HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 5-7-1997Board of Selectmen
Minutes
May 7, 1997 > OFFICE
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Present. Chairman Madan, Clerk Royle, Selectmen Colella, Mahana, and Ro i , nson 22
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Richard Boucher, Acting Town Manager s 5,;; rf+JS�TT S
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the pledge of
allegiance.
A. Warrant No. 46 - $1,776,567.12
MOTION: So moved to approve.
(Robinson - Royle) All in favor. Clerk Royle abstained from all Health
Department items, and Chairman Madan abstained from all Building
Department items. PASSES.
B. Minutes
• Minutes of April 22, 1997
MOTION: Move to approve as written.
(Boyle- Colella)(4 -0 -1) Selectman Robinson abstained. PASSES.
• Minutes of April 23, 1997
MOTION: Move to approve as amended. Selectman Mahana did not request a
memo concerning criminal background checks from Gail Farr agia,
Council on Aging Director, he only noted the nremorandrnn.
( Royle- Colella) (4 -0 -1) Selectman Robinson abstained. PASSES.
C. Licenses and Permits
May as Older Americans Month Proclamation
MOTION: So moved to sign the proclamation.
(Colella- Mahana) All in favor. PASSES.
D. Correspondence
Action
Resident
Letter from Elizabeth N. Carrel, Bird Road, requesting a "Caution Blind Driveway" sign
be installed on the southbound side of Bird Road in the area of the high tension line
crossing This request is under review by the Police Department.
MOTION: Move to approve the request based upon the recommendation of the
/ Police Department for Elizabeth Carrol, Bird Road resident, for the
"Caution Blind Driveway" sign.
(Boyle- Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
Torun Manager & Staff
Memorandum from Jeff Collins, Humane Officer, requesting animal waste signs be posted
on poles at the beginning of Windchime Drive from both Ware Street and Erin Drive.
Residents have informed Mr. Collins that people are not cleaning lip after their dogs
when walking them.
MOTION: To approve a sign for Windchime Drive for Animal waste pickup to include
the fine.
( Royle- Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
State & Local Government
Letter from the Town of Hopkinton Board of Selectmen requesting the Mansfield Board
of Selectmen support pending legislation to modify accounting procedures for property
assessments in our cities and towns
MOTION: Move to send the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen letter to our Assessors
for their opinion before we act on it.
(Robinson - Royle) All in favor. PASSES.
Letter from SRPEDD requesting the Selectmen appoint a delegate to the SRPEDD
Commission Check with to see if Mr. Ottaviani would like to continue as Mansfield's
representative.
Miscellaneous
Letter from Thomas Demers, Trustee Chairman, Mansfield United Methodist Church,
requesting a waiver of the permit fees for a new sign that will be installed in front of his
church
MOTION: Move to waive the Town's portion of the permit fee.
(Boyle- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES.
Municipal Telecommunications Lease Survey from Horton & August, P.C. Forward to
the Light Department for completion.
Other
Resident
Letter from Daniel Donovan, Court Street, expressing interest in serving on the Town
Manager Search Committee
Letter from Charles Mulcahy expressing interest in serving on the Town Manager Search
Committee
Letter from Fred and Barbara Gibbs, 140 Otis Street, requesting fencing behind their
household
Letter from Nicolos & Rose Capolupo, 100 Otis Street, requesting fencing behind their
household
Letter from F. E. Muller, 94 Otis Street, requesting fencing behind their household
Letter from Mr. & Mrs. Richard Arieta, 120 Otis Street, requesting fencing behind their
household
MOTION: To forward a letter to Amtrak stating our strong recommendation that they
install fencing at the above locations.
(Mahana- Royle) All in favor. PASSES.
Selechnan Colella inquired about the stalus of walking the line with Amtrak.
Board and Committee
Memorandum from the Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee stating the Committee
( was a recipient of "The 1997 New England Environmental Award" in recognition of its
significant contribution to an improvement in the quality of the environment in New
England
Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee 10th Anniversary & Awareness Day Notice --
Saturday, May 17, 9 -12, Mansfield Fish & Game
7bu,n Manager and Staff
Memorandum from Beatrice Kearney, Town Accountant, designating Patricia Metrano,
Acting Accountant while she is out of state May 5 -7
Miscellaneous
Letter from Bruce Montgomery, General Manager, Great Woods Center for the
Performing Arts, with attached confirmed list of performances for the 1997 concert season
Letter from Max Volterra, Volterra, Goldberg, Mangiaratti, & Jacobs, to Kopelman &
Paige, P.C, concerning the Town of Mansfield v. Norton
Taunton River Watershed Alliance Newsletter
Notice from MEGA Workers Compensation Group, Inc. concerning Workers
Compensation
Bill Madan announced there will be no school at Robinson School Thursday and Friday
this week due to a water main break in the area. DEP has ordered the main be replaced.
