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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 10-23-1996Board of Selectmen O Minutes October 23, 1996 occ 1110V 21 Psi 2; 25 Present: Chairman Madan, Clerk Mahana, and Selectmen Colella�:Pasq al 'L �1 Robinson i�SS ;t', i 1J 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. Warrant No. 18 - $898,465.80 MOTION: So moved. (Mahana- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. B. Licenses and Permits • Application of Tanna Doyle for a Common Victualler at the Municipal Airport on Fruit Sheet Tanna Doyle was present to answer the Selectmen's questions such as the restaurant's proposed hours of operation and meals to be served. MOTION: To approve, (Pasquale- Mahana) All in favor. PASSES. • Hackney License Application for Town Tani Vehicle No. 6 MOTION: To approve subject to reinspection by Traffic Safety Officer and it passing. (Mahana- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. • Drainlayers License Application of Team Development Corporation MOTION: To approve. (Robinson - Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES United Nations Day Proclamation for October 24, 1996 MOTION: To approve. (Pasquale- Mahana) All in favor. PASSES. C. Minutes of October 9 MOTION: So moved. (Robinson - Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. D. Correspondence ACTION Resident Letter from Andrea Bonda, 578 Maple Sheet, resigning from the Planning Board MOTION: To accept Andrea Benda's resignation from the Planning Board with regret. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. OTHER Resident Letter fiom James Bilodeau, Jr., 15 Lancashire Drive, on behalf of the petitioners for Alladen Kennels, thanking the Board of Selectmen for its time and consideration on the matter Letters from Susanne Tallanda, 11 Victoria Lane; Joy Adams, 190 York Road; Kari Nicholson, 32 Lancashire Drive; Loretta Romero, 115 York Road; Sharon Farinaci, 340 Williams Street; Marianne Murphy, 608 Maple Street; Linda Cyr, 11 Down Lane; Elena Carlson, 10 Down Lane; Anne Flagg, 1817 West Sheet; Lisa Branco, 23 Black Pond Road; Maura Donovan, 7 Victoria Lane; Marcy Eastman, 35 Plain Street; and Mary Gentili, 3 Willis Sheet, requesting the Selectmen approve funding for utility poles for exterior lighting at the Jordan/Jackson Elementary School complex ClerkMahana spoke with the Light Manager Monday who informed him Richard Brothers is looking into alternatives. Letter from Karl Clemmey, 390 West Street, making a second request for the exact alleged violations that the Board of Selectmen used to justify suspension of his open air parking facility license State and Local Government ( Letter from Jane Tewksbury, Legal Counsel to the Attorney General, stating that Great Woods has been named at least four times as an establishment where a defendant who was convicted of or given a guilty plea of operating under the influence was served alcohol prior to the violation 2. Questions and Comments Joe Coletti, 7 Jefferson Road, stated that the condition of Fruit Sheet needs attention prior to the start of winter. Mr. Coletti also asked why three police cars were in parking lots downtown in a close proximity of each other over the weekend. Police Chief O'Neill responded that the number of cars in that vicinity is too many and that he would look into it. Richard Devine, 6 Morgan Road, stated that there is a three to three and one -half inch drop coming off the West Street bridge over I495. Selectman Pasquale, on behalf of Lions Club, announced that the Lions Club will hold its 5th annual safe trick or heat walk this Saturday in coordination with Downtown Business Association Shelly Roberts, Creedon Street, stated that she is in attendance at the meeting this evening in support of the Town Manager and requested the Selectmen help keep Mr. Williams in Mansfield. Steve Bonda, 578 Maple Street, stated that he would like to echo Ms. Roberts' comments and stated he thinks the Town Manager does a good job and hopes his contract can be renewed. Ronald Buck, Stearns Avenue, recalled an incident three years ago when Mr. Williams responded to a concern of his relative to Stearns Avenue sidewalks quickly and stated since that time he has seen the Town Manager do a lot of good things. Mr. Buck encouraged the Selectmen to support the Town Manager. Mr. Williams, Town Manager, announced that the Mansfield High School Girls Field Hockey team won the 1996 Hockomock League Championship and stated that he would like them added to the signs at the Town line that give recognition to academic and athletic achievements. 