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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 05/11/05 r Present: ii" D:' ,,:.1.... :. ld ,(~ ~i ("I"JI i"ET"TS I'! ""., l',.! 1-..' ;:, Chairman Roger Achille, Selectman Bernard Dolan, Selectman Louis Amoruso, Selectman Michael McCue, and Selectman David McCarter Town Manager John D' Agostino Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 11, 2005 9: 31 The Board of Selectmen's meeting was called to order by Town Manager John D' Agostino at 7:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Town Manager John D' Agostino called for nominations for Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Nominations: Roger S. Achille (McCue - Dolan) Vote: 5-0 Passes r Chairman Achille thanked the Board and called for nominations for Vice Chairman. Nominations: Bernard J. Dolan (Amoruso) Vote: 5-0 Passes Chairman Achille next called for nominations for Clerk. Nominations: David W. McCarter (Amoruso) Vote: 5-0 Passes Nominations for Chairman of the Board of Light Commissioners: Bernard J. Dolan (Amoruso - McCarter) 5-0 Passes Nominations for Vice Chairman of Board of Light Commissioners: Louis P. Amoruso (Dolan) 5-0 Passes Nominations for Clerk of Board of Light Commissioners: David W. McCarter (Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Chairman Achille congratulated Selectman Amoruso and Selectman McCarter on their Election Day victories and recognized Steve MacCaffrie for his years of service to the Town of Mansfield and the Board of Selectmen. r Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 11, 2005 1 r Town Manager John D'Agostino presented Bill Gerber of the Mansfield Animal Shelter with a check in the amount of $225 from proceeds of a 50/50 raffle at the Annual May Breakfast that town employees hold every year. Mr. Gerber thanked the employees for their donation and encouraged everyone to call him at 339-6686 to make a donation to the Animal Shelter. . Packet from Comcast received May 2nd regarding Comcast's financial statements. . MMA Action Alert dated May 2nd regarding the House's passage of MMA's Chapter 70 Amendment. . Memo from Town Engineer John Sullivan dated May 2nd regarding the Route 106 Reconstruction. . Letter from Water Department Manager Kurt Gaffney dated May 5th inviting the Board to a Mass. Water Works Association "Coffee with the Legislature - Southeast Region" on Friday, May 13th from 9-10am in Room 3AB. r . Warrant No. 46 in the amount of $2,608,183.91 Motion: To approve (Dolan - Amoruso) 4-0-1 Passes (with Selectman McCarter abstaining) . Minutes of Regular Session May 4, 2005 Selectmen's Meeting Motion: To approve (Amoruso - Dolan) 3-0-2 Passes (with Selectman McCue and Selectman McCarter abstaining) . Application for Hackney Driver's License for John Geertgens Motion: To approve (Amoruso - Dolan) 5-0 Passes ".- Kevin Doyle, 35 Fruit Street Wants to discuss the parking arrangements at Mansfield High School during the Town Election. He noted that yesterday was a light turnout and it was still a mess and added that he heard from several people about the issue. He thinks that the Board and public safety individuals should get together to address this issue and believes that cones and a police officer could save voters a lot of harm. Selectman McCarter said that there was an attempt made to rope off some parking, but kids get to school earlier and noted that it was better than in other times. Selectman McCue Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 11, 2005 2 r said that the afternoon influx brings more people to the polls and noted that some towns have their elections on Saturdays and wondered if this could be looked at for our municipal elections. The Town Manager said that we did change the date from April to May. Selectman Amoruso noted that Mr. Doyle is talking about access and believes that a police officer would be helpful at the start and end of the school day and when the trains let out at the end of the day. He further added that some attempt should be made to let people know how to get it and out of the parking lot. The Board noted that they concurred and Selectman Amoruso added that the Board should talk to school officials, Town Clerk, Police, etc. In attendance: Carla Foley, owner of LaDonna Restaurant and Joseph Foley, clerk of the corporation and husband of owner. Motion: To open the public hearing at 8:30pm (McCue - Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Selectman McCarter read the public hearing notice from The Sun Chronicle. Ms. Foley explained that the restaurant has an enclosed patio with large planters and noted that r they have had people requesting to sit outside but they have not been able to serve alcohol outside. She noted that they have had the tent up over the patio for 3-4 years and commented that it is very private. Selectman Amoruso asked if the patio is completely enclosed and Ms. Foley replied that the fence goes around it and the tent comes