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Home My WebLink AboutBOS MINUTES 2-15-1995BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES FEBRUARY 15, 1995 cJ n --9 f. i, 111, 05 PRESENT: Chairman Robinson, Clerk Ronald *, Selectmen Pasquale. Penney aiid Royi81 William F. Williams, Town Manager `Left at 8:30PM 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30PM with a Sande to the Flag. The Selectmen welcomed Boy Scout Troop 55 to the meeting. Troop 55 was in attendance as a requirement for the Citizenship in the Community Badge. a. MOTION: To approve Warrant # 34. (Penney/Pasquale) 5 -0 -0 Selectwoman Royle abstained from Board of Health items, Chairman Robinson abstained from Light Department items. PASSES b. Licenses and Permits MOTION: To waive the Town's portion of the fees associated with the permits for renovations to the Roland Green School. (Pasquale/Pefiney) 5 -0 -0 PASSES C. MOTION: To accept the minutes of January 25, 1995, as corrected. (Royle/Pasquale) 5 -0 -0 PASSES MOTION: To accept the minutes of February 1, 1995, as corrected. (Royle/Pasquale) 5 -0 -0 PASSES MOTION: To accept the minutes of February 8, 1995. (Pasquale/Royle) 5 -0 -0 PASSES d. Correspondence • letter from Sharon Taxi RE: new applicant for taxi service. • letter from the American Red Cross RE: Proclamation of March as Red Cross Month. • letter from the Executive Office of Conrmmnity Development RE: Block Grant • memo from Shaun Burke RE: Warrant Articles • letter from Gerald Wasserman RE: Cable Complaint • letter from Attleboro City Hall RE: Tax Survey • memo from Chairman Robinson to Steve MacCaffrie RE: Municipal - Architect • letter from Cance River Aquifer Advisory Committee RE: February meeting • letter from the City of Attleboro RE: Tax Policies - Dual Tax Rate • letter from CVI RE: Educational Cable Programming. MOTION: To support the proclamation dedicating March as Red Cross Month. (Pasquale(Royle) 5 -0 -0 PASSES Arthur O'Neill, Chief of Police introduced to the Board of Selectmen - Jay Sparro and Samuel Thompson, two new Police Officers. The Officers have recently graduated from the academy after 18 weeks of extensive training. Both officers are residents of Mansfield. 2. Cable /Schools Selectman Ronald informed the Board that CVI was releasing funds for the use of Mansfield Public Schools computer networking program. The money will be used in the High School and in the Robinson Elementary School. Mr, Robert Gurek and Ms. Rosemary Hunter represented the Schools. MOTION: To support the use of the CVI capital funds for the Mansfield Public Schools networking project. (Ronald/Royle) 5 -0 -0 PASSES 3. Sewer /Betterment- Morse Coart/PerkinsfWebster/Mo •row /Dean/Noonan Mr. Robert Swanson, Town Engineer, explained the sewer expansion project to the Board. The residents of the above mentioned neighborhoods had expressed a desire to have sewer service expanded into their neighborhoods. Mr. Swanson stated that the Town would need authorization to borrow the money at Town Meeting. The residents would be charged a proportional betterment. The entire project would be paid for the residents. A public hearing will beset and all residents will be invited. Selectmen Comments: The Selectmen commented on commencement of the project, betterment charge of 100 %versus 67% in East Mansfield, sewer zones, set -up of a savings program to help fund sewer hookup, option of hookup - mandatory or choice. 4. Town Manager Report a. Budget Review There was no increase in the Health Insurance Budget but a cost savings of $600,000. As of Saturday February 11, 1995, the budget is still over the limits of Proposition 2 and 1/2 by approximately $400,000. Tlue Finance Conunittee recommmended the following; increase water and sewer rates to cover the cost of capital improvements, reduction of the Waste Management budget, charge the salary of the MBC secretary and DPW over time to the respective Capital Projects, an increase in the social services budget for the additional of a part time clerk, reduce the snow budget by $17,700 and implement a fee for the resident parking sticker, reduce the Police and Fire Department Budgets.. Selectmen Comments: The Board of Selectmen commented on the memo from FINCOM. Their contents included authority of FINCOM, the Board of Selectmen set the policy, additional of staff. MOTION: To support the Mansfield Green Budget. (Pasquale/Pemrey) 4 -0 -0 (Ronald not present) PASSES MOTION: Not to support the recommendation to increase the Water and Sewer Fees to cover capital improvements or to reduce the snow budget as recommended by FINCOM. (Royle/Penney) 4 -0 -0 (Ronald not present) PASSES MOTION: Not to support the request for the $7500 increase for the social services secretarial budget. (Pasquale/Penney) 3 -1 -0 (Robinson opposed - Ronald not present) MOTION: To keep the Council on Aging and the Social Services Department budgets separate. (Pasquale/Royle) 4 -0 -0 (Ronald not present) PASSES MOTION: Not to support the institution of a fee for the Resident sticker. (Royle/Pasquale) 4 -0 -0 (Ronald not present) PASSES MOTION: Not to support offsetting the MBC secretarial salary and DPW overtime salary expense under the Capital Plan projects.