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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 10-13-1993BOARD OF SELECTMEN - MINUTES - OCTOBER 13, 1993 Q1_ FT PRESENT: Chairman Pasquale, Acting Clerk Royle, Selectmen Penney and Robinson, and William F. Williams, Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:20 P.M. followed by the pledge of allegiance. 2. 7:50 P.M. - The Board of Selectmen met with three Boards and Committees during this portion of the meeting - -the Library Trustees, Council on Aging, and Recreation Commis- sion. A. Library Trustees Jeffrey Ptaschnik was present for this discussion. Mr. Ptaschnik began the discussion by stat- ing that their Library Director, Dinah Smith, is no longer with them and that they are currently in the process of selecting a new Director; it is hoped that a new Director is in place by November 1, 1993. Mr. Ptaschnik than summarized two grants, "Learning All the Time" and "Toward the Future" which the library received and utilized. Lastly, Mr. Ptaschnik sum- marized the many programs the Library offers. At the conclusion of this discussion, members of the Board of Selectmen asked Mr. Ptashnik questions regarding the Library Director hiring committee, the possibility of opening on Sun- days, newspapers carried by the library, and programs offered by the Library. B. Recreation Commission Ron Reeves was present for this discussion. Mr. Reeves began the discussion by referencing a bulletin put out by the Recreation Commission which states upcoming fall and winter events. One of the events mentioned was a Halloween Parade and costume contest. Chairman Pasquale stated that he would be a costume judge as the Selectmen's representative. Lastly, members of the Board of Selectmen commented on the great number and variety of events made available by the Recreation Commission. C. Council on Aging The following members of the Council on Aging were present for this discussion: Joy Lee Eppes, Chairman, John Folan, Vice Chairman, Frank Nilson, Mary Butler, Elizabeth Wood, and Sonia Walgreen. Members of the Board of Selectmen commented on and asked questions regarding the great job the Council is doing, requests for leaf collections, Council on Aging awareness, the need for an ambulance, Thursday evening bingo, Council on Aging center compliance with ADA, and football game patrons parking on Council on Aging grounds. 3. Discussion of Opinion from Town Counsel regarding Zoning Articles submitted by the Planning Board Chairman Pasquale stated that the Town Manager's office received a letter from Town Coun- sel, Bob Mangiaratti, dated October 13, 1993 regarding questions raised during the question and comment period during the last meeting pertaining to the procedure followed by the Plan- ning Board when submitting proposed zoning by -law amendment articles to be included in the Special Town Meeting warrant. After reading the letter aloud, Chairman Pasquale stated that in conclusion six articles submitted by the Planning Board are procedurely defective due to lack of posting the public hearing notice within the required time limits, and they would have to be withdrawn. Chairman Pasquale also stated that the answer to a question asked of Town Counsel concerning whether or not the Board of Selectmen has the authority to pull an article from a Warrant, Attorney Mangiaratti responded that the Selectmen do not have that authority once the warrant has been closed. Discussion followed regarding the procedure used by the Planning Board, the manner in which the questions were raised at the Selectmen's last meeting, and the time frame for review of the articles prior to Town Meeting. 4. Veterans Agent Appointments The following applicants for the Veterans Agent position were present for interviews with the Board of Selectmen: David Powers, William Conroy, and Gerald Scherma. Chairman Pasquale informed the applicants that at this time the position would be part -time with the Town Manager assisting the Veterans Agent to fulfill the full -time requirement. A question and answer period followed with the Board of Selectmen and the three applicants. Questions asked and answered at this time were regarding needs to be addressed upon employ- ment, important veterans services that should be brought to Mansfield, each of the applicants experience which would help them if appointed as the Veterans Agent, both strong and nega- tive attributes of each of the applicants, if each of the applicants would be interested in a full - time position at the beginning of the fiscal year, expected office hours in Town Hall, extent of communication between the Veterans Agent and the Veterans Council and the need to attend Veterans Council meetings. After the question and answer period the following nominations for the Veterans