The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutBOS MINUTES 5-24-1995MINUTES MAY 24, 1995 9SJlll16 9 :1S PRESENT: Chairman Royle, Clerk Ronald, Selectmen Colella apfl,,lt0 n$bh;, l I'S 1. Meeting Called to Order - 7:30 PM. 2. Weekly Meeting Business A. Warrant No. 48 - $5,075,386.41 MOTION: To approve. (Colella- -Ronald) (3 -0 -1) Selectman Robinson Abstained. Chairman Royle abstained from all Board of Health items. B. Licenses and Permits The Bagel Train Wine and Malt License Certificate MOTION: To sign. (Ronald- - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Gonsalves Property Eminent Domain Taking MOTION: To sign. (Colella - Ronald) (3--1) Selectman Robinson Opposed. C. Correspondence ACTION CORRESPONDENCE: Board and Committee: Letter of resignation from the Library Board of Trustees from James Whalen, effective June 23 MOTION: To accept the letter of resignation and send him a letter thanking him for his service. (Robinson - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Town Manager and Staff: Memo from Lorilee Fish, Parks and Recreation Director, requesting the public parking lot on North Main Street remain open until 11:00 PM on their movie nights, June 21, July 5 and 19, and August 2, 16, and 30. MOTION: To go with the recommendation of Lorilee Fish on the nights of movies to keep the parking lot open. (Robinson - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Miscellaneous: Letter from Francis J. Gay, Administrator, GATRA, requesting the Selectmen l appoint two representatives to work with them in conducting a security analysis of the commuter rail facilities Mr. Williams, Town Manager, stated that Police Chief Arthur O'Neill and Traffic Safety Officer Lance Lawson are going to represent the Town. OTHER CORRESPONDENCE: Resident: Letter to the Board of Selectmen from Joanne Fry, Raynham, expressing disappointment with the parking situation at the train station State and Local Government: Notices from the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project stating they will begin the mosquito spraying program on May 30 Letter from Selective Service System requesting help in their efforts to identify citizens within our town who are interested in serving their community Miscellaneous: Letter from Geoff Slater, MBTA, to the Selectmen responding to the Selectmen's inquiry on expansion options at the parcel on the northeast corner of the intersection of Route 140 and School Street Memo from the Planning Board concerning Auto Body Pros' Special Permit Application MOTION: To grant an extension of Auto Body' Pro's temporary Class 1I license until May 31. (Colella- Robinson) (3 -1) Chairman Royle Opposed. PASSES. 3. 7:56 PM - MBTA Commuter Parking Public Hearing The following guests were present for this public Hearing: Vahid Ownjazayeri, MBTA; Geoff Slater, MBTA, and Francis Gay, GATRA. Chairman Royle reviewed the timeline of events leading up to this public hearing, stated the purpose of the hearing is to determine if the station should be expanded downtown or relocated, and explained that because Selectman Pasquale was not able to attend the hearing she would like to wait to vote until next week when there is a full Board. Selectman Pasquale will be viewing the tape of the meeting. Geoff Slater introduced himself, Vahid Ownjazayeri, and Frank Gay and reviewed plans for expansion. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments: Selectman Colella stated that he believes most of the parking complaints are from non - residents. Selectman Robinson asked the MBTA about other options they may or may not have explored, e.g. triple tracking. Clerk Ronald referenced a letter from the MBTA in which they refer to the Mansfield station as a "regional" station and stated if that is so, regional access is needed. Donna Harrington, showed a video of Ron Morgan, MBTA employee, at a prior meeting with the MBTA, stating if the people don't want a parking expansion, the "T" won't do it. i Bob Burke, 6 Bella Vista Avenue, expressed concern of traffic for Warren Street and Bella Vista Avenue residents if the downtown station is expanded. Pete Farrell, Morrow Sheet, compared the number of spaces in the Route 128 lot to the number of spaces proposed for Mansfield. Brian McCafferty, Tri -Town Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the loss downtown businesses would experience if the downtown station is relocated and requested an access road out to Rt. 140 be investigated. Chris Waugh, AMTRAK employee, 7 Otis Street, spoke about Mansfield no longer no longer being a small community. Leonard Flynn, Jewell Street, referenced a letter he submitted to the Board of Selectmen dated May 23, 1995, spoke about access to the site, recommended the parking area conform to the Town's parking lot requirements, and referenced a letter from Geoff Slater to the Board of Selectmen dated May 8. Robert Shaw, 379 Central Street, expressed opposition to an access road and concern regarding traffic from other towns. Bob Saquet inquired about the cost to construct a commuter station on School Street, expressed opposition to relocating the station, and supported two stops. Paul O'Neill, 294 Gilbert Street, spoke about money the Town pays GATRA, sewer locations, and which district the Town is in, GATRA or MBTA. Dave Linton, School Street, stated he feels if the station is relocated the business downtown would close up and that the facility would be even larger if moved to We. Mansfield. Mike Morizio, 92 Oak Street, asked the Board not to consider W. Mansfield and spoke about terms used by MBTA representatives. A downtown resident spoke in favor of keeping the station downtown. Bobby Barnes, School Street, expressed concern about traffic on School Street. Gerry Spectin, 46 Bella Vista Avenue, read a letter from Bella Vista Avenue residents, expressed opposition to downtown expansion and an access Road on Winthrop Street, and recommended a shuttle bus. John Bradberg, Warren Avenue, recommended the MBTA put information together on both sites. 1. /oug velvic, I 1 L 111'iI l tfm t\vCIIUC, nvUui u« ivoI v' ..l t - -11.— Y to the Town and sugg csted the Town hire a professional transportation consultant. Cathy Connaughton , 50 Fox Street, expressed support for keeping the existing station and adding a second station somewhere else in town. Police Chief Arthur O'Neill commented on additional traffic on School Street as a result of relocating the station. Michelle Barton, 3 Mary Alice Way, referenced a letter from the 1A1BTA and their letter of clarification dated \play S and spoke to the possibility of a site on Rt. 140. Maureen Clang, Morrow Street, expressed concern regarding traffic and requested a site on Rt. 140 be explored. Nina Palanza, 22 John Street, stated she Nvould like a solution involving traffic exiting onto Rt. 140. Joanne Rys of 16 Park Street suggested a satellite parking area and stated that she walks to the train station. Paul Connor, 96 South Street, Foxboro, Mansfield ,jeep Eagle Owner, referenced traffic issues and expressed concern of what will happen to the Cleveland Twist Drill site if the station is not expanded onto the site. Bob Ledger spoke about an access road, the convenience of walking to the station, and stated that he feels it would be a mistake to move the station to West Mansfield. Phil Finer, Jewell Street, stated that he feels Mansfield's residents would be willing to pay an extra $10 in taxes to make the lots "resident only" as other town's do. Samoset Avenue resident expressed support for keeping the existing station and adding a second station. Mr. Cassaza, Draper Avenue, proposed that representative of the various neighborhoods hold a meeting to discuss solutions. Warren Avenue resident stated he feels the ideal spot would have access to I -495. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments: Selectman Colella questioned why the Representatives are not present and stated that he will not support any additional parking downtown, nor will he support moving to West Mansfield, and he will consider a Rt. 140, I -495, or industrial park site. Selectman Robinson stated that the Dedham commuter lot still is not full. adjourned. aCler � Dat e of Approval