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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 06/30/04 { Board of Selectmen Minutes of June 30, 2004 I"' I" 1"'1'-' 'VE"A r~:::LC. '!J ('1 ["';:<S O~'F ICE ..,.' ,It 04 JUl I 6 AM 9: 2 B Present: iÓFIELO r1t\SSACHUSETTS Steven W. MacCaffrie, Chairman; Vice Chairman Roger S. Achille, Clerk; Bernard J. Dolan; Selectmen Louis P. Amoruso and Michael W. McCue. Town Manager John O. D' Agostino The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The following residents who submitted applications for appointment to the Planning Board were present to discuss their interest and qualifications: · Frank Holmes, 697 Elm Street · Gina M. LaRose, 10 Boundary Road · Paul North, 1007 East Street Ms. LaRose said she has been a resident 17 years and has watched the growth. She r believes she has a lot to offer and wants to be part of it. Wants to see the town maintain its rural character. Mr. Holmes has been in town 4 years. He has been a civil engineer for the past 12 years and has been before many planning boards. He believes he would be a valuable member from a technical standpoint. He is interested in serving the town and becoming part of a close-knit community. Mr. North stated he has been in town about 9 years. He has bought into the history of the town. He is an architect and fell in love with the Old Baptist Church in East Mansfield and renovated it into his residence. He has time now to give back to the community. He currently works for UMass Boston and has done a considerable amount of planning. Selectman Achille thanked the applicants for applying and noted he served on the Planning Board for a number of years, stating it's a very exciting board to be on. He spoke of the need to be thick-skinned when big projects come in and the importance of thinking of the needs of Mansfield. Ms. LaRose noted she has an MBA with an undergraduate degree in marketing. She was the first female stockbroker in Boston and has experience in being thick-skinned. She also worked for three publishing companies and achieved the highest level possible. She then started her own dot-com business with eighteen employees. The timing was bad and they had to close their doors. In her professional life she has met with some of the largest consumer goods companies at the r, top level and is very comfortable with the need to have a thick skin. Mr. Holmes said he Board of Selectmen Minutes of June 30, 2004 1 takes criticism well and has been before many Planning Boards. He understands what r it's like and knows how to deal with applicants fairly and effectively to achieve a positive end result. Mr. North noted his experience in going before the Foxboro Planning Board in their school construction projects, reminding everyone of what a tough board that is. Selectman Dolan noted showing up is one of the most important thing for a Planning Board member in order to be sure there are a sufficient numbers of members present to act on a plan. Ms. LaRose noted she's not working and is available. He asked Frank and Paul if they would have occasions when they would have to recuse themselves because of conflicts with doing work with people who may be presenting plans. Neither anticipated that would be a problem. Selectman Amoruso asked what each of them most likes or dislikes about the Town. Mr. North spoke of Route 106 and the area by Mansfield Green. Mr. Holmes noted the two bridges on Elm Street being out. Parking in Downtown and at Train Station also needs to be improved on. He likes the locatio, and having commuter rail and access to major highways. Ms. LaRose said she met John D 'Agostino at a football game and began talking to him. She would like to be involved in rejuvenating the downtown and attract new businesses that would be an asset to the community. She is now serving on that committee; is concerned with the effect of the new mall on the downtown; wants to see the history of the Town incorporated. r Selectman McCue noted his concern about the Downtown and asked her what role she feels the Master Plan plays in Mansfield. She would use the Master Plan. There are elements of it that are great. There are elements that have been executed, but one of the goals of it is preserving the downtown and preserving the rural character of the roads. She noted we've reached the growth predicted ten years ahead of time and need to control it. She also believes the demographics need to be updated and some of the goals adjusted, noting it has "good bones" and she doesn't want to see it changed. Mr. Holmes echoed Ms. LaRose's comments regarding his "disappointment" in the Downtown for