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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 12-4-1985(afg U 1J BOARD OF SELECTMEN r OEC) MINUTES OF MEETING y DECEMBER 4, 1985 �L�w PRESENT: Chairman D'Onofrio; Selectmen McNair, Mahana; Town Manager Selectman Levine arrived at 7:35 P.M. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. and the Flag saluted. 2. Minutes of November 26, 1985 MOTION: To approve the Minutes of November 26, 1985. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 3 -0 3. Warrant #24 MOTION: To approve Warrant #24 in the amount of $480,975.34, dated Decem- ber 4, 1985, broken down as follows: General Fund - $350,555.74 Special Revenue - 3,772.98 High School Roof - 13,657.20 Sewer Enterprise - 77,366.89 Water Enterprise - 3,439.41 Electric Enterprise - 32,183.12 McNair /Mahana VOTED: 3 -0 4. Licenses and Permits a) Request from New England Telephone for one pole relocation on South Main Street in area of Great Woods Performing Arts Center; no hearing required. MOTION: To approve the one pole relocation on S. Main Street. McNair /Levine VOTED: 4 -0 b) Transfer Request #3 for $3,000 to pay balance needed for Attleboro Area Assoc. of Retarded Citizens summer program bill (to Recreation Dept.). Tosco Accountant's explanation was included. MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #3 in the amount of $3,000. There was some discussion concerning the fact that the amount of this bill cannot be determined earlier, for budgetary con- trol. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 4 -0 c) Transfer Request #5 in the amount of $659.75, Electrical Inspector fees for the month of November. K1 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING DECEMBER 4, 1985 PAGE 2 * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #5 in the amount of $659.75. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 4 -0 d) Transfer Request #6 in the amount of $145.00, Building Department Assis- tant Inspector fees for the month of November. * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #6 in the amount of $145.00. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 4 -0 e) Application for Sewer Connection Permit for 5 lots, 167 Fruit Street, by Home Developers. * MOTION: To approve the Sewer Connection Permits for Home Developers (Lots 3,4,5,6,7). McNair /Mahana VOTED: 4 -0 f) Sewer Connection Permit Application by County Realty Trust, for a resi- dential multiple, 14 County Street. Special conditions specify a grinder pump which must be approved by the DPW. - Selectman Levine wanted it noted that the pump is privately owned and maintained. * MOTION: To approve the Sewer Connection Permit for County Realty Trust, with documentation that it is to have a "private pump ". McNair /Mahana VOTED: 4 -0 * g) MOTION: To approve the following Liquor License Renewal Applications: - Sherman Central Liquors, Inc.,.d /b /a Mansfield Central Liquors, Inc. - American Legion Post #198 - The Store - VFW Post #3264 - McNair abstained - Foxfield Hotel Corp., d /b /a. Quality inn - of.Mansfield - Mansfield Hotel Corp., d /b /a Sheraton Inn of Mansfield - McNair abstained - Set Point, Inc., d /b /a Tennis 95 - Roscoe's Cafe - Regent Cafe, Inc. of Mansfield - McNair abstained - Jimmy's Pub - A.L.E., d /b /a Homestead Restaurant - Willowdale Golf Course, Inc. - McNair abstained - Spiezio Enterprises, Inc., d /b /a Geno's Restaurant & Lounge - ( McNair abstained - Old Colony Diner BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING DECEMBER 4, 1985 PAGE 3 - West Mansfield Variety - Tang -Sz Corp., d /b /a Cheng -Du Restaurant - O.C.S., Inc., d /b /a Old Country Store - DiMonte's Variety - Bristol Management, Inc., d /b /a Bristol Liquors - F & W, Inc., d /b /a Dub's Discount Liquors Levine /Mahana VOTED: 4 -0, except where otherwise noted The Chairman then advised the Board that no communication has been received to date from Mr. Vaz pertaining to his Mansfield House license. He, therefore, recommends notification of the Board's intent to not renew the license, that the renewal date has passed, and the Board "will not consider any renewal and /or transfer of the license issued to the Mansfield House ". * MOTION: To approve the above recommendation of the Chairman. McNair /Levine VOTED: 4 -0 5. Correspondence a) Letter from Tom Markt and Steve Quinn re: Reappointment to Finance Com- mittee. - The Clerk read the letter, which made several good points, the Chair- man felt. * MOTION: To send a letter expressing deep regret and appreciation for their years of service to the Town. Levine /Mahana VOTED: 4 -0 b) Notice of Adjudication from Energy Facilities Siting Council re: Bay State Gas Co. Third Long -Range Forecast of gas needs and requirements. c) Copy of Memo from Elec. Dept. Manager to Town Accountant re: Bid Proce- dure for Electric Dept. d) Letter from Vice President of Government Relations, of Cable Vision Industries, re: New business plan - a limited partnership. - Me Prasad was present to give a summary, presenting it as a "restruc- turing of Cable Vision's internal financial setup "; nothing changes as far as Mansfield is concerned. He pointed out that a public hearing is required; January 8, 1986 was set for the hearing. - Selectman Levine suggested requesting discussion concerning rate in- creases at the same time. The Chairman felt a letter should go to Cable Vision asking them to have someone present to discuss potential rate increases. