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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 2-12-1986M BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 1986 PRESENT: Chairman D'Onofrio; Selectman McNair, Levine; Town Manager Selectman Dunn arrived at 7:50 P.M., Selectman Mahana at 7:55 P.M. 1. The meeting was called to order and the Flag saluted at 7:43 P.M. 2. Minutes of February 5, 1986 MOTION: To approve the Minutes of February 5, 1986. McNair /Levine The Board members established the length of term for the two Planning Board appointments for unexpired terms as follows: Stephen Quinn - 1989 William Madan - 1988 VOTED: 5 -0 (Vote was taken later in meeting, when all present) 3. Warrant #36 MOTION: To approve Warrant #36 in the amount of $996,004.47, dated Febru- ary 12, 1986, broken down as follows: General Fund - $757,090.19 Special Revenue - 11,502.45 Motor Pool - 1,225.99 Sewer Enterprise - 10,929.11 Water Enterprise - 3,499.22 Electric Enterprise - 210,938.51 McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 4. Licenses & Permits a) Application for One -Day All Alcoholic License, Tri County Beagle Club, for February 16, 1986, 12 Noon to 9:00 P.M. MOTION: To approve the One -day All Alcoholic License. McNair /Levine VOTED: 3 -0 b) Application for a change of name on the liquor license of THE STORE; change to indicate just Margery King, due to the death of Ronald King. MOTION: To set a hearing date of March 5, 1986. McNair /Levine VOTED: 3 -0 5. Correspondence a) Letter from The Blue Knights, Inc., offering their services (for a fee). BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 1986 PAGE 2 b) Letter from Governor's Office of Federal Relations re: Status of General Revenue Sharing as it is currently expected to apply to Mass. cities and towns; Mansfield to receive 70 %. - The Town Mnaager said he feels the formula needs to be looked into and better understood, because the amount for neighboring towns varies markedly. c) Letter to Town Clerk from Executive Office for Administration & Finance, Division of Capital Planning & Operations re: Sale of State land to Karl Clemmey; as specified in the letter, the two announcements were to be read aloud at the meeting, which would then serve as a public hearing. The Clerk read both announcements; the Chairman explained that these two parcels were those which the Town could find no feasible use for, because of lack of access. d) Letter from Executive Office of Communities & Development re: Comprehen- sive Housing Act of 1985. e) Letter from New England Telephone re: One stub pole location on South Main Street. * MOTION: To set the hearing date for March 5, 1986. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0 f) Letter from Executive Office of Human Services re: A Comprehensive Plan to Improve Services for Chronically Mentally III Persons. g) Copy of Mass. Taxpayers Foundation, Inc. "Municipal Financial Data, Including 1985 Tax Rates ". h) Copy of MMA "Alert on Local Aid ". i) Letter from Lexington Town Manager re: Proposed distribution of State money to replace General Revenue Sharing losses. * MOTION: To write the Town's Senators and Representatives in support of the MMA proposal for replacement on a dollar for dollar basis, or at least 90 %. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 j) Copy of letter to Al Andrews, Construction Inspector, from Town Counsel re: Sample Personnel Policy and Procedures. k) Copy of letter to Town Manager from Town Counsel re: Parking Authority. - This requires a Charter change. 1) A thank you from Jim Bachman's family. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( FEBRUARY 12, 1986 PAGE 3 m) Letter from Attleboro Area Council for Children. n) Copy of letter to Town Manager from Town Counsel re: Repair of snow plow /sander truck. - The Town Manager explained that under an emergency situation, which he considers this, there is not time to go through the lengthy process of going out for bids. This is an internal engine problem and could well go over $2,000. o)Letter from State DPW re: Mansfield request for repairs to Rt. 140 under- pass. p) Memorandum to Town Manager, signed by non -union personnel, re: Increase in longevity pay for FY -87, as union personnel have received. - The Board asked the Town Manager to do a financial impact on this. q) Letter from Rep. Vernon re: Proposed legislation to create a South- eastern Mass. Water Supply District; he does not believe it will go through. r) Self Help, Inc. fiscal year report. 6. Juror Selection a) New Bedford Superior Court, Criminal Session, March 3, 1986 - David E. Grant, 108 Central Street - Paul Pelrine, 2 Pine View Terrace - Roberta L. Gallagher, 3 Morgan Road b) Fall River District Court, Criminal Session, 6 -man Jury, March 3, 1986 - Raymond Schiffer, Jr., 331 Mill Street - John G. Steinbrecher, 32 Hemlock Lane c) Fall River Superior Court, Civil Session, March 3, 1986 - Gregory F. Sankey, 423 S. Main 7. Karen Galanti had asked for a few minutes discussion concerning her zoning article. Instead, Joe Zeneski said he was appearing for her, because she had to work. He said he and she had been working on an aquifer protection zoning article (60,000 sq. ft.), and this article was to be sponsored by the Planning Board. They have now learned that there is a second article spon- sored by the Board of Selectmen, but there is no evidence in the Selectmen Minutes of a vote to sponsor such an article. Also, if there are to be two articles, which one will appear first? Selectman Dunn said he is responsible for the article, which is an amend- ment to the 60,000 sq. ft. article, and which he had proposed at the Spe- cial Town Meeting last November; it also is a means of protecting the water BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 1986 PAGE 4 supply by having 60,000 sq. ft. lots, but also protect the water for lots that are sewered, and help developers consider sewering new developed lots. Selectman McNair expalined that the Warrant was opened and closed at the Light Commissioners' Meeting of February 3rd, because of the deadline fall- ing on Saturday (February 1). Selectman Dunn said he had asked for a waive of the reading of all the articles (there were about 64), and a vote on the listing of all the articles, as supplied by the Town Clerk. He then sug- gested that if there was any question concerning the legality of the spon- sorship and the vote taken, perhaps it should be referred to Town Counsel. Chairman D'Onofrio said he has taken the position that any article requested