family shopping. He noted he is not familiar with the Master Plan, but believes any master plan needs to be flexible and a working document. Mr. North said it would be a shame to keep too many people out of the town and we should develop and preserve the vibrancy of Main Street and develop the town around those areas by providing for more walking traffic through downtown. r' Chairman MacCaffrie said most of his questions have been satisfied through the discussion. He expressed his dismay that we have three well-qualified people and only one position to fill. Selectman Achille asked Ms. LaRose if she would take a conceptual approach, stick strictly to the Zoning By-Laws, or take a creative approach. Ms. LaRose said she didn't understand the question, but thinks creatively and out of the box. Mr. Holmes said he would view things from a technical point of view but believes consistency from applicant to applicant is very important. He believes that's lost when subjective opinion comes into play. Mr. North said he would probably be on the other side of the fence as an architect. If someone wanted to change the zoning drastically they would have to offer him a very good reason to do so. Ms. LaRose said she would be creative Board of Selectmen Minutes of June 30, 2004 2 and work with people while following the rules. She spoke of her experience in (' publishing and putting together a magazine Nominations: Frank Holmes (Achille) Roger, Bernie Mike, Bernie, Roger Gina LaRose (McCue) Mike Paul North (Amoruso) Steve, Lou Vote: Frank Holmes (Achille and Dolan) Gina LaRose (McCue) Paul North (MacCaffrie and Amoruso) Ms. LaRose was eliminated from the selection process and votes were cast for the remaining candidates. Vote: Frank Holmes (McCue, Dolan and Achille) Having achieved a majority vote, the voting process was suspended and Frank Holmes won appointment to the Planning Boardfor an unexpired term ending January 1, 2006. · Warrant No. 52 in the amount of$915,082.33 Motion: To approve and sign r (Dolan-Achille) 5-0 Passes · Warrant No. 53 in the amount of$3,142,008.91 Motion: To approve and sign (Dolan-Achille) 5-0 Passes · Warrant No. 01 in the amount of$85,317.54 (Dolan-Achille) 5-0 Passes · Minutes of June 16,2004 Selectmen's Meeting Motion: To approve and sign (Achille-McCue) 5-0 Passes · Minutes of June 16, 2004 Executive Session Motion: To approve as amended but not release (McCue-Achille) 5-0 Passes · Drainlayer's Licenses recommended for approval by Town Engineer John Sullivan Christian & Feck Development Corp., 494 Stearns Ave., Mansfield ,,-. Motion: To approve (Dolan-Achille) 5-0 Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of June 30, 2004 3 r I Bella Construction Corp., 25 Industrial Rd., Wrentham, MA Motion: To approve (Achille-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Riccio Builders & Developers, 10 Sawmill Court, Mansfield Motion: To approve (Achille-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Peter DeGirolamo & Sons, Inc., 631 East Street, Mansfield Motion: To approve (Achille-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes P. Beatty Excavation, Inc., 50 Potash Rd., Mansfield Motion: To approve (Achille-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes J.R.D., Inc., 3 Sammy's Lane, Assonet, MA Motion: To approve (Achille-McCue) 5-0 Passes South Shore Utility Contractors, Inc., 44 Maria Ave., Johnston, RI Motion: To approve (Achille-McCue) 5-0 Passes Ferrara Construction Corp., 49 Lincoln St., Norton Motion: To approve (Achille-McCue) 5-0 Passes C. Brito Construction Co., Inc., 101 Tupelo St., Bristol, RI Motion: To approve (Achille-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Town Manae:er and Staff r · Memorandum from Treasurer/Collector Richard Boucher re: vote that must be taken and paperwork that requires signatures of Selectmen for the $6,150,000 construction loan for the water treatment facility. The vote was read. Motion: To approve as read sign (Amoruso-Dolan) 5-0 Passes · Request for transfer of $92,556.89 from Reserve Fund to Winter Maintenance needed to meet deficit from snow and ice. Motion: To approve (Achille-McCue) 5-0 Passes · Request for Interdepartmental Budget Transfers as detailed, with signature of all selectmen where indicated (copy attached to Meeting Minutes). The Municipal Relief Act allows Selectmen to make these transfers in the last two months of the fiscal year. The Finance Committee has signed off on each of the four transfers. A lengthy discussion was held regarding the need for a human resources director to track compensatory time, sick time, vacation time, etc., which was precipitated by the departure