HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 01/05/05
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Town of Mansfield
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of January 5, 2005
Present:
Chairman Steven W. MacCaffrie; Clerk. Bernard J. Dolan; Louis P. Amoruso and
Town Manager John O. D' Agostino
Selectman Michael McCue and Selectman Roger Achille were not present.
The Board of Selectman meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m., followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance to the flag. A moment of silence was then observed for victims of the recent Tsunami
earthquake in Thailand.
Chainnan Maccaffrie reported that long time Mansfield resident and retired army veteran Lt.
Colonial Lester McGoldrick is ill. He was recently transported to Sturdy Memorial Hospital for
those interested in sending well wishes.
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. Warrant No. 28 in the amount of $700,480.32
Motion: To approve. (Amoruso/MacCaffrie) 3-0 Passes
. Minutes of December 29,2004
Motion: To approve. (Amoruso/MacCaffrie) 3-0 Passes
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The following Licenses renewal bas been reviewed by the appropriate Town Department Heads
and was presented to the Board of Selectman for their review and approval:
Common Victualler License - Wendy's Jntematinna1 dba Wendy's International
. Renewal for Wendy's International, 64 Copeland Drive, Mansfield, MA
Routing slip and appropriate paperwork was returned; Building Department recommends
the license not be renewed until Wendy's complies with the annua1 obligations required
to operate the business.
Discussion:
Wendy's Restaurant has been non-responsive to several attemPtS made by the Building
Department'S to contact the business about their obligation to fulfill the necessary license
requirements to operate the business. Selectman Amoruso suggested the Board issue a letter to
Wendy's allowing the business one-week to comply with all requirements of the License. The
lelter is to be sent certified mail with return receipt to the local business office and a copy sent
overnight mail to the Wendys Corporate office. Should the business nol respond and comply
with all requirements within this timeframe, the operation of the business would be subjecllO
immediate closure by the Town.
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Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 5, 2005
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Motion: To reject Common Victualler License to Wendy's International and pursue action as
discussed.
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(AmorusolDolan) 3-0 Passes
Request for Lien Subordination
. Letter from Beverly Estes-Smargiassi, Mansfield Community Development Office; The
Housing Rehabilitation Program Advisory Board recommends the Board of Selectman
approve a Request for Lien Subordination for a client served this past year. The tota1
debt on the property, including the HRP lien will be $131,832.50.
Motion: To Approve
(Dolan! Amoruso) 3 -0 Passes
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. Letter from Executive Office of Transportation and Construction dated December 28,
2004 regarding recent changes in funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2005. Town Manager
to confirm whether certifications numbers are appropriate.
. Memorandum from Bristol County Retirement System dated December 27, 2004
regarding fiscal year 2006 Pension Appropriation.
. Opinion letter to Town Engineer John Su\1ivan (copied to the Board) from Town Counsel
dated December 28, 2004 regarding proposed roadway crossing over town owned
r railroad bed.
. Email complaint from Mary Cine\1i, 7 Village Road, dated December 28, 2004 regarding
recycling material collected curbside as trash at her residence.
. Letter from Karl Clemmey, 750 South Main Street, dated December 20,2004 requesting
Board's support of a rezoning article for the next town meeting involving properties on
South Walnut and West Streets to rezone from Residential (R-2) to Retail (1-1). Town
Manager suggested a copy of this letter be forwarded to the Planning Department
. Letter from Senator Jo Ann Sprague dated December 2 I" expressing her appreciation for
the Board's recognition of her years of service to the Town of Mansfield.
. Email complaint from Jeffrey Weinstein, 12 Windermere Drive, dated December 27,
2004 regarding poor trash pick up service.
Town Mana2er and Town Staff:
. Letter from Town Engineer John Sullivan to Town Counsel dated December 29, 2004
regarding John Hardy Estates, NortonJProposed 40B Development.
. Letter from Department of Housing and community Development to Town Manager
certifying the Town of Mansfield's Affordable Housing Prnduction Plan is approved.
Because Mansfield permitted new units in excess of. 75% and we have an affordable
housing plan this certification indicates that dming a one-year period effective December
9, 2004 and ending December 8, 2005, the Mansfield Zoning Board of Appeals has the
right to deny a comprehensive permit or grant a permit with conditions consistent with
local needs.
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The Town of Mansfield has a current contract with Comstar to provide Ambulance Bi\1ing
seryices for the Fire Department. The Board met with Fire Chief Robert Bellavance and Rick
Martin of Comstar to review ambulance billing rates and services.
Discussion:
The current ambulance rate for the Town of Mansfield is based on Medicare's fee
schedules plus 10 percent. Comstar reviewed findings of a national cost study which
established that Medicare's current fee schedule is 30'10 below the national average cost
to provide ambulance services.
A Medicare Ambulance Relief Bill was introduced in the House and Senate in 2004 that
would increase reimbursement rates under the Medicare ambulance fee schedule to
reflect the national average cost to provide this service. Mr. Martin reviewed the impact
of a 27 percent increase to patients with and without hea1thcare insurance. Based on his
assessment, Mr. Martin recommends the Town implement an ambulance rate fee of
Medicare plus 30 percent.
