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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 10-22-1997Bourn of Selectmen Minutes - October 22, 1997 r ( ;.. CT 31 fill =l,tt Present. Chairman Madan, Clerk Royle, and Selectmen Colella, Mahana*, and Robinson i.,_ , I ln.--�,— L D Acting Town Manager Richard Boucher C"; U ET TS 1. The meeting was called to order at 7.•30 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. A. Warrant No. 17- $931,275.36 Motion: To approve. (Boyle- Robinson) Chairman Madan abstained from all Building Department items. Clerk Royle abstained from all Health Department items. Passes. B. Minutes • October 8, 1997, Executive Session Minutes Motion: To approve but not to release for publication. ( Royle- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. • October 15, 1997, Minutes Motion: Move to approve. ( Royle- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. • October 21, 1997, Minutes "Selectman Mahana entered the meeting. Motion: Move to approve. ( Royle- Colella) (4 -0 -1) Selectman Robinson abstained Passes. C- Correspondence Action Resident Letter from John J. Russo requesting the Board of Water Commissioners suspend any action on a water bill lie recently received until it can be worked out with the Water Department with attached memorandum from Vel Bishop, Billing Supervisor Motion: To support Vel Bishops actions. ( Royle- Mahana) All in favor. Passes. State & Local Government Letter from Kevin J. Sullivan, Commissioner, Mass Highway, with a copy of the data needed to institute "No Thru Trucking" on Gilbert, Bungay, Balcom, and Otis Streets Miscellaneous Letter from the Parents' Advisory Council for the Jackson, Jordan, and Robinson Elementary Schools, requesting a waiver of the fee for the building inspection for a recent fund raiser held at Great Woods, Vidbel's Olde Tyme Circus Motion: Move to waive the town's portion of the building inspection fees for the Jackson Jordan and Robinson elementary schools PAC. ( Royle- Mahana) (4 -0 -1) Chairman Madan abstained. Passes. Other Board and Committee Memorandum from the Municipal Building Committee concerning contaminated soils at the Police Station Memorandum from the Municipal Building Committee stating there will not be sufficient funds to complete work at the Central Fire Station Town Manager & Staff Letter from Bertram Cook, Inspector of Buildings /Zoning Enforcement Officer, concerning site plans approval for the additions to the Qualters Middle School and High School State & Local Government Letter from Senator Keating with his attached letter in support of Mansfield's application for grant funding from the foundation reserve program Miscellaneous Notification from Cable Vision Industries that effective November 1 they will change their operating name and do business as Time Warner Cable 2. Plaque Presentation Chairman Madan presented Reginald Woody of Lireben Associates with a plaque for his donation of a hazardous waste materials storage locker to the Town of Mansfield. The value of the locker is approximately $30,000. 3. Questions & Comments Jay Barroivs, president, Dorvntoivn Business Association, reminded the public of the upcoming YMCA roadrace and gave an update on the November 30 holiday parade. Mr. Barrows invited all of the Selectmen to participate in the parade. Ralph Penney, 336 Maple Street, asked if anyone had come forward to evaluate institution of "one -way" on Crocker Street and asked if the Board would consider a review of the area by him. Selectman Colella stated last week he made a remark regarding liquor license violations which upset liquor store owners; Mr. Colella stated he did not intend to offend anyone and apologizes if he did. Selectman Colella also stated that if a similar license violation occurred with another establishment in town, he would probably take the same action. Chairman Madan stated Mr. D'Agostino, Town Manager candidate, accepted the Town's offer of employment with a hopeful starting date of December 1. Acceptance is contingent upon negotiating a contract. Clerk Royle asked when the Board 1vill see the details of the contract. The details are being worked out with Town Counsel. 4. 7:50 PM To.,: Rate Classification Hearing Clerk Royle read the public hearing notice aloud. The Board of Assessors requested a continuance of the hearing until October 29. Motion: Move to continue the hearing as requested by the Board of Assessor to October 29 at 8:00 PM. (Boyle- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. S. Repierp of Special Town Meeting Articles The Selectman began reviewing the Special Town Meeting warrant articles and continued through Article 3. 