HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 1-29-1997Board of Selectmen
Minutes
January 29, 1997
iJ u f Cc ` IS HELD
97 FEB 21 Fib 9: 20
Present: Chairman Madan, Clerk Mahana, and Selectmen Colellal tPas ` �, tad
Robinson M SS'AC!,N E 15
Arthur O'Neill, Acting Town Manager
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the pledge of
allegiance.
2. Discussion with Dan Clifford, DPW Director
Dan Clifford, DPW Director, commended Mike Ahern, Leadman; Andy Liddig, Union
Steward & Highway Department employees' representative; Mark Cook, Highway
Foreman; and Betty Amicone, DPW Office Manager, for executing a flawless relocation
from the old Town Hall to the new Town Hall.
Chairman Madan followed up stating a great job was done by all and that the Highway
Department is one Department that has turned around and is a Department the Town is
proud of
Clerk Mahana asked Mr. Clifford if paving costs were included in his cost breakdown of
the new West Mansfield Fire Station and asked what the Department of Public Works
total costs were associated with the project. Mr. Clifford responded that paving was paid
by the Municipal Building Committee and the total cost to DPW was $48,857, which
includes labor, material, and the sewer connection.
3. Presentation of Plaque to Vinnie Guerrini
Chairman Madan presented Mrs. Guerrini with a plaque in recognition of her husband's,
Vinnie Guerrini, thirty -nine years of service to the Town of Mansfield while employed by
the Police Department. Chairman Madan also presented Mr. Guerrini with a framed
article from the newspaper about his recent retirement from the Police Department.
4. Questions and Comments
Steve Jackson, 325 Mill Street, asked if Town Counsel was paid for his attendance at last
week's Selectmen's meeting, why he was present, and what his rate of pay is.
Richard Devine, 6 Morgan Road, requested West Sheet in the Tremont Street area be
reviewed for increased ice precautions.
Peter DeTI-olio, 496 Elin Street, asked the Selectmen if anything has been done by the
Board of Selectmen concerning the noise at Great Woods.
5. Constable Interview
The only applicant for reappointment, Carlton Conrad, was present for his interview with
the Selectmen.
MOTION: So moved to appoint Carlton Conrad.
(Colella- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES.
6. Weekly Business
A. Warrant No. 32 - $713,331.90
MOTION: So moved.
(Mahana- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. Chairman Madan abstained
from all Building Department items.
B. Minutes
o Minutes of January 8, 1997
MOTION: So moved.
(Colella - Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES.
e Executive Session Minutes of December 11, 1996
MOTION: To approve but not release.
(Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
e Executive Session Minutes of December 18, 1996
MOTION: To approve but not release.
( (Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
Executive Session Minutes of January 2, 1997
MOTION: To approve but not release.
(Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
C. Correspondence
Action
Resident
Letter fi•om Alexis B. Devine, Trustee, Jackson Court Condominium Association,
requesting the Town plow its parking area
Acting Town Manager O'Neill stated that the subject area is a public way but for a while
was treated as a private way by the Association. Discussion continued concerning the
ability of plows to clear the snow if cars are parked in the area, impact of plowing the
area on DPW, and whether or not the condominiums have adequate parking.
MOTION: To get a recommendation from the DPW Director and Town Manager.
(Pasquale - Robinson) All in favor. PASSES.
Other
Resident
Letter from Evelyn M. Hyde to the board of Selectmen asking why residents are fined for
being late getting new resident stickers when they are not charged for stickers and if
commuter parking spaces are marked for "Mansfield residents only ", why aren't tickets
issued to residents with old stickers dismissed once proof of address is submitted
Board and Committee
Memorandum from the Capital Improvements Committee stating that it will continue to
meet on Thursday evenings and requesting the Selectmen consider appointing another
member if Selectman Robinson will be unable to attend the meetings
MOTION: Selectman Colella to be the Selectmen's representative on the Capital
Improvements Committee.
(Robinson - Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES.
Miscellaneous
Letter from NEES Companies stating that the contractor that will he treating the right -of-
way in Mansfield in 197 will be Vegetation Control Services, Inc.
7. Discussion with Police Chief O'Neill
A. On- Street Parking Policy
Police Chief O'Neill stated that he would prefer that no additional on- sheet overnight
parking passes be issued to residents. Selectman Pasquale stated that he would like the
Town Manager to meet with Department Heads to propose a parking plan. Police Chief
O'Neill responded that a parking plan will be proposed to the Selectmen in the spring.
Selectman Pasquale suggested the overnight parking policy be included in the plan.
MOTION: To have the Town Manager look at the overnight on- street parkingpolicy
and come back to the Board.
(Colella - Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES.
B. Resident Stickers
Police Chief O'Neill explained the resident sticker commuter parking policy and stated
that the Police Department would be malfeasant not to enforce the policy.
8. Selectmen
A. Miscellaneous
® Clerk Mahana referenced a letter from the firm, Hemmens & Barnes, East Coast
Engineering's Attorney, and requested it be sent to the Town Counsel.
MOTION: To send the letter to Town Counsel for guidance on it.
(Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
e Andy Gazzolo, Finance Coimnittee Chairman, announced the School Department and
Municipal budget review dates. Chairman Madan requested the Selectmen be posted
for the Municipal budget reviews on February 8 and 15.