by a Selectman representing his constituency, to be put on the Warrant, should be allowed. lie went on to say he has disucssed it with Town Counsel, and Town Counsel has no problem with the process as it has been handled. The Town Manager advised that one Selectman may present an article, which the Board can vote to include, but the Board does not have to support it. Selectman Dunn summarized that he wants to propose a water protection art- icle that would encourage sewerage; Karen Galanti's does not propose that. Selectman Mahana said he wholeheartedly endorses Selectman Dunn's article. Selectman Mahana asked to be allowed to make an announcement. He had re- ceived a scroll, signed by Governor Dukakis and Secretary of State, Michael Connolly, honoring John Prescott's 55 years of service to the Town of Mans- field. He said it would be framed and presented to John Prescott next week. Selectman Levine added that John Prescott is celebrating his 84th birthday this week, and suggested sending him a card. 9. Conservation Commission Interviews The following were interviewed for one full -term vacancy on the Conservation Commission; Acting Chairman, Stu Sweet, was present, along with member Paul O'Neill: James E. St. Don, 483 Elm Street *Richard Mandell, 460 Ware Street *Indicates appointment 10. Municipal Building Committee Interviews The following were interviewed for one full -term vacancy on the Municipal Building Committee; Chairman Steve McCaffrie was also present. *Robert J. Paza, 14 Fuller Place Ronald G. Doucette, 110 Church Street Chairman McCaffrie said he had asked the Town Manager to have Town Counsel determine whether an Associate Member can vote; he has had a problem get- ting a quorum. It was mentioned that the Selectmen have the power to allow the Committee to ask for additional members for a special package. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 1986 PAGE 5 * MOTION: To make both votes unanimous. McNair /Mahana VOTED: 5 -0 11. Chairman D'Onofrio asked for a moment to make a public statement. He gave a brief review of a discussion between Board members at the time of appointments regarding whether or not to put off and readvertise for the Assessors position. During the discussion the Chairman said he had make a remark about number of new people who had applied for various boards and committees, some of whom have been appointed, and that he felt the Board should appoint people who represent a cross - section of town. In a reference to some applicants not knowing Mansfield government very well, one applicant who had been present, took offense. He later wrote Chairman D'Onofrio a letter expressing his feelings and asking for a public apology. The Chairman had gone to talk with him and had pro- mised he would offer his apology at tonight's meeting, which he then did. The apology included stating that Chairman D'Onofrio felt Mr. Gordon had taken the comment out of context and that it certainly was not directed at any one applicant (Chairman D'Onofrio said he had gone to the cable TV studio and viewed the tape of that meeting). After Chairman D'Onofrio's statement and apology, Mr. Gordon attempted to pursue the issue, saying he did not feel he had been offered an apology. The Chairman politely stated he did not want to pursue it, that Mr. Gordon knows his alterna- tives. 12. Old Business a) The Town Manager advised the Board that the State is offering 100% funding to rebuild the bridges over High Street and West Cottage, in the amount of $127,502. The Engineer has reviewed everything; the only cost to the Town would be inspection and contract administration. He recommends that the Town enter into the agreement, and thinks it should be started by this summer. * MOTION: To enter into an agreement with the State to rebuild the High Street and West Cottage Street bridges. Mahana /Levine VOTED: 5 -0 b) Selectman Dunn asked for any development regarding repair of the Rt. 140 underpass; consensus of the Board was to send a follow -up letter. c) Selectman Levine asked for a follow -up letter to the State DPW concern- ing use of salt on the State highways. d) Selectman Mahana again brought up the speed limit on Maple Street and was advised that the Town must do the study; the Town Manager will dis- cuss it with the Town Engineer. Selectman Dunn suggested consulting 1, SRPEDD for possible available equipment for such a study. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 1986 PAGE 6 e) Chairman D'Onofrio asked the Board members for their input as to the Mass. Housing Partnership, as outlined in correspondence received last week. The consensus was to ask for recommendation from the Planning Director. f) The Chairman asked the Board's direction concerning the Department of the Trial Court received last week concerning land owned by Gladys Cross. Consensus was to ask Town Counsel for clarification after refer- ring it to both the Assessors and the Planning Director. 13. New Business a) The Town Manager announced the appointment of the new DPW Director, Tim Walsh. Tim was with the DPW Department, as Construction Inspector, for about a year in 1984, and has since been Assistant Director of;the DPW in Framingham. He is to start February 13, 1986. b) Selectman Dunn reported that there are no street lights on Francis Ave. where there is a curve and plants with 24 -hour operation. * MOTION: To forward a request to the Light Department Manager to have lights on the Francis Ave. area according to the established standards. Dunn /Mahana VOTED: 5 -0 This light matter came out at the recent Industrial Zoning Committee public meeting. The Chairman expressed his feeling that it is very good to have that kind of a meeting and to bring the townspeople in for discussion and in -put. c) Selectman Levine raised the question as to when the Board would be ready to discuss the Warrant Articles for the Annual Town Meeting. Comments indicated that the budget needs discussion first, and this generally fol- lows the Finance Committee meetings with the various department heads; this will be completed very soon. It was mentioned that recommendations from the 5 -Year Planning Committee on financial impact would be desir- able. 14. Adjournment MOTION: To adjourn (at 10:10 P.M.). Mahana /Levine VOTED: 5 -0 MINUTE$,APrROVED: F l (, lei r Date signed BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 1986 PAGE 6 For the records, on February 6, 1986 Chairman D'Onofrio selected one juror; Fall River Superior Court, Civil Session, February 24, 1986 - Richard L. Davenport, 7 John Street