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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 12-17-1986BOARD OF SELECTMEN �j,c�GsT� vL�<a MINUTES OF MEETING DECEMBER 17, 1986 `:81tr`E° 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 * 3 * M * Minutes of December 10, 1986 MOTION: To approve the Minutes of December 10, 1986, Warrant #27 �f D'Onofrio /Harrington VOTED: 5 -0 MOTION: To approve Warrant #27 in the amount of $1,118,000.92 dated Decem- ber 17, 1986, broken down as follows: General Fund - Revenue Sharing - Special Revenue - Motor Pool - Sewer Enterprise - Water Enterprise - Electric Enterprise - $408,459.99 21,029.35 11,023.36 48,920.02 38,717.18 589.728,15 122.87 Mahana /Harrington VOTED: 5 -0 Licenses & Permits a) Application for Sewer Extension Permit for Francis Ave., 150 units, by Keith Properties. MOTION: To approve the Sewer Extension Permit Application. D'Onofrio /Mahana VOTED: 5 -0 b) Common Victuallers License Renewal Applications: - Debbie Donuts Coffee Shoppe - Great Woods, Inc. - Happy China Restaurant - Set Point, Inc. /Tennis 95 - Hot Diggity Dogs - Suzanne's - Maxmillian's Ice Cream Cafe c) Automatic Amusement License Renewal - Set Point, Inc. /Tennis 95 d) Second Hand Motor Vehicles License Renewal, Class II - A & R Auto Brokers. * MOTION: To approve all the license renewal applications. Mahana /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( DECEMBER 17, 1986 PAGE 2 5. Correspondence a) Letter to the Board from Jeffrey Siena requesting reappointment to the Airport Commission. b) Copy of Memorandum to the Planning Director from Chief of.Police re: Forest Park Subdivision. c) Memorandum from SRPEDD re: Annual Progress Report of the Overall Economic Development Program for 1986. d) Two (2) Dept. of Public Utilities hearings: Paging network of Mass., Inc. and Arch Connecticut Valley, Inc. e) Memorandum from State Ethics Commission re: Nepotism Advisory. f) Copy of letter to Atty. Norman M. Goldberg from Town Counsel re: Easement Agreement of WRC Properties, Inc. and Town of Mansfield. g) Memorandum from Chief of Police to Town Manager re: VFW Extension of Hours for their liquor license. - After discussion, it was decided to ask the Post Commander to meet with the Board to discuss this request. h) Letter to the Board from President of the Mansfield New Car Dealers Asso- ciation, Paul A. Connor, re: Guide lines for department heads on the bidding process; Town Manager's response attached. i) Copy of Memorandum from the Town Clerk to the Town Manager re: Certifica- tion of compliance for procedural requirements for adopting of referenced Zoning By -law. - The Town Manager reported complaints had been received regarding the Special Town Meeting Zoning Article. * MOTION: That a check list be instituted for both the Planning Board and Town Clerk for proper notifications, and that Town Counsel be involved with this. D'Onofrio /Mahana VOTED: 4 -1 Harrington opposed j) Copy of Minutes of Substance Abuse Committee k) Christmas cards from Mansfield Jaycees and Planning Board Secretary. 1) Letter to Chairman McNair from U.S. Senator John Kerry re: Defeat of the mandatory Medicare coverage for all State and local employees. m) Copy of letter to Chairman Sweet, Conservation Commission, from President Mulcahy, Mansfield Lions, re: Lions wholehearted support of restoration of Sweet's Pond. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING DECEMBER 17, 1986 PAGE 3 n) Copy of letter to Ralph Seifert from the Town Manager re: Contribution of a honey maple for the South Common. o) Copy of letter to Municipal Facilities Branch from Army Corps of Engineers re: Inspection of construction work, Contract No. 6. p) Copies of 4 Zoning Board of Appeals decisions. q) Various Christmas cards received for the Board of Selectmen. 6. Public Hearing /New England Telephone The Clerk read the notice which had been sent to abutters and indicated that Return Receipts had been received. Joseph Bausk from New England Telephone was present to answer any questions. The Petition No. 86 -15 was to place 11 poles on Bird Road. Serena Nardone, the petitioner, was also present. Selectman D'Onofrio noted that it had not been signed by the Director of the Electric Department. * MOTION: To approve, subject to signature of Light Department Manager. D'Onofrio /Harrington VOTED: 5 -0 7. Public Hearing /Sheraton Inn Chairman McNair left the room for this hearing. The Clerk read the complaint filed by the Police Department as reported by Officer Seekell - sale of liquor to a minor at "Harry's Lounge" which is located within the Sheraton. The Sheraton's attorney, Michael Brasman, was present, as well as the bar- tender on duty the night of the violation and the Sheraton's new Manager, Ernest Palazzolo and the Night Manager on duty the night of the violation, Joseph Connole. Attorney Brasman informed the Board members of the concern over this violation by the corporation officers and gave the Board a copy of their Liquor Liability Policy, saying they have rigorous programs for all their bartenders. In relating the events of that evening, the bartender stated that the party identified as a minor by the police had been in other times and had been carded. Some discussion followed concerning conflicting reports from the police and bartender, why other waitress(s) who served the individual did not card him, the officer's referral to the "two parties" as being highly intoxicated when the bartender referred to them only being served three drinks over a 3 -hour period. Joe Connole said his advice would be to card each person each time. Officer Seekell felt the reason the minor said he was under age was in retro- bution to the Sheraton because he was being arrested. * MOTION: To send the Sheraton a letter of reprimand with an enlcosure of the Board's policy of License Violations and Suspensions. Mahana /Harrington VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING DECEMBER 17, 1986 PAGE 4 Discussion continued with Selectman Harrington asking the Board to recommend that IDs be required for all patrons; Selectman D'Onofrio suggested making it a part of the Board policy. The Board was told the new Manager already has the right to direct carding everyone on Friday and Saturday nights. Joe Connole told the Board