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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 3-27-1985BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MARCH 27, 1985 PRESENT: Selectmen D'Onofrio, McNair, Dunn; Town Manager, Joan Cutillo; Selectman Levine arrived at 7:35 P.M., Selectman Mahana at 7:50 P.M. 1. The meeting was called to order and the Flag saluted. * MOTION: To appoint Selectman D'Onofrio Chairman for this meeting. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 2 -0 * MOTION: To appoint Selectman McNair Clerk for this meeting. Dunn /D'Onofrio VOTED: 2 -0 2. Minutes of March 20, 1985 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of March 20, 1985. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 3 -0 3. Warrant #40 * MOTION: To approve Warrant #40 in the amount of $348,730.92, dated March 27, 1985, broken down as follows: General Fund - $191,876.94 Revenue Sharing - 150.80 Special Revenue - 2,440.01 Sewer Enterprise - 27,345.71 Water Enterprise - 56,532.64 Electric Enterprise - 70,384.82 Dunn /McNair VOTED: 3 -0 4. Licenses and Permits a) Application for a One -day Common Victualler License for the Mansfield Little League, April 27, 1985, 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. * MOTION: To approve the One -day Common Victualler License. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 * MOTION: To waive the fee for the Mansfield Little League license. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 b) Application by Sheraton Inn Mansfield for a Sunday Entertainment License, Music and Dancing; this is a renewal. j * MOTION: To approve the Sheraton Inn Sunday Entertainment License Dunn /Levine VOTED: 4 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( MARCH 27, 1985 PAGE 2 c) Sewer Connection Permit Application by Cliff Turner for 248 West Street; the DPW Director was present and advised this is a home with an existing stub that has not been hooked up before. * MOTION: To approve the Sewer Connection Permit. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 d) Sewer Connection Permit Application by Al Turinese for Merckens Chocolate. * MOTION: To approve the Sewer Connection Permit. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 e) Transfer Request for Trade School Tuition in the amount of $1,490.50; this is an expense for a student not previously budgeted. * MOTION: To approve the Transfer Request. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 Levine abstained f) GATRA /COA Contract for operation of the Mansfield Council on Aging van service. Paul O'Neill was present. * MOTION: To approve and sign the contract. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0 g) Foxborough Memorandum of Intent Between the Town of Mansfield and the Town of Foxborough, for connection to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, signed by Foxborough Board of Selectmen. * MOTION: To sign the Memorandum of Intent. McNair /Levine VOTED: 3 -0 Dunn abstained 5. Correspondence a) Letter to the Town Manager from State Rep. William Vernon re: Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Depreciation Account legislation. b) Letter to the Town Manager from Raymond Hayes, President of Mansfield Cooperative Bank requesting use of the town parking lot beside the bank for a downtown fair to be held Sunday, May 26th, with a rain date May 27th. * MOTION: To approve use of the town parking lot. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0 c) Copy of letter from James Grady to the Planning Director re: Article 41 of the Annual Tom Meeting. d) Request from The Blue Knights, Inc., Lard Enforcement Motorcycle Club for participation in any local parades. e) Letter from John O'Brien, CPA, requesting consideration to conduct the Town's audit. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( MARCH 27, 1985 PAGE 3 f) Memorandum to the Board of Selectmen from SRPEDD re: SRPEDD's review of the Airport Commission's request for the airport improvement program; the Commission has requested two grants. g) Letter from Secretary of State re: State census process. h) Copy of decision of the Board of Appeals for John and Carol Hurley. i) Letter to the Board of Selectmen from Attorney Susan F. Brand re: Town's appeal regarding the DEQE pre- hearing conference scheduled for April 16, 1985 in the office of DEQE in Boston; Town Manager's reply attached. j) Memo from the Town Manager to the Board of Selectmen re: Mary Frisoli's request to purchase an easement on the Old Colony railroad line, which her family has maintained since 1945; this would require a Town Meeting vote, and the Town Manager recommends, as a condition of the sale, a re- striction be placed upon the easement that would prevent the easement area from being built upon. No action required or taken at this time. 6. Board Reorganization Selectman Mahana had arrived to make a full Board present. * MOTION: To appoint Selectman Richard D'Onofrio Chairman for the upcoming year. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0 * MOTION: To appoint Selectman John McNair Clerk for the upcoming year. Mahana /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0 7. Public Hearing /Sewer Rate Increase (Continued from previous week) The Chairman opened the hearing and asked if there was anyone from the floor who wished to say something. Carl Cardinute, who had been present at last week's hearing, said he had read in a paper recently that some towns were raising their rates, but only some 26 %, as compared with Mansfield's 68 %. Selectman McNair again answered by saying he understands the concern and can only urge Mr. Cardinute, and others, to attend the Town Meeting and make their concerns and opinions heard. Selectman Dunn then pointed out reasons for the increase in rates, such as expansion of the sewer lines that pres- ently exist, aggressive checks and correction of infiltration. He also expressed the feeling that if the decision is made for the Town to operate the new wastewater treatment plant it could maximize efficiency of costs; the new rates are based on contract operation of the new plant. Maybe there is something the Town can do. The DPW Director was present and reviewed a Memo he had given the Board BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( MARCH 27, 1985 PAGE 4 which presented an analysis of sewer users. It also suggested a possible solution for hardship cases, of maintaining the existing rate for minimum use hardship cases. This would require an increase for other users from the proposed $17.90 to $18.10; this if all the minimum use customers are hardship cases. Harold Nelson of 94 Park Street spoke about his heavier use of water dur- ing the summer months when he waters his garden, etc., and wanted to know if the sewer billing would still be related to winter useage, as it had been. Joe Zeneski said it is based on about 85% of winter use. There being no further questions or comments, the Chairman declared the hearing closed, and raised the issue of whether to begin to phase in the higher rates April 1st; and asked for a motion. He went on to say we do have to cover the operating cost of the new plant and there is no other way to get around it, since the law requires that the plant be operated and paid for by the sewer rates. Selectman Mahana then suggested taking the $140,00 payment coming from the Town of Foxborough to stabilize rates for Mansfield; the Town Manager count- ered by suggesting applying $45,000 to a specific component of the sewer bud- get, such as infiltration. Selectman Levine thought the Board had expected to put the $140,000 aside for future expansion. It was then decided to wait to make any motion /decision until after the scheduled Executive Session. Barbara May, 49 Franklin Street, asked about expansion of the sewer system timing /schedule. She was told there is no set schedule because it is a very expensive job if the Town has to do it; however, some developers are now showing a willingness to participate in this undertaking. 8. Landfill Regulations The Town Manager had given each Board member a Memo covering the change in landfill regulations taken by the Board of Health; the Memo included a copy of the new regulations. The Town Manager explained that the Board of Health could not meet with the Board of Selectmen tonight, but were on the agenda for next week. They feel there are alot of private contractors using the landfill at the rate of $10 for the year; the concern is for the life of the landfill. Chairman D'Onofrio said he has discussed the situation with Ed Tartufo, Chairman of the Board of Health, and it appears there has been a communication problem. 9. Norton Sewer Commission Bill Jordan and Tom Younger, Executive Secretary, came before the Board to discuss progress they feel they have made towards acquiring connection to the new wastewater treatment plant. Bill Jordan said they have different circumstances than Foxborough, however, and they are looking for some flex- ibility. At present they have no sewers. They already have Town Meeting BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MARCH 27, 1985 PAGE 5 approval for the proposed industrial park to tie in, and they have an article for this year's Town Meeting to sewer the Knollwood development of approxi- mately 100 homes. They have had two or three public hearings and received support from the people, as well as their Boards and Committees, for the Mans- field connection. Their concern is over semi -fixed operating costs being put on those sewer users they may have, who will be a small portion of the town's residents. Chairman D'Onofrio said they recognize that every agreement will be unique, but there must be some up -front costs for the interceptor and outfall. Bill Jordan said they agree with this as an indication of commitment. What they are thinking of, for now, is 30- 35,000 gallons per day for Knollwood and 120,000 for the industrial park. The DPW Director explained this is a total allocation, but that they pay for it in increments, similar to the Foxbor- ough agreement for special needs areas. The Town Manager mentioned consid- eration that Norton is the host town for the plant. There was some discus- sion covering the difficulty getting something together in time for Mans- field's Town Meeting scheduled for April 1st, resulting that Article 18 will be withdrawn. When a Memorandum of Intent is agreed upon, there will have to be a Special Town Meeting called. 