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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 3-15-1995BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES -1 n o. .� J fit Sig G � . ",i ii 4�' �'J MARCH 15, 1995 PRESENT: Amos Robinson, Chairman, Douglas Ronald, Clerk, and Selectmen Pasgnidej Penney, and Royle 1. 7:30 PM The meeting was called to order followed by the pledge of allegiance. 2. Presentation of Checks - Plymouth Street Recreational Fields Ed Tartufo presented the Board of Selectmen with two checks for the Plymouth Street Recreational Fields- - one from Dr. Raymond Martin hr the amount of $500 and one from CVI in the amount of $300. Mr. Tartufo also mentioned that certain Boy Scouts are working towards their Eagle Scout awards and will be building six picnic tables and donating them to the Town for use at the Plymouth Street fields. Lastly, Mr. Tartufo noted that Mansfield Rotary will be sponsoring a Las Vegas Night on Friday,March 24, 1995 to benefit the Plymouth Street Recreational Fields. 3. Recognition of Southeast Regional Honor Student At this time, Ryanma Robson was honored by the Board of Selectmen for being named an outstanding vocational student at Southeast Regional High School. Miss Robson currently ranks first in her class of two hundred sixty students. A certificate will be sent to Miss Robson from the Board of Selectmen. 4. Weekly Meeting Business a.Warrant. No. 36 - $684,613.23 MOTION: To approve. (Pasquale- Royle) Selectman Royle abstained from all Board of Health related items. PASSES. b. Warrant No. 38 - $489,926.65 MOTION: To approve. (Royle-Penney) Selectman Royle abstained from all Board of Health related items. PASSES. 5. Discussion with Chief Sliney and Chief O'Neill a. Recent Personnel Appointments Fire Chief Slnney stated that Richard Fiske, who was also present, has been promoted from Firefighter to Lieutenant. Police Chief O'Neill stated that Walter Crickard, who was present, has been promoted to Lieutenant, and Richard Brocvnn has been promoted to Sergeant. Newly appointed Lieutenant Crickard and Sergeant Brown were sworn in by Judith Scott, Town Clerk, at this time. b. Emergency Drill Report Fire Chief Slhney, Robert Button of Mansfield Emergency Management Agency, and Police Chief O'Neill updated the Selectmen on a drill they conducted on Saturday March 11, 1995. At the conclusion of the i update, Chief Sliney stated that the Fire and Police Departments expended $2,600 for the drill and requested the Selectmen consider a transfer to put the money back into their budgets. Town Manager William Williams stated that one of two methods could be utilized, a reserve fund transfer or a Special Town Meeting article to cover the amount. Mr. Williams conunended all agencies involved in the drill. Selectman Penney suggested that thought be given to having a similar drill on a hot summer day. 6. Weekly Meeting Business Continued a. Licenses and Permits Application of the Mansfield Women of Today for a Garden Champagne Auction at Great Woods for May 7, 1995 MOTION: To approve the license. (Pasquale- Penney) All in favor. PASSES. b. Minutes of March 8, 1995 MOTION: To approve. (Pasquale - Royle) (4 -0 -1) Selectmen Penney abstained. PASSES. c. Correspondence ACTION CORRESPONDENCE Resident Correspondence: Letter from John Folan of Folan's Prescription Shop to the Board of Selectmen requesting the Selectmen demand that the Town's health care provider accept him into their network The Town Manager, William Williams, has conveyed this to the Health Care provider. Board and Committee Correspondence: Letter of resignation from Mike McClanahan from the Planning Board MOTION: To accept his letter of resignation and send him a letter thanking him for his service to the Town. (Pasquale - Royle) All in favor. PASSES. Letter of resignation from Jerry Cormier from the Conservation Conunission MOTION: To accept his letter of resignation and send hum a letter thanking him for his service to the Town. ( Royle- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. Letter from Joy Lee Eppes, Chairman, Council on Aging, to the Board of Selectmen concerning the Social Services budget OTHER CORRESPONDENCE Board and Committee Correspondence: Memorandum from the Planning Board to the Board of Selectmen requesting time on the Selectmen's agenda and questioning the Planning Department's move to the Town Hall The Planning Board asked that this memo he read out loud. 7. 8:25 PM Street Acceptance Public Hearing Joanna Drive, Beaumonts Pond Road, and Whitetail Lane Dan Clifford, DPW Director, and Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and Development, were present for this public hearing. Mr. Burke explained the purpose of the public hearing is for the 2 Selectmen to layout the ways of Joanna Drive, Beaumonts Pond Road, and Whitetail Lane. Mr. Clifford went over the punch lists for the three streets and stated that he is recommending acceptance of all three. If punch lists are not completed, they will be pulled from the warrant. Board of Selectmen comments: Members of the Board of Selectmen asked if the Whitetail Lane /School Street island is all set and if boulders near the Beaumonts Pond retention area will be taken away. At 8:35 PM Chairman Robinson closed the public hearing. Mr. Clifford also went over the remaining punch lists on the Town Meeting warrant. Mr. Burke stated that the Planning Board voted to recommend acceptance of all the streets except for Tracy Circle, Meagans Way, and Sturbridge Drive if punch lists have been completed by April 5, 1995. MOTION: To layout Joanna Drive, Beaumonts Pond Road, and Whitetail Lane as public ways as recommended by the Planning Board. (Royle- Ronald) All in favor. Selectman Penney was not present for this vote. 8. 