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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 04/24/02 r Board of Selectmen r"~"EIV - '".0" . . E· 0 'H 'u ." '¡ ('r" C'r" "C:-, OFF IrE ,'¡ v. 02 ['MY -9 AM 9: It. Minutes April 24, 2002 ¡ .'. i r: I [' M^S" 1,-__1 l'it',\S/'.C¡WSETTS Present: Chairman Louis P. Amoruso; Clerk Michael W. McCue; and Selectman David W. McCarter and Daniel Donovan. John O. D' Agostino, Town Manager The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. r Weekly Business: Minutes of the April 17, 2002 Board of Selectmen Meeting Motion: To approve as amended. (McCue-Donovan) Motion passes, 4-0. Warrant No. 2044 in the amount of $2,924,307.59 dated April 23, 2002. Motion: To sign and approve the warrant. (Donovan-McCarter) Motion passes 4-0, with Selectman McCarter abstaining from Municipal Building Committee payroll. Licenses and Permits: r Based on the caRl and RMV records obtained, Town Manager D' Agostino does not recommend approval of a hackney driver license for William 1. Cheney. Motion: To reject William J. Cheney's application for a hackney driver license. (Donovan-McCarter) Motion passes, 4-0. r Motion: To approve the VFW Color Guard Memorial Day Parade Permit. (Donovan-McCarter) Motion passes, 4-0. Motion: To sign the warrant for the upcoming election. (McCue-McCarter) Motion passes, 4-0. Correspondence: Residents An anonymous letter from a Mansfield taxpayer citing hislher discontent with the Water Department's scheduling of an overtime crew on Saturday April 13, 2002 during a time when the Town has budgetary concerns. Town Manager D' Agostino reports the re-deve1opment of the Morrison Well has previously been budgeted for in a separate construction account allowing for interval periods of work. Selectman Donovan states the previous agreement by the Board to only discuss signed correspondence. r A letter from Douglas P. Thatcher in regard to placing a stop sign where Pineneedle Lane meets Franklin Street. Mr. Thatcher's request has been tabled until further information can be obtained. Building Department, Bert Cook and Nick Riccio r Bert Cook recommends increasing the Building Departments related fees to help balance the department's operating budget. Mr. Cook states the last fee schedule increase occurred in 1994. Selectman McCue questions as to whether it is the Building Department's sole intent to cover the department's own costs through the increase. Nick Riccio states the permits will be increased from $.35 per square foot to $.45 per square foot, plumbing, gas, and mechanical reflecting a 45% increase, and only a slight increase in electrical, with the current proposed charge falling within the average fees charged by Mansfield's neighboring communities. Selectman Donovan suggests reviewing the fee schedule every three years. Selectman McCue states it is his concern the revenue stream associated with the proposed fees could be used to offset the cost of the new police cruiser, Town Manager D' Agostino reports any revenue the Town receives can go to a General Fund that could be used for the new police cruiser, Medicaid Taxes, etc. Selectman McCue states he would like the revenue from the building fees to cover the costs of running the department, without setting fees in the interest of gaining revenue for the General Fund. Town Manager D' Agostino reports the Building Department has been running at a deficit for the last couple of years and the fee increase will cover the cost of the Building Department. Selectman McCue states with the given information, he is comfortable with the Building Department's attempt to increase their revenue. Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 24, 2002 2 r Motion: To approve the Building Department's Fee Schedule, with the approved fee schedule to be revisited in April 2005. (Donovan-McCarter) Motion passes, 4-0. Water and Sewer Rates, Lee Azinheira, Kurt Gaffney, and Christopher Woodcock Lee Azinheira reports a water rate increase is not necessary to meet the proposed FY 2003 budget. However, a rate increase is recommended to phase in the financial impact of the proposed Water Treatment Plant and Operations Center. A current water rate increases builds up the cash reserve that can help provide rate stabilization in the long run. The proposed water rates are comparative to Mansfield's neighboring communities. Selectman McCue states his concern regarding the increased expenses