down. She added that a lot of people want to sit outside. Selectman Amoruso asked if smoking is permitted outside and Ms. Foley replied that she was not sure and would gauge customer reaction first and that she would check with the Health Department first if she was to do something. Ms. Foley said that she has tried to do the right thing and be a good neighbor. Selectman McCarter asked if there would be entertainment and she replied no. Chairman Achille asked how long LaDonna's has been open and Ms. Foley told the Board that they have been there for 15 years and added that they have a loyal clientele. Selectman McCue added that the restaurant is a destination for many and Selectman Amoruso asked how many additional seats the patio has and Ms. Foley replied 24. Chairman Achille asked if there was any public comment - there was none. Motion: To close the public hearing at 8:37 (McCue - Dolan) 5-0 Passes Motion: To approve the application of LaDonna Restaurant to alter the premises (McCue - Amoruso) 5-0 Passes r Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 11, 2005 3 r Chairman Achille called for a recess at 8:38pm Selectman McCue left the meeting Chairman Achille called the meeting to order at 8:43pm Ken Torman, Chairman, CIP Committee Dr. Torman began by saying that the CIP Committee ironed out the requests from the various committees and noted that one committee member had an idea to purchase everything on the wish list and bond for a little over $3 million. He believes that CIP will entertain emergency items in the future, as this would be the only time for the wish list. He added that the downside is that we can't look at wish lists after this. He said that the CIP set up a list of priorities - this is a step in the right direction, as the town will be saving money on the actual expense of the item if we buy it now rather than later. Dr. Torman noted that the $3 million figure sounds scary but said that when it is explained out, it is a good idea. He said that the condition of the DPW fleet is an issue as the condition of the trucks impact how the roads are plowed. The Town Manager added that we could have plowed sooner if the trucks were in better condition. Selectman Dolan said that ClP recognized the need to step up and get these things done, including the ambulance. He added that the town recognizes that we can't do this every year and ClP voted almost unanimously to support all of r the items. The Town Manager said that there was a special action by the Legislature in the early 1990s that allows the town to take any free cash and put it in the capital account and carry it over from one year to the next. Dr. Torman said that if everything works out, it will be an account that will have money to expend - it puts us in the driver's seat. He noted that he has already been before the Finance Committee and is looking for the Board's vote of support. Chairman Achille asked Dr. Torman to list the members of CIP: Ken Gay, MBC; John DiMassi, Planning Board; Roger Achille & Bernie Dolan, Selectmen; Jean Miller & Mike Trowbridge, School Committee; and Jess Aptowitz & Andy Gazzo10, Finance Committee. Selectman Dolan noted that the town doesn't have the money for this year to purchase anything and the Town Manager added that we are putting money away for modular classrooms. Dr. Torman noted that these are things that are needed - such as exhaust hoods for Police and Fire. Selectman Dolan said that everything on this list is needed. Selectman McCarter noted that this is a different approach to dealing with the issue - he hopes that these items last for at least the number of years that they will be bonded for. Dr. Torman noted that some of the items that are being replaced go back to 1986. Motion: To support the CIP and their budget recommendations (Dolan - Amoruso) 4-0 Passes r Mr. Aptowitz of the Finance Committee added that the Town Manager and the Town Planner were also non-voting members of CIP. Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 11, 2005 4 r-- Committee members in attendance: Mike Sams, Jack Goldberg, Jess Aptowitz and Jim Lazarra. Mr. Sams said that we are in the same spot we are in from last week - $1.2 to $1.4 million deficit. He noted that the municipal side has done everything they have been asked to reduce - the schools have yet to cut. He said that the School Department believes they are entitles to all of the Chapter 70 money and 2.5% of what they received last year. Mr. Sams doesn't believe that- it is really an issue of equity. He added that this town has taken care of the schools - since 2000, net school spending has gone up $11 million. He noted that the Finance Committee asking for money to come out of stabilization; and the School Committee asked for more money from stabilization and they said that they would able to put that $300,000 back in the next year. .. we never got that money back. He noted that we had reached into stabilization for $1 million and added that