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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 05/12/04 nECE\VEÐ ./ 1-" :"""t'1,(··~ OFF ICE ;, ,.....~...... iI ï ~. ....¡ Present: 04 HAY 20 PH 2: 59 11ANSFiELO MASSACHUSETTS Selectmen Michael W. McCue, Steven W. MacCaffrie. Roger S. Achille, Louis P. Amoruso; and newly elected Selectman Bernard J. Dolan Town Manager John O. D' Agostino Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12, 2004 r' The meeting was called to order by Town Manager D' Agostino at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Town Manager D'Agostino called for nominations for Chairman of the Board of Selectmen: Nominations: Steven W. MacCaffrie (Achille) Vote: 5-0 Passes Chairman MacCaffrie thanked the Board and called for nominations for Vice Chairman. Nominations: Roger S. Achille (McCue) Vote: 5-0 Passes r Chairman MacCaffrie next called for nominations for Clerk. Nominations: Bernie Dolan (McCue) Vote: 5-0 Passes Nominations for Chairman of the Board of Light Commissioners Roger S. Achille (Dolan) 5-0 Passes Nominations for Vice Chairman of Board of Light Commissioners Louis P. Amoruso (Achille) 5-0 Passes Nominations for Clerk: Bernard J. Dolan (Achille) 5-0 Passes · Warrant No. 46 in the amount of $956,505.00 · Motion: To approve (Achille-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes r- · Minutes of May 5, 2004 Selectmen's Meeting Motion: To approve (Achille-McCue) 4-0-1 with Selectman Dolan abstaining Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12, 2004 1 r · Request from Mansfield High School All-Sports Booster Club to hold their annual 5K Road Race on Sunday, May 23rd, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. starting at the High School and running along East Street, to Branch Street, to Ware Street and back to the High School. (Police and Fire Chiefs have approved) Motion: To approve (Amoruso-Achille) 5-0 Passes · Parade Permit Application of VFW for the annual Memorial Day Parade on May 31, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. Motion: To approve subject to approval of Police & Fire (McCue-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Town Mana2er and Staff r · Notice from Lorilee Fish to be read - reminding everyone of the Rails to Trails dedication this Saturday. Chairman MacCaffrie and Selectman Amoruso indicated they would be attending the dedication. · Memo from DPW Office Manager Betty Amicone with a list of vendors who will be awarded contracts for DPW Supplies and Office Paper for FY2005 - needs signatures so the SERSG Regional Administrator can prepare the contracts. Motion: To sign (Amoruso-Achille) 5-0 Passes · Memo from Town Engineer John D. Sullivan, Jr. re: application for sewer extensionlWare Street · Letter from Police Chief Arthur M. O'Neill re: Resident StickersIRecycling Park stickers for non-resident landlords Staff is looking for a policy clarification. It's currently handled on a case-by-case business, but is not always handled consistently. There's a concern about their bringing outside materials into the Green. Chairman MacCaffrie questioned why they just don't get a dumpster like any other commercial operation. It was noted other businesses don't generally use the recycling park. Consensus was that most businesses have a dumpster and it's part of the cost of doing business. Residents of the units can get a sticker Motion: Not to issue stickers to non-resident landlords (Achille-Dolan) 4-1 with McCue opposed r Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 2 r . Letter from Police Chief Arthur M. O'Neill suggesting Selectmen vote to waive the fee charged to the Mansfield Elks for the use of the police transport wagon at the Elks Carnival Motion: To waive the fee (Dolan-Achille) Selectman McCue disclosed that he is a member of the Elks. Selectman Amoruso spoke against the motion, noting it sets a precedent. If it's deemed additional personnel or equipment are necessary, it should be the responsibility of the organization holding the event. Selectman Dolan noted it was the Chief s determination to send it up to the carnival as a deterrent and he is the one recommending the fee be waived. There were police details up there, but there was apparently an altercation between some Mansfield and Norton youth and it was sent up there as a deterrent. Detail officers were already on duty. Vote:(2-2-1 McCue abstained, Amoruso & Mac opposed Motion fails Boards and Committees · Memo from Recreation Commission re: Development of Skatepark Site · Memo from Pat Bums, Chairman of the Ad Hoc YMCA Strategic Planning Committee re: coordination