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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 5-7-1986L 161, BOARD OF SELECTMEN x MAY i 619RC, MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 7, 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 April 30, 1986 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of April 30, 1986. D'Onofrio /Harrington Selectman Harrington asked that under Item 4 -b, it be indicated that Gregory Abbott intends to have a sign denoting off - street parking for his stand. Selectman Dunn pointed out, under Item 9 -a, the vote should show 5 -0, as he was present for that vote. VOTED, as amended: 5 -0 3. Warrant #48 * MOTION: To approve Warrant #48 in the amount of $2,356,406.34, dated May 7, 1986, broken down as follows: General Fund - $2,236,301.61 Special Revenue - 1,749.77 Motor Pool - 126.85 Sewer Enterprise - 56,222.68 Water Enterprise - 35,446.22 Electric Enterprise - 26,559.21 Mahana /Harrington VOTED: 5 -0 Selectman D'Onofrio questioned the Town Accountant's notices of unpaid bills, some of which go back to August and October 1985. He feels it gives the Town a bad reputation and is likely to in- crease prices to the Town. The Town Manager advised that those bills being questioned are School Department bills over which he has no authority. Selectman Harrington asked if the Town Account- ant could be asked to indicate reason for any outstanding bills over 60 days. Selectman Mahana asked the Town Manager to find out, from the Town Accountant, what purchases in the amount of $6,000.00 on 8/27/85 were for, was it a bid, an award? 4. Licenses & Permits a) Application for Common Victuallers License, Gary P. & Janet S. Eagan, d /b /a Honey Dew Donuts, 161 Chauncy Street. * MOTION: To approve the Common Victuallers License. Mahana /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 n BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING i MAY 7, 1986 PAGE 2 b) Transfer Request #24 - Public Buildings Expense, $1,226.75. * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #24 in the amount of $1,226.75. Mahana /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 c) Transfer Request #31 - Selectmen Expense, $166.15 * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #31 in the amount of $166.15 Mahana /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 d) Transfer Request #32 - Public Buildings Expense, $4,170.55. * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #32 in the amount of $4,170.55. Mahana /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 e) Transfer Request #34 - Plumbing & Gas Inspector Fees, $3,444.98. * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #34 in the amount of $3,444.98. Mahana /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 f) Transfer Request #35 - Electric Inspector Fees, $936.34. * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #35 in the amount of $936.34. Mahana /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 g) Transfer Request #36 - Town Counsel Expense, $2;467.73. * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #36 in the amount of $2,467.73. Mahana /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 5. Sandra Levine The Board had asked former Selectman Levine to be present this night. Chairman McNair presented her with a plaque in recognition of her six years of service as a member of the Board of Selectmen, and for a job well done. She thanked them, congratulated Selectman Harrington for his election to the Board, and Selectman D'Onofrio for his re- election. Following this, Selectman Mahana took a minute to commend Cable TV for their telecasting of the Board meetings for one year as of last week. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 7, 1986 PAGE 3 6. Cora Abel /Dan Corrigan Cora Abel presented each Board member a booklet of her proposal for the Spaulding School site. She said her presentation can be broken down into three points: how to use the school; how to pay for it; can it be done? She proposes 3 -5 live /work artist units with built -in arts programs for the entire community. Figuring an average price for the school site, she used the March '86 assessed value of $63,600 and top market value approxi- mately $158,000, for an average in its present condition of $95,000. She proposed a cash payment of 21% - $20,000; then each live -in artist con- tribute one day per week over a three -year period to community service as an artist -in- residence in schools, leaders of art workshops open to all residents, supervisors of apprentices, or lecturers at local clubs, etc. Each artist would be responsible for rehabilitating his /her own unit, and would be required to sign a contract for their services to the community, and their unit can only be sold to another artist. This use of the school will preserve it for the town and will put it back on the tax roles. Dan Corrigan said he knows artists will not want to come to Mansfield un- less it is evident the community want them here. Chairman McNair said the Board has not taken a stand yet, and went on to explain that it must go before the Town Meeting. He said an article is on the Town Meeting Warrant for next Monday's meeting, to sell the school. Selectman D'Onofrio explained that any article dealing with sale of Town -owned property is al- ways reworded to read "... authorize the Board to sell at fair market price plus cost of appraisal, at public auction ". Selectman D'Onofrio went on to say he feels the sale of the Spaulding School would be a sizeable portion of the 25% needed funding for the Library /COA facility at a time when 75% finding from the State is available. Asked how the artists would be chosen for the units, Cora Abel said a selection committee would be formed, comprised of people from various groups and arts organizations. The meeting closed with the Board advising Cora Abel and Dan Corrigan to attend the Town Meeting May 12th and, if possible, to bring projection material. 