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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 05/26/04 Present: ~ECE\VE' VJjt\ CLEH\~S Off \CE. 04 JUN - 3 AM 9: 36 MANSFiELD M~SS~CHUSETTS 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 Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 26, 2004 ( The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. · Warrant No. 48 in the amount of$I,822,656.19 Motion: To approve (Dolan-Achille) 5-0 Passes · Minutes of the May 19,2004 Selectmen's Meeting Motion: To approve (Dolan-Achille) 5-0 Passes -- I I · Application for a new Drainlayer's License for Hart Engineering Corp., 2 Lark Industrial Parkway, Greenville, RI - to be used only for the sewer connection for the Town of Mansfield Dustin and Prescott Wells Water Treatment Facility - recommended for approval by Town Engineer John Sullivan Motion: To approve (Amoruso-Achille) 5-0 Passes Town Manae:er and Staff · Memo from Town Engineer John D. Sullivan, Jr., requesting fee waivers for the Town of Mansfield Dustin and Prescott Wells Water Treatment Facility. Waivers for DPW Permit to Excavate the Public Way; drainlayer's licensing fee for the project; Engineering Department's Sewer Connection Permit fee Motion: To waive the fee (McCue-Dolan) - withdrawn r Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 26,2004 1 (' Town Manager D' Agostino noted it was for a Town project. Chairman MacCaffrie pointed out drainlayer's licensing fees have never been waived in the past when he's done projects. The only fees waived were the building fees themselves. Motion: To table (McCue-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes · Copy of Memo dated November 20, 2002 from Town Clerk Helen P. Christian re: Additional Polling Locations during the Statewide and National Elections Send letter to School Department to get a definite answer regarding the issue of the schools being closed for the Presidential election. Selectman Amoruso suggested the need for more polling places and adequate parking for the Presidential election. He recalled that the last Presidential election the polling place was far from adequate. Chairman MacCaffrie suggested the possibility of having some precincts in the cafeteria and others in the gymnasium. State and Local Government · SRPEDD Notification that appointments need to be made for a representative of the Selectmen to the SRPEDD Commission and a delegate and alternate for JTPG Committee - term to run from May 28, 2004 through May 31, 2005. Selectman McCue noted the lack of public interest in anyone serving in this capacity and asked if a staff person could fill the vacancy. Motion: To appoint Lee Azinheira and John Sullivan as representative and alternate /' to JTPG I (McCue-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes See if one of them can also represent the Selectmen at the SRPEDD Commission · Letter from Congressman Barney Frank with attached article re: appropriation of funds for local projects. Other · Copy ofletter to Town Manager John D' Agostino from Daniel J. Yurovich, President of Barry Controls detailing their TIF proposal · Copy ofletter from Dan Clemmey to Town Counsel Robert S. Mangiaratti re: delivery of South Walnut Street plans Bill Gerber of Central Street reminded everyone that Mansfield Shelter Friends will be building a new animal shelter funded totally through contributions with no Town money involved. He advised residents of how they can contribute to the cause. He showed a picture of the crowded conditions of the facility used to house cats. Doug Annino of Annino Associates is doing the design for them and Mr. Gerber showed the architect's ;- rendering of the new facility. There will be a cat kennel with a quarantine area, an area Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 26,2004 2 (' for veterinary services, a lounge area for people to spend time with an animal they're interested in adopting. There will also be a lobby and reception area. He showed the area of the kennels for dogs, which also provides a quarantine area. All of the air in the facility will be re-circulated every ten minutes, and there will be air filters to prevent the spread of any airborne diseases. He thanked National Lumber, The Home Depot, Kirley Masonry Supply, the Police Chief, Jeff Collins, David and Anna Cass, Shelter Friends Board, Airport Commission, Lee Azinheira, Kurt Gaffney, Scott Leite, Lou Costa, MBC and Ken Gay, Mary-Lou & Craig Cotton, Helen Christian, John D' Agostino, Eileen Ouellette, Jay Barrows, Doug Annino, DeJonco Construction, John Pesche (communications equipment), Roy Bain of the Police Department for masonry work, and the Board of Selectmen. They are hoping to have a groundbreaking within the next two months. Steve noted his aversion to cupolas, shown on the architect's rendering, noting they are a maintenance problem. He noted Mansfield Shelter Friends also sells sweatshirts and coffee mugs in their fundraising efforts. Town Manager D' Agostino spoke of the Annual May breakfast held by the Town Hall employees and presented Mr. Gerber with a check for $205 representing the proceeds of the penny sale held during the event. (- Following a five-minute break Congressman Barney Frank was welcomed to the