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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 8-3-1994BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES August 3, 1994 PRESENT: Chairman Robinson, Selectmen Pasquale, Penney, and Ro fe . �e! ;,, r 2. 3. 4. The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. 7:42 PM Planning Board Interviews One applicant, Christopher Trombetta, was present for the Planning Board interview this eve- ning. Members of the Board of Selectmen asked Mr. Trombetta questions concerning the following: his attendance at Planning Board meetings, familiarity with subdivision regulations, involve- ment with Planning Board litigation, familiarity with site plan review process, what he hopes to contribute to the Planning Board, involvement with amending subdivision regulations, one of his weak points, perception of the Planning Board's role relative to growth in Mansfield, and the manner in which situations would be handled if Mr. Trombetta had a financial interest. Selectman Penney nominated Christopher Trombetta to serve on the Planning Board for a term to expire Janaury 1, 1998, which unanimously passed. 7:45 PM Animal Welfare Committee Interviews One applicant, Geanine Parks, was present for the Animal Welfare Committee interview this evening. Members of the Board of Selectmen asked Ms. Parks questions concerning experience she has with the Animal Welfare Committee. Selectman Royle nominated Geanine Parks to the Animal Welfare Committee for an indefinite term, which unanimously passed. 8:00 PM PATNA Class II Continued Public Hearing During this continued public hearing PATNA's application for a Class II license at 162 No. Main Street was discussed. Chairman Robinson stated that the Selectmen received a letter dated July 30, 1994 from John Comfort of General Business Services stating that he has given permission to Mr. Gack to use a desk in his facility at 162 No. Main Street. Chairman Robinson also stated that the Selectmen received a memorandum from Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and Development, stating that a special permit would be required for a Class II license at 162 No. Main Street. Mr. Gack expressed concern over the requirements for a special permit stating that he would be unable to meet a number of them. Mr. Gack also stated that he would only have an office at 162 No. Main Street and questioned the need for a special permit. Chairman Robinson stated that according to the Planning Director this type of business is not allowed at 162 No. Main Street unless a special permit is granted. Members of the Board of Selectmen commented on and asked questions concerning whether or not a special permit would be required for an office at 162 No. Main Street, when Mr. Gack received notification that a special permit would be required, contacting the Planning Director concerning his memorandum, and applying for a Class II license in Stoughton. The Board requested Mr. Gack speak with the Planning Director concerning his memorandum and the special permit requirements. The hearing was continued to August 17, 1994, at 8:20 PM. 5. 8:20 PM Discussion with John Pobst, SRPEDD, concerning the MBTA Commuter Station John Pobst of SRPEDD gave an update on the project to expand commuter parking at the Mansfield train station stating that the interregioncy agreement has just recently been signed by the MBTA and GATRA and engineering reports on the parking areas should be in within the next few weeks. Members of the Board of Selectmen asked Mr. Pobst questions concerning the number of spaces the train station commuter lot may be expanded by, the Selectmen's review of the traffic study, addressing the current traffic situation at and around the commuter station. and adding another access road. 6. 8:40 PM Gilbert Street Bridge Discussion Town Staff present for this discussion were: Arthur O'Neill, Acting Police Chief; Lt. Joseph Sarre; Dave Archard, Assistant Town Engineer; and Robert Swanson, Town Engineer. Robert Swanson, Town Engineer, gave a brief overview of the public hearing held by the Mas- sachusetts Highway Department on Thursday, July 21, 1994, and referenced a memorandum from him to the Town Manager, dated August 2, 1994. Mr. Swanson stated that if the Selectmen wish to make any changes relative to the Gilbert Street bridge plans, they must file a petition with the State Executive Office of Transportation through our State Representative and Senator. Acting Police Chief O'Neill spoke about reopening the Gilbert Street bridge from a safety perspective stating that opening the bridge will cut down response time for emergency vehicles ( and that if the School and Elm Street bridges broke down there would be no access to that part of Mansfield. Lt. Sarro spoke about reopening the Gilbert Street bridge stating that he would like the bridge open because it would better emergency vehicle response time to homes on Gilbert Street, especially when panicked callers do not give their address. Public Comment: Ron Cartier, 435 Gilbert Street, expressed concerns over cars speeding over the bridge, the 20 ton limit is too much, and the overall condition of Gilbert Street. Michael Keefe, 395 Gilbert Street, expressed concerns that he doesn't feel the State is inter- ested in Mansfield's residents' concerns; he doesn't want the bridge opened; he questioned the