7. Sandra Williams /New England Telephone Sandra Williams, Public & Community Relations Manager from New England Telephone was present to discuss the parking problems in the area of the telephone company building on Bristol Street. Ms. Williams reported that there are men still working on the new system installed last Fall, which is why there are trucks there every day. She has asked the manager to be sure the parking lot is used. Selectman Harrington explained the resi- dents' complaints and that they feel there has been a lack of caring on the part of the telephone people. Selectman Dunn suggested writing down BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 7, 1986 PAGE 4 the license number and time of day for any future violators; these should be given to the Town Manager's office who will then contact Ms. Williams. Pais. Williams was thanked for taking the time to come in. 8. Correspondence a) Copy of letter to Inspector of Buildings from Chairman of the Planning Board re: Removal of material from Fish & Game Club property. b) Division of Local Services Bulletin re: Information onscheduling of fiscal year 1987 certification reviews and technical assistance. c) Letter from Chairman of Mansfield Veterans Council re: Parade Permit for Memorial day, May 26th. * MOTION: To grant the Parade Permit, subject to the Police Chief's ap- proval. Mahana /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 d) Letter from Chairman of Mansfield Veterans Council re: Participation by Selectmen in Memorial Day observance and request for a speaker, May 26th. - The Chairman said he will be out of town that weekend. Selectman Har- rington volunteered to represent the Board. e) Letter from City of Taunton Mayor, Richard Johnson, re: Enclosed County Commissioners' letter and budget for 7/1/86- 6/30/87. - Selectman D'Onofrio reviewed it briefly, touching on the fact that it shows "level funding" and no new personnel. f) MMA "Alert on County Corrections ". g) Letter from Citizens Energy Dialog re: Speaker program they offer. h) Copy of Great Woods Performing Arts Center "Popular Music Events for Summer 1986 Season ". i) Commonwealth of Mass. Dept. of Personnel Administration Announcement re: Notice of Hearing on Issuance of Personnel Administration Rules, May 21st. j) Letter from Registry of Motor Vehicles re: Bicycle Safety Events. k) Notice of Public Hearings from Dept. of Public Utilities re: - New England Telephone & Telegraph Co. Cost Studies Filed - AT &T Communications of New England, Inc. proposed rates and charges for various long- distance telephone services to be provided within each area code within the Commonwealth. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 7, 1986 PAGE 5 1) Letter from Mass. DPW re: Project funding under the Access To State - Owned Land Program. - The Board felt an entrance onto the acreage the Town acquired near Rt. 495 & Rt. 140, where a Housing Authority unit is to be built, might be applicable. m) Letter from SRPEDD re: Appointment of delegate for one -year term com- mencing June 1. n) Invitation to Bristol County Home Care for Elderly Open House, Fall River, May 16th. o) Letter from Assistant Controller of Cable Vision Industries re: En- closed financial report. p) Letter from Catherine Hayner, President of Mansfield American Legion Auxiliary re: Permission to conduct Poppy Drive week of May 21 -26. * MOTION: To permit the Poppy Drive the week of May 21 -26. Mahana /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 q) Copy of letter to Planning Board from Zoning Board of Appeals re: Appli- cation for multi - family housing units on Francis Ave., The Village at Mansfield Depot. - The Town Manager said staff members will be making comments. Select- man D'Onofrio asked for an impact of traffic generated study, for the residents. * MOTION: The the,Board require a traffic study be done by the.devel- oper for impact of traffic on that area. D'Onofrio /Harrington VOTED: 5 -0 r) Memorandum from Town Manager re: Underground Storage Tanks; this lists locations, their condition is not known at this time. s) Letter from Pastor Annunziato, St. Mary's Rectory, re: Request to waive permit fee for moving existing building (Rose Garden). * MOTION: To waive the fee for moving the Rose Garden. Mahana /D'Onofrio VOTED: 5 -0 t) Copy of Memorandum to Conservation Commission from the Town Manager re: Part -time Conservation Agent. u) Letter from Cynthia Brunelli re: Support for proposed "Artists in Resi- dence" in Mansfield Spaulding School. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 7, 1986 PAGE 6 v) Memorandum from RWC, Inc. re: Notification of Railroad Yard and Rights - of -Way Maintenance on Conrail. w) Invitation from Mansfield Elks re: Flag Day, June 14th, national obser- vance of Flag Day in Mansfield and appointment of a delegate. 