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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 1986BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 15, 1986 PRESENT: Chairman D'Onofrio; Selectmen McNair, Mahana; Town Manager Selectman Dunn arrived at 7:33 P.M., Selectman Levine at 7:46 P.M. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. and the Flag saluted. 2. Minutes of January 8, 1986 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of January 8, 1986. Dunn /McNair Selectman Mahana asked that the record show that the Executive Minutes Selectman Dunn had asked to see, last week, are now in the possession of each Selectman. The matter of Selectman Levine requesting Senator Locke obtain results of an inquiry in the Attorney General's office was men- tioned by Chairman D'Onofrio, who went on to say it was November 6th, not two or three weeks ago. Selectman Mahana said he was not present that night or he would have cautioned Selectman Levine then as he had last week. She answered that no one was being sued and there was no litigation. Chairman D'Onofrio then advised that the reason for the Executive Session was because ( someone's reputation was being discussed. Selectman Mahana said that on January 16, 1985 the Board voted to not proceed with an investigation and not to contact the Attorney General. At this point Selectman Dunn asked to make a point of order. He said if he made an improper request of the Town Manager, which is quite possible, he would expect that the Town Manager would get back to him and tell him the request is improper. Selectman Levine then asked the Town Manager if he had received the information she had asked him to get from Town Counsel. The Chairman answered by saying it is being typed and she should re- ceive it tomorrow. Selectman Levine replied that if it is a pol- itical matter, Town Counsel gets back within 24 hours; now it takes him over a week; she claimed Town Counsel called it a political situation. * MOTION: That Jack Dwyer expedite this as quickly as possible. McNair /no second * MOTION: To make that portion of the Executive Minutes public right now. Levine /no second * MOTION: To table the Minutes for the scheduled Public Hearing. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 15, 1986 PAGE 2 3. Public Hearing /Mansfield Central Liquors, Inc. License Transfer The Clerk read the Notice of Public Hearing. Attorney Garrett Spillane was present, and Ralph E. Cain, Jr., the Manager to be of Villa Liquors, Inc. Attorney Spillane gave the Clerk all Return Receipts from the abut- ters and the Certificate and Articles of Corporation from the Secretary of State Office. He then offered a brief rundown of Ralph Cain's background. Ralph Cain said he will be at the store every day and will have his wife, daughter and son -in -law working at the store, as well as Tony Melchiorre. The hours will be 8 A.M. to 11 P.M. Monday through Saturday. He said he cards anyone who appears to be 25 years of age or younger. He has a con- cern for selling to someone of age who then goes out to a car with under- age persons in it; he has discussed this with the Police Chief and was told there is really nothing he can do. Selectman Mahana suggested he write down the license tag number in such instances, when possible. Chairman D'Onofrio commended Ralph Cain for turning the establishment around so well, and in a short time. * MOTION: That the Board approve transfer of the liquor license from Sher- man Central Liquors, d /b /a Mansfield Central Liquors, Inc. to Villa Liquors, Inc., Ralph E. Cain, Jr., Manager. Levine /McNair VOTED: 5 -0 4. Minutes of January 8, 1986 (cont'd * MOTION: To return the Minutes of January 8, 1986 to the table. McNair / Mahana VOTED: 5 -0 It was pointed out that under Luther Grant, Page..4, -there was no motion shown, granting permission for the water connection. On Page 6, second paragraph, the case referred to was not "thrown out "; it should read that it was adjudicated. And Selectman Dunn asked for rewording of Item 'c' under No. 11, Page 8. * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of January 8, 1986, as amended. Dunn /Levine VOTED: 5 -0 5. New Town Engineer The Town Manager asked for a break in the Agenda to introduce the new Town Engineer, Joe Campo, who is working for the Town on a part -time basis until the end of the month. He was welcomed by the Selectmen. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING i JANUARY 15, 1986 PAGE 3 6. Warrant #32 MOTION: To approve Warrant #32 in the amount of $1,890,954.33, dated January 15,1986, broken down as follows: General Fund - Revenue Sharing - Special Revenue - Sewer Enterprise - Water Enterprise - Electric Enterprise McNair /Mahana 7. Licenses & Permits $843,193.80 101,612,05 2,573.00 3,868.55 14,068.02 925,638.91 VOTED: 4 -0 Levine abstained a) Transfer Request #9, in the amount of $344.46, for legal services rendered through December 20, 1985. MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #9. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 b) Transfer Request #10 in the amount of $2,000 for Dog Officer Expense for month of December; this includes boarding 9 Pit Bulls, per court order. MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #10. