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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 4-22-1998Board of Selectmen Minutes April 22, 1998 Present: Chairman Madan, Clerk McCarter, Selectmen Mahana Robinson,`anlds Royle 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. 43 Motion: To approve. (Boyle- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. Chairman Madan abstained from all Building Department items; Selectwoman Royle abstained from all Health Department item; and Clerk McCarter abstained from all Recreation Commission items. B. Executive Session Minutes of March 30, 1998 Motion: To approve and not release. (McCarter and Maliana) All in favor. Passes. C. Licenses and Permits • Application of the Town Manager for a $9,500 Reserve Fund Transfer to the Town Manager/Professional- Technical Services Account to fund IDC Training sessions with Professor John Mullin Motion: So moved. (Mahana- McCarter) Selectwoman Royle expressed concern that the application was not for an unforeseen expense and stated training should be inchided in the budget. (4 -1) Selectwoman Royle opposed. Passes. • Memorandum from Leslie Pasch, requesting the Selectmen endorse the Historical Commissioners $7,900 grant application to the Preservation Projects for the Fisher Richardson House Motion: Move we support the grant application and authorize the appropriate signatures on behalf of the town. (Mahana- McCarter) • Application of 875 South Main Street Realty Trust for a renewal of the open air parking facility license for 875 South Main Street Mr. D'Agostino stated he is waiting for information from Town Counsel and Department Heads on the license fee for open air parking facilities. Selectwoman Royle suggested if open air parking license fees are being reviewed that all license fees should be. Motion: Move to table. ( Royle- Mahana) All in favor. Passes. D. Correspondence Action: Resident Letter from Fran LaMaitra, 693 Ware Street, requesting a waiver of the $50 dollar fee to have his water shut off and turned back on. Mr. LaMaitra is having his water shut off to fix a problem with his water shut off valve, located on the street side of the water meter This letter has been forwarded to the Water Department for review. Town Manager and Staff Memorandum from Town Manager D'Agostino to the Board of Selectmen requesting approval to correct an error that occurred with the bid awards for Balcom Ridge Lots 98 and 408 by awarding the sale of Lot 98 to Sam David, who was, in fact, the highest bidder on the lot Motion: To rescind the bid award to Sherwood Realty Trust in the amount of $62,400. ( Royle- Mahana) All in favor. Passes. Motion: To award Balcom Ridge Lot No. 98 to Mr. Sam David in the amount of $87,750. (Boyle — Mahana) All in favor. Passes. Letter from Superintendent of Schools, John Moretti, asking if it would be acceptable for the Selectmen to appoint Bert Masson, the School Department Systems Management Information Technical Director, to the Cable Advisory Committee. Mr. Masson is not a Mansfield resident. Motion: Move to appoint Bert Masson, School Department Systems Management Information Technical Director, to the cable advisory Committee. ( Royle- Mahana) (4 -0 -1) Selectman Robinson abstained. Passes. State and Local Government Letter from Francene Bragga, Housing Authority Director, requesting the Selectmen consider allowing the Park Court residents of Elderly Housing to use the parking area directly across the street from the complex owned by the Town. This has beers forwarded to the Police Deparbnent for review. Letter from the Town of Middleborough, Town Manager and Superintendent of Schools, requesting the Selectmen contact Mansfield's legislators regarding Chapter 70 Aid for Fiscal '99. Other: Board and Committee Memorandum from the Municipal Building Committee requesting the Selectmen consider votes taken by the Selectmen in January 1995 waiving fees for the Qualter's and Middle School construction projects. The Selectmen voted to waive the Towtt's po-tion of the pertnit fees at last week's ttteeting. Town Manager and Staff Memorandum from Town Manager D'Agostino to the Board of Selectmen concerning total appropriations for the FY99 budget Memorandum from Town Manager D'Agostino to the Board of Selectmen concerning insuring of Police Department vehicles Memorandum to the Board of Selectmen from Town Manager