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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 10-22-1986NOV 3 - 10P, BOARD OF SELECTMEN I �.�•, r� MINUTES OF MEETING ( OCTOBER 22, 1986 PRESENT: Chairman McNair; Selectmen D'Onofrio, Dunn, Mahana, Harrington; Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. and the Flag saluted. 2. Minutes of October 15, 1986 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of October 15, 1986. Harrington /D'Onofrio Selectman D'Onofrio pointed out that his time of arrival was 8:10 not 9:10. VOTED as amended: 5 -0 3. Warrant #19 * MOTION: To approve Warrant #19 in the amount of $825,216.24, dated October 21, 1986, broken down as follows: General Fund - $403,344.26 Revenue Sharing - 1,753.91 ( Special Revenue - 3,541.93 Sewer Enterprise - 256,084.63 Water Enterprise - 50,465.17 Electric Enterprise - 110,026.34 D'Onofrio /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 ** 4. Licenses & Permits a) Application for Parade Permit, Veterans groups, October 26th, 1:00 P.M., with services at North Common. * MOTION: To approve the Parade Permit for October 26th. D'Onofrio /Mahana VOTED: 5 -0 b) Proclamation for MIAs and POWs was read and approved, as requested by the VFW. * MOTION: D'Onofrio /Mahana VOTED: 5 -0 * *Selectman Harrington brought up the question of who is qualified to sign the weekly Warrant. Town Counsel advised that the Town Charter says an Assistant Accountant may be employed. The Chairman said Arthur Remillard is willing to serve a couple of days per week for a time. Selectman Harrington suggested discussing the situation with Barbara Hagg, before she leaves, and the Town Treasurer. It was decided that the sub - committee (Dunn and Mahana) would meet after tonight's meeting. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING OCTOBER 22, 1986 PAGE 2 5. Correspondence a) Letter from Keyes Associates, Architects, Engineers, Planners re: Their display booth at the MMA Annual Meeting in Hyannis. b) Memorandum from DEQE Division of Water Pollution Control re: Development of FY -88 Priority Lists for State Collection System Construction Grant Program. c) Copy of letter to Town Moderator, from Paul Folkman, re: Withdrawal of his Article 18 from the Special Town Meeting. d) Letter from Special Commission on Local Aid re: Preliminary grouping list of cities and towns providing comparable levels of service. e) Copy of Interim Report from Army Corps of Engineers re: WWTP Inspection October 8th. f) Copy of letter to GeraldGroom from Easton's Town Administrator re: Self Help Board of Director position. g) Letter to Chairman McNair from the Building Inspector re: Site plan ap- proval for Hastings House /1051 Express, 14 Bristol Street. h) Notice of Public Hearing by Dept. of Public Utilities of Petition by W.T. Holmes Transportation Co., Inc. amendment of its Charter License. i) Invitation to Board members from Board of Trustees of the Great Woods Educational Forum to attend a visual presentation of the 1986 season and announcement of the 1987 program participants, followed by a light lunch- eon, Nov. 17th, 11:00 A.M. at the World Trade Center Auditorium. j) Mass. Dept. of Revenue Workshop announcement re: Revenue and Expenditure Forecasting. Q Letter from Self Help, Inc. re: Services provided and need to identify families that may be eligible for their programs. 1) Letter to the Board from Carol A. Coyne, 492 Fruit Street re: Water bill. m) Letter to the Board of Water Commissioners from Richard Breen, 503 Fruit Street, re: Water consumption /bill. n) Notice of ICMA Seminars re: Preparing for and responding to disasters at the local level of government. o) Invitation to Tahana Restaurant Grand Opening Celebration, 60 Oakland Street, Sunday, October 26th, 3 -10:30 P.M. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING OCTOBER 22, 1986 PAGE 3 p) Letter from 3 Taunton resident /commuters re: Parking safety in area of train station. - To be referred to the Light Department Director - Selectman D'.Onofrio asked the status regarding re- opening of the sta- tion now that it is getting colder; the Town Manager will check into this. - Selectman Dunn suggested moving the train station out of the downtown area. q) Letter from Manager of Division of Local Mandates, State Auditor's Office, re: Briefing on new Sunset Law, Saturday, October 25th at MMA Annual Meeting. r) Letter from Mass. Safe Energy Alliance, Greater New Bedford Office re: Support for State Senate Bill #2066 entitled "An Act Further Defining Nuclear Power Plant Areas ". s) Packet of information from Mansfield Public Schools, "Long -Range School Facilities Planning Committee. t) Copy of Memo to the Town Engineer from the DPW Director re: North Main Street Improvements. - Selectman Harrington asked the Town Manager to draft a policy on "redoing streets if they are torn up after they have been repaved ". 