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 3 -0 Dunn absent 8. Juror Selection a) Fall River District Court, Criminal Session, 6 -man jury, February 3rd - Linda Holmberg, Box 98 b) New Bedford Superior Court, Criminal - Donald D. Masison, 37 Draper Ave. - Frances Gasbarro, 135 School Street - Donald V. Morse, 434 S. Main Street - Francis J. Ferney, 6 Village Road 9. Correspondence Session, February 3, 1986 a) Notice of Public Hearing by Mansfield Planning Board (received last week) re: Subdivision of parcel off Fruit Street. - Selectman Dunn spoke to the problem of its being near the sludge land- fill, but the land belongs to the developer, so there is really little the Board can do. Selectman Mahana asked if it was going to be sewered; the Town Manager said he did not believe the location would be a seri- ous problem from the standpoint of the landfill; he believes the air- port could be more of a problem. Selectman McNair said "Buyer beware!" BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 15, 1986 PAGE 4 b) Copy of Memo to Town Counsel from Town Manager re: Request of Select- man Levine. - Selectman Mahana said he believes a Selectman may go directly to Town Counsel and not bother the Town Manager. c) Letter from Department of Revenue Deputy Commissioner re: Opportunity to convert accounting systems to LIMAS (Uniform Municipal Accounting System). d) Mass. Dept. of Revenue, Division of Local Services Bulletin "Training Programs for Assessors, Spring 1986. e) Memorandum from Planning Director re: Capital Improvement Program. - The Chairman said he and Selectman Dunn were the representatives for this committee, but if someone else could volunteer to replace Selectman Dunn, who has taken on two other committee responsibili- ties, it would be appreciated. f) Copy of Bristol County Mosquito Control Project Annual Report for Mansfield. g) Four Notice of Hearings by Dept. Public Utilities: NYNEX Mobile Ser- vices Co., AT &T Communications of New England, ALLNET Communications Services, Inc. h) Copy of letter form Rep. Vernon to the Easton Town Administrator re: Understanding House Bill 6939. i) Letter from Anna Prohodsky to the Board re: Ron Bonvie's request of last week. * MOTION: To refer this letter to the Conservation Commission and Plan- ning Board. Levine /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 j) Letter from State Auditor's Office to the Board re: Regulations imple- menting the Energy Conservation Service Program. - The Chairman explained this was an answer to a letter he wrote as a Light Commissioner. k) Letter from DEQE re: 1986 State Priority List for Grants for Infiltra- tion /Inflow Rehabilitation. 1) Letter from James J. McLaughlin, Jr. to Board re: Decision by the Labor Relations Commission, dated December 3, 1985. m) Copy of letter to CDM from DEQE re: Approval of Sludge Landfill Phase II and Composting Facility, Fruit Street WWTP. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 15, 1986 PAGE 5 n) Copy of resignation from Arthur Terenzi, to the Town Manager, effec- tive January 6, 1986; he was the Sealer of Weights and Measures. MOTION: To send him a letter of regret and appreciation for his three years of service. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 5 -0 o) Letter from Board of Library Trustees re: Meeting of Library Board with the Municipal Building Committee. MOTION: To write the Municipal Building Committee requesting that they schedule a meeting with the Library Board of Trustees. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 10. Town Manager Presentation of FY 1987 Budget The Town Manager had prepared charts by which those present, or watching on cable TV, could follow his topics. He said he was presenting "Work Elements" which he considers important;.this is the Town Manager perspec- tive he wanted everyone to understand. He then went through a list of areas which require /need expansion, repair, change, etc.: - Record storage becoming a real problem; suggests microfilming - Word processing, for more efficient use of time in various departments - Application programing - spread sheets, management information systems with data processing - Central audit system - Centralized emergency communication system; he elaborated on this to extent that it could free up a total of 7 trained personnel (fire and police) by hiring 3 dispatchers (civilians), and there would be a one- time expense of rerouting wires for alarm system from the Fire Station to the central station at the Police Station. - Contract ambulance service - Contract dog kennel and dog disposal - Increase use of auxiliary police force - Reconstruction of two budgets; potential of State funding - Sidewalks; look at some alternatives for funding; work with Planning Department on different approach with developers - Infiltration and inflow problem vs.sewer system; State grants available - Road management study implementation; there are funds available - Maintenance (Town Hall, generator), continued maintenance program the Library also needs attention; Fire Station has had alot done by the Firefighters this year - Landfill problem; need alternatives - Closure of Fruit Street WWTP; would like to complete that this year; - Metering system for water; some not working, some not even metered; suggests piggy- backing with Electric Dept. reading, also billing and mailing BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 15, 1986 PAGE 6 - Management information system in Dept. of Public Works - Community Development staff growth; inspectors.need full time secretary - Funding for downtown project completion, at least to intersection at West and South Main - Funding for Library - Renovation of Highway Garage, or options; it is a very serious problem - Master Plan completion critical - Council on Aging Center alternatives - Library ABLE funding for future years (Automated Bristol Library Exchange) - Lack of risk management program - Unfunded pension liability - Town bond rating; re- establishment and funding of Stabilization Fund The Town Manager ended by saying some of the above are addressed in.the Budget, all need to be prioritized. Selectman Dunn asked about sewer expansion; is there funding available. He was told some funding will become available with the infiltration/ inflow grants. Chairman D'Onofrio