response time to a new fire station; and stated that he would like the Selectmen to look at alter- native options. Mike McMann, 399 Gilbert Street, expressed the concerns over additional traffic as a result of reopening the bridge, suggested the Selectmen petition the Federal Government to allow emer- gency access only over the bridge, suggested the speed limit be twenty miles per hour for one - quarter mile on both sides of the bridge, traffic speed in general on Gilbert Street. Brian McCafferty, Otis Street, submitted a petition of over one hundred signatures in favor of opening the Gilbert Street bridge and stated that traffic on Otis Street has increased sig- nificantly since the bridge has been closed, there is a lot of speeding on Otis Street, Gilbert Street is a thoroughfare that dates back to colonial times, and if the Gilbert Street bridge is to remain closed the Town should explore closing other bridges in town. Dick Sheehan, 355 Otis Street, stated that the bridge should either be rebuilt or torn down, suggested limiting access to the bridge to emergency vehicles only, and suggested installation of stop signs at the Otis Street /Gilbert Street intersection. At Zerella, 471 Gilbert Street, stated that he feels the Selectmen will be negligent if they don't address concerns of the residents, questioned emergency response times, the width of Gilbert Street vs. width of other Town roads, asked the Selectmen to walk Gilbert Street, and sug- gested installation of sidewalks. Marilyn Plasto, 25 Otis Street, stated that traffic on Otis Street has increased since the bridge has been closed and suggested speed enforcement. Tim Miller, 351 Balcom Street, encouraged reopening the Gilbert Street bridge Richard Morse, 581 Elm Street, stated that he is in favor of opening the bridge to traffic Joan Consalvo, 417 Gilbert Street, stated that speed enforcement would have to take place with the opening of the bridge and expressed concern that a portion of her land will be taken to reconstruct the bridge. Earl Forbes, 410 Gilbert Street, express concern over land which will be taken for reconstruc- tion, the stage of the project at which the public hearing was held, suggested that Gilbert Street be repaired prior to the bridge being opened, and requested sidewalks be installed. After discussion among the Board of Selectmen concerning installation of sidewalks on Gilbert Street, keeping the Gilbert Street bridge closed, possibility of a truck exclusion on the bridge, speed limit, tonnage limit on the bridge, reopening vs, rebuilding a new bridge, schedule for resurfacing Gilbert Street, requesting recommendations from the Police Department to curtail speeding, and dividing the present detour to shift some traffic off of Balcom Street, the follow- ing motion was made: MOTION: To petition the State Executive Office of Transportation with concerns that the Board of Selectmen has regarding reconstruction of the Gilbert Street bridge as it relates to the present road elevation and ask them to consider additional fund- ing for reconstruction and installation of sidewalks because of the increase in the size of the bridge, the load limit, and the fact that they are putting sidewalks over the bridge but the street does not have them. Also, note the Consalvo and Forbes properties drainage because of the manner in which the new height of the bridge ties into the present elevation of the roadway, speed limits should be lowered, and any of the concerns mentioned by Selectmen Pasquale and Penney. Selectman Royle asked the Town Engineer and the DPW Director to cut the brush on or before school begins to make the road safer so that the children can walk in a safe area. Copies of this letter should be sent to Senator Keating and Representative Hyland for their support. (Royle- Pasquale) (3 -1) Selectman Penney Opposed. PASSES. After the above motion was voted on, Selectmen Pasquale suggested the wording of the letter and the Town Engineer said that he had the items of concern. Selectman Penney asked to change his vote; Chairman Robinson called for a revote on the above motion, which was unanimous. Old Business Town Manager Town Manager, William Williams, referenced a memorandum from Robert Swanson, Town Engineer, to him concerning the Ware Street Sidewalks award of the construction contract. Within the memorandum, the Town Engineer recommended the Board of Selectmen issue a purchase order for $362,223.50 to Capone Bros, who is the low bidder, for construction of paved or bituminous concrete sidewalks and sloped granite curbing for the Ware Street sidewalks project. MOTION: To issue a purchase order in the amount of $362,223.50 to Capone Bros, who is the low bidder, for construction of paved or bituminous concrete sidewalks and sloped granite curbing for the Ware Street sidewalks project. ( Royle- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. Selectman Penney was not present for the above ntotlon. Purchase Order for Tata Howard in the amount of $171,200 for Ash Property well site pilot test design, permit, permit construction bid specifications, review of bids and recommendation of award to contractor for the Ash Property as included in Sections 5.1.1 through 5.1.3, 5.1.6, & 5.1.7 of the proposal dated July 15, 1994 MOTION: To approve the purchase order in the amount of $171,200 for Ash Property well site pilot test