(Royle/Pasquale) 4 -0 -0 (Ronald not present) DPW Roads and Sidewalks Mr. Dan Clifford spoke to the Board of Selectmen regarding Chapter 90 projects The request for Chapter 90 funds are for South Main, School, Elm and Central Streets. MOTION: To approve Chapter 90 fund projects for FY96 in the amount of $425,757.90. (Royle/Pasquale) 5 -0 -0 PASSES MOTION: To approve the purchase order for $8,000 to replace the handrails on North Main Street. (Royle/Petmey) 5 -0 -0 PASSES MOTION: To approve the replacement of the pumps at the underpass on North Main Street funded under the Capital Improvement Program for $60,000. (Penney/Pasquale) 5 -0 -0 PASSES Mr. Clifford stated that he has used one third of his allowance for snow removal this year. C. MBTA - Selectmen Decision The Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Williams discussed the situation with the MBTA (`T "). The `T" and the Town have had many discussions and meetings to work out a solution to the parking dilemma. The Town has felt that the `T" has not been willing to compromise on a solution. Selectwonan Royle was concerned that the `T" had received a memo from the `T" Advisory Conunnittee in advance of the Board of Selectmen. The `T" has rumored that they will relocate the station from the center of Mansfield to a new location in West Mansfield. MOTION: To send a letter to the `T" from the Board of Selectmen stating they are not in favor of the additional !,089 parking spaces as presented in the plan. (Royle/Pasquale) 5 -0 -0 C. February 18, 1995 - Planning Seminar Mr. Williams stated that there were approximately 90 people signed up for the all -day planning workshop. The results of the Town Survey will be distributed. 5. Auditors Report - Brown and Barrett Mr. Bob Brown and Mr. Steve Barrett represented the firm of Brown and Barrett Auditors. They introduced themselves and gave a summary of their history and experience. This is the first audit they had performed for the Town of Mansfield. The report given to the Town is comprised of three different reports being the Bonding, Federal Audit and the Management Letter Reports. Selectmen Comments: Continents from the Selectmen included missing revenues from the Water Department (billed VS metered), congratulations of the good job being done by Mrs. Joan Cutillo, treasurer, and Mr. Larry Gallagher, accountant, management letter and need to update, rating of cash flow, computer conversion - possible pitfalls to avoid and helpful hints to perform, grading of town as a strong `B ", collection of revenue, stabilization account. Mrs. Cutillo and Mr. Gallagher stated they were pleased with the audit. 6. Pole Petition - Mass Electric Company - Public Hearing A request has been received to relocated 5 poles on Chauncy Street adjacent to the new Stop & Shop Facility. The poles need to be relocated because of the location of the driveway. MOTION: To approve the request to relocate five poles on Chauncy Street per the plan submitted by Mass Electric. (PasqualelRoyle) 4 -0 -0 (Ronald not present) PASSES 7. Questions and Comments There were no comments and questions from the public. 8. Old Business Selectwoman Royle asked about the location of the Great Woods signs. Selectmen Pasquale asked about the request from Foxboro for sewer service to non- critical area. Selectmen Penney asked about the Bids on the Salt Shed. 9. New Business A memo had been received from FINCOM requesting that a Capital Plan Review Committee be established. The Board felt that they were satisfied with the information that they were receiving from their appointed members. They discussed that FINCOM could contact the MBC and the Town Accountant about receiving financial reports. Selectmen Pasquale asked about AMTRAK'S High Speed train service and requested that the Board be kept informed. Chairman Robinson requested that all Town Officials be contacted about possible requests for Town Meeting and suggested that the sound system and other items be handled prior to that evening to avoid any delay or confusion. Selectmen Penney suggested that the Questions and Comment Section of the meeting be addressed earlier in the evening. Executive Session: The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to go into executive session to discuss contract negotiation 10. Adjournment - 10:45PM MOTION: To adjourn. (Penney/Pasquale) 4 -0 -0 (Ronald not present) PASSES erk's ignature Date of Acceptance