New pipes have to be chlorinated for 72 hours and tested at lab prior to start of school.
2. Torun Manager Announcements
Acting Manager Boucher announced the following:
• The list of streets to be flushed this evening.
• Postal persons will be picking up non perishable canned goods for various distribution
areas on Saturday, May 10.
• A Garage Sale, sponsored by the Recreation Commission, will be held on May 17 on
the South Common. Recreation is also hosting a "STAR" program this year in place
of the annual duck race. This change is due to renovations at the Police
Station/former Town Hall.
3. Annual Torun Meeting Votes of Support
Article Description
2 FY98 Electric Department Budget Sponsor: Board of Selectmen
MOTION: So moved to support.
(Robinson - Royle) All in favor. PASSES.
3 FY98 Municipal Budget Sponsor: Board of Selectmen
Members of the Board of Selectmen discussed funds being transferred from
both the Ambulance Accounts and Water Accounts. Acting Manager
Boucher noted the budget is level funded.
MOTION: So moved to support
(Boyle- Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
5 Raise and Appropriate or transfer from available funds $10,101 -
Southeastern Regional School District expenses Sponsor: Board of
Selectmen
MOTION: Move to support.
(Mahana - Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
6 Raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds $7,500 for Household
Hazardous Waste Collection Sponsor: Board of Health
MOTION: Move to support Article 6.
(Mahana - Colella) All in favor. (4 -0 -1) Clerk Royle abstained.
PASSES.
4. 8:05PM Discussion with Walter Wilk and Gerry St. Hillaire concerning the
Capital Improvements Plan
Mr. Walter Wilk, Finance Committee representative on Capital Improvements, informed
the Board of Selectmen of a "Statement of Purpose" established by the Capital
Improvements Committee dated April 25, 1997. All Department Heads were requested
to put together a five -year plan and made presentations on their requests. The Capital
Improvements Committee prioritized the fourteen items requested as follows:
1 Street Sweeper 8 Plymouth Street
2 Library Roof 9 Conservation Land
3 Fulton Pond Dam 10 Ladder #1 (5 years)
4 Document Processor 11 One -Ton Dump Truck
5 Document Processor 12 Engine No. 2
6 314 Ton Pick Up 13 Mill Pond Dam
7 4X4 Tractor 14 Bike Path
Questions and Comments
Members of the Board of Selectmen conmrented on and asked questions concerning the
following: account set up, use of grant money for Fultons Pond dam, the Statement of
Purpose, and creation of a chart reflecting a six year plan.
MOTION: To adopt the Capital Improvements statement of purpose presented this
evening as a policy.
(Mahana - Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
MOTION: To support the articles for capital improvements.
(Colella- Royle) All in favor. PASSES.
5. 8:30 Discussion with Planning Board regarding Zoning By -Law Articles
Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and Development, and Tom French, Chairman,
Planning Board, were present to review Articles 28 -32, sponsored by the Planning Board,
on the Annual Town Meeting warrant.
MOTION: Move to support Article 28.
(Boyle- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES
MOTION: So moved to support Article 29.
(Colella Royle) All in favor. PASSES.
MOTION: Move to support Article 30.
( Royle- Mahana) (4 -1) Chairman Madan opposed. PASSES.
MOTION: Move to support Article 31.
( Royle- Mahana) (5 -0). PASSES.
MOTION: So moved to support Article 32.
(Colella- Robinson) (2 -2 -1) Clerk Royle and Selectman Mahana opposed
and Chairman Madan abstained. FAILS.
6. Annual Town Meeting Articles Votes of Support continued
7 Accept MGL Chapter 73 Section 4 of the Acts of 1986 as amended by
Chapter 126 of the Acts of 1988 which allows an additional real estate tax
exemption of 50% Sponsor: Board of Assessors
MOTION: So moved.
(Robinson - Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
8 Appropriate $180,000 for Tremont Street small sewer extension (authorize
borrowing $115,200 and charge betterments for same, and transfer $64,800
from available funds to the Small Sewer Extension Reserve)Sponsor: Board
of Selectmen
MOTION: Move to support.
( Mahana- Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions concerning funds
within the referenced accounts.
9 Approve a petition to the General Court for a special law providing for the
layout and acceptance of certain ways by the Town Sponsor: Capital
Improvements Committee
MOTION: Move to support.
( Royle- Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
Z Special Town Meeting Votes of Support
Article Description
1 Transfer a sum of money between various departmental budgets to defray
expenses of the municipal government during the remainder of FY97
Sponsor: Board of Selectmen
MOTION: So moved.
(Robinson - Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
2 Transfer a sum of money to pay unpaid prior year's bills Sponsor: Board of
Selectmen
MOTION: Move to support.
