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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 11/17/04 Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes L·~' I"'¡f.-r - q PI; 2: 25 )~+ U~_,"'.J ..J November 17, 2004 ¡",,¡t~LO Meeting called to order in open session at 7:00 p.m. by Ch_ Mà\jjftÍrIe1 5 "'I r~ . 'I. ,; .i'·',' ¡ :'1 t, t.1 'eii t u " ':' n\:"¡,:11Cr. " _,j; ¡.' 1_, Motion made by Selectman Amoruso and seconded by Selectman Dolan to go into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation. The Board adjourned to Executive Session at 7:00 p.m. The Board reconvened in open session at 7:40 p.m. Present: Chairman Steven W. MacCaffrie; Vice Chairman Roger S. Achille; Clerk Bernard J. Dolan; Selectman Louis P. Amoruso; Selectman Michael McCue and Town Manager John O. D' Agostino Weekly Business · Warrant No. 21 in the amount of $4,974,358.54 Motion: To approve and sign (Achille/Dolan ) 5-0 Passes · Minutes of Executive Session on October 26, 2004. Motion: To approve and not release (McCue/Achille) 5-0 Passes · Minutes of Executive Session November 4,2004. Motion: To approve with corrections and not release. (McCue/Amoruso) 5-0 Passes · Minutes of November 10,2004 Motion: To approve with amendments. (Achille/McCue) 5-0 Passes Licenses and Permits None Correspondence · Letter dated November 10th from Town Counsel Robert Mangiaratti noting the Board of Selectmen's vote to rescind its previous motion to file an appeal of the Zoning Board of Appeals decision on the Fairfield Green project. · Notice ofMBTA Public Hearing (Capital Investment Program) at the Mansfield Public Library on December 8th from 6 -7:30 p.m. Chairman asks that we attend and open our meeting at 7:45 PM on Dec. 8th Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 17, 2004 1 . Letter dated November 10, 2004 from SRPEDD regarding the Transportation Enhancement Activities (TEA) Program requesting letters of intent or pre- applications for projects that have completed designs. . Letter from Bruce Montgomery with payment of $1 ,963.60 for the two concerts in August that resulted in overtime charges. Emily Leman attended with some of her students and informed that they had studied the fundamentals of living things in their community and how some people are less fortunate. The children collected money and decided to give $71.14 for Habitat for Humanity and $93.88 for Animal Shelter Building Fund. Since part of their lesson regarded food and how some people do not have enough to eat, they brought in Food Pantry donations as well as a basket for the animals at the shelter. Clothes for the Mansfield West Side Benevolent Society were also donated as part of their effort. The children counted the money as well as collecting it. Emily gave a short speech and was thanked and applauded by all present. Chairman MacCaffrie then donated $20 towards their next project and he noted the lessons learned are important and appreciated by all. Chairman explained that the Boston Post Cane tradition began in 1909 and Mr. Deubler, President and CEO of North Easton Savings Bank relayed that in the beginning 431 canes were to be given to the Towns of New England oldest male registered voter; some were lost but recently the Town of Easton was awarded their cane back. John D'Agostino had asked for Mansfield to celebrate the Boston Post cane tradition. So Mr. Dubler suggested working with the Historical Commission on this project; the tradition is that the eldest resident passes it onto the next, but the Historical Commission can set their own rules. There are also commemorative pins. The Chairman accepted the cane and the pin with appreciation. John D'Agostino will work with the Historical Commission and the Council on Aging and Town Clerk's office to determine the eldest resident for future presentation. Richard Boucher, Town Treasurer, along with Bea Kearney, Town Accountant, presented with Mr. Robert Brown and Mr. Chris Laviolette ofR.E. Brown and Co. The financial statements in the new GASB 34 format are different and Ms. Kearney explained this implementation includes more information than ever before. The Chairman asked about compensated absences (400K) and was told it is an estimate. John D'Agostino noted it would be important to plan for these costs and other future liabilities. Chairman also asked if there is a way to separate the municipal and school major budgets. Ms. Kearney noted on Page 10 there are expense breakdowns, etc. and stated that no department self-supports. The employee benefits have not been split yet but will be for Town Meeting. Selectman McCue asked about the Cherry Sheet. John D'Agostino noted next year there will be a shift in medical costs. The figures include depreciation on buildings. Road maintenance funding is at a set level to avoid depreciation calculations. Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 17,2004 2 John D'Agostino noted that Lee Azinheira had informed the Board of Selectmen recently on the Road Maintenance Plan at $7 million to keep the paving up-to-date. The Chairman notes the information could have had an asterisk at the bottom of the page regarding the issue since being resolved. Selectman Amoruso asked about cash flow but was told that the auditors do not get into that aspect. The auditors were thanked. _""............. ..;W1~·~''''"· .! ''''''" '"'~ Mr. Nirenberg passed out a resume to the Board. He stated he has lived in Mansfield, is the owner of Troupe Realty for five years and has been to some Town Meetings. When asked by the Chairman why he was interested in getting involved with the Town, he answered that he had spoken to Shaun Burke about it and it interests him as a realtor in the housing market and he could use his skills and learn more as well. The Chairman noted this committee is not in the Charter. Selectman Amoruso asked about the time commitment and Mr. Nirenberg said he could make the commitment. Selectman Achille thanked him for coming forward. The Chairman noted it is a good start into town government and that he can learn and possibly go onto other boards in the future. It was noted that all present selectmen had started on other boards. Selectman McCue thanked him and said it was nice to see people move up to boards and it's a good experience. A letter will be sent from the Board approving his appointment after which he will go to the Town Clerk's office to be sworn in. Motion: To approve Glenn Nirenberg's appointment to the Local Housing Partnership Committee. (McCue/Amoruso) 5-0 Passes. Peter DeTrolio. 