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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 2-28-1996BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES FEBRUARY 28, 1996 r PRESENT: Chairman Royle, Clerk Ronald, Selectmen Colella, Pasquale 41r�i Robinson -( „ . ="TTS 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. Chairwoman Royle announced that Francis Bruno passed away this afternoon. Mr. Bruno was a lifelong resident of Mansfield, served on the Board of Assessors and Housing Authority, and also served as a Selectmen. Chairwoman Royle called for a moment of silence in honor of Mr. Bruno. A. Warrant No. 36 - $1,404,208.66 MOTION: To approve. (Robinson - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Chairwoman Royle abstained from all Board of Health items. B. Licenses and Permits • Tri -County Beagle Club - One Day Beer & Wine License for March 2, 1996 MOTION: To approve. (Pasquale - Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. o Custom Liquidators of America Auctioneer Special Permit Application for May 19, 1996 at the Holiday Inn Mansfield MOTION: To approve. (Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. • Reserve Fund. Transfer Request from Fire Chief Sliney for $4,000 to be placed in the Ambulance Salary account Mr. Williams, Town Manager, stated that he has approved the request and is recommending the Selectmen approve it. MOTION: To approve the reserve fund transfer request. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. • Treasurer /Collector Bond $200,000 MOTION: To approve and sign. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. • Massachusetts Highway Department Letter dated November 22, 1996 regarding Route 106 Speed Limit Changes Clerk Ronald read the speed limit zones described in the letter. MOTION: To approve and sign Massachusetts Highway Department Town of Mansfield Special Speed Regulation No. 225C. (Pasquale- Colella) All in favor. PASSES C. Minutes • Febniaiy 7, 1996 Minutes MOTION: To approve the minutes of February 7, 1996 as submitted. (Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. • February 14, 1996 Minutes MOTION: To approve as submitted. (Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. • February 21, 1996 Minutes MOTION: To approve the minutes. (Ronald- Colella) (3 -0 -2) Selectman Pasquale and Clerk Ronald abstained. PASSES. D. "The Store" Chairman Royle referenced a packet the Selectmen received from Police Chief O'Neill concerning violations at "The Store" and stated the Selectmen need to set a hearing date. A consensus of the Selectmen was in favor of holding the hearing on March 6 at 9:30 PM. Police Chief O'Neill and possibly Officer Martin should be present. E. Correspondence ACTION Resident Letter from F. Jay Barrows requesting the Selectmen consider a parking plan he has proposed for the downtown business district Board Questions The Board of Selectmen asked questions and conmiented on Police Department comments, construction start date, establishment of a downtown parking plan for whole downtown and timing for same, impact on traffic flow, Building Inspector, Planning Board, and Town Engineer review and comments; Police Chief's ability to enforce two hour parking in the proposed lot, receipt of written comments from the Police Chief, and whether or not DPW will have time to do the project. Dan Clifford, DPW Director, stated DPW would be able to do the project and stated that he feels if the project is bid out the cost will double. Action on Mr. Barrows request umas tabled for one week 2. Questions and Comments - None �, 3. 8:10 PM Street Acceptance Public Hearing Dan Clifford, DPW Director, and Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and Development, were both present for the public hearing. Chairman Royle opened the public hearing at 8:10 PM, and Clerk Ronald read the public hearing notice for acceptance of the following ( streets: Deerpath Lane, Fieldstone Drive, Megans Way, Tracy Circle, Piasecki Drive, Mystic Lane, Newell Lane, Pheasant Hollow Drive, Necco Road, Sturbridge Drive, and Serena Allen Way. Jeanie Smith of Fulco, who developed some of the above streets, was present for the public hearing. Selectman Pasquale asked if all streets have satisfied the one year winter requirement. lvh•. Clifford stated that all of the streets have satisfied the requirement. Mr. Clifford reviewed the punch lists for all streets up for acceptance and recommended acceptance of all the streetsm with the exception of Sturbridge Drive, as long as their punch lists are completed by Town Meeting. Mr. Clifford stated that he will not be recommending acceptance of Sturbridge Drive because the subdivision is totally incomplete. Public Comment: Tim Quinn, 39 Fieldstone Drive, stated that asphalt work on the Fieldstone Drive