(Royle- Robinson)All in favor. PASSES.
3 Transfer and convey the Town's right and interest in four residential lots
located on North White Pine Lane within the Balcom Ridge subdivision
Sponsor: Conservation Commission
MOTION: To support the Conservation Commission's article to sell the
lots.
( Royle- Colella) (4 -1) Selectman Robinson opposed. PASSES.
4 -7 Authorize the Conservation Commission to accept by gift or purchase
Assessor's Parcel 3, Map 12, in the Great Woods for conservation purposes
and raise and appropriate or transfer $28,050 from available funds for this
purpose Sponsor: Conservation Commission
Discussion among the Selectmen and Town Manager was concerning use of
free cash to purchase the lots, use of the stabilization find, deletion of
"eminent domain taking" f-om the article, revision of the article to reflect
funding for the purchase will be provided by proceeds from the sale of the
Balcom Ridge lots, possibility of placing the articles on a Special Towrr
Meeting irarrant in the Fall, and applying for grant finds next year.
Chairman Madan stated that he supports purchasing the parcels but not
using free cash to do so.
MOTION: Move to support Articles 4 -7.
( Royle- Colella) (4 -1) Madan opposed. PASSES.
8 Authorize the Department of Public Works to establish a revolving Home
Composting Bin Account with a balance not to exceed $3,000 Sponsor:
Board of Selectmen
MOTION: So moved.
(Robinson - Mahana) All in favor. PASSES.
9 Transfer $55,996 from the Library Escrow Account into a capital
improvements account to be used to repair /replace the existing roofing
materials at the Library/Council on Aging building Sponsor: Capital
Improvements Committee
MOTION: So moved to support.
(Mahana- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES.
10 Transfer $338,000 from the Water Capital Account -- Engineering and
construction of a potassium hydroxide system at Dustin Welt No. 7 and
Albertini Well No. 3 Sponsor: Board of Selectmen
MOTION: So moved.
(Colella - Royle) All in favor. PASSES.
11 Transfer $18,225.54 from the Water Capital Account -- Installation of
underground utilities at the Foolish Hill Reservoir Sponsor: Board of
Selectmen
MOTION: So moved to support.
�, (Robinson - Royle) All in favor. PASSES.
12 Transfer $102,000 from the Water Capital Account - Water meter
replacement and water billing system upgrade Sponsor: Board of Selectmen
MOTION: Move to support.
( Royle- Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
Selectman Mahana questioned the balance of the water capital account.
Transfer $350,000 from the Wastewater Depreciation Trust Account -
Reduce sewer infiltration and inflow Sponsor: Board of Selectmen
MOTION: Move to support.
(Boyle- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES.
14 Transfer $225,000 from the Wastewater Depreciation Trust Account -
Design of a new sludge compost building Sponsor: Board of Selectmen
MOTION: Move to support.
(Robinson - Colella) (4- 1)Selectman Mahana opposed. PASSES
Selectman Mahana suggested Mansfield approach the Towns of Foxboro and
Norton to contribute funds for the facility.
15 Transfer $12,000 - Rehabilitation of the Branch Street sewer Sponsor:
Board of Selectmen
MOTION: Move to support.
(Boyle- Colella) All in favor. PASSES.
8. Annual Town Meeting Articles Votes of Support continued
Article Description
It
26 Accept a strip of land , Parcel A, to the west of Piasecki Drive and authorize
the Board of Selectmen to acquire by gift, purchase, or eminent domain an
interest in the land Sponsor: Board of Selectmen
More information needed.
27 Acquire a parcel of land known as the George Farm Family Cemetery
located on the west side of Bridge Road and authorize the Board of
Selectmen to acquire by gift, purchase, or eminent domain a fee interest in
the land Sponsor: Board of Selectmen
MOTION: So moved.
(Colella- Robinson)WITHDRAWN by Selectman Colella.
Clerk Royle suggested the Boar of Selectmen request the Recreation
Director's input on this article prior to voting on it.
33 -43 Street Acceptances: Vote to accept Fawn Lane, Plowshare Court, Brian
Lane, Robyn Lane, Wexford Drive, Kerry Drive, Necco Road, Serena Allen
Way, Fox Street, Perkins Avenue, and Plymouth Street Sponsor: Board of
Selectmen
MOTION: So moved.
(Colella - Royle) All in favor. PASSES.
44 Authorize the Board of Selectmen to release to Edward and Dolores Benson
( for the sum of $100 any interest the Town of Mansfield may have in Parcel
"D ", the portion of Garden Street abutting land presently owned by the
Grantees By Petition: Edinard cnrd Dolores Benson
MOTION: Move to support.
(Boyle- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES.
