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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 3-11-1998Board of Selectmen Minutes March 11, 1998 Present: Acting Chairman Royle, Acting Clerk Mahana, selectmen Colella, and d and Robinson John D'Agostino, Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. Selectman Mahana volunteered to be Acting Clerk. A. Warrant No. 37 - $1,407,407.59 Motion: To approve. (Mahana- Robinson) Acitng Chairman Royle abstained from all Health Department items. Passes. B. Licenses and Permits • Application of the Town Manager for a $2,549.27 Reserve Fund Transfer Request to the Telephone Expenses Account Motion: So moved. (Mahana - Robinson) All in favor. Passes • Application of the Town Manager for a $8,164.44 Reserve Fund Transfer Request to the Town Manager /Staff Recruitment & Development Account Motion: So moved. (Mahana- Colella) All in favor. Passes. • Letter from Shaw Auto Leasing for a Change in Location for their Class II License from 172 Copeland Drive to 95 South Main Street Motion: To transfer the license. (Mahana - Royle) (3 -0 -1) Selectman Robinson abstained. Passes. • $200 Donation from Gerald and Sharon L. Tulis for the Plymouth Street Recreational Facility Motion: So moved to accept the donation from the Tulis family. (Mahana - Robinson) All in favor. Passes. C. Correspondence Action Resident Letter from Albert Zarrella, 471 Gilbert Street, requesting erection of a sign on or prior to the curve in the road on Gilbert Street approaching No. 471, erection of a mirror on the M telephone pole across the street to better see oncoming vehicle's, and excavation of the ( embankment on the curve Recommendation from Officer Lawson: attached suggesting installation of a "Blind Driveway" sign north of the roadway curve at 471 Gilbert Street and that the property owner should make arrangements with DPW relative to the embankment and mirror. Motion: To install the blind driveway sign north of 471 Gilbert Street. (Mahana- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. Miscellaneous Letter from Rich Havens, Time Out Productions, requesting permission for the New England Triathlon Tour to travel through Mansfield on Sunday, August 9, with attached approval from the Police Chief Time Out Productions Motion: So moved. (Mahana- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. Other Resident Letter from Norman Vickery, 491 South Main Street, concerning the proposed location of a transfer station in Mansfield Board and Committee Letter from Shirley Hanlon, Chairman, Conservation Commission, requesting inclusion on the I495 Route 140 Interchange Subcommittee The Commission has been invited to participate on the Committee at their first meeting on March 30. Town Manager and Staff Letter from Scott Leite, Health Agent, announcing the rescheduled Sound Workshop date, Thursday, April 9, at 7:30 PM Memorandum from John D'Agostino, Town Manager, to the Board of Selectmen stating a tour of two transfer stations in Westboro and Auborn has been scheduled for Saturday, March 14 State and Local Government Letter from Senator Keating stating the Executive Office of Transportation and Construction has a program which may be of service to Mansfield and that a different task force is currently analyzing noise and vibration concerns along the northeast rail corridor from Boston to the Rhode Island border. Senator Keatings Office is working with Congressman Frank and Congressman McGovern regarding common rail safety concerns A copy of this letter has been mailed to Marianne Kinney, Mansfield's Amtrak Representative Miscellaneous Letter from Dr. Joel Hayden, King Lion, requesting approval to hold a Road Race on Sunday May 3 Approved last iveek subject to Police Department approval. Chapter 70 Proclamation In Support of Increased Funding for School Transportation and Special Education Motion: To sign and forward to the State Legislators. (Mahana - Robinson) All in favor. Passes. 