Agent posi- tion were made: Selectman Royle nominated Gerald Scherma. Votes in Favor: One - Selectman Royle Selectman Penney nominated David Powers. Votes in Favor: Two - Chairman Pasquale and Selectman Penney Selectman Robinson nominated William Conroy Votes in Favor: One - Selectman Robinson S. Discussion with Roland Hebert and James Hadfield of SRPEDD Chairman Pasquale stated that the reason the Board of Selectmen has invited Mr. Hebert to this meeting is to discuss a recommendation issued by his department which is completely different than that of the Town's regarding an access road through the Great Woods area. Mr. Hebert stated that his Department did not recommend the road but offered it as an alternative should land within the Great Woods be developed. Mr. Hebert also stated that he questions the legality of an access road branching of a highway dead - ending to one location. Discussion followed regarding the importance of conservation land to the community. Following the above discussion, Mr. Hebert submitted an aerial photograph of the Mansfield train station vicinity. Mr. Hebert also informed the Board of the "Pavement Management Program" stating that inorder for Towns to acquire federal funds in the future they will have to be in the Pavement Management Program. Mr. Hebert also submitted draft guideline on ap- plying for money for transportation enhancements and suggested that the Town get ready now for funding in 1996. A consensus of the Board of Selectmen was to give copies of the infor- mation to Bob Swanson, Town Engineer, for him to review and begin taking the appropriate actions. 6. Minutes of October 6, 1993 A consensus of the Board of Selectmen was to postpone the vote until their next meeting. Warrant Nos. 16 and 16A MOTION: To approve Warrant Nos. 16 and 16 A in the amount of $1,234,387. ( Royle- Penney) All in favor. PASSES. Selectman Royle abstained from all Health Department related warrant items. 8. Licenses and Permits Benson Associates Application for an Auctioneers License for October 28, 1993 MOTION: To approve the license. (Robinson- Penney) All in favor. PASSES. Tri- County Beagle Club One -Day Full Liquor License Application for Saturday, October 23, 1993 MOTION: To sign. (Robinson - Royle) All in favor. PASSES. Memorandum from the Engineering Department requesting the Board of Selectmen vote on and sign Specific Provisions of the North Main Street /Chauncy Street Intersection Improvements - Traffic Control Agreement. MOTION: To sign. (Penney - Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. Selectman Penney requested Robert Swanson, Town Engineer, look into signs stating "STOP THEN TURN RIGHT" in conjunction with the No. Main Street /Chauncy Street intersection. 9. Correspondence Memorandum to the Board of Selectmen from Lorilee Fish, Parks and Recreation Director and Ron Reeves, Recreation Commission Chairman, informing the Board of the Town's annual Halloween Parade of October 31, 1993 at 2:00 P.M. and inviting them to send a representative to be a costume judge. Chairman Pasquale will be the Board of Selectmen's representative in judging costumes. Letter from Richard McLaughlin, Boy Scout Troop 17, to the Board of Selectmen requesting permission to conduct their annual Christmas tree sale on Town property between the South Common and the Town Hall. MOTION: To grant permission. (Penney- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. Letter from the Massachusetts Sportsmen's Council, Inc. to the Board of Selectmen stating reasons why the Board of Selectmen should support the passage of Senate 990 "An Act to Provide for the Statewide Conservation of the Inland Fisheries & Wildlife" and requesting the Board's support A consensus of the Board of Selectman was to circulate the information to the Conservation Commission and request their Input on the Act. Letter to William Williams, Town Manager, from Richard Gelerman, Special Town Counsel, with attached amended Bird Road Agreement. MOTION: To sign the agreement. (Robinson- Royle) William Williams, Town Manager, stated that Mr. Zola is prepared to purchase a lot from Ralph Frain and deposit $50,000 into the escrow account. Mr. Zola is also willing to contract to install the water line and prepare for paving, if the Town is willing to contribute $28,000 in Chapter 90 funds. The Town would only contribute the Chapter 90 funds if Mr. Zola deposits the $50,000 into the escrow account by October 25, 1993. During this discussion, concerns were raised regarding the the Town spending funds on Bird Road and if this would be in the best interest of the Town. MOTION: To support the Town in contributing $28,000 in Chapter 90 funds contingent upon Mr. Zola depositing $50,000 into the escrow account by October 25, 1993 to be used in completing the