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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 03/27/02 , ·0 Present: .;~\ D t\l\SE11S "A f\ <::o~' \ \ 1'1 I~\~- Chairman Louis P. Amoruso; Vice Chairman Bradford E. Wills; Clerk Michael W. McCue; Selectmen David W. McCarter. Town Manager John O. D'Agostino Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 27. 2002 ",~, f* \ \11" \"'\ hi:.Ct-\ ,c.\J r.: \Ce ,00 \ -' r,o 1 " ~ ~ !"..- , '0 r 02f\?R-t\ M\\\:3S The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag which was led by cub scouts from Webelos Den 3, Pack 7. Scouts in attendance were Zack Persechini, Andrew O'Neil-Smith, Chris Cullaz, Ricky Wilson, and Nick Wilder, along with their den leader, Tamara Cullez. · Minutes of March 20, 2002 Motion : To approve (McCarter-Wills) 4-0 Passes · Warrant No. 40 in the amount of $3,817,507.65 Motion: To approve r (Wills-McCarter) 4-0 with Selectman McCarter abstaining from Municipal Building Committee payroll · Open Air Parking Facility License of Nancy Gray McNeeley at 888 South Main Street for 78 vehicles - the application was reviewed by appropriate department heads and all comments were satisfactorily addressed Motion : To approve (McCue-Wills) 4-0 Passes In discussing open air parking facilities, Chairman Amoruso suggested it would be worthwhile to have two types of licenses, as some of them are seasonal and others are year-round. r · Drainlayer's License of J. H. Lynch & Sons, Inc. of 50 Lynch Place, Cumberland, RI - recommended for approval by Town Engineer John Sullivan Motion: To approve (Wills-McCarter) 4-0 Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 27, 2002 1 r · Letter from Ronald Webster, Sr., Chairman of Mansfield Fair Housing Committee, with recommendation for the establishment of a twelve-member Local Housing Partnership Motion: To establish an Ad Hoc Local Housing Partnership (McCarter-Wills) 4-0 Passes Motion: The Partnership to be comprised of the seven members of the Fair Housing Committee, one representative from the Mansfield Housing Authority, one representative from the Planning Board, a representative from the Zoning Board of Appeals, one citizen-at-Iarge, with staggered terms to be worked out by the Town Manager. Motion tabled with the terms to be worked out by the Town Manager · Letter from Scott A. Frank resigning from the Planning Board because he is moving out of town - (term expires January 1, 2004) Motion: To accept the resignation with regret and send letter of appreciation (McCarter-Wills) 4-0 Passes r · Letter from Edward J. Rosenberg regarding the Mansfield Lodge of Elks twelfth Annual Spring Carnival at Great Woods from May 9-12,2002 Leonard Flynn and Lou Andrews of the Natural Resources Trust and Bob Bean of the Conservation Commission were present to discuss the Community Preservation Act (CPA) on the Town Meeting Warrant. The first article is to accept the Act, and the second is to form the committee. The Act was previously passed at Town Meeting and in the State Legislature, but was vetoed by former GovernorCelluci. They are attempting to put it before the voters, with a 3'}'o levy on real property with matching funds from the State. They believe if it passes, they will be able to leverage the money obtained from the CPA and matching grants to 70'}'o. The Act has a sunset provision and provisions for renewal. The articles will be sponsored by the Conservation Commission and the Natural Resources Trust. They also requested the Selectmen's support of the article. The revised articles were presented on disk for inclusion in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Motion: To have the Conservation Commission and Natural Resources Trust sponsor the article (Wills-McCue) 4-0 Passes r George Dentino of Gladiola Terrace - took exception to a statement made at a previous meeting that it would be ill-advised to lay an employee off because we are Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 27, 2002 2 r self-insured and it would require that two employees be laid off instead of one to realize a savings. He asked how much it would cost, suggesting it would be $15,000 at a maximum for an individual making $30,000 per year. The Town Manager noted a reduction in hours would not result in unemployment costs. He also stated positions and contracts are contingent upon the Towns funding them at Town Meeting. Steve MacCaffrie of 236 Mill Street - spoke of the statement about swapping a person in-house over to the Water Department, which would be covered by the service charge. He was advised that is incorrect. He also noted the amount the Water Dept. allots to the Treasurer's Office for internal collections is $37,085 . Motion: To open the Public Hearing at 8:00p.m. (McCue-Wills) 4-0 Passes The notice of public hearing as it appeared in the Sun Chronicle on March 6th and 13th was read into the record. A recommendation from Shaun P. Burke, Director of r Planning and Development, was also read. An approximate 10 percent increase was proposed for Zoning By-law Special Permit filing fees. Fees for Special Permit Uses currently at $350/1.5 cents per square foot of lot area would increase to $385 plus 1.7 cents per square foot of lot area. Fees for Special Permit Uses currently at $350 would increase to $385. and fees for the submission of plans currently at $475 plus $350 plus $6.75/foot of lineal foot of roadway would increase to $525 for submission of plan, plus $385 per lot shown on plan, plus $7.50 per lineal foot of roadway. Selectman Wills asked about the possibility of imposing impact fees as some towns have. Impact fees have been ruled to be illegal. r Steve MacCaffrie of 236 Mill Street asked if anyone knows how much was taken in the last time the fees were raised. He noted the fees on developers are compounded and asked the relationship between the requested increase and the time spent by the Town in reviewing the plans. Chairman Amoruso noted the department heads were requested to review their fees to determine if the fees charged are meeting the expenses involved. This has not been done since 1998. He spoke of the significant service charge for water hook-ups, noting that in the last ten years that we've had these fees they have not deterred development. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 27, 2002 3 · . r Peter De Tro/io of Elm Street asked if fees are being raised for businesses. He was advised the fees discussed were for plan submissions required by the Zoning By-law Special Permits. Motion: To close hearing at 8:23 p.m. (Wills-McCarter) 4-0 Passes Motion: To approve the increase as presented (Wills-McCarter) 4-0 Passes Present from the Airport Commission were: Jeffery Siena, Louis Andrews, Robert Andrews, and Howard Fiske. The Commissioners were provided with an opinion from Town Counsel Mangiaratti regarding the authority to make contracts for the Mansfield Municipal Airport. r Chairman Siena spoke of their recent 10-year Master Plan that included the recommendation of the former consultant for changes in the operation. They have met several times to review the Request for Proposals (RFP) and found the data in the report of the former consultant was erroneous. The Commissioners concluded it was best for the Town for the Airport to be run by a manager appointed by the Town, with the other operations leased out. As a courtesy they advised the current operator and requested a proposal for their vision for the Airport. That was not forthcoming and the word has since spread, with the end result being that now everyone is upset with the Airport Commission. He stated they have one of the best facilities in Massachusetts for an airport of this size and he noted the Selectmen's confidence in them in the past in appointing and reappointing them to the Airport Commission. They have begun to form the committee to work on a draft RFP, but have been unable so far to find a representative from the pilot community. Mike Ahern is working on the draft RFP and believes he will have it ready in the next couple of weeks. Their working date is now May 15th. Once the proposals are received, the Commission will review them and make a selection, hopefully sometime in August, which will give them some time before the end of the contract. There will be three parts to the contract. They have identified three options. The hiring by the Town of an Airport Manager is now off the table. They are also looking at a five year contract, with an option to renew for an additional five years. The hangars are currently a separate issue. The project funding would cover the taxiway and tie-downs. Hangars are being considered as a land-use, and they could do a separate RFP for that. r Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 27, 2002 4 r Selectman McCue asked if they still are considering an enterprise account operation. They were doing that only because they had been told it would be the best way to go. Chairman Siena spoke of some of the conditions mandated by a grant. Chairman Amoruso noted his confidence in the Commission and asked them to meet with the Selectmen again because there had not been agreement as to how this committee was going to be made up and advice was needed from Town Counsel on the administration of the proposals being made. Mike Ahern is generating the RFP and the committee will review the draft before putting out a final RFP. The committee will make a recommendation to the Airport Commission, but the final decision will rest with the Airport Commission with the consent and advice of the Town Manager, according to the opinion of Town Counsel. Town Manager D'Agostino noted Town Counsel is pointing out there has to be a system of checks and balances and the need exists to work cooperatively to serve the best interests of the Town. The conclusion drawn from Town Counsel's opinion was read by the Town Manager. Commission Chairman Siena noted this is a shift from what has been done in the past, as they have always signed contracts as an agent of the Town. Chairman Amoruso stressed that this exercise is in no way indicative of a lack of /,,0 confidence in the Airport Commission's ability to perform their functions. The Town Manager reiterated that the process is simply a means to work in a cooperative manner and establish checks and balances for the ultimate benefit of the Town in maintaining an already good airport facility. It was noted they are still looking for a pilot and a neighboring resident to serve on the committee. It is their intention to withdraw their Town Meeting Warrant article. Article 32 - The Town Manager asked that the article be removed because we don't have sufficient time to meet the requirements Motion: To withdraw (McCue-Wills) 3-0 with McCarter not present at the time of the vote. Passes r Article 29 - Sidewalk easement: Tyco is paying for the cost of the sidewalks. There is no cost to the Town. Motion : To support (McCue- Wills) 4-0 Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 27, 2002 5 r Article 8 - Chairman Amoruso noted that once the Warrant is signed tonight, the money requests in articles cannot be increased, but they may be amended downward. The motion at Town Meeting will have the exact amount. Motion: To support Article 8 with the amended number, not to exceed $274,464 (Wills-McCarter) 4-0 Passes Article 3 - The figures are accurate Motion : To support (Wills-McCarter) 4-0 Passes Motion: To reconsider last week's vote on using Stabilization Funds to keep the "status quo" (McCue-McCarter) 3-1 (Amoruso opposed) Passes Motion: Should we use any Stabilization Funds, the funds shall not be used