said this is really an investment in the future quality of water (groundwater). Selectman Mahana mentioned need for future expansion of water supplies. Asked about the percent of increase in this budget, it is between 5% and 6 %, but does not include some of the bargaining units; also insurance can go up. No lump sum has been set aside in the budget for capital improve- ments. Chairman D'Onofrio pointed out that the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Ed McQuaid was present, along with one member of the committee, Jonathan Pierce. The Chairman said he would like the Finance Committee and Town Manager to consider how the budget should be presented at Town Meeting - relationship of operating budget to overhead; he suggests the Finance Com- mittee consider various options, and reminded everyone there are fixed overhead and variable overhead costs. Ed McQuaid was asked about revenue percent; he,.said about 4 %. The Chairman mentioned that efficiency of operation allows for savings. The Town Manager was commended for his presentation. 11. Old Business a).Selectman Dunn asked about -the Selectmen's Agenda Items "tickler sheet" which had fallen by the wayside. The secretary said she would try to keep it up after the end of this month. b) Selectman Mahana inquired about the Board's request for change of speed limit on Maple Street. He was reminded that the State DPW now requires the town to make the study, and it requires an engineer. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 15, 1986 PAGE 7 c) Selectman Mahana asked about the truck route map Selectman Dunn had been working on. He was told the Road Management Study of existing roads is almost completed. Selectman Dunn has completed a map showing recommended routes. d) Selectman Mahana questioned the statement that the new WWTP treated 800,000 gallon sewerage a day average, which is less than the town was producing before the new plant was built, which he found hard to understand. The Town Manager said infiltration, from the Rumford River and others, being stopped was a big factor; also the quantity will pick up during the warmer months. It was felt that the infiltration program must be dealt with before Foxboro and Norton hook up. e) The Town Manager was advised that it is important to advertise and fill the Sealer of Weights and Measures position. f) Selectman Dunn expressed a need for a separate left turn light at the intersection of Rt. 106 and North Main Street. The Town Manager will ask John Larch to study this. g) Selectman Dunn mentioned that he saw an almost- accident again at the intersection of West Street and Forbes Blvd., and feels that the STOP signs should be on West Street, not Forbes Blvd. h) Selectman Levine asked for progress on the Norton and Foxboro WWTP agreements. Foxboro's is signed, now both Towns must have it ratified at their Town Meetings. Norton has received a slightly revised agree- ment which, the Town Manager, understood was recommended to go before their Special Town Meeting; he has heard nothing further. The Chairman suggested that the Town Manager contact Norton prior to their Town Meet- ing to ensure that they have an Article on the Warrant for the Agree- ment; and, at the same time, said Mansfield should be sure to put an Article for both Foxboro and Norton. - The Town Manager told the Board he has talked with officials of Cannon Forge, who are working on a proposal. i) Asked about the Cobb Street problem, he said he hopes to have it corrected and functional by springtime. j) Chairman D'Onofrio told the Board members he had given each a copy of the Great Woods Performing Arts Center Entertainment License require - ments; he would like them to study it and get back to him with recom- mendations. k) Chairman D'Onofrio also mentioned a draft of a Semi - Annual Report To The Voters by The Mansfield Board of Selectmen, which he had prepared and given each a copy of. Again, he would like them to study it and get back to him with changes, corrections, etc. within three weeks. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 15, 1986 PAGE 8 12. New Business a) Selectman Mahana said he would like to propose an addition to the policy guidelines that puts a probationary period on new Town employees. The Town Manager said it already exists - 6 months. b) Selectman McNair asked the Town Manager to check on a STOP sign at Samo set and Chilson Avenue which is on the wrong side of the road. c) Selectman McNair then referred to the letter, in.this week's correspond- ence, from James J. McLaughlin, saying it had gone to the press before the Selectmen saw it; last week the Town Manager reported to the Board that the firefighters were ready to complete their contract, then five days later this letter comes. McNair said he takes exception to some of the things stated in the letter. The Town Manager advised the Board that McLaughlin is no longer President of the Firefighters Union, so he felt the letter was from him personally, not as from the union. Chair- man D'Onofrio said he (McLaughlin) is factually incorrect, so he felt it unworthy of further comment. d) Selectman McNair referred to a statement, in the newspaper by Mike Kirby, that the Town instituted an investigation; McNair said that is not true. e) Selectman Mahana said he wanted to respond to last week's Mansfield News article that brought into question some figures he had given - $3,100 to $3,200 cost per pupil. He said he based those figures on the 85 -86 budget figures. The newspaper was using 83 -84 figures, and he does not like newspapers making it appear that he is misquoting facts. 13. Adjournment * MOTION: To go into Executive Session for the purpose of contract negotia- tions, to come out only to adjourn (10:25 P.M.). McNair /Dunn POLLED: 5 -0 Date signed f