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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 09/11/02 . n) ....~." F F \ CE r Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 11, 2002 r'!',' c:ç,) \9 M' 9: 21 U.:. vl~1 ;.. " !,'d . (' i~ "l" "ETTS ·1';ìI~;\ .....,,, "'., ¡'::,J ~-...,. ~ t" '\ ""," '- ,. , Present: Chairman Daniel Donovan; Clerk Steven W. MacCaffrie; Vice Chairman Michael W. McCue; Selectman David W. McCarter and Louis P. Amoruso. Town Manager John O. D'Agostino The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. due to the Selectmen's desire to participate in the September 11th Remembrance activities later in the evening. The Call to Order was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ( . Warrant No. 10 was not ready due to computer problems and a handwritten warrant for the payment of Payroll and Payroll related checks was presented. Motion: To approve and sign the payroll warrant of $261,553.70 for the Town, $27,298.75 for Electric, and $949,971.88 for Schools (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) 4-0 with Selectman McCarter not present Passes . Minutes of August 28, 2002 Motion: To approve and sign (Amoruso-MacCaffrie) 4-0 with Selectman McCarter not present Passes · Minutes of September 3, 2002 joint meeting of the Boards of Selectmenl Assessors page 3 quarterly billing was not agreed to. Minutes amended accordingly. Motion: To approve as amended and sign (Amoruso-MacCaffrie) 4-0-1 with Selectman McCue abstaining because he was not present at the meeting Passes r · Class II Auto Dealer License for Cottage Auto Sales at 127B North Main Street - Memorandum of Bertram Cook, Inspector of Buildings/Zoning Enforcement Officer, clarifying the matter. The license application was held previously due to zoning concerns raised by Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and Development. Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 11, 2002 1 r Motion: To approve and sign (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Town Manager and Staff: · Memorandum from Town Clerk Helen Christian regarding potential dates for the Fall Special Town Meeting Town Manager D'Agostino recommended setting a date as soon as possible so we can set a tax rate and send out the tax bills. October 2~ was determined to be the most realistic date Motion: To set the meeting date for October 29, 2002 (MacCaffrie-McCue) Withdrawn Selectmen discussion to hold a classification hearing the night following Special Town Meeting was discussed. Motion: To hold the meeting October 22, 2002 (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 5-0 Passes . Memorandum from Deputy Fire Chief Robert P. Bellavance requesting the 1977 r American LaFrance Ladder truck housed at the North Main Street station be declared surplus material and disposed of as determined appropriate Selectmen McCarter suggested advertising it for bid. Discussion ensued as to what a minimum bid would be, as we were getting $10,000-$12,000 if we traded it in. Selectman Amoruso said he was willing to declare it surplus and see what we could get as a bid, with the understanding that we don't have to accept the bid if it's too low. Selectman Donovan said he thinks we should keep it as a spare. Town Manager D'Agostino said we could reject all bids and re-advertise if we weren't happy with the bids received. He noted the Selectmen do not have to be involved in the process, other than declaring it surplus. The requirements of procurement regulations were briefly reviewed. Motion: To declare the ladder truck surplus property (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) Selectman Amoruso said he would like to see a minimum bid set at $25,000 because of it's value. Selectman Donovan stated he does not support declaring it surplus. Selectman McCue suggested it would be sitting outside and deteriorating if there is lack of space for it to be garaged. The Chief had indicated previously that it would cost us more to operate it and keep it on the road. Our intention was to either keep it or declare it as surplus property and go to bid. The Town Manager supported the recommendation of Acting Chief r Bellavance. Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 11, 2002 2 r Vote: 4-1 with Selectman Donovan opposed Passes · Memorandum from DPW Director Lee Azinheira with additional revisions to the Automotive/Heavy Equipment Technician job description previously approved at the August 28th meeting. Motion: To accept with changes as presented (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 5-0 Passes · Memorandum from Town Engineer John Sullivan re: Williams Street Bridge bid advertisement · Copy of Notice of Violation issued by Town Engineer John Sullivan to Stephen J. Cerullo (C. J. Scooters), 16 Old Colony Way, relative to the Mansfield Sewer Permit Regulations Selectman Amoruso noted as Sewer Commissioners we can't let such a violation just slip by. Selectman MacCaffrie suggested the work performed be TV camera inspsected at the contractor or owner's expense. Discussion