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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 1-24-1996k BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JANUARY 24 1996 �! r t`_t.D All 9: 19 PRESENT: Chairman Royle, Clerk Ronald, Selectmen Colella, Pasquale, and Robinson William F. Williams, Town Manager Christopher Marion, Assistant to the Town Manger 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. A. Warrant No. 31 - $3,469,816.25 MOTION: To approve Warrant No. 31 in the amount of $3,469,816.25. (Robinson - Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. Chairman Royle abstained from all Board of Health items, and Clerk Ronald abstained from Electric Department items. B. Licenses and Permits • Scott/Goyea Farm Grant Contract MOTION: To sign. (Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. • Class II License Renewal Application of C& S Used Trucks and Equipment MOTION: To sign. (Pasquale - Colella) (4 -0 -1) Selectman Robinson abstained. PASSES. 3 ® Open Air Parking Facility License Renewal Application of Nancy McNeeley for 888 South Main Sheet MOTION: To approve the renewal. (Pasquale - Colella) (4 -0 -1) Clerk Ronald abstained. PASSES. • Application of Player's Choice for a Public Entertainment on Sundays License for automatic amusement devices at 10 Reservoir Sheet MOTION: To approve. (Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. • Memo from the School Department to the Town Manager with an attached Reserve Fund Transfer Request in the amount of $24,600 for two snow blowers and a pick -up tuck MOTION: Not to recoimnend approval of the Transfer. (Pasquale- Robinson) (4 -1) Chairman Royle Opposed. PASSED. Page -1- Selectman Pasquale noted that buying a pick -up hock in the middle of the year is against the capital improvements budget and that it is the wrong time of year to be purchasing snow removal equipment. Clerk Ronald stated he does not feel enough information was given on the request. Selectman Robinson suggested alternatives be explored, i.e. making one operational snow blower out of the parts of the existing broken snow blowers. • Letter to Dick Lewis, Environmental and Conservation Planner, from the Board of Selectmen in support of the Open Space and Recreation Plan update MOTION: To sign the letter as written. (Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. C. Minutes • Minutes of January 17, 1996 MOTION: To approve the minutes. (Robinson - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. D. Correspondence ACTION Board and Committee Memo from Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and Development, requesting, on behalf of the Fair Housing Committee members, that the size of the Fair Housing Committee he increased from five to seven members MOTION: To increase the size of the Fair Housing Committee from five to seven members. (Colella- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. The vacancy should be advertised for one week and the Selectmen should be copies on the one application the Selectmen's Office is in receipt qf. OTHER Resident Letter from Marianne Macdonald to the Board of Selectmen with attached copy of a letter she sent to Mass Highway Letter from Venise Caven, 17 Frances Avenue, complaining about Mansfield Taxi Ibis letter should be forwarded to the Police Chief. Board and Committee Memo from the Planning Board to the Board of Selectmen concerning the Cleveland Twist Open air Parking Permit Application Page -2- Government Letter from Massachusetts State Lottery Commission to the Board of Selectmen stating that the Holiday Inn applied for a KENO license Letter from Senator Keating and Representatives Poirier and Hyland concerning Public Safety building funding along with copies of letters sent to Senator Keating and Representatives Poirier and Hyland fi•om Police Chief O'Neill and Fire Chief Sliney in response Miscellaneous Letter from Time Warner Cable to the Board of Selectmen concerning their contract with the Town Invitations to the fifth grade D.A.R.E graduations on January 31 and February 1, 1996 2. Questions and Comments Karl Clermney, 390 West Street, asked if he could ask questions during the Selectmen's review of ACME /Cleveland Twist's application for an open air parking facility at 75 Chauncy Street. 3. 