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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 9-10-1997 (2)Bourn of Selectmen Minutes September 10, 1997 t I7 cc( Present: Acting Chairman Royle, Acting Clerk Colella, and Selectmen Robinson and (i _ I7 Mahana +`111c;% " ".I cI I5 Acting Town Manager Richard Boucher 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:34 PMfollowed by the pledge of allegiance. 2. Certificate Presentation Acting Chairman Royle presented Seth Arcied with an Outstanding Citizen Award for his donation of $193 to the Council on Aging. He and his grandmother raised the money at a yardsale. 3. Executive Session to Discuss Litigation Motion: To enter into executive session to discuss litigation regarding the Ash property Selectman Mahana Aye. Selectman Colella Aye. Selectman Robinson Aye. Acting Chairman Royle Aye. 4. Questions and Comments Peter DeTrolio, L'lsn Street, stated that he is unhappy with the manner the Great Woods curfew violation hearing was held last week. Mr. DeTrolio stated he feels the Selectmen acted hastily accepting the $20,000 donation and that the Selectmen were wrong to make the decision to accept the $20,000 in lieu of a penalty prior to allowing the audience speak. Darr Clennney, 390 West Street, stated that he agrees with Mr. DeTrolio and suggested a workshop to address a number of issues with Great Woods. Mr. Clemmey also stated that he is in favor of an expansion of the open air parking facility at 888 South Main Street but asked why site plan approval has not been required for the expansion when it was required for his expansion at 875 South Main Street Mr. Clemmey stated as a result of discussion during last Wednesday's Selectmen's meeting concerning permits for his open air parking facility, he called the Police Chief Thursday morning to give him the proper documents, but the Chief did not have time. Lastly, Mr. Clemmey asked if the Acme /Cleveland parking lot is held to the same standard as the otehrs. Selectman Mahana responded to Mr. Clennney's comments. Don McGonagel, 888 South Main Street Parking Facility, stated he does have a site plan for his facility which includes the additional spaces for which he is requesting a license. Selectman Colella stated that he would like to reconsider his vote last week accepting a twenty thousand $20,000 dollar donation from Great Woods and Rage Against the Machine because he feels it is a gift from a licensee. Selectman Colella stated that he will put fines into perspective in the entertainment license regulations next year if he is still sitting on the Board. Chairman Royle explained the penalties allowed for the curfew violation -- revoke, suspend, or modify the license - -and stated that she feels the Police and Great Woods staff did a great job and the best they could on August 21. Selectman Mahana asked Town Counsel if clauses could be put into next year's license regarding fines and maximum decibel levels at Great Woods. Peter DeTrolio, Elm Street, stated the Great Woods concert of August 21 should not have gone on after it had been canceled. Selectman Colella asked Town Counsel if the Selectmen, on behalf of the Town, can receive a gift in the amount of $20,000 from a licensee. Town Counsel Mangiaratti stated that he thinks the Selectmen were within the law accepting the donation. Rick Rosemark, high hidden on Balcom Ridge Lot No. 406, stated he is having difficulty obtaining title insurance on Lot No. 46 and was told by Acting Manager Boucher that he would have to resolve the issue himself. Mr. Rosemark objected stating this would involve clearing all four Balcom Ridge lots to be sold by the Town and that it should not be his responsibility to do so. Mr. Rosemark requested an extension beyond September 15 to place his deposit on Lot 406 in order to resolve the issue. Town Counsel Mangiaratti responded to Mr. Rosemark's concerns and stated that he spoke with a title insurance company this date who stated they would insure the title. Attorney Mangiaratti has been in contact with Mr. Rosemark's attorney. Motion: That we grant Rick Rosemark a two week extension on the bid process for that lot of land including the other lot also, Lots 406 & 407. (Mahana - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Bill Piotti, 125 Highland Avenue, expressed concern that the home at 120 Highland Avenue may be rented to the Amego Group as a house for four autistic adults. He and his neighbors do not feel the residential neighborhood, which has many children, is the right location for this type of home. Motion: To send a letter to the Amego Group that this board does not support the location on Highland Avenue. (Colella- Robinson for discussion) WITHDRAWN by Colella Motion: That Acting Chairman Royle take charge in contacting Amego and getting all the information needed for the Board (Colella- Robinson) all in favor. PASSES. t Dcnr Clenmrey, 390 West Street, asked if Great Woods has a letter in its file concerning their August 21 curfew violation. 