3. Town Manager Report A. Williams Street Bridge Lee Azinheira, Town Engineer, stated that he has been informed by the State that the cost of the design proposal for the Williams Sheet bridge is too high. Mr. Azinheira asked the Selectmen which option they would prefer: 1. Renegotiate with the current design engineer. 2. Send out for a second round of proposals. 3. Move forward as is. Mr. Azinheira recommended renegotiating with the current engineer fast because putting the project out to bid again could cause a two month delay. MOTION: To continue with the project subject to Mr. Azinheira negotiating with the present design engineer and receiving Chapter 90 approval. (Colella- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. Selectman Pasquale stated that Mr. Azinheira and Mansfield's representatives should be congratulated for all the work put into this project. B. Pay/Ride Revolving Account Bea Kearney, Town Accountant, was present for this discussion. Selectman Pasquale asked if the School Department had been notified of this discussion, and Ms. Kearney stated that they had been. Ms. Kearney reviewed the account transactions with the Selectmen. Selectman Pasquale asked if the School Department has responded to why they are spending over authorized amounts. MOTION: Please ask Bob Gurek for the other half of the journal entries reflecting where the funds are being credited. Selectman Pasquale suggested this be looked at during the audit process and that it be inchided in the manager's report on ways to improve. (Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Richard Devine, 6 Morgan Road, inquired about Fiscal Year 1994 entries. Selectman Pasquale requested a list of delinquent payers on police details and asked if it would be within the Selectmen's authority to require prepayment of details, especially for ( delinquents payers. C. Road Improvement Overtime Discussion Mr. Williams stated that he has received a memorandum from the Town Treasurer concerning use of project bond funds to pay Town employees for work associated with the bonded projects. The Town Accountant has also made inquires into the legality of using bond funds to pay Town employees. Mr. Boucher, Town Accountant, does not recommend paying town employees with bond proceeds, but if they are to be paid, it should be understood when the project is proposed and figured as part of the project. Ms. Kearney, Town Accountant, recommended if bond funds are used to pay employees tight controls should be kept. Selectmen Questions and Comments Questions and comments from the Board of Selectmen were concerning accounting for overtime spent out of bond funds, use of other DPW overtone accounts, drafting monthly departmental budgets, connection of the School Department and Light Department to the Town Hall's computer system, overtime anticipated by the DPW Director, requesting a Reserve Fund Transfer, original inclusion of Town employees in the project, impact of not supporting use of bond finds, and policy setting. MOTION: To table for a week. (Pasquale - Mahana) All in favor PASSES. 4. 8:45 PM Adult Entertainment License Public Hearing Clerk Mahana read the notice of public hearing. Mr. Willliams, Town Manager, stated that the Town has been working with Town Counsel, Volterra, Goldberg & Mangiaratti, on adult entertainment regulations. An Adult Entertainment Zoning By -Law was recently passed at the Special Town Meeting. The purpose of this hearing is to adopt license regulations to allow for more control of the use in Mansfield. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments Questions and comments from the Board of Selectmen were concerning the definition of adult entertainment, areas in town where the use is allowed, and inclusion of a fine structure in the by -law. MOTION: To close the public hearing. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. MOTION: To approve rules and regulation for adult entertainment as submitted (Attached to a letter from Max Volterra, Volterra, Goldberg & Mangiaratti, to Mr. Williams, dated September 17, 1996) (Pasquale- Mahana) All in favor. PASSES. 5. Town Manager Report Continued A. Salt Policy Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments Questions and comments from the Board of Selectmen were that the policy was well thought out but that deviates from the previous policy of a 10 /1 salt ratio, input should be requested from the Conservation Commission, and which streets only sand will be used on. MOTION: To approve the salt policy as referenced in the WINTER OPERATIONS MANUAL, October 1996. (Pasquale - Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. 