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( DECEMBER 4, 1985 PAGE 4 e) Letter from Director of Civil Defense Agency & Office of Emergency Pre- paredness re: Mansfield declared eligible for various recovery programs by the Federal Government. - The Town Manager said he has received alot of information from the de- partment heads, and he is working on it. He feels there is a need for an agent to deal with FEMA. * MOTION: To appoint the Town Manager as the Agent for interaction with FEMA. Mahana /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 f) SRPEDD announcement of Open House December 11th, 3 -7 P.M. g) Letter from Office of the Inspector General, Joseph R. Barresi, re: Re- port on Municipal Banking Relations in the Commonwealth. h) Letter from Gov. Dukakis re: Continued participation in the Seabrook project. i) Letter from Gov. Dukakis re: Fair Labor Standards Act and Garcia case. j) Letter from Douglas Tarble, Plant Manager of Merckens Chocolate, to the Town Manager, re: His meeting with the Board last week. Q Letter from General Manager of Cable Vision re: Addition of "Discovery Channel" to the Basic tier. 1) Letter from Rep. William B. Vernon re: Board's opposition to reimposi- tion to binding arbitration for certain public employees. m) Letter from Margot Jellinek to Selectman Mahana, expressing appreciation for his concern for condition of underground storage tanks. 6. Camp Dresser & McKee Charlie Loveridge, Bill Mackey and Jim Glendye were present to report on developments at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Jim Glendye covered the Spring Street /West Street Interceptor progress and asked for approval of Change Orders totaling approximately $30,000: storm drainage piping, addi- tion of a storm drain at-James Street, removal of metal pipe and replace- ment with PVC (Spring Street). * MOTION: To approve the Change Order requests as identified by Jim Glen-' dye. Levine /Mahana VOTED: 4 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING DECEMBER 4, 1985 PAGE 5 Jim Glendye then said the contractor would like to be able to get in to clean up the Cobb Street area now, or be told he does not have to. The Town Manager suggested asking Mr. Clemmey if he wants -the Town to clean it up, or tell him to forever hold his peace. The Chairman said the consensus of the Board seems to be for the Town Manager to contact Mr. Clemmey accord- ingly. Charlie Loveridge then presented the following Change Orders, for approval: 1) Air dryer to the lime pump, essential to operation of the plant; cost $2,466.75. * MOTION: To approve the Change Order. Levine /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 2) Install two (2) globe valves to the aeration tank - $457.00 * MOTION: To approve the Change Order. McNair /Levine VOTED: 4 -0 Discussion followed covering possible illegal dumping into the system, which has occurred a couple of times. Charlie Loveridge told the Board there is a portable sampler which can be strategically placed for testing areas for this type of problem. It was felt this would be a worthwhile in- vestment; Bill Mackey will investigate the possibility of it being eligible under the grant. He advised it could be included in the sewer program cost. Bill Mackey reported that he is still waiting for an answer to the request for extended engineering coverage during start -up. Also, the second phase of the sludge landfill is still hanging. He is still waiting for approval to advertise Contract 4. Once this is under way, a decision will have to be made as to whether or not to add a fourth cell. 7. Old Business a) Selectman Levine reported that there is a hole at the corner of West Street and Walnut Street, which is getting bigger; Town Manager to take care of this. b) Chairman D'Onofrio took a minute to comment on the Christmas Lighting Ceremony and the great job the Light Department did. Selectman Mahana then thanked everyone, school children, senior citizens, various depart- ment people, all of whom where involved in the preparation. c) Selectman Levine said she remembers that the Clemmey covenant, discussed last week, was a Town Meeting vote; Chairman D'Onofrio said Town Counsel is preparing a report on it. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING DECEMBER 4, 1985 PAGE 6 d) Selectman Levine asked the Town Manager to contact the U.S. Attorney's office to receive a copy of the report on adjudication of the fire truck issue. e) Selectman Levine said she has received calls concerning Main Line Con- struction work on Essex and Ware Streets. The Town Manager advised that he met with a representative from Main Line Construction, to discuss the complaints the office has received; the representative said he would per- sonally contact some of the residents who were disturbed. He said they will repair lawns and other damaged areas. The Town Manager also said the DPW Department has a kit available to help remove rust from residents' dirtied wash, etc. f) The Town Manager advised that repair to the damaged