meeting. Other officials present were State Senator Jo Ann Sprague, State Representative Michael Coppola, State Representative Betty Poirier, Norton Selectmen Kimball, Maitoza and Salvo. Former Selectman David McCarter, now a candidate for State Senate, was also in attendance. Congressman Frank reported his highest priority to report on is completing Route 106. They are close to that, and he noted the hardest dollar to get is the first dollar. Now that it's been started we're in good shape. The Highway bill has been held up. He has earmarks for Route 106 and explained who gets to decide and how the decision is made. He noted that if the decisions were left to local officials, it would have all gone to the Central Artery. He and his colleagues are supporting this in response to the requests and needs of the local people. Two sources earmarked are from the Annual Appropriations bills for public transportation. Every six years there's a highway bill - from which they're looking at Route 106 and the interchange of Routes 24/140. He noted the money is guaranteed and we will get it. The other issue raised is the Route 495 ramp. Raynham had requested, with strong support from SRPEDD, that they begin to widen Route 24 between Routes 495 and 140. Chairman MacCaffrie noted every town around here is in a 40B crisis, reporting we've just purchased a couple acres of property and would like to put up a 55+ housing facility. r He asked if HUD has any funds for this purpose. Congressman Frank said most of the Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 26, 2004 3 (' programs have been abolished. Section 202 is left and does give money for affordable housing for older people. There's also the housing tax credit program and the underused and underfunded Federal Home Loan Bank System. They borrow money cheaply and re- lend it. 10% of their profits in each region go into the Federal Home Loan Bank System. When Bank of America bought Fleet he negotiated a paper charter so they would be in New England rather than North Carolina. He's also working with Sovereign now. He would be glad to work with anyone who becomes a developer for these projects and is the senior member on the committee for senior housing. We may hear something from DHCD this week on our Housing Plan. Senator Sprague offered her assistance and noted the Senate budget includes funding for Towns to do senior housing also. Rep. Coppola spoke further of the funds budgeted and DHCD. The House of Representatives passed a housing packing on May 10th that Congressman Frank said he reviewed. He was in New Bedford today where two buildings are being done with ground floor retail and upper floor affordable housing. Senator Sprague urged local officials to call their State officials when we having something under review or consideration. r Town Manager D' Agostino noted hearing about a southbound ramp access for Route 495, with the sentiment from the regional planning agency that it was going to be done despite local objection. He reported we're concerned because we have consensus on a critical issue and their decision would adversely impact both communities in a counter productive manner. Our critical need is not a southbound ramp, but rather an improved traffic plan in conjunction with the development of the Golden Triangle for retail. Rep. Poirier said she was able to finalize today assurance that we have $250,000 in the bond bill they proposed for design of a southbound ramp. There is no language in it for a northbound ramp and their message was quite clear that they do not want a northbound ramp, at least not at the location proposed. Congressman Frank noted the assembly here of twelve elected officials. Rep. Coppola emphasized it's just us getting our share of the money and not increasing the budget in any way. Senator Sprague pointed out it's not "Highway's" money-it's the taxpayers money. Rep. Poirier cited the Route 106 project as being a wonderful example of the best that can happen with all agencies working together. Selectman Amoruso noted we have no power without everyone's help. Norton Selectman Kimball thanked the Mansfield Selectmen for their invitation and offered his condolences to Congressman Frank on the death of his niece. He also pointed out the negative response was coming from the Joint Transportation Planning Group who said if they're doing a southbound they should do a northbound at the same time. Norton does not want the northbound ramp. With regard to 40B, Norton is looking at a parcel of land on which they will build a "friendly" 40B, with two developers interested in the proposal. The response from some of the developers has been very good. r Selectman Dolan spoke of the intersections for which Mansfield has petitioned for traffic signalization many times. A meeting has been set up with Commissioner Cogliano June 11th at 10:00 a.m. The Town Manager has a tour scheduled to show the Commissioner and his entourage all the problem areas. Rep. Coppola stated other towns have had similar situations. They look more at traffic control to determine the need for signalization than they do public safety. Chairman MacCaffrie spoke about the intersection of Routes 106/140, which widens out nicely for about 45 feet. If a car