Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 1-31-1996�. BOARD OF SELECTMEN 96 FED 20 27 ( MINUTES January 31, 1996 FTScr r r PRESENT: Chairman Royle, Clerk Ronald, Selectmen Colella, Pasquale, and Robinson William F. Williams, Town Manager Christopher Marion, Assistant to the Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. A. Presentation of Plaque Chairman Royle presented Steven MacCaffrie, former Municipal Building Committee member, with a plaque and thanked him for his fourteen years of service to the Town of Mansfield while on the Municipal Building Committee. B. Warrant No. 32 MOTION: To approve Warrant No. 32 in the amount of $974,714.89. (Pasquale- Colella) Selectman Colella abstained from Voucher No. 8774 and Chairman Royle abstained from all Health Department items and Voucher No. 8927. PASSES. C. Licenses and Permits • Class II License Certificate for C &S Used Trucks and Equipment The Selectmen signed the license certificate that mas approved at last creek's nreeting. • ACME /Cleveland Corporation Open Air Parking Facility License Application Chairman Royle noted that the Selectmen received a letter from Police Chief O'Neill dated January 29, 1996 and a memorandum from Traffic Safety Officer Lawson dated January 28, 1996 concerning traffic management relative to the application. MOTION: To reconsider the application (for a 172 space open air parking facility) which was denied last week. (Ronald - Pasquale) (4 -1) Selectman Colella Opposed. PASSES. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments Selectman Colella requested the Selectmen view a video as requested by a resident. Chainnan Royle responded that the resident had been informed already that the video would not be viewed this evening and stated that the Police Chief and Traffic Safety Officer have viewed the video. Page -I- Clerk Ronald stated two weeks ago he requested information pertaining to traffic safety ( which was not available last week, but is available now. Clerk Ronald also stated that while he takes exception to the traffic management plans, he will have to vote for the license. Selectman Pasquale asked Police Chief O'Neill, who was in attendance, if he had any further recommendations. Police Chief O'Neill responded that he does not particularly care for more cars in that area but that he can live with it. Police Chief O'Neill also made reference to the parking problem downtown, stated the Town may want to petition the MBTA to pay for a portion of a traffic detail, and requested a stipulation be written in the license stating if a police detail is warranted, it shall be ACME /Cleveland's responsibility to pay for it. Selectman Robinson expressed concern about traffic exiting the lot through adjacent neighborhood streets. Selectman Colella stated that the MBTA is putting its burden on the Town of Mansfield. MOTION: To approve the application of ACME Cleveland Twist for 172 parking spaces with the stipulation that if the Police Chief demonstrates the additional traffic creates an additional Police detail, it shall be the applicant's responsibility to pay for the detail. (Pasquale- Ronald) (3 -2) Selectmen Robinson and Colella Opposed. PASSES. Clerk Ronald stated that he would like to see increased traffic enforcement in the area of the newly licensed parking facility, especially during the first four weeks of operation. Clerk Ronald also requested Police Chief O'Neill report back to the Selectmen in four weeks with a report on the traffic and any suggested changes. MOTION: The license cannot be transferred if the property is sold. (Colella - Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. MOTION: No additional parking spaces can be approved for the site, the applicant will have to live with 172 spaces. (Colella -NO SECOND) 2. Questions and Comments Donna Harrington, Highland Avenue, requested the Train Station Advisory Committee be resurrected. A consensus of the Board of Selectmen was in favor of doing so. Page -2- s Karl Clemmey, 390 West Street, requested the Selectmen reconsider their decision to put (l two Town properties for sale, West Mansfield Fire Station and land located at the Route 106/Route 140 intersection. Mr. Clemmey stated he feels the land in West Mansfield may be used as a pump site some time in the future and he feels the Town could get more money for the Route 106 /140 land. Charlene Giblen, 18 Draper Avenue, requested clarification of the traffic pattern in front of Draper Avenue. Ed Benson, 38 Pleasant Sheet, asked the Selectmen if they are of the same understanding as he, in that he does not have to petition the Town Meeting for a transfer of the land on Garden Street because the Town does not have an interest in the land. A consensus of the Board was in agreement. Tun Casaza, 26 Draper Avenue, stated that his family has made a decision to move because of the traffic generated in his neighborhood, and he asked the Selectmen if the Town could help him move. 3. 8:25 Financial Director Discussion Chairman Royle introduced guest speaker, John LeFlenche, Southbridge Finance Director to the Board and public. Also present for this discussion were: Larry Gallagher, Town ( Accountant; Paul Folkrnan, Walter Main, and John McNair, Assessors; Andres Gazzolo, Finance Committee Chairman; Joan Cutillo, Treasurer - Collector; Betty Amicone, DPW Office Manager: Shirley MacPhee, Assistant Assessor; and John Buckley,Assistant DPW Detector. Mr. LeFlenche explained the responsibilities of the Southbridge Finance Director and the structure of their Finance Department. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments Clerk Ronald stated that Mr. LeFlenche may have confirmed the Town is going in the right direction. Selectman Colella stated he is not sure that the creation of a Finance Director would be the right direction. Chairman Royle stated that she supports the position and creation of such a department and that she is sure Town Counsel will assure the Selectmen whether or not the Charter is being adhered to. Selectman Pasquale stated that he is in favor of the position/departnient and that lie feels the Town needs a consolidated Department of Finance that meets all its needs. Page -3- ( Department/Board and Committee Members Questions and Comments Department Heads and Board and Committee members commented on and asked questions concerning the following: whether or not the Town Manager would still oversee the budget, additional head counts, appointing authority of the Assessors, whether or not the change will require a Charter change, the amount of work that will be taken away from the Town Manager, possibility of a Charter revision, and the size of Southbridge's community. Chairman Royle thanked Mr. LeFlenche for attending this evening's meeting and answering the Selectmen's questions. 4. Recognition of Michael Wilhelm, Boy Scout At this time, Chairman Royle recognized Michael Wilhem who was in attendance at the meeting because he is working on a merit badge for boy scouts. Five Minutes Break 5. Licenses and Permits • Open Air Parking Facility License Renewal Application of Karl Clerm ey for 875 South Main Sheet ( MOTION: To approve. (Pasquale- Colella) (4 -0 -1) Clerk Ronald abstained. PASSES. 6. Correspondence A. ACTION: Resident Letter from Rosemarie Hanbury, 191 Copeland Drive, requesting the speed limit on Copeland Drive between LaDonna and Foxboro furniture be reviewed and lowered to the proper speed limit Board and Committee Letter of resignation from Phyllis Krupka from the WWII Scholarship Fund Committee MOTION: To accept Ms. Krupka's letter of resignation. (Pasquale- Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Letter from the Board of Health to the Board of Selectmen requesting the Selectmen fund implementation of the fluoridation of the public water supply in the FY 1997 B. OTHER ( State & Local Government Page -4- Letter from Mass Highway regarding National bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), ( Bridge Rating and Posting Miscellaneous Letter from CVl to the Board of Selectmen stating that effective February 1, 1996 Cablevision Industries will adjust rates for Basic Cable Service and Programming Tier I 7. Town Manager Report e Sewer Capacity Policy Statement dated January 1996 MOTION: To approve and sign the sewer capacity policy statement. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. Williams Street Bridge Mr. Williams referenced two warrant articles received this date from Town Counsel relative to the Williams Sheet Bridge project. Mr. Williams recormnended both articles be placed on the Town Meeting warrant but did not request action be taken by the Selectmen this date, as they were just received. e Road Construction Project Grant Mi•. Williams gave an update on the Town's application for funding for Route 106 reconstruction by referencing a letter from LEA Guertin & Associates, Inc. to Mike Ahern, DPW, dated January 25, 1996. • Town Meeting Articles Mr. Willliams requested specific direction from the Selectmen on the non - binding referendum for the MBTA commuter station location. Five questions should be asked of the Townspeople as follows. To recommend the Board of Selectmen work with the MBTA to solve the commuter parking issue by: 1. Expanding the present downtown station. 2. Relocating the train station to School Sheet across from Plymouth Street. 3. Relocating the train station to the corner of Route 140 and School Street. 4. Close the downtown train station and have no station in Mansfield. 5. Leave as is. 8. Board of Selectmen A. Old Business • Selectmen Salary The Selectmen discussed whether or not to include an article on the Town Meeting warrant for Selectmen's salaries. Selectman Pasquale requested the School Committee be Page -5- / contacted to se if they would like to be included and also stated that he does not have a preference of whether or not to include the article on the warrant. Chairman Royle was in favor of including an article on the warrant but stated if the Selectmen do go forward, they should be united on the issue. Selectmen Colella stated that lie thinks that Mansfield is the only Town in the Commonwealth where its Selectmen are not compensated. a Additional Trains in Mansfield Selectman Colella asked if the Selectmen ever voted on additional trains traveling through Mansfield. • Electric Department Bills Clerk Ronald gave an update on the new Electric bills. B. New Business • Capital Improvements Committee Selectman Robinson gave an update on the Capital Improvements Committee stating that the Committee is continually hying to meet weekly or biweekly to reach the three hundred thousand dollar goal. Selectman Robinson also stated that he feels that an ongoing town building maintenance program needs to be explored. Selectman Pasquale asked if any police cruisers are included in the upcoming budget and requested a complete fleet inventory for the entire town for the next Selectmen's meeting. • Open Space Bond Bill Chairman Royle stated that she was informed this date by Sally Bruno, Senator Keating's aid, that the open space bond bill passed and requested the Environmental and Conservation Planner and Recreation Director be informed of the action. Clerk Ronald asked if any grant applications are ready to go. Selectman Pasquale requested a listing of all State owned property in the Town of Mansfield. • Finance Committee Budget Review Chairman Royle reminded the Selectmen that the next Finance Committee budget review session is scheduled for February 10, 1996. 8. Adjournment - 10:20 PM MOTION: To adjourn. ( Cplella squal All in favor. PASSES. Clerk' Signature Date of Approval Page -6-