of the Skatepark site construction with the purchasing of the equipment r · Letter from David S. Cass resigning from the Animal Welfare Committee due to a lack of time to devote to it. Motion: To accept his resignation and send him a letter of thanks and regret (Amoruso-McCue) Selectman McCue noted Mr. Cass was formerly his neighbor and recognized the great contribution made Mr. Cass made to the Animal Welfare Committee and the Town of Mansfield. Vote: 5-0 Passes Residents . E-mail from Jay Barrows requesting that the date of the Downtown Sidewalk Sale be changed from the approved date of July 14th to July 7th. Motion: To change the date subject to police and fire approval (McCue-Dolan) 5-0 Passes Kathie Horiwitz and Tracy Sullivan of Mansfield Women of Today were in attendance to present a check in the amount of $5,000 to the Town to benefit the Middle Common r- Beautification Project. Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 3 r Tracy Sullivan thanked the Board for giving them the opportunity to talk to the board and present a check. They put on several projects each year and their business fund raiser is their annual charity event for which they get a great deal of support from area merchants. One of the recipients this year is the Mansfield Middle Common beautification project. They've had great cooperation with several other organizations and a resident who is a landscape designer. They presented a check for $5,000 to the Town. Kathie Horiwitz said she was one of the two chairpeople for the auction and thanked all those who supported it, noting the check is really a gift from the townspeople and merchants who supported them. Chairman MacCaffrie accepted the check on behalf of the Town. Town Manager D' Agostino noted the work done by Mansfield Women of Today, pointing out that the local chapter is one of the largest in the nation. He thanked them for their kind and generous donation, noting it will improve an area of town that is very dear to the merchants and residents. A short recess was called, after which it was noted that Selectman McCue left not feeling well. r Superintendent Moretti congratulated Mike, Steve & Bernie. He reported meeting last week with FinCom and identified a $325,000 gap between revenue and the budget. When he and the Town Manager met last Friday morning that talked about a strategy to close the budget gap and he promised to recommend a figure of $810,000 to the School Committee. They therefore reduced their budget an additional amount, leaving a budget deficit of $160,000. He asked the Selectmen to give serious consideration between now and Town Meeting to add an additional $160,000 from Stabilization so we're able to go into Town Meeting with a balanced budget. It appears no further reductions can be made and no additional revenue is anticipated. They've reduced a third grade teacher and reduced the budget to the point nobody beyond a master's degree third step teacher can be hired. Selectman Achille asked if it will balance the budget if we take $1.1 million out of Stabilization. Town Manager D 'Agostino said there is currently $2.7 million in Stabilization. He doesn't want to keep infusing large amounts of money into the budget from Stabilization. ,-- Selectman Dolan asked what the budget is now. Town Manager D' Agostino said it's $31,060,000 - was $30,029,000 last year - an increase of 3.5% which is the smallest increase in his seven years in Mansfield. $900,090 is coming back to the Town in increased Chapter 70 Aid, which mitigates the increase in the school budget. Selectman Dolan noted that as far as he's concerned, if it's money going to fix a school roof it's money going to the schools. There's an additional $300,000 allocated for that. Chairman MacCaffrie pointed out they're all town buildings and we own and insure them. He Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12, 2004 4 r' suggested there's no point in allowing any of them to go into disrepair and have them become a safety item. He recommended it go on as capital improvement. He has a number he's thinking of that's about $100,000. Moretti noted they were asked to pick up the cost of the crossing guards in order for the Police Chief to balance his budget - that was $26,000. Town Manager D' Agostino reminded the Board that there is an article on the Warrant for an override. If we were to get to a balanced budget and there's a need to use stabilization, what would happen with that article. Superintendent Moretti said he would hope the sponsors of the article would withdraw the article for the override and would be happy to speak to the person who