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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 12-10-1997Board of Selectmen Minutes a j J December 10, 1997 j l Present: Chairman Madan, Clerk Royle, and Selectmen Colella, Mahana, and Robinson John D'Agostino, Town Manager 1,J r 1 S 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. A. Warrant No. 24 - $4,359,268.66 Motion: So moved. (Robinson- Royle) All in favor. Chairman Madan abstained from all Building Department items and Voucher No. 6775; Clerk Royle abstained from all Health Department items. B. Minutes • Executive Session Minutes of November 12, 1997 Motion: So moved. (Robinson - Mahana) (3- 0- 2)Clerk Royle and Selectman Colella abstained. Passes. • Minutes of November 12, 1997 Motion: Move to approve. ( ( Royle- Robinson) (4 -0 -1 Colella abstained Passes. • Minutes of November 19, 1997 Motion: Move to approve. (Boyle- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. C. Licenses and Permits • 1998 License Renewals Common Victualer: MaRiva Inc. dba D'Angelo's Wendy's International dba Wendy's JEPJ Inc. dba Thana Restaurant Motion: So moved, with the condition that all back taxes are current. (Robinson - Colella) All in favor. Passes. Live Entertainment Weekdays JEPJ Inc. dba Tahana Restaurant Motion: So moved to approve. (Robinson - Colella) All in favor. Passes. Open Air Parking Facility Acme Cleveland Corporation, 75 Chauncy Street - 172 Spaces Motion: Move to approve. ( Royle- Mahana) All in favor. Passes. 0 SERSG Contract Award for In -Place Bituminous Concrete to Bardon - Trimount, Stoughton, MA, and Cold Planing to T. L. Edwards Inc. Motion: So moved for the SERSG Award of In -Place Bituminous Concrete to Bardon- Trimount, Stoughton, MA, and Cold Planing to T. L. Edwards Inc. (Robinson- Mahana) All in favor. Passes. Balcom Street YMCA Mystic Club Land Amendment to the Lease Motion: Move to approve and sign the lease agreement with the YMCA for the Mystic Club property. (Royle- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. Prior to voting on the above motion, Chairman Madan stated that he noticed a junk car parked on the Mystic Club and suggested the owner be determined and the vehicle removed by the town. D. Correspondence • Resident Letter from Karl Clemmey, 750 South Main Street, requesting to be placed on the Selectmen's December 10 agenda to discuss general information Letter from Denise Moore stating she believes it is within the Selectmen's authority to meet with the Board of Health, Town Manager, and Police Chief to discuss what actions are being taken relative to an "illegal landfill" at 46 and 50 Highland Avenue • Board and Committee Letter from H. Thomas French, Planning Board Chairman, in favor of the reappointment of Thomas McShane and Kenneth Torman to the Planning Board Letter from Sonia Walgreen, President, Council on Aging, thanking the Selectmen for their designation of $5,500 of the Great Woods Funds to the Council on Aging • Town Manager and Staff Memorandum from John O. D'Agostino, Town Manager, concerning weekly agenda sessions • State and Local Government Mansfield's Regional Pavement Management Report from SRPEDD Legislative Wrap -Up for 1997 from State Representative Kevin Poirier 2. Resident Stickers Chairman Madan announced recycling and parking stickers are available now and can be placed on vehicles now. 3. Old Business A. Town Manager Town Manager John D'Agostino reported on the following: Dan Clifford, DPW Director, and DPW completed the sidewalks at the police station. Mr. D'Agostino met with several department heads this date to discuss and coordinate a response to the Great Waves proposal. A response will be submitted requesting the State classify Mansfield as an interested party, which will allow Mansfield to receive all correspondence relative to the project. Water ban signs have been removed, and DPW is working on development of appropriate signage for Town Meeting. Mr. D'Agostino is trying to ascertain ownership of the Oakland Street railroad crossing in order that in may be repaired as requested previously by Selectman Colella. In response to questions asked last week regarding vouchers in payment of underwear and socks purchases, the purchases were for the Animal Control Officer, as allowed by his union contract. The purchase of a parachute bag was to replace one owned by the Recreation Department. Parachutes are used for child's play in the camp programs. A Department heads meeting is scheduled for December 12. B. Selectmen Selectman Mahana received a letter from a resident of Foxboro concerned about Mansfield's sewer capacity flows. Selectmen Mahana questioned the actual amount owed by the Town of Norton for current sewer bills, and suggested they not be given a "pay as you go" program for their bills but that a definite time frame be instituted. Selectman Mahana also stated that Mansfield has over $1Million in sewer charges due, including both Norton and Foxboro, and asked the Town Manager's office to follow through on prompt payment by both Towns, and if prompt payment is not made that a service fee be added. Chairman Madan asked if capacity allotted to Norton could be rescinded due to their non- payment of sewer bills. Clerk Royle suggested the Selectmen meet with Counsel in executive session to discuss strategy. Selectman Mahana requested the Selectmen direct money collected from both Towns back into a trust fund for the