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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 9-25-1985BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 25, 1985 PRESENT: Chairman D'Onofrio; Selectmen McNair, Dunn, Mahana; Town Manager The meeting was called to order and the Flag saluted at 7:00 P.M. The Chairman opened a Public Hearing for Foxboro Terminals and asked if there were representatives present for Foxboro Terminals. Attorney Gerald Katz introduced himself as attorney for the project; Richard Merrikin in- troduced himself as Project Engineer. Chairman D'Onofrio then asked for any traffic plan impact studies they may have made. Mr. Merrikin explained that the Planning Board had only recently asked for such a study and it is a fairly substantial undertaking. They have not started it yet because they have a legal problem with the Planning Board right now (extension of permit); they also claimed that they had not been aware of the Board's desire to consider the project as Road Commission- ers. Chairman D'Onofrio countered by saying the Board had been trying to meet with them since August and, now, no data to discuss. Atty. Katz then maintained that the Planning Board has Special Permit authority and they should not have closed their public hearing, which they did, prior to re- ceiving all information and input from the Road Commissioners and others. Selectman Dunn asked if they had documentation that the Planning Board has closed the public hearing; they do not; Selectman Dunn said then he would assume that the process is still open, and Chairman D'Onofrio said the hear- ing will continue and the Board will develop its information. Attorney Katz said a traffic plan is impossible to prepare within the time period given (now to October 2nd). Chairman D'Onofrio asked them to speak to issues of traffic. Mr. Merrikin showed a proposed plan of the building and site, pointing out that the project will be developed in approximately six phases over ten to twelve, or fifteen, years. He then outlined the number of trucks and cars generated by each phase (all numbers indicate number in and out from facil- ity each day): 1st Phase - 22 -36 trucks, 25 cars 2nd Phase - 48 -69 trucks, 50 cars 3rd Phase - 57 -94 trucks, 75 cars 4th Phase - 83 -136 trucks, 116 cars 5th Phase - 100 -165 trucks, 141 cars 6th Phase - 120 -198 trucks, 160 cars It was pointed out that the loading docks were placed in an alley -way between two buildings, so there would be less noise for the neighborhood, and he said he wanted to emphasize that this is a warehouse, not a truck terminal. He said the chief route will be over Oakland Street, and he agrees that it is a poor access; Maple Street is also a possible route. Atty. Katz feels that adequate policing will alleviate the problem on other streets. It was stated that the majority of trucking is done during the day, not at peak hours; this BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 25, 1985 PAGE 2 was received with doubts by the people present. Mr. Merrikin said the hours are 6:30 A.M. to 10:00 P.M., five day week, but occasionally a Saturday. Atty. Katz claimed that an office complex on the site would generate more vehicles at peak hours than a warehouse will. Selectman Dunn said the Board is not as concerned about the type of vehicle, but rather the public safety issue. Both the Police Chief and Fire Chief were present and asked to voice their concerns; the Police Chief's Memorandum to the Planning Board was read. His main reservation is heavy truck traffic on Oakland, Mansfield and Crocker Streets, especially at the intersection of Crocker and North Main Street. Chief Sliney (Fire) also has concern for traffic problems, particularly at the intersection of Rt. 106 and North Main; he said response to a fire could be slowed down considerably at that intersection. He said they have a prob- lem now responding to the Owens- Illinois plant. He has checked the water situation and feels there is adequate for a sprinkler system. The Police Chief said the only viable alternative would be for the trucks to go down Oakland Street through Foxboro; he said he does not have the manpower to "baby sit" one company (this in response to policing the other streets in the area to keep the trucks out). Chairman D'Onofrio said we already have a problem and the Board must weigh how much this project is going to add to it. The hearing was then opened for comments from the audience, and at this point Mr. Petri, Chairman of Foxboro Terminals, and Mr. Todd, President, were into - duced by Mr. Merrikin; they had been sitting in the audience. One resident asked where trucks would park while the terminal is closed; on Foxboro Term- inal property. Asked about fencing, they said a fence is proposed along 3/4 of the property on the Twin Oaks side; they would be willing to extend the fence the rest of the way, and they said they would secure the Granada Circle area as required by whatever Board stipulates same. The Terminal would have security guards on duty weekday nights 11:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M., and 24 hours during weekends; they also have an electric eye into the facility. One resi- dent placed a piece of Hope Street on the Selectmen's table, to show how thin the surface is, and stated this is from the present truck traffic; it has caused the drains to sink. Other residents expressed considerable concern for the safety of children who walk to school, wait for school buses, etc.; one mother said some mothers are car - pooling now, rather than have their chil- dren waiting for the bus and walking home. Ben Hampton, School Business Manager, was present. He has a concern for the children who walk in that area, and the school buses. Presently buses trans- port approximately 2,000 students and run from 7:00 to 8:40 A.M., and 2:02 to 3:30 P.M., plus kindergarten runs. Traffic on the railroad spur was brought up; they said 9 freight cars per day maximum, when the facility phases are all completed. They expect switch- l ing to occur in mid to late afternoon; it would take two days to unload. