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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 04/07/04 r r ~ Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 7, 2004 ¡ ~ ~, t·¡ Ì Present: . ·T" \ ". . . ! .) JI Michael W. McCue, Chairman; Steven W. MacCafftie, Vice Chairman; Roger S. Achille, Clerk; Selectmen David W. McCarter and Louis P. Amoruso; Town Manager John O. D' Agostino The meeting, held at the Library/Council on Aging Multi-Purpose Room, was called to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Chairman McCue welcomed the seniors and general public to the meeting. Francis Sheaff, 46 Pratt Street - asked if there is a percentage of funds that will be cut ITom the Senior's budget for programs as a result of a funding shortage. The Town Manager said he supports the Seniors and will try to provide them with as much in resources as possible. All departments have been asked to cut their budgets an additional 6 ~%. He does not believe the Council on Aging Outreach Worker that he had hoped to add as a new position will happen this year. He is not looking to cut any further positions. We will do our best to provide the level of service Seniors and the rest of the Townspeople need. Mr. Sheatf said he is concerned with property tax~ going up. Chairman McCue noted the budget has not yet been finalized and nothing is definite at this point. Town Manager D' Agostino stated the current Outreach Worker is still in the budget. If the budget trend continues, it may be eliminated in the future. Selectman MacCaffiie pledged not to cut additional funds ITom the Seniors who have paid their dues for so many years. He expressed the concern that we are becoming a Town with one class of citizens who are highly paid, with those who have lived in town for a long time and their children who have grown up in Mansfield can no longer afford to live here. Town Manager D' Agostino spoke of the Boston Magazine article that showed in a survey of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts, Mansfield is one of the towns in which people are getting the most for their tax dollar. He noted the need to control the school spending portion of the budget. Chairman McCue noted a 6.5% budget reduction would amount to about $16,000, which is a small percentage of the budget, but would have a major impact on them. COA Director Gale Farrugia said everyone knows her budget is bare bones and is comprised of either personnel or programs. She believes a level funded budget will allow them to continue their current programs. There are many activities they have that the Town doesn't pay for and are provided through volunteer efforts. She thanked those present for showing up at the meeting to let the Selectmen know of their concerns and interest. Selectman Amoruso commended Ms. Farrugia on providing wonderful services with the small budget she has. He warned there may be a battle between the Schools and the Town on Town Meeting floor this year and noted both sides are still working diligently to balance the budget without going for an override. Bœrd of Selectmen Minutes of April 7, 2004 1 r r (' Selectman McCarter asked how many ofthe Seniors present participate in the Senior Tax Abatement work program. Many noted their participation in the program that provides them with $750 off their tax bills. One woman asked if participants have to be age 65 or better, or if those with a disability can participate. The State currently requires participants to be 65. We are currently doing everything we can legally do with the program at this point. Selectman MacCaffrie spoke of the housing opportunities we're currently working on for Seniors and pledged his continued effort in this direction. Norma Smith of 18 Oakleaf Drive brought to their attention the great deal that Gale Farrugia does with volunteers, noting we offer more than most other communities in the area. Angela Romano, 20 Bicentennial Court - spoke of the needs and services provided, noting she benefited from them at a very difficult time in her life and she doesn't know what she would have done without them. She's participated in painting and exercise classes, the walking group, comes here for lunch most every day and helps out in other ways. One of the most important elements of the program is having a place to go and people to talk to. She noted many of them live alone, may not drive, and have limited mobility. The bus makes it possible for them to go out and get groceries, particularly when there's ice and snow. She also told of a fall she took when riding her three-wheel bike and was helped and encouraged by Debbie Suprenaut to be checked out by an EMT. Selectman Achille apologized for coming in late, noting it was not a sign of disrespect but rather having to commute in ftom Boston. He noted it's a tribute to them and their generation that come through with