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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 03/06/02 '. r ,-- Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 6, 2002 fì~:"I?\r.P/ED t \ l._ I.."¡'~~",, d '\ .. . f , -- , "",' (ì ,'r r C E ... r ¡ "" . 02 ¡"'!fIR I 4 PH I: 5 9 ¡ .'':::. IJ . ., " ". I : '.l_ M(,(,~,[r, ¡!C'ET L I. ,) ,.:' j.,., '.; ,)' T 5 Present: Chairman Louis P. Amoruso; Clerk Michael W. McCue; Selectmen David W. McCarter and Daniel Donovan. Vice Chairman Wills was absent from the meeting. Town Manager John O. D'Agostino The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Fair Housing Committee was present to meet with the Selectmen. Those in attendance were Members Louise Motyka; Judith Martone; Shelley Roberts; and Cheryl Buck. Also present was Director of Planning and Development Shaun P. Burke, who also serves as Fair Housing Director. Vice Chairman Martone noted the rapid increase in home prices and the annual salary of $87,867 needed to live in the average single-family house costing r $309,109in Mansfield. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has established that r 8010 of the median income is $52,500. That amount would only support a home sale price of $184,700. There is very little housing stock in Mansfield within that price range. Mr. Burke spoke of the 418 Certification of Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that allowed Mansfield to get the grant of $545,000. We need to be re-certified on an annual basis and must show effort to increase affordable housing in order to do so. For a significant number of years we did not see much construction of affordable housing. Our Zoning By-Law has incentives built in for the construction of affordable housing and is progressive in nature. A local housing partnership can assist the Town in creating affordable housing through the Chapter 40B process by working with the developer, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Selectmen. If there is a local housing partnership in place, a 40B applicant must work with them. Mrs. Martone noted that with total year-round housing units of 8,083 and an additional 577 40B units, we fall short by 231 units of meeting the 10 percent required. She presented the objectives, goals, and criteria used for developing a housing strategy. She noted there are many young people who have grown up in r Mansfield, and yet can no longer afford to live here. Mrs. Martone requested I approval to establish a Local Housing Partnership comprised of members of boards, Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 6. 2002 1 r committees, and commission, the public at large, and building professionals. Some communities provide step-down incentives to make living in a community more affordable for the elderly or those who do not have children in the school system. ,-- Mr. Burke stated one of the things that happens in a community that has grown the way Mansfield has is there are many demands on the school system and other services that drive up the tax rate and force out the elderly. They elderly have contributed to the town for many years and have developed a legacy that the younger population now enjoys. r Mrs. Martone presented the Mission Statement developed by the Fair Housing Committee for a Local Housing Partnership and noted it will ultimately be the decision of the Board of Selectmen to allow the establishment of a Local Housing Partnership. Chairman Amoruso asked if this is something typically done by the Selectmen or whether it should go to Town Meeting. Mr. Burke presented information on the subject, noting it must be initiated by the Selectmen. He further pointed out that if developers are coming into town to build additional affordable housing, it would serve the Town well to establish another layer that developers would have to go through in order to control the type of affordable housing that is created. It was suggested that the committee be comprised of seven to eleven members and the information presented was further defined and discussed. (. Chairman Amoruso noted it would be advisable for each Selectmen to read and digest the information presented and make it an agenda item in a couple of weeks. He also asked that Mr. Burke prepare a recommendation during that time as to the number of people and composition of the proposed Local Housing Partnership. Town Manager D'Agostino noted his support for affordable housing. He pointed out that twenty years ago Mansfield was an "import" community. Those children have now grown up and cannot afford to live in Mansfield and we're moving to an "export" community. That scenario does not produce the diversity needed to make a viable community. The Selectmen generally agreed with the goals of the Fair Housing Committee. /' - · Warrant No. 37 in the amount of $843,567.81 Motion: To approve and sign (McCarter-Donovan) 4-0 with Selectman McCarter abstaining from Municipal Building Committee payroll Passes r Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 6, 2002 2 r ,-- · Minutes of February 20, 2002 Selectmen's Meeting Motion : To approve (McCue-Donovan) 4-0 Passes · Hackney Carriage Licenses (2) for Mansfield Town Taxi (Have been inspected and approved by the Police Department) Motion: To approve and sign (McCue-Donovan) 4-0 Town Manager and Staff · Reminder of Regional Cable Meeting in Taunton on Monday, March 11th at 7:00 p.m. in the Chester R. Martin Council Chambers at Taunton City Hall (directions r included) Town Manager D'Agostino noted he will be attending. r r ,- · Memo from Helen Christian, Town Clerk, with suggested dates for a Special Town Meeting within the Annual Mr. D'Agostino noted it may be necessary to open the Annual Town Meeting as planned in accordance with the Town Charter, then postponing it untl'l May 7". At this point we don't have adequate information regarding what our State revenue wi'll be. The meeting must stl'll be concluded by June Jlf and it is hoped we will have better numbers at that time. The Special should be within the Annual, if the Selectmen decide to hold one, and should be set to fall within that time. We have the Governor's numbers, but if you talk to the House and Senate leadership, they indicate those numbers are liberal and not realistic. Selectman McCarter asked if there is anything we can do now to slow spending in the final four months of this fiscal year. The Town Manager noted that all department heads have been requested to keep spending to a minimum. It is not only going to be necessary to cut expenditures, but also to find new revenue sources to make up the shortfall. Selectmen McCarter noted seeing expenses for out-of-state travel last week and suggested this is an item that could be cut. The Town Manager pointed out there are some instances when it is necessary for certification, but such expenses are on the table for evaluation and discussion. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 6, 2002 3 r Boards and Committees · Letter of resignation from Richard J. Myers, Chairman of the Animal Welfare Committee, who is moving to Ohio. We have two applicants for the vacancy and they will be asked to come in next week to meet with the Selectmen Motion: To send Richard Myers a letter of thanks and to accept his resignation with regret (McCue-Donovan) 4-0 Passes State and Local Officials · Letter from Representative Elizabeth A. Poirier regarding a workshop on "Gravel Road Repair and Maintenance" · Letter from Norton Selectmen Chairman James V. Brown regarding cancellation of March 6th workshop on Chapter 40B Comprehensive Permits due to scheduling conflicts. Also requests additional information prior to the Spring Bristol County Selectmen's Association Dinner. r Residents · E-mail from John Murphy with attached article from the Boston Globe promoting age-restricted housing as a means to help check overcrowding in schools · Copy of a letter from the Rudokas family to the Fire Chief commending the fire-rescue staff on their handling of their recent medical emergency Others · Letter from Tweeter Center with the master list of all individuals and/or groups being considered or otherwise contemplated as actual or potential entertainment for the upcoming 2002 season · Letter from Tweeter Center enclosing all materials related to Section 7F of the 2002 Entertainment license. Forward to the Fire and Police Chiefs r Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 6, 2002 4 r Bill Gerber of Central Street - spoke on behalf of the Town Clerk's office, noting for those who have returned their census forms and checked off the box "voter", it does not mean you are registering to vote and need to come in and do so. He also spoke of the Cancer Society Daffodil Days held at the Village at Willow Crossings. People are able to purchase a "Gift of Hope" (daffodils in a vase) for $15. to be delivered anonymously to a cancer patient. Jayme Glick, of the Animal Welfare Committee, and her husband Robert are also looking for sponsorship for the 60 mile Avon Breast Cancer Walk to take place over three days in May. On a humorous note, he also advised the public that he recently had a problem with his car and found out that even though the Registry of Motor Vehicles licenses and registers it, it must be taken to an auto dealer for service. Steve MacCaffrie of 236 MI'lI Street - thanked the Water and Light Departments for providing him information requested and noted the original explanation of the service charge was that it was for reading the meters and sending out the bills. He has since learned that it is not reasonable to expect the service charge to go away when they finish replacing water meters. He noted we have one of the highest water rates in the area. He reviewed various positions within the department and r questioned changes that are contemplated. At the current time we are expending more than the service charges are capturing. Attorney Armstrong read the Zoning By-Law proposed