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( SEPTEMBER 25, 1985 PAGE 3 The Chairman thanked the Fire Chief and Police Chief for being there, then summed up the hearing be saying what has been heard tonight certainly shows concern for public safety and traffic flow. It does not seem evident that traffic flow information, from the Foxboro Terminals officials, will be avail- able prior to the Planning Board's decision. They said again, they will have it available as soon as possible. Chairman D'Onofrio then said he will close the public hearing this evening, but only to public testimony; the Board will be glad to receive in hand, no later than next Tuesday, anything that might be pertinent for the Board in making.a recommendation to the Planning Board. The hearing closed at 8:45 P.M. Chairman D'Onofrio advised those present that the Board will take time to consider the information received tonight, and then make a report in writing to the Planning Board. 3. Public Hearing /New England Telephone During the Foxboro Terminals hearing, it was recessed for one minute while the Chairman asked for the following motion: * MOTION: To open the New England Telephone Public Hearing and recess it until 8:45 P.M. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 4 -0 The hearing was for removal and placement of poles on Fruit Street, Petition 85 -4. A representative from the phone company was present and said all the poles are being set on property lines. * MOTION: To approve plans for removal and placement of poles on Fruit Street. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0 4. Minutes of September 18, 1985 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of September 18, 1985 Dunn /McNair VOTED: 3 -0 D'Onofrio abstained 5. Warrant #14 * To approve Warrant #14 in the amount of $542,140.65, dated September 25, 1985, broken down as follows:. General Fund - $337,012.93 Special Revenue - 5,476.60 High School Roof - 84,594.76 Sewer Enterprise - 13,680.51 Water Enterprise - 14,222.74 Electric Enterprise - 87,153.11 Dunn /Mahana VOTED: 4 -0 D'Onofrio & Mahana abstained on #E9 -29 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING l SEPTEMBER 25, 1985 PAGE 4 6. Licenses and Permits a) Sewer Connection Permit for Webron Realty Trust. A letter to the DPW Director from Ron Webster requested approval for the property at 272 Chauncy Street based on a pump station system equal to the system proposed by D'Angelo's for the property owned by them adjacent to his property. Joe Zeneski was present to explain that if the problem with the gravity sewer going through the rear of the property is cleared up in the future, Mr. Webster may want to switch to gravity then. * MOTION: To approve the sewer connection based on a pump station system. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0 b) Sewer Connection Permit Application by Stone Co. for a commercial build- ing on Forbes Blvd. * MOTION: To approve the sewer connection permit for Stone Co. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 Mahana out of room 7. Correspondence a) Copy of letter to Town Manager from Chairman of Board of Health re: Appointment of Health Agent, Scott Leite, effective Sept. 30, 1985. b) Letter to Chairman of Board of Selectmen from Beverley McConnell stating she does not wish to be reappointed to the WWII Scholarship Committee. c) Copy of letter to Shelly Roberts from Planning Board re: Her request for information concerning plans for end of Creeden Street. d) Letter to Board from Chairman of Zoning Board of Appeals re: Variances for lots which existed prior to enactment of the Commonwealth Zoning Enabling Act. e) Package of information from Special Legislative Commission on Low -level Radioactive Waste re: Public meetings for comment and questions on draft legislation entitled "An Act Relative to The Establishment of a Mass. Low -level Radioactive Waste Management Act ". f) Letter from Executive Office of Communities & Development with complete program description re: Economic Development Set -aside program. g) Notice of Public Hearing by Planning Board to Town, as an abutter, for a parcel of land located on westerly side of Fruit Street. i h) Mailgram from MMA re: Emergency briefing on negative impact of President's tax plan on Mansfield. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 30, 1985 PAGE 5 i) Letter to Board from State Division of Capital Planning & Operations re: Sale of approx. 34,502 sq. ft. parcel of State -owned land on relocated Rt. 140 and West Street; this is parcel Town was interested in, but could find no viable access possibility for it. j) Letter to Board from Chairman of Planning Board re: Replacement of DPW Director /Town Engineer ASAP, as well as retaining Joe Zeneski as a con- sultant until the position is filled. Town Manager said he would like to explore both retaining Joe Zeneski as a consultant and /or hiring a consultant. k) Copy of Memo to Town Manager from Chairman D'Onofrio re: Sun Chronicle article Sept. 17th; Chairman D'Onofrio read it and commented; it con- cerned statements made by the DPW Director in an interview. 