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Home My WebLink AboutBOS MINUTES 2-24-1993BOARD OF SELECTMEN AGENDA February 24, 1993 C. !1f,) i !l 1. 7:00 P.M. Review of Correspondence 2. 7:30 P.M. Meeting Called to Order a) Salute the Flag b) Minutes of February 17, 1993 c) Warrant #36 d) Licenses & Permits e) Correspondence 3. 7:45 P.M. American Legion /Change of Manager 4. 7:50 P.M. Questions & Comments 5. 8:00 P.M. Public Hearing /Real Property Classification 6. 8:15 P.M. Public Hearing /Cable TV License Renewal 7. 9:15 P.M. Education Reform Forum 8. Old Business a) Town Manager - Water capital funding rate recommendation - Early retirement legislation - Fire & Police Chief Civil Service change b) Selectmen 9. New Business a) Town Manager - Budget review update b) Selectmen 10. Adjournment 1) BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING o FEBRUARY 24, 1993 y, PRESENT: Chairman Tartufo; Selectmen Penney, Pasquale, Robinson; Town Mdna9, @P,, 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. and the Flag saluted. Chairman Tartufo announced that Selectman Colella has been sick, so could not make it this evening. 2. Minutes of February 17, 1993 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of February 17, 1993. Robinson /Pasquale VOTED: 4 -0 3. Warrant #36 * MOTION: To approve Warrant #36 in the amount of $1,423,695.54, dated February 23, 1993, broken down as follows: General Fund - $1,084,291.48 School Lunch - 9,412.45 Special Revenue - 14,638.32 Sewer Expense - 12,481.02 Water Expense - 7,207.12 Electric Enterprise - 295,665.15 Robinson /Pasquale VOTED: 4 -0 4. Licenses & Permits a) Application for a One -day All Alcoholic license by Tri- County Beagle Club for Sunday, February 28, 1993, Noon to 8:00 P.M. * MOTION: To approve the One -day license. Robinson /Pasquale VOTED: 4 -0 b) Request to sign the Release Form for Lot 21B, Ralph Fram Estates. Decision was to hold until the Escrow Agreement is received. 5. Correspondence a) Letter to the Board from Self Help, Inc. Executive Director, Ulysses G. Shelton, Jr, re: Official request to the Town of Mansfield to allo- cate the sum of $3,500 to Self Help's Outreach Program. - The Town Manager advised it is contained in the budget. b) Notice of Public Hearing by the Mansfield Planning Board, March 3rd, re: Application for a Special Permit for property located on Branch Street by New England Investment Group Trust, for a cluster develop- ment. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 1993 PAGE 2 c) Copy of letter to Mass. DEP from GEI Consultants, Inc. re: Compo Chemical Co., Inc. Progress Report. - Selectman Penney advised there will be a site visit in March. d) Letter to School Committees, Governing Bodies from Suburban Coalition re: Request for support of newly organized caucus of Suburban, Rural and Cape Legislators. e) Letter to the Board from Mass. Executive Director of Low -Level Radio- active Waste Management Board re: Invitation to the public hearing March 9th in Attleboro concerning their Draft Management Plan and draft regulations concerning management of low -level radioactive waste. f) Four (4) notices of Public Hearings by Dept. of Public Utilities re: - Imperial Telecom - Convergent Communications, Inc. - Granite State Paging, Inc. Arch Connecticut Valley, Inc. - Automated Communications, Inc. g) Memorandum to the Board from Chairman Madan, Planning Board, re: Plymouth Street Recreation Project. h) Copy of Memorandum to the Town Manager from Chairman Madan, Planning Board, re: MBTA Commuter Traffic. i) Letter to the Board from Karl Clemmey re: Conflict of Interest. j) Two (2) Dept. of Revenue Division of Local Services BULLETINS re: - Summary of 1992 Municipal Law Changes - Training programs for Assessors, Spring 1993. Q Copy of letter to the Conservation Commission from Secretary Malette, Mansfield Fish & Game Protective Assoc. re: Posting No Trespassing Signs Around the Perimeter of their property. 6. American Legion /Change of Manager Michael Skidmore, the new Manager of the Legion bar, was present. Select- man Pasquale said he has known Michael for many years and he will be a responsible person to serve as Manager. * MOTION: To approve the request for American Legion's change of Manager to Michael Skidmore. Pasquale /Robinson VOTED: 4 -0 * MOTION: To waive the $50.00 fee for the Town regarding this action; they do alot for the kids in the community. Pasquale /Penney VOTED: 4 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 1993 PAGE 3 7. Questions & Comments None 8. Old Business - Tom Manager a) Bill reported he is compiling more data on the Fire Chief /Police Chief Civil Service issue. He advised that the Finance Committee opposes removal of the Fire Chief from Civil Service. b) Early Retirement Bill - The Town Manager reviewed a listing of employees who have expressed interest in the early retirement, including all de- partments, except Public Safety (there were approximately 18). He then mentioned the need for determination of how many would have to be re- placed. Bristol-County Retirement Board has not yet decided how they will assess it; that Board must draft regulations to administer the program. Bill advised there is a need for the cost to the Town prior to Town Meeting. Brief discussion followed. 