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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 6-26-1996BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES June 26, 1996 915 ANJ - -S P 11 PRESENT: Chairman Madan, Clerk Mahana, Selectmen Colella and Pasquale 1. The meeting was called to order at 8:40 PM. 2. Town Manager's Report Drainlayers Regulations The Town Engineer, Lee Azinheira, reviewed revisions to the Drainlayers regulations with the Selectmen. MOTION: To accept. (Colella - Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. Selectman Pasquale requested Mr. Azinheira put together a handout of the drainlayers rules and regulations. Drainlayers License Renewal Mi•. Azinheira recommended approval of the drainlayers licenses for Andy Dolan/Dolan Plumbing and Heating; Barrows Contracting; Brookdate Corporation; Grant Bros. Assoc.; Peter DeGirolamo & Sons Inc.; and Riccio Builders & Developers. MOTION: To renew the drainlayers licenses. (Mahana - Pasquale) Al in favor. PASSES. Purchase Order Request - Wastewater Treatment Plant - Fotobeam - $4,400 24 "X 36 "Xerox 2515 copier to be used inainly to copy server drmvings MOTION: To approve the purchase of the Xerox 2515 in the amount of $4,400. (Mahana - Colella) (3 -0 -1) Selectman Pasquale abstained. PASSES. Next, Mr. Azinheira responded to inquiries he has been receiving relative to installation of sewer laterals, stating that residences who have received sewer laterals and were not charged received the laterals prior to the sewer extension policy being adopted by the Selectmen. Paine School Closing Robert Mangiaratti, Town Counsel, reviewed the sale and lease terms for the Paine School and requested the Selectmen execute the deed, which will be closed on July 1. MOTION: To execute. (Pasquale- Mahana) All in favor. PASS. Water Conservation and Capital Plan John Buckley, Assistant DPW Director, reviewed a draft report from Tata & Howard ( dated June 25 containing a draft supplemental capital improvements program that addresses water quality and water supply at the existing wells. Board of Selectmen Questions Questions and comments from the Board of Selectmen were concerning whether or not DEP had recommended cleaning wells at a previous meeting, why a manifold system is not being reviewed, and a comment that appeared in the newspaper "The aquifer is dropping ". Selectman Pasquale stated that he would like to see the Town move forward, most importantly with the Witch Pond well. Foolish Hill Watermain Mr. Buckley stated that bids were opened last week for the Foolish Hill water main and the lowest bidder was Walsh Construction in the amount of $950,234.66. MOTION: To approve the awarding of the Foolish Hill Water Main Contact No. 3 to to Walsh Construction. (Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Water Report Mr. Williams informed the Selectmen that he met with the Easton Town Administrator this morning concerning the possibility of purchasing water. Easton may allow some degree of purchasing water over a certain amount of years; the Water Cormnissioners will be meeting in a week and will discuss Mansfield's request. Enterprise Account Mr. Williams recommmended a quick evaluation on establishment of enterprise accounts by an independent person with a rating to be ready for Town meeting. The person would be asked to explain both the pros and cons of establishment of the accounts. Centralized Dispatch Police Chief O'Neill, Fire Chief Sliney, Lt. Figuerido, and Robert Button, Emergency Management Agency, were present for this discussion. Police Chief O'Neill stated that the above named persons agree with the concept but that it cannot be implemented until the new Police Station facility is on line because of lack of space in the current police station. Lt. Figuerido explained training required for police dispatchers. Discussion among the Police and Fire Chiefs and the Selectmen followed concerning the number of dispatchers currently cross - trained, number of dispatchers that will be required at one time, preparation beginning July 1 for centralized dispatch, funding for training Fire dispatchers; eventual establishment of a dispatch budget; sick time buy back, number of hires directly related to employees calling in sick; E911 training, employment of dispatchers relative to the union; job description revision; and the time frame for instituting centralized dispatch. Selectman Pasquale requested the Selectmen ask the Police and Fire Chiefs and Bob Button of Emergency Management to work on a plan outlining all areas of centralized dispatch and what needs to be done to implement it, and the associated cost. Fire Department Ladder Truck Fire Chief Sliney informed the Selectmen of major structural damage to the undercarriage of the Fire Department's Ladder track which was noticed during a recent inspection. Board of Selectmen