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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 2-18-1998Board of Selectmen. Minutes February 18, 1998 �s3fE;27 '':il 0? Present: Chairman Madan, Clerk Royle, and Selectmen.,ly ahana, Robinson and Colella t (C John D'Agostino, Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. A. Warrant No. 35 - $1,948,076.49 Motion: So moved to approve. (Boyle- Robinson) All in favor. Chairman Madan abstained from all Building Department items; Clerk Royle abstained from all Board of Health items and Voucher No. 1496; and Selectman Mahana abstained on Voucher No. 9783. B. Minutes of February 11, 1998 Motion: Move to approve as submitted. (Boyle- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. C. Release of Executive Session Minutes Motion: Move to release the following executive session minutes: • April 30, 1997 • June 18, 1997 • July 23, 1997 • September 10, 1997 • September 30, 1997 ( Royle- Mahana) WITHDRAWN for further review. D. Licenses and Permits Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission Approval of the Holiday Irm Mansfield Change of Manager Application to Janice Perna Selectmen signed the license certlfrcate. Reserve Fund Transfer Request $2,000 to the Selectmen's Legal Account to cover the cost of Town Counsel's hiring a consultant to perform evaluations of Town Hall deficiencies Motion: Move to send a positive recommendation to the Finance Committee (Boyle- Robinson) All in favor. (5 -0) E. Correspondence Town Manager and Staff Memorandum from Town Manager D'Agostino stating that the next Train Station Committee meeting has been rescheduled to Friday, March 6, 1998, at 10:00 AM, in Meeting Room 3BC Board of Setecunen Minutes Page 1 of 7 February 18, 1998 Miscellaneous Letter from Bruce Heald, 101 Summer Street, Foxboro, commenting on a February 11 ( article in the SUN CHRONICLE "Mansfield Cracks Down on Bad Drivers" and suggesting the Selectmen establish a more effective "No Parking Zone" in front of the cleaners on Crocker Street extending to the station and add "Two Way Traffic Ahead" signs on Crocker Street This has been forwarded to the Police Department for review. Fax from Heather Graf, Citizens Concerned About Tracks, of a February 10, 1998 News Release relative to the New Bedford/Fall River Line Release Abatement Measure Plan for the ISPO Inc. Facility, 234 Branch Street 2. Questions and Comments None 3, Capital Water Charge Reclassification request of Charlie Masison for a Gymnastics Academy in the Replacement Building at the Big Four The Board of Selectmen is in receipt of a copy of a Letter from Mr. Masison, C & P Realty, dated February 4, 1998, requesting the Selectmen reclassify the water capital charge for the above mentioned property to Category A, which includes Factory- Industrial, and Warehouse uses etc. rather than the present Category C, country club, bank, barber shop uses. The Board is also in receipt of a memorandum from Vel Bishop, DPW Billing Supervisor, to Robert Morrison, Assistant DPW Director, concerning the request. ( Motion: Move we charge Mr. Masison $2400 for his Water Capital Charge and include his Gymnastics Academy in Category A. (Boyle- Mahana) All in favor. Passes. 4. Questions and Comments domes McKinnon, 152 South Main Sheet, requested the Selectmen reschedule next week's discussion with South Main Streets residents because a Planning Board hearing originally scheduled for this evening has been rescheduled to next Wednesday at the same time, and he would like to attend both. 5. Old Business A. Town Manager Town Manager D'Agostino reported on the following: Department Heads are working on the grant application for Brownsfield funding, which is due February 28. The grant would provide funding for a site assessment of the Hathaway Patterson site. A second grant application is due at the end of March. A developer, Mr. Ditchman, is interested in getting the site assessment underway and has offered the services of his consultant to help put together grant application. Discussion among the Selectmen followed concerning designation of the Winthrop Street commuter lot for Mansfield residents only and whether or not residents should be charged to park in the lot. Board of Selectmen Minutes Page 2 of 7 Febmary 18, 1998 6. Animal Welfare Committee Update with Matt Miller, Chairman Matt Miller, Animal Welfare Committee Chairman, explained the day to day activities of the Animal Welfare Committee. Mr. Miller also reviewed statistics relative to the Animal Shelter as follows: • Number of animals found, Surrendered, Adopted (to residents and non - residents) • Number of animals returned to their owner • Number of dogs licensed vs. approximate number of dogs in town, • Number of dogs adopted vs. destroyed from 1985 -1987 compared to 1995 — 1997 Mr. Miller requested a new Animal Shelter sign be installed as the previous sign disappeared. Lastly, Mr. Miller noted a few deficiencies the Animal Welfare Committee is concerned about — overcrowding in the animal shelter and an absence of reference to cats in the Town's General Laws. Board of Selectmen Questions: Members of the Board of Selectmen commented on and asked questions concerning the following: possible locations for a new animal shelter, the possibility of a developer of a proposed transfer station constructing an animal shelter, status of "Kitty City ", possibility of a regional shelter, and Rolf Hagen's, Petco, offer to donate food or anything else the Shelter needs. 