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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 11-6-1996Board of Selectmen Minutes November 6, 1996 PRESENT: Chairman Madan, Clerk Mahana, and Selectmen Colella, Pasquale, and Robinson Christopher Marion, Assistant to the Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the salute to the flag. A. Warrant No. 20 - $1,606,239.85 MOTION: So moved. ( Mahana- Colella All in favor. B. Licenses and Permits Sharon Taxi Hackney Carriage License No. 6 MOTION: To approve subject to corrective actions being taken as noted. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. Application for Auctioneer Special Permit Benson Associates at VFW MOTION: So moved. (Colella- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. Sale of a $2,930,000 4.25% bond Anticipation Note of the Town dated November 13, 1996 and payable August 21, 1997 to State Street Bank and Trust Company at par and accrued interest, plus a premium of $12,670.62, Net Interest Cost 3.69% MOTION: To sign. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. C. Minutes of October 23, 1996 MOTION: So moved. (Colella- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. D. Town Manager William Williams Chairman Madan announced that he was notified by Town Counsel this date that the Town Manager will be out sick for ten days. Chairman Madan wished Mr. Williams well and stated while he is out Chris Marion, Assistant to the Town Manager, will be filling in for him. E. Correspondence Town Manager and Staff Letter to all Boards and Committees from William Williams, Town Manager stating that the Annual Town Reports are due on December 16, 1996 Letter fiom Volterra, Goldberg & Mangiaratti to Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and Development, concerning Robyn Estates Letter from Dan Clifford, DPW Director, to Southeastern Regional High School expressing appreciation for the job the students did on the railings at the bandstand at Memorial Park Letter to the Town Manager from Lorilee Fish and Billie Siena regarding the Annual Report Letter from Viola Homan, Trustee, Trader Realty Trust, requesting water service for Lot 16 Tara Estates Tabled until Town Staff recommendations are received 2. 7:45 PM Toddler Playground Discussion Lorilee Fish, Parks and Recreation Director, Karen Levine, Mary Ann Roberts, and Terry Becker were present for this discussion. Ms. Fish requested the Town split the cost of a Toddler Playground, the total cost of which is approximately $8,000. It is hoped that half of the cost could be raised by residents and committee fund - raisers. Currently, there is no playground in Mansfield for children under five. Ms. Levine distributed pictures of the equipment to the Selectmen. Ms. Fish stated that a gift account established by the Recreation Commission for the "Youth of Mansfield" has a balance of approximately $300 which she would like to put towards the playground equipment. Also, the Mansfield Women of Today would like a previous donation they made to the Plymouth Sheet facility to go towards the equipment. Donations for the equipment will be accepted at the Recreation office. A post office box will soon be set up. MOTION: To include in the capital improvements budget. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. MOTION: We, as Light Commissioners, donate $1000 from Light Department towards the purchase of the equipment. (Mahana- Robinson) Al l in favor PASSES. 3. Questions and Comments Chairman Madan announced that Town Manager Williams issued a press release this date in which he retracted statements made in a newspaper article. Chairman Madan stated that he also issued a press release and he, personally, is willing to accept Mr. Williams' retraction and would like to consider the matter closed. Lastly, Chairman Madan stated that he does not expect similar matters to arise again. Dianne Royle, 46 Riverside Drive, stated that she is pleased to inform the Selectmen that she achieved her goal for charter review last evening at 8pm. Ms. Royle received 1,750 signatures which still require certification. Only 1,500 signatures are required to place the question of whether or not to establish a charter review cormmittee on the March ballot. Richard Devine, 6 Morgan Road, asked where the Town Manager was this evening. Chairman Madan thanked the Board of Health for the excellent Household Hazardous Waste Collection day this past Saturday. Chairman Madan also expressed his thanks to the Town Clerk and her staff for the excellent job they did at the election last evening. This election had the largest turnout in Mansfield's history. Next, Chairman Madan announce that the game "Mansfield" is now on sale and may be purchased from the Rotary, the Old Country Store, Office Land, or Mansfield Cooperative Bank for $14.95. 