8:00 PM Harvey Gack d /b /a PATNA - Class II License Public Hearing Chairman Royle explained that a public hearing was scheduled for PATNA two weeks ago to discuss the office location of PATNA, 1 Fowler Street. The owner of the office building sent a fax, in response to an inquiry made by the Selectmen, stating that Mr. Gack's does not rent space to him. Since that tune, Mr. Gack submitted a letter from Health through Hands, a tenant at 1 Fowler Sheet, stating that he does rent space to Mr. Gack. A consensus of the Board of Selectmen was satisfied that Mr. Lack's business location is 1 Fowler Street, as stated on his license, and was in favor of issuing his Class 1I license for 1996. 4. Application of ACME Cleveland Twist - Open Air Parking Facility at 75 Chauncy Street The applicant, Joe Ditchman of ACME Cleveland, and his engineer, Craig Miller, STV Group, were present for the license review. Chairman Royle referenced a memorandum from the Planning Board to the Selectmen concerning the application along with an attached copy of their site plan review recommendation. Clerk Ronald read the site plan review recommendation aloud. Page -3- Craig Miller stated that he met with Department Heads on January 3 for site plan review and the Planning Board on January 17, also for site plan review. Mr. Miller stated that he has addressed all comments and is waiting for site plan approval from the Building inspector. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments r. Selectman Colella cornmented on and asked questions concerning the number of spaces being requested, setting aside spaces for "Mansfield Residents Only" (the applicant is willing to set aside a portion of the spaces for `Mansfield Residents Onl), " or to give Mansfield residents the first option), fixture expansion of the site, employment of a full - time parking lot attendant, responsibility of the cost of a police detail to direct traffic leaving the lot. Selectman Colella also stated that he will not support downtown expansion or any additional parking, and that he has to value people in the neighborhood. Chairman Royle compared proposed use traffic with past conditions when ACME Cleveland was in operation. Chairman Royle also stated that she would support the application contingent upon applicant covering the cost of a morning police detail and site plan approval being granted by the Building Inspector. Public Comment Tom Bifano, Nelson Way, stated that Mansfield residents need spaces. Dave Hurmnon, Branch Sheet, recommended the Board of Selectmen consider establishing a satellite commuter lot in the Cabot Business Park and stated that he would ' like to see people working at ACME Cleveland Twist. Domra Harrington, Highland Avenue, inquired about the Police Department's comments on the application, why "Phase I" is noted on the plan, stated that there is no reason why Mansfield cannot have two train stops, and asked if a traffic light could be installed at the Rt. 106 Highland Avenue intersection regardless of what happens with this application. Selectman Pasquale responded that the Selectmen requested the State install a bqf light at this intersection in the past and also requested the Town Engineer look into ri,hat happened when the request eras made. Tom Corrigan, West Street, expressed support for the application and sated that no spaces are left in the present lots after 7:00 AM. Dana 'Anritney, Foxboro resident, stated he is under agreement to purchase a house in Mansfield and he is in support of the application. Lori Zineki - Winer, Frederick Lane, stated no spots are left at 7:15 AM and that she welcomes the additional 172 as proposed. Page -4- Willy Arbuck, Elm Sheet, questioned the applicant's responsibility to pay for the detail. Dean Street resident expressed support for the additional spaces. Don Dibolt, Cooper Road, stated that he takes the 6:40 AM train and is able to find a parking space but that his neighbors take later trains and are unable to find spaces. Mr. Dibolt also expressed support for the application. Tom McShane, Frederick Lane, requested the Selectmen approve the application and stated that the additional spaces are desperately needed by Mansfield residents. Mr. McShane also requested preference be given to Mansfield residents. Michelle Barton, Mary Alice Way, stated the owners of the proposed lot have a responsibility to take care of the traffic and pay for the detail. Karl Clenrrmey, 390 West Sheet, expressed his support for the application and asked if a Police report had been submitted on the application. Board of Selectmen Questions & Comments Members of the Board of Selectmen commented on or questioned the following: receiving a detailed report from the Police Department, when the last traffic study was conducted in the area, if a copy of the traffic study had been submitted to the Selectmen, number of handicap spaces, if ACME Cleveland has any agreements with the