submitted the article. Last year $1.1 million was taken from Stabilization. Selectman Amoruso said he hoped we would have been able to get a little closer than we have. Selectman Achille asked if we do need a certain level of stabilization to maintain our bond rating - usually 5-7% of the budget. Town Manager D' Agostino said he would like the Board to consider replenishing the account if we draw from Stabilization. He believes there should be linkage of Free Cash going back into Stabilization as a priority. There may be some that comes in that he would recommend it be designated first and foremost as going back into Stabilization. Chairman MacCaffrie pointed out we can make that presentation, but it's up to the citizens to decide whether to put it in $40,000 or spend it. We need to know if we can get by without spending it. Chairman MacCaffrie asked Superintendent Moretti to extend our thanks to the School Committee and suggested we're at a point that it may be workable. Selectman Amoruso noted Andy Gazzolo of FinCom is present tonight. r- Mr. Webster said he reported several weeks ago that the Mansfield Housing Partnership asked the Board to consider turning a lot on the corner of Hope and Church Streets over to Habitat for Humanity and it was put on the Town Meeting Warrant. He noted that after meeting tonight they are asking that the article be withdrawn. DPW Director Lee M. Azinheira presented his recommendations on setting the water and sewer rates for the upcoming fiscal year. ",..- Water rates - referred to memo in which he recommends 6% increase in order to meet the FY 2005 proposed budget. The first two years were very good, and we're at where we anticipated we would be. The rate increase is done annually to meet our expenses and build up capital. There is one more year at 6%, then another adjustment. The cost of services is increasing annually. Selectman Achille asked what would happen if we didn't increase them 6%. Revenue would not meet expenses. By doing it each year your interest rates are lower on the capital costs. A gradual increase makes it easier for everyone rather than having to go up all at once. Motion: To approve the rate as presented (Dolan-Amoruso) 4-0 Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 5 r Increase will be effective June 1 st. Sewer rates - had projected a lower increase this year, but revenues through the end of April indicate a 6% rate increase is needed. We've lost some customers and there were more problems than anticipated. Our water rates are at the average, but we're at the lower end on the sewer rates. We adjust these annually also. There was a 4.9% increase last year. We're trying to find a source to fund Inflow & Infiltration (1&1) in the future, such as a capital charge for new customers to be set aside for this purpose. They're benefiting from the 1&1 because if we hadn't done it they wouldn't have been able to connect. Motion: To approve the rate increases as recommended effective June 1 st (Dolan-Amoruso) 4-0 Passes Tax Increment Financing Committee members presented the proposal they recommended for MEDCO. Present were TIF Committee members Andy Gazzolo, Paul Folkman, and Jack Vultaggio. Lynn Tokarczyk of Business Development Strategies, Inc. was also present to discuss the MEDCO proposal. Gay Wells of the Massachusetts Office of Business Development was also present in the audience. Also present was Attorney Ed Valanzola, representing Andrew Tyne, President ofMEDCO. ,,- Town Manager D' Agostino noted we were on a dual track in establishing a criteria and seeing where the criteria fit with regard to the MEDCO proposal. The proposal of $19,024 is the TIF agreement with some linkage that the TIF Committee is recommending the Board select for this proposal. Their sole purpose in establishing this is that the business becomes a meaningful partner with the Town. The Board was provided with a spreadsheet prepared by the TIF Committee that shows a qualified investment of $2 million $39,211 in taxes will be collected with no additional investment. $116,873 was initially proposed by MEDCO. The total benefit of $319,000 will be received by the Town over 10 years. A breakdown of the proposal was provided. The Board was made aware that any personal property would be exempt during this 10 year period, which should be minimal in shipping and receiving, warehousing and customer service. They propose to hire approximately 20 employees in the ETA. The community benefits portion was discussed with the Fire Chief and there were some requests made as to what they would like met by MEDCO as part of the linage