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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 4-3-1985r' BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 3, 1985 APR 1 9 198 PRESENT: Chairman D'Onofrio; Selectmen McNair and Dunn; Selectmen Mahana and Levine arrived at about 7:05 P.M. 1. Meeting Called To Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. * MOTION: To go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 Executive Session Minutes typed separately 2. Open Session The meeting was opened to the public at 7:30 P.M. and the Flag saluted. 3. Minutes of March 27, 1985 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of March 27, 1985. McNair /Dunn It developed that all members had not had time to read the min- utes. * MOTION: To table the Minutes of March 27, 1985 until everyone has an oppor- tunity to read them. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 4. Warrant #41 * 140TION: To approve Warrant #41 in the amount of $655,826.39, dated April 3, 1985, broken down as follows, with the exception of Voucher #2945: General Fund - $578,828.30 Revenue Sharing - 2,343.00 School Lunch - 15,631.07 Special Revenue - 20,570.48 Sewer Enterprise - 3,644.63 Water Enterprise - 8,100.53 Electric Enterprise - 26,708.38 McNair /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0 Levine abstained 5. Licenses and Permits * a) MOTION: To approve the Treasurer's bond in the amount of $126,000 & sign. McNair / Mahana VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 3, 1985 PAGE 2 * b) MOTION: To approve and sign the Tax Collector's bond in the amount of $126,000. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 5 -0 c) Application by Elaine Beattie for renewal of the Town Taxi license for Vehicle No. 74, a 1974 Plymouth Valiant. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 d) Application by Elaine Beattie for renewal of the Town Taxi license for Vehicle No. 70, , a 1970 Dodge Dart. McNair /Levine VOTED: 5 -0 e) Transfer Request #8 in the amount of $1,081.37, for Plumbing and Gas Inspector fees for April; not enough appropriated due to rapid develop- ment in town. * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #8. Levine /McNair VOTED: 5 -0 e) Transfer Request #9, in the amount of $1,270.50, for Electrical Inspec- tor fees for April; not enough appropriated due to rapid growth in town. * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #9. McNair /Levine VOTED: 5 -0 6. Coreespondence a) Copy of letter from DEQE to Atty. Susan Brand re: Adjudicatory Proceed- ing on Hercules Dump Site; copy given to Board of Health. b) Letter of resignation from Phillip Genatossio, Recreation Commission. * MOTION: To accept the resignation with regrets. McNair /Levine VOTED: 5 -0 * MOTION: To send him a letter accepting his resignation with regrets. Levine /McNair VOTED: 5 -0 c) Notice from Dept. of Environmental Management re: Gypsy Moth 1985 status and Dept. recommendations for areas expected to be affected; Mansfield not expected to be affected. d) Memo from Local Election Districts Review Commission re: Local redis- tricting; referred to Town Clerk. e) Letter from Codex Corp. re: Lack of adequate snow removal in Mansfield Industrial Park; referred to DP41 Director. - The Chairman had drafted a response for the Board's review. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 3, 1985 PAGE 3 f) Copy of letter from Chad Maurer, Town Manager, to Ronald Bonvie re: Installation of a fence along the Bonwood Corp project, Fairfield Park. g) News Release from SRPEDD re: Southeast Expressway Work Resumes. h) Open letter from Margot Jellinek re: Management of sewerage plant in Norton. * MOTION: That Mrs. Jellinek receive a copy of the Board's Minutes each week. Mahana /McNair VOTED: 5 -0 i) Letter to Town Manager, Chad Maurer, from Rep. Bill Vernon in response to the Board's expressed opposition to the Governor's proposal for edu- cation reform mandating minimum salary of $18,000. j) Notice of Public Hearings by DPU for Mobilecomm of New York, Inc. and Intelecom Corp. k) Copy of letter from District Highway Engineer, J.T. Cronin, to the Execu- tive Office for Environmental Affairs re: Traffic needs on Rt. 140 and the Great Woods Performing Arts Center. - The Acting Town Manager is to call the State to learn what the Town's obligations are regarding permits, etc. 1) Letter from Ralph Seifert, Chairman of IDC re: Intersection of West Street and Forbes Blvd. - The Acting Town Manager is to look into this. m) Letter from Mansfield Little League re: Opening day exercises April 27th. n) Letter from Fred Johnson to Mayor John W. Dunn re: Owens - Illinois plant closing; suggested referral to DAC. o) Letter from Cable Vision to Board of Selectmen re: Two new services. p) Letter to Board of Selectmen from Registry of Motor Vehicles re: Declara- tion of Month of May as Mass. Bicycle Safety Month. * MOTION: To forward to Parks & Recreation Dept. McNair /Levine VOTED: 5 -0 q) Zoning Board of Appeals Notice of Hearing re: Application of Ruth and William Kirby, 1407 East Street, for an appeal from decision of Inspector of Buildings. r) Notice of Planning Board Hearing, April 10th, re: Application of Edward J. Broderick to subdivide a parcel of land. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 3, 1985 PAGE 4 s) Memos from Police Chief re: Radar Citations and Disturbances Related to Licensed Liquor Establishments. 