of an employee and the amount of the final paycheck Motion: To approve the transfer of $1 8,290.00 to Conservation Salaries (McCue-Achille) 5-0 Passes r' Motion: To approve the transfer of $52,400 to Health Insurance $300,000 shortfall plus $60,000 being paid out in the buy-back. Didn't appropriate enough in the Special Town Meeting within the Annual. Board of Selectmen Minutes of June 30, 2004 4 (McCue-Achille) 5-0 Passes r Motion: To approve the transfer of $9,000 to Dispatch Salaries (McCue-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Motion: To approve the transfer of$16,500 to Dispatcher Expense (McCue-Amoruso for discussion) The money is due as the result of an arbitration finding. The question was raised as to why it isn't an insurance claim Vote: 3-1-1 (McCue abstaining; MacCaffrie opposed) Passes · Memorandum from Town Engineer John Sullivan and DPW Director Lee Azinheira re: Fee Waiver Request for Angell Street Roadway Drainage Project Motion: To approve (Dolan-Achille) 5-0 Passes · Memorandum from DPW Director Lee Azinheira re: Angell Street Update Residents · Letter from Sue Call requesting approval of the annual Bella Vista Avenue "after- summer" block party on Saturday, September 11 th (Raindate of Sunday, September 12th) with the road being closed to through traffic between 1 :00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Police and Fire have approved with proper signage and emergency access provided Motion: To approve with emergency access and proper signage (' (Achille-McCue) 5-0 Passes Selectman MacCaffrie noted the passing of Mansfield resident Anna Palanza who contributed many years of service to the Town of Mansfield. He extended our condolences to the family. Anna started in 1973 working at the polls and Town Meetings. Motion: To send a letter to the family thanking them for her services (Achille-McCue) 5-0 Passes · George Dentino, Gladiola Terrace - spoke about the discussion on transfers and questioned the amount of the total budget; referred to a discussion about the Veterans Office and the noted the requirement of the Veterans Agent to be a veteran. He was advised that we're not violating the law. We have a Veteran come over from Foxboro; if it's a form to fill out it's given to the Veteran by the secretary covering the office. We are actively seeking someone to fill the position. Another meeting is scheduled for July 15th to get input from the Veterans organization. The position is exempt from collective bargaining because it's been combined with personnel related matters. Asked about the buy-back provision and checks and balances, noting we r' Board of Selectmen Minutes ofJune 30, 2004 5 r never used to be paying for buy-backs of these amounts. He suggested that no records are being kept in some departments and there are no checks and balances. . David McCarter, 152 Dean Street - spoke of the effort made to get the Unions to go to a 70/30 split on health insurance and thanked them publicly for doing that, noting it was generous of them to do so. Town Manager D 'Agostino noted the sacrifice made by the employees and said it was not achieved easily. Health Insurance costs has escalated from $1.2 million when he started here to $5.1 million now. Town Manager D' Agostino reported: . We've received phone confirmation from Sen. Sprague that the funding for the 495 Southbound access has been approved. It is believed it will from Route 140 to 495. We recently reiterated our position on not wanting a northbound slip ramp. Commissioner Cogliano has indicated they will abide by the wishes of Mansfield. In order for them to get Federal funding they must look at all possible options. He is asking him to respond to the joint letter of Mansfield and Norton to MassHighway. Mike extended the gratitude of the group and Norton for what we've done. We have $27 million worth of road construction projects going on currently. There are others to come, with new projects starting in the spring (Route 106). There's only one community in this region that has received more money, and that is Fall River. r We've developed a good rapport with Commissioner Cogliano and the meetings held with our State officials are bearing fruit. Selectman Dolan spoke to Commissioner Cogliano about the lights and he was receptive. If we pay the salvage cost that the contract would pay for the lights at West and Forbes, we may be able to keep the lights. Traffic Safety Officer Lance Lawson also reported on the accidents at the Route 140/106 intersection. We also received the cost estimate of the Route 106 underpass repairs. He further referred Selectmen to an update provided by Lee Azinheira