the amount that is being spent on the schools is increasing a lot. The problem that we have is that the people on the municipal side are facing the same problems. He noted that there are less people on the town's payroll, but on the school side, they have increased every year. Mr. Sams said that the schools have refused to look at fees - they are adding 12.5 new people for next year. Chairman Achille said that a lot of people that attend Town Meeting watch this meeting and that these r issues will be discussed at Town Meeting - it appears that we are at an impasse. Mr. Lazarra commented that the gap that we have can't be filled by stabilization and added that there may be changes because the School Committee is meeting tonight - the fact remains that we only have a certain amount of revenue. The Town Manager said that the schools are $1.7 million below the 5-year projections and the town is over $4 million below the projection and most of the burden has been shouldered by the town. Selectman McCarter believes that we need to have a strategy to deal with this and asked if the town has a strategy to deal with the scenario if someone decided on the floor of Town Meeting to reduce the town's budget and give it to the schools. Mr. Lazarra said that we are here to inform people on how the cuts will affect personnel and services. The Town Manager said that when you talk about the proposed cuts, that is our budget - Police, Fire & DPWare the biggest budgets. Selectman Amoruso asked the Finance Committee to talk about what will happen next year if we take money from stabilization. Mr. Goldberg said that the idea of depleting stabilization or cutting more on the municipal side helps us this year, but what about next year. Mr. Lazarra said that it is not the tangible results of cutting people - these are long-term effects. Selectman Amoruso said that when our property values go down, the property taxes go up. Mr. Goldberg said that if we don't do something now, we are only making the problem worse for upcoming years. Chairman Achille said that we have a financial condition where we are using stabilization as a painkiller. He noted that we have 3 options: cutting, using stabilization or an override. Selectman Amoruso asked the Finance Committee what they would rather do - take from stabilization or do an override and Mr. Lazarra said that either one is bad r - neither is a viable option. Selectman Amoruso noted that no one asked him to raise their taxes during his re-election campaign. Mr. Aptowitz commented that the Town Manager has made his Board of Selectmen Minutes of May II, 2005 5 r cuts. The Town Manager said that he is scheduled to meet with the Superintendent on Friday at 10:00am. He noted that it is our responsibility to come up with a balanced budget - time will tell. Board members thanked the Finance Committee. Michael Gambale, 682 S. Main Street Mr. Gambale indicated that he is Chairman of the South End Citizens Association. He reiterated that the association opposes the northbound ramp from Route 495. He heard about a letter from resident Karl Clemmey that he wrote to Congressman Barney Frank outlining his support for a northbound ramp. The association would like to reiterate the reasons why they oppose the ramp and Mr. Gambale presented a letter to the Board from the Association to Congressman Barney Frank. The association who1e-hearted1y supports the construction of a southbound ramp because it helps both Mansfield and Norton residents and they are totally and strongly opposed to the construction of a northbound ramp feeding onto South Main Street, as they feel this ramp would not be in the best interest of Mansfield. They noted that the northbound ramp construction would require eviction and demolition of existing homes. Mr. r Gambale noted that the association has expanded its base and has members throughout town. Selectman McCarter noted that this was a big issue when he first came on the Board eight years ago and added that the Board has been consistent through the years in not supporting the northbound ramp. He told Mr. Gambale that he has his support. Selectman Amoruso echoed those sentiments as well and added that Congressman Frank understands what the Town's position is on this issue. COA Coffee Hour He is holding his Coffee Hour at 10:OOam tomorrow at the Council on Aging. He encouraged Board members to attend and the general public to come and have a discussion about important issues facing the town. Selectman Amoruso noted that he will be unable to attend. I #Coffee with the Legislature# The Massachusetts WaterWorks Assocation is holding a legislative meeting this Friday morning at 9:00am in Room 3ab in Mansfield Town Hall to discuss regulatory issues that have an impact on municipalities and ratepayers. Volunteer Luncheon The Mansfield COA is holding its annual Volunteer Luncheon this Friday at 11:30am at the COA. ,-. Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 11, 2005 6 ".