2. Questions and Comments Peter DeTrolio, 496 Ebn Street, asked if it is true that the previous Town Manager gave out personal contracts to employees such as the Police Chief and asked what the purpose was. In response, Town Manager D'Agostino stated that if Mr. DeTrolio requests copies of contracts, they will be provided. Acting Chairman Royle suggested Mr. DeTrolio meet with the Town Manager. Ralph Penney, 336 Maple Sit-eel, questioned the validity of a statement made by a candidate for Selectmen at Monday evening's Candidates debate, concernign allocation of water department revenues. Mr. Penney submitted memoranda to the Selectmen from Bob Swanson, former Town Engineer, regarding water rate increases and capital tie -in fees being earmarked for specific projects. Mr. D'Agostino will research the issue. Marianne Kinney, 388 Gilbert Street, gave the Selectmen an update on her efforts relative to Amtrak's High Speed Rail project. Ms. Mimey requested the Selectmen send a letter to Representative Joseph Sullivan in favor of House Bill 4304, Railroad Safety & Environmental Protection Act. Motion: So moved to send a letter to Joseph Sullivan. (Robinson - Mahana) All in favor. Passes. Acting Clerk Mahana stated he was a little annoyed with some statements made by a candidate on Candidates night and that funds were spent legally to upgrade the Town's wells. Acting Clerk Mahana also stated that the Board of Light Commissioner members have been served with a legal document requesting the court issue an injunction to stop their interference with the Light Department. Acting Clerk Mahana continued stating reasons he was not in favor of the renewal of the Light Department Manager's contract. Richard Devine, 6 Morgan Road, in reference to Mr. Penney's comments, stated in 1994 a "purpose" section was placed next to each Town Meeting article, which may be helpful to Mr. D'Agostino while doing his research. 3. 8:20 PM Introduction of Newly Hired Paramedics Fire Chief Sliney and Deputy Bellevance were present. Chief Sliney introduced four newly_ hired paramedics: John Brunelle, Todd DeCosta, Mike Valcanis, and Brian Strange. Currently, the Town is waiting for certification from FTA to purchase medications to be used by paramedics, which should take no longer than one week. Chief Sliney thanked the Selectmen and the voters for their supporting the hiring of four paramedics. 4. 8:30 PM Ambulance Rate Public Hearing with Chief Sliney and Deputy Bellevance Acting Chairman Royle read the hearing notice aloud. Chief Sliney proposed increasing each of the ambulance fees as follows: Description Fee Increase BLS Base Rate $2.85 BLS Mileage $.13 ALS Base Rates $3.75 ALS Mileage $.14 Oxygen $.52 Airways $1.27 MAST Trousers $35 IV Therapy $1.12 Cardiac Monitor $1.57 Defibrillator $1.12 Extra Attendant $0.0 Board of Selectmen Questions: Members of the Board of Selectmen questioned the effect the increase would have on senior citizens. At 8:40 PM, Acting Chairman Royle closed the public hearing. Motion: So moved to accept the recommended fees proposed by the Fire Chief. (Mahana- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. 5. 8:40 PM Veterans Agent /Assistant Director Personnel Services Job Descriptions Town Manager D'Agostino stated that he is not proposing to create a new position with the "Assistant Director Personnel Services" description but to add duties and refine the Veterans Agent description. Although the Veterans' Agent will be carrying out the duties outlined in both descriptions, the State Director of Veterans Services recommended the two separate descriptions. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments Members of the Board of Selectmen asked questions and commented on the following: why the additional duties could not be incorporated into the Veteran's Agent description, additional duties not taking away fi•om Veterans Agent main responsibility, addition of the date of approval to the description, addition of a notation in the overview that the description outlines additional duties of the Veterans Agent, and comparable qualifications for both the Veterans Agent and Assistant Director of Personnel Services descriptions. Motion: So moved on both descriptions. (Robinson- Mahana) All in favor. Passes. 6. 8:55 PM Discussion with Bob Morrison, Assistant DPW Director Mr. Morrison addressed comments made at the Selectmen's February 25, 1998, meeting concerning the Water Department. Acting Chairman Royle responded stating that her comments concerning partiality shown the Water Department by members of the Board of Selectmen were not meant to criticize Mr. Morrison, but to the show differences between the Board of Selectmen and Light Commissioners. Acting Chairman Royle asked Mr. Morrison if leaks exist under Charles Street and Franklin Street that cannot be fixed because the road would have to be cut. Mr. Morrison responded that minor leaks do exist but that the road cannot be cut until spring because of settling that may occur during this time of year. Acting Clerk Mahana questioned the status of the Walsh Well and the amount of water Great Waves would like to purchase from the Town. 7. Old Business A. Town Manager Town Manager