package. ,,-- Ms. Tokarczyk thanked the Selectmen and Town Manager for establishing the committee. She presented a quick background and history of MEECO and their expansion plan and turned it over to Andrew Tyne. Mr. Tyne reported MEDCO Corp. is a family-owned business. He's the third generation. It ha been around since 1930 and was reorganized under Richard Bell. They have hub locations and shipping and receiving locations. Hubs are located in Philadelphia, St. Louis, Atlanta and Fresno, CA. Other locations around the country are shipping and receiving. Mansfield is proposed as a full Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 6 hub facility with management, shipping, and. customer service personnel. They service the automotive after-market as a wholesale distributor, supporting Auto Zone, Car Quest, Sherman Williams Corp. and independent paint retail distributors as well as and car parts distributors. They initiated a site search in the summer of 2003 and looked in Massachusetts, ... Connecticut and Rhode Island for a hub facility in the Northeast. In October Rich3id Bell came to the Town with plans to ,build in Mansfield. In November discUssion of incentives was initiated. In December a discussion with Town Manager D'Agostino and incentives were offered to make it pad-ready. The building is estimated to cost $2.5--$2 million for the building and $500,000 for land improvements. In February they put in a TlF proposal. They held their second meeting with John D' Agostino at the Mansfield Holiday Inn, bringing in about 100 people that generated approximately $40,000 worth of business to Holiday Inn. They also do a lot of work with local vocational schoøls and support municipalities with products and customers with clinics that bring revenue into the area. The jobs themselves produce an average salary of $35,000 among management, customer service and warehouse people. They've made a significant investment in the building and facility and estimate over time it will become profitable. The are looking for incentives to assist in getting the land ready to house the facility. Ms. Tokarczyk spoke of the state and local tax incentives. She noted the intent of the economic target program is to serve as an incentive to get companies to locate in Massachusetts. The benefits to the company include Economic Target Area (ETA) tax financing and personal property tax incentives. MEDCO plans to establish a strong partnership with Mansfield. They have met with the Fire Chief and MEDCO has offered security items they are very interested in. It benefits the Town in many other ways that offset the company's benefit. Safety and security cabinets and gloves will be provided to the Town. Mr. Tyne noted they do business with the New York Fire Department and was one of the few companies authorized to ship product into the city during 9/11. They brought in respirators, gloves, and cutting equipment. MEDCO great deal of support from some of their large manufacturers, such as MMM, and were able tQsupport the efforts there. They are a Family-owned business that looks toward the community and is very progressive in looking to technology to increase their business and stay within the United States. Ms. Tokarczyk noted that if the Board of Selectmen supports the proposal, MEDCO will be eligible for a 5% tax credit from the State following approval by Town Meeting. , . ,; ,,," . .. I Selectman Achille asked how many positions would be filled by Mansfield residents under the proposal. Mr. Tyne said ultimately there will be twenty employees. They have plans for on-site manufacturing. He also spoke of other types of positions that will be I available, noting they are looking for skilled workers to handle the bar coding devices. / Selectman Dolan asked how we keep track of the fact that they have Mansfield resid9hts employed. Ms. Tokarzyck referred to item #3 of the certified project applic~tiön: Annual reports are submitted to the State and they make sure they comply with the certified job classification. They would hire qualified residents from MansfieJd· and throughout the area. She noted the regulations allow them to hire throughout tb.e ETA. Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 7 MEDCO is in the process of working with the Department of Labor, aimed at companies who have recently laid off people. Mansfield has the highest unemployment rate of the communities in the ETA. They have a substantial training program so will look at bringing people in who are willing to learn and work. Chairman MacCaffrie confirmed that the next step is for the Selectmen to approve it and send it to Town Meeting for a vote on the warrant article. Ms. Tokarczyk referred to the agreement the Selectmen would be recommending to Town Meeting, noting a vote is required of Town Meeting to authorize the Town to enter into the agreement. It is their hope that it will be approved by Town Meeting on the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen and that the voters would authorize the Town to enter into an agreement. Motion: To recognize 572 West St as an Economic Target Area (Achille-Dolan) 4-0 Passes Motion: To authorize the Town to enter into agreement with Liberty Bell Equipment ($19,000 plus community benefits linkage of safety gloves and cabinets for Fire Department, 20 jobs over 10 years created) (Dolan-Achille) 4-0 Passes Dan Donovan - Court Street: congratulated Steve MacCaffrie on being voted Chairman, and Bernie Dolan and Mike McCue on their election and re-election. He wished Bernie luck and the Selectmen a good and prosperous year. He suggested having something on the agenda for board and committee members to come before the Selectmen to communicate what they're working on. He also asked about figure for crossing guards ($26,000) questioning whether it could be done by senior work program. We've increased the amount of the exemption from $500 to $750, which would work out to about III hours. Mr. Donovan said he doesn't want to do away with the crossing guards, but suggested it's $26,000 that can be channeled into that program. . ì Mark Lundell, 46 Henry Street (corner of Creedon St.) - asked about Article 26 regarding the planned assisted living facility at the end of Campbell Street. As a resident of the area he noted there's not much information out there as to what is planned and asked how large the facility would be. Chairman MacCaffrie explained that the land became available from the State and John D 'Agostino put together a package to obtain it. To do so he had to identify what we would use it for. We needed something so our seniors could stay in Mansfield and it will be a Mansfield project. We don't know hòw many yet, but we need to get it on Town Meeting Warrant in order to get the, property. He also spoke of working with developers and noted it's difficult for the Town to set up a program . to manage these projects. We don't want to hire more people to run them. A Trust could be set up to accept money and develop the property. It will not have a curb cut onto Route 140. The focus now is to get the property and meet with area residents. We want to keep it for age 55 and over with some assisted living to take care of our seniors. This will minimize traffic and maintain the quality of the neighborhood. We're just taking , . ;, Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 8 r "baby steps" at this point. There may be developers interested in assisting us in doing the project, but it stays with us and under our control. John D 'Agostino has met with some people in the area and we're trying to get started This parcel was included in our affordable housing plan submitted to DHCD and would be included in meeting our 10 percent quota for affordable housing. We're looking for something "friendly" as opposed to some of what we see coming in. Town Manager D 'Agostino assured Mr. Lundell that as the plans become available and we move forward, we will be meeting with the neighborhood. Selectman Amoruso pointed out we don't know the eventual size of the site. We've been asked by a couple of abutters if they could move in if they sold their land at a very reasonable price. We're looking to move forward in helping more of our seniors. r FinCom members Andy Gazzolo, Mike Sams, and Jack Goldberg reported on the school budget analysis given last week. Mr. Gazzolo noted when Mr. Moretti talks about the budget, he doesn't include the School Department benefits that are included in the Town- side budget. As it stands now, when we factor in the benefits and the $200,000 they borrowed last year but didn't repay, it's an extra $1.3 million to School Department's 3.8% increase. It will be 4.1% with the extra money. Capital expenditures is also not included in that figure. Selectman Achille asked if t is routine to have the benefits on the Town-side. Mr. Gazzolo noted for the purposes of the Finance Committee they try to align the benefits to where they belong in order to give a true picture. Mike Sams said it was his understanding that one of the reasons for combining them was to get a better rate. He noted these figures do not even take into account the additional revenue the School Department has received in taking over the YMCA Pre- and After-School