Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 2-5-1997Board of Selectmen Minutes February 5, 1997 RECEI`!ED Tu,,iT 0 F I A rHISI I E L D 971iAIR -5 Pry 2: 20 Present: Chairman Madan, Clerk Mahana, and Selectmen Colella„ Pasqua{ g , and Robinson "r,i `5ir'- i L L ri,,� , ,HUSET T S William F. Williams, Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. 2. Recognition of the Municipal Building Committee Mr. Williams, Town Manager, commended the members of the Municipal Building Committee and their secretary, Maureen Doherty, on the completion of the new Town Hall. 3. Weekly Business A. Warrant No. 33 - $2,869,465.78 MOTION: So moved. (Mahana- Colella) Chairman Madan abstained fi•om all Building Department items; Clerk Mahana abstained fi•om Voucher No. 9601; and Selectman Colella abstained from Voucher No. 9429. All in favor. PASSES. B. Licenses and Permits • Engineering Department Request for a Reserve Fund Transfer in the amount of $7,920 for the Fulton's Pond Darn Repair MOTION: To approve the request for $7,920. (Pasquale - Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. • Application of Newton Oriental Rugs for a Auctioneer Special Permit for Sunday April 20 and request for a waiver of the Fee MOTION: So moved. (Mahana - Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. Although the fee waiver request was noted, no action was taken by the Board of Selectmen it. C. Correspondence ACTION: Board and Committee Memorandum fi•om the Municipal Building Committee requesting the Board of Selectmen remove its associate members assigned to the Town Hall/Park Row Project and the West Mansfield Fine Station Project Miscellaneous Letter from Mansfield Glass requesting to display a sign for the Maple Street Industrial ( Park in the center of Town, and inquiring of the procedure to do so Chairman Madan recommended approval contingent upon the sign being constructed on the same scheme as the Downtown Business Association signs; Selectman Robinson suggested the Police Chief review the request; Clerk Mahana expressed no opposition to the request as long as it meets the Zoning By -Laiv requirements; and Town Manager Williams recommended a sign -off be requested from the Zoning Enforcement Off cer. OTHER: Resident Letter from Kathy Piusz, Mansfield resident, thanking the Selectmen for their opinions regarding `Behavior of the Board of Selectmen" and clarifying her point Town Manager and Staff Memorandum from the Town Accountant concerning a Recreation Department flower bill Chairman Madan stated that the purchase of formers from the Recreation Department's revolving account may be technically legal but he does not feel it supports the program nor that it should be done in the furture. Miscellaneous Letter from Lincoln Environmental concerning 8 Cottage Sheet Letter from Hemenway & Barnes concerning comments made by Clerk Mahana regarding East Coast Engineering 4. Questions and Comments Karl Clemmey, 750 West Street, requested the Selectmen's and Planning Boards consideration and support of installation of a southbound ramp off of I -495. Mr. Clemmey stated the owners of the land Mr•. Clemmey proposes the ramp to be installed on are willing to work with the Town. Lastly, Mr. Clemmey stated he presented his proposal to the State and they requested he request Mansfield's support. It was suggested that Mr. Clemmey's proposal be distributed to 'Town Staff and Boards and Committees for their review and input. Andy Gazzolo, 25 South Street, stated that he agrees with Mr. Clermney's proposal and suggested the Selectmen hold a meeting with Norton Officials to discuss solutions. Mr. Williams suggested he may be able to meet with Norton. Andy Gazzolo, 25 South Street, inquired about petitioned articles, for which the Selectmen have forty -five days to call a Special Town Meeting, and asked if it will be known whether or not the articles are legally binding before a Special Town Meeting is held. Chairman Madan responded that legally a Special Meeting will have to be held regardless of the articles legality and that Town Counsel has been requested to review the articles. 5. Town Manager Report A. Water Consultant Reconmrendation Bob Morrison, Acting Assistant DPW Director, referencing a letter from Tata & Howard, dated January 30, 1997, gave a brief update on the wells stating that the Dustin and Albertini III Wells have been lost and that no rehab work has been done on either well in years. Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions concerning the amount of water pumped per day by the Dustin Well, whether or not any administrative action could be taken to expedite the process for the Walsh Well, whether or not there is sufficient fue flow, and if an emergency water agreement could be arranged with Foxborough. Mr. Williams requested the Selectmen's approval of a "Lifeline Agreement" which would give Mr. Morrison the authority to arrange for emergency water with Foxborough when necessary. A consensus of the Selectmen was in favor of additional study of the agreement. Additional Selectmen questions were concerning Water Capital Project completion sequence, problem on No. Main Sheet with Walsh Construction, and relining vs. new watermains on North Main Sheet. ( B. Witch Pond Well - Contract Proposal to Develop a Nei, Water Supply Mr. Williams stated that extensive qualifications review has been completed on the proposed firm, Woodard & Curran, by Acting Assistant DPW Director Bob Morrison, Town Engineer Lee Azinheira, himself, and requested the Selectmen award the project contract to the firm. Selectmen Questions: Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions concerning whether or not Woodard & Curran's proposal includes acquisition of adjacent land, where testing would occur for a new well, why additional tests have to be taken, and funds remaining in the Witch Pond Account. MOTION: To move forward with Woodard & Curran in the amount of $79,000 for the Witch Pond Well development. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. Additional questions asked by the Selectmen were concerning funds available in the water capital account, if the Walsh Wellfield is being monitored, monthly updates on the Walsh Wellfield, appealing to representatives to expedite the Walsh Wellfield review process, and whether or not a water restriction will be required this summer. Town Engineer Azinheira stated as long as the Town experiences a seasonal water deficit, the only responsible thing to do is to have a water restriction. Clerk Mahana requested meetings between the Town's two water consultants and the Selectmen on different meeting days. Selectman Pasquale suggested both consultants meet with the Selectmen on the same evening. 6. Pole Relocation Public Hearing - 8:30 PM Clerk Mahana read the public hearing notice on the application of New England Telephone and Mansfield Electric Department to relocate Telephone Pole No. 6 on Essex Sheet 1290 feet to the East of Ware Sheet, Cathy Craig of New England Telephone was present to answer any questions. Selectman Robinson stated that according to John Larch, Light Department Manager, the pole relocation will be more beneficial MOTION: To approve the Pole Relocation Petition No. 9603. (Colella- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. The public hearing was closed at 8:45 PM. 7. Town Manager Report Continued A. Police Detail Policy Town Manager Williams stated to date he has not received Town Counsel's opinion on the proposed policy. Selectman Pasquale requested a report be requested from the Treasurer Collector, Richard Boucher, on license holders who are still outstanding with their taxes. B. Torun Manager Budget Mr. Williams gave an overview of the Town Manager's budget stating salaries have been level funded. An expense line item of $4800 has been added to cover the cost of employment of a temporary secretary while the Selectmen's Secretary is on maternity leave. Ivh•. Williams also reviewed the expense items within his budget. Clerk Mahana asked if it would be prudent to increase the legal line item because of upcoming contract negotiations. Mr. Williams responded that he will need assistance with labor negotiations and if the Assistant to the Town Manager position is retained, the legal line item could stay as is, if not the line item will need to be increased. Discussion continued concerning assistance given Mr. Williams in previous negotiations and the amount and or type of experience the Town Manager would be seeking with a new assistant. Lastly, Mr. Williams stated he feels the Assistant to the Town Manager position needs to be reviewed by the Selectmen again. C. Special Toi>>n Meeting Mr. Williams referenced a memorandum from Judy Scott, Town Clerk, concerning setting a date for the Special Town Meeting and recommended March 10. r D. Assistant Recreation Director Mr. Williams announced that the Assistant Recreation Director, Kristen Hehmeich, has been retained and recruited as the Town of Norton's first time Recreation Director. Recreation Director, Lorilee Fish, has submitted a revised job description for the Selectmen's approval. Amendments include addition of computer skill requirements, ability to oversee program directors and participants, and daily work hours to follow the Town Hall schedule as set by the Town Manager. MOTION: So moved to approve the job description. (Robinson- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. 