9. New Business a) The Town Manager reported that the jury had returned a verdict of ac- quittal for the Town and police officers in the Clemmey case. b) Asked about a meeting for employees by the Bristol County Retirement Board, the Town Manager said he has asked the Treasurer to put a note in with the pay checks asking each employee if they are interested in either /or a retirement and health insurance informational meeting. c) Selectman D'Onofrio said he would like to see the Board take a posi- tion on the Library /COA facility. * MOTION: To support the concept of the Library /COA project. D'Onofrio /Mahana Selectman Dunn said he supports the concept, but feels the town has room for both that and the artists group. VOTED: 5 -0 10. New Business a) Selectman D'Onofrio said he had received a phone call prior to tonight's meeting concerning removal of a telephone pole, for which a hearing is scheduled at next week's Board meeting. The pole is holding up con- struction at the Great Woods Center, and time is of the essence. Sel- ectman D'Onofrio asked if the Board would be willing to direct the Light Department Manager to provide an electrical hook -up until the pole can be moved, at no expense to the Town. * MOTION: To allow the Light Department to provide a temporary electrical hook -up for Great Woods, at no cost to the Town of Mansfield. D'Onofrio /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 b) Selectman D'Onofrio expressed concern for aquifer protection, saying he would particularly like to see sewers extended out to East Mansfield very soon. There are developments going on on Maple Street and East Mansfield from which setpic systems could jeopardize the Cate Springs well; the landfill is also a threat. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 7, 1986 PAGE 7 Selectman Dunn mentioned the Bristol Arms area as a concern also, as well as some areas of West Mansfield which are showing development. The Town Manager said the Planning Director and Town Engineer must try to influence developers to sewer. He is going to send a letter to the Board of Health regarding Bristol Arms which is hauling raw sewage daily, not septage, in large quantities, and the WWTP plant was not built to handle alot of sewage.:. Selectman D'Onofrio said he would like to see the Board take a policy.position to alert the Planning Board to the.Selectmen's position-on sewage. Selectman Mahana.seconded_this, add - ing because they are switching to condos, and then the developer.will be out of the picture. Selectman Dunn said his 5 -year plan included fund- ing for up -front money to get sewering going. Selectman D'Onofrio pointed out that defeat of the PRO Warrant Article cost the Town a.fu- ture well site and shared sewering with the developer, in West Mans- field. * MOTION: Direct the Town Manager to be ready for a Special Town Meet- ing in the Fall and to have some proposals ready. D'Onofrio /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 c) Selectman Mahana said he had talked to Bristol County Sheriff Nelson re- garding the use of inmates from correction units in Michigan, as men- tioned by Town Manager Rande Wilson, a while back. It was a case of us- ing inmates for labor, with a supervisor from the prison, the City sup- plying equipment, and property owners paying for the materials for side- walks. He said the Sheriff is interested in looking at a proposal. d) Selectman Dunn asked about the MMWEC emergency meeting; said he would like a report and is concerned about the Governor's committee appoint- ments. Chairman McNair said there is to be a supper meeting Thursday, May 15th at the Sheraton in Mansfield. All five Board members, and the Town Manager, indicated they will attend. e) Selectman Harrington expressed concern for speeding vehicles in town. He would like to know the number of speeding tickets being issued and if ticketing is being done weekends, and is radar being used. f) Selectman Harrington reported he had received two calls from people hav- ing trouble parking downtown; they feel available parking spaces are being used by business employees. He asked about restricted parking for some areas to avoid this problem. g) Selectman Harrington said some residents have had water problems where sidewalks were torn up; these should be repaired. h) Selectman D'Onofrio reported broken glass under the Rt. 106 bridge stairs, and some on the Winthrop Street parking lot. BOARD OF SELECTMEN 4' MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 7, 1986 PAGE 8 i) Selectman Dunn asked to be updated on the building next to the Fire Sta- tion. The Town Manager said it has been boarded up, and the Fire Chief has been asked to look into acquiring it for the Town; he is to contact the owner. He understands there are some liens connected with it. 11. Planning Board The Planning Board had been scheduled for a meeting with the Selectmen, but they were in the middle of a hearing, with a full agenda to follow. The meeting was postponed until 7:00 P.M. next week, May 14th. 12. Adjournment * MOTION: To adjourn (at 9:42 P.M.). Harrington /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 MINUTES APPROVED: clerk Date sIgnea