496 Elm St, noted he was upset that he has been stopped on the street lately by some residents to discuss the Fairfield Green Chapter 40B issue and he was told the only reason it passed was the Zoning Board of Appeals had no "guts" to stop it and was told a selectmen had stated this. Selectman McCue noted the Board voted 3-2 on the project. Selectman Amoruso noted that all Board members have commended the Zoning Board of Appeals on the work and effort done to get to the decision; perhaps someone misinterpreted the issue. Mr. DeTolio noted it is hard to get people to come onto the boards and work for free. Selectman Dolan also noted the Selectmen spoke on the hard work that was done by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Chairman MacCaffrie stated that the Zoning Board of Appeals did the best job, in the end, to their ability and the Town got the best deal it could out of it. George Dentino. 2 Gladiola Terrace, spoke on a survey he did on the police cruisers and the mileage. He noted the Board stated there is no money on the municipal side and had the Light Department pay for it. He asked how does the Board justify the Police Department riding around with 200K mileage and yet buy the Town Manager and Light Department Manager new cars. Selectman Dolan noted we could not buy police vehicles with Electric Department money. Mr. Dentino asked where is the justification to buy new cars for the managers but not the public safety vehicles? John D'Agostino noted we did replace cruisers last year and will continue to fund them each year at Town Meeting. Chairman noted his point is well taken. Mr. Dentino then began discussing the three current lawsuits and an Ethics Commission investigation. Selectman Amoruso has Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 17,2004 3 determined that this information may not be publicly discussed. Mr. Dentino persisted in asking if the taxpayers should have to fund these lawsuits they know nothing about and the Chairman said the Board of Selectmen cannot answer this question. Selectman Dolan noted that any vote that is taken in Executive Session cannot be discussed. The Chairman noted that the Board will get the answer from Town Counsel. -.........'"'.'...':: :. :,'~, John D'Agostino attended a meeting with Commissioner Cogliano, Bernie McCourt and Mark Carmichael, Mass Highway, at the Transportation Building in Boston. Also in attendance were Selectman Amoruso; John Sullivan, Town Engineer, Lee Azinheira, DPW Director; Shaun Burke, Planning Director; Elizabeth Leidholdt, Conservation & Environmental Planner; Jack Walsh, landowner; Rep. Betty Poirier and her aide Carol Nathan; Rep. Mike Coppola and newly elected Senator Timilty. Karl Clemmey and Dan Clemmey were also present. The purpose was to discuss access to Route 140. During discussion with Mr. McCourt, there seemed to be road-blocks and 'yeah-buts", thus Mr. D'Agostino did not feel the meeting was too encouraging but asked them to please work with the community on access to avoid School Street. There should be an answer within the next couple of weeks. Selectman McCue asked if there is anything else we can do and John D'Agostino noted we should work behind the scenes to get movement. Selectman Amoruso noted Rep. Betty Poirier asked why there is a problem when the developer had agreed to give the land and pay for all the construction, design and build costs. Motion: To write a letter to Congressman Barney Frank asking for his assistance with Mass Highway issue at the Rte 140 and School Street intersection. (McCue/Dolan) 5-0 Passes. Mr. D'Agostino noted the intersection at Rte 140 and Rte 106 doesn't meet the "warrant" of enough accidents to upgrade it. The bridge is scheduled for an opening in the spring. Budgets are due for internal review on 12/6; the Charter requires submission to the Board by early-January. A five-year forecast of 5% is realistic. "~~:~ i; Chairman MacCaffrie: Asks that Town Manager evaluations be returned by next Wed. (11/24). Selectman Achille: Tax Rate- Wrentham has gone to a spilt rate for businesses less than 10 employees; they have a 5-10% abatement. This may come into play next year. Selectman Dolan: Fire Chief regarding ambulance charges; the professionals give advice and we do not - Chief will be invited to a future meeting to explain. Selectman Amoruso: none Selectman McCue: Annual MMA meeting reminder coming up on Tuesday, December 14th. On Tuesday, November 23, @ 2:30 at the Tri-County Franklin Voc-Tech HS; meeting of ETA - three towns may be asked to join Mansfield - we have one vote through John D'Agostino (Sharon is one town), and we could give John D'Agostino the Board's feelings. Selectman McCue is an advocate of the regional approach - it has been Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 17,2004 4 in effect for I ~ years and we have benefited. He is of the opinion that the "door should be shut". John D'Agostino explained the geographical area (95/495) comprises 10 towns and he does not want bring in towns that would be competitive, but rather complimentary towns. Selectman Achille asked if we can vote on towns individually and said he does not have a strong opinion on being exclusionary. All agreed to give more time to realize the benefits. John D'Agostino noted we have 20 years agreements (TIF). Selectman McCue thought it would be best if the original members that spent time developing and utilizing it gain some advantage before accepting more towns. Selectman McCue: The zoning on Golden Triangle should be reviewed and he asked if the zoning on other parcels should be looked at. John D'Agostino noted it would not hurt and Shaun Burke will be asked to look at land use alternatives for the large parcels. - Motion: To adjourn at 10: 13 p.m. (Dolan) 5-0 Passes ~-~~ -- Signature o~k ) ;¿~) - tJ L-) Date of Approval I Board of Selectmen Minutes of November 17,2004 5