Questions Questions from the Selectmen were concerning the date of the last repair to the truck, date of last inspection, cost to purchase a new truck, and inspection procedure. Finance Director Position Mr. Williams refered to a June 26 memorandum he distributed to the Selectmen concerning the Finance Director position and suggested it be discussed at a future meeting. Community Action Statement Mr. Williams requested the Selectmen's approval of a Community Action Statement which will be submitted to the Executive Office of Communities and Development. The statement is required in order to be considered for grants. MOTION: To approve. (Pasquale- Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Request for Handicap Spaces/Police Traffic Report Police Chief O'Neill responded to a request he received for additional handicap parking spaces downtown, one each in front of The Bagel Train, Town News, and O'Malley Real Estate. Chief O'Neill gave a negative recommendation to the request. MOTION: To accept the Police Department's recommendation. (Mahana- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. Next, Police Chief O'Neill reported on the impact of the Cleveland Twist private parking lot stating that it is having little or no impact on the current traffic flow and volume. When asked by Chairman Madan about the number of violations issued to persons running the STOP sign at Allens Avenue, Chief O'Neill responded that he did not know of any. Clerk Mahana asked Fire Chief Sliney if he had an answer to Peter DeTrolio's question at last week's meeting why the new fire station project's cost is escalating out of control and why the size of the building has increased from 3,500 sq. ft. to its current size. Fishing and Hunting Licenses Mr. Williams announced that while he has been asked by the Town Clerk to approve her request not to sell fishing and hunting licenses, he has not granted approval. 3. 10:20 PM Constable Hearing - George Mather Clerk Mahana left the room for this (rearing. The hearing began with Police Chief O'Neill reading a report from Patrolman Thomas O'Connor. In his report, Patrolman O'Connor stated that on May 5, 1996, George Mather served court papers to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth DeFazio of 379 Mill Sheet. The DeFazio's clam that Mr. Mather entered there home through the screen and full door at the rear of the house. Mr. DeFazio stated that he awoke to his four year old daughter picking up the court papers that was left on the floor of there dining room. Next, Detective Vargas addressed the Selectmen referring to his memorandum dated June 10, 1996 to the Police Chief concerning his investigation of the incident. Detective Vargas summarized the incident as reported to him by the DeFazios and stated that he requested a meeting with Constable Mather for his view of the incident. Although the meeting was confirmed, Constable Mather did not attend or call. Lastly, Detective Vargas noted that the DeFazio's did not wish to be involved in court action. Constable Mather's attorney, Mr. Leighason, asked why there was such a lapse in time from the initial complaint to the request for a meeting with the Police Department, to which, Selectman Pasquale responded with the timeline of events leading up to the requested meeting and hearing. Next, Constable Mather addressed the Selectmen stating that he never entered the house and that he slid the summons between the door and door dam after knocking approximately five times. Mr. Mather's attorney then asked him several questions about the incident including whether or not he entered the residence. Constable Mather also responded to Detective Vargas' request for a meeting and his non attendance at the meeting stating that his car broke down the day of the meeting. Mr. Mather stated that he did call Detective Vargas the day of the meeting and morning following but his call was either not answered or when his call was answered he was unable to speak with Detective Vargas. Lastly, Constable Mather submitted letters to the Selectmen concerning his work as a constable and stated that he would still like to meet with Detective Vargas. Discussion followed between Mr. Mather, Mr. Mather's attorney, and Detective Vargas concerning the meeting time and communication between them. Officer Grossman addressed the Board of Selectmen stating that when he went to speak to Mr. DeFazio about the incident Mrs. DeFazio stated that their daughter stated "there is a man in the house ". Constable Mather responded that he always leaves papers between the door and door jam. Police Chief O'Neill then noted that the girl was holding the papers when her parents arrived. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions and commented on the following: the original appointment of Mr. Mather as a constable, constable residency, presence of all parties involved and whether or not the DeFazios were notified of the hearing, and proof of Mr. Mather entering the home. When asked for his recommendation by the Selectmen, Police Chief O'Neill responded that that from the initial investigation by Officer O'Connor the story has remained the same and that this is the first time he could remember this happening. Chief O'Neill stated that he agrees with Selectman Colella that it would be a far more manageable system with local constables and stated based on this and the detectives reports he would recommend Constable Mather's appointment be terminated. MOTION: That we terminate George Mather in a constable in the Town of Mansfield. (Colella -Madan) (2 -1) Selectman Pasquale Opposed. Prior to voting on the above motion Selectman Pasquale noted that this is Mr. Mather's first offense, he irould be in favor of suspending his constable privileges for 60 -90 days, and that he would like the Selectman to have the opportunity to speak with the DeFazios. 4. 11:05 Discussion with Dan Clemmey, Elizabeth Clemmey, and Bob Barnes concerning their Open Air Parking Facility at 875 South Main Street Dan Clemmey addressed the Selectmen stated that he has stayed within the guidelines set for the open air parking facility license, he has met with the Police Chief concerning the license, and that he has been following the traffic pattem recommended by Traffic Safety Officer Lawson but that he would like to address harassment he has been receiving from Mr. Montgomery of Great Woods. Mr. Clemmey stated that Great Woods employees have been holding signs in front of his parking lot stating that Great Woods offers free parking and showed the Selectmen pictures of the signs. Mr. Clemmey also stated that Great Woods does not do this at any of the other parking lots in the vicinity. Mr. Clemmey also requested the Selectmen take action on Great Woods' entertainment license because of this incident. Police Chief O'Neill suggested Mr. Clennney amend his open air parking facility sign to clearly state that his lot is a private lot and include the parking fee. Lt. Figuerido also reported on an incident he responded to where a Great Woods employee was holding an 8112" X 11" sign on public property; Mr. Montgomery agreed to move the sign back to his access road. Lt. Figuerido went on to explain another similar incident. Selectman Pasquale suggested the Selectmen's liaisons, Selectmen Colella and Robinson, get in touch with Mr. Montgomery to state that the Selectmen do not want signs out there for safety reasons. Selectmen Colella and Mahana will speak with Mr. Montgomery on Thursday. Selectman Pasquale commented on a statement during this discussion that a telephone pole was blocking the access road during a recent concert and requested Chief Sliney look into the issue for Selectman Colella to discuss with Mr. Montgomery on Thursday. Lastly, Mr. Clemrney noted that his parking lot provides a shuttle service to the Great Woods Performing Arts Center using minivans and that when shuttling clients, Great Woods employees ask who the occupants of the minivan are and why they are being dropped off. Selectman Colella will also speak to Mi•. Montgomery about this issue. 5. Questions and Comments Peter DeTrolio, 496 Ehn Street, thanked the Board of Selectmen for "force feeding" him Great Woods last week and stated that he still feels the Selectmen have the authority to do something about the noise. Chairman Madan stated Sunday evening, in response to Mr. DeTrolio's request, he visited Mt•. DeTrolio's home and upon entering his driveway, he heard the concert at Great Woods as if it was a radio playing. Chairman Madan also stated that the noise level was not at a tolerable level. 6. Warrant No. 53 - $1,146,635.33 MOTION: To approve. (Mahana - Pasquale) All in favor. Chairman Madan abstained from all Building Department items. 7. Purchase Orders Police Department - National Ski & Bike $1,200 Two Bikes l MOTION: To approve. (Mahana- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. Wastewater Treatment Plant - Gateway 2000 - $2,783.00 Compiler for IPP MOTION: To approve. (Pasquale - Colella) (3 -0 -1) Selectman Pasquale abstained. PASSES. Water Department - Leak Detection Program - $8,500 HOLD Fire Department - Doucettes Two Radio Service $1,438.02 MOTION: To approve. ( Colella- Mahana) (3 -0 -1) Selectman Pasquale abstained. PASSES. Wastewater Treatment Plant - Northeast Resource Group, Inc. - 45,887.50 - Fixed Industrial Power Factor Correction Capacitor Clerk Mahana. requested a report from the Light Department Manager on this request. 8. Police Department Reserve Fund Transfer Request No. 17 - $5,220 After discussion of the above request, the following motion was made: MOTION: To approve. (Mahana- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. 9. Adjournment - 12:20 PM 41!rFs Signature Date of Approval