9. Public Hearing /Real Property Classification The Clerk read the advertisement for the hearing, purpose of which is to discuss one rate versus variable rates for real property classification. The three members of the Board of Assessors were present, along with the Assistant Assessor, Shirley MacPhee. Al Turinese said this is a year of new values; this year total valuation has dropped, and this year has been tough as far as expenses are concerned. Selectman Pasquale asked for the Board of Assessors recommendation. Al Turinese said the greatest expense is on the residential side, and they recommend 110 %. He said the biggest increase is the new school. The Town has had dual rates since 1987. Mark Wojnar, of Cabot Partners, said there is about a 25% vacancy and the percentage is going up; Richard Madington, of Set Point, mentioned his concern; Mark Leek, of Motorola, said he is not happy with the classifi- cation as they feel they are not receiving much in services; Jerry Shulmer, Branch Manager of Georgia Pacific, also commented. Bill Madan, Chairman of the Planning Board, pointed out utilities have to be paid by industries plus a higher tax rate. The Town Manager advised the Industrial & Development Commission will meet tomorrow night and, if the Selectmen do not make a decision tonight, the IDC will make a recommendation. Shirley MacPhee stated they would like a decision next week so that tax bills can go out. 10. Public Hearing /Cable TV License Renewal Selectman Pasquale opened the hearing with a statement about another ten - year license, then made note of those present who have been involved in BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 1993 PAGE 4 negotiations: Howard Horton, Special Town Counsel; Mo Prasad, Chairman of Cable Advisory Committee, Scott Button and Doug Ronald, members of the Advisory Committee. Selectman Pasquale said negotiations have been going on for eighteen months. He reviewed limitations, and stated the Federal government is coming out with new regulations April 3rd. Steve Grossman, District Manager of Cable Vision, Inc. thanked the Cable Advisory Committee members for all their hard work; then read a prepared statement of CVI accomplishments and additions during the licensed period. He said the Bird Road and South Street installation will be completed by April 30, 1993. Mo Prasad thanked Selectman Pasquale for his time and efforts on the license renewal negotiations. Howard Horton said the Town of Mansfield Advisory Committee has demonstrated hard work and dedication, and this is one of the best products he has been involved with. Selectman Penney com- mented that alot of credit is due those who worked on the license negoti- ations and mentioned Selectman Pasquale in particular. * MOTION: To accept Cable Vision, Inc.'s proposal for license renewal under 47 U.S.C., 546h, the "informal" proceedings, and to grant CVI such renewal license subject to final review of its provisions by the Cable Advisory Committee and final approval as to its form by Town Special Counsel. Pasquale /Penney Selectman Pasquale said this is for agreement in principal, now there will be review and technical corrections. VOTED: 4 -0 At this time Chairman Tartufo addressed Mo Prasad's unparalleled presence over the past ten years for the Board of Selectmen; then read and pre- sented him with a Town plaque honoring those ten years of dedication. 11. Education Reform Forum State Representative, Barbara Hyland, Senator William Keating, and Jeff Beckwith, Executive Director of the Mass. Municipal Association were all present, as were Dianne Royle, Chairman of the School Committee, and School Committee members Lou Amoruso and Emil Giordano. Chairman Tartufo opened the meeting and introduced those present, then turned the meeting over to Senator Keating. Senator Keating said the Senate does not have the full bill yet, but it will probably affect local government as much as Prop. 221. He said his concerns are with financing, mandatory school choices and local autonomy. He said there is no money in the State budget for this bill. He said there are strong sanctions in the bill which could affect the Town very seriously; State funding will affect local funding. If the local govern- ment doesn't fund the education budget, the Attorney General could refuse to approve the real estate tax. The bill would also diminish School Com- BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 24, 1993 PAGE 5 mittee power, giving more power to Superintendents and Principals. Rep. Hyland reported the bill has gone through the House and was revised four times; it is unrealistic on the education side and hurts the Town; it pits one against the other and does a disservice to both sides. She said she did not vote for passage of the bill. She explained some details of the bill and called it a 'school improvement bill', not a 'reform bill' Senator Keating said since the funds are not there at either the State or local levels, the results will force overrides and everyone should be told that real estate taxes will be affected by the bill. Jeff Beckwith, of the MMA, said Mansfield was lucky to have knowledgeable representatives in the legislature, and also thanked Bill Williams, Town Manager, for making the forum possible. He commended Barbara Hyland for understanding the impact of this bill on local government as well as her concern that there would be a shift of power from local government to State. He said Mansfield's 'standard of effort' is good, but its mainten- ance of effort will be watched. This legislation would change the balance of power, something he feels the public has not been made aware of and it should be. School Committee Chairperson, Dianne Royle, said her committee agrees with not wanting to lose the local power. Lou Amoruso said he sees it more as a management reform, not education reform. Selectmen Pasquale and Penney said they were against it; Selectman Penney said he has a better understanding of the bill now, then thanked everyone for coming tonight. Bill Williams, Town Manager, thanked everyone for coming, and said he doesn't feel the bill is structurally right for anybody. He asked what more can we do to get this information to our constituents to correct this legislation. Chairman Tartufo expressed his feeling that rather than calling this bill a legislative reform, perhaps it needs to be a reform of legislators. Bill Williams complemented Jeff Backwith, saying he is a 'class act' in the work he does. 12. Adjournment * MOTION: To adjourn (at 11:30 P.M.). Pasquale /Robinson VOTED: 4 -0 MINUTES APPROVED: Clerk Date signed