8:40 PM Town Manager Report A.Cedar Ridge Subdivision Discussion with Shaun Burke Director of Planning and Development and Dan Clifford DPW Director Dan Clifford, DPW Director, stated that lie had a meeting with the developer of the Cedar Ridge development concerning recent trench settlement at the subdivision and Mill Street. In the meeting, the developer agreed to rectify the problem. Board of Selectmen Comments: Members of the Board of Selectmen suggested not allowing streets to be opened after a certain date in winter to prevent trench settlement. Also discussed was the bond amount required for street openings. B.DPW Purchase Order Purchase Order for handrails on the westbound side of Rt. 106 in the amount of $7,870 MOTION: To sign. (Pasquale- Penney) All in favor. PASSES. C. Waiver of Permit Fees Mr. Clifford requested a waiver of the Conservation fees for the installation of sidewalks on Otis, Fruit, and East Streets. MOTION: To request the Conservation Commission waive the Town's portion of the Conservation fees for the project to install sidewalks on Otis, Fruit, and East Streets. (Pasquale- Penney) All in favor. PASSES. ( D. Mike Ahearn - Skilled Laborer William Williams, Town Manager, stated that the newly appointed DPW Skilled Laborer, Mike Ahearn, is covered by the Town's insurance with MIAA when doing electrical work for the Town, as long as he is paid by the Town. 9. 9:00 Ash Property Discussion with Robert Swanson, Town Engineer, David Archard, Assistant Town Engineer, and Paul Howard of Tata & Howard Paul Howard of Tata and Howard explained water testing requirements of DEP and the Department of Environmental Affairs relative to the Ash Property Well site. At the conclusion of the discussion, the following motion was made and voted on. MOTION: To support testing for cryptosporidium up to $20,000. ( Royle- Penney) All in favor. PASSES. 10, Town Manager Report a. Budget Update William Williams, Town Manager, stated if the State reduces their budget the Town will have to reduce its by $86,000 and recommended that amount be eliminated from the Town's budget now. A consensus of the Selectmen was in favor of reducing the Town's budget by $86,000 now and replacing it if it becomes available. William Williams, Town Manager, stated that the Capital Improvements budget was approved by the Committee at $150,000. Next discussed was funding in the amount of $3,500 for a Council on Aging clerk. MOTION: To reconsider the vote to deny funding in the amount of $3,500 for part - time secretarial help for the Council on Aging. (Pasquale - Royle) All in favor. PASSES. Selectman Pasquale stated that Finance Committee Chairman Andres Gazzolo still would like the Council on Aging and Social Services budgets combined. Chairman Robinson stated that the Selectmen would like to keep the budgets separate. b. Planning Session William Williams, Town Manager, stated that a follow up session to the February 18 planning session will be held on Monday, March 27, at the Jordan Elementary School cafeteria. The purpose of the meeting will be to review the objective and report from the February 18 meeting and receive presentations from Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and Development, on a growth management impact by -law and implementation procedure and a transfer request for a Master Plan update. c. Recycling Update William Williams, Town Manager, stated that Waste Management will be starting activities to improve the recycling program and will be providing more information on who is and is not recycling. ( d. MMA Appointment Mr. Williams stated that he will continue his involvement with the MMA Board of Directors, as he was recently appointed by the President. e. MBTA Plans William Williams, Town Manager, stated that he received a letter from John Haley which stated that he will be informed of plans for a MBTA station in West Mansfield in the near future. Selectmen Pasquale requested a letter be sent to Governor Weld, copied to Secretary Keritiotis, Senator Keating and Representatives Hyland and Poirier, stating "The Board of Selectmen of the Towu of Mansfield respectfiilly request your assistance and intervention into the proposal of the MBTA for the expansion of the Mansfield Train Station. The Board of Selectmen have received considerable feedback from the residents of the Town concerning the MBTA's proposal for an expansion in Commuter Parking in Mansfield. Currently we have space for approximately 800 cars the MBTA is requesting that we support the expansion to approximately 2,000 or more cars and the definition of Mansfield as a regional commuter station. The majority of residents have made very clear their feeling that the To«n of Mansfield that they would like to maintain the quality of life in Town including the size and location of the Train Station. While the Board of Selectmen clearly understand the position of the MBTA to add 5,000 additional spaces along this route, we cannot support the bulk of this additional traffic and its inherent burden on our service. The Board of Selectmen have met with the MBTA and informed them that we were not supporting their proposal for the addition of 1,089 new parking spaces immediately in the present location due to the impact on our streets and our quality of life. Instead of offering an alternate proposal for this site, we were threatened with the removal of the station or the possibility of relocating the station to West Mansfield, an exact site is unknown to us at this time and is not consistent with our objective to revitalize the doNvitoivn area. The Board of Selectmen, through the media and a recent letter from John Haley have recently discovered that the MBTA is close to finalizing plans for the expansion into this new site. We are requesting that you intervene and direct the MBTA to work with Board of Selectmen to resolve this problem consistent with the stated