flying colors in their interest and participation. He noted our obligation to their generation, stating the Council on Aging is looking for $15,000 to be level·funded. Town Manager D' Agostino noted there is a $3.9 million deficit. Selectman Achille said he doesn't think we should be taking anything ITom the Seniors when we can find the money to fund a growth study by Dr. Mullin. Motion: To direct the Town Manager to at least level fund the Council on Aging (Achille-MacCaffrie) Alice Sjoberg, 436 Ware Street said she was retired for ten years before she really found out what they do here. She's joined many activities since then and has never seen a place that does things for their Seniors the way we do here. An unidentified gentlemen by the name of Mark added "thank God for the Senior Center." Pat Churchill of Bicentennial Court spoke highly of the escort service for those who don't have family or ftiends to take them to doctor appointments. Stating the ability to get to the doctor when needed is the reason she's still here. Vote on Motion: 5-0 Passes Selectman McCarter noted the Board voted on ambulance fees a short while ago and he's heard trom Seniors who believe they're going to have to pay an additional 10%. He stated that is not going to happen. We will not be taking money out of the pockets of Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 7, 2004 2 those who cannot afford it. Selectman MacCaffrie noted "Medicare plus 10%" only r means that we can charge those who have it, but from Medicare patients the billing company takes the Medicare payment as payment in full. Chairman McCue said that regardless of their ability to pay, at no time will emergency services be denied to anyone. Frank Grant of 15 Franklin Street said he has a bill in his pocket ITom the ambulance for $66 and he's on SSI and cannot afford to pay that. Selectman MacCaffrie took the bill ITom him, noting if he can't get it taken care of he'll pay it for him. Selectman McCarter said they may get a bill, but we're not chasing anyone down. The gentleman noted he has not talked to anyone about the bill. Chairman McCue pointed out these are the kinds of situations in which they do not charge. Karl Clemmey said he hopes this forum isn't just for election purposes and asked for the Board to set another date tonight for another such meeting. Selectman McCarter responded, saying he's known Chairman McCue for a long time and he knows he's been interested in doing this for some time now. Selectman MacCaffrie said it's a good practice and thinks it should be done more frequently in various locations. Selectman Achille suggested there may be some groups that don't want the Selectman back. Chairman McCue noted he's been trying to do this for the last year and a half and if he's fortunate enough to be re-elected in May he would not be unwilling to do this again. r I Carol Lossier of 18 Bicentennial Court - has been coming to the COA for seven years. She is originally from Worcester and went back there for a time, noting they have nothing like this program there. She expressed hope that GATRA and the escort service will continue. She also noted her concern that many of their ftiends may get taxed out of their homes and thinks people should write to their representatives at the Federal and State level. George Dentino of Gladiola Terrace agreed that residents of this community are being overtaxed and it hurts the elderly the most. He suggested the Industrial Park be utilized for what it was designed for-to take the tax burden off the residents. He expressed hope that the Town would have a new vision and stop offering tax incentive financing to provide a tax break for businesses and industry at the expense of the residents. Selectman MacCaffrie offered the Seniors an apology because he is not able to attend their coffees due to the fact that he leaves for work at 5:05 a.m. and runs job sites that make it impossible for him to break away. He noted his interest in attending any of their events on weekends. Lawrence Sjoberg, 436 Ware Street - said he appreciates Mr. MacCaffrie's honesty and his being on the board. Chairman McCue called for a five-minute recess prior to the start of an alcohol hearing. r Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 7, 2004 3 r '¡ r r The Notice of Public Hearing as it appeared in The Sun Chronicle on March 24, 2004, was read into the record. Motion: To open the public hearing at 8:07 p.m. (Achille-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Attorney Ken Felter and Robin Pickette, Manager of New England Sportservice, together with Executive Director Bruce Montgomery of the Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts, were in attendance to present the petition for an alteration of the premises for their Wine and Malt Alcohol License at the Tweeter Center and address questions and concerns