( 9. Old Business
A. Towwn Manager - NONE
B. Selectmen
Selectman Mahana inquired about an update on Norton Sewer billing, the status of the
Sharon sewer hook up, submission of Cable Access' last three year's financial statements
and a statement of the mechanisms put in place as a result of the recent audit, and
commented on the Norway Maple tree damaged at the rear entrance of the Town Hall
during Town Hall construction. Discussion among the Selectmen followed concerning
ownership of the tree, Town of Mansfield or Mansfield resident Mr. Calhoun, liability
should the tree fall and damage the Town Hall, and hindrances Mr. Calhoun experiences
every day as a result of the nett, Town Hall.
MOTION: Move to send a letter to the Municipal Building Committee stating due to
the fact that Mr. Calhoun's tree has been destroyed, referencing a letter
from Tree Teclmology and a memorandum from the DPW Director, the
contractor and or architect should be held responsible for the value of the
tree payable to Mr. Calhoun ( value and removal of tree) so that Mr.
Calhoun may install a fence.
( Royle- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES.
Lastly, Selectman Mahana inquired of the status of the land in the Witch Pond area and
whether or not any or all of the Rezza land is needed to develop the site.
Selectman Robinson gave an update on a meeting lie and Fire Chief Sliney attended at
Neponsett Valley Health Center.
Clerk Royle requested a memorandum from the DPW Director to the Board of Selectmen
concerning "Frivolous Requests" be forwarded to the Municipal Building Commmittee and
they be requested to address each of the statements.
MOTION: Move we send the memorandum from the DPW Director to the Board of
Selectmen, dated April 29, regarding "Frivolous Requests ", to the
Municipal Building Committee and ask them to comment on each of the
items.
(Boyle- Mahana) All in favor. PASSES.
Clerk Royle also referenced a memorandum from the DPW Director regarding the Gas
House behind the Town Hall and asked the Acting Town Manager to address the letter.
Mr. Boucher summarized a study done on the gas house and stated because it is very dry,
it is possible that the building could be used for storage. Clerk Royle requested a copy of
the DPW Director's memorandum also be forwarded to the Municipal Building
Committee.
Clerk Royle inquired of a memorandum concerning the Town Hall rear entrance ramp and
the balance of the Town Hall project account.
MOTION: Move to send a letter to the Municipal Building Committee asking how
much money is remaining in the Town Hall project.
( Royle- WITHDRAWN)
Clerk Royle inquired of the status of window treatments for the Town Hall. Acting
Manager Boucher requested the Board of Selectmen request a Reserve Fund Transfer
from the Finance Committee for approximately, $4,000.
MOTION: That the Board of Selectmen ask the Finance Committee for a Transfer of
$4,000 for installation of blinds for approximately 100 windows.
(Mahana- Robinson) (4 -1) Royle abstained. PASSES.
Clerk Royle referenced minutes of the Board of Selectmen's meeting with the Municipal
Building Committee Chairman, Larry Carpenter, at which time funding for the Town Hall,
Police Station, and Fire Station projects was discussed.
MOTION: If adequate funds are available after the renovations of the Police Station,
those funds shall be directed to the Fire Station; if there are any available
funds after the Fire Station, they shall be returned to the Town Hall
project.
(Mahana - Royle) All in favor. PASSES.
Selectman Colella thanked Acting Manager Boucher for his cooperation with picking up
brush from the April 1 blizzard and stated that he received two more requests -- one on
Park Street in front of the senior citizen building and one on Patricia Road.
Selectman Colella stated that he has received alot of calls regarding noise from the Amtrak
High Speed Rail project construction.
10. New Business
A. Town Manager
R Selectmen
Selectman Robinson stated he was contacted this date by Representative Phil Travis
about the next Selectmen's Association meeting. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for
June 12, will be hosted by Swansea, and deregulation of municipalities will be discussed.
Clerk Royle stated direction is needed on the advertisement for the Town Manager
position.
MOTION: To approve the advertisement for Town Manager and forward to Mark
Morse so that he can advertise before the deadlines.
(Boyle- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES.
Selectman Royle suggested a deadline should be given for townspeople to respond to the
request for citizens -at -large to participate on the Town Manager Search Committee. At
least one month's notice should be given.
MOTION: Move on June 4 the Board of Selectmen select community members for the
Search Committee.
( Royle- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES.
Selectman Colella stated that he received a complaint concerning the Sun Chronicle
Newspaper dispenser being chained to a telephone pole near Suite Manufacturing and
asked if the Town allows the dispensers to be chained to its poles.
Selectman Colella asked if the Department of Public Works could clean the wooded area
on Hope Street next to the Council on Aging. Batteries and rubbish have been left in the
area.
11. 10:25 PM Arljournntent
MOTION: To adjourn.
(Cole114- Mahana) All in favor. PASSES.
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