ensued as to what action would be appropriate and Selectman Donovan suggested having Mr. Sullivan in to see what action he would recommend. It was subsequently agreed a memo from Mr. Sullivan would suffice. Selectman MacCaffrie noted r that somewhere in the regulations there is something to address violations. If this drainlayer comes to the Town to be licensed, the violation will be noted and would weigh on the Board's decision in approving the license. · Supplemental Tax Assessment - information was provided to the Selectmen. If they decide to go forward with it, it would go on the ballot for the next Annual Election to be decided by the voters. Motion: To bring the matter forward to be put on the ballot at the next Annual Election (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) Selectman McCue said he's not ready to make a decision on it at this time. Selectman Amoruso withdrew his second to the motion. Town Manager D'Agostino suggested the matter could be put on a future agenda. Motion died for lack of a second and will be made an agenda item in the future. r Selectman MacCaffrie read the notice of the need for someone to represent the Town September 19th at 7:30 p.m. in the Borderland Park meeting room. Marianne Wills is the Town's representative and this is an important meeting at which the State wants to impose parking fees at Borderland. Ms. Wills will not be able to attend the meeting. He also noted there is no regional sewer meeting tomorrow Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 11, 2002 3 r r r night. It has been cancelled due to lack of agenda items after being called by Norton. Selectman McCue asked if it's the intent of the Board to be present at the ecumenical September 11th service at 7:00 p.m. Selectmen MacCaffrie and Amoruso said he thought we would be conducting business until 8:00 p.m. Motion: To adjourn at 6:50 p.m. and reconvene at the conclusion of the September 11th ceremonies. (McCue-McCarter) 4-1 with Selectman MacCaffrie opposed The meeting reconvened at 8:50 p.m. The Town Manager reported: · School Street Bridge Project - he and Selectman Amoruso attended the pre- construction conference meeting in Taunton. He wanted to ensure that Mass Highway and Commissioner Cogliano will leave the traffic lights at West and Forbes permanently. He's submitted a letter on behalf of the Town to District 5 and our Massachusetts delegation (Senator Sprague, Representative Coppola and Representative Poirier) and CommissionerCogliano reminding them that the lights should be a permanent installation. The detour for the project will be instituted, and he's suggested those affected take a ride with staff to point out where signage would be appropriate for their businesses. Selectman Amoruso noted the construction of the School Street Bridge project is a two- year process, to be followed by the Elm Street Bridge project, which makes the need for signage even more important. Mr. D'Agostino noted they made their opinions known to MassHighway regarding the fact that it would be completed in 2004, when we had been told previously it would be completed in 2003. Selectman Amoruso noted the impact on the immediate neighbors with much work being done at night when the trains are not running. We indicated staff would travel the proposed detour route and they will make as many signs as we need to provide access to the businesses in the area. · Train Station bids are due to be opened on October 3rd at GA TRA. We've scheduled a public hearing on making Crocker Street a one-way traffic pattern. Staff has reviewed the plans and it appears we're all in agreement that it is the safest way to proceed both during and following construction. It is currently a safety hazard because the one way turns into two-way with little or no warning. We may end up taking the Mass Glass parcel to shorten the distance traffic must go to make the loop in order to reach the train station. Selectman Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 11, 2002 4 r McCarter asked about diagonal parking. Mr. D'Agostino noted he has no responsibility to provide space for those other than residents and does not plan to spend town money to replicate lost parking for non-residents. The parking we provide will benefit residents. The project is funded 80% Federal and 20% by the State. We are proposing to repair the old Town Hall Clock that will be incorporated into the new train station when it is completed. We've met with VHB and GATRA on a site plan review process we would like them to follow that, which would give the Planning Board the opportunity to comment on the site itself. They will be going back with the final plan to insure the Planning Board has a level of comfort with the designs. Selectman MacCaffrie noted we'd have no control over them other than the building permits and inspections required by the Town. Town Manager D'Agostino stated we will monitor the project more closely than others because of its magnitude and it's effect on our residents. The MBT A is exempt from local inspections, but they will