of the Board of Selectmen and public. Attorney Felter introduced Mr. Montgomery who spoke of occasions when the facility has been temporarily enlarged and having temporary beer and wine licenses for the fenced-off area within the parking lot with access only fÌ'om within the facility. The capacity of the venue will remain the same, but the points of sale will be altered for some events without the number of points of sale being increased. This was done four days last year and they expect to do it two days this year for WBCN River Rave concert and Ozz Fest. Selectman Achille asked for an explanation of the theory behind doing this for these two events and not for others. Mr. Montgomery explained that these festival events bring in equipment, such as a skateboard ramp, that need more space. They will still allow one alcoholic beverage per person at a time and they fÌ'equently close down the beer stands early. Selectman MacCaffrie said he is reluctant to grant this as a general practice and believes the Board should grant it on an event-by-event basis. He also asked if they're taking parking spaces away, where are they replicating them. Mr. Montgomery said they have access to 1,700 spaces, which exceeds the zoning requirements. Selectman Amoruso verified that they do not exceed their attendance capacity in doing this. Selectman McCarter asked if security staff is increased for events of this type, and he was assured that it is increased substantially. Selectman MacCaffrie noted in the hour and a half he was there for River Rave, he did not see anywhere near the number of security people he felt should be there. Mr. Montgomery assured him there were at least ten assigned to the stage. Selectman MacCaffrie said his concern was security out and about the property-not the stage. Motion: To open the next hearing and to postpone it until the conclusion of this hearing. (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Karl Clemmey of South Main Street asked the Board to ask Mr. Montgomery to please have them replace the fence between the Tweeter Center and his property. Last year they picked up over 1,000 bottles that were thrown on top of their trucks. He asked the Board to view the area to verify his complaint. Selectman MacCaffrie noted it doesn't fall under this license but can be taken under advisement when reviewing their entertainment Bœrd of Selectmen Minutes of April 7, 2004 4 license. Mr. Clemmey said they need to have more security at the tent portion of the r venue. Motion: To close the public hearing at 8:20 p.m. (MacCaffrie-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Motion: To deny the alteration proposal (MacCaffrie-Achille, for discussion) Selectman MacCaffrie noted granting this license opens it up on a permanent basis. If the licensee wants it only for these two events, that is what they should ask for. Some of the events require additional security. Attorney Felter offered they would be glad to have it as a condition of the license to have it for anything other than River Rave or OzzFest. Motion and second withdrawn Motion: To grant the alteration of the premises as requested by the applicant with the understanding that the Board will be provided fourteen days written notice of any event in addition to the River Rave and OzzFest events, and if there are any objections to have them come in for a hearing. (Achille-Amoruso) 4-1 with MacCaffrie opposed Passes (' The Notice of Public Hearings for two additional petitions of New England Sportservice as it appeared in The Sun Chronicle on March 24,2004, was read into the record. Motion: To open the public hearing at 8:30 p.m. (Amoruso-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Attorney Ken Felter and Robin Pickette, Manager of New England Sport service, together with Executive Director Bruce of the Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts, were in attendance to present the petition for a Change of Officers/Directors for their All Alcoholic Beverages and Wine and Malt Licenses at the Tweeter Center. Comment ftom the public was invited on both the all alcohol and wine and malt licenses and there was none forthcoming. Karl Clemmey asked if there were comments fÌ'om staff. The application was routed and there were no negative comments received. Motion: To accept the changes in the officers and directors for the wine and malt and all alcoholic beverages licenses (MacCaffrie-McCarter) Amendment: To approve the change of officers as delineated subject to review and no adverse comments pending receipt of the routing slips (Amoruso-Achille) 5-0 Passes r- Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 7, 2004 5 r r r- Motion: To close the Public Hearing at 8:40 p.m. Chairman McCue suggested the Tweeter Center Entertainment license be acted on at this time while Mr. Montgomery is still here. Mr. Montgomery said his