6. Norton Water & Sewer Commissioners Chairman Peter Mackesy opened the meeting by introducing the Commissioners' attorney, John Georgio; there were members of both the Water & Sewer Commis- sioners and the Board of Selectmen. Mansfield's Town Counsel, Jack Dwyer, was also present. Chairman Mackesy then read a statement stating the Commis- sioners feel they have not acted in any manner to jeopardize the Agreement. He then said Norton requests that discussion be held in Executive Session; the attorney explained this was because of potential litigation between the two towns. Selectman D'Onofrio pointed out that litigation begins with fil- ing of a suit in court and, until litigation is actually entered, there is no justifiable reason for Executive Session. Selectman Mahana said that when dealing with the Town of Foxboro all negotiations were done in the open. Attorney Georgio referred to threat, of potential litigation, which is suf- ficient reason. Jack Dwyer said there was no mention of litigation in the Town Manager's letter to the Norton Commissioners. He said he feels it is premature to request Executive Session. Chairman McNair then went back to September 12, 1982 when negotiations began, and expressed the feeling that "we are going nowhere fast ", referring to actions to date. i Norton responded by saying they do not have the authority to demand anything of a.private developer, such as Flatley and the industrial park, and went BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( OCTOBER 22, 1986 PAGE 4 on to say they have requests for both critical needs and non - critical - Mansfield has a plant and Norton has a need, and they would like to go for- ward on that basis. They said Flatley has negotiated with Mansfield. Selectman Dunn pointed out that Norton has a Planning Board and the power to control where private developers elect to send their sewerage. He also expressed concern that Flatley going to Taunton sets a precedence. Attorney Georgio said there is no stipulation that Norton send all its non - critical needs to Mansfield, and the commercial park abuts Taunton. Alan Slater, from DEQE, was also present. The Town Manager asked him if his office had issued a permit to Flatley and /or Norton, that this extension requires a State permit. Alan Slater said not that he knew of. Peter Mackesy said the Norton Water and Sewer Commissioners would have to take a hard look at a request for a permit to connect to Taunton. Selectman Dunn reminded everyone that Norton is part of the regional sewer plant which pur- pose is to treat the wastewater that is generated by the Towns of Norton, Foxboro and Mansfield. The Town Manager added that the Agreement indicates that Norton's wastewater is to be discharged to the Mansfield plant. Discus- sion followed over industrial hook -ups paying full capital charges so that Mansfield residents would not have to subsidize Norton's costs. It was pointed out that Mansfield is accepting 50% of Norton's sludge now, which is a high percentage for just one of three towns. Alan Slater then said he thinks that if there is capacity in the Taunton facility, DEQE would be hard pressed to turn down the permit. Selectman Harrington raised the question as to whether Norton would sue the Town of Mansfield if it terminated the Agreement, as indicated in a recent newspaper article. A member of the Norton Planning Board, who is also a Selectman, said the Planning Board has not approved any sewer hook -up to date. Alan Slater said he believes for Flatley to tie into Taunton, there would have to be an intermunicipal agreement between Norton and Taunton. Mr. Ennis, owner of the Big E Trailer Park, said he has had plans to tie into the Great Woods line, but the Town of Norton is not cooperating. Attorney Georgio's reply was that the Town of Norton intends to stand by its obliga- tions under the intermunicipal agreement; they have been making requests to the Town of Mansfield for hook -up of non - critical needs. The Flatley situa- tion is unique. He then suggested it might be appropriate to request the State to mediate the question regarding the State Permit. Selectman D'Ono- frio said mediation means compromise, and there is none. He suggested that Mansfield wait on what Norton decides to do. Peter Mackesy asked about Mansfield's intention regarding Knollwood. Selectman D'Onofrio replied, "To go ahead with dissolution of the Agreement unless Norton shows signs of complying. The Chairman thanked all present for coming. 