7. Board of Health The Board of Health and Health Agent, Karl Drown, were present. The Chair- man explained that the Board had asked them to meet with the Board to offer some background for the increase in landfill fees. Ed Tartufo, Chairman of the Board of Health, said that the DPW Director had wanted to make some changes, because use of the landfill was being abused; the Board of Health asked him to make recommendations, which he did, and the Board of Health felt they were acceptable. Ed said the landfill has not been maintained well, users are not monitored sufficiently (these two factors cost the Town $1,000 a few years back). The feeling was that the increased fees should help to pay to have someone at the gate to monitor who uses the landfill. At this time, 8:00 P.M., the Chairman interrupted the discussion to open the Public Hearing for Old Colony Diner and request a recess. MOTION: To recess the Public Hearing for Old Colony Diner to the earliest possible moment. Levine /Mahana VOTED: 5 -0 Selectman McNair then asked to explain to the people present that the Board of Selectmen does not have any control of the landfill fees, but had asked for this meeting in order to be better informed of the situation and ration- ale behind the Board of Health's action. Selectman Dunn voiced his feeling that solid waste is a problem both State -wide and locally, so there is alot of pressure for people outside of town limits to use our landfill, but it is a very valuable resource to the town. Many residents were present and spoke to their concerns, which included the feeling that the trash collector should pick up leaves, the residents should not have to pay to take them down to the dump; some felt they were being penalized as residents because they have to pay the same as outsiders; some- one complained about the poor quality of the stickers; there was a feeling that a pick -up and dump truck should not pay the same amount. MOTION: To look into possibility of holding up the fee increase until there is time to look into the problem. McNair /no second At this point Ed Tartufo suggested taking the interested residents present into the adjoining room for further discussion and possible solution *. This was done and Ed Tartufo returned later with the following decision =which seemed to be much more acceptable to those present: *Motion withdrawn BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 3, 1985 PAGE 5 - Keep residential fee for cars at $3.00 /yr. - Non - commercial pick -up, van and utility trailer $5.00 /yr; these users will be asked to sign an affidavit stating that their vehicle is not for commercial use - Commercial vehicles, vans, pick -ups and 3 -yd. dump $25.00 /yr - 4 yd. - 10 yd. maximum dump $10.00 /load 8. Public Hearing - Old Colony Diner Expansion The public hearing was reopened and the Clerk read the ad. Joe St. Onge and his attorney, Charles Mulcahy were present; they had the proof of all abutters having been notified. This hearing was required to amend the liquor license due to the decision to totally enclose the originally plan- ned cafe. Attorney Mulcahy explained that both the Building Inspector and the ABCC felt an open cafe would be dangerous from the standpoint of youths being able to receive liquor over the walls. The addition has been con- structed and is being used; both the Building Inspector and the Board of Health have inspected and approved it. The hearing was then opened to anyone wishing to speak; Rod Stearns has a business in the area and expressed concern over insufficient parking space. Selectman McNair advised him this concern should have been raised a long time ago and that we are only considering a liquor license tonight; every- one agrees there is a parking problem. Selectman Dunn affirmed the park- ing problem and said he feels that "we should maximize whatever land the Town has in that area ". MOTION: To grant the license. Levine /Mahana VOTED: 5 -0 Lora Pelliorini Lora had asked to have time to speak to the Board about Bristol County's 300th Anniversary Celebration, which each member had previously received correspondence on. She also wanted the Board to appoint a representative. The opening ceremony will be in Taunton on June 2nd; there will be a ball that evening with Bob Hope in attendance. On July 4th there will be a par- ade, and she expressed hope that Mansfield would enter a float or banner. Selectman Levine volunteered on a temporary basis, dependent on whether she finds it too much of a commitment. 10. Richard Coffey - East Common Richard Coffey and Richard Rys ing ban at the East Mansfield eral years back, but they all cars are parked on and around from a repair area for cars. a good mechanic and they don't but that there is space for 6 came before the Board to ask for a No Park - Common; they said there used to be signs sev- disappeared, as had enforcement of same. Now the Common overnight and weekends, resulting They said a member of the Berman residence is want to see him not allowed to work on cars, cars on his property. Now there are overnight BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 3, 1985 PAGE 6 parking stickers on some of the cars. They say traffic is obstructed on Mill and Cherry Streets frequently because cars are sometimes double and tripled parked. The Police Chief has asked the Highway Department to re- place the No Parking signs, but due to the garage fire, the sign equipment is ruined. The Chairman thanked the gentlemen for bringing this situation to the Board's attention and said the Board would take the issue under advisement and work on it; this was the consensus of the Board. The Acting Town Man- ager was asked to pursue having the police move those cars which are parked on the common, as it is Town property. 