Program. The problem is that we'll face the problem each year in the future because operational costs are out of control. With the 3% plus step increases it will be impossible to sustain the budget. We're getting less from the State each year and that, combined with the revenue growth, will not keep up with the increases without layoffs and overrides every other year. Discussion continued regarding the use of Stabilization, with it being noted it was mean to be used for emergencies. They're now requesting that it be used for operational expenses. We've taken away our CIP projects in the last couple of years. We're looking to do a bond next year for things that absolutely have to be done. One bond is not going to do it with more and more committed to debt, salaries and benefits. Town Manager D' Agostino noted the healthcare benefit was $2.1 million when he came to Mansfield and it's now up to $5.5 million. Selectman Dolan pointed out Mr. Moretti is asking for an additional $160,000 to go into the budget. He hasn't provided a list of detailed cuts that were made to show what they were. He said he doesn't support that amount because it will push us into an override next year. Town Manager D' Agostino noted if we do generate any Free Cash it has to go back into Stabilization on a priority basis. Mr. Gazzolo stated we have not had the layoffs like surrounding Towns have. Mr. Sams reiterated that other towns have had massive layoffs to maintain the increases in salaries and benefits. Selectman Amoruso said there's no money coming to us on the Town-side. The total increase was given to the School side, yet we have (' Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 9 ,r- increases just as they do and we fall behind as a Town. Mr. Gazzolo pointed out that decisions today will affect the next five years. The $1.2 million override four years ago has generated $10 million over that time and we're still short. Selectman Amoruso noted the importance of deciding where we're going to stop it. He pointed out that we add to the base either way and need to find a better way. Mr. Gazzolo indicated he would like to see where the proposed reduction on the School Department request is coming from. It was noted that a choice has to be made with regard to the recommendation made to Town Meeting. People will listen to Board of Selectmen, School Committee and Finance Committee. It's when there's disagreement that it makes it difficult for the taxpayers to decide what to do with the limited information they have. Mr. Gazzolo pointed out that the average home in Mansfield would pay $500 additional in taxes just because of these things, and on top of a revaluation year. Industry compares tax rates in determining where to locate and spiraling tax rates do not provide an incentive to locate in Mansfield. Selectman Dolan acknowledged that he does not know where else it can be saved and doesn't know what affect it would have on class size. Mr. Sams said they don't necessarily agree they need to be cutting the teachers and have never heard anything about a reduction in the number of administrators or secretaries. There are four secretaries at each school. One of the things Mr. Moretti listed as possible cuts back in March was two administrative positions that we haven't heard anything about since. Selectman Achille said he is strictly looking for numbers because we don't know what the appropriate manpower is can't micromanage the School Department. Mr. Gazzolo suggested the possibility of shared positions such as what's being discussed with the Town's Veterans Agent position. Selectman Dolan noted that packing Town Meeting with the right crowd can get anything passed. Chairman MacCaffrie asked if we can come to an agreement, noting if the override goes forward it mayor may not be in the best interest of the Town to put it on the ballot. Discussion continued as to how to handle the budget situation and the effects of an override. Motion: To ask John D' Agostino to talk to John Moretti and indicate we will be willing to take an additional $80,000 from Reserves if they will reduce their budget by that amount. (Amoruso-Dolan) 4-0 Passes r Article 1 - Light Commissioners - authorize transfer of $14,738.00 to MIS Salaries as internal charge. Motion: To support (Dolan-Achille) 4-0 Passes Public Buildings Personal Services - additional part-time person at Mansfield Green to check stickers - over and above senior citizen work program. Legal fees and Refuse Disposal - additional tonnage due to lack of recycling; need to have a workshop with Waste Management Motion: To support (Dolan-Achille) 4-0 Passes r- Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 10 r Article 2 Motion: To support (Amoruso-Achille) 4-0 Passes Article 3 Motion: To support (Amoruso-Dolan) 4-0 Passes Article 4 Motion: To support (Dolan-Achille) 4-0 Passes Articles 5 & 6 Withdrawn Table 7 - table for more information Article 8 Motion: To support (Amoruso-Achille) 4-0 Passes Article 9 Support - Table for more information Article 10 - some of it covered under insurance r Motion: To support (Amoruso-Dolan) 4-0 Passes Article 11 - Table for more information Article 12 - Chapter 90, will be spending money this fiscal year; has to be appropriated Motion: To support (Amoruso-Achille) 4-0 Passes Article 13 Motion: To support (Amoruso-Dolan) 4-0 Passes Article 14 - Withdrawn Article 15 - Citizens Petition Motion: Not to support (Amoruso-Dolan) 4-0 Passes Annual Town Meeting Warrant r Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 11 r- Article 1 _ amended amount will be $31,018,882.15 - will not have a definite number until Thursday - asked that it be tabled until Tuesday night - some of the percentage increases questioned. These are not the numbers we'll be voting on. Tabled until Tuesday night. Article 2 - $31,060,000 currently. Not finished with the reduction - Table Article 3 - standard article for Light Dept. Motion: To support (Amoruso-Dolan) 3-0 with Selectman Achille out of the room Article 4 - Table for more accurate number Article 5 - number is accurate Motion: To support (Amoruso-Dolan) 4-0 Passes Article 6 _ Southeastern Regional School District - will try to find out if it can be reduced; would revert to Free Cash - Table Article 7 Motion: To support (Achille-Amoruso) 4-0 Passes r Article 8 Motion: To support (Amoruso-Dolan) 4-0 Passes Article 9 Motion: To support (Amoruso-Dolan) 4-0 Passes Article 10 Motion: To support (Amoruso-Achille) 4-0 Passes Article 11 Motion: To support (Amoruso-Achille) 4-0 Passes Article 12 - Withdrawn Article 13 - School roof $294,200 Motion: To support (Amoruso-Achille) 4-0 Passes r Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 12 r- Article 14 - DPW Capital Projects (street sweeper) Motion: To support (Achille-Dolan) 4-0 Passes Article 15 - $160,000 for heating and air conditioning Motion: To support (Achille-Dolan) 4-0 Passes Article 16 - Withdrawn Article 17 - Water Division capital improvement projects - water main design for Ware and Essex Street - Tabled so Selectman Dolan can check the number from the CIP recommendation Article 18 - $1.2 million from Wastewater Depreciation Trust - will have itemized description Motion: To support (Amoruso-Dolan) 4-0 Passes Article 19 - Only have a little money in the budget. Will be $150,000 to borrow and $150,000 transfer for 1&1 only and small bridge inspections Motion: To support (Achille-Dolan) 4-0 Passes r Article 20 Motion: To support (Achille-Dolan) 4-0 Passes Article 21 - no money budgeted because we don't know what it's going to be spent on- FinCom doesn't recommend - no revenue source identified - may be able to do it in the Fall if there's a plan submitted. Motion: Table until Fall Town Meeting (Amoruso-Achille) 4-0 Passes Article 22 - Don't have a number as to what our portion of the Wildlife Habitat Evaluation will be. Motion: Table until Fall Town Meeting (Achille-Amoruso) 4-0 Passes Article 23 - Withdrawn Article 24 - Will allow us to revert to a per-pupil formula Motion: To support (Dolan-Amoruso) 4-0 Passes Article 25 - Chairman MacCaffrie said a request was made to withdraw the article and he r asked the Board to take a vote on removing the stipends from the budget. It was noted Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 13 ,,-- that the Assessors have relied on the stipend for many years and it's a big issue with the them. Selectman Achille pointed out that when we've had the elderly begging for even $1,500 it shows how important this much money means to others. The incumbents did apply for the term anticipating receipt of this amount. He suggested it be phased out at the time of each reappointment. Selectman Dolan asked if the Assessors put in any more time than other boards. They meet every week, have to be certified yearly, take classes, do field inspections, and set the values by Charter. They also hear appeals. This could cause some to leave and affect continuity. It was noted that this is not a full-time position and other boards are putting in the time without compensation Motion: To remove the stipend paid to the Assessors from the budget (Amoruso) Motion: To amend the motion, keeping the stipends for current term and phasing them out as terms end and notifying