6. Discussion with Fair Housing Committee re: Local Housing Partnership Ron Webster introduced Fair Housing Committee members: Judy Martone, Louise Motika, Sherry Buck, Kathy Davidson, and Roland Benoit. Mr. Webster reviewed Fair Housing Committees goals, objectives, and opportunities relative to establishment of a Local Housing Partnership. Selectmen Questions: Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions concerning the authority that establishes qualifications, creation of working document containing guidelines, and explanation of "affordable housing" and financing mechanisms. Motion: That we approve the Fair Housing Committee's research into developing a plan for fair housing to work on the goals objectives and opportunities we outlined and return with recommendations to the Selectmen. (Mahana- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. ( Mr. Webster asked if when the Fair Housing Conuruttee returns with its recommendation if it would be working with the full Board of Selectmen or a representative of the Board; consensus was a full board 9. Special Town Meeting Article Review Continuer) The Selectmen continued reviewing the Special Town Meeting articles beginning with Article 4. • A consensus of the Board was in favor of Article 4 being placed at the end of the money articles. • Article 5 should be divided into two separate articles; one for the Walsh Well and one for the Witch Pond Well. • It was suggested that all water warrant articles reflect the dollar amounts, be prioritized, and totaled. • Motion: Move we strike Article 21 ( Feasibility Study for Iron and Manganese Removal at Albertini Well Nos. 2, 3, and 4 and Prescott Well Nos. 8 and 9.) ( (Mahana- No Second) • Possibility of using Foxboro's or Easton's rate schedules as a basis for Mansfield's water rates and/or Finance Committee members conducting a Water rate study. • The Finance Committee should be invited to the November 5 water articles discussion with the water consultants, Woodard & Curran. • The Selectmen discussed whether or not an article to purchase a skid steer loader should be included in the capital budget. • Selectmen questioned the need for Article 34, requesting a vote to authorize the Selectmen to adopt a "Buy recycled Products Procurement Policy" and whether or not a Town Meeting vote is required. • Selectmen questioned the need for Article 35, designation of a number roads as scenic roads, at this time and whether or not it could wait until the Annual Town Meeting. • Article 36 regarding "Interest on Unpaid Utility Charges" should be amended to include the wording "not to exceed" fourteen (14 %)per annum and "to be set by the Selectmen" after "unpaid amount ". • Article 39, parking facility by -law, prompted discussion concerning what the by -law involves. Clerk Royle stated she would like to exclude open air parking facilities from residential and industrial zones but would like to allow them in business zones. Selectman Mahana expressed concern that the MBTA commuter lots be exempt from the by -law and suggested the Selectmen discuss the intent of the article with the Planning Board. Motion: To put off Article 39 until the Annual Town Meeting. (Colella- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. Motion: To reconsider deletion of Article 39 from the Special Town Meeting warrant. (Boyle- Mahana) (3 -2) Chairman Madan and Selectman Colella opposed. Passes. Motion: Move to include Article 39 in the Special Town Meeting warrant and ask that the Planning Director attend next Wednesday night's meeting and present a explanation of the articles. (Boyle- Mahana) All in favor. Passes (3 -2) Chairman Madan and Selectman Colella opposed. Motion: Move to close the warrant with all adjustments and question marks. ( Royle- Mahana) All in favor. Passes. 8. Old Business A. Town Manager Acting Manager Boucher stated that he spoke with representatives of Conrail and they do not feel the Oakland Street by -pass is their responsibility. The Industrial Development Commission will determine whether or not the businesses in the area are responsible for the by -pass. Acting Manager Boucher summarized recent conversations he has had with Joe Ditchman and the MBTA concerning commuter parking in Mansfield. Mr. Boucher requested Representative Hyland's assistance with the MBTA. Chairman Madan stated he would like to meet with a representative from the T who has authority. Selectman Robinson stated he is not happy with the situation especially if the present station is left in place. Chairman Madan asked if the Town could officially re- negotiate the lease terms with the MBTA. Copies of the agreement should be given to each of the Selectmen. Mr. Boucher gave an update on the contaminated soils discovered at the Police Station renovation site. B. Selectmen Clerk Royle asked if the Town of Norton has made any payments on sewer bills and if the payments would be part of this year's revenues. Clerk Royle also stated that she feels the Selectmen's relationship wit the Municipal Building Committee has hit an all time low and that she is willing to sit with the five members to try to come to an understanding on attitude, goals, plans for resolving issues, and develop a better understanding of what the town has done to make the projects work; i.e. drainage and air conditioner. Chairman Madan responded that he has been working on setting up a meeting for next Wednesday with Town Counsel. Clerk Royle questioned the need for Town Counsel to be