D'Agostino reported on the following issues: • The status of the Ash Property well - -The well will be on line in 1999; plans are in the review process now. • The status of the Witch Pond well - -The prolonged test update will be completed within a month. • DEP is currently reviewing decommissioning plans for Albertini No. 5 and the Cate Springs Dug Well. • Mr. D'Agostino requested the Selectmen endorse a grant application prepared by the Planning Director for funds in the amount of $475,000 to complete the Rails to Trails construction. Motion: So moved. (Robinson - Mahana) All in favor. Passes. • A grant application to complete the assessment of the Hathaway Patterson site has been filed. Mr. D'Agostino commended all persons who worked on the application. Update on the Train Station Development Project — Mr. D'Agostino met with Gatra and MBTA representatives on Thursday and the Train Committee on Friday. Gatra and the MBTA have made up to $1.7M in design funding available to complete the design of the train station, which would include a bus terminal on the same side of the tracks as the existing station. Mr. D'Agostino anticipates additional land takings will be necessary. Access to the commuter lots will not be considered through adjacent neighborhoods. The rails to trails project will connect with the train station, which will allow for additional federal money that Mansfield, otherwise, would not have been able to link up to. The Hathaway Patterson and Clemmey tank properties will be competitively bid out for best and highest uses by developers. • The Town is evaluating all its telecommunication services, and Mr. D'Agostino believes a substantial saving can be realized. The Town is looking at a fiber-optically - linked system to establish its own local network. B. Selectmen • Selectman Colella stated that residents are concerned with traffic that may occur on County Street with a new commuter station. • Selectman Robinson asked if any land would be taken away from the North Common with the new station design. • Acting Chairman Royle stated she is not crazy about a bus terminal with the busses running through Mansfield. Acting Chairman Royle also asked how the Town would issue an RFP on the Clemmey tank and Hathaway Patterson properties when they are not town - owned. Lastly, Acting Chairman Royle stated that she is concerned about traffic on Route 106 as a result of a new commuter station including stores and restaurants. • Selectman Colella inquired about the status of the cable license and questioned qualifications for the senior citizen discount. Selectman Robinson left the room for this discussion. 8. New Business Town Manager D'Agostino reported on the following: • A Department Heads meeting is scheduled for March 16, 1998 at 8:30 PM, at which time Frank DiGiamarino will be present to discuss the Town's computer system. Mr. D'Agostino urged the Selectmen to attend the meeting. • Transfer Station site visits are scheduled for Saturday, March 14. • Mr. D'Agostino accepted United Way's invitation to head a campaign in Mansfield to raise funds. • Status update of Mansfield's sewer overflow capacity 1 B. Selectmen • Selectman Colella stated he received a call from a Church Street resident suggesting the Town look into purchasing a parcel of land for sale next to the Council on Aging. • Mr. D'Agostino stated he directed the DPW Director and Police Chief to locate sites in town containing graffiti and have them painted over. • With the upcoming election March 16 and Selectman Colella running for re- election, Selectman Colella stated it has been a pleasure working with the new Town Manager. • Selectman Robinson commended Mansfield Fire Fighters and Police Officers who assisted the City of Attleboro at a gas explosion. With the upcoming election March 16 and Selectman Robinson also running for re- election, Selectman Robinson stated that it was a great pleasure to serve on the Board and thanked the citizens of Mansfield for giving him a chance to serve. • Acting Chairman Royle asked if Police Chief O'Neill and Traffic Safety Officer Lawson would be in attendance at the Selectmen's March 25 meeting with the Downtown Business Association. On March 25, the intersection of Chauncy Street and North Main Street will be discussed. • Lastly, Acting Chairman Royle reminded the public that a reception will be held for the Town Manager on March 19 at 7:30 PM in the Town Hall Meeting Room 3BC. 9. 10:10 PM Adjournment Motion: To adjourn. (Colella- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. Clerk's Signature Date of Approval