D'Agostino concerning expenditure of funds under the Selectmen's budget for professional development Invitation from Gale Farrugia, Council on Aging Director, and Althea Sankey, Volunteer Coordinator, to the Council on Aging's Volunteer Recognition Day Luncheon on Friday, May 22, at 11:30 AM Memorandum from Police Chief O'Neill to the Board of Selectmen requesting the Selectmen inform the public of an overabundance of dogs at the Animal Shelter. Police Chief O'Neill states in his memo that most of the dogs would make great pets and those ( persons considering adoption should check in at the shelter. Letter from Superintendent of Schools, John Moretti, informing the Selectmen that Jean Miller has recently been elected to the position of Chairman of the School Committee. Miscellaneous Fax from Heather Graf, CCATS, concerning the New Bedford/Fall River Rail Project Second fax from Heather Graf, CCATS, concerning the New Bedford /Fall River Rail Project AT the request of the Town Clerk, Chairman Madan requested that all residents who have not yet returned their census to do so. 2. Questions and Comments Alan Carson, 30 Webb Place, asked why the Town did not have an Animal Control Officer on duty this past weekend. A dog attacked Mr. Carson's daughter over the weekend. When he called the police station, the Sergeant on duty did not know how to handle the case nor did he know that there is a contingency plan to use Norton's Animal Control Officer. The Police Department released the dog back into its owner's hands. Mr. Carson received no satisfaction from the Police Department until Monday, when he threatened to hurt the dog after he saw it was let loose again. The Police Department picked the dog up on Monday. Mr. Carson stated that he is appalled that a full -time Animal Control Officer is not on duty on the weekends and that the Animal Control Officer did not contact him until Tuesday. Lastly, Mr. Carson requested the Town increase the fines for dogs that are unleashed and not vaccinated. Selectwoman Royle requested the matter be referred to the Town Manager and that the Manager request a full report from the Police Department. Peter DeTrolio, 496 Ebn Street, stated that he believes the Animal Control Officer works only part-time and that the other half of his workday he works as a Parking Ticket Officer. 3. 8:05 Discussion with Bill Flannery, Southeast Regional School Budget Mr. Flannery explained that each town's budget is figured on twenty -six variables. Mansfield was only charged for a capital expense. This year's budget figure is $161,000, which pays for sixty -one students. If five out of nine of the participating schools approve the budget, all towns are required to pay. Board of Selectmen Questions: Members of the Board of Selectmen questioned why the budget's fluctuation is so great from year to year, which variable changed Mansfield's budget from $0 last year to $161,000 this year, who is in charge of the formula, and if the School Committee members are working to have the formula changed. 4. Discussion regarding Senior Citizen Interest Charge on Water and Sewer Bills with Betty Amicone, DPW Office Manager Ms. Amicone explained the 14% finance charge to the Selectmen and asked if they would like to exempt senior citizens from the charge. Motion: Move that we exempt senior citizens from the 14 % finance charge on water and sewer bills ( Royle- Robinson) Alt in favor. Passes. 5. Discussion with Marianne Kinney, Amtrak High Speed Rail Project - Sound Mitigation Task Force Ms. Kinney reported that a draft report on sound mitigation has just been completed. Two types of mitigation are being reviewed - -sound barriers and residential insulation. Ms. Kinney reviewed areas slated for sound mitigation and the type to be used in each area. Board of Selectmen Questions and Comments Members of the Board of Selectmen questioned the decibel count where Amtrak agreed to install mitigation and asked what the Selectmen can do to help. Motion: To send another letter to all Federal Legislators with a copy of the sound mitigation report. ( Royle- McCarter) All in favor. Passes. 