2 5. 9 :20 PMAurlit Report Given by Brown & Barrett Present for this discussion were Bob Brown, Steve Barrett, and Bea Kearney, Town Accountant. Bob Brown reviewed the FY97 audit report stating a change in financial staff, Town Treasurer Collector and Accountant, as well as a computer billing conversion caused the lateness of the report. Acting Manager Boucher stated alot of the recommendations in the management letter are already in the process of being changed or are being seriously considered for modification. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments: Members of the Board of Selectmen asked if there were any major items that should be noted within the audit, noted the recommendation to charge interest on overdue water bills, and asked if there is a mechanism that can be used to ensure that audit recommendations are followed up on. 6. 9 :30 PM Water & Server Rate Discussion Robert Morrison, Assistant DPW Director, Lee Azinheira, Town Engineer, and Bea Kearney, Town Accountant were present to discuss Water Fund Activity. Ms. Kearney reviewed the Water Fund Activity from 1991 to 1998. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments Selectman Mahana stated he feels water and wastewater monies should remain in those accounts and not be transferred into available funds. Selectman Mahana will not support a water rate increase unless it is guaranteed that the money will stay within the water and wastewater accounts. Acting Chairman Royle requested the Town Accountant and Town Treasurer submit their professional opinions on enterprise account pros and cons. Mr. Azinheira explained the purpose of this meeting is to bring the revenue situation to the Selectmen's attention because water revenues have been decreasing. Mr. Azinheira has a proposal from Woodcock Associates, who prepared a report on enterprise accounts previously for the town, to conduct a rate study for $10,000 -- $5,000 for water and $5,000 for sewer. Wastewater can accommodate the cost of the study but Water will need a transfer. Motion: That we authorize a rate study for the water and wastewater in the amount of $10,000, $5000 each. ( Mahana- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. In the interim, Acting Manager Boucher suggested, and the Town Engineer and Assistant DPW Director concurred, the Selectmen institute a 20% rate increase to cover this year's water fund deficit. Motion: To discontinue the practice of giving a 10% discount for paying water and sewer bills on time. 3 (Mahana -no second) WITHDRAWN Selectman Mahana suggested a review of the effect of both a late charge and 10% discount on the budget. 7. 888 South Main Street Parking Expansion Discussion Acting Chairman Royle opened the discussion at 10:20 PM; present for this discussion were applicants Nancy McNeely and Dan McGonagel. Acting Chairman Royle recognized all Department Head recommendations, which included a negative recommendation from the Police Chief and a suggestion from the Fire Chief that six current spaces be eliminated. Police Chief O'Neill addressed the Board of Selectmen stating he is fundamentally against any increase in parking for reasons previously stated on the license routing slip but that the application is a small increase. Chief O'Neill continued to state that he feels it would only be fair to grant the increase because of the large capacity increase previously granted at 875 South Main Street. Mr. McGonagel stated he has filed with Mass Highway and does have a curb cut permit. Mass Highway and the Police Chief both have copies of the curb cut permits. Acting Manager Boucher suggested implementation of a ticket system to prevent over parking in the future. Acting Chairman Royle closed the discussion at 10:32PM Motion: To approve 49 additional parking spaces at the parking lot located at 888 South Main street for Nancy Gray McNeeley for a total of 124 spaces. (Colella- Mahana) (3 -1) Acting Chairman Royle opposed. PASSES. 