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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 1-15-1997Board of Selectmen Minutes RLl' VED January 15, 1997 ! OV' Ol M ," S; IELO ( 97 FEB 10 PM 1: 20 Present: Chairman Madan, Clerk Mahana, and Selectmen Colel>a, J'asqufl and Robinson `icls; c F„ S AcHUSETTS William F. Williams, Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. 2. Toddler Town Playground Equipment - Drawing The Board of Selectmen and Town Manager drew the winners of various prizes for the Toddler Playground Equipment fund - raiser. Karen Levine and Terry Becker, both of the fundraising committee, were present for and assisted with the drawing. 3. Discussion with Karen Doucette, NMS Tobacco Coordinator Ms. Doucette distributed handouts to the Board of Selectmen concerning smoking. The purpose of Ms. Doucette's discussion with the Selectmen this evening was to request thew consideration of expanding tobacco legislation in town, specifically to either prohibit smoking on all municipal grounds, or prohibit smoking at municipal building enhances. Ms. Doucette stated that she has received written support from the Planning Director and oral support from various other Town Department Heads to limit smoking on town grounds. Lastly, the Tobacco Coordinator stated that she has received various complaints and suggestion from residents regarding smoking at the entrances of Town Hall. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments: Clerk Mahana stated that he would support prohibiting smoking at enhances of municipal buildings and in favor of designated an area away from the enhances. Clerk Mahana would be opposed to prohibiting smoking on municipal grounds. Selectman Pasquale stated that he has no problem continuing prohibiting smoking within municipal buildings and at enhances but that an area should be designated at the new town hall for smoking. Selectman Pasquale also stated that prohibiting smoking at municipal building enhances may be considered a change in working conditions and that it should be discussed with the unions before any change is made. Chairman Madan stated that he supports prohibiting smoking at municipal building enhances and that the Board should take a leadership role and establish a smoking policy this evening. Selectman Colella stated that he has no objection to having a smoking room within the Town Hall for employees and that he does not object to employees smoking at municipal building entrances. MOTION: To table for one week. (Pasquale - Mahana) (4 -1) Chairman Madan Opposed. PASSES. 4. Questions and Comments Richard Devine, 6 Morgan Road, stated during previous Selectmen discussion concerning reducing the salt mixture for de -icing roads, he stated special attention should be given to West Sheet near the large hill and "Dead Man's Curve ". However, this past Saturday, an elderly woman went off the road in this area at around 11:30 AM. The road had not been plowed, and plowing did not begin until approximately 1:30 PM. 5. Discussion with the Fair Housing Committee ,5eleclmau Colella left the room for this discussion. Shaul Burke, Fair Housing Director, and Committee members Ron Webster and Roland Benoit were present for this discussion. Mr. Webster explained that the purpose of their meeting with the Selectmen this evening was to request a partnership with the Board of Selectmen for the Local Housing Partnership. Both Chairman Madan and Selectman Pasquale expressed support for the concept. Selectman Pasquale suggested the Fair Housing Committee work with the Fair Housing Director to delineate the roles and responsibilities of the partnership. Chairman Madan stated if Charter Review does occur this proposal should be included and that the only way he feels the partnership could be done legally would be by establishing a subcommittee of the Selectmen 6. Weekly Business A. Warrant No. 30 - $1,095,606.88 MOTION: So moved. (Robinson - Clerk Mahana questioned the following Voucher Nos.: • 8767 - Supplies from Attleboro /Foxboro Electric 8773, 8774, and 8776 - Belmont Springs - Chairman Madan suggested a total cost of the water be established. ® Twenty -Four Foot Ladder - Electric Department purchase ® 8818 - Palmer & Dodge Legal Opinion ® 8825 - Gale Associates to inspect Jordan Jackson Roof • 8830 - Greenwood Fire Apparatus MOTION: That the Board receive a copy of the total cost to repair the fie hock ladder truck. (Mahana - Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. ® Roche Brothers deli platter purchase • 8164 - Nynex MCI Equipment added to the fire station • 8945 - Officer Simpson Mileage Reimbursement at $.20 ivhy not .x.31 0 8930 - Thank You Flower Arrangements MOTION: So moved to approve the warrant. (Pasquale- Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Chairman Madan abstained from all Building Department items, and Clerk Mahana abstained from any items related to the Sheriff's Department. 7. Discussion with Municipal Building Committee - Police Station Project 8:30 PM David Young, Municipal Building Committee (MBC) Chairman, MBC members James Liddick and Rich Feeley, Maureen Doherty, MBC Secretary, Roger Hoit, Architect, Police Chief Arthur O'Neill, and Lt. Crickard were present for this discussion. Mr. Young gave an overview of the project stating that the design level is at 80 or 90 %, the project is expected to be bid in February, widening of the central fire station doors will be attached to the contract, and construction is expected to begin in April and end in the fall. Roger Hoit, architect from Stekalovsky & Hoit, reviewed the site plan and floor plan for the expanded Police Station. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments: Members of the Board of Selectmen commented on and asked questions concerning whether or not the second set of bids will be too high, money paid to Strekalovsky and Hoit for the first and second iterations, whether or not sufficient funds exist for the project, inclusion of a central dispatch area, office space for the Fire Chief, whether or not the basement meets ADA, and Fire Chief Office location. Clerk Mahana also referenced a memorandum from the Municipal Building Committee listing persons allowed on the Robinson School Construction site, of which the Selectmen were not included. Clerk Mahana stated that he will be unable to vote on anything, such as payment vouchers for the project, for which he does not have the right to look at. Discussion among the Selectmen followed concerning whether or not ail official vote was ever taken by the Selectmen to locate the Fire Chief's office within the Police Station, if the Town Manager issued a directive to the Fire Chief for his office