7. Cable Rate Informational Meeting Selectman Robinson excused himself for this discussion. Nick Leuci, Vice President of Time Warner Government Affairs, and Doug Whiting, General Manager of Time Warner Operations in Foxboro, were both present. Chairman Madan began the meeting by stating that Mansfield's residents are very concerned with the recent increase in cable rates. Mr. Leuci explained the reason for the rate increase and the formula used to arrive at Mansfield's cable rates. The formula used by the Federal Communication Commission is 1$ + Inflation + Increases in Programming Costs. Rates may be increased once a year. The maximum rate increase permitted for 1998 in Mansfield is $4.34, but Mansfield's actual increase was $3.95. Board of Selectmen Questions: Members of the Board of Selectmen commented on and asked questions concerning the following: Time Warner's social contract with the FCC, issuance of an RFP for a second cable provider in Mansfield, letters of complaint received from residents relative to their cable service and the rates charged, and the possibility of lowering rates and developing a discounted rate for senior citizens. Public Comments: Thomas Fuller, Darby Drive, expressed concern regarding the cable rates, reviewed the increases over the years, and requested the Town bring in competition for cable service. Board of Selectmen Minutes Page 3 of 7 February 18, 1998 An unidentified Mansfield resident stated he is upset with the rate increase and requested the Selectmen bring a second cable provider to town. Bob Saquet requested residents cancel all but the basic service if they feel cable is too expensive, and perhaps, Time Warner would then get the message that their rates are too high. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments: Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions and commented on the following: the increase in cable bills, the number of free cable hookups in town for basic service, reconsideration of the rates, the fee to be paid to Mansfield this year (5% of gross revenues), and whether or not the rates will decrease and the senior citizens will receive a discount. A member of the previous Cable Advisory Committee commented on the lack of Time Warner's compliance with their cable license, such as conducting yearly resident surveys. The member also stated that he would like to see the Selectmen more involved in overseeing the license. Clerk Royle referenced a copy of a letter the Selectmen received from the Town of Dover to Carol Hevey, Time Warner, expressing concern with their customer service practices and with their recent relocation of the Foxboro Office's General Manager, Steve Grossman. Clerk Royle stated that she agrees with Dover and suggested if residents feel the same way that they should write to Ms. Hevey expressing their concerns. Chairman Madan noted if Time Warner does not lower their rates the Selectmen will have to do whatever is necessary to provide lower rates to Mansfield's residents. 8. 10:00 PM — Ten Minute Recess 9. 10:10 Water Rate Study Discussion with Finance Committee member Gerry St. Hilaire; Bob Morrison, Assistant DPW Director, and Betty Amicone, DPW Office Manager At the request Town Manager D'Agostino, Gerry St. Hilaire, reviewed the Town's need for an increase in Water rates. The following subjects were discussed the effect of an incline block rate, enterprise accounts, capital expenditures, Mansfield's rates compared to surrounding communities, the effective date of any new rates set by the Selectmen, review of all Water Department fees, and the date of the last water rate increase. Lastly, Selectman Mahana inquired about the status of the wells. 