11. Paul Johnson - Jaycee Clean -up Paul Johnson and Dave Mochi came before the Board to ask for permission to use the landfill for their Spring Clean -up, tentatively set for May 11th and 12th; also permission to carry the trash over town roads, and to have the use of three town trucks and drivers. The DPW Director was present and reminded the Board that use of the trucks and drivers would cost the town fuel and overtime expenses. There was some discussion, with the feeling that there is need for such a service by many residents, and it would cost much more if the Jaycees did not volunteer their time and service. MOTION: To grant the Jaycees request subject to the DPW Director's ap- proval. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 12. Chief Ed Sliney Fire Chief Ed Sliney's first business was to introduce his new recruit to the Mansfield Fire Department, who had graduated from the Mass. Firefight- ing Academy's 7 -week Recruit Firefighting Program March 22nd. He is Michael J. Devine. Chief Sliney then asked to discuss ambulance fees. He said the account is running shy on funds coming in from the ambulance. Last year the billing service took $7.50 out of the first $20.00 collected; that has now been raised to $8.50 prior to anything coming in. Ed had handed out his recom- mendations for increasing Mansfield's fees, comparing them with four sur- rounding towns, and he asked that his recommendations be instituted immedi- ately. It was pointed out that the Town accepts what Blue Cross pays, so lose 20%. Joan Cutillo said after 1986 it will be necessary to consider collection enforcement in order to not increase the fees again. Selectman Mahana suggested that a public hearing be held to identify current fees and the proposed increase, and for input from the public. * MOTION: To hold a public hearing for the purpose of advising residents of proposed ambulance fee increase. Mahana /Levine VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 3, 1985 PAGE 7 13. New Business - Acting Town Manager a) The Police Chief has requested parking ticket rate increases and needs approval as soon as possible since he must order new tickets. The Act- ing Town Manager mentioned the increases he was proposing for various offenses, and the Board seemed to approve. * MOTION: To hold a public hearing on increases of Police ticket fees. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 5 -0 b) The Acting Town Manager then reminded the Board that there were sever- al money Articles for Town Meeting which should be reviewed: - Article 22 - Vending trucks; this was proposed by the Board last year and .required changes. - Article 30 - Airport borrowing. * MOTION: To support. Levine /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 - Article 41 - James Grady request for a strip of land. Chairman D'Ono- frio pointed out that it uses the word "direct" which is a mandate to sell. It was also felt that there should be an appraisal. * MOTION: Not to support Article 41. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 5 -0 - Article 47 - Randolph McDougall article to sell the Spaulding School. Chairman D'Onofrio said, again, it uses the word "direct ", so recommends not supporting it. Also, it does not contain an amount for the sale, nor how it is to be sold. * MOTION: Not to support Article 47. Levine /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 - Article 49 - Sewer on Morrow Street. No position at this point by the Board - Article 51 - Master Plan * MOTION: To support the Master Plan; amount left open. Mahana /Levine VOTED: 5 -0 - Article 25 - Electronic voting equipment. 1 * MOTION: To not support. Levine /McNair VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( APRIL 3, 1985 PAGE 8 14. New Business - Selectmen a) Selectman Mahana expressed the need for an adequate speaker system, saying there must be someone in town who is knowledgeable with such equipment to give the Board an estimate. * MOTION: To investigate the cost of putting in an adequate speaker system, or improve the system we already have. Mahana /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 b) Selectman McNair made a motion to take a stand on a policy to explore the possibility of using the Foxboro dump, because they have plenty of room. This was discussed briefly; the motion was then withdrawn. c) Selectman McNair then voiced concern, saying the way Town Meeting has gone so far, there is going to have to be a cut somewhere in the way the money has gone. The Board will have to think about this, because the Town will be over the 22 guideline. The Acting Town Manager said the Finance Committee is meeting with the Assessors tonight to try to come up with a more positive figure for new growth to present at next Monday's Town Meeting. She went on to advise the Board that there is talk about the possibility of the Cherry Sheet amount being cut if the Town does not appropriate as much as 22 allows. d) Selectman Dunn briefly reported on the MMA Legislative Conference he attended last Saturday, which dealt with State and Federal funding. From following brief discussion, which touched on the School budget, the roof and facia repairs and possible use of the Stabilization Fund, the following motion was made: * MOTION: To oppose use of the Stabilization Fund for repairs by the School. Mahana /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 Levine abstained Chairman D'Onofrio wound up the discussion by saying he would like to see the Board work on a plan for allocation of resources and Selectman Dunn reminded the members that the 5 -year Plan would be instrumental in this endeavor. * MOTION: To go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing litigation up -date. Mahana /Dunn Members POLLED: 5 -0 Executive Minutes typed separately BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 3, 1985 PAGE 9 V /// e6- Date signed