HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 01/12/05
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Town of Mansfield
Board of Selectmen
Minutes of January 12,2005
Present:
Chairman Steven W. MacCaffrie; Clerk Bernard J. Dolan; Louis P. Amoruso,
Selectman Michael McCue and Selectman Roger Achille (left at 9:05 PM)
Town Manager John O. D' Agostino
The Board of Selectman meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m., followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance.
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Chairman Roger Achille opened the Light Commissioners Meeting at 7:35 PM. Official
Meeting Minutes for the Light Commissioners Meeting were recorded by the Light Department.
General subject matter included the following items:
. Meeting Minutes - Review/Approval
. Financial Summary Report - Kimberly Stoyle
. Appliance Rebate Program - Selectman vote to extend the program
. FY05 Budget - Modification to reflect a change in mailing format of the monthly
newsletter
. Mansfield Robotics Team Presentation
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The Board met with Comcast representative Nancy Leonardo, in response to complaints received
from cable customers regarding continued rate increases.
Discussion:
Ms. Leonardo explained that the Department of Telecommunication (DTE) is the regulatory
body for setting cable rates. Comcast is required to file a copy of their rates with the DTE on an
annual basis to ensure they comply with the federal standard. According to Ms. Leonardo, the
current cable rate charged to customers for basic cable service is lower than what is allowed.
The Town of Mansfield has a 10-year contract agreement with Comcast to provide cable service
to the Town, which expires in 2013. Ms. Leonardo explained that fees are incurred as a result of
items negotiated during annual contract negotiations. Roughly 5% of this amount is passed
along to the customers in addition to fixed fees and franchise related costs. The Franchise cost is
increased from the original price agreed to per contract because the franchise amount is being
amortized over an 8 years period vs. the 10-year agreement.
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In closing, Ms. Leonardo provided additional information to the Board regarding rate regulation
for their perusal. Customers who are dissatisfied with their cable service are encouraged to
contact Ms. Leonardo by phone at 1-800-COMCAST (1-800-266-2278).
Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 12, 2005
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· Warrant No. 29 in the amount of$2,765,699.56
Motion: To approve.
(AmorusolMcCue) 4-0 Passes
· Minutes of January 5, 2005
Motion: To approve.
(Amoruso/MacCaffrie) 3-0-1 Passes McCue abstained
The following Licenses renewal has 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 International dba Wendy's International
· Renewal for Wendy's International, 64 Copeland Drive, Mansfield, MA
Inspector Nick Riccio inspected the property (certificate of inspection issued today and
copy enclosed) and recommends the license be renewed.
Motion: To Approve
(Dolan! Amoruso) 4-0 Passes
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Entertainment License - Mansfield Music and Arts Society, Inc. at the Tweeter Center
License period is for two days only Saturday, January 1 and Sunday, January 2, 2005.
Motion: To Approve
(McCue/Amoruso) 4-0 Passes
CorresDondence Addressed to Board:
· Letter from Mary Ellen Rochette, Executive Director, Pro-Home, Inc. dated January 10,
2005, announcing next Regional Fair Housing Commission meeting scheduled for
January 18th at 10:00 a.m. in Taunton and inviting Board to appoint a representative from
Mansfield to serve as an official member of the commission. No members of the Board
are available to attend this meeting. Town Manager will either find an appropriate
person to represent Mansfield at the meeting or attend the meeting himself.
· Letter from National Restaurant Brokers, Inc. dated December 13th requesting 2005 list
of Common Victualler, beer and wine and liquor license holders in town. The
information requested is public record and will be provided
· Letter from Richard Packard, Department of Environmental Protection, dated January 5th,
concerning notification of release of oil and/or hazardous material at 50 Suffolk Road.
· Letter from Mary Cinelli, 7 Village Road, dated December 31 st, complaining about
recyclable items being collected as trash in her neighborhood.
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Board of Selecbnen Minutes of January 12, 2005
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CorresDondence from Town Mana2er and Town Staff:
Letter to Colin Burch of the Boston Red Sox from Council on Aging Director Gale Farrugia,
dated January 6th, requesting that the World Series Trophy come to Mansfield for the Seniors at
the Council on Aging to view.
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World Series Trophy Display - Town Manager is scheduled to meet with Senior Citizens at a
Coffee Hour scheduled for 10:00 AM this Thursday, January 13, 2005 at the Counsel on Aging.
COA Director Gale Farrugia requested the World Series Trophy be displayed at the library/COA
at that time. The Town is currently waiting for response from the Red Sox Organization.
Ambulance Cost Detail Summary - Fire Chief Bellavance is currently following up on Selectman
Amoruso request for a detail summary showing the Fire Department's operating costs to provide
ambulance services offset by revenue.