fire truck will be about $14,000, rather than the $40,000 originally reported. New Business a) Chairman D'Onofrio had prepared a Memorandum concerning "Computer Resour- ces - Long Range Planning ", which each Board member had a copy of. In it he proposed to appoint John Davern, of 100 Union Street, as a committee of one, to study various issues involved in allocating future resources. The Chairman had also given each Board member a copy of John Davern's resume. John has had 9 years experience in the computer field and is cur- rently working for Wang. The Town Manager reminded the Board that Alan Jones, Electric Department Office Manager, is working on an in -house study of the DPW Department needs and operations; he suggested having John Davern and Alan Jones work together, which the Board approved. MOTION: To accept the Chairman's report and implement it as outlined. Levine /Mahana VOTED: 4 -0 b) The Town Manager had asked Richard Callinan, Planning Director, to explain his prepared "Strategic Planning Grant Draft ", copy of which all Board members had recieved (and is attached). Four major objectives are: 1) To guide residential development in meeting needs of people, including more affordable housing; 2) Manage industrial development; 3) Provide a more orderly and efficient expansion of infrastructure and services, thereby reducing long -term fiscal burden they may pose to the community; 4) Update local land use controls to more effectively address the pressures of growth. Rich said he would like input and endorsement for the application. He said a consulting firm would be hired to address the comprehensive plan; the grant could bring $30,000, and coupled with the $25,00 already designated for the Master Plan, he felt it could be completed. * MOTION: To support, with enthusiasm, the Strategic Planning Grant Draft as supplied in the document. Mahana /Levine VOTED: 4 -0 STRATEGIC PLANNING GRANT DRAFT A. Problem Statement Housing affordability is a relatively recent, yet growing problem in Mansfield. In years past, the community actively sought to attract indus- trial and commercial development to revitalize its economy. These efforts, supported by a number of external factors, were successful although new challenges for balancing this growth have been encountered. The advantageous location of Mansfield at the interchange of Route 495 and Route 95 as well as the relative affordability in the housing in Mansfield as compared to many other communities in the Boston area are other factors that have given great impetus to growth within the community. For instance, Mansfield's population in 1960 was reported as being 7,773. By the 1980 census, the population had grown by over 427, to 13,453. Projections for the year 1990 account for an additional 297 increase for an estimated pop- ulation of 19,000 people. In addition, settlement patterns have changed from a relatively high density development near existing services and facilities to low density housing located in less accessible areas. As a result, initial housing costs have increased due to larger lot size requirements and market conditions and their additional demand for services incurs greater expense to the Town. These expenses are eventually passed on as higher covering costs for housing in terms of the property tax and municipal fees. Despite unprecedented residential growth, industrial development has accel- erated. Over one -third the labor force in 1979 was employed in the manu- facturing industry. The Town's improved accessibility to outside markets via Routes 495 and 95 since that time makes it evermore attractive for these activities. However, intensive development interest has suddenly been di- rected toward industrially zoned land which, until now, have layed undisturbed beside growing neighborhoods. In one congested area alone, - square feet of warehouse space has been proposed within the last year. The deficiencies in local land use controls provide little opportunity to address the impact that these activities will have on adjoining residential development. Just as threatening to industrial /commercial growth and employment is the escalating cost of housing. Nearly one -half of the Town's low and moderate income households in 1979 spent 357 or more of their earnings on housing. Middle income households are also being burdened. In 1979, the average local income of $20,942 was sufficient to cover the average cost of a home at $31,917. Today, the estimated $29,153 median income is less than $ from what earnings are needed to afford the average $ cost of a home in Mansfield. If the "affordability gap" continues to widen, local industries will be facing greater labor costs as well as a potentially smaller labor market as more skilled workers are displaced by those of traditionally higher incomes. The problems of growth in Mansfield and its affect on housing affordability and employment show no indications of slowing. Four hundred and seventy lots have been created this calendar year with over 1,000 lots left to be approved (See Map A). Mansiield is now at a crucial point in deciding its future. B. Objectives Mansfield is distinctly encountering the problems of growth from both residential and industrial