will not support them. Items had been prioritized last spring prior to the Annual Town Meeting and will be reviewed with regard to their inclusion on this warrant. Those approved previously but not funded do not have to be brought forward. r · Drainlayer's License of D. J. Moitoza Construction Co., Inc., 648 Church Street, Raynham (recommended for approval by Town Engineer John Sullivan) Motion: To approve (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 4-0 Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 18, 2002 1 r · Application from Marilyn Lewis for appointment to Local Housing Partnership Motion: To appoint Marilyn Lewis as a citizen-at-Iarge to the Local Housing Partnership (MacCaffrie-McCue) 4-0 Passes · Application from Robert V. Linney for appointment to Cable Access Board of Directors Mr. Linney was present to speak about his interest in being appointed. He's been involved with Cable Access through Mansfield Cable Sports network and has done programming for Cable Access. He is Navy veteran. Motion: To appoint Robert V. Linney to the Cable Access Board of Directors for a term ending April 1, 2004 (MacCaffrie-McCue) 4-0 Passes (' Town ManaQer and Staff: · Memorandum from Police Chief O'Neill re: revised parking violation and fine structure New ticket books are being ordered and there are some fees that need to be changed Selectmen questioned the fine structure and asked for a comparison between the old and new fines. Selectman MacCaffrie questioned whether the Police Department can ticket in a private lot for a violation of handicapped parking. It was believed they can because there is public access. Selectman McCarter also asked that it be determined if they are part of the Town By- laws. · Memorandum from Town Engineer John D. Sullivan, Jr. re: resolution of sewer permit violation at 16 Old Colony Way It was noted the regulations do have enforcement provisions Boards and Committees r · Letter from Fair Housing Committee Chairman Ron Webster with check for $2,086.52 to be donated by Assist2Sell Brookside Properties to the Mansfield Housing Partnership. Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 18, 2002 2 r Motion: To accept this check in the amount of $2,086.52 on an open-ended basis to be used solely for the Mansfield Housing Partnership and to send Mr. Webster a letter of thanks. (MacCaffrie-McCue) 4-0 Passes Selectman McCue suggested other real estate offices be contacted to see if they would also be interested in doing this. Town Manager D'Agostino noted the Town would be in line for the second round of funding on the Community Development Block Grant program, but is not in a position to do so because we have not yet spent any of the funds received in the first round We are not yet geared up to start the second part of the program. It's a Federal program administered by the State and the rules were changed. They were posted on the internet, but nobody was notified of it.. Others · Invitation to Policemen's Ball on Friday, October 4th at Mansfield Holiday Inn r " · Letter from Tweeter Center with payment of fine in the amount of $924.35 for curfew violation on August 22nd. Certified attendance figures also provided. Selectmen McCarter asked that an article be drafted for the Special Town Meeting Warrant to establish a separate account for these fines to be used for the skateboard park. Town Manager D'Agostino noted there is a public accounting of all funds coming in and going out. · Letter from George Dentino requesting time on the Selectmen's agenda to discuss various topics Chairman Donovan noted he will be on the agenda later in the evening to discuss Questions and Comments and all other topics can be handled through the Town Manager. · Letter from Rick and Claudia Rys requesting that Cherry Street be closed for a neighborhood block party on Saturday, October 5th from 2 - 7 p.m. The request has been reviewed and approved by the Police and Fire Chiefs. Motion: To approve with proper signage and emergency access provided (MacCaffrie-McCue) 4-0 Passes r The Clerk read the Notice of Public Hearing as it appeared in The Sun-Chronicle on September 4, 2002 Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 18, 2002 3 r Motion: To open the hearing at 8:15 p.m. and continue to October 2.2002 at 8:00 p.m. because Verizon did not properly notify abutters. (MacCaffrie-McCue) 4-0 Passes The Clerk read the Notice of Public Hearing as it appeared in The Sun-Chronicle on September 4, 2002 on the proposal to make Crocker Street one-way from the Train Station to North Main Street. Motion: To open the hearing at 8:15 p.m. (MacCaffrie-McCue) 4-0 Passes (' Town Engineer John Sullivan was in attendance to discuss the creation of a one-way traffic pattern on Crocker Street coming from the Train Station to North Main Street. Meetings have been held with the Police and Fire Departments, Planning Director, and DPW Director and all agree that the current traffic pattern is unsafe. It will require people dropping off someone at the train to travel an additional 1,000 feet to make the loop or to walk from North Main Street. The effective date will be the evening of September 30th and the area will be adequately posted with one-way and do not enter signs and the placement of barrels. Selectman McCue asked that a police detail be considered for safety reasons. Selectman MacCaffrie suggested a police cruiser be parked there and if they have to leave for an emergency call they can do so. Wooden barricades will be in place. Selectman MacCaffrie suggested trucks will not be able to make the swing to make the turn. A detailed map will be put up at the Train Station showing out- of-town residents where to go in order to make the loop necessary to get to the Train Station from North Main Street. To create a shorter