binder course and installing the water line on Bird Road. ( Royle- Pasquale Chairman Pasquale passed the gavel before seconding the motion.) (2 -2) Chairman Pasquale and Selectman Royle in favor. FAILS. Following the above motion, it was suggested that this be discussed again after the $50,000 has been deposited into the escrow account. Invitation from BlueCross BlueShield to the Board of Selectmen to a luncheon on Thursday, October 21, 1993, at which Joseph Avellone, M.D., Executive V.P. of Delivery Systems Management at BlueCross, will present BlueCross' views on the status of Health Care Reform Letter to the Mansfield Department of Public Works from the Department of Environmental Protection stating that the Division of Solid Waste Management has completed an administra- tive and initial technical review of Mansfield's application for a Determination of Needs for the Solid Waste Highway Garage Yard and that the application is administratively complete but is technically deficient in several areas Copy of a letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Education to James H. Santos, Superintendent of Schools, Bristol County Agricultural School District, regarding regional schools Pamphlet from SRPEDD regarding a Pavement Management Program they are offering Massachusetts Cable Television Commission Cable Bulletin 7. Questions and Comments Karl Clemmey, a Mansfield resident, thanked the Board of Selectmen for the opportunity tc express his views about articles submitted by the Planning Board for the Special Town Meet- ing. Mr. Clemmey also stated that the sponsor of a proposed article to rezone an area on Elm Street does not own the land but a bank does and that he feels the Town may want to purchase the parcel from the bank. Lastly, Mr. Clemmey stated that Planner Annino voted to put Ar- ticle 14 on the Special Town Meeting warrant which involves a project that his working on as an Architect and that he would like that vote taken again. Chairman Pasquale responded that the Board would look into what Mr. Clemnrey has stated. William Williams, Town Manager, informed the Board of Selectman that the Planning Board voted three in favor with two opposed to request a Special Town Meeting. MOTION: To continue the meeting past 11:00 P.M, (Royle -NO SECOND) Allen Willis, a Mansfield resident, questioned the need for zoning changes after spending a great deal of time on Master Plan and urgency of the proposed zoning changes. William Madan, Chairman of the Planning Board, stated that the citizens who submitted the private petitions are going to be the ones who are hurt through no fault of their own and that the Planning Board's articles are ready now . Mr. Clemmey stated that it is a privilege for the Board of Selectmen to allow a ten signature petition on a Special Town Meeting warrant. Planning Board Member Marydee Flynn stated that some of the articles submitted by the Plan- ning Board came as a result of Town Counsel pointing out a need for clarification in certain portions of the Zoning By -Law. to Planning Director Shaun Burke stated that he would need a minimum of three weeks in order to hold a public hearing for Special Town Meeting articles concerning zoning if a Special Town Meeting is called. The Board of Selectmen discussed the possible dates for a Special Town Meeting which stating the pros and cons. A consensus of the Board of Selectmen was not to call a Special Town Meeting in November but to possibly hold one in January. Old Business Selectmen Selectman Royle suggested that the Board vote on their draft Procedures and Policies at their meeting of October 27, 1993. Selectman Royle also asked if a response had been received from Town Counsel concerning Alladen Kennels. Lastly, Selectman Royle asked if any of the Selectman would be interested in attending a MMA Selectmen's workshop. Selectman Penney said that he spoke with Charles Antonnucio about his letter of resignation from the Municipal Building Committee and that he would still like to resign from the Com- mittee. MOTION: To accept Mr. Antonuccio's letter of resignation and send a letter to him thank- ing him for his service to the Town. ( Royle- Penney) All in favor. PASSES. New Business Town Manager Cottage Street Signage William Williams, Town Manager, stated that he has received a work order from Dan Clifford, DPW Director, and a recommendation from Lance Lawson, Traffic Safety Officer, that ; "Slow Children" sign be placed on Cottage Street. MOTION: To approve the installation of the sign with the appropriate wording. (Penney - Royle) All in favor. PASSES. Brook Street Drainage Project A consensus of the Board of Selectman was to request the written agreement be submitted and signed by both parties. Adjournment - 11:07 P.M. `-elerk,,Y Signature Date of Approval