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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 10-21-1998Board of Selectmen Minutes � J 1IM] ' J October 21 1998 s -i rl Present: Chairman Madan, Clerk McCarter, Selectmen Royle, Robinson and Mahana 1 John D'Agostino, Town Manger 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. A. Water Conservation Poster Contest Presentation Mansfield's Water Wizard, Steve Bishop, Water Department Foreman, presented each of the Water Poster Contest winners with a certificate and prize. The winners were: Jocelyn Stewart — Third Place David Mullins - Second Place Jennifer Call - First Place B. Town -Wide Water Model Town Manager D'Agostino explained the purpose of the Great Waves Water Model Evaluation, for which Great Waves has offered to pay for the Town to contract with Tata and Howard. Renee Gauthier, Water Department Bookkeeper, was present to answer the Selectmen's questions. Mr. D'Agostino explained that the water model would be required under the Water Consumption Act when the Town seeks to increase its allocation based on average daily demand. Town Officials are presently reviewing adoption of a regulation requiring all applicants for new developments in Town to update the water model. Members of the Board discussed the Town vs. developer paying for the model and how the study evolved. Motion: That the Board of Selectmen not support the Great Waves project. ( Mahana- McCarter) (4 -1) Royle Opposed. Passes. Motion: That we accept the gift of $7,000 for payment toward the water modeling study to be conducted by Tata and Howard, contracted by the Town of Mansfield, report submitted to the Town and paid for by Great Waves, and for the entire Town. ( Royle- Robinson) (3 -2) Selectman Mahana and Clerk McCarter opposed. Passes. C. Warrant No. 17 - $795,161.71 Motion: To approve. (Boyle- Mahana) All in favor. Chairman Madan abstained from all Building Department items, Clerk McCarter abstained from the Municipal Building Committee payroll, and Selectwoman Royle abstained from all Board of Health items. Passes. D. Licenses and Permits ♦ $2,190,000 3.40% Bond Anticipation Note Motion: To approve the sale of $2,190,000 3.40 percent Bond Anticipation Note for the Town dated October 28, 1998 and payable October 28, 1999 to Eastern Bank, at par and accrued interest plus a premium of $4,818 and sign the certificate. (Mahana - Robinson) All in favor. Passes. Motion: To sign all other appropriate documents. (Boyle- Mahana) All in favor. Passes. ♦ Application of Lori Berneburg for a common victualler license at 265 Fruit Street, Lori's Sunnyside Cafe Lori Berneburg was present to ans)ver any of the Board's questions. Motion: So moved. (Mahana - Royle) All in favor. Passes. ♦ Common Victualler for All Alcoholic License Certificate reflecting approval of Bertucci's Brick Oven Pizzeria's Change in Stockholders, Officers, and Directors Motion: To sign. (Mahana- Royle) All in favor. Passes. ♦ Notice of Election November 3, 1998 Motion: To sign (Robinson - Royle) All in favor. Passes. E. Minutes ♦ Executive Session Minutes of September 30, 1998 Motion: To approve but not release (Boyle- McCarter) Chairman Madan abstained. Passes. ♦ Minutes of October 7, 1998 Motion: So moved. (Mahana - McCarter) All in favor. Passes. F. Correspondence Action State and Local Government Letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency informing the Selectmen that they are currently reviewing a site approval application submitted by John T. Mahoney III for 46 one -and two - bedroom apartments on Charles Street. The Housing Finance Agency requests the Selectmen inform them of any issues that have been raised or are anticipated in the Town review process. Other Resident Letter from Karl Clemmey, 390 West Street, requesting the Selectmen submit the following issues to Town Counsel for review and respond to his letter: 1. Enforcement of the open air parking regulations with all venues in Town that charge their customers for parking; service fee charged at Great Woods to park limousines 2. Admission fee Great Woods charges for the South Shore Antique Auto Club's Flea Market and the fee charged to each individual to park Mr. Clemmey suggests the Town is missing out on income that could be generated by issuing business certificates to the individual vendors at this event Letter from Nancy Flynn, 20 Samoset Avenue, requesting the Town remove two stumps left in her yard by DPW in the Spring of 1997 and new trees planted as promised. The trees were cut in anticipation of a new sidewalk. Selechnan Robinson requested the Town Manager contact Mrs. Flynn. Town Manager and Staff Letter from John Moretti, Superintendent of Schools, inviting the Selectmen to attend an open session meeting of the School Committee on October 26 at 6:30 PM, at which the Committee will be finalizing their recommendations to reflect bids received for the High School renovation and addition Miscellaneous Letter from the Mansfield Farmers' Market Committee thanking the Selectmen for their support and help in making the First Mansfield Farmers' Market a success and inviting the Selectmen to attend the last market on Thursday, October 22 Invitation to attend the Southeastern Regional Vocational - Technical High School open house on October 24 from 1:00 -5:00 PM 2. Old business A Town Manager Mr. D'Agostino reported the following: ♦ A constructive meeting was held with Sangermano Construction regarding access issues along the interceptor to the Village at Willow Crossing. The interceptor cover will be put back to its original condition and damage to Branch Street as a result of the construction vehicles will be repaired by the contractor. ♦ Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and Development, developed, a response to the Jackson Village proposal for a forty -six unit comprehensive permit development outlining several concerns. Motion: To direct the Chairman to sign the letter outlining a negative response based on the conclusion and recommendation of Town Staff and delete the words "at this time" from the last paragraph. (Mahana- Royle) All in favor. Passes. ♦ Wine and Malt License Certificate for Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts Reflecting the Approved Change in Manager to Brian Kelley Motion: So moved to sign. (Boyle- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. ♦ Some Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles still require a vote of the Board of Selectmen: Article 2 - Budgetary Shortfalls Article 30 - The Intermunicipal Agreement with Attleboro referenced in this article expired in 1940. The Town Manager will be meeting with Mayor Robbins to discuss another agreement. The petitioner may be withdrawing the article. Article 7 - Fire Department protective clothing washer and dryer Motion: Not to support the washer and dryer. ( Royle- Mahana) (4 -1) Clerk McCarter Opposed. Passes. Article 8 - Replacement Ambulance Members of the Board discussed the number of ambulances in surrounding towns, the balance of free cash with this expenditure, and the type of ambulance proposed for purchase, "a Cadillac or a Datson ". 