primary concern is not to betray the trust of the community and to continue to set standards for the industry. He accepts discussions he had with Mr. D' Agostino and the increase in some of the overtime fines. They will continue to maintain communications with the Town and will be responsive to concerns. Selectman MacCaffiie asked if the fire lane parking lane has been altered in any way fÌ'om last year. Mr. Montgomery said it has not been. Selectman McCarter asked if the parking of school busses at the Tweeter Center is temporary or permanent. Town Manager D 'Agostino noted we have not yet found a site that the Town can house them. It was asked if every thing possible has been done to reduce the sound levels. Mr. Montgomery noted the new technology they're hoping to use on the lawn is actually being used by the artists now and it has decreased the sound levels in the area. When the levels are high, they turn the sound off on the lawn. Selectman MacCaffrie said he highly disagrees with the parking of limousines where it is not authorized and overlooked communicating it as a concern with the license. He does - not believe they should park there for the entire show without a fee. There were other things that are provided in the license, such as sound reports that should be provided without having to ask for them. He also spoke of the fine structure and the way it's calculated. He suggested the second time it's 1.5, the next time it's doubled, and each time thereafter it's 2.5. He spoke of the serious inconvenience to the neighborhoods. Motion: To accept the fines as amended with the addition of the verbiage in the fine structure (MacCaffrie-Amoruso ) Selectman Amoruso noted the occurrences of the prior year and asked if there's anything that can be done to convince the artists that the Town is very serious about the ending time of concerts. He believes this communicates that we're paying attention and taking it very seriously. Mr. Montgomery noted it won't make a difference to the artists coming in. At other venues they perform to midnight on a regular basis. He does not understand the logic of if as it punishes the venue and not the artists. Selectman MacCaffrie objected to Mr. Montgomery's statement that they accept the fines out of graciousness, noting that if the community adopts a noise ordinance it will put them out of business. He said his motion stands, stating when his employees do things that make a project go wrong, he has to take the responsibility for it and fix it. Selectman Achille asked if a liability clause can be written into the contract of performers making them responsible. Mr. Montgomery said there is a contract, but it's at the performer's pleasure to enter into a contract with them. He noted the Board has the prerogative on the basis of health, safety and order to prohibit the return of a band who has violated the curfew policy. Selectman McCarter acknowledged Mr. Montgomery's attempt to control the matter. He believes the fines are on the light side however. Selectman Amoruso said he is not looking at it as Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 7, 2004 6 revenue enhancer, but as a means of showing we're serious about concerts ending at r 11 :00 p.m. Mr. Montgomery emphasized they've accepted the fine structure because they agree. Chairman McCue pointed out the issue with many is the noise more than the curfew. He said he would support an increase over-all rather than doing it in increments. Selectman Achille asked if it is graduated within categories and suggested keeping the existing fee structure with the escalation added. Vote: 2 in favor, 3 opposed Fails Motion: To change the $.05 to $.25; $.25 to$.75; $.75 to $1.50; $1.25 to $2.; and $1.75 to $2.50 with no multipliers (MacCaffrie-no second) Town Manager D' Agostino explained that the thinking in establishing the fine structure was that going over one or two minutes was not as egregious as going over a longer amount of time. There were times last year when the fee was waived because they were only a minute or two over. If it's 15 minutes over, it's more purposeful. Selectman MacCafftie suggested that in his opinion that offered no deterrents. Selectman Achille said he would like to amend less than 30 minutes to 50 cents and adopt the other increases as proposed and moved to do so. (Achille-McCarter) 5-0 Passes r Motion: To decrease the sound to 90 dB's at a sustained level measured at the rear of the lawn. (MacCaffrie-Achille for discussion) Town Manager D' Agostino suggested that if that is the Board's intent, they may want to hold them to an implementation schedule with the use of sound technology rather than reducing the dB levels up ftont. Going down by 5 dB's does not mean that it will be acceptable in the neighborhoods. Selectman Achille asked what the usual level is. He was told it's measured at the rear of