8. Weekly Business A. Warrant No. 11- $703,877.19 Motion: To approve. (Mahana - Colella) Acting Chairman Royle abstained from all Health Department items. PASSES. B. Minutes • Minutes of August 6, 1997 Motion: So moved. (Mahana - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. • Minutes of September 3, 1997 Motion: So moved on the minutes of September 3, 1997. (Colella- Robinson ) All in favor. PASSES. L. Licenses and Permits 11 Drainlayers License Application of Brunelle Contracting with a positive recommendation from the Town Engineer Motion: So moved. (Mahana- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. Positive recommendation from Lt. Crickard to install signage on West Church Street as follows: "No Parking Anytime" along the south side of West Church Street from No. 38 eastward to Rumford Avenue and replace the "Two Hour Parking" sign on Utility Pole No. 52 with a "No Parking Anytime" sign. Motion: So moved (Mahana - Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. One day beer and wine license application of Tri- County Beagle Club for September 13, 1997 from 6:OOPM -11:30 PM Motion: So moved (Robinson - Mahana) All in favor. PASSES. D. Correspondence Miscellaneous Letter from Claris Riley, Amtrak, concerning the field visits lie, Mr. Boucher, and Selectman Colella made on August 27 and giving a construction update Great Woods Sound Reports Great Woods Hearing 9/3/97 Correspondence Letter to Bruce Montgomery expressing concern that the August 21 concert went on after his son was told it was postponed and was sent Home Letter from Norton Town Manager notifying the Selectmen that the Selectmen received numerous complaints regarding the noise and late finish of the August 21 concert at Great Woods 115 letters in support of Great Woods' decision to allow Rage Against the Machine continue after curfew E. Selectman Colella read a proclamation for Stop & Shop's Food for Friends Drive Motion: So moved to sign. (Colella- Mahana) All in favor. PASSES. 9. 01d Business A. Town Manager The Ash Well Permit has been issued. Assistant DPW Director Robert Morrison recommends the water ban be kept as is with the exception that car washing will be allowed on an odd /even basis and residents who have installed new lawns after September 7 may obtain a special permit from the Highway 5 Department allowing them to water accordingly. Watering is stilled not allowed on rainy days. Motion: So moved to approve. (Colella - Mahana) All in favor. PASSES. B. Selectmen Selectman Mahana stated that he has received complaints of rocks being thrown at barrels placed by DPW in the Oak Street conservation area. Al Slaney has volunteered to open and close the conservation area's gates but will not qualify for the Senior Tax Program until March. Selectman Mahana requested Mr. Slaney be given a lock and key to the gate. Selectman Mahana asked if letters had been sent out requesting a truck exclusion on Gilbert, Bungay, Balcom and Otis Streets. Selectman Colella stated a women had a tire blow out at the Oakland Street railroad tracks and requested the Acting Manager look into the area. Selectman Collela inquired of the status of increasing the number of Council on Aging bus transportation days. Selectman Colella requested a vote from the Selectmen to replace "No Parking" signs on Cottage Streets that were knocked down by plows. Motion: So moved for DPW to replace the signs. (Mahana- Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Acting Chairman Royle inquired of the status of a land sale to Donald Daniels and requested a statement of assurance that after the sale the portion of the lot left with the Town will still be a conforming lot. The Special Town Meeting date will be determined next week. Selectman Mahana stated that he is opposed to conducting afternoon Town Manager interviews on September 24 and that he feels the second set should be at the same time as the first, beginning at 5:00 PM. 10. New Business A. Selectmen Selectman Robinson asked if compost would be sold from Mansfield Green and if any of it would be needed for the school projects. Selectman Colella invited the Selectmen to attend a meeting on September 11 at 1pm at the new police station with the electrical contractor and Municipal Building Committee. Selectman Colella also invited Board members to a meeting on September 16 at 9AM with Amtrak in Norwood relative to electrical wires. Selectman Colella requested the Acting Manager check the war memorial near the Town Hall for damage because skateboarding has taken place around it. M Selectman Mahana referenced a letter to the Selectmen concerning sale of Willis Street land. Acting Manager Boucher requested the Planning Director put together a Request for Proposals for the land. �• Motion: So moved to reappoint Lenny Flynn to the Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee. (Mahana - Colella) All in favor. PASSES. Selectman Mahana requested a count of the number of town vehicles in circulation, stating it seems the number is growing again. Selectman Mahana stated DPW arranged Town Hall landscaping with Guerrini Landscaping and the lawn looks superb! Acting Chairman Royle suggested and a consensus of the Board was in favor of requesting the community send letters suggesting charities the Great Woods donation should be used for. 11. Ar journment 11:10 PM Motion: To adjourn. (Mahana- Robinson) All in favor. PASSES. Clerk's Signature(- Date of Approval 7