3. 8:45 PM Tax Classification Public Hearing Clerk McCarter read the public hearing notice. Assistant Assessor Shirley McPhee, and Assessors Al Turinese and Paul Folkman were present for this hearing Paul Folkman stated although the Assessors would like the Tax Rate Classification set at an even 100 %, the Assessors recommend a rate of 103 %. Public Comments: Jay Barrows, Chairman, IDC, stated Mansfield's tax rates for industry are much higher than competing towns Walter Jenkins, IDC member, stated Mansfield needs an equal tax rate to remain competitive and that the IDC recommends one rate for industry and residents. Richard Devine, 6 Morgan Road, suggested the Selectmen take into consideration the effect of a single rate on top of an override on Mansfield's residents and expressed opposition to a single rate. Tom Prestwich , 2 Shadybrook Lane, stated industrial tax rates of adjacent towns are not ( doing as badly as Mansfield. Town Manager D'Agostino commented that an equalized tax rate over time would lower the residential tax rate. Motion: To reduce the rate to 104 %. (Mahana- Robinson) (2 -3) Selectmen Robinson and Mahana in favor. Fails. Motion: To reduce the rate to 103 %. (McCarter -No Second) Motion: To establish one tax rate of $16.77 for both residential and commercial property. ( Royle- Madan) (2 -3) Chairman Madan and Selectwoman Royle in favor. Fails. Motion: To reduce the rate to 104 %. (Mahana- Robinson) (2 -3) Selectmen Mahana and Robinson in favor. Fails. Motion: To reduce the rate to 103 %. (Boyle- McCarter) (3 -2) Selectmen Mahana and Robinson opposed. Passes. At 9:40 PM the public hearing was closed. 3. Old Business Town Manager continued ♦ The Selectmen are invited to attend the Business Roundtable breakfast on October 29 at 8:15 am at the Holiday Inn. ♦ The Manager is in the process of putting together a policy requiring liquor license holders to attend "TIPS" training and will be recommending having a responsible department monitor and sponsor the training such as the Police Department. ♦ The Department of Public Works is in the process of spreading loam on the Route106 fields, which should be completed along with seeding by the end of the week. Fencing and shrub planting will still be required. B. Selectmen ♦ Selectman Robinson asked if Mansfield Green would be open an extra day this Fall for leaf composting. ♦ Selectwoman Royle encouraged residents to attend the Special Town Meeting Monday night. As a follow up, Town Manager D'Agostino announced that babysitting services would be provided at the Special Town Meeting and Chairman Madan stated that parking sticker would be available at the Meeting. ♦ Selectman Mahana commented on the impact of the school bond issues on taxes. Clerk McCarter stated he notice the radar traffic control device on Route 106 and inquired of the cost for the Town to purchase one of its own. Clerk McCarter also inquired about the status of the train station development. Toivn Manager D'Agostino reported that the project architect, VHB, signed a contract fvith Gatra and an owner of property near the train station to house their office during the project design stage. 4. New A. Town Manager Town Manager D'Agostino reported the following: ♦ The Chamber sponsored legislative breakfast provided a sense of a economic stabilization or perhaps even a downturn in the economy. The region will need to take a look at how business is conducted. B. Selectmen ♦ Selectman Robinson updated the Board on a meeting he attended with Amtrak and the MBTA last week, at which Congressman McGovern and Frank also attended. The Congressmen asked the MBTA and Amtrak to find out the locations and amount of fencing budgeted for and how much more is needed. Because of a great deal of confusion among residents with trash collection being on schedule this past holiday, Columbus Day, Selectman Robinson asked if there would be any additional holidays where trash collection is usually delayed a day but would not be with the new trash collection contract. Lastly, in light of a recent water main break at the Quatter's Middle School during construction, Selectman Robinson suggested the Town adopt a policy for digging in Town, requiring Water Department notification prior to beginning. ♦ Selectwoman Royle announced a "2020 Planning for Growth Forum" is scheduled for this Saturday, October 24, at Bridgewater State College. Chairman Madan stated he is concerned that there have been evenings when a police detail has not been present at the commuter station, including this evening. Chairman Madan stated he would like a Police detail, if not a paid police detail, an on -duty officer should cover the detail. Town Manager D'Agostino responded that he would like Town of Mansfield details covered on a priority basis. Selectman Robinson suggested it may be possible for an MBTA police officer to work the detail. Chairman Madan stated he would like the Manager to ensure that the detail would be covered at all times, and suggested the possibility of the State Police covering the detail. ♦ Selectman Mahana suggested the Selectmen support the purchase of an ambulance for the Fire Department. Motion: To support $102,500 for the purchase of an ambulance. (Mahana -No Second) Selectwoman Royle would like additional I\ information from the Fire Chief. ♦ Selectman Robinson stated that vehicles are parking in the restricted zones at the high school making it hard for busses to exit and asked that the situation be straightened out. 5. 10:30 PM Adjournment Motion: To go into executive session to discuss land values and negotiations and come out only to adjourn. (Royle- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. Selectman Robinson - Aye. SelectwomanRoyle - Aye. Selectman Mahana - Aye. Clerk McCarter - Aye. Chair di . Ma an Aye. e 's Signature Date of Approval