the lawn, but there are spikes with the cheer of the crowd. Mr. Montgomery offered the opinion that with certain events it would result in significant customer dissatisfaction. Selectman MacCafftie noted you can't talk over the noise at most concerts and disagreed it has to be loud to hear over the talking. Vote: 2-3 FAILS with MacCafftie and Achille in favor; McCue, Amoruso and McCarter opposed. (' Selectman MacCafftie asked Mr. Montgomery how they intend to address the fence issue raised by Mr. Clemmey. Mr. Montgomery explained there is an opening in the fence to allow people who park at his facility to enter the property. There were crews out all week repairing fences and he does not want to get into a discussion about the remarks of Mr. Clemmey, noting it's part of the cost of doing business to clean up after the patrons. Mr. Clemmey and Mr. Montgomery disagreed with each other as to the state of repair. It's a licensed parking area allowed under agreement and there are no requirements in that agreement that anybody has to maintain or repair a fence. The Town Manager pointed Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 7, 2004 7 r out that if Tweeter Center closed the opening, Mr. Clemmey's patrons would lose their direct access and have to get to the Tweeter Center via Route 140. Not an issue with the gate opening that assists Tweeter patrons in entering the area. Motion: To have the Town Manger send the Building Inspector down to inspect the fence area, determine if it's a public safety issue, and make a recommendation to the Board (McCarter-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Motion: To approve the Tweeter Center license (McCarter-Achille) 4-1 with MacCaffrie opposed Passes Chairman McCue noted he still feels the bigger problem is the volume. r Peter DeTrolio of Elm Street - asked Selectmen who own their own business who is responsible if something goes wrong. They each acknowledged that they are. He said for eighteen years he's been up to the podium about the decibel level and it was changed five or six years ago only because of Selectmen who got tired of hearing it. Every year they ask for things and get it. Only Selectman MacCaffrie asked tonight that they lower their decibel levels. (It was noted Selectman Achille did also.) Mr. DeTrolio questioned why can't we ask them for something back for what they get. He too is a taxpayer and there are many nights he can't enjoy his bedroom or his backyard. They should have been held accountable and lowering it 5 decibels would make a big difference. He's been there for Andrea Bocelli and Yanni and can't carry on a conversation with the person next to him. He asked if Tweeter Center's interest is more important than the public's interest. Karl Clemmey of South Main Street - likes questions and comments because not everyone has a chance to talk to the Board. He referenced a manhole in Foxboro that he uncovered that brought the town a great deal of money. This is the first time in 20 years he hasn't brought any articles to Town Meeting. He would like to see the negativity stopped. The Town's not supposed to function that way. He's an interested citizen and likes to get involved. Tweeter Center makes inaccurate statements and he wants the same respect that Tweeter gets. The Town put $6,000 in the Building Inspector's budget and he doesn't go down and inspect Tweeter Center. He talked about the porta-potties and noted the Board of Health doesn't go down and inspect them. He stated he built a new mall and he makes them go around and pick up papers. He noted other businesses should also pick up after themselves. r George Dentino of Gladiola Terrace - referred to a statement made two weeks ago when John Walsh of Bristol County Retirement was present that there are 484 people contributing to the pension system in Mansfield and last year there were 477. He asked how we gained 7 position in a year when we had a hiring fÌ'eeze. He next referred to refinancing bonds that would save money, noting he's been preaching that since 2000 and Bœrd of Se1ectmen Minutes of April?, 2004 8 r asking why we hadn't done it when all the surrounding towns had. He was told we couldn't. Now there's a vote to direct the Town Manager to proceed with refinancing. He doesn't understand why a vote was necessary. Stating there is supposedly a company in place to watch it for us, yet they never recommended it. He asked why it wasn't done over the last three years when interest rates were so low, stating the vote tells him nothing was done because a vote was needed. How could anyone know that $600,000 would be saved. His next point was the Chief Assessor position. He stated we had one who left us to go somewhere else. For almost a year now it's been run well by the two ladies in front and three part-time assessors. Now we want a Chief Assessor with a 20% increase that