at the meeting and stated the meeting should be about relationships not responsibility. Motion: That we meet with the Municipal Building Committee in an attempt to resolve our differences and invite Town Counsel to act as a mediator /consultant if necessary. ( Royle- Colella) All in favor. Passes. The Chairman will determine the date, which should be on an off - meeting night. Selectman Colella stated that he spoke with Town Manager candidate John D'Agostino. Mr. D'Agostino asked Selectmen Colella to discuss the Selectmen's previous three to two vote to offer the position to him with the Board. Clerk Royle stated that she and Mr. D'Agostino met this date, that she does not believe a vote is necessary, and that she will work with Mr. D'Agostino. Motion: That we get a full vote of the Board to support the Town Manager coming aboard (Colella - WITHDRAWN) Chairman Madan stated that he spoke with David Carol, Amtrak High Speed Rail Project Manager, and lie will be viewing Mansfield's fencing requests with Chris Riley, also of Amtrak. They are trying to promise that Mansfield will have fencing installed, but the MBTA owns the entire area and will be responsible for its maintenance. If the "T" is willing to maintain the fencing, it will be installed. Great Woods donation Acting Manager Boucher stated it is unclear what Great Woods' intent was when making the $20,000 donation to the Town and that the Town Meeting may have to vote to distribute the money. If Great Woods' intent was to donate the money to the Town to ( give to charities, a Town Meeting vote will not be required. Each of the Selectmen listed which charities they would like the donation to go towards: Selectman Mahana $2,000 fuel assistance for elderly $2000 food pantry Selectman Colella $1000 animal shelter $2000 special need children at Jordan Jackson to update the basketball program $500 Recreation Skateboard program $500 for senior citizens Chairman Madan $2000 Citizen Scholarship Foundation $2000 to offset the cost of transportation for elderly on the bus; to subsidize the fare Clerk Royle $500 Kennedy Donovan Center for equipment for the handicap kids $1000 Rails to Trails $500 Boosters Club $2000 Foxboro Human Services Selectman Robinson $1000 Seniors Citizens Fuel Assistance, Food, etc. $1000 Skateboard Park and Plymouth Street Recreational Facility $500 High School Year Book $500 Rails to Trails $1000 Remaining 9. New Business A. Town Manager Acting Manager Boucher informed the Selectmen that they will need to appoint representatives to serve on the Capital Improvements Committee. Both Selectmen Mahana and Colella will serve for one more year. Acting Manager Boucher informed the public that the Police Department is in need of school crossing guards. Acting Manager Boucher stated that he received notification this date that the Gilbert Street bridge is officially open. Selectman Robinson stated he will be attending the Bristol County Selectmen's Association dinner on November 13, and that he would like to think about hosting a dinner again in Mansfield. Selectman Robinson stated he read an article in the Sun Chronicle concerning a Cambridge task force between the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the Police Department to stop motorists from running bus stop signs and that he would like the Acting Manager to set up a discussion with the Police Chief to discuss the idea. Clerk Royle stated she, too, would like to attend the Selectmen's Association dinner and requested the Town Hall hours be posted on the doors. Clerk Royle also requested the Selectmen consider asking High School an students to display some of their art work in the Selectmen's meeting room. B. Selectmen Motion: That we ask cable access for clip -on microphones. (Mahana - Royle) All in favor. Passes. Selectman Mahana inquired of the status of the Walsh Wellfield, noted the Plymouth Street brick fund- raiser has begun, and stated that he would like the Board to send condolences to Chief Sliney in the passing of his mother. Chairman Madan inquired of the Selectmen's wishes for this year's senior leaf program. Motion: To set up same as last year. (Robinson - Colella) Clerk Royle stated she would like to know if the DPW is prepared to do the pick up again. All in favor. passes. 10. SRPEDD Intersection Study Lenney Flynn stated the SRPEDD Commission voted to fund a study of the Route 495 and 140 intersection in Mansfield and will need feedback on the action within two weeks. Mr. Flynn suggested SRPEDD explain to the Selectmen the reason this intersection was chosen for the study. Motion: That we request SRPEDD attend our meeting and invite the Planning Board so SRPEDD can discuss their reason for studying the intersection of 495 and 140. ( Royle- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. 11. 10:30 PME.vecutive Session to Discuss Litigation Motion: To go into executive session and come out only to adjourn. (Boyle- Colella) Clerk Royle Aye. Selectman Robinson Aye. Selectman Colella Aye. Selectman Mahana Aye. Chairman Madan Aye. r� Cl'erk's Signature _1 Date of Approval