4. Discussion with Jay Barrows concerning Santa's House on North Main Street Jay Barrows of the Downtown Business Association stated that Santa has requested assistance for a safe arrival to Mansfield on Saturday December 7 and safe visits on December 8, 12, 13, and 14. Santa Clause has requested permission to close the new North Main Street Parking lot so that he can live there while in Mansfield. The Westside Benevolent Society food drop off and Rotary's Toys for Tots would also be stationed at the parking lot, and Friends of the Animal Shelter will be taking pictures of kids with Santa as a fund - raiser. Outdoor Options will donate Santa's house. Mr. Barrow also stated that at some point in the future he may be requesting a parade permit for the day of Santa's arrival. Lastly, Mr. Barrows stated that he sent out approximately one hundred and five letters to businesses and has spoken to Shepherds personally concerning Santa's stay. The sense of the businesses is that this would be a great opportunity for business. When asked by Selectman Pasquale for his recommendation, Police Chief O'Neill stated that he has no problem with the lot being closed during this period but that it would have to be completely closed. MOTION: So moved. (Colella- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. 5. Town Manager Report • Winter Parking Ban ( Police Chief O'Neill announced that the Town is about to begin its Winter Parking Ban and requested permission to give violators a courtesy reminder notice the first three nights before writing tickets. MOTION: So moved that we adopt the policy. (Mahana - Pasquale) All in favor PASSES. • Downtown Parking Plan Police Chief O'Neill gave an update on the Police Department's proposal to standardize downtown parking restrictions. Chief O'Neill stated that he had originally proposed a parking restriction downtown from 6AM to 11AM or 12Noon, but Downtown Merchants feel more comfortable with a restriction on North Main Street and Old Colony Way from 8AM to 6PM, Monday - Saturday. "No Parking" is already posted In front of Wendy's and Rojacks on Copeland Drive because of the site distance. The only area in the vicinity of Honey Dew Donuts were on- street parking could be allowed would be on Copeland Drive between Creedon Street and Wood Sheet. Chief O'Neill also stated that he will not be recommending an exemption from the parking restrictions on Old Colony Way north of West Cottage Sheet. Lastly, Chief O'Neill stated that he does have an answer on signage costs yet. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments: Questions and comments from the Board of Selectmen were concerning use of the parking plan as a Master Plan, the downtown speed limit, and possibility of lowering the speed limit to 20MPH. Police Chief O'Neill stated that Officer Lawson could review the speed limit and that he feels 25MPH would be reasonable if approved by the State. Chief O'Neill also stated that there would be some type of placard or sticker system instituted. Clerk Mahana asked Chief O'Neill about a voucher on this week's warrant for four little map lights for "cons ". Chief O'Neill responded that the voucher is for four map lights for consoles in the cruisers. Dr. Ken Torman, business owner downtown, commended the Police Department and Chief O'Neill for the work it and he has done on the parking plan so far. Dr. Torman stated "the Police Chief does care about us downtown." 6. Selectmen Old Business • Police and Fire Details Selectman Pasquale stated that he received a report on outstanding detail bills from Treasurer Collector Richard Boucher, and that he would like to make a motion that detail ( money be collected up front. Selectman Pasquale stated that he is only concerned with money be collected up fiont. Selectman Pasquale stated that he is only concerned with outstanding balances for 30 -60 days or more. Police Chief O'Neill responded that it is not always possible to collect payment up front but recommended an aggressive approach with persons with outstanding balances, such as placing liens on their property and not relicensing them. Selectman Pasquale suggested establishment of a revolving account for frequent detail users that could be drawn down on. Chairman Madan suggested persons with outstanding 60 -day balances be required to pay C.O.D and others with 90 -day outstanding balances be refused a detail. Selectman Robinson suggested those in arrears for thirty days not be provided a detail until their account is up to date. MOTION: To have Town Staff develop a policy. (Pasquale- Colella) All in favor. PASSES. 7. 8:35 PM Discussion with Andy Gazzolo and David McCarter regarding the Capital Budget Andy Gazzolo, Finance Committee Chairman, and David McCarter, Finance Committee member, presented and proposed a capital plan procedure dated October 1996. Mr. Gazzolo reviewed the Finance Committee's goal and objective, to "Develop a Comprehensive CAPITAL PLAN ", his understanding of the current plan, and the Finance Committee's recommendation. Mr. Gazzolo also reviewed recommended "deliveries" for the Capital Improvements Committee, Finance Committee, and Board of Selectmen. Lastly, Mr. Gazzolo and Mr. McCarter recommended the Capital Improvements Committee meet on a year -round basis, and Mr. McCarter recommended establishment of a Town savings account. Board Questions Questions and comments from the Board of Selectmen were concerning use of water capital charges by departments other than Water, budgeting capital purchases over the years, e.g. setting aside $100,000 each year for a fire hock, holding a workshop to discuss upcoming capital projects, allocating money one year for use during another year, use of a stabilization fund, depreciation expense, percentage of the annual budget to go towards the capital budget, and whether or not police cruisers should be included in the capital budget. Christopher Marion, Acting Town Manager, stated that he would take the Finance Committee's proposal under advisement. Some issues raised will fit in nicely with current capital project plans. Revised capital plan forms have been sent out to Departments, and individual budgets will be inputted on the Munis system. When asked by Clerk Mahana, Town Treasurer Richard Boucher expressed support for use of a stabilization fund, as did Town Accountant Bea Kearney. Mr. Boucher did note one drawback to use of the stabilization fund would be that withdrawn money would not accumulate interest. 