regarding the SRPEDD meeting he attended as the Board's representative. . Work on the Skateboard park is proceeding and equipment should be arriving soon. He thanked Mike Ahern and Vinny Tighe of DPW for moving the project along to completion. . The new Town ambulance has arrived in Town and is at the Plymouth Street Fire Station. We are planning a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 7th at the Sidewalk Sale. The Trust Fund Committee membership is comprised of the Fire Chief, Ken Parsons as the Town Manager's appointee (3 year term), and a Selectmen representative. The Selectmen therefore need to appoint an individual to a 2-year term. He noted Willie Sarro interested is serving on this committee. Motion: To appoint Willie Sarro to a two-year term on the Ambulance Trust Fund Committee (Achille-McCue) 5-0 Passes r' Board of Selectmen Minutes of June 30, 2004 6 r · Town Meeting Warrant Articles 27 & 28 were rejected by Attorney General's office and need to be resubmitted. The rejection was based on his determination that not enough information was provided to Town Meeting for them to know what they were voting on. What we did was not inappropriate, but "new text" was deemed to be left to inference. The bottom line is it has to be re-voted with more information. · He and Shaun Burke met with Dr. Mullin and will introduce the Fiscal Impact Analysis to staff on July 13th and to Boards and Committees that same day. I will measure all aspects of development. Town Manager D' Agostino noted he had the opportunity to attend the ZBA hearing on the 40B project and asked the ZBA to take into consideration the true impact of the 40B project. He emphasized that we cannot rely on information from other communities because they have different staffing and needs. The model must be tailored to the Town itself, which is why we spent the money on this model. We anticipate based on some simple analysis that the net impact to the town of 250 units will be $1.1 million. He further broke it down to a cost of $220-$230 per taxpayer. The model will help us in many aspects. He also ran the numbers for a 55 and over project, which shows a net savings to the Town. Selectmen Amoruso suggested the analysis will be useful in getting linkage as a result of the impact. The ZBA voted to delay approval of the proposal before them until they've had the opportunity to use the model. They were not aware he would be at the meeting, but he felt it was important to provide the information to them to assist in their decision. Selectman McCue thanked the ZBA for taking this into consideration and delaying their decision. r · DHCD has yet to approve the Town's production plan for affordable housing. They are now asking for additional information that was not part of any previous request. We're meddling through this with a great deal of interference from DHCH. We will provide the information requested. If there is yet another delay he will be asking our legislative delegation for a meeting with DHCD. · The trash collection workshop is scheduled for July 21 st at 7 p.m. He has responded to a condo owner regarding the trash issue. We're close to the expiration of the option with Waste Management and, without a major restructuring of how we collect trash, the cost will rise. This will be discussed at the workshop on July 21st. Selectman Achille noted his belief that the whole object of the meeting was to get costs down. It sounds like if we're considering expanding the service to condominium owners there will have to be other concessions to keep the costs down. Recycling needs to be encouraged to get the waste stream decreased. · Will be entering a contract with CDM for $16,000 to do a notice of non-compliance for the Wastewater Treatment Plant to work with the State in the issues outlined in the DEP letter to the Town. There are a number of issues outstanding that need to be addressed. Technical assistance is required in the matter. Will find out who we consulted for assistance. Chairman MacCaffrie stated his concern that $16,000 is a lot of money to answer a report. Other Selectmen asked if they don't already have r' that information and should be able to tell DEP how we plan to mitigate it for far less Board of Selectmen Minutes of June 30, 2004 7 r--' than $16,000. Town Manager D'Agostino said he will delay entering into the contract until he gets additional information. If he's satisfied with it, he'll sign the contract. · It was noted the Mansfield Municipal Electric Department meeting will be held Tuesday, July 20th, at 7:30 p.m. for the Bird Road Substation. Selectman Achille: · Asked if Light Commissioners