loop next to MassGlass would require a landtaking and is a possibility in the future. Motion: To close the public hearing at 8:25 p.m. (MacCaffrie-McCue) 4-0 Passes Motion: To approve as recommended effective September 30,2002 (McCue-MacCaffrie) 4-0 Passes School Superintendent John Moretti, School Committee Chairman Michael Trowbridge, and former Rotary Secretary Chris Rappold, were present to address the Board. The group was formed subsequent to the Columbine tragedy to discuss ways to keep Mansfield youth safe and prevent anything like that happening here. r Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 18, 2002 4 r Mr. Rappold noted visiting Columbine and being surprised at the upscale community with million dollar homes surrounding Columbine High School. They met with Robin MacDonald, formerly Executive Director of the Hockomock YMCA, and were introduced to future Search. The result was an intensive two-day meeting to discuss the future of the community. Mr. Rappold presented a 28-page report that came out of the Future Search process. The conclusion was that we provide a safe, happy place for our children to grow up and those in attendance became "stakeholders." The project started out very general and was honed down to specific areas of concern, with nine areas of focus. Each area contains themes and action steps. He asked the Selectmen to read through the document presented and schedule another meeting in approximately one month. He reported the process identified the strengths of Mansfield and ways it could be improved. He also asked that they consider the issues raised, noting most of the suggestions are pro-active in nature. The Police and Fire Chiefs, as participants in the program, have already received a copy of the document. r , Selectman McCue mentioned Safe Neighbors and asked if they had been included in this initiative. It was noted this took place almost two years ago, prior to the formation of Safe Neighbors. Selectman McCue indicated groups such as Safe Neighbors indicate there is a concern and a desire to do something in the community to make it even more safe than it is. Mr. Rappold explained their involvement within the School Department, local churches, and non-profit organizations in Mansfield to establish a representative cross-section of the Town and getting key people from each area to devote two consecutive days to devote to the Future Search meeting. One theme that evolved was the development of a community center. Selectman McCarter noted the recent appointment of an Ad Hoc YMCA Strategic Planning Committee and asked if this could be referred to them for further action. Town Manager D'Agostino suggested they could become involved in this, but a greater cross-section of the community would need to be included in this project. Mr. Trowbridge noted the group made a community center the first link due to the number and variety of stakeholders and the need that evolved for the seniors and young people to connect. Healthcare, which is provided now at Town Hall on a limited basis with blood pressure checks and inoculations, could also be provided in a centralized community center. Selectman McCarter asked about the availability of the building constructed by the Hillside Adult Daycare group on Branch Street. r Superintendent Moretti noted the Town of Harwich has just built a beautiful community center across from the High School that houses various agencies in a Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 18, 2002 5 r very inclusive, comprehensive manner. Their Parks and Recreation Department manages the community center and they get a great many participants from a broad spectrum of the community. Mr. Moretti stated youth centers of the 1970's and 80's became problematic due to a lack of supervision. This model would link a large variety of agencies in a comprehensive manner in a multi-generational setting. He noted the work has been done in setting the direction and the Town Manager suggested a committee appointed jointly by the Town and School Department be established to form a five to ten year plan. Mr. Trowbridge stated the important thing is that the project move forward and not just die due to lack of action. Chairman Donovan thanked them and congratulated them on all their hard work and noted the issue will be discussed further in a month or so after the Selectmen have had an opportunity to review and digest the contents of the report presented. r The Town Manager reported: · The Town of Mansfield is holding its first housing rehabilitation lottery from applications submitted by noon tomorrow. The lottery is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in Room 3AB. The names of those who are income eligible will be eligible for the drawing and income will be verified. Once the eligibility is determined, the work requested will be assessed and prioritized according to need. The lottery does not determine the priority of the work to be done. · Spoke of the memorandum from Town Engineer John Sullivan outlining the detour route during the reconstruction of the School Street Bridge over the next couple of years. West Street and Forbes Boulevard will be signalized and MassHighway has been requested to leave signalization there permanently. An effort will be made to put the information regarding the route on cable. r · Senate Bill 2245 bond authorization was brought to the Selectmen's attention which provides $200,000 with matching funds for the Route 106 underpass in Mansfield. This is in conjunction with the $750,000 that Representative Frank is trying to get funded at the Federal level. Selectmen McCue noted there was a sum of money put into the Transportation Improvement Plan at the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) meeting last month that was agreed upon with Rep. Frank. Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 18, 2002 6 r- · We have hired a regional recycling coordinator through a grant and he would like to have the individual appear before the Selectmen to discuss the initiatives he will be taking. There is currently a gradual decline in the amount of curbside recycling. Selectman McCarter asked if communities with "pay as you throwN see an increase in recycling. It was noted there is currently no level of enforcement. Clear plastic bags are used in some communities, and if the bag contains recyclable materials it is not picked up. Some communities regulate it through their by-laws. r- · We are anticipating the retirement of fire Chief Edward Sliney effective November 11th and Deputy Fire Chief Bellavance will continue as Acting Chief until a new chief is hired. Mr. D'Agostino noted in Springfield he had used an assessment center process that works in conjunction with Civil Service and noted it distances the selection process. It would be approximately $8,500 to retain this service and he would like to place an article on the Special Town Meeting warrant for this purpose. There are currently only two individuals from within the department that have obtained the necessary Civil Service qualifications for fire Chief. Selectman McCarter noted it is the Town Manager's decision, but he personally would like to hire from within if at all possible. Selectman MacCaffrie noted he knows both gentlemen who are on the Civ/Ï Service list and has utmost respect for them. They, like everyone else, have strengths and weaknesses and we need to get the best person ava/Ïable. Mr. D'Agostino noted that under the existing regulations there are options available because we don't have three eligible candidates. We can encourage other individuals to meet the requirements and increase the odds of hiring someone local, but with only two candidates, it is unlikely we would be able to hire from within. Within Civil Service regulations there is a provision for local preference. Civil Service does not necessarily test all the skill sets that he as Town Manager would want to see a manager possess. The grade given by the assessment center process is recognized by Civil Service. The objectivity of using an outside service was noted. · Announced that on Friday at 11:45 a.m. the yearly luncheon for seniors will be sponsored by the Light Department. They will also be offering safety tips on the use of electricity. Selectmen Donovan and McCarter indicated they will be attending. r- · Reviewed the status of action list items from last week's meeting. Train issues relative to parking and the Lakeville-Middleboro line were discussed briefly as to the anticipated impact on ridership from Mansfield. The Route 106 and North Main Street traffic signal will be upgraded in conjunction Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 18, 2002 7 r with the Train Station project, in addition to other signalization in the area. He's also asked Bert Cook to take a look at the Ditchman property. Selectman Donovan noted the number of young chl1dren in the neighborhood where the Homestead property is located and suggested the possibl1ity of bUIlding some recreation areas in that part of town if we can't get much for the land by selling it. Selectman McCue: · Asked that an IDC article be put on the warrant as a placeholder requesting funding for marketing to get the types of businesses we're looking for. r · Suggested moving forward on the vote regarding assessments that he asked be delayed last week. He noted his concern that a supplemental assessment would be a deterrent and has had his fears allayed. He suggested it could be placed on the November ballot if agreed to by the Secretary of State. It was noted there would not be sufficient time to educate people on the issue and it could go forward with the next annual town election in May. Motion: To place the adoption of Chapter 203 of the Acts of 1998 (Supplemental Tax Assessments) on the ballot at the next Annual Town Election in May (McCue-MacCaffrie) 4-0 Passes (The Town Clerk w/Ï/ be asked to get the language.) Selectman MacCaffrie: · Noted there are 14 call boxes that need to be done on overtime because they don't want to interrupt schools. Selectman McCarter: · Asked about the status of the Airport contract. A meeting has been scheduled with the Airport Commission. r Selectman MacCaffrie: · Asked what the Town's present bond rating is. Town Manager D'Agostino said he think it is AA, but w/ÏI check. Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 18, 2002 8 r · On Sunday he had several phone calls about the lower field where the sprinklers were on and we were going to get several more inches of rain that day on a field already under water. Town Manager D'Agostino noted the field is not supposed to be used yet. Selectman MacCaffrie stated the field will never be able to be used when there is a significant amount of rain. He said there was an inch to an inch and a half of water covering it on Sunday at the 30 yard line looking north, left of center. Additional drainage is being put in, which is why it's off-line. Were trying to get DEP to sign off before June. Selectman McCarter noted Mr. Moretti's warrant article for 500 seats at the new synthetic turf field and said they are badly needed. Selectman McCue: · Spoke of posted meetings held at the High School prior to Town Meeting and asked if there was any interest in holding a board meeting at some point at the COA or another location at a time we don't usually meet to make the meetings more accessible to people. It was agreed it would be a good thing to do once in awhHe. r ! Selectman Donovan: · Read letter from Karen Doucette requesting to run a telethon at the October 2nd meeting