8. Board and Committee Interviews A. Animal Welfare Committee Two applicants, David Cass and Michael McCue, were present to interview for the Animal Welfare Committee. Each applicant introduced themselves and answered questions concerning a proposed "kitty city". Selectman Pasquale nominated David Cass who received four votes, and Selectman Robinson nominated Michael McCue who received one vote from Selectman Robinson. B. Zoning Board of Appeals- Alternate Member Position Olivier Kozlowski and Scott Frank were present to interview for the alternate position on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Each applicant introduced themselves. Clerk Mahana nominated Olivier Kozlowski, who received four votes, and Selectman Robinson nominated Scott Frank, who received one vote from Selectman Robinson. 9:15 PM Five Minute Recess 9. Selectmen A. Old Business Clerk Mahana inquired about the balance of the ambulance account and why the purchase of an ambulance was part of the capital budget. Selectman Pasquale inquired about the status of Jackson Court Condominium Association's request for the Town to plow their parking area. Selectman Colella stated the property owner of 291 Hope Street, Mrs. Brennick, had asphalt in front of her driveway torn up during the last snow storm and requested the DPW Director look into the situation. Selectman Colella stated the Mrs. McKae, the property owner of 154 Jewell Sheet, requested the DPW and Electric Department check into a tree across the street from her property which is hanging near wires. B. New Business Selectman Colella stated the Fire Chief's title should be listed on the West Mansfield Fire Station plaque, as should the Board of Selectmen who were in office at the time of the project. Selectman Robinson asked if the Town Manager had discussed spring leaf composting for flower beds with the DPW Director. Selectman Robinson also stated, in regard to the spring sidewalk program, if Jewell Street is a scenic road, a public hearing will have to be held prior to any trees being removed for sidewalks. Selectman Pasquale referenced a memorandum from Bea Kearney, Town Accountant, asking for the Selectmen's position on funding fiom the criminal justice training council, $1,800 per police recruit. MOTION: The Town absorb the $5,400 for the training of three police recruits. (Pasquale - Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. Chairman Madan stated the Selectmen took a vote previously to continue the process of police recruits paying the fee. Selectman Pasquale requested a copy of the minutes, in which the vote is included. MOTION: Based upon Plamvng Board requirements, as well as other input we have received from the Town Manager and Department Heads, move the Special Town Meeting be held on March 10, 1997. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. MOTION: So moved to close the Town Meeting warrant. (Robinson - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Clerk Mahana noted he was advised that the Town is borrowing furniture from the School Department. Clerk Mahana asked if a firm date has been set for a meeting with Foxboro concerning the SKANKO agreement. MOTION: The Chairman select a date time certain and get it done. (Mahana -NO SECOND) Clerk Mahana stated that he has been unable to locate the outside smoking receptacles at the Town Hall. Lastly, Clerk Mahana, referencing a memorandum from the Town Manager to Department Heads, asked why the Selectmen were not informed during their discussions that the purchase of bottled water is a long - standing practice of the Town as is stated in the memo. Chapman Madan requested an update on a letter concerning potential litigation with the Police Department. Chairman Madan also clarified a statement made in a letter fiom the Council on Aging thanking the Light Commissioners for their donation to the fuel assistance fund, stating that the donation was Selectman Colella's idea. Chairman Madan recognized a letter from the Mansfield Garden Club requesting permission to install signs on the North and South Commons for their annual plant sale. MOTION: So moved. (Mahana - Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. Chairman Madan also recognized a memorandum from Kenneth Hackett, Wastewater Treatment Manager, cormnending Kenneth Weir for completing Flygt certification. Selectman Pasquale asked when mail drop slot would be installed at the new Town Hall if the drop slot at the old Town Hall could be used until it is. 10. Adjournment - 9:55 PM MOTION: So moved. (Colella- Mahana) All in favor. PASSES. Cler 's Signature Date of Approval