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Annual Budget Review Process is underway - Town Manager plans to provide insight regarding
budget to the Finance Committee at a meeting scheduled this Thursday, Jan. 13,2005.
Preliminary budget review meetings have started with large size departments. The Board will
meet with the Finance Committee on Thursday, January 27, 2005 to review the justification
presented to add critical new personnel positions.
Town Manager provided update to Board regarding a potential 10% increase in State Local Aid
as a result of lottery receipts.
Road Reconstruction Project/Route 106 - The Mass Highway Department (MHO) Contract for
Route 106 is ready for signature. Town Manager hopes to negotiate fees for police details to be
paid by Mass Highway. Northern Construction Services was selected as the low bidder 2.2
million.
Central Fire Station/Kitchen Upgrade - Fire Chief Bellavance scheduled a meeting with the
MBC to review the proposed project on Jan. 18,2005.
Airport Commission Meeting - Chairman MacCaffrie offered to attend the Airport Commission
Meeting scheduled on Wednesday January 13,2005 to review concerns regarding wastewater
management. Misconceptions had surfaced in the past among members of the Airport
Commission with respect to the impact of implementation of the Wastewater Management Plan
prepared by CDM. CDM was invited to review proposed options that would to meet the needs
of the community and satisfy the Airport Commission members.
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Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 12, 2005
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Appointments to Board of Assessors - The Board discussed an option to fill two vacancies on the
r- Board of Assessors with current Town employees from the Assessors office who have completed
the basic Assessors Training Program. Based on review of a written opinion from Town
Counsel (dated 1/12/05) regarding Appointment and Conflict of Interest, the Board moved
forward to appoint Susan Sellon and Susan McGinley to serve on the Board of Assessors as
Temporary Assessors until the positions are filled by permanent Assessors and in addition
appoints Ms. Sellon and Ms. McGinley to be "Special Municipal Employees" to serve in this
capacity. Town Manager would follow up with Susan Sellon and Susan McGinley regarding the
appointment to the Board of Assessors (i.e. application paperwork, filing disclosure with Town
Clerk, stipend, etc.)
Motion: To appoint Susan Sellon and Susan McGinley to the Board of Assessors on a
temporary basis in accordance with the above referenced legal opinion (dated 1/12/05) and
designate both women to be "Special Municipal Employees" exempt from Conflict ofInterest.
(Dolan/McCue) 4-0 Passes Selectman Roger Achille was not present for this vote.
Requestfor Lien Subordination - Town Manager confirmed his authorization was required on a
Lien Subordination Request previously submitted to the Board for approval by the Mansfield
Community Development Office. The total debt on the property, including the HRP lien is
$131,832.50.
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Alcohol License Violation Revocation - policy to be reviewed prior to January 19
Public Hearing is not required. Issue to be discussed during a public meeting on January 27th,
Selectman Amoruso: Commented regarding ongoing traffic difficulty with respect to making left
hand turns at various intersections.
Motion: To send a letter to Bernie McCourt at Mass Highway District 5 requesting written copy
of criteria to make provisions to implement left-hand turn traffic signals.
(Amoruso/McCue) 4-0 Passes
Selectman McCue: Question asked for an update based on a recent newspaper report about a
group purchase for road salt material. As a result of the SERG failed group purchase of material,
the price of road salt remains high. Town Manager was concerned about availability of material
as the current stock is at about one-half capacity. The Highway Dept. hopes cost will be lowered
by the time the Town needs additional material. The Town Manager noted the budget
appropriated for snow removal is nearing close to depletion.
Selectman MacCaffrie: Mr. MacCaffrie questioned the status of an ongoing search to fill the
vacant Selectman's Secretary position. Town Manager is evaluating skills of four candidates
hopeful to fill position by early-mid February.
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Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 12, 2005
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Selectman MacCaffrie:
r Town Counsel was previously asked for recommendations to modify the Town's Liquor License
Revocation Policy. Town Manager expects to receive a draft copy from Town Counsel for the
Board to review prior to their next meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 19th.
Follow up regarding Letter of Notification sent to Class II License holders requesting
confirmation within 90 days that the business meets all State Statute requirements. No response
yet
Town Manager is scheduling a meeting with representatives from AI Noor Academy Meeting to
review neighborhood traffic concerns in the school area.
Selectman Amoruso: Formal announcement of intensions to seek re-election to the Board of
Selectman for another term.
Selectman McCue: Question raised whether the Town has any protocol in place to handle winter
parking violations caused by snowy weather conditions when you can't see parking line markers.
McCue distributed information from another Town for future consideration.
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Signature of Clerk
.7anuary 19, 2004
Date of Approval
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Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 12, 2005
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