8. Selectmen A. Old Business • Leaf Pick Up Selectman Colella stated this past Tuesday a few elderly people couldn't get their leaves picked up by the Department of Public Works, so he and Chairman Madan picked them UP. Selectman Pasquale requested Mr. Clifford, DPW Director, be consulted with to see what has to be done to move forward with picking up senior citizens' leaves. • Rumford Avenue Sidewalk Selectman Colella stated that the Department of Public Works installed a sidewalk on the opposite side of the coiner of Rumford Avenue and Fulton Sheet. The owner of the property adjacent to the sidewalk would like the sidewalk fmished, but does not want curbing installed. ( • School Department Pay/Ride Revolving Account Selectman Pasquale asked if the Town Accountant feels comfortable with the School Department's Pay /Ride System Revolving Account information. Ms. Kearney, Town Accountant, responded that she does. Clerk Mahana asked the Chairman to respond to questions he has been receiving regarding the Selectmen's involvement in the School Department's Pay/Ride system. • Foxboro Sewer Agreement Clerk Mahana stated that he believes the only sewer hook up agreement he signed with the Town of Foxboro was for Foxboro's critical needs area and asked why Sharon Estates is now hooked up. Clerk Mahana requested the agreements with Foxboro be reviewed to determine what gave Foxboro the ability to sell additional capacity to Sharon. • Town of Norton Outstanding Bills Clerk Mahana stated that he heard money owed to the Town of Mansfield by the Town of Norton will soon be paid and asked Ivhr. Marion to contact Norton Town Manager Walter Lindberg to fired out the status. • MEMA Vehicle Clerk Mahana stated that he was happy to see MEMA was given back their vehicle as of October 30. B. New Business • Mileage reimbursement Clerk Mahana asked why an employee of the Wastewater Treatment Plant was reimbursed for mileage to seminars when the Treatment Plant has five Town vehicles. • Dig Safe Bill Clerk Mahana asked why the Town was billed $338 by Dig Safe when it received 169 requests for service at no cost. • Ordering Supplies Out of Town Clerk Mahana stated that the Town continues to go out of town for supplies, ie. the Town purchased screened loam in Hanover and emphasized that he would like to keep business in Town • Engineering Department Blue Print Machine Clerk Mahana asked why blue prints are being sent out for copies in Attleboro by the Recreation Department and Assessors Office when the Town Engineer has a blue print machine. • John Buckley License Exam Clerk Mahana congratulated John Buckely, Assistant DPW Director, for passing another license exam, for which the Town was billed $150. • Park Row Roof Selectman Colella stated that he was recently on the roof of the Park Row School because he notice something while exiting the coffee shop. Selectman Colella also stated that he saw some problems with the building while on a tour of it. Mr. Marion responded that his being on the roof could be an issue of liability. • Roadways with Low Salt Designation Selectman Robinson requested a list of roadways with low salt designation be forwarded to the School Department so the Bus Company may be notified. • Veterans Day Parade Selectman Robinson reminded the Selectman and public that the Veterans Day parade is next Monday at LOAM. The alternate rain site will be in the Mansfield High School gym. Mr. Marion, Acting Town Manager, suggested a notice of the parade could be placed on cable. • Mill Street Selectman Robinson stated that Mill Street from Mill Farm to the Norton Town Line may need cold weather patching before winter and requested this be discussed with the Town Engineer and DPW Director. • Sexual Harassment Policy Selectman Pasquale asked if the new model sexual harassment policy from Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane would be incorporated into the Town's Personnel Policy. Acting Town Manager, Christopher Marion, responded that the Town already has a Sexual Harassment Policy which has been distributed to all Town employees and will be on an annual basis. • Personnel Policy Chairman Madan asked if any input had been received from the Electric, Police, or Fire Departments on the Personnel Policy. Mr. Marion responded that he has not received comments from the Electric Department and still needs the Selectmen's cwmnents. 9. Adjournment 9:35 PM MOTION: To adjourn. (Mahana- Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Jerk's ignainre Date of Approval 1 I