sidewalk still needs to be completed and requested a contingency be held for the sheet trees. John Brunelle, 11 Serena Allen Way, stated that the center island of the Serene Allen Way cul -de -sac still gets muddy, the sidewalks need repair, sloping of 32 Bird Road needs to be corrected, and some street trees on Serena Allen Way are dead or are dying. Mr. Brunelle also asked what the balance of the bond is for the roadway. Mr. Clifford responded that the balance is $8,000 and that it would be enough to complete the punch list for the roadway. Next, John Brunelle, speaking as the Town's Postmaster, thanked Mr. Clifford for the excellent job DPW has done plowing this year. Mr•. Williams thanked Mr. Brunelle for the excellent job the mail carriers have done this winter bringing mail to residents in a timely manner, despite the many snow storms. Lastly, Chairwoman Royle asked Mr. Brunelle to help educate Town residents about the mail box installation requirements, e.g. required distance from the street. Chairwoman Royle closed the public hearing at 8:28 PM. MOTION: To layout Megans Way, Mystic Lane, Tracy Circle, Piasecki Drive, Deerpath Lane, Fieldstone Drive, Newell Lane, Pheasant Hollow, Necco Road and Serena Allen Way. (Pasquale - Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. 4. Correspondence Continued Memorandum from Leonard Flymi requesting the Selectmen investigate ownership of Parcel 30 of Assessor's Map 16. Although the parcel was taken by eminent domain in ( 1993, New England Realty Trust is currently listed as the owner. Clerk Ronald read the memorandum from Mr. Flynn aloud. Selectman Pasquale suggested a title search be conducted by Town Counsel and asked that the Board of Assessors put into effect a process where once land is taken by eminent domain it is flagged. Chairwoman Royle asked why the land was not taken by tax title if taxes had not been paid. OTHER Board and Committees Letter from Katheryn P. Viens, Chairperson, Mansfield Historical Commission asking the Selectmen to continue working with Mass Highway to persuade them to design and pay for a new bridge in the current location of the Williams Sheet bridge Town Manager acrd .Staff Memorandum to the Board of Selectmen from Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and Development, with an attached copy of a memorandum he sent to the Town Manager regarding the build -out study 5. Town Manager Report A. Budget Update Mr. Williams reviewed reductions in the budget he has proposed while referencing his February 14 memorandum to the Board of Selectmen. The reductions meet the target of the Finance Committee to bring the budget within 2 ' /2. Members of the Board of Selectmen questioned where cuts were made. Mr. Williams responded that he and Fire Chief Sliney worked on reductions in the Fire Department budget totaling $80,000. Dispatchers will be hired rather than the originally requested four firefighters. Mr. Williams also noted revisions to the DPW budget stating the proposed new laborer's position will not be added and scheduled and unscheduled overtime will be reduced. Chairwoman Royle and Selectman Colella expressed disappointment that the additional laborer's position was eliminated. B. Capital Improvements Update Selectman Robinson stated that he is upset because the Selectmen recommended a CIP budget of $300,000 and the Finance Committee is not following that recommendation. Selectman Robinson suggested the Selectmen start exploring alternatives to be sure the plan is $300,000. A consensus of the Board of Selectmen was that the additional laborer's position is required. Selectman Robinson asked the Selectmen if they would support a $300,000 Capital Improvements plan at Town Meeting. A unanimous consensus of the Board of Selectmen was in favor of a $300,000 plan. Selectman Pasquale stated that he cannot support use of stabilization money for the operating budget. Selectman Pasquale also stated if the DPW Director states that he can do without an additional laborer's position than he cannot support the additional position. Chairwoman Royle suggested Mr. Clifford be invited to a Selectmen's meeting so that the Selectmen can be assured that he can do the job with the staff he has. 6. 