6. Selectmen A. Old Business Robert E. Walsh Well Clerk Mahana read a thank you letter fiom Mrs. Maureen Walsh for renaming the Ash Well after her husband Robert E. Walsh. • North Main Sheet Parking Lot Clerk Mahana suggested the new North Main Sheet parking lot be named after a veteran. • Condition of West Sheet Selectman Colella inquired about the condition of West Sheet at the I -495 overpass. The Town Engineer will be contacting the State Highway Department concerning the ( roadway's condition. • Surveillance Cameras Reimbursement Clerk Mahana inquired about the status of reimbursement by GATRA for security cameras at the commuter station. Mr. Williams responded by referring to a letter he received from Senator Keating dated October 17, 1996. The letter from Senator Keating states that there are still outstanding issues that need to be addressed. Chairman Madan requested the Town Manager contact Frank Gay at GATRA to find out which issues are outstanding. Selectman Robinson suggested a letter be written to GATRA. • Town Vehicle Fleet Clerk Mahana stated that the Town vehicle fleet is growing again and that the only organization hurt by establishment of the vehicle pool was MEMA, who may now have a "twin ". • Cellular Phones Clerk Mahana asked why the Town has a need for the number of cell phones it has, and he and Chairman Madan questioned use of the State of the Art 800 MHz radio system in place of the cell phones. Mr. Williams responded that he could ask the DP W Director to review inclusion of equipment for use of the radio system in the capital improvements budget. MOTION: The Town Manager is to delete nine cell phones and give nine cell phone to only the departments that need them most. (Colella - Amendment by Clerk Mahana: MOTION: To have the Town Manager review the existing cellular phones and submit a recommendation to the Selectmen of which phones can be cut. (Colella- Mahana) All in favor. PASSES. • Street Acceptances Clerk Mahana inquired about the status of street acceptances. B. New Business • Trust Funds Clerk Mahana inquired about the amount of Town bust funds and whether or not they are invested. Town Manager's Statement of October 16, 1996 Clerk Mahana commented on a statement Mr. Williams made at last week's Selectmen's meeting, specifically that he is looking for a new job. MOTION: Advertise for a new Town Manager, after clearing with Town Counsel, in the event that Mr. Williams decides to leave the employ of the Town. (Mahana - Colella) WITHDRAWN Discussion: Selectman Colella agreed with Clerk Mahana. Chairman Madan asked Mr. Williams if he is still seeking employment elsewhere; Mr. Williams responded that he is still seeking a resolution of the agreement process. Selectman Pasquale stated that he would be extremely opposed to putting out a request for resumes or advertising the position until a vacancy exists. Mr. Williams informed the Selectmen that it would be a violation of code of ethics of ICMA for any member of the ICMA to seek office prior to a vacancy existing in the office. Chairman Madan stated that he is concerned with not having a Town Manager with the ongoing capital projects, budget, etc., and that he would not like to see a delay. • Oakland Sheet Railroad Crossing Chairman Madan stated that pavement is missing between the railroad tracks at the Oakland Street railroad crossing and asked that a barrel be placed there until it is fixed. • Union Sheet Traffic Chairman Madan stated that as a result of a portion of the new sidewalk on Union Sheet near its intersection of Park Row jutting out, only one way traffic can travel on Union Sheet. • Composting at the Recycling Park Selectman Robinson asked if the Recycling Park would be open for leaf drop -off on Sundays. • Jordan Jackson School Lighting Selectman Robinson stated that he met with John Larch, Light Department Manager, to discuss the lighting issue. Mr. Larch will be meeting with Dr. Nicoletti, School Superintendent, and an electrical contractor to discuss improving the lighting through an alternate mechanism. The approximate cost would be $4,500. Selectman Robinson requested all letters from residents requesting lighting at the Jordan Jackson School be forwarded to he Light Department. • Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day Selectman Pasquale reminded the residents that Household Hazardous Waste Collection day will be November 2 at Great Woods. Chairman Madan polled the Selectmen to go into executive session to discuss contract negotiations and to come out only to adjourn. Clerk Mahana - Aye. Selectman Colella - Aye. Selectman Robinson - Aye. Selectman Pasquale - Aye. Chairman Madan - Aye. Clerk's Signature Date of Approval