he sees no reason not to retain Seth LaChance (the bartender) for this one time mistake; he has turned in false IDs in the past. Selectman D'Onofrio said he was concerned about the waitress who served the minor that night without carding him. The hearing closed at 8:44 P.M. MOTION: To amend the current Board policy on alcohol to require all estab- lishments to check IDs for a picture driver's license or an ABCC card. Harrington /D'Onofrio VOTED: 4 -0 Dunn Selectman Harrington then suggested the Board consider having the Police De- partment put together a task force which will primarily attempt to buy alco- hol who look under age. Selectman Dunn was opposed to this. 8. Public Hearing /Hastings House Liquor License David Lewiecki was not present, and it was felt that he very possibly had not known of this scheduled hearing date. Chairman McNair said the building plans have been received but no report from the Fire Chief yet. MOTION: Move for an indefinite postponement until the Building Inspector received and approves the plans. Harrington /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 Selectman Dunn urged for a decision as soon as possible. Town Engineer, DPW/Water Dept. Report The Town Engineer, Joe Campo, DPW Director, John Rhind, Water Operations Manager, Chuck Medchill, and Alan Jones who has overseen operation of the department and computers for some months as an adviser, were all present to make the report as requested by the Board some months ago. Each member had been given a copy of "Assessment of Mansfield Department of Public Works Water Division which each Division Manager reviewed and handled questions related thereto. Chuck Medchill advised that the lime system has not been properly maintained and is in poor condition; it will take time to correct after a complete analysis. Each division reported a need for additional personnel. It was stated that the new computer system is still not on line, therefore the new rates are not being used yet. DPW Director John Rhind asked the Board to consider plastic pipe instead of copper. He also re- ported that contractors are taking water from hydrants without permission. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING DECEMBER 17, 1986 PAGE 5 * MOTION: To establish a fine of $500.00 for anyone illegally using a fire hydrant. Harrington /D'Onofrio AMENDMENT: Consider amending Water Commissioners policy, subject to Town Counsel opinion, within two weeks. VOTED: 5 -0 The Town Engineer emphasized the need for leak detection, advising that the water loss is too high. He predicts that Mansfield has enough water until the year 2000, and the only site in town that has a chance of being approved by the State is the Mill Street site. It would take about three years to determine if a chosen site is appropriate and available. Selectman Mahana said he feels alot of value has been gained by prepara- tion of this report and he commended all the staff. Selectman D'Onofrio said he was also very impressed. Chairman McNair thanked all the depart- ment personnel present for a job well done. 10. Old Business a) The Town Manager reminded the Board that he had given each member copies of job descriptions for DPW employees, and John Rhind needs to know if the Board approves of them. * MOTION: To approve the DPW job descriptions as submitted. D'Onofrio /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0 Harrington abstained b) Selectman D'Onofrio asked if the meeting with the MMA representative regarding Charter changes could be moved up so that there would be more time prior to the February 1st deadline for submission of articles for Town Meeting Warrant.even if it had to be on another night. The secre- tary will contact him. c) Selectman Harrington brought up the question of whether the two Town -owned NNNN properties approved for auction sale were going ahead with the established appraiser's prices. Selectman D'Onofrio expressed concern about going forward while there is a question concerning the zoning vote at the Special Town Meeting. * MOTION: To hold off on the sale until we have further information on the downtown zoning. D'Onofrio /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING DECEMBER 17, 1986 PAGE 6 11. New Business a) The Town Manager told the Board the Town has been offered a 20x36 foot building by Nick Anagnos with the only cost to the Town being cost of moving, which is estimated at approximately $2,000. It would be a desir- able addition to the Highway Garage for storage space. * MOTION: To accept the building and approve the relocation cost and permit. Dunn /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 b) The Town Manager advised the Board that the Budget will be available next Monday, and the excise bills just went out. He is not going to make any revenue projections at this time; the new Accountant is not available to work with him yet. c) Selectman Mahana asked the Town Manager to comment on the trash -to- energy plan, and the meeting with a company and the Board of Health last week. The proposal would be for the existing landfill site; there would be no charge to Mansfield. The host town receives $1.20 per ton from the owner of the facility; they are talking 450 tons per day. The host town could buy a quantity of electricity at a saving. There would be 15 -20% residue which the contractor would have to find an out -of -town site for. It is a reliable source of energy, it would be income coming in, would allow closure of the dump and make it possible to dispose of sludge deposits and extend the life of the landfill. The main problems would be truck traffic and environmental concerns. Selectman Dunn said he attended.the meeting and he has concern for use of the landfill site for disposal of trash. The Town should be very sure the owner has an out -of -town site and that the sanitary landfill closing meets State requirements. The site is on top of the Canoe River aquifer; major concern is pollution. Selectman Harrington suggested such a facility's use of water would have to be studied. d) Chairman McNair reminded everyone there would be a Warrant to be signed both Monday and Tuesday evening; then wished everyone a happy and safe holiday. The meeting was adjourned at 11:07 P.M. MINUTES APPROVED: __ 4�,e -.. Clerk Date signed