will be scheduled from 7:30-8:30 at next meeting and was advised it would be Selectman Dolan: · Reported on the Veterans meeting. One point was made that we should advertise we're having a meeting. It's now on Cable. The Commander, who was supposed to be here, was taken to the hospital and is not doing well. As a result of the rescheduling of that meeting we will post it at Elks and the VFW Post. The meeting will be meeting with them will take place on July 15th at 7:00 p.m. r Selectman McCue: . Asked when the water treatment plant is due to be completed. Town Manager D 'Agostino said he will find out from MBC; Chairman MacCaffrie said he believes it will be next spring. Selectman MacCaffrie: · Asked for an update on the final costs of having the tanks taken out. . Asked if we have sent out our Request for Proposals (RFP) to combine the services of the Light Department and Town auditors. Town Manager D 'Agostino said he will find out from Town Accountant Bea Kearney, noting it's not urgent at the current time because the Light Department is doing Calendar year2003 and we're in our fiscal year 2003 audit. The process was further discussed and the Town Manager said he will have Bea Kearney provide written explanation. · Asked if we've advertised to get people to fill the positions for Housing Trust non- profit and asked if we could do so. · Asked if we've advertised yet for the Selectmen's secretary position that will be vacant soon. Town Manager D 'Agostino said we will do an in-house posting first and then go outside if we don't have a suitable candidate. He would advertise it and close it prior to filling the position. r Board of Selectmen Minutes of June 30, 2004 8 r Selectman McCue: · Noted the Massachusetts Selectmen's Association Annual Meeting is scheduled for October 1-2 (Friday and Saturday) and asked the Board to make an effort to attend. It's in Hull this year so an overnight stay would not be required. He reported that he has found the meetings to be valuable in the past. · Asked for an update from the Industrial Development Commission as to what's going on in Mansfield. · Asked for the input of the Assessors as to the concept of a third property tax rate for small businesses, noting the timing would be right with us going into a revaluation year. · Said he was approached in the last couple of weeks by MMAS with regard to their interest in using the Fales site. He knows there may be some problems with it and asked if we can detail them. Selectman Amoruso: · Brought to the Board's attention that there was never a meeting with Cable Access and reported that he has heard the studio is nowhere yet. He suggested it would be good if we could help them, but we need to meet with them before we can do that. (' He believes they've encountered problems that we may be able to help them with. · Would like a report from the Tax Incentive Financing (TIF) Committee. A motion was made and seconded and unanimously voted to put Selectman McCue back on the TIF Committee. Selectmen briefly reviewed and discussed upcoming agendas. It was noted that Verizon is scheduled for a hearing on July 28th and it was suggested they be told not to bother coming in with a petition if they haven't taken down the pole at Gilbert and Balcom Streets by then. It was also requested that Cable Access be invited in for twenty minutes, and that the Tax Incentive Financing Committee and Industrial Development Commission be invited in scheduled for fifteen minutes each. Selectman MacCaffrie: · Noted there is a letter from the attorney on the Winslow property in the reading file again. He believes it was last August that we heard from them giving us the right of first refusal because they wanted to sell. The Conservation Commission wasn't interested because they had no money. We sent them information and the proper form. Now there is correspondence from their attorney stating that they want to be released. Selectman MacCaffrie said he thought on 61A's there was a 120 day window to respond as to the Town's interest. Town Manager D'Agostino noted the missing piece of information is that he a letter to them stating that we may have an r- interest and wanted to sit down and explore the cost. We had a contiguous piece of Board of Selectmen Minutes of June 30, 2004 9 r r (' land. Now that we have a cost (they want the front parcels to sell off individually) and they will sell us the back part for $800,000. we don't believe it's worth what they're askingfor it. He will get back to the Winslows. Motion: To adjourn at 10:19 p.m. (McCue) 5-0 Passes ~~~ )-) '~/Y - Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of June 30, 2004 10