9:00 PM Villa Liquors Change in Location Public Hearing Brian Paulsen, Villa Liquors Treasurer, and his attorney Robert Cutler were present for this public hearing. Clerk Ronald read the public hearing notice aloud. Attorney Cutler explained that Villa liquors is interested in moving its business from Villa Sheet to North Main Sheet. Attorney Cutler also stated his client's application has received approval from both the Planning Board and Building Inspector and that abutters have been notified. The relocation will allow for more exposure and for a smaller more manageable space. Clerk Ronald stated Planning, Zoning, and Police have all signed off on the application. Clerk Ronald, at the request of Chairman Royle, read Police Chief O'Neill's comments aloud. Board Questions: Comments from the Board of Selectmen included the following: the business is a good ' operation, no complaints have been received, the business is a good neighbor to the Town, only concern was Police Department comments; the store's presence may deter loitering in the plaza. Public Comments: NONE At 9:06 PM Chairman Royle closed the public hearing MOTION: To approve transfer of license from One Villa Sheet to North Main Street. (Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. 12 minute break- 7. Town Manager Report continued A. Capital Improvements Budget continued Selectman Pasquale requested the Finance Committee be scheduled to attend a Selectmen's meeting sometime before Town Meeting - -March 20 at 8:00 PM. MOTION: To send a letter to the Finance Committee, copy the Capital Improvements Committee, voicing the Selectmen's strong support for a $300,000 capital improvements budget; funds in excess of $150,000 that the Finance Committee requested he cut from the operating budget should be taken from stabilization fund. (Pasquale - Ronald) All in favor. PASSES Selectman Pasquale suggested that once a Finance Director is hired, one of his assignments should he to exlore the viability of enterprise accounts for water and wastewater. B. Triathlon Mr. Williams stated that approval has been received from the Police and Fire Departments for the Triathlon. MOTION: To approve triathlon and have the Police Chief coordinate the event with applicant. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. C. Bids for Paine School and West Mansfield Fire Station Nh•. Williams gave a report on bids received for the Paine School and West Mansfield Fire Station by referencing his February 22 memorandum. Selectman Colella noted that he is not in favor of selling the Paine School and that he is not sure about the fire station. 8. Selectmen A. Old Business e Train Station Advisory Committee Eight letters of interest have been received to date for the Train Station Advisory Committee. Selectman Pasquale suggested closing off applications. A consensus of the Selectman was in favor of scheduling the Committee's first meeting during the Selecmten's first meeting in April. ® March 4, 1996 Light Commissioners Meeting Clerk Ronald stated that Light Department Manager John Larch will not he available for the Light Commissioners meeting Monday night and suggested the Light Commnissioners postpone the meeting to March 13 at 7pm. Selectman Pasquale suggested the Light Commissioners wait until April to meet. A discussion of possible dates continued. Clerk Ronald will coordinate a meeting time with Mr. Larch. • Cottage Street Signs Selectman Colella commented on Mr. Clifford's memorandum concerning parking signs, or lack thereof, on Cottage Sheet. Mi•. Clifford stated that signs restricting parking had not been posted, but residents stated that they had been posted and were removed. B. New Business • Finance Commnittee Selectman Pasquale requested a letter be sent to the Finance Committee requesting they move there meeting nights hack to Thursday evening so that Municipal representatives may attend in order to maintain a close working relationship. Mr. Williams responded that the Finance Carmnittee's regular meeting night still is Thursday evenings; Selectman Pasquale retracted his statement. • Municipal Projects Update Selectman Robinson stated that he attended the Municipal Building Committee meeting on Monday of this week. All visitors, including the Selectmen, who would like to enter upon the Park Row construction site must give the Clerk of Works twenty four hours notice. • Selectmen Representative to SRPEDD Chairwoman Royle informed the Selectmen that the Selectmen's current SRPEDD representative, Barbara Orlando, does not want to he the Selectmen's representative any longer. Mr. Williams emphasized the importance of the position and suggested the position he advertised. o Downtown Traffic /Parking System Chairwoman Royle stated that she is concerned about the one way streets downtown, ' such as Church Sheet in particular, and questioned if they all still need to remain one way. Chairwoman Royle suggested that the one way streets he evaluated while parking is being evaluated downtown. 9. 9:59 PM Convene to Executive Session MOTION: To enter executive session to discuss the Town Manager's contract with the Town Manager and enter open session only to adjourn. All in favor. PASSES. (Pasquale - Colella) Clerk Ronald - Aye. Selectman Colella - Aye. Selectman Robinson - Aye. Selectman Pasquale - Aye. Chairman Royle - Aye. fi !elk's Signc�lare Dale ofApproval