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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 10/13/04 \ . r Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes October 13, 2004 [Iv!:n L,.. " 1....., 1 r' '{;~ r;r~ ICE. .,' ";, ,~', ,.,jr r ./ ~ 04 OCT 28 rl~1 10: 35 Present: ¡vi h, hi ';.- ¡i ~ L' 0 6J ......,..,,' "- MASSÞ\CHUSETTS Chairman Steven W. MacCaffrie; Vice Chairman Roger S. Achille, acting as Clerk; Selectmen Louis P. Amoruso; Selectman Michael McCue and Town Manager John O. D'Agostino. The meeting was called to order at 8:45 p.m. · Warrant No. 16 in the amount of $2,966,980.57 Motion: To approve and sign (Amoruso/McCue) 5-0 Passes · Minutes of Regular Meeting October 6, 2004 Motion: To approve and sign with amendments. (Amoruso/McCue) 5-0 Passes · Minutes of September 9, 2004 Veterans Director Interviews Motion: To approve and sign. (Amoruso/McCue) 5-0 Passes r None Chairman MacCaffrie noted the recent retirement of Fire Chief George Burgess and stated he understood the day-to-day basis of a fireman's life as he served for fourteen years in Norton. Robert Bellavance spoke on the Department's recent retirements (thus the promotions) and informed that there would be six new replacements this year and two more in 2006. Fire Chief Bellavance and Lt. William Burgess and Lt. Robert Merritt were sworn in to office by Helen Christian, Town Clerk. Their families were present for the ceremony and their wives pinned the badges on their husbands. Chief Bellavance thanked the Town Department Heads for their support and the Town Manager for his trust and guidance and the Board for their support. Chairman MacCaffrie stated these dedicated men exemplify the highest standards and professionalism and dedication and the Board wished good luck to the new appointees and those retiring. Resrlstrar of Voters - Helen Christian presented with Annette Shaw. The November election finds an estimated 700 new people registered to vote. Their office handles all r' Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 13,2004 I r' r (' nomination papers, census and street lists, most are put through the State's central system they handle recalls and recounts as well as the overseas ballots that will be counted. Her office is all set up for the election in November with extra people on hand at the polls and extra police to help out with traffic control and Honor Society members at the polls. She will be meeting with the Chief of Police and Supt. of Schools. The polls will be open between 7 AM -8PM on November 2nd with two check-ins and two check-outs. The Chairman asked why do we not open at 6 a.m. anymore and was told State Law dictates polls to open at 7 :00 a.m. Ms. Christian will have an absentee voting session for Willow Crossing from I 0-12noon on Tuesday, October 19th. Further, if people do not know what precinct they are in she noted that all the streets will have arrows directing to the polls or people can plan ahead by looking at the signs around town or call the Town Clerk's office. New residents get a letter of notification. There have been 200 new voters sign up Monday. New voters can register at any Town Clerk's office in the state. Selectman Achille asked about deadline for absentee voters and was told it would be 12 noon on November 1 st. Selectman McCue recognizes the time-extensive job that the registrants do and knows it is a juggling act and a very long day and they are appreciated The Registrars and the Town Clerk were thanked by the Chairman and the Board members. ZBA: Presenting: Chairman Jack Vultaggio, Elizabeth Garber-Miller, Associate Member; Oliver Kowlowsky, Clerk and Peter DeTrolio, Member. Mr. Vultaggio spoke on their role is to hear appeals that come about as a result of zoning by-laws and now they deal with Chapter 40B Comprehensive Permits. The greatest challenge is the proposed mall. The developers are still in front of the Planning Board and Conservation Commission and the Zoning Board has only had two meetings with them. It is contingent upon the Planning Board's completion. The Chairman again reiterated that the Board of Selectmen look at what has been built, and what the legalities are that the Boards are responsible and he noted that the ZBA has put in a vast amount of time into the project for the Town's best interest. Mr. Vultaggio noted the spread sheet system they have used is somewhat difficult. The applicant had their own expert review the numbers. It was never brought to their attention that there were sewage issues - they knew there was still sewage capacity left. Since the written decision has not been accepted by the Town Clerk, they can still make changes. Selectman Amoruso spoke on the experience of dealing with the developers who usually feel they have everything on their side. Mr. DeTrolio noted the developers have major resources and the Housing Plan should have been done years ago, so that we could be more proactive. John D'Agostino noted there is now a plan in place and since we were at 10%, we can now move forward. Ms. Garber- Miller spoke on the submitted plan and Mr. Vittaglio said these developers had a substantial amount of money and would have gone to the Court of Appeals with their original submission Chairman MacCaffrie noted we have to have a mitigating plan for the Town. For every downtown building that is rebuilt, affordable residential units could be on the top floors and commercial units on the ground floors. He then noted that I) we can have our own cause and effect by putting up one affordable house per year to keep our quota. and Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 13,2004 2 2) we need to take some of the parcels the towns own and put up our own affordable housing and he will need to convince people at Town Meeting. r' Mr. Vultaggio mentioned one of the things that would be helpful would be to have the department heads at their zoning meetings so the questions can be answered by the experts. Selectman Amoruso noted the Town Manager can assist with this and John D'Agostino suggested having the engineering department and others there (like a mini- workshop). The traffic issue is another concern as the developers use a national standard instead of the local traffic flow. The Rosewood area is very busy and our own consultant stated the impact would be insignificant against the current traffic. Selectman