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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 3-5-1997Board of Selectmen RE* CE_IVED Minutes °r V!N ('I (IFFICE March 5, 1997 ) 7 JUN 17 PH 3: 19 Present: Chairman Madan, Clerk Mahana, Selectmen Colejla,_ _Pastc��rale, and Robinson* {'" „' , HASS NC,HUSE T TS William F. Williams, Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. Daryl Benson, Pop Warner Football, presented plaques to the following people for their help this past year with either daily maintenance of Memorial Park or monetary donations: Andy Liddic, DPW; Lorilee Fish, Parks & Recreation; Arthur O'Neill, Police Association, & Richard Fisk, Firefighter's Association. Mr. Benson also thanked the Selectmen, Town Manager, and other Town representatives for all their help. 2. Discussion with Conservation Commission regarding Balcom Ridge Lots Richard Lewis, Environmental and Conservation Planner; Shirley Hanlon, Conservation Commissioner, and Leonard Flynn, Natural Resources Trust, were present at this evening's meeting to request the Selectmen support placement of an article on the Special Town Meeting warrant to sell three town -owned lots within the Balcom Ridge subdivision. It would have been the Conservation Commission's and Natural Resources Trust's preference to include wording within the article directing proceeds from the sale to the purchase of land within the Great Woods; however, conversations with the Department of Revenue and an opinion from Town Counsel reveal that the proceeds cannot be directed for any one purpose. The Commission and Trust would like to seek free cash to purchase the Great Wood property and replenish the funds with the sale of the lots. Proceeds from the sale of lots could also be used as leverage for self help grant money, which would double the amount. Ivh•. Flynn showed the Selectmen parcels he would like to acquire the Town to acquire, seventy-one acres connecting the eastern and western woodlands, for a total price of $98,050. Board of Selectmen Questions Members of the Board of Selectmen commented on and asked questions concerning the need to acquire additional land, requesting a reserve fund transfer from free cash after the sale is completed, whether or not a right of first refusal is still tied to the lots; zoning protection remaining, hacking of individual open space parcels in town, identification of conservation parcels with signage, number of residential compounds and cluster developments that have donated land to Conservation, placing proceeds from the sale of the lots in the stabilization account until it is ready for use, and the possibility of setting up an open space revolving account. MOTION: To support the sale of the four lots. (Pasquale - Mahana) (3 -1) Selectman Colella opposed. PASSES. 3. Executive Session to Discuss Contract Negotiations and Litigation Chairman Madan polled the Selectmen to go into executive session. Selectman Pasquale - Aye. Selectman Colella - Aye. Clerk Mahana - Aye. Chairman Madan - Aye. 4. Town Manager Report A. Senior Tax Program Assessors Paul Folkman, Al Turinese, and John McNair, and Assistant Assessor, Shirley MacPhee, were present for this discussion. Paul Folkman and Assistant Assessor, Shirley MacPhee, reviewed a survey, dated February 13, 1997, of various Towns that have implemented a senior tax program. Assessor Paul Folkman stated clause exemptions are currently granted to seniors over 70, blind persons, and veterans, but that there is no exemption for persons who retire between the ages of 62 and 70. The senior tax program could cover this age group. The Board of Assessors could support the program but would not want to be designated administrator of it. The Assessors would be willing to plot out current exemptions and help the Selectmen develop criteria for the program. Ms. MacPhee noted in some town where the program is instituted the program is run by Council on Aging volunteers. Chairman Madan suggested running the program through the Council on Aging or Social Services. Selectman Pasquale stated first the Selectmen would have to support an article for funding and payment would have to be made directly to the Treasurer's Office not to the senior, and would have to be reflected in the accounting system. Selectman Pasquale also inquired if a Form 1099 would be issued to the seniors. Lastly, Selectman Pasquale stated he would like to fund the program at $5,000, Clerk Mahana questioned the need for the program. Assessor Paul Folkman was in support of funding the program at $5,000 and limiting it on an individual basis to $200 rather than $500. *Selectman Robins entered the meeting. MOTION: That we go forward with a Senior Tax Rebate Program and fund it at $5000 (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. Selectman Pasquale suggested establishment of a committee to review logistical issues for the program; Chairman Madan suggested this should be the Town Manager's job. MOTION: To go into executive session to