1) Letter from Special Legislative Commission on Local Aid re: Public Hear- ings, October 3rd, for developing proposals for distribution of local aid in FY -87. m) Invitation from Self Help, Inc. to Annual Meeting and 20th Anniversary Celebration, October 24, 1985. n) Petition for Article to be placed on Town Meeting Warrant re: "... modi- fy the Mansfield Zoning By- law Section III.J. Item 14; Terry Welsh was present to explain the purpose is to protect the properties abutting the proposed Foxboro Terminals site. * MOTION: To accept for possible inclusion in the Special Town Meeting Warrant; the Board reserves the right to comment at a later date. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 o) Letter from Knights of Columbus Grand Knight, Paul O'Neill, re: Tootsie Roll Drive on Columbus Day weekend, October 11, 12 and 13, 1985. * MOTION: To approve and permit solicitation for the handicapped. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 4 -0 P) Letter from Mansfield Elks re: Yard Sale at the Public Works yard on Rt. 106, October 19th; DPW has O.K.d it. * MOTION: To approve use of the Public Works yard for October 19th, by the Mansfield Elks. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 4 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 25, 1985 PAGE 6 Old Business a) The Town Manager reported that he had discussed the West Street /North Street intersection traffic /turn problem with the DPW Director and the Police Chief. They both felt painting two lanes, with the center lane for left turns, at all four corners would help the problem; however, this would require elimination of parking for 100 feet on the northwest corner of North Main Street and West Street, which will require a hearing. MOTION: To hold a public hearing to determine whether we should re- strict the parking on the westerly side of North Main Street and the northerly side of West Street. Mahana /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0 b) Selectman Dunn reported that he had met with the Town Manager to famil- iarize him with the 5 -Year Plan, and that he hopes to get a skeletal plan together in the near future. c) Selectman Mahana voiced his concern related to the Sun Chronicle inter- view of the DPW Director, advising that his concern is that Water Depart- ment appropriations be used for Water Department expenses only. There was brief discussion over the DPW's comment that the staff should be asked before adopting such a policy. Selectman Dunn suggested asking the Town Manager to get and bring back comments from department heads concerning the suggested policy. d) Selectman McNair mentioned the Crocker Street parking problem again. The Town Manager said he had not yet received Town Counsel's opinion on the Tow Zone proposal. Chairman D'Onofrio raised the possibility of alterna- tives; Selectman Dunn suggested a shuttle bus, by GATRA, from the Owens - Illinois site while construction is going on. 9. New Business a) The Town Manager advised the Board that he felt a date for a Special Town Meeting should be established, and mentioned topics for considera- tion: Insurance rates up, Clerical Union settlement, 2 zoning change proposals, School Dept. request for additional funds, purchase or sale of land, Town Engineer /DPW Director funding, Hotel /Motel tax. MOTION: To hold a Special Town Meeting November 16, 1985, 9:30 A.M. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 b) Selectman Mahana mentioned an article on police training in the Municipal Forum summer issue which he felt interesting and pertinent. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 25, 1985 PAGE 7 c) Chairman D'Onofrio suggested next Wednesday's meeting as a time to pre- sent the plaque to retired Fireman Jim McLaughlin; this was approved. d) The Town Manager advised the Board that he has been reviewing cash flow with the Treasurer, Joan Cutillo, and she pointed out that the Town is carrying about a quarter of a million in Water Department Accounts Re- ceivable; this is a matter of not getting paid promptly and no second notices being sent out, etc. The Town Manager and Treasurer feel this is a critical year for cash flow. An increase of 11% in rates, with a 10% discount for payment on time is suggested; then follow the Light Department's policy of giving notice, then disconnect after so many days. Chairman D'Onofrio asked for an analysis of where problems are develop- ing; the Town Manager had looked into who is delinquent and the bulk are households. MOTION: To have a public hearing to adjust the water rates to include allowance of a 10% discount for timely payment. Dunn /McNair Implicit in this is direction for the Town Manager to establish a rate structure that would allow a discount for timely pay- ment and a due process procedure to be developed for going through the process of shutting water off for overdue accounts. The Town Manager feels second notices should go out, which will provide a delinquent list; software work is needed. P y* I Sil e) Chairman D'Onofrio reviewed a proposed letter to the Governor which he had written and given a copy of to each member of the Board. It re- flected concerns resulting from the Northeast Public Power Association meeting and, specifically, the sessions in which the Seabrook issue, MMWEC and the Mass. DPU ruling were discussed which will have serious political, economic and financial impact on those MMWEC communities which are participants in the Seabrook nuclear plant, of which Mansfield is one. There was discussion; Selectman Mahana suggested a letter to MMWEC Board of Directors urging them to come up with a viable plan. MOTION: To approve the letter and send it to Governor Dukakis. Mahana /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 10. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 P.M. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 25, 1985 PAGE 8 MINUTES APPROVED: ,Clerk Date signed