can't Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 26,2004 4 r make a lefthand turn then it backs up and nobody can move. He suggested the need for a delayed light to clear out that lane of traffic. Statistics will be brought to the meeting with Commissioner Cogliano on June 11 th and the need will be articulated at that meeting. Town Manger D' Agostino reported the Town is concerned about having to widen School Street to accommodate the development of the Golden Triangle and would like to see MassHighway concede to putting an access road off Route 140 so we don't cut off one area of town's access to the Downtown area. We have School Street now with access, but with the traffic that will be generated and without access off Route 140 for the development, they will be cut off from the rest of the town. We need a direct access without holding up local traffic. Selectman Dolan reported the developer was willing to give the State the land to build the ramp, but wanted a curbcut in exchange. MassHighway said "no". The issue will be put on the agenda for June 11 th. Rep. Poirier suggested Norton Selectmen also attend the meeting on Friday, June II th at 10:00 a.m. r Selectman McCue thanked all our representatives for being here on short notice and brought a couple of issues to their attention. One was a regional economic summit. He's spoken to his colleagues in Norton and has been trying to get hold of the mayor of Attleboro. They're looking at a fall meeting now. Congressman Frank suggested it be put on hold until after the election season. He Also noted a letter he sent to Congressman Frank on the government pension offset. The Congressman said there has finally been some movement, but not as much as he'd liked. Rep. Poirier noted it's especially hard on the voke-ed people because they like to recruit staff at age 50 and they're being penalized for the number of years they previously worked under the Social Security system. Congressman Frank said he will send the Town the latest information on it. Selectmen McCue also spoke about the Hatheway Patterson Superfund site, noting we're trying to be ahead of the curve in considering what we want to do with that location. One of the things being considered is trying to find a bio-tech and he enlisted Congressman Frank's assistance. The key is they have to be held harmless for liability. Can't hold the new owner liable or nobody will go in there. Congressman Frank said he will work on that. A five minute recess was called to reorganize at the conclusion ofthe discussion r The meeting reconvened with Questions and Comments. George Dentino, Gladiola Terrace - said he's listened a number of times about how we follow the Charter. He noted it seems we follow it only when convenient with regard to the date of the Town Meeting, not only in the posting, but in setting the date of the meeting. The other disturbing fact is what votes were taken prior to the Town Meeting. It was noted the meeting was properly posted as an open meeting and the minutes are on file with the Town Clerk and are on the Town Website. Chairman MacCaffrie reviewed the votes taken. Mr. Dentino said he brought up a question on the floor regarding Article 3 of the Special Town Meeting that was not adequately answered regarding $125,000 for Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 26,2004 5 .. . r' health insurance, $74,000 for unemployment, and $30,000 for Medicaid. He stated he can't imagine having additional insurance unless there are additional employees when we know how many employees there are and how much it's going to cost. Town Manager said part of it is due to the buy-back provision we needed additional money for. Set aside $100,000 at the ATM to supplement the insurance line item that we knew were underfunded. Also had situations where employees were on their spouses insurance, spouse lost the job and the family was then covered by the Town employee's insurance. Medicaid is a percentage of salaries that varies with retirements and new hires. Why can't that be determined more accurately without goingfor a transfer every year. John- several variables that make up that money. The Town Manager said he will do a comparative spreadsheet for Mr. Dentino. Selectman Amoruso stated he does not believe it's a Charter violation to put out a green sheet with additional information. We could have just changed it on the screen, but instead gave everyone the green sheet with updated numbers. The Town Meeting is opened every year when it's supposed to be and postponed until another date. Chairman MacCaffrie noted the only rule and regulation that he'll have for Questions and Comments as Chairman is that it's at 9 p.m. every week and everybody remain civil. Selectman Dolan noted it's supposed to be "questions and comments"-not "questions and answers". r Town Manager D' Agostino reported: · We are now pumping gas at the new facility behind the highway garage. DPW is using it now, with other departments being added over the next couple of weeks. · The Skateboard Park will be completed by mid-July according to a schedule established by Mike Ahern. Drainage and other work will done with existing personnel. · EPA will host an informational meeting on Tuesday, June 22, in Room 3AB for the