be pulling a local permit. The middle part of the néw Train Station will include community meeting room space. Selectman McCarter suggested we have Frank Gay come in to address what will be done with the issue of parking, noting it seems to have fallen by the wayside with the plans for the Station. The Planning Board would like to see fewer parking spaces at the Station than the 1600 planned. It's an issue we need to discuss collectively and come to an agreement on as to how we will proceed with it. He noted we need to be cautious about building a regionai train station in the middle of our downtown area. r r · Spoke of re-working the numbers on the early retirement program, noting it is still an issue we need to discuss and it comes down to economic feasibility. The numbers have changed, and he hopes to hold a workshop with staff to go into the issues and costs in-depth and determine whether early retirement is something we should do. From strictly a cost analysis, it is not going to save us money. We have to maintain a level of service due to our growing population and individuals retiring may have to be replaced by those with a higher level of training. We would bring in a cadre of trained professionals that could provide the level of service expected by the community. Selectman MacCaffrie noted he's persisted because of his concern for former fellow firefighters and the realization that the demands of the job take a toll on firefighters as they get older and become more susceptible to injuries. When they go out on medicals, we have to replace them with younger men. The experience the older firefighters gained over the years, the younger firefighters have through the training they receive. Richard Plaistowe a 30 year veteran of the Fire Department was present to speak on the subject. He noted many of the current firefighters have 5 weeks vacation. A new firefighter would have 1 week, with a corresponding savings of $6500. They would not reach 5 weeks until 20 years. Retiring firefighters are also eligible for Longevity, and at 20 or more years of Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 11, 2002 5 r service it's $500. New firefighters don't get longevity unti/5 years. Another benefit received by retiring firefighters is the sick-leave buy-back of 7 days at the end of the year if no sick leave is taken once 60 days of banked sick leave is reached. Mr. Plaistowe noted the three items mentioned total just under $9,000. The turnout gear for new firefighters is new and they're measured for it. New members don't reach the top step in pay for 3-4 years. The difference for someone coming on and a senior member is $12,000. Town Manager D'Agostino invited Mr. Plaistowe to the workshop meeting. He also addressed the sick leave buy-back, but noted at the time of retirement or death, you receive 20% of your total accumulated sick time and that can amount to $20,000. The Town has the option of hiring paramedics so they're trained when they come on. Mr. D'Agostino noted new police coming on have a degree and are eligible for Quinn bill benefits. Mr. Plaistowe noted there are six or eight individuals in Police and Fire that will be retiring in the next two years. Deferred retirement has a cost escalation in retirement benefits. If you retire today, it's based on current salary. The cost to the town is the difference in the retirement benefit earned that adds up over time. Selectman McCarter noted the time it takes to hire new police and fire personnel through the CivJ1 Service process. It's not the same as putting an ad in the paper for a job opening. In addition there's training time involved, which means filling shifts at overtime rates. Mr. D'Agostino noted there are many other issues that are not attributed strictly to savings. We need to be sure it's done properly. Selectman Donovan pointed out it also opens up opportunities for local people. We will have a workshop to enable everyone to have a good understanding of the situation. The numbers will be provided everyone ahead of time. There are many issues that have to be taken into consideration. Selectman McCue said he would welcome Mr. Plaistowe's input at the workshop. The workshop was set for Thursday, September 26th at 7:00 p.m.. Selectman MacCaffrie noted he stJ11 believes it could be an article at Town Meeting as a non-binding question to see what the townspeople think on the issue. Staff and the Finance Committee will be invited to the workshop. We're not going to recruit personnel to attend, but it's important to hear the impact of the program from staff perspective. A Group 1 representative will be encouraged to attend, and we'll notify the School Department as well. This initiative was initially passed as a staff reduction bill, designed primarily for large cities. r Selectman MacCaffrie: · Recalled an e-mail in early June about the piece of property from the State that we let go because we weren't interested in it. At the same time it was noted there are a couple of other parcels at School Street and Route 140. He r Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 11, 2002 6 r asked if there's anything else coming up that could be used for the housing projects we're trying to develop either through our Local Housing Partnership or Habitat for Humanity. The parcels he remembers were at School Street and Route 140. Mr. D'Agostino will check with Capital Assets Management. Mr. D'Agostino spoke of the progress made with GIS and noted we w1'll soon be ready to schedule a demonstration for the Board using actual parcels of land in Mansfield. · Asked if Dick Lewis has been out to follow-up on the issues raised in the Corps of Engineers' report on the former Great Waves site. Mr. D'Agostino will check on it. Selectman Donovan questioned why were doing it if the State's responsible for it. Selectman MacCaffrie noted if they're not replicating the wetlands properly, it's a reportable offense and under the terms of the permit we have jurisdiction to make sure they're working in accordance with the plans. If they're putting structures up there, we need to know about it. DEP is not going to report that. . Asked if we've contacted the State about the need for a left-hand turn at the light at Routes 106 and 140. Mr. D'Agostino will check with Lee Azinheira. (' · Asked about the missing speed signs on Essex and M,II Streets. Mr. D'Agostino noted if theyre not there, they will be soon. It takes time to get them made. Selectman Donovan noted the same situation exists on GJ'lbert Street where the signs are inconsistent. . Reviewed the list of DPW overtime projects provided. He asked if the item on fire alarm boxes was taking them down. Mr. D'Agostino noted it's a team effort with the Light Department. Selectman MacCaffrie asked why that would be an overtime item. It's work we cannot complete during the day. It's not a specially appropriated project and is coming out of the DPWovertime account. Selectman McCarter: · Noted the bids came in on the Airport and were not very good. He asked if we should consider running the Airport ourselves. Mr. D'Agostino noted the options are to negotiate a better deal for the Town with the two bidders. Selectman Amoruso questioned how that could be done, noting it could be re-bid, but not negotiated. Mr. D'Agostino acknowledged the requirement for accepting or rejecting the bids. r · Asked if the ZBA has accepted the regulations for Chapter 40B, noting we have an application for one project and the rumor mill has it there's another one on the horizon. Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 11, 2002 7 r Selectman Donovan: · Asked about the status of the Jordan Jackson roof. Mr. D'Agostino reported we've rejected the finish coat they've applied They wanted to screen out the pigments. We said no and we want it redone. We've hired a professional roof person to watch the process and the consultant noticed the variation in the paint. He rejected it and the contractor continued to use it. We filed a letter and stated we would not accept it. He's now waiting for a new batch of paint and the project is ongoing. · Selectman Donovan passed the gavel to Vice Chairman McCue and spoke of the complaints of people dumping things at the former Clemmey Tank property in the middle of the night. Motion: To have the Town clean up that property because it's a hazard and asked that it be put on the warrant (Donovan-McCarter) Selectmen McCarter asked about the process, what the public safety hazards are, how much it will cost, and where the owner stands. Town Manager D'Agostino reported the last time we looked at the site it was determined it would cost approximately $150,000 to clean it up. Selectmen Donovan noted it keeps getting put off and it's not fair to the people who live in that area. Mr. D'Agostino outlined r the process, noting if it's declared a public safety hazard and nothing is done, the Town has the responsibility to clean it up. The status of the Homestead property was discussed, noting we've never collected the money we spent on cleaning up that property. We need to stop the dumping that's taking place at the Ditchman property. Selectman MacCaffrie suggested we send Mr. Ditchman a letter informing him of the complaints without declaring it a public safety hazard and urging him to clean it up. Mr. D'Agostino will send BuJ1ding Inspector Bert Cook up to assess the property and advise the Board what action should be taken. Selectman Donovan said he would withdraw his motion and Mr. McCarter his second if the matter can be handled in another way. Selectman MacCaffrie: · Asked about the COA/Library Memo regarding traffic control and parking. Mr. D'Agostino said it w1'l/ be addressed on the Department Head level It was put in the fHe simply to make the Board aware of the situation. It has been forwarded to the Police Department for action. r Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 11, 2002 8 r · Asked about the status of the letters from Ad Hoc Cable TV. Mr. D'Agostino stated the issues in the letters from Bill Gerber have attempted to be addressed. Some have already been. · Inquired as to