6. Review of Town Meeting and Special Town Meeting Articles A. Town Meeting Articles Article 10 Appropriate funds, $679,000, construction of the Canoe River sewer project; determine if appropriation should be raised by borrowing from the Mass Water Pollution Abatement Trust or otherwise Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: To support (Mahana- McCarter) All in favor. Passes. Article 19 — DPW does not support this article. Funds ($5,000) for an Engineering and Design Study for sidewalks on South Street from Grove Street to Foxborough Town Line Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: Not to Support. (Boyle - Mahana) All in favor. Passes. Article 23 Accept the provisions of MGL Chapter 44, Section 53F' /z which empowers the Town to establish for FY2000 a separate account for wastewater operations (enterprise account) Sponsors: Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee Motion: Not to Support. (Boyle- Madan) (2 -3) Chairman Madan and Selectwoman Royle in favor. Fails. Article 29 Amend Chapter 22 — Licenses and Permits, Paragraph (B), of the General By -Laws by accepting a 1993 amendment to Section 57 of MGL Chapter 40, Paragraph (B) Sponsors: Board of Selectmen Motion: To Support. (Robinson - Royle) (5 -0) Passes. Article 30 Accept a drainage easement located at 230 West Street Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: To table. (Boyle- Mahana) (5 -0) Passes. Article 31 Rescind Article 6 of the 1990 Annual Town Meeting which establishes an Ambulance Fee Reserve Account Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: To Support. ( Royle- Mahana) (5 -0) B. Special Town Meeting Article 1 Appropriate funds from the Overlay Reserve to pay unpaid prior year's bills. Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: To Support. (Robinson - Royle) (5 -0) Article 2 Appropriate $60,000 from Overlay Reserve to replenish the Reserve Fund Transfer Account Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: To Support. (Mahana- McCarter) (5 -0) Article 3 Appropriate $7,900 from Overlay Reserve — Matching Funds for Pre - Development grant for Fisher Richardson Historic Site Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: To Support. (Mahana- Royle) (5 -0) Article 4 Transfer a sum of money between various departmental budget accounts to defray expenses for the remainder of FY98 Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: To Support. (McCarter- Robinson) (3 -0 -2) Selectivoman Royle abstained Selectman Mahana was not present for the vote. Article 5 Transfer $5,234.33 from Capital Account, Air Pack Compressor, to Fire Capital Outlay Account Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: To Support. (Robinson- Royle) (4 -0 -1) Selectman Mahana was not present for the vote. Article 6 Establish a Revolving Inspection Account for FY'99 Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: To Support. (Robinson - Royle) (3 -0 -2) Chairman Madan abstained, and Selectman Mahana was not present for the mote. Article 7 Transfer 20,800 from Personal Services, and $56,000, Expenses, Winter Maintenance budget, to the Capital Improvements Program Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: To Support. (Boyle- Robinson) (5 -0) Article 8 Amend the General By -Laws, Chapter One — Town Meeting, Section 1, to reduce the quorum necessary to open Town Meeting from 200 registered voters to 100, and reduce the required 100 registered voters to open any adjourned session to 50 registered voters Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: To Support. (Royle- Robinson)(3 -2) Chairman Madan and Selectman Mahana opposed. Article 9 Accept by gift the drainage easement at 494 and 514 Gilbert Street Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: To Support. (Boyle - Mahana) (5 -0) Article 10 Amend the Zoning By -Law, Section 3.5 Classification of Business Uses paragraph 3.5 to a "seasonal farmer's market or..." By Petition: Doreen Tighe, 56 Spring Street Sponsor: Board of Selectmen Motion: To Support. (Mahana- Royle) (5 -0) 7. Old Business A. Town Manager Town Manager D'Agostino reported on the following: • The Police Station open house will be held on Saturday, May 9, 1998, from LOAM to 12 Noon. • While the Town did not receive the Brownsfield grant for $50,000, an application for a $200,000 grant is pending. • The status of the Train Station project; GATRA's RFP is not yet ready for release. • The South Common beautification project is moving forward. New trees will be planted in place of trees removed. The Department of Public Works will begin burying wire. Seleovoman Royle stated that she is concerned that the