10. Old Business A. Town manager Town Manager D'Agostino reported the following: • Mr. D'Agostino requested the Selectmen consider the Finance Committee's ( recommendation to postpone Town Meeting to mid to late May. Board of Selectmen Minutes Page 4 of 7 Febmary 18, 1998 Motion: To set Town Meeting for Monday, May, May 4, if the auditorium is available. (Mahana - Robinson) All in favor. Passes. • The Board of Selectmen is in receipt of a letter from Congressman Franks' office dated February 13, 1998, stating although the City of Attleboro would like to proceed with an MBTA task force on its own, Senator Keating has offered to assist Mansfield with development of a public safety task force. Motion: Move to send a letter to the City of Attleboro expressing our disappointment that they would like to proceed on their own with the task force. ( Royle- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. • In the upcoming budget, there is presently an operating deficit of $390,000. The line items of all departments have all been revisited and a couple options are available, one of which is a reduction in staff. Clerk Royle questioned the figure for estimated receipts and suggested the Town Manager discuss the deficit with the School Superintendent. Mr. D'Agostino stated that he will be writing a letter to State Officials requesting they increase Chapter 70 funding to try to offset the deficit. • A memorandum concerning open space located on Pine Street is in the Selectmen's Reading Folder and direction from the Selectmen will be sought in the near future. • Mr. D'Agostino is disappointed with the level of responses received concerning repair of the Oakland Street railroad crossing. Abutters to the line do not do not want to pay for the improvements; however it is Town Counsel's opinion that those who benefit from the line have to pay for it. • Betty Amicone, DPW Office Manager, will be Acting Town Manager while Town Manager is out of the office having surgery. • Waste Collection bids have come in. Some are fairly competitive. There will be a definite increase in the cost of service. The DPW Director, Dan Clifford, DPW Office Manager, Betty Amicone, and DPW Leadman Mike Ahern will be further analyzing the two lowest bids. Weekly curbside recycling is also being reviewed. • Draft Town Meeting Warrant Articles are available. One of the articles calls for elimination of ambulance receipt processing which is an accounting housekeeping measure. B. Selectmen • Selectman Mahana stated he was recently transported by ambulance and was told that he could not be taken to Faulkner Hospital, as a result of a policy vote of the Board of C Selectmen. Selectman Mahana requested the Town Manager check into this policy Board of Selectmen Minutes Page 5 of 7 February 18, 1998 and stated he thinks this may have only been in effect when Mansfield had only one ambulance in service. • Selectman Robinson suggested the Town look into the feasibility of constructing an East Mansfield fire station each year. Town Manager D'Agostino responded that he feels the Town should conduct a need assessment study for a station and include funding in the capital budget each year for it. • Selectman Colella inquired of the status of the following issues being reviewed by the Town Manager: • A house on Willow Street in which there was a fire and the smell from the fire is still present • An abandoned house on Coral Street • Installation of "No Parking" signs on Willow Street at the curve near the pond • Selectman Mahana inquired about the status of current sewer charges owed Mansfield by Norton. Town Manager D'Agostino will ivrite a letter to the Norton Town Manager inquiring of the status of the payment and when ive can expect it. • Selectman Mahana compared the fee paid to the Registry of Deeds during a land transfer to the landbank charge. • Selectman Mahana asked if site visits to transfer stations have been scheduled yet and stated he would like to see both private and municipal stations. • Chairman Madan asked if Clerk Royle would be putting her concerns in writing as he requested in response to a statement she made on February 2 that the Town has serious problems in the Water Department but that Chairman Madan is covering up the problems because he is a friend of the Water Department Manager. 11. New Business A. Town Manager Town Manager D'Agostino reported on the following issues: • Mr. D'Agostino will be out of the office on Friday and during the following week because of rotator cuff surgery. Mr. D'Agostino will use accumulated personal leave and some sick time during that period. B. Selectmen • Selectman Robinson asked when residents may start burning and if compost will be made available to residents this year. • Selectman Mahana requested a letter be sent to the Animal Shelter veterinarian expressing the Selectmen's appreciation for her contributions to the shelter. • Chairman Madan noted that the Great Woods entertainment license is coming up for renewal and Great Woods General Manager Bruce Montgomery has made inquiries Board of Selectmen Minutes Page G of 7 February 18, 1998 *(d,Rg concerning the procedure to be followed this year for the license renewal. Chairman Madan suggested the Town Manager negotiate a license that is signable following an evening of public input. Town Manager D'Agostino stated he feels a fine structure should be included in the license regulations or violations of the 11:00 PM curfew. 12. 11:35 PM Adjournment Motion: To adjourn. (Mahana- Royle) All in favor. Passes. Clei k's Signature 0 Date of Appro val Board of Selectmen Minutes Page 7 of 7 Febmary 18, 1998