development. The pressures of growth is compounded by the con- flict each form of development poses on the other. A balanced planning policy is, therefore, necessary to realize the benefits each can offer to the community as a whole. Housing affordability is inherently connected to this overall goal. Housing should be affordable to those households whose incomes are derived from local industries and other sectors of the local economy. The less economic burden placed on these industries, the more ability these activities will have to ex- pand employment levels. Stable employment opportunities and local incentives should be considered to allow greater accessibility to the local housing market. In consideration of the above, there are four major objectives which the pro- posed comprehensive policy study shall address: 1. To guide residential development in meeting the needs of people including more affordable housing, better services and a safe and pleasant environ- ment. Z. To manage industrial development so it may more properly function and con- tribute to the economic base of the community. 3. To provide for a more orderly and efficient expansion of infrastructure and services thereby reducing the long -term fiscal burden they may pose to the community. 4. To update local land use controls to more effectively address the pressures of growth. TOWN Oh' MANSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 50 West Street, Mansfield, MA 02048 MEMORANDUM TO: Board of Selectmen FROM: Chairman D'Onofrio DATE: December 4, 1985 RE: Computer Resources -- Long Range Planning In the last two years the Selectmen /Light Commissioners have supported the acquisition of an NCR computer system for municipal operations, and a D.E.C. system for the Electric Light Department. Recent discussions have considered the possible acquisition of yet another system to replace the Data General System used by the Public Works Department. To assist the Selectmen /Light Commissioners in understanding the various issues involved in allocating future resources, I suggest that we might be able to utilize the volunteer expertise of Mr. John Davern, of 100 Union Street, as a committee of one to study the matter. If the Board would agree, I propose that we: 1) Appoint Mr. John Davern as a committee of one to study our computer resources; 2) Identify the goals of his study to be: a) To review computer system operations of the Town and Electric Department to determine if maximum effectiveness and utiliza- tion is being made of our present resources; b) To determine short -term and long -term computer requirements of the Town and the Light Department as.identified by those who.are responsible for day -to -day operations (e.g., Town Manager, Town Accountant, Town Treasurer /Collector, Light Department Office Manager, Public Works Department Office Manager, etc.). c) To determine if future needs of the Town and Light Department can be met with our present computer resources; d) To identify future hardware and software needs which will allow for maximum efficiency operations and interdepartment exchange of information and data. ( In addition, I propose that we consider the following time lines for this study: Board of Selectmen December 4, 1985 PAGE 2 Date December 11, 1985 January 20, 1986 February 17, 1986 March 10, 1986 Objective Appointment of John Davern Complete software /hardware inventory Complete systems analyses Report and recommendations The goals and milestones identified above are preliminary in nature and, of course, subject to revision and modification as the Board may deem appropriate. ,PI -r cc: Tom Manager Town Accountant Town Treasurer /Collector Light Dept. Office Mgr. DPW Dept. Office Mgr. John Davern BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( DECEMBER 4, 1985 PAGE 7 c) Selectman Levine announced that she will not be a candidate for re -elec- tion in the Spring. She feels six years is enough, it is time for some- one else to become involved, and she would like to do something else. She said she has learned alot about government and people and interactions with people. She thanked all those who voted for her two times. 9. Budget Workshop Chairman D'Onofrio opened the discussion by expressing the need to look at finding a way to relieve the home owners of the increasing expenses which are showing up in everybody's bills. He suggested taking a positive step forward by removing the Debt and Interest, in the Water Department, back to the tax rate; this would provide a potential drop of 50 %. Selectman Mahana said he supported the Enterprise accounts, but feels they have not worked as he had hoped. He would like to see some options, pos- sibly a partial transfer of funds over two or three years. Chairman D'Onofrio said he would like to see at least a guideline for a three -year budget so there is a period of time over which some very positive planning can be accomplished. Selectman McNair said he would like to see an impact study of what it would be on the total budget - municipal and educational; also to the revenues the Town can expect. There was some discussion, no conclusions reached. 10. Adjournment * MOTION: To adjourn (10:30 P.M.). Mahana /Levine VOTED: 4 -0 Date — signed