for an increase in personnel (Wills-McCarter) 4-0 Passes Article 6 - Stabilization - no vote r Motion: To sign the Warrant (McCue- Wills) 4-0 Passes The Town Manager: · Reminded the Board they are invited to attend a breakfast at Highland Country Club tomorrow at which House Speaker Finneran will discuss the State budget and other issues. The breakfast meeting is being sponsored by our local State legislators. The Governor is expected to present budget numbers by the middle of April. Selectman McCarter suggested sending a letter to our legislators requesting no cuts be made in local aid. He noted we're limited as to what we can raise by taxation, but are not limited in the demand we get for services. Motion: To send a letter to our state representatives and senator opposing any reductions in local aid. (McCarter) Amendment: Selectman McCue suggested that in addition to opposing cuts in local aid, if the State cuts commitments in local aid for which matching funds r are mandated, we not have to provide matching funds Amendment accepted by Selectman McCarter, motion seconded by McCue Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 27, 2002 6 r 4-0 Passes · Scheduled to meet with the Finance Team on April 1st to discuss how best to manage the reductions in the budget. · April 30th - Rotary Club Appreciation Luncheon for Seniors. He will be baking four carrot cakes for dessert. · In the process of setting up a joint sewer commission meeting sometime in May. Selectman Wills asked if the Tremont Street issue will be discussed. The Town Manager presented a chronology of events pertaining to the issue, noting it appears to be a problem with Foxborough's pump station. He has asked Lee Azinheira and John Sullivan to consider instituting legal action on behalf of the res/äents of Tremont Street. Chairman Amoruso noted he expects Foxborough is going to blame Mansfield for allowing the hook-up of additional houses. Lee Azinheira is scheduled next week to discuss this issue, along with two other topics. The sewer line has been camera'd and appears to be in good condition. · Has requested a legal opinion from Counsel on Article 30 dealing with the light show requested by Mansfield Music and Arts Society. r · Has presented a memo with the first scenario being a level-funded budget with increases in salary. Based on pending financial condition and the economic forecast he went back to department heads and asked for two scenarios-the first being the absorption of increases in salaries into the expense budget and second, a 10'}'o reduction with the request for an explanation of how it would impact services. The budget we will finally present to Town Meeting will be less than the FY'02 budget. The reductions deal with a couple areas the Board should be aware of. We are seeking reductions that will impact trash collection at condominiums, which would have an impact on the DPW budget of $62,000. We cannot afford to absorb that cost. There are other line items that will be affected dealing with the Airport Commission, WWII Scholarship, Arts Lottery funding, and others. He provided the Board with a narrative breakdown for each department so the Selectmen would be fully aware of the consequences should we decide to move with a budget at a 10'}'o reduction. .r-- · Instituted the Insurance Advisory Committee and has provided a packet of information detailing Chapter 32B requirements with respect to collective bargaining. Any changes in medical coverage are subject to impact bargaining. Selectman McCarter noted this is the seventh year he's been involved with the budget process, either as a member of the Finance Committee or a Selectman. He stated he believes the threat, although made every year, is very real this Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 27, 2002 7 ~ year. The decision to go to a three-tier prescription drug program saved us 4.710 on our premiums. The Chairman called for Selectmen's old business; there was none. Selectman McCarter: · Asked if we're looking for parking spots on Old Colony Way to replace lost spaces at the Train Station during construction. · Asked about having the Ethics Commission in for a seminar. Selectman Wills: · Receive a call from a resident of Francis Avenue about tires and trash being dumped. The Town Manager noted we also were notified of a trash problem in the Stearns HJ1I area. We attempt to find out who is dumping. We often r find it's coming from surrounding communities where trash collection is on a fee basis. Selectman McCue: · Has there been any further investigation on the availability of the land next to the Fire Station. The Town Manager said he has not been able to contact the indiv/äuallately, but the land is conducive only to a park or parking. The last conversation with the owner concluded with his not being interested in selling it to us, but he would like to lease it. We do not want to dig any holes and discover contamination has migrated to the Fire Station. · Suggested diagonal parking on Old Colony Way would reduce speeding along that public way. r Selectman McCarter: · Asked if we have a hiring freeze on at this time. We have a spending freeze. He suggested that if and when someone leaves for any reason, that before they are replaced it be brought before the Board. The Town Manager noted he has no direct comment on that, but doesn't want the Board to have any false perceptions regarding administrative appointments. He noted there may be a couple department heads retiring and they wJ1l Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 27, 2002 8 r r - need to be replaced Some savings may be realized in hiring a replacement at a lower salary. Motion: To adjourn at 10:00 p.m. (McCue-Wills) 4-0 Passes /ti~fd 17'3 4f¡¿ ð?- Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 27, 2002 9