totally violates the collective bargaining agreement. He will be replaced by a person with a different title. Other part of that position is it's running well now and there are no problems with the residential assessments, but no industrial assessments. With the new position job description it's a total duplication of effort with the three existing part-time positions that are functioning well. Why pay that much more to bring someone back to duplicate the efforts. Town Manager D 'Agostino responded: with respect to the bond refinancing, we hire somebody to look at our bond portfolio on a consistent basis. It costs us money to refinance. Because it went down even lower we've reached the necessary threshold at which it now makes sense for us to refinance. The vote of the Board gave us the authorization to do that at a time when it is most appropriate. The $600,000 will save us money over the balance of the life of the bonds. Most of the savings will go directly to the taxpayer because they were voted outside of the operating budget and will result in a reduction of the rate. We will refinance only those bonds that it makes sense to do. Richard Boucher did a big refinancing about six years ago that saved us $500,000. Mr. Dentino disputed the timeftame, suggesting it was at least eight years ago and two years ago they were lower than now and our debt was larger then. He also questioned how we'd know there's a $600,000 savings if it hasn't yet been pursued. Next, he said last week something distressed him. It was at the end of meeting at 11 p.m. and one selectmen made a motion to continue the meeting for 15 minutes so he could put forth old and new business. Not allowing him to do so stifles one of your members from speaking. He said the Selectmen are supposed to be working as a team and that was unacceptable behavior. He noted that type of stifling is one of the reasons he's running for selectmen. Selectman Amoruso pointed out it's been a long struggle to keep the meeting cuifew at 11 p.m. and this meeting is not a forum for campaign speeches. We get complaints that we don't have questions and comments. Town Manager D 'Agostino noted the difference with respect to the employment figures regarding Mr. Walsh's numbers is we had seven people retire during that period of time and that's where the pension numbers increased Mr. Dentino pointed out there were 484 town employees and the number went up by 7. Selectman McCarter said the Town Accountant's statement indicates the number of Town employees went down and it may have been school employees that increased it. The Town side the number was reduced The issue with the Assessors is they have the authority to assess property by Statute and Charter. The Chief Assessor position will allow the revaluation function to proceed and that's where we get our money r (' Barbara Rose of Branch Street - saw a couple of homeowners trying to erect a fence on town property. She objects. Some have already done it on their own property and that's Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 7, 2004 9 fine. She doesn't want to see zig-zag fences going down the trail that she uses all the r time. She never sees anyone going off the track and believes it's their neighbors who are going into their yards. If they want a fence, it should be on their own property. · Warrant No. 41 in the amount of $2,489, 148.47 Motion: To approve (Achille-Amoruso) 5-0 with Selectman McCarter abstaining fÌ'om Municipal Building Committee payroll Passes · Minutes of March 31, 2004 Selectmen's Meeting Motion: To approve as amended on page 6, Article 27 - (Amoruso-MacCaffrie) 5-0 Passes · Minutes of March 31,2004 Selectmen's Meeting · Parade Permit for vote and signature: Our Daily Bread Community Food Pantry Parade on May 23,2004 ftom 1-2 p.m. fÌ'om South Common, down North Main Street, left onto Thomas Street, left onto Old Colony Road, and back onto North Main r Street, ending at South Common (reviewed and approved by Police and Fire Chiefs) Motion: To approve and sign (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes · Commercial Parking Facility license of Nancy Gray McNeeley at 888 South Main Street for 78 vehicles (reviewed and approved by Police and Fire Chiefs and Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer) Motion: To approve and sign (Amoruso-MacCaffiie) 5-0 Passes · Commercial Parking Facility license of875 South Main Street Realty Trust, Carole A Clemmey, Trustee, for 481 spaces at 875 South Main Street (reviewed and approved by Police and Fire Chiefs and Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer) Motion: To approve and sign (MacCaffiie-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes · Hackney Driver License: Allen Falconer for Fomeld Taxi (recommended for approval - CORl and driving records fÌ'om RMV received and reviewed) To approve (Amoruso-MacCaffiie) 