MBTA, two commuter stations rather than one, exploring "high speed switches ", proposed use compliance with zoning, fairness in requesting a portion of the lot be delineated for Mansfield residents only, submission of a traffic management plan, and morning traffic detail responsibility. MOTION: To approve the application for 172 space at ACME Cleveland for an open air parking facility contingent upon a favorable recommendation of the Building Inspector and Chief of Police for safety issues. (Pasquale -Royle passed the gavel to Selectman Robinson, who passed the gavel to Selechnan Pasquale) (2 -3) Chairman Royle and Selectman Pasquale in favor. FAILS. Prior to the vote on the above motion, Selectmen made the following comments: e Selechnan Colella stated that he has spoken with a lot of people in the neighborhood of the proposed open air parking facility who are against approval of the license. Page -5- i 5 • Clerk Ronald noted that he will not be voting in favor of the license until the Selectmen receive a report and traffic management plan from Police Chief O'Neill and Traffic Safety Officer Lawson. • Chairman Royle asked Police Chief O'Neill if the license is approved and he finds the traffic is not manageable, would he require a morning detail. Police Chief O'Neill responded affirmatively and stated that the Selectmen could then revoke the license based upon public safety, should a detail not be employed. Once the Police Chief establishes a traffic plan and meets with the Department of Public Works and Building Inspector, the license application will be scheduled on the Selectmen's agenda again. 5. 9:45 PM Budget Reviews A. Department of Public Works (DPW) Present for the review were Dan Clifford, DPW Director, Betty Amicone, DPW Office Manager, John Buckley, Assistant DPW Director, and Ken Hackett, Wastewater Treatment Manager. Dan Clifford, DPW Director, reviewed the following budgets with the Selectmen: Refuse/Recycling, Motor Pool, Winter Maintenance, Public Buildings, and Highway Department. Mr. Clifford noted proposed changes in each of the budgets as follows: an increase is requested in the recycling line item to cover the cost of weekly curbside pickup; one position has been transferred from Highway budget to Building Operations; the Building Operations budget also reflects an increase in expenses to cover the cost of increased utility expenses once the Park Row School is utilized as the new town hall; one new laborer's position is proposed in the Highway budget; and a clerk's position is proposed to be shared between Engineering and DPW. John Buckley reviewed the Water Department budget noting an increase in temporary support to employ a meter reader while the flushing program is in place. Next, Ken Hackett, Wastewater Treatment Manager, reviewed the Wastewater Treatment budget noting an increase to purchase a new bulldozer. The current bulldozer is not and never was the proper model for what it is used for. The bulldozer is not being requested under the capital budget so that the expense may be shared with other conmminities. B. Engineering Department Lee Azinheira, Town Engineer, reviewed the Engineering budget. Mr. Azinheira noted that he is requesting an additional part -time clerical position to be shared with DPW. Page -6- 4 Following the Engineering Department budget review, Mr. Azinheira reviewed events that occurred on January 19 involving a sewer back up on Branch Street while referencing a memorandum from him to the Town Manager, dated January 24, 1996. C. Council on Aging/Social Services The last budgets reviewed this evening were Social Services and Council on Aging. Gale Fanugia, Council on Aging Director, and Debby Robichaud, Social Worker, were present for the review., Ms. Fanugia emphasized the need for additional space for Social Services, especially for the food panty. At the conclusion of the budget review, Ms. Fanugia reviewed a memorandum from her to Mr. Williams relaying a request of GATRA to include GATRA's vehicles in the Town's fleet policy as a cost savings. (GATRA's budget is being cut by $300,000.) This request is being reviewed. 6. Selectman • Old/New Business Clerk Ronald stated that all warrant articles for the Annual Town Meeting are due by February 1, 1996. Selectman Pasquale stated that he thinks the Selectman should place an article on the warrant to see where the residents feel the train station should he located; Chairman Royle suggested a non - binding referendum. 7. Adjournment - 11:00 PM MOTION: To adjourn. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. 's Signature Date of Approval Page -7-