the letter from Mr. Clemmey regarding problem with Assessors. Town Manager D'Agostino noted personnel issues are not a Selectmen matter and it is being addressed in an appropriate manner. · Reported Mark Renquist from the Mansfield Condominium Homeowners' Association has provided him with the package he provided the previous board with a year ago. Mr. D'Agostino said it needs to be determined if were going to fund it. Selectman MacCaffrie noted the need to see each of the condo association agreements and if we provide the service, there should be a corresponding reduction in their condo fees. Selectman Amoruso noted the people in the association appoint the members and they make the decisions. Selectman MacCaffrie noted the need to know the terms of the agreement at the time it was turned over to the owners by the developer and subsequently to the association. If the covenants include private trash pickup and the condo association accepted the covenants, they should continue to be responsible. Selectman Amoruso suggested inviting them in to ask them to bring their covenants and agreements and determine the status. They've already received a r strong impression from the Town that we wJ1l provide trash pickup for them. Selectman McCarter noted that back in the days the covenants were written it was inexpensive to get rid of trash and we had a local landfill Times have changed. · Referred to a Memo in reading file from a woman upset about signage at the Library regarding the work done by the DPW. He noted things are priced by contractors because they have a prevailing wage they have to adhere to, which makes some of them appear to be outrageously expensive. He asked that when we address these issues we don't note that the Town can do things better and cheaper than outrageously priced contractors. Mr. D'Agostino noted if there is work that the DPW can do and we can complete it successfully, we will do the work and the townspeople should be aware of it. Selectman MacCaffrie took exception to the use of the term ·outrageously priced contractorsH, noting the Town can only do the work for less because it costs less even at time and a half because there's no need to pay prevailing wages. Selectman McCue: · Reported he has spoken with the Director of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority who has indicated his willingness to come in and talk to the Board. He r would put forth his experience and expertise which we might benefit from. Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 11, 2002 9 r Selectmen acknowledged it would be worthwhile and Selectman McCue will see about the individual's availability. · Asked about the budget and projects being undertaken by the IDC. Mr. D'Agostino reported on the projects they are currently involved with. r Karl Clemmey of 750 South Main Street - noted 25 years ago when they were building Route 140 he put up signs directing people to his business and was made to take them down. He next commented on the 7 acres and 5 acres on either side of Routes 140 and School Street and suggested a letter be written to Capital Asset Management. Reported that yesterday they were supposed to be in Superior Court on the Clemmey Tank process and it was postponed. If someone is seeing people dumping, he wishes they'd get their registration and noted that same individual when he redid his house dumped all their debris there. He also noted the Town of Mansfield has collected $30,000/year for the last five years from that property. He took exception to his properties being singled out and assured the Board they would be cleaning up the Clemmey Tank property. He reported last week he was at the supplemental tax assessments discussion and stated he has the best interests of the Town at heart. He took exception to the figures used in that report and stated his hope there would be lots of discussion on them because he has information that would be helpful. He noted the $45,000 the head of the Assessors came out with should be $145,000 and reviewed numerous home improvements that have been done through the Building Department permitting process that are not being captured for taxes. Mr. Clemmey said he wants to see Chapter 603 implemented and he showed pictures of houses being sold for far more than they were assessed for last year. He noted one was sold yesterday for $700,000 with no steps and lawn and will come in at only 65% of the sales price. He continued to identify houses throughout town that are occupied that are not being fully taxed. He chastised the Board for not taking advantage of the useful information he provides them and asked that they endorse his proposal, which consisted of reading from an article, a copy of which he did not make available to the Board. He took exception to the comparison made between Mansfield and Hopkinton in the Assessors' presentation. r Motion: To adjourn at 10:55 p.m. (Amoruso-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 11, 2002 10 ... r r r í/lf/dZ- Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of September 11, 2002 11