by the Mansfield Music & Arts Society (MMAS) that has been substantially revised from the one presented at last year's Town Meeting. He reviewed the differences from last time, noting their attempt to tailor it more narrowly by allowing temporary uses in the I-I Zone and limiting the issuance of such a Special Permit to a Mansfield Non-Profit Organization and pointing out it is now proposed to be issued to the organization and not the land owner. The proposed by-law amendment has been reviewed by Town Counsel and the Planning Board. The Selectmen asked that we get advice from Town Counsel as to the article's legality. Selectman McCue questioned if there is a problem in limiting it only to Mansfield organizations. Chairman Amoruso asked if we're certain this should be within the context of a Zoning By-Law or if it should be issued under a temporary use or entertainment license. Attorney Armstrong noted "temporary use" is only allowed under the Zoning By-Law. r Anything else would be a Special Permit. Chairman Amoruso agreed that the revised by-law proposal essentially covers the issues raised at Town Meeting. The Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 6,2002 5 '. r Town Manager asked if two separate entertainment licenses can be issued on the same property. Selectmen noted their general support of the concept, but the need to be certain everything is done legally and properly. Chairman Amoruso disclosed that he is a member of the MMAS. Steve MacCaffrie of 236 Mill Street noted all the conversation has centered around Tweeter Center and asked what happens when something wants to be done on other I-I properties. The Town Manager pointed out that a minimum land area is needed for such an event. Chairman Amoruso stated the Board of Selectmen would have some control in issuing the required licenses. Ken Butler of MMAS noted Town Meeting would most likely ask if the Board of Selectmen has a standard and suggested that one be developed prior to Town Meeting to properly address the issue. The Board discussed identifying parcels within I-Ion which such a Special Permit could be issued. Article 1 - Sale of electricity r Motion : To support (McCarter-McCue) 4-0 Passes Articles 2 through 7 - hold until amounts requested are determined Article 8 - to reallocate the sum of the required contribution to the Southeastern Regional Vocation-Technical School Motion : To support (McCarter-McCue) 4-0 Passes Article 9 - allocation of building inspector fees Motion : To support (Donovan-McCarter) 4-0 Passes Article 10 - revolving firearms license and permit fees account Motion : To support (Donovan-McCue) 4-0 Passes Article 11 - DPW compost bins Motion : To support r (Donovan-McCarter) 4-0 Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 6, 2002 6 r Article 12 - Airport operations Hold off for further study Article 13 - Town funding under Clause 17D for Senior Citizen exemptions Motion : To support (McCarter-McCue) 4-0 Passes Articles 14 through 24 - Capital Improvements Program (CIP) articles for which there no committee recommendations yet - hold Article 25 - Sidewalk easements - wait for recommendation Article 26 - Stabilization - hold for number Article 27 - Cable TV feasibility study (need to add a sum of money from the Light Dept. - Hold Articles 28 &29 - Community Preservation Act - Hold Article 30 - Closing of warrant; time needs to be adjusted r Motion: To support (Donovan-McCue) 4-0 Passes Article 31 - Mansfield Music and Arts Society Hold for Planning Board hearing and recommendation Articles 32-44 By-Law Amendments - Hold Article 45 - $80,000 for repair of Kingman Pond Dam - There is a CIP article on this project. It was placed on the warrant as a resident petition. If CIP supports, the other will be withdrawn. Needs to be put with the money articles earlier in the warrant. Article 46 - 12 acres of land off Essex Street - put with money articles prior to reserve fund - There is no access and at this point Staff believes it can wait. Selectman McCarter said he cannot support without knowing if it's even a fair price given issues that seem significant. Selectman McCue suggested spending $390,000 on land would not be appropriate this year given the fiscal environment. Motion: Not to support at this time (McCue-McCarter) ,r- Selectman Donovan suggested a vote should wait until there is a full Board. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 6, 2002 7 r Vote: 2-2 with McCarter and McCue in favor; Donovan and Amoruso opposed fails Discussion ensued regarding support of the article the way it is currently written. The Town Manager: · Reported Town Engineer John Sullivan and the steering committee will be meeting with the Board to provide an update on the GIS project. Slightly more than $1 million in funding will be dedicated to stormwater management and he'd like a demonstration presented to the Board to provide a better understanding of the GIS system. r · Reminded everyone that we're scheduled to meet with Congressman Barney Frank, Senator Sprague, and Representatives Piorier and Coppola Friday morning at 9 o'clock. Representatives of Amtrak, GA TRA and MBT A will also be in attendance. The goal is to get a pledge of $1 million in Federal funds so we can move forward with the Train Station project. We will be going out to bid in the spring for the Train Station itself. Selectmen McCue, McCarter, Amoruso and Donovan plan to be in attendance. · The Town needs to sign two consultant contracts-one an extension of services with Woodard and Curran in the amount of $98,900 for the completion of SCADA services. This amount was anticipated and has been budgeted. $160,000 is the total cost and included the design and preparation. The second consultant contract is $74,900 for CDM for various mandated reports under the National Pollution Control Act. The money will come from the expense line item within the operating budget and will be sufficient for this purpose. Discussion ensued as to whether this is an expense that can be delayed. It was determined that it would not be advisable to do so as it's treated as an enterprise account. Questions were raised as to why Wastewater has not become an enterprise account. Presently 63 percent of the revenue is earmarked for bond indebtedness and it is not currently possible. When we go to GASB34, it will have to be treated as an enterprise account from an accounting perspective. r · Stressed that the Community Development Block Grant program is not yet running. If anyone is interested in participating, they should contact Debbie Suprenaut at the Council on Aging to put their name on a list. We will be going through a lengthy bid process to set up and administer the program Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 6, 2002 8 r and still have not signed a grant agreement with the State. These programs are very popular in assisting the needy and elderly in maintaining home ownership. Selectman McCarter: · Asked where we stand with establishing a committee to develop a Request For Proposals (RFP) for the Airport Commission. The Town Manager noted his intent to appoint Mike Ahern as he is a pilot and also a certified purchasing agent for the Town. Selectman McCarter said he would prefer that it continue to be operated as it currently is. The Town Manager suggested that until we get the bids in, any decision is premature. When Mr. Ahern returns from vacation, he wl1l get him and the Chairman of the Airport Commission together to begin the process. There is a budget for the Airport Commission, but it does not include any personnel. r Selectman McCue: · Attended the first meeting of the SRPEDD Vision 20/20 Project and it was very interesting, with people from across the region. The Region has been expanded to include many more towns than it previously did. More land has been developed since 1960 than in the preceding 300 years, leading to the need for a controlled approach to development across the entire region. Selectman McCarter: · Asked about our system of being self-insured for Workmen's Comp claims. The program is administered by Cook & Company and they oversee all the charges. When necessary, we hire private investigators on questionable claims and also hold monthly Loss Control meetings. The information is generally first reported by the department heads. Those claims that are doubtful we pursue further with the checks and balances that are in place. In some instances labor counsel has been hired to review specific cases. We have been able to respond better since we've taken over the responsibility than when we had a premium-based system. Chairman Amoruso: r . Said he was not happy with the way the meeting went last week and is trying to take a new approach with Questions and Comments. When an issue is Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 6, 2002 9 · . . r r ,-. something that can be worked out easily with the Town Manager, that is the route that should be taken. He also plans to ask how many people want to speak each week and then divide up the time evenly among the speakers. Selectman McCarter noted we are not required to have a question and comment period and if continues to be a problem, it can be eliminated. Selectman Donovan said the questions and comments should be limited to what's happening now and not several months ago. Chairman Amoruso stated he does not want to cut off public comment, but people need to be reasonable and if it is an administrative problem, people need to go to the Town Manager to seek a remedy. Clerk McCue suggested that all proposed agenda topics be vented through the Town Manager. Chairman Amoruso noted it is his responsibility to set the agenda and assured the Board that nothing appears on the agenda if the Town Manager recommends that it not be placed on the agenda. Motion: To adjourn at 9:59 p.m. (Donovan-McCue) 4-0 Passes ß/ß,/Jd L/ Signature of Clerk y1,{4f /'S O~ Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 6,2002 10