Mr. Martin noted there is a contractual rate accepled through the Medicare system SO that
the consumer would not pay.the differential cost if the Town chooses to increase the rate
by this amount.
Selectman Dolan questioned the Town's ability to gain additional revenue to provide
ambulance services beyond covering cost. This could be achieved by raising ambulance
fees.
Selectman Amoruso stated the Town's goal with respect to providing ambulance services
up to this point has been to maximize returnS through private insurance companies only
enough to break even with costs.
Selectman Amoruso requested a detail summary showing the Fire Department's
operating costs for ambulance services offset by revenue. A separate operating budget is
currently maintained for Ambulance Services which includes (4) salaries (with benefits),
vehicle maintenance, equipment, phones,.etc. Chief Bellavance will follow up on Mr.
Amoruso's request.
The Board previously expressed concern regarding aggressive tactics used by First
Financial Resources, Inc. (FFR) to obtain uncollected ambulance receipts. As a result,
collection services are not utilized at this time.
The Board is exploring options to implement an aggressive strategy to collect outstanding
debt, that still allows the Board and/or Fire Chief the flexibility to waive fees based on
hardship. The criteria used to measure hardship are based on family income.
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BoaJd of Selectmen _ of Jan_ 5, 2005 3
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Conservation Commission: (1) vacant seat to fill an unexpired term due to resignation of Diane
Ready. Term appointment expires January 1,2006
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Applicant for appointment; Marc Marcossen, 25 Keefe Street, Mansfield
Mr. Marcossen grew up in Mansfield and maintains a strong desire to preserve as much open
land in Mansfield as possible. He is a retired teacher from the Foxboro School System and
expressed a current interest in giving back to his hometown of Mansfield. Mr. Marcossen
reviewed the responsibilities of the Conservation Commission position, and requested the
Board's consideration to appointment him to fill the open seat.
Selectman MacCaffrie and Selectman Amoruso strongly encouraged Mr. Marcossen to attend
future Town Meetings.
Motion: To appoint
(AmorusoIDolan) 3-0 Passes
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. Town Manager responded to a previous inquiry by Selectman McCue regarding a failed
SERG salt purchase. The Town's current stock of road salt material is at half capacity.
Mr. D' Agostino noted the cost of material is increased by about 35% above last year and
suppliers have been slower on deliveries. The Mansfield Highway Dept. hopes the prices
will be lowered before the Town needs to purchase additional material.
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. Review ofFY06 Proposed Town Budget; Mansfield Board of Selectman and Finance
Committee received copies of the proposed Town budget on Monday, January 3,2005
o Town Manager plans to meet with the Town Accountant (January 13, 2005) and
with the Finance Committee and Department Heads (January 27, 2005) to review
budgetary matters.
o Requests to add new critical personnel to the Fire Dept. and DPW department are
being evaluated.
. Town Manager John D' Agostino highlighted a vast number of accomplishments while
serving the community as Town Manager in 2004. Some of these highlights include;
completion of the new train station, completion of the Rails to Trails project, opening of
two bridges projects, future initiatives being discussed to improve the North Common
and several others.
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Board of Selectmen Minutes, of January 5, 2005
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Selectman MacCaffrie:
· Follow up discussion regarding.Class II License Requirements:
Town Manager provided a draft "Letter of Notification" to the Board for comment. The
Letter of Notification will be sent to each Class IT License holder in Mansfield outlining
the current State Statute requirements applicable to Class IT L,icenses. Each license
holder is required to return a written response to the Board of Selectman within 90 days
of the date of notification confirming the auto business meets all State Statute
requirements as specified. .
Motion: To issue letter as presented.
(Amoruso/Dolan) Passes 3-0
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Selectman MacCaffrie:
· The Board previously asked Town Counsel to re-evaluate the existing Alcohol Violation
Revocation Policy and submit recommendations to address future violations. Selectman
MacCaffrie would like to receive a \Copy of the proposed modifications prior to the
Selectman's Meeting on January 19\th for review and suggested a Public Hearing could
take place on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005.
· Follow up to a previous inquiry regarding a request by the Fire Dept. for funds to upgrade
the existing kitchen at the Central Fire Station located on North Main Street: Selectman
MacCaffrie considers the kitchen project to be a health and safety issue and strongly
encouraged the Board to explore whatever financial means possible to move forward with
the renovations. Selectman Dolan commented that the Board did not support funding of
the kitchen upgrade previously due to a I~ck of documentation provided to support the
cost request. Town Manager com",,'ented that there are no funds currently allocated for
this project and added that the Mll(lS./ield Health Agent is only one authorized to
determine whether conditions in thie kitchen area would he considered a health and safety
issue.
(Amoruso/Dolan) 3-0 Passes
January 12. 2004
Date of Approval
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Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 5, 2005
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