design, permit, permit construction bid specifications, review of bids and recommendation of award to contractor of the Ash Property as included in Sections 5.1.1 through 5.1.3, 5.1.6, & 5.1.7 of the proposal dated July 15, 1994. (Pasquale- Royle) All in favor. PASSES. Report on Selectmen's Meeting of July 27, 1994 Concerning Water Issues Robert Swanson, Town Engineer, gave a summary of the Selectmen's meeting held on July 27, 1994, at which he, Dave Archard, members of the Board of Health, and Paul Howard of Tata and Howard discussed the Town's water supply. Also discussed was that at that meeting the Selectmen voted to put on a voluntary guideline for water use on an every other day basis for outside water use. Members of the Board of Selectmen asked Mr. Swanson questions concerning the Cate Springs well site usage, DEP requirements with regard to safe pumping time limits, and the number of wells that are currently pumping. Projects Update Next, the Town Manager gave an update and mentioned the time frames for the Maple Street project, gave the dates certain streets in Mansfield will undergo crack sealing, and stated that the Whitetail Lane and Jewell Street drainage projects will be beginning in the near future. Selectmen Selectman Penney asked Mr. Swanson if he has looked into the location the State would like to locate the William Street bridge relative to the Conservation land. 8. Questions and Comments NONE 9. Weekly Business A. Warrant Nos. 5 & 6 MOTION: To approve Warrant No. 5 in the amount of $1,200,786.26. (Pasquale- Royle) Selectman Royle abstained from all Board of Health related items. All in favor. PASSES. MOTION: To approve Warrant No. 6 in the amount of $608,512.46. (Pasquale - Royle) Selectman Royle abstained from all Board of Health related items. All in favor. PASSES. B. Licenses and Permits Common Victualler License Application for Stefano's Pizza & Subs Under a New Owner, Thomas Bissen MOTION: To approve the Common Victualler License application for Stefano's Pizza. ( Royle- Penney) All in favor. PASSES. The Selectmen signed orders of takings for the Ware Street sidewalks. 10. New Business Town Manager Purchase Order in the amount of $8,094.50 for Mansfield Glass to remove all existing glass at east and west elevations and replace with new glass MOTION: To approve the purchase order in the amount of $8,094.50 for Mansfield Glass to remove all existing glass at east and west elevations of the Town Hall and replace with new glass. (Pasquale - Royle) All in favor. PASSES. 11. Weekly Business Continued A. Minutes of July 6, 1994 MOTION: To approve the minutes of July 6, 1994. ( Royle- Pasquale) (3 -0 -1) Selectman Pasquale abstained. PASSES. B. Correspondence ACTION CORRESPONDENCE Resident Letter from Linda J. Monaco, 25 Donald Allen Drive, to the Board of Selectmen requesting permission to hold a block party on Saturday, August 13, with attached recommendations from the Police and Fire Departments MOTION: To approve the request. (Penney- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. Board and Committee Letter of resignation to the Board of Selectmen from Bob Thompson, Finance Committee MOTION: To accept Mr. Thompson's resignation and send him a letter thanking him for his services. (Roy le- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. Memorandum from the Municipal Building Committee to the Board of Selectmen requesting a waiver of the building permit fees associated with the structural repair of the auditorium wall in the Mansfield High School MOTION: To waive the Town's portions of the building permit fees. (Pasquale- Penney) All in favor. PASSES. Town Manager and Staff Letter from Larry Gallagher, Town Accountant, to the Board of Selectmen stating that increas- iug mileage reimbursement from $.26 to $.28 would increase department budgets by about $4 or $S per year and that he believes that departments have enough money in their budgets to cover the increase MOTION: To raise the mileage reimbursement from $.26 to $.28. (Pasquale- Penney) All in favor. PASSES. Miscellaneous Letter from Christopher Rappold, Personal Best Sport Karate Super Center, requesting the Selectmen's cooperation in selecting worthy candidates as recipients of scholarships for a one year study of the martial arts A consensus of the Selectmen was in favor of tabling this piece of correspondence and asking the Parks and Recreation Director for a recommendation. 12. New Business Selectmen Selectman Royle questioned who should be asked to investigate installing a stop sign at the in- tersection of Otis Street and Gilbert Street as well as a "GO SLOW CHILDREN" sign on Gil- bert Street. The Town Manager and the Town Engineer will review this. Selectman Penney referenced a memorandum from the Town Manager to the Board of Asses- sors and a memorandum from Richard Lewis, Environmental and Conservation Planner to the Town Manager concerning land on Plymouth Street as a proposed site for a Fire Station which the Selectmen were copied on. Discussion of the land followed among the Selectmen and the Town Manager. MOTION: To direct the Town Manager to proceed with the conveyance of the parcel of land at the corner of Plymouth Street and School Street just large enough for a proposed fire station that would not preclude us from moving further. (Penney - Royle) All in favor. PASSES. 13. Adjournment - 11: Date of Approval