the Assessors of that. (Achille-Amoruso) 4-0 as amended Passes Article 26 - Borrow for Campbell Street Motion: To support (Amoruso-Achille) 4-0 Passes Article 27 Motion: To support (Achille-Amoruso) 4-0 Passes Town Manager D'Agostino advised the Board that Town Counsel says new Attorney r General is adamant that this has to go to ballot at the next available election if it passes at Town Meeting. Article 28 - Light Department Director Motion: To support (Amoruso-Achille) 4-0 Passes Article 29 - There has been discussion among staff that the article should prohibit dirt bikes and ATV's from all Town property. Selectman Amoruso pointed out that such an amendment could be a problem if snowmobiles are used on public ways in an emergency, such as a major snowstorm. Motion: To support as written (Dolan-MacCaffrie passed gavel) 2-2 Fails Article 30 - Amended version will be inserted - get copy for Tuesday night for Board Article 31 Motion: To support (Dolan-Amoruso) 3-0-1 with Selectman Achille abstaining Passes Article 32 Motion: To support ( (Dolan-Achille) 4-0 Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 14 r-- Article 33 Motion: To support (Achille-Amoruso) 4-0 Passes Article 34 - Tabled Article 35 - Check to see if it's 2/3 or 7/8 ofthe vote required Motion: To support (Dolan-Amoruso) 4-0 Passes Article 36 - Town Counsel does not believe we can do this. We haven't exercised the option to sell the property and cannot earmark it. Can't appropriate until the money is in the General Fund. Chairman MacCaffrie noting that we have the grant money and the property is ours, asked if we could request a grant to do something for affordable housing through the Mansfield Housing Authority. Selectman Amoruso would like to see it used for parking and designate the proceeds for affordable housing to purchase a property for housing. Town Manager D' Agostino indicated he will talk to Recreation Director Lorilee Fish, as this is the suggestion of the Recreation Department. Motion: To continue for 30 minutes having reached the 11 :00 p.m. meeting curfew (Amoruso-Achille) 4-0 Passes r Article 37 - 40 Motion: To support together (Dolan-Achille) 4-0 Passes Article 41 Target Incentive Financing Motion: To support (Achille-Amoruso) 4-0 Passes It was noted that the remainder of the Warrant articles were submitted by petition. Town Manager D' Agostino: . Last week when discussing his increase he indicated 4.5% had been budgeted. He's since learned that it's budgeted for only 3.5% and is asking that his increase be reduced to 3.5%. Motion: To reduce the Town Manager's increase from 4.5% to 3.5% (Amoruso-Dolan) Selectman Achille stated his concern is that the Town Manager's raise should be within the same ballpark as all others. He noted the Town Manager deserves a raise and is doing a good job. He doesn't have the information of what others are receiving r-- and in the public sector today 3 and 4% are considered good. If this is along the lines Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 15 . . ,-- of the rank and file it's fine. When times are good the raises can be more. He believes the complexity of the job is reflected in the base pay. The Town Manager deserves a raise, but he does not have figures to feel comfortable that this is the right amount. Town Manager D 'Agostino noted he responded in a confidential detailed memo with a summary of the information Roger is looking for. He also talked it in Executive Session with the Finance Committee and it was done in relationship with how much money we would save on a 70/30 split. Selectman Achille said he would not support a motion without documentation for anything more than a 3% raise. Don't think 4.5% is a message we want to send in difficult economic times. Lou - doesn't make any difference in School Committee negotiations. Have seen similar percentage raises in good times. Roger - he's doing a very good job in tough economic times. Motion: To reduce the Town Manager's increase from 4.5% to 3% (Achille-no second) Vote on Main Motion 2-2 at 3.5% with Selectmen Amoruso and Dolan in favor, Achille and MacCaffrie opposed Fails . The Airport Commission has contacted him to clarify his statement that they didn't meet with the Finance Committee. They did meet with them, discussed the enterprise account, and went to FinCom with a report on their budget. . The MEPA Scoping Session for Fairfield Green on West Street has been scheduled for May 19th at 10:30 Room 2AB of Town Hall. r Motion: To adjoum at 11 :20 p.m. (Amoruso) 4-0 Passes ~9JÞ( 07 c;-O~- Date of Approval r Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 12,2004 16