5-0 Passes · Hackney Carriage Licenses for Fomeld Taxi - all vehicles inspected and approved r by Ptlm. Lance Lawson Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 7 , 2004 10 r · Vehicle No. 110, 1996 Silver Mercury Villager · Vehicle No. 113, 1995 Black Ford Victoria · Vehicle No. 107, 1999 Black Mercury Grand Marquis · Vehicle No. 111, 1992 Black Mercury Grand Marquis · Vehicle No. 112, 1995 Gold Mercury Grand Marquis Motion: To approve (Achille-MacCaffiie) 4-0 with Selectman McCarter away fÌ'om the table momentarily Passes Town Mana2er and Staff · Memorandum fÌ'om Town Manager John O. D'Agostino requesting a vote to sign off on the settlement agreement of Cosman vs. Town of Mansfield The Town Manager noted this is a School Department issue and we have requested reimbursement fÌ'om them for the deductible of $7,5000 we paid Motion: To authorize and approve the Chairman signing the agreement (MacCaffrie-Achille) 5-0 Passes · Municipal Roadway Vegetation Management Plan for signature of Chairman Motion: To authorize the Chairman to sign (MacCaffiie- Achille) 5-0 Passes r . E-mails fÌ'om Ann Langille/Steve MacCaffiie re: New Beginnings Banner (decision requested) Motion: To approve (MacCafftie-McCarter) 5-0 Passes Residents · Letter fÌ'om Karl Clemmey requesting to be scheduled on an upcoming agenda The Chairman acknowledged receipt of the request and advised Mr. Clemmey he will facilitate the request · Letter fÌ'om Deer Path Circle residents requesting an easement to construct a fence on Town-owned property between their properties and the bike trail. Selectman Amoruso noted it was pointed out by a citizen that they can fulfill it on their own property and we may need that area to do drainage work. Selectman MacCaffiie noted previously an easement was granted on another piece and it now allows sewer, water, utilities or anything else they want to put across it. Other than the visual, a fence on their own property will take care of the problem. Motion: To request the Town Manager to send a letter to them denying the request (Amoruso-McCarter) 5-0 Passes r Bœrd of Selectmen Minutes of April 7,2004 11 r Jim Lazzara of the Finance Committee came to the meeting to provide Selectmen with a report and graph showing the percentage change in revenue and expenses since 200 1. He noted that in 2004 and 2005, expenses are outpacing our revenue. He noted this is where we stand now and is only for informational purposes. 200 1 was the year of the override, which is why expenditures were so high. It reflects what the Town Manager has been saying. We're using the Governor's projections right now and expect the House numbers in the next week or so. Revenue to the State has shown a steady increase. When the Governor's budget was released, they did not reflect that. There will not however be a windfall of additional revenue to balance the budget. A brief discussion took place over funds shown as having been taken ftom Stabilization and then replaced at Town Meeting, resulting in a net Stabilization number. r Town Manager D' Agostino: . As is required by Charter he provides reports on the budget and the financial status of the Town. He noted we heard tonight ftom Senior Citizens and those issues need to be addressed. Police, Fire, DPW, and the Library also have needs. If deep cuts have to be implemented we may have to close the Library on Sundays. There are other services important to the Town and everything has to be taken into consideration. The Library Director would make that recommendation as to when the Library would be closed, but no day is a good day. There has been a 6 ~% reduction of the budget, 800Æ. of which is salaries. If our expenses have been declining over three years, there's not much left to further cut ftom the operating budget. The Town continues to review it, but we cannot close a $3.9 million cut alone. He reviewed the amount over net school spending that has been spent by the Schools over the last few years. The FY'05 request shows $5.19 million excess over net school spending after their reductions have been made. It will need to be further reduced to close the budget gap. Salary trends for Town and Schools since 2000 show a downward trend. In 2004 the salary is -.6% down due to positions we have not filled. Selectman McCarter noted people need to be made aware that we have fewer public safety persormel now than we did three years ago. In discussions with School Superintendent Moretti he believes he can only go an additional $500,000. We will continue to meet with him in an attempt to get to a balanced budget. It is incumbent on the leaders of the community to go to Town Meeting with a balanced budget. Ifwe cannot do that we have failed the Townspeople and ourselves. He does not believe an override is needed or appropriate. There is a need to control spending and he hopes we will continue