passed on to the residents. Christopher Woodcock states the water and sewer rates are increasing all over the state, Chairman Amoruso would like to see the water rates increase at a reasonable level and further discussion can continue after the vote at Town Meeting. r Lee Azinheira recommends a 4.3% rate increase on all current sewer charges in order to generate the revenue needed to meet the budget requirements. Mansfield realizes a lower sewer rate than its neighboring communities. Motion: To approve the 4.3% sewer rate increase. (Donovan-McCarter) Motion passes, 4-0. Boards and Committees The Board interviews the Planning Board candidates, Walter Jenkins and Steven Olsen. Chairman Amoruso thanks both candidates for their knowledge and interest. Wendy Pruell comes before the Board as an alternate on the Animal Welfare Committee, seeking permanent membership. Motion: To appoint Wendy Pruell to the Animal Welfare Committee. (Donovan-McCarter) Motion passes, 4-0. r Town Manager D' Agostino states the Planning Board appointee should be appointed to a full term, rather than filling an unexpired term, However, it is under research what term has actually become available. Chairman Amoruso states the appointee will fulfill the term available, whichever the case may be. Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 24, 2002 3 r Nominations: Selectman McCarter nominates Mr. Jenkins for appointment on the Planning Board. Selectman Donovan nominates Mr. Olsen for appointment on the Planning Board. Motion: To appoint Mr. Jenkins to the Planning Board. (McCarter-Donovan) Motion passes, 4-0. Questions and Comments: Karl Clemmey- South Main Street 1. Requests from the Board, in writing, when the Town Charter language was changed from Conservation Agent to Environmental Planner. 2. Requests an open discussion, aired on cable access, regarding questions relating to the building fees and the water treatment plant. 3. Mr. Clemmey states the Mansfield Electric Light Company could potentially waste thousands of dollars and recommends the Board evaluate the current expansion plans. Chairman Amoruso states he will schedule a workshop with the Board of Assessors. r Town Manager's Report Mr. D' Agostino reports on the following items: - Representative Poirier and Coppola are scheduled to meet with the Selectmen on May 22,2002 at 7:30 PM to discuss the state budget. - Mr. D' Agostino is scheduled to meet with Superintendent Morretti in preparation of a Pre- Town Meeting Meeting to discuss additions to revenue in the '03 budget and a decrease in operating costs. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday April 30, 2002 at 7:00 PM and will be held in the high school auditorium. The intent of the meeting is to field questions in regard to the budget, the use of stabilization funds, and discuss any impact on services in regard to the '03 budget. - Eagle Scout Projects to come before the Selectmen for approval: 1. The construction of two bocce courts 2. A community sign located on Route 106 near the Highway Department garage r Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 24, 2002 4 r-- I Old and New Business- Selectmen Selectman McCue reports two SRPEDD sponsored meetings are to be held at LaDonna's Restaurant with a request for one member of the Board to give the welcome. Selectman McCarter requests the DPW list discussed at last weeks Selectmen's Meeting. Town Manager D' Agostino replies the list will be distributed to the Selectmen in written form next week. Chairman Amoruso reports he has spoken with Mr. Bombas in regard to the inaccurate listing of Constable in the Town Report. Selectmen McCarter reports he feels the Sun Chronicle characterized the Board unfairly and misconstrued the Chairman's endorsed intent relative to the Question and Comment period. r- Chairman Amoruso reports he was upset by the attack on Selectmen Donovan and feels the policy has been misunderstood without possibility for clarification. Selectman McCue reports he has received a notice form the MPO in reference to the Willow Street Bridge. Secondly, Mansfield Youth Soccer has withdrawn the two articles proposed for the Fall Town Meeting. Selectman McCue extends the Board's thanks for the decision to withdraw the articles. Adjournment Motion: To adjourn at 10:15 PM. (McCarter-Donovan) Motion Passes, 4-0. - ! ~t/lg¡ ~ ~ Clerk's Approval (16 ))Ai ~ Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 24, 2002 5