sewer plant. Selectman Colella inquired of the status of repairing a dip in roadway at the Oakland Street railroad crossing. Selectman Colella also suggested the $60,000 the Town received from the State last Friday at the Scott /Goyea Property be used to purchase more Conservation Land. Selectman Royle stated she feels directing the money into such a fund would require a Town Meeting vote. Selectman Colella inquired of the status of bridge painting in town. Clerk Royle referenced a memorandum form Bob Morrison, Assistant DPW Director, dated December 10, 1997, in which he requests permission to post "No Salt" zone signs 800 feet in either direction of the Canoe River, due to recent test results indicating elevated levels of sodium in the East Street/Route 106 area near the Canoe River Motion: Move to institute a Low Salt Zone 800' in either direction of the Canoe River. ( Royle- Mahana) All in favor. Passes. 4. Discussion with Mimi Ardis and Gloria Grady re: Regional Charter School Mimi Ardis and Gloria Grady were present, representing 12 to 15 families, to inform and explain their recent application to the Federal Government for a Regional Charter School, which they hope to locate in Foxboro. Board of Selectmen Questions: Members of the of Selectmen asked if funding for the program has changed, whether or not approval has been granted, if the Selectmen's or School Committee's approval is required, if Ms. Ardis and Ms. Grady would be willing to meet with the School Committee, if a "Voucher System" would be instituted with the Charter School, and the life of the federal funding program. 5. Discussion with Steve Grossman, Time Warner Cable re: Cable License Amendment Selectman Robinson excused himself from the room for this discussion. Mr. Grossman reviewed proposed amendments to the Cable license which would eliminate the basic tier of service in an effort to realign the channel, Channel 5 would be found on 5, 4 on 4, etc. With this amendment, eight residences would lose their free basic service. Lou Amourso, Cable Access Board of Directors President, stated although the Cable Access Board has not met formally, they basically support the proposed amendments. Incentives being offered by Time Warner is a donation of $5000 to the Parks and Recreation Department and donation of additional equipment to the schools. Board of Selectmen Questions: Members of the Board of Selectmen inquired of the number of Mansfield subscribers, number of persons on free service, what would be given to subscribers eliminated from the free service, tinting for channel realignment, why realignment of the stations affects the free service, discounts presently provided to seniors and needy persons, possibility of keeping persons on the free service with the realignment, cost to the homeowner for the realignment, and the possibility of instituting a rate for persons age 70 or over. Motion: Move to approve the memo of understanding between the Board of Selectmen and ass Cable Vision Systems a Limited Partnership dba Time Warner Cable. ( Royle- Mahana) (2 -2) Chairman Madan and Selectman Colella opposed. Fails. Prior to voting on the above motion, Chairman Madan stated he does not feel enough effort has been put into sustaining the free service for the eight subscribers and that he would like more information. Motion: To reconsider after Mr. Grossman comes back with the information requested. ( Mahana- Royle) All in favor. Passes. Motion: To send this Redwood Regional Montessori Charter School Prospectus to the School Committee for their comments. ( Royle- Colella) All in favor. Passes. 6. 8:50 PM Discussion with Karl Clemmey re: General Information Mr. Clemmey began his discussion with the Selectmen stating he feels the Selectmen are ( accountable to taxpayers and that he does not like his tax dollars being spent the way some of its being spent. Mr. Clemmey is very concerned that a workshop should be held in order for businesses to voice their concerns and that the town should receive a fair amount for licenses, even if the applicant states they are a non -profit agency. Mr. Clemmey also stated that he would like Parking Regulations instituted and submitted a copy of a letter he received from Selectmen concerning his last open air parking facility capacity violation. Mr. Cleminey continued expressing concern with the number of hours the Police Chief has worked for Great Woods. Clerk Royle stated she does not feel this issue should be discussed, especially without the Chief being present; Selectman Robinson agreed. Clerk Royle suggested Mr-. Clenuncy present his concerns to the Town Manager. Mr. Clemmey responded that information being reviewed was obtained by him as public documents from the Treasurer's Office. Clerk Royle left the room. Mr. Clemmey stated that he would take the issue up with the Town Manager. Mr. Clemmey also stated that he is concerned that the evening of the Rage Against the Machine concert, there was no police officer at his parking facility and he was not told that he was sent home. Next, Mr. Clemmey stated that lie has found no reports in the Great Woods' file about violations of their license. Lastly, Mr. Clemmey stated he is concerned about a horse and buggy incident he was involved in with Police Officers on Main Street and that he received no response to a letter he sent the Acting Town Manager concerning an incident that occurred with Police Officers over this past summer. 