project ryas not budgeted Clerk McCarter stated a resident talks to him everyday about a fence on the south conunon, which needs to be repaired. Selecflvonan Royle questioned cost estimates for the Light Department's involvement in the project, and Mr. D'Agostino responded that the Light Department ivould not be involved in the project. • The Department of Public Works will be completing the Police Station project with looming and seeding using loam from Plymouth Street. Motion: To waive the Town's portion of the permit fees for pulling the wires, etc. (Mahana - Royle) All in favor. Passes. i • Gerry St. Hilaire, Finance Committee member, Betty Amicone, DPW Office Manager, (, and Bob Morrison, Assistant DPW Director, are scheduled to discuss water rates at next week's Selectmen's meeting. The Committee is leaning towards an inclined block rate. Selectwoman Royle questioned the effect of the inclined block rate on residential apartment buildings. • The transfer station site visits to Braintree and Peabody could not be scheduled for this week, but will, hopefully, be scheduled for next Thursday. • This year's water restrictions proposed by the Assistant DPW Director will be presented to the Selectmen next week for consideration. B. Selectmen • Selectman Robinson stated that he is not happy with a memorandum regarding DPW workers filling trenches alone and suggested a cruiser park next to the trench to ensure the employees safety while working. • Selectwoman Royle questioned the status of Mr. D'Agostino's efforts to reduce the amount of the Town's telephone bill, the status of the Manager's meetings with the cable provider, RCN, and asked if it is true that areas of the Plymouth Street Recreational facility are sinking. • Selectman Mahana responded to allegations he heard recently about a proposal to locate a transfer station in Mansfield. • Selectman Mahana stated that he would like to use a portion of the Witch Pond Well land as a soccer playing field. • Clerk McCarter inquired about the status of the I -495 Interchange. • Clerk McCarter inquired about the status of a portion of a donation from Great Woods Inc. and Rage Against the Machine being allocated towards a skateboard park. Clerk McCarter received an inquiry about the allocation from two residents. 8. New Business A. Town Manager Town Manager D'Agostino reported the following: • The Town should look at highlighting the accomplishments of the local EMS during EMS week, which is the week of May 17, 1998. Town Manager D'Agostino commended Town public safety personnel on the scene of an accident this past weekend resulting in two fatalities. As a result of their working above and beyond the call of duty, a ten - year -old child's life was saved. • The cemetery restoration project was awarded a Mass preservation award. The presentation will be made on Thursday, May 28, in Boston. • Selectwoman Royle stated she would like to invite Billie Siena and Lorilee Fish, Parks and Recreation Director, who both worked on the cemetery restoration project, into a Selectmen's meeting to explain the project to the community. • A $679,000 loan at zero interest to fund the Route 106 sewer project has been approved. An article has been place on the Town Meeting warrant to approve project funding. • Mr. D'Agostino received a telephone call this date from Lester McGolderick indicating the Attleboro based Army Corp. of Engineers voted to approve plans to work on the Memorial Park land clearing project and to build a new football field adjacent to the existing football field. • Mansfield Emergency Management conducted a tabletop discussion this date from 8:30AM to 11:30AM concerning "Hurricane Janet ". B. Selectmen • Selectman Robinson stated that he would like to hold a follow -up meeting to last October's meeting concerning School Complex parking on East Street. • Selectwoman Royle stated she would like to continue receiving intersection statistics from Traffic Safety Officer Lawson on a quarterly basis. • Chairman Madan inquired about the status of a request the Selectmen received a year ago for a blinking light at the intersection of Franklin and Maple Streets and stated the request was forwarded to the Police Department for review but a response was never received. 9. 10:30 PM Adjournment Motion: To adjourn. (Mahana- McCarter) All in favor. Passes. 1-1 d f C k's Siena hire Date Af A&roval