to work toward a balanced budget for Town Meeting. Chairman McCue as/œd where we go if the cuts aren't there. We'd need to look at Stabilization. Selectman Achille aslœd why we aren't looking at trash collection instead of Stabilization, rather than the scare and fear, gloom and doom approach There's duplication of services. He asked when we are going to analyze that. We need a 6- month period to educate the public prior to making the change. Selectman Achille r Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 7 , 2004 12 r noted the duplication of the Green and curbside pickup and suggested we don't need to wait six months to change that. He asked why we aren't looking into that right now. Town Manager D' Agostino said we are. We've instituted a fee at the Green with a sunset provision. Selectman Achille noted his opinion has been consistently to get rid of those areas where we're duplicating services and suggested that we have to implement a 55 gallon limit at curbside. He believes we can save $15,000 in the trash programs. The Town Manager said tonnage is increasing significantly. He has been urging this Board for the past several years to look at some form of a Pay as you Throw concept. It's proven that communities that have no fee end up as importers from other communities. Residents accept trash from people in other communities and put it out with their trash. He has already talked to the contractor about going to a given limit and charging for excess. It takes six months to implement that type of program. The savings will be in the next fiscal year. We still have to budget what we believe we will need. Our first effort is education as to what we want to do and how to do it. . Motion: To start enforcing our own policies (a limit of6 bags at curbside in addition to unlimited recycling) (MacCatüie-Amoruso) Selectmen asked that the policy be put on the cable and scroll and sent out in the Live Wire. Chairman McCue said there will be a 45 day learning curve so it should be sent out in the Live Wire as soon as possible. In the meantime we should give the driver of each truck a ream of notices that says "you've left more than 6 bags". (It's not in their contract.) We will handle it and implement the directive Vote: 5-0 Passes Chairman McCue said he's hesitant to go to pay-as-you throw since we recently had an ove"ide to cover the expense of curbside pickup. There is a problem with imported trash that we're paying for. If there were a provision in place for a six bag limit they should not be picking up any more than that. r · He is working on the Route 495 Ramp and related issues and will have something for next week. · Will need to vote to open the Special Town Meeting Warrant, close it on April 21 st, and post on April 28th or May 4th. The Warrant for the Annual has been posted and should be on-line by end of week. Motion: Open Special Town Meeting Warrant (MacCaffrie-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes · The screening committee has unanimously selected the Cecile Group for the Hatheway Patterson site. · He will be out of town on April 2200 and 23rd and will appoint a Staff person as Acting Town Manager in his absence. · A meeting has been scheduled with the School Committee on April 27th regarding r budget issues. I Board of Selectmen Minutes of April 7, 2004 13 .. r · There was a question last week as to how we treat a debt exclusion vote prior to the creation of an enterprise account. Because of debt authorization has to be raised through General Fund taxes. It is then transferred to an enterprise account, they pay it and retire debt completely. He will have Town Accountant Bea Kearney provide the details. Selectman MacCaffrie noted that doesn't answer the questions. That means we pay Water Department and. they pay the Bank. We don't get the money back from the Water Department. He asked where it says we can't bill the Water Dept. Selectman Amoruso noted it's bonded to the Town. Selectman MacCaffrie said we're still out $98,000 that should be coming back from the Enterprise Account. · We are planning to bid out the ladder truck with a minimum bid of $25,000 as requested. · Now that the Special Town Meeting Warrant is open, he asked the Board to formally place a bond authorization of $120,000 to purchase a parcel of land on Campbell Street Motion: To place an article on the Special Town Meeting Warrant for this purpose (MacCaffiie-Amoruso) 5-0 Passes · Reported we did reduce COA by one outreach worker two years ago and said perhaps in FY2006 we will be able to hire a full-time person that was cut at that time. Selectman Amoruso noted the discussion with Superintendent Moretti was an r indication of what his administrators said they could do-not what he would do. A Motion: To adjourn at 11 :00 p.m. (MacCaffrie-Achille) 5-0 Passes r Board ofSe1ectmen Minutes of April 7, 2004 14