7. New Business A. Town Manager Mr. D'Agostino reported that a Department Heads meeting has been scheduled for Friday morning, which will be recorded and the minutes distributed. Mr. D'Agostino reported that he established contact recently with MBTA officials and will be setting up a meeting with them. Lastly, Mr. D'Agostino stated that he will be establishing quarterly business meetings working in coordination with the Planning Department. It is the Town Manager's intent to have all pertinent Department Heads present at the meetings. Also, a webb page is being developed by the Town Manger and DPW Office Manager. B. Selectmen Selectman Robinson inquired of the status of a request he had made previously for the Police Chief to review a "Bus Stop" task force developed in Cambridge to see if it should be developed in Mansfield. Selectman Robinson requested the Selectmen's Secretary contact the Bristol County ( Selectmen's Association to ascertain the next Selectmen's Association Dinner meeting date. Selectman Robinson reported that one of the flags at the Middle School is in disarray and should be replaced. Selectman Robinson inquired of the status of installation of fencing for residences abutting the Amtrak High Speed Rail Project. Clerk Royle asked the Town Manager if Mansfield is paid by the Commonwealth for state -owned land in Mansfield, and if not, why. Selectman Colella asked how the geese at Fulton's Pond could be stopped from polluting the water and residential property in the vicinity of the pond. Selectman Mahana added that there is also a problem with dogs relieving themselves on the pond's banks. Town Manager D'Agostino responded that he would have the Conservation Agent and Animal Control Officer look into the issue. C. Boards and Committee Appointments 1998 Board/Commission # of # of Vacancies Applicants Airport Commission 1 2 3 -Year Term 2001 Motion: Move to appoint Philip Finer. (Boyle - Mahana) All in favor. Passes Board of Assessors 1 2 3 -Year Term 2001 Motion: Move to nominate Paul Folkman (Mahana - Royle) All in favor Conservation Commission 2 1 4 -Year Term 2002 Motion: So moved. ( Royle- Colella) All in favor Council on Aging 2 3 -Year Terin 2001 Motion: To appoint (Robinson- Mahana)AII in favor. Finance Committee 3 3 -Year Term 2001 Motion: To nominate Margie McShane 6 Applicants Philip Finer R George Dainis last applied 4197 Royle. Paul Folkman R Leonard Flynn 2 John P. Smith R *Greg Cauldwell has not reapplied. Gretchen Elliott R Ed Sliney Sr. 5 Gerald St. Hilaire R Joseph Cutillo R Margie McShane R Frank DelVecchio Ellen Bloom Whitney ( Royle- Colella) All in favor. Passes. Motion: To nominate Joseph Cutillo. (Mahana - Cutillo) All in favor. Passes. Motion: To nominate Ellen Bloom Whiteney (Robinson - Royle) Motion: To nominate Gerald St. Hilaire. (Mahana - Colella) All in favor. Passes. Board of Health 1 1 Raymond Martins R 3 -Year nrm 2001 Motion: So moved. (Mahana - Colella) All in favor Clerk Royle excused herself from the meeting for this vote. Library Trustees 2 3 Chris Cormier Hayes R 3 -Year 'Term 2001 John Walgreen Toe Flynn last applied 11196 *Linda Lipson will not be reapplying Motion: To nominate Joe Flynn ( Royle- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. Motion: To nominate Chris Cormier Hayes (Robinson - Colella) All in favor. Passes. Municipal Building Committee 1 2 David Young R 5 -Year Teri 2003 Kenneth Gay last applied 7197. Motion: To nominate Mr. Gay. (Mahana - Royle) Motion: To nominate Mr. Young. (Robinson- Colella) (4 -1 Selectman Mahana opposed. Passes. Planning Board 2 2 Kenneth Torman R 5 -Year Teri 2003 Thomas McShane R Motion: So moved. (Mahana - Colella) All in favor. Passes. Recreation Commission 2 3 Bart Jackson 3 -Year Tern: 2001 Carlos Medeiros Registered to vote since application Raymond Martine Selectman Mahana nominated Bart Jackson who received five votes, and Clerk Royle nominated Carlos Medeiros, who also received five votes. Registrar of Voters 1 1 Annette Shaw R ( 3 -Year Term 2001 Motion: So moved. (Mahana - Colella) All in favor. Passes. WWII Scholarship 3 3 William Flannery R 5 -Year Term 2003 Joanne Rys R MaryAnn DeTrolio R Motion: So moved. (Colella- Royle) All in favor. Passes. Zoning Board of Appeals 2 3 Donald Daniels R 3 -Year 1' nn 2001 Leonard Flynn R1 Karl Clernmey Motion: To nominate Leonard Flynn. ( Royle- Mahana) All in favor. Passes. Motion: To nominate Donald Daniels. (Mahana - Robinson) Alt in favor. Passes. 8. 9:30 PM Discussion with Mr. Thomas Greene Mr. Greene began his discussion with the Board of Selectmen explaining why he has not been to Town Meeting for a number of years . Mr. Greene continued discussing the following: he is troubled with the town, there are no facilities for hard of hearing persons at meetings, the 114 % assessment on real estate is not fair, he is upset with paying for services not received, ie although he has no children in the school system, he is taxed the same as a person who does; he is upset with his experience with the Board of Assessors; the Assessors interpretation of the tax laws; abuse and brainwashing by assessors; and his suffering physically and mentally for the past months. Selectman Mahana responded to Mr. Greene's comment that it is illegal to tax residents for public safety service and education, etc. 9. 10:05 Adjournment Motion: To adjourn. ( Royle- Mahana) Alt in favor. Passes. erk's Signature Date of Approval