7. Planning Board Interviews The following four applicants were interviewed, with each Selectman asking the same questions of each applicant. Only new applicants were present; BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING OCTOBER 22, 1986 PAGE 5 those who had applied and been interviewed previously were contacted to as- certain if they were still interested. Marydee Flynn, Planning Board Chair- man was also present. Frank Guardabascio 220 Mill Street *Antonio Caponigro, Jr. 10 Pratt Street Franklyn A. Allen, Jr. 795 Ware Street Janet Byrne 100 Branch Street Previously interviewed: John Davern 100 Union Street Joseph Zeneski 842 East Street James Owens, III 145 Winter Street *Indicates appointment by unanimous vote 8. Old Business - Town Manager a) The following approvals have been received from the.State DPW: - Two Hour Parking on Old Colony - No Parking on Howe Street b) Plans and Specs for bridge replacements and sidewalk construction were on the table for the Selectmen to review if they wished. c) The Highway Garage bids are due November 7th, d) There are two requests for Resident Parking. Chapter 40, Sections 21- 22D empower the Selectmen to make regulations. The staff recommendation is for a window sticker and charge a fee. This would require posting. It is suggested that such a sticker would be obtained through the Police Station and require proof of vehicle registration. The Town Manager was asked to check with GATRA for progress on their proposals. Selectman D'Onofrio suggested maintaining status quo for a while longer. 9. Old Business - Selectman a) Chairman McNair reminded Board members there is a meeting Thursday, Octo- ber 23rd of an Advisory Council for Substance Abuse. Selectman Harring- ton volunteered to attend. b) A Warrant for two School Payroll names was omitted: - Kimberly Caro - Gross $550.00 Mary Rocha - Gross $268.20 MOTION: To approve the School Payroll Warrant in the amount of $818.20, dated October 17, 1986. Mahana /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING OCTOBER 22, 1986 PAGE 6 c) MOTION: To appoint John Dunn as representative for the Board at the MMA /MIIA meeting and elections.in Hyannis October 24th. Harrington /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 d) Selectman Harrington suggested acquisition of the building next to the Fire Station by eminent domain, then raze it for purpose of making it a parking lot. MOTION: To authorize the Town Manager to begin negotiations with the owner of the building. D'Onofrio /Harrington VOTED: 5 -0 e) Selectman Mahana suggested consideration on compensation from Great Woods for use and time spent at the facility of Fire and Police Depart- ment vehicles. f) Selectman Mahana said he would like the Light Commissioners to send a letter to MMWEC asking for an explanation of why the fuel adjustment charge is still on their bills. It was decided to ask the Light Depart- ment Director to explain at the next meeting. g) Last, but not least, the Chairman said the Assessors are anxious for a decision on Classification. Selectman D'Onofrio asked to read his prepared statement which indicated support of the concept of tax classi- fication under conditions which he listed; one of which was a return to a singular property tax rate on or before the next re- evaluation. Selectman Mahana said he supports classification in concept, but ques- tions ability to return to a singular property tax rate. Selectman Dunn felt classification is needed to alleviate the burden; he objects to the philosophy for classification, and has hopes to return to one rate. Selectman Harrington said he supports classification for several rea- sons. He said it is industry which has caused the value of homes to rise, and without classification the industry rate will drop. Chairman McNair has concern with classification for the people downtown, the elderly and people with fixed income. He said he supports classification but opposes the theory behind it. Selectman D'Onofrio said the Board wants to tax the people fairly. This is a transient problem; the Board must ascribe to goals. MOTION: To propose 110% classification. Mahana /D'Onofrio Discussion followed, resulting in the belief that 112% would just about bale those out to what rates are today. AMMENDMENT: To direct the Board of Assessors to establish the rate at par 55/45 %. If it is one or two points higher, Chairman McNair is to be contacted and will poll the Board members. VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING OCTOBER 22, 1986 PAGE 7 h) Chairman McNair advised the Board members that he had asked the Town Moderator, Charles Mulcahy, to represent the Board at the VFW ceremony on Sunday, October 26th. 10. New Business a) The Town Manager asked the Board members to review the copy of a Pur- chasing Policy which he had distributed, and to come back with comments and /or suggestions next week. b) Chairman McNair asked for a vote of approval for the Proclamation of Drug and Alcohol Awareness Day, November 18th. * MOTION: So moved. Dunn /Harrington VOTED: 5 -0 11. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:17 P.M. MINUTES APPROVED: ����f��2.0 � Date