Hatheway Patterson Super Fund site. The plan to hold informational group meetings as well. The June 22nd meeting is at 7:30 p.m. This meeting will dovetail well with the meeting for the Cecil Group. EP A has not yet funded the Super Fund pot but, if we have a use soon, they may shift money to us from another area. The site is critical for future development purposes, parking for commuter rail, or bio-tech use. The Town has decided they want that area to remain commercial development. · Highway Commissioner Cogliano is due here June 11 th to discuss Bridge Construction, lights at West & Forbes and other major intersections. He is putting an agenda together and asked for the Board's input. r Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 26,2004 6 \ r · A workshop needs to be scheduled on a Tuesday or Thursday with PinCom and School Committee. We will get dates from everyone and find a couple of mutually agreeable dates. Chairman MacCaffrie will set an agenda. The desire was stated to do it the end of June or early July. John will be away the last week of July and the first week of August. Further discussion ensued as to how the budget is established and who sets the parameters. It was noted the Board has the ability to set salaries for job classifications based on job descriptions. They also have the right to set salaries for those positions Selectmen appoint. The Charter indicates the Manager shall be the Collective Bargaining Agent. (Chairman MacCaffrie noted Selectmen can sit in on negotiations.) Town Manager D' Agostino stated they did that one year between Town Managers and it ran counter-productive and was packed with significant increases. Selectman Amoruso pointed out the FinCom is looking for the direction that they don't want to see things go "x"% above. r I Selectman Amoruso: · Sister Cities is over and it was a good time. He learned a lot about Mansfield. The visitors were "horrified" at how we do Town Meeting, and everything we do was less democratic than the way they do it. They were also horrified that the Assessors information is available on the internet, giving burglers information to people's addresses and the layout of their homes. Salaries being printed in the Town Report was also shocking to them. Selectman Dolan: · Reported the bump in the Elm Street bridge was fixed this afternoon. He also noted a complaint that come in from a resident on West Street and reported that Gary D' Ambra (Light Deparatment) took care of it and they were quite pleased with the response. Selectman Dolan: · Asked about the procedure for the Memorial Day Parade (Selectmen Achille and MacCaffrie indicated they will be out of town. Selectman Amoruso will fill in to speak on their behalf r Chairman MacCaffrie: · Referred to an e-mail they received from a resident regarding the Train Station. He reported making an offer to the gentleman that if he has any answers to the problem we'd be glad to put him on the agenda. He referred to one good suggestion that was made-that being we find out how they handle parking at the Canton and Sharon stations. Town Manager D 'Agostino indicated Sharon has a resident parking area, but they paid for it themselves. Chairman MacCaffrie stated the MBT A paid for part Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 26, 2004 7 .. ,-.. of it and he believes Canton was totally funded by the MBT A. He also indicated the Route 128 Station was totally funded by the MBT A. He believes anything done here should be funded by MBT A also. Any unpaved portion of their lots should be paved by them. · Talked about setting up a workshop with the School Department and Finance Committee. . He knows we're in the process of getting the Legislature to allow us to have our housing committee and non-profit. The law determines how we set that up and who it's supposed to be. He asked if we can start asking for volunteers from all the groups for the Trust and requested that it be advertised on cable and the website. . In traveling up and down Route 106 and driving by the Highway Garage, late on Saturday, late on Saturday night, early on Sunday morning-the gate was always open. Town Manager D'Agostino reported it is closed religiously at 4:00 p.m. Emergency personnel use it after that and don't always close it. It's an issue that's ongoing trying to close and he has closed them himself many times. With new cards it's easier to find out who was in there last. · Said that he keeps seeing the mats hanging over the railings at front door and would like them put in the proper place. r . Apologized to Eagle Scout Ben Cuneo that he wasn't at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor as he has been to all the others. The invitation wasn't in the regular mail but was in the reading folder and was not seen until it was too late. He stated he has been to all the others and Ben deserves recognition. Motion: To adjourn at 9:56 p.m. (Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Following the adjourned meeting the Summer schedule was set as follows and will be announced at the next meeting: June 2, June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, August 11 & 25 ~~ eofC~ ø ,-. 2- (} L/ Date of Approval r Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 26,2004 8