10. Executive Session * MOTION: To go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations and land acquisition; to come out to open session in fifteen or twenty minutes. Dunn /McNair POLLED: 5 -0 Executive Minutes typed separately 11. Contract Operations * MOTION: That the Board rescind its policy for contract operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Dunn /Levine Selectman Dunn said it was decided to stay with Town operation to hold the line on increase in sewer rates and try to shoot for an efficient operation. Chairman D'Onofrio added it is a way of as- sessing a number of prospects so that there could be some savings for the Town with Town operation. The basis of the motion is to try to minimize the sewer rate increase and in re- evaluating the anticipated increase, which was based on contract operation of the plant, it could result in a decrease of the projected increase. VOTED: 3 -1 Mahana abstained, McNair opposed BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( MARCH 27, 1985 PAGE 6 12. Annual Town Meeting Articles Chairman D'Onofrio said he would go through the Articles in order, and if there was an opinion or opposition, it could be discussed (only those re- ceiving discussion will be listed here). Article 5 - Should be withdrawn because it is covered in Articles 6 and 7. Article 6 - Move that the Town vote to adopt. Article 8 - Has to have budget drawn up for Town operation of the treat- ment plant. Article 7 - Selectman Mahana then referred back to Article 7, saying he would like to see the Debt in the Water Enterprise Account put in the tax rate, the same as in the Sewer Enterprise; i.e. put it back in Debt and Interest under Municipal Government. He said that way the tax payer could claim a deductible under tax rate on his IRS taxes, and it should reduce the sewer and water rates some. The Town Manager said he recommends leaving it the way it is; he does not feel the figures would fit and cautioned the Board to make darn sure the numbers are going to work before they do this. Selectman Levine questioned what this would do to Proposition 22. Chairman D'Onofrio reminded those present that he feels last week's election showed the the major impact was a financial issue, and said he is willing to engage in any other creative financing with any personnel. * MOTION: That the Board of Selectmen adopt the following gen- eral policy for the fiscal 1986 budget presentation to the Town Meeting: 1. Water.Department debt and interest payments should be accounted for as an expense item under the gen- eral category of Debt and Interest. 2. Trash collection should be treated as an expense item under the Department of Public Works. 3. Acting as the Personnel Board, the Selectmen rec- ommend no new personnel additions at this time. 4. As a general guideline, all salary and expense items, except for presently negotiated contracts, are to be increased no more than 5% over their ( fiscal 1985 appropriations unless unusual circum- stances or conditions suggest otherwise. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING y MARCH 27, 1985 PAGE 7 and directs the Town Manager and Town Accountant to aseemble such a budget for review by the Selectmen as soon as possible. McNair /Mahana Selectman Dunn expressed concern,.that the Wednesday before a Monday Town Meeting is impossible for this Motion; this is a major impact with no time for dis- cussion or communication. The Town Manager said the No. 1 point concerns him because of the ripple effect it would have on the other budgets. Rather than add- ing some $600,000 to the tax rate, he suggests taking the cost of the Dustin Well, $80,000, which was prior to 2-1,. Herb Levine, from the floor, questioned whether the Board would print these changes for distribution prior to Town Meeting; a handout the night of Town Meeting was suggested. The Town Manager said he feels that in fairness to the people who are going to be involved in implement- ing this, and for it to be digested and understood, it may be wise to delay the Town Meeting; it will be difficult between now and next Monday. Joan Cutillo feels the Finance Committee needs time to react also. VOTED: 3 -2 Levine and Dunn opposed * MOTION: To rescind the previous vote to support the Town Man- ager's budget. Levine /McNair VOTED: 3 -2 Levine and Dunn opposed MOTION: To delay the Town Meeting one week, to April 8, 1985. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 3 -2 Levine and Dunn opposed It was then decided, if Tot-in Meeting is to be delayed one week and it was late, the Board would continue review of the Articles at next week's meeting. 13. Old Business a) The Town Manager touched briefly on his Pending Items Memo which review- ed items which he had reviewed with Joan Cutillo, then mentioned a Final Report which he had put together but did not have copies of for tonight; 1 he said they would receive it. He then spoke briefly about his growth BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( MARCH 27, 1985 PAGE 8 and experience gained during his fifteen years of service to Mansfield. 14. Adjournment * MOTION: To adjourn, at 11:05 P.M. VOTED: 4 -0 Selectman Levine had left at 10:55 P.M. f f r' ') Da e signed