- Town Meeting Annual Town Meeting is Tuesday, May 17 at 7:00pm at the High School- the Special Town Meeting opens at 8:00pm. Elks Breakfast The Mansfield Elks and Christian & Peck Development Corp. are hosting a Senior Spring Breakfast on Saturday, May 21st at the Elks on N. Main Street, beginning at 8:30pm. Memorial Day Parade The Memorial Day Parade is on Monday, May 30 and begins at 10:00am from Memorial Park and will end at the Keach Memorial. The Town Manager said that the town is blessed with a number of initiatives that we hope will move forward at Town Meeting. He noted that we have a couple of companies that will be relocating to Mansfield, we have a TaD initiative that is ongoing - it will provide additional train station parking, and is mixed use - retail, commercial and residential. He added that the reconstruction of Route 106 will need to be completed and that funding has been secured. The Town Manager said that he is pleased that the Board would like to move forward with various initiatives. r The Town Manager said that the Board has received a memo from the Planning Board about their recommendations for various articles. Motion: To support the articles on the Annual Town Meeting warrant relative to CIP (Amoruso - Dolan) 4-0 Passes Motion: To support the recommendations of the Planning Board and the temporary use article, Article 26 (Amoruso - Dolan) 4-0 Passes Motion: To support Article 1 with all of the cuts (Amoruso - Dolan) 4-0 Passes Selectman Dolan asked if the Board normally votes to support or not support on the school budget and was told that they do not. The Town Manager said that Article 11 has been withdrawn. He also noted that he doesn't believe that the school department is supporting this. He also noted that under Article 20, we aren't supporting Hope Street drainage. --- The Town Manager said that the former chairman asked for a clarification on the sewer truck versus the camera truck. Town Engineer provided a memo about this. The Department Inspection Vehicle is a 4-wheel drive utility vehicle that will allow us to access our off-road Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 11, 2005 7 r-- sewer and drainage structures, and provide appropriate space and security for our inspection, survey and soil testing equipment. The Camera Truck is a large 2-whee1 drive, box-type truck that houses our sewer camera, the reels of wire, washing equipment, associated computer station, and camera support equipment. This truck is kept at the Highway Garage, and is also used by the DPW to locate the cause of sewer system backups, thus allowing quick response and permanent repairs to be made. The Town Manager said that Article 23 is dead on arrival. He also noted that with respect to Article 28, the vehicles won't be barred from private property. Motion: To support Article 28 with the understanding that these vehicles won't be barred from private property (Dolan) - withdrew motion Selectman Dolan asked the Town Manager if the Board will be asked to vote on petitioner's articles and the Town Manager replied that the Moderator mayor may not ask. Motion: To support all articles on the Special Town Meeting Warrant (Dolan - Amoruso) 4-0 Passes ".- The Town Manager said that the Finance Committee has a problem with Article 10 - they were concerned that we were selling buildable land. He tried to explain it to them that they were contiguous lots. Chairman Achille noted that there would be a prudent process that the town would have to go though before any land is sold. Selectman McCarter asked how land is deemed surplus and who makes that determination. Selectman Amoruso noted that the Board put this is as a placeholder - maybe we should be more specific as to what lots we are referring to. The Town Manager said that he will have Town Planning Director Shaun Burke work on it. Selectman Dolan: Congratulated Selectman Amoruso and Selectman McCarter on their victories at the Town Election. Selectman McCarter: Asked about the painting of the crosswalk that goes onto Webb Place. The Town Manager said that once we get new money, the crosswalk painting is scheduled to happen. He noted that crosswalks are painted in July, prior to the start of the school year. Selectman Dolan noted this crosswalk badly needs to be painted. ".- He thanked everyone for getting out to vote yesterday and noted that turnout as low - perhaps positive apathy? He looks forward to working with the Board and added that the Board can do Board of Selectmen Minutes of May II, 2005 8 r r ,"'- good, productive things. He congratulated Steve MacCaffrie on his job as Selectman during the past three years. Selectman Amoruso: Reiterated the announcement that Town Meeting is Tuesday night and said that those who are concerned about their taxes - this is the places to be if you want to be involved. (Amoruso) 4-0 Passes ~~e--- !lJauid w.. Jfe~ Signature of Clerk ~ 25. 2PPS Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 11, 2005 9