discuss contract negotiations because a full Board is present. (Mahana - Colella) Selectman Pasquale - Aye. Selectman Robinson - Aye. Selectman Colella - Aye. Clerk Mahana - Aye. Chairman Madan - Aye. B. FY98 Budget (Town Manager Report Continued) Finance Committee members Walter Wilk and Jim Norris were present to address the Board. The Finance Committee would like the Selectmen to move the Town Meeting back by one month. Because of the fast pace budget changes have been made, members cannot say whether or not they support the changes. Mr. Wilk and Mr. Norris submitted a memorandum to the Selectmen, dated February 28, 1997, outlining the Finance Committee's frustration with the budget process. MOTION: To postpone the Annual Town Meeting until May 12 subject to availability of the High School auditorium. (Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Selectman Pasquale requested future budget changes be documented with the reason for same and submitted to the Finance Committee. Selectman Pasquale also suggested a joint Finance Committee/Selectmen meeting in late March or early April. Mr. Williams, using the Finance Committee's memorandum of February 28, as a guide, highlighted his budget revisions. Mr. Williams suggested the Selectmen meet with the Finance Committee if they would like additional reductions made in the Fire Department over time budget and Fire Chief Sliney be involved in the discussions. Clerk Mahana inquired about the balance of the Water Capital Account and the Walsh Well account. 5. Statement of Clerk Mahana concerning East Coast Development On behalf of Clerk Mahana, Town Counsel, Robert Mangiaratti, read the following statement. "I want to make a statement to correct the record on a matter I previously brought before the Mansfield Board of Selectmen. On December 4 and December 18, 1996, 1 made certain negative comments � about East Coast Engineering of Marion, Massachusetts. That fum had D. Annual Town Meeting Warrant The Selectmen signed the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. 7. Selectmen A. Old Business • Vote of Intention to Lay Out Sheets up for Acceptance on March 26, 1997, at 8:30 PM Fawn Lane Robyn Lane Fox Street Plymouth Street Plowshare Court Wexford Drive Perkins Avenue Brian Lane Kerry Drive Necco Road Serena Allen Way MOTION: So moved. (Colella - Mahana) All in favor. PASSES. Clerk Mahana inquired about the status of the Great Woods Entertainment License. Mr. Williams responded that the Police and Fire Chiefs are reviewing equipment costs. Chief O'Neill responded that he has no issues with the license. MOTION: To send a draft of the license for review and comments to Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts. It should be understood by Great Woods that there will be additional drafts. (Pasquale - Robinson) All in favor. PASSES Mr. Williams stated that he would be happy to work with the Chairman and Department Heads on the license since the budget has been deferred with the postponement of Town Meeting. Selectman Colella stated he would like a fee charged per car parked at Great Woods similar to the fee charged by the Town of Foxboro for Foxboro Stadium. Selectman Pasquale thanked the Town Manager for putting the RFP together for the Mystic club and asked if it could be placed on next week's agenda. Selectman Colella inquired about the status of EMC2. Selectman Colella also thanked the Department of Public Works for addressing issues he raised at last week's Selectmen's meeting relative to Noonan Sheet. B. New Business Selectman Pasquale referenced correspondence received from the Citizen Scholarship Foundation requesting permission to install thermometer signs on town property denoting funds received through their fundraiser. MOTION: So moved to approve the Citizen Scholarship Foundation request to install a sign. (Pasquale - Colella) All in favor. PASSES Selectman Pasquale referenced a memorandum from the Conservation Commission informing the Selectmen of two resignations from the Conservation Commission, Greg Pastore and Jill Druhan- Albanese MOTION: To approve the resignations of both the Conservation Commissioners. (Pasquale- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. Selectman Robinson requested the Contractor for the Robinson School construction project be requested to pick up stones falling from their bucks into the roadway. Selectman Robinson requested the Town Manager talk with the Police Department and Department of Public Works concerning protection for DPW workers while patching holes on Route 106. Chairman Madan asked the Town Manager to clarify the issue of Town Hall using the Memorial Hall basement for storage area and requested it be brought to conclusion. Chairman Madan noted a claim Town Manager Williams made against the town for tearing his pants after falling on Town property and asked if his leg is all right. ( 8. Adjournment - 10:34 PM MOTION: To adjourn. (Mahana- Pasquale) All in favor. PASSES. Clerk's Signature Date ofApproval