® Clerk Mahana noted the following additional correspondence:
Letter from the Planning Board to Judy Scott, Town Clerk, concerning Hodges Brook
Estates
Memo from Dan Clifford, DPW Director, to David Young, Municipal Building
Committee Chairman, concerning authorized purchase of shelving for various Town Hall
offices
Budget Summary for School aid reimbursement
Memorandum to the Finance Committee from Bob Morrison, Assistant DPW Director,
concerning requests for information
Letter to Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and Development, fi•om Richard Lewis,
Conservation Agent, concerning open space land
B. Old Business
Selectman Pasquale stated that he would like the Police Detail Policy finalized for the
Selectmen's next meeting. Selectman Pasquale also asked if a response has been received
from the School Committee on the Selectmen's offer for them to use the Selectmen's
meeting room on Tuesday evenings for their meetings.
MOTION: That we extend the offer to the School Committee to use this room for
meetings on Tuesday nights.
(Pasquale- Mahana) All in favor. PASSES.
Selectman Pasquale stated that he has begun to make contact with EMC and that he
talked with a third party to arrange a meeting of IDC member and Downtown Business
Association President, Jay Barrows, EMCZ President, and himself.
Lastly, Selectman Pasquale stated last week he mentioned a desire to have a workshop on
the relationship of the Selectmen and questioned the status. Chairman Madan responded
that he is still hying to arrange an executive session to discuss the Selectmen's
relationship with the Town Manager and that he hasn't planned on scheduling a
Selectmen's workshop.
Chairman Madan stated that discussions with Bob Gurek, School Business Manager, will
be occurring shortly to discuss costs of non -profit organizations using Town buildings.
Selectman Colella stated he has a question concerning the Town Manager's bottled water
memorandum but that he would wait until the Town Manager is present.
C. New Business
Clerk Mahana commiented on a memorandum fi•om Traffic Safety Officer Lawson to the
Police Chief reporting no automobile related fatalities in 1996 in Mansfield and stated he
feels the entire Police Department should be congratulated.
Selectman Colella stated he feels one "touchy" intersection is near the Mobil gas station
on Route 106.
1
Clerk Mahana requested a memorandum be sent to the Assistant DPW Director, Bob
Morrison, requesting the status of the well cleaning and repair project as well as a copy of
the updated peer review done by Woodard & Curran on East Coast Engineering.
Clerk Mahana stated this past August he attended a School Committee meeting, at which
a number of adults were concerned about the ability of adults to enter and exit schools
with no challenge. At that time, Clerk Mahana suggested the School Committee contact
Cable Access concerning installation of security cameras. On January 22, Clerk Mahana
received a letter from the School Committee inquiring of the status of supplying security
cameras to the Schools. Clerk Mahana asked if the Selectmen should send a letter to Dr.
Nicolletti suggesting he submit a letter to the board requesting to use Cable Gift Account
Funds for the cameras. Chairman Madan responded that he does not believe money is
available in the account.
Selectman Colella asked who the Selectmen's Great Wood liaison would be this season
and stated that he would like additional portable bathrooms on site. Chairman Madan
suggested a workshop with the Great Woods be scheduled on an off meeting night with
the whole Board, Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Great Woods Manager, Bruce
Montgomery.
Selectman Pasquale stated that he read an article in the SUN CHRONICLE concerning
conservation land in Norton, for which their is a proposal by Bank of Boston to develop,
and requested letters be sent to the Town of Norton Conservation Commission, Board of
Selectmen, and IDC; Governor Weld; Senator Kerry; Senator Keating; Representatives
Hyland and Poirier; and Bank of Boston, stating that Mansfield will not support the
proposal and requesting the return of the right -of -way property within the Great Woods to
Mansfield from the State.
MOTION: So moved.
(Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES.
Selectman Robinson stated at a Selectmen's Association meeting he attended last
Thursday, one hot topic was Bristol County Agricultural School. A meeting will be held
in the spring to determine what will happen with the School. Anyone interested should
attend the meeting to express their support.
Selectman Robinson requested the Town Manager check on Federal Government funding
for swurner work programs for children of low- income families.
Selectman Robinson stated he will be requesting input from Light Department Manager,
John Larch, and Foreman, Gary D'Ambra, on the Selectmen's February 5 telephone pole
relocation hearing.
Lastly, Selectman Robinson stated that it is a pleasure to be in the new Town Hall and is
1 glad that the project was not stopped as requested eighteen months ago.
Chairman Madan stated a few weeks ago the Selectmen discussed the Foxboro sewer
extending into Sharon and decided to send a memorandum to Foxboro concerning same
but a response to the memorandum has not been received. Chairman Madan suggested
turning the issue over to Town Counsel to move forward. Selectman Pasquale suggested
Foxboro Official, Mike Coppola, be contacted first.
9. Acting Town Manager O'Neill Announcements
Acting Town Manager O'Neil announced the last day to file for the Police Department
enhance exam is January 31, 1997.
Acting Town Manager O'Neill gave an update on Police Station moving expenses stating
that moving the radio system, cluster /lap top system, and mobile data system should be
relatively "painless ", and the E -911 system will possibly be the only expense because an
entirely new board will have to be set up. Funding assistance will be requested fiom
statewide E -911 for the relocation.
10. Adjournment 8:50 PM
MOTION: To adjourn.
(Colella- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES.
Jr rk's Sign rtroe Date ofAppronnl