Amoruso would like to have a local impact report specific to the area, but it is felt that the Housing Court would only use the national standards. Mr. Vultaggio feels there may be an appeal of the Fairfield Green project. Discussion ensued about the Housing Court v.s Superior Court and the applicant has the choice. Peter DeTrolio noted the Chairman of the ZBA is" hard nosed". Selectman Amoruso also stated Mr. Vultaggio is doing a great job of protecting the Town. Chairman MacCaffrie noted there was a lot of forethought by the ZBA and at the meetings he attended, they took the time and had the ability to ask intelligent questions and get answers. Selectman McCue stated he had the greatest respect for the ZBA and their work; none of his previous comments reflect on the Board. John D'Agostino noted a letter was sent by our Attorney regarding "The Depot" units are "in perpetuity". r' The Zoning Board of Appeals members were thanked by the Board. · Invite from Southeast,Regional Voc-Tech School- Sat. October 16,2004 1-5 pm · Invite from Bristol County Agricultural School - Thurs., Oct. 21, 2004 7 pm · Regional Meeting on Affordable Housing - Wareham Town Hall - Fri. Nov 5, 2004 9am -12 p.m. · Resignation of Mary-Lou Cotton from the Housing Authority effective October 5, 2004. Motion: To accept with a letter of thanks. (McCue/Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Chairman noted if anyone is interested in the Housing Authority position (a joint appointment of Selectmen and the Housing Commission) they can notify the office. · Resignation of Craig Cotton from Board of Health effective October 8, 2004. Motion: To accept with a letter of thanks. (McCue/Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Chairman noted the Board of Health opening should be posted. r' Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 13, 2004 3 . . r' · Bridge opening at Williams Street Bridge on October 28th at 2 p.m. · Bristol County Selectmen's Advisory Committee agenda from Jaye M. Cioper for October 21 st meeting at 6:30 p.m. Also there is an opening on Executive Board. Chairman asked if anyone is interested in sitting on the Executive Board; needs to be someone with working knowledge of the issues, as he may not be re-elected in spring. He will be attend said meeting. · Certified Mail from Mike Sikora, National Grid, regarding Right-Of-Way vegetation management notification. · Notification of Bristol County Agricultural student costs: balance due $1,522.56 Chairman noted the students there are great and the education is superb. · Memo regarding request for Mansfield Green alteration of hours, recommending Sunday operation and Monday closing. · Memo from John Sullivan, Town Engineer, 40B Fairfield Green, sewer capacity issue - uses a substantial amount of remaining capacity but not all. (' · Memo from John Sullivan, Town Engineer, peak flow at 40B Fairfield Green, explanation of remaining design flow is 148,000 GPD. Motion:. To send the letter to the developer with stronger language that the project may not be approved without possible on-site wastewater treatment system. (Achille/Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Amoruso noted the letter should come from the Board as Sewer Commissioners and John D'Agostino explained that it will be coming from the Board, but John Sullivan will be writing it. It was agreed that it must state that due to the recent flow information, the Sewer Commissioners may not approve the sewer hook-ups to the Town system. Nick Cappolupo, Town Crier, spoke on the Mansfield Green hours. On Sunday 25- 30 people bring grass clippings and on Monday both contractors and households drop them off. He mentioned that sometimes a propane bottle is thrown in with the clippings and this could be dangerous. He also mentioned a woman who was new to town asked about the hours and the rules. Further, Mr. Cappolupo said he will not work Sundays. John D'Agostino gave a brief history of how Mr. Cappolupo was often at the Green on Saturdays and how he had suggested volunteering for the Senior Tax Write-off Program. Mr. Cappolupo was thanked by all for his time and efforts. .1""'" Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 13,2004 4 Selectman Roger Achille had none. Selectman Lou Amoruso had none. r Selectman Mike McCue noted the Dinner for Bristol County Selectmen's on October 28th and asked if we had heard anything back from Town Counsel on the ZBA decision. The Chairman noted that the TPC meeting with Norton on November 18th is tentative but that someone will be there from our Board. He does not think we should be involved with the Tweeter Center with Norton traffic management if it is the parking lot overflow issue or more than just the TPC issue. . Williams Street Bridge: John D'Agostino noted the correspondence from Senator Jo Ann Sprague on the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Williams Street bridge on Thursday, October 28th at 2 p.m. Secretary Grabuaskas and Commissioner Cogliano will attend as well as invitees (past Board of Selectmen and Planning Board members) during the 15 year project. The invitation is open to the public. Selectman Amoruso asked about having a 'soft' opening for Fire and Police for emergency access only but John D'Agostino noted it could not be a restricted opening but he will speak with DPW Director and the Chief. Skate Board Park - The equipment has arrived and the facility is being assembled. YMCA will staff the facility through Nov. 7th. Lorilei Fish, Recreation Director, will have an official ribbon cutting ceremony in the spring. Chairman MacCaffrie asked if it closes in November will we have kids back downtown and John D'Agostino noted that r' all of these types of parks close at this time of year. He thinks that there will be kids that use it religiously and then there are those that never will use it. The Board of Selectmen might need to fine or confiscate the boards, if used inappropriately. Electric Light Department Luncheon: Selectman McCue to attend; Selectman Amoruso will try to attend. John D'Agostino will inform Gail Fraggia. Chairman will only go in briefly but not for the luncheon. Adjournment Motion: To adjourn at 9:40 p.m. (Amoruso) 5-0 Passes /;¿Ç:;;i5£b .r'k OU--L L-? Signature OfCl~ J ð'--J¿)~()Y Date of Approval ' (' Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 13, 2004 5