for the Annual Breast Cancer Walk in which Town Hall employees will be participating. Everyone was in agreement to approve the request. r George Dentino, 2 Gladiola Terrace - said it has been brought to his attention that for the past nine years the Town has not taken enough money from employees for their pensions. He stated the Town has had this information for a year and a half, the Town was unaware of it for nine years, and Bristol County took nine years to pick it up. Chairman Donovan noted this came about back in 1985 with firefighters. There was no mistake in the beginning, but they are directed by the Retirement Board as to how much to put in. It's being handled in-house and as soon as it's resolved we will announce it. Mr. Dentino noted that is irrelevant. Selectman McCarter asked if he has documentation to that effect, as he's seen nothing about the issue. Chairman Donovan noted the retirement Board did not do an audit for nine years. Mr. D'Agostino noted the purpose of Mr. Dentino's discussion is to try to point a finger of blame. The deduction started in 1985 when we began with a set deduction. Each of the individuals affected has been notified by the Retirement Board The Town has the responsibility to take out the appropriate Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 18, 2002 9 r amount. When the Town found out about it a year and a half ago, we started taking out the proper amount. The Treasurer's Office continued to take out the same amount as salaries increased The difference between the two amounts is the amount owed We should have been more prudent, but the responsibility is between the Retirement Board and the individual employee. The Retirement Board voted not to forgive the amount, which we were made aware of three to four weeks ago. Arrangements have been made to aI/ow employees to pay the amount due over a year's time. This is a personnel issue that needs to be addressed as such and does not need to be a topic of discussion at a Selectmen's meeting. Mr. Donovan noted the retirees have met with the Retirement Board and have been told not to pay anything yet. Mr. Dentino questioned why the Town did not notify the employees for a year and a half and why our auditors did not pick it up. Mr. Dentino also asked for a copy of the agreement. Town Manager D'Agostino said he does not believe it's public information, but will check with Town Counsel r Mr. Dentino then asked about the Memorial Park field that we're not being allowed to use. Town Manager D'Agostino repeated it's offline and DEP will not sign off on the order of conditions until there is proper vegetative growth. Mr. Dentino asked if there was a resident engineer and if either of them signed off that it was done according to the Orders of Condition. The Town Manager replied that he believes it was signed off by Mr. Penney. Mr. Dentino asked who authorized the use of that field to put our kids on it without a DEP signoff. The Town Manager noted DEP has said it is safe to use from their perspective. They signed off on the proper remediation. As far as the vegetative growth and how it became a usable field without it is another manner. It was there and the field was used, but when DEP came out, the vegetative growth was no longer there. The field is scheduled by Park and Recreation and the Schools. Selectman McCarter asked if the Licensed Site Professional had called the lack of vegetation to our attention. Selectman MacCaffrie asked if it's a situation like when we asked people not to use the track and they did anyway. The Town Manager noted we were short fields at that time because the lower field was not being used Mr. Dentino stated the sprinkler system went in after the sod, and using the ditchwitch on it was part of the problem. Mr. D'Agostino stated he believes the sprinkler system went in prior to the sod, but he w1'l/ check with Mike Ahern. r Mr. Dentino noted Questions and Comments has always been a staple of this community and has always been done at the start of the meeting. Last week there Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 18, 2002 10 r were conflicting reports of when the meeting was starting and ending. When plans are changed the night of the meeting it throws everyone off schedule. Selectman McCue noted the point is understood, but it was his motion and the Board supported it. Chairman Donovan noted it's a democratic process and that's the way it is. With regard to Questions and Comments, if you can't come and listen to what's being said, you don't have the right to participate in questions and comments. Mr. Dentino noted the other thing wrong with Questions and Comments at the end of the night is a great percentage of time you never get to it with an 11:00 p.m. curfew for adjournment. Chairman Donovan noted the problem was we were getting to Questions and Comments, but not getting to finish Town business and said as long as he's Chairman, Questions and Comments wi'll be at the end of the meeting. Mr. Donovan stated there would be no Questions and Comments if we reach 11:00 p.m., just as we often did not get to Town Manger's Report and Selectmen's Old and New Business because we reached 11:00 p.m. Chairman Donovan asked Selectman McCue if there was additional information from Mike Coppola on Chapter 40B and the percentages. Selectman McCue said he'd be getting additional information. r Town Manager D'Agostino stated the issue of retirement is between the employees and the Retirement Board and should not be a public issue. He noted it's unfortunate that some employees would go to a citizen to come before the Board and point a finger at an individual. Motion: To adjourn at 10:45 p.m. (McCue-McCarter) 5-0 Passes o/zr~2..- , I Date of Approval r Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 18, 2002 11