location to be at the central station, and where his current location is. MOTION: That the Fire Chief's office is to be up town as a policy of the Board of Selectmen. (Colella- Mahana)(3 -2) Selectmen Pasquale and Robinson Opposed. PASSES. Prior to voting on the above motion, the Town Manager requested the issue be tabled until the Fire Chief was present. lKI V Ambulance Study Committee Mr. Williams stated as voted at last week's meeting, he put together a task force to review the feasibility and cost of increasing the level of Mansfield's ambulance service to EMT- ( P. Mr. Williams listed the persons he selected to participate in the task force -- himself; Selectman Pasquale; Fire Chief Sliney; Deputy Chief Bellavance; Finance Cormnittee member Marge McShane; Fire Department employee John Robbins; Mike Wilson, Norton Paramedic; and Tim Fallon of Fallon Ambulance Service. Cliahman Madan stated that at last week's meeting he suggested Clerk Mahana should be the Selectmen's representative on the Committee. Clerk Mahana stated at last week's meeting the task force should consist of the Town Manager, Fire Chief, Board of Selectmen Chairman, and Finance Committee Chairman, and a representative of a private ambulance service to be chosen by the fast four members. Clerk Maharra also questioned inclusion of the out -of -town paramedic and Deputy Fire Chief. MOTION: To have the task force set up as mentioned. (Mahana - Colella) (3 -2) Selectmen Pasquale and Robinson opposed. PASSES. 10. Selectmen A. Old Business Chairman Madan inquired of the Town manager the cost of the new West Mansfield fire station, as was requested previously by a resident. Chairman Madan also stated that he received a call this date from a resident inquiring about the addition to Robinson School. The resident bad heard the School Committee was looking for a name for the "new school ". Chairman Madan asked School Committee Chairman Emil Giordano about this information, who stated that the addition is actually a new school. Selectman Colella referenced a memorandum from the Fire Chief concerning printing "Parking Included" on Great Woods tickets and stated that a license would be required if this is printed. It was suggested that the Fire Chief's memorandum be forwarded to Great Woods and they be unformed that this wording would result in the license requirement. Selectman Colella also referenced a memorandum from the Fire Chief on installation of traffic signals on Plymouth Street for the new fine station and asked the Town Manager about the status of his contract. Mr. Williams responded that he is satisfied with the present contract as is and suggested the Selectmen discuss their proposed amendment to the contract with Town Counsel. Lastly, Selectman Colella asked if an opinion had been received fi•onr Town Counsel on the School Department's Pay /Ride system revolving account. Selectman Robinson referenced a memorandum from the DPW Director, Dan Clifford, to the Town Manager, concerning removal of various trees to allow for road and sidewalk improvements in the spring and asked if all trees are located on Town property. Clerk Mahana requested the DPW Director be placed on a Selectmen's agenda. Chairman Madan stated that a woman called him this date regarding a parking complaint. ( The woman told Chairman Madan that the Parking Clerk, David Alward, was very rude to her and that she and her husband had just started parking at the train station and were not aware of the process that the sticker would have to be renewed so soon. Chairman Madan suggested literature be issued with resident stickers explaining the policy. Chairman Madan asked if the Town Hall moving date is still scheduled for January 24 and suggested the Town Hall should be closed for business on January 24, 27, and 28 to allow unpacking tune. Ivh•. Williams stated that the Town Clerk's office would have to be open on January 27 because that is the deadline for submission of petitions. Lastly, Chairman Madan asked if a letter the Selectmen received copies of concerning an electrical brown out that occurred would be included in the next Light Commissioner's meeting correspondence. MOTION: To meet as Light Connnissioners on January 21 or 27 at the Light Department. (Mahana - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. MOTION: Not to fill the vacant position of Assistant to the Town Manager as a policy. (Colella- Mahana) (3 -2) Selectmen Pasquale and Robinson. PASSES. Selectmen Colella asked Selectman Pasquale if it was correct that with the previous Board of Selectmen he was strongly in favor of the Fire Chief's office being located at the downtown station and if so, why his position has changed. Selectman Pasquale responded that the central fire station is not handicap accessible to allow the Chief's office to be located there. Next, Selectman Colella referenced a telephone message he received this date from Sandra Howard, Linden Street resident. Ms. Howard requested the Linden Sheet sidewalk not be plowed. The Selectmen discussed Town liability issues relative to this request. Clerk Mahana inquired about the amount of time a Selectman must wait after leaving office before gaining employment with the Town. MOTION: The Town Manger answer questions the Board asks hum within seven days, or within fourteen days if there is not a meeting scheduled the followed week, unless there is some technical problem that prevents him from answering and requires more time. (Mahana - Colella) Clerk Mahana stated some questions he has asked and has not received answers to where regarding inquiring of Motorola the effect Norton's use of Mansfield's radio system will have and determining the true cost of the West Mansfield Fire Station. ( Amendment to above motion: MOTION: To adopt the policy that the Town Manager answer all Selectmen's questions within fourteen days. (Mahana - Colella) (3 -2) Selectmen Pasquale and Robinson opposed. PASSES. Clerk Mahana stated a few months ago the Town Manager distributed a letter of disclosure that Mr. Larry Roberts is a close and personal friend of his and that he would possibly be doing business with the Town. Clerk Mahana continued stating that he understands Mr. Roberts has recently been hired in the Police Department as a dispatcher and asked Mr. Williams how he would handle the situation if a grievance involving Mr. Roberts should ever occur. Mr. Williams responded that he would handle the situation as Ire usually does and if need be Ire would appoint someone to handle if for him; if he had an assistant he or she could handle it. 11. Adjournment 10:25 PM MOTION: To adjourn. (Pasquale - Mahana) All in favor. PASSES. Clerk's Signature Date ofApproval t