objectives of the ToN n. It is not in the best interests of either the MBTA or the Conunoncvealth to bulldoze this project through against the wishes of the people of Mansfield who will have to live with the consequences of this ill- advised proposal. The Board of Selectmen look forward to working with you and the MBTA to resolve this dilemma. We also appreciate your time and effort on this matter. We are confident that you and your office will cooperate with the To «n MOTION: To send the letter to Governor Weld and make him aware of our situation in Mansfield and of the relocation of the train station as proposed by the MBTA. (Pasquale- Royle) All in favor. PASSES. Selectman Royle requested the letter from John Haley be attached to the letter to Governor Weld. It was also suggested that the Train Station Advisory Conunittee be given a copy of the letter to Governor Weld. f. Water Department Vehicle Purchase Purchase Order in the amount of $30,000 for two Water Department vehicles MOTION: To approve. (Pasquale - Ronald) All in favor. PASSES. g. Copeland Drive/Route 140 Signalization William Williams, Town Manager, stated that the Town does not maintain the Route 140 /Copeland Drive intersection traffic signals but the State does. Mr. Williams also stated that he sent a letter to the State Highway Department requesting they replace the signals and study the intersection for other needed requirements. h. United Way Mr. Williams updated the Selectmen about a meeting he attended with the United Way, last Wednesday. Mr. Williams also stated that he would like a member of the Board of Selectmen involved with him with the United Way as a leadership person for their 95 -96 campaign. Selectman Pasquale volunteered to be a leadership person for the campaign. i. YMCA - Jolm Berry School Mr. Williams stated that he forwarded the John Berry lease to Town Counsel for review and to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to review. Selectman Penney asked if the ten acre lot will be used with the John Berry School. If the lot is used also, Selectman Penney suggested that trees be cut, no alterations be made to the lot, and a landscape plan be submitted. Selectman Penney also suggested the following: a statement be added to the contract requiring the YMCA maintain the heat in the building to prevent freezing, the cost of utilities and all permits should be the YMCA's responsibility, a purchase option be included in the lease, a mutually agreed upon two -year extension of the lease be included, and any improvements made should be the property of the Town. j. Airport Conunission Reserve Fund Transfer Mr. Williams informed the Board of Selectmen that neither he nor the Town Accountant were involved in the transfer for the Airport and would hope that at the next Chaimren's meeting, Chairmen be reminded of the procedure for transfers. Selectman Pasquale requested a letter be sent to all Board and Committee Chairmen requesting that all requests for transfers be processed through normal channels prior to submission to the Finance Conunittee. The normal channels being, three copies being made and sent to the Town Accountant who will then forward them to the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen for approval prior to submission to the Finance Committee. The Selectmen do, however, realize that the Finance Conni ittee has the sole responsibility for approval of reserve find transfers. Chairman Robinson requested all Board and Committee Chairman be invited to a Selectmen's meeting to be reminded of the procedure. 11. Presentation of Cable Grant Fund Check by Steve Grossman of CVI Steve Grossman, CVI General Manager, presented the Selectmen with three checks, one in the amount of $122,413.09 representing the amoral cable access fee, a check for $90,000 for the third payment of the capital grant for public access, and lastly a check in the amount of $2,787 for 1994 franchise fee. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments: Members of the Board of Selectmen inquired about stickers being placed on the back of remote controls listing the stations, if Mansfield will ever have ESPN II, if it would be possible for CVI to hold another campaign for free cable hookups, and the status of a Portuguese channel. Lastly, Steve Grossman explained Cable's new "on- time" guarantee. Next, Selectmen Ronald presented Michele Willens, Cable Program Manager, with a Letter of Commendation for her service to the Town of Mansfield. Ms. Willens will be moving on to serve another connmmnity with CVI. 12. Questions and Comments - NONE 13. Board of Selectmen a. Old Business Selectman Penney requested that all minutes he has taken part in be made public. A consensus of the Board was for Clerk Ronald to review the minutes and for the Board to vote on them at their March 22 meeting. Selectman Royle stated that the Municipal Building Committee architect will be presenting preliminary drawings on April 11 in the Mansfield High School Room 101. Selectman Royle also welcomed the Attleboro Hillside Adult Day Care to Mansfield which will be coming to the First Baptist Church. Selectman Pasquale updatd the Selectmen on an open space meeting he attended last Thursday which was held by the Conservation Conunission. Selectman Pasquale requested Town Counsel request the return of additional land adjacent to Route 495. b. New Business Chairman Robinson presented Selectman Penney with a plaque for his service on the Board of Selectmen. MOTION: To close the Special Town Meeting Warrant. (Pasquale - Ronald) All in favor. PASSES. Chairman Robinson spoke of his tenor on the Board of Selectmen referencing the manner in which he has been addressed by the Press in newspaper articles. 14. Adjournment - 10:30 PM MOTION: To adjourn. (Past sale- le) All in favor. PASSES. s g azure Date of Approval