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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 3-17-1999Board of Selectmen Minutes March 17, 1999 „ n. Present: Chairwoman Royle, Clerk Wills, Selectmen Amoroso, Robinson, and McCarter 1• The meeting was called to order at 7 :30 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. A. Reorganization Town Manager D'Agostino called for nominations for Chairman. Selectman Robinson nominated Selectwoman Royle, seconded by Selectman Selectwoman Royle received a unanimous vote of the Board. Wills. Chairwoman Royle called for nominations for Clerk. Selectman Amoroso nominated Selectman Wills, seconded by Selectma McCarter. Selectman Wills received a unanimous vote of the Board. Motion: To adjourn all meetings at I 1pm unless there is a four -fifths vote of the Board to do otherwise. (Alnoruso- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. B. Warrant No. 38 Motion: To approve. (Amoroso- Robinson) All in favor. Chairwoman Royle abstained on all Board of Health items, and Selectman McCarter abstained on the Municipal Building Committee payroll. C. Licenses and Permits x Request from Kathie Piusz to use the public parking area on North Main Street next to Mansfield Cooperative Bank to hold a Farmers Market on Thursdays from 2 -6pm and Saturdays from 9am to fpm and request for the Town to provide a port -a john with a lock and key rather than a dumpster as was provided last year. Motion: To approve. (Ihe Tony? Mannager spill revierp the por7 -a john request rnith the Board of Health.) (AmoruSO- Wills) All in favor. Passes. x Local Official Bond for Town Clerk Helen Christian Motion: To authorize the Chairman to sign the bond for the Town Clerk. (Amorso- Robinson) Ail in favor. Passes. D. Minutes of March 3, 1999 Motion: To approve. (AmorusO- McCarter) (4 -0 -1) Clerk Wills abstained. Passes. E. Correspondence /I. I -�� Action State & Local Government Letter from SRPEDD inviting the Selectmen to participate in a Regional Economic Strategy Committee Selechvoman Royle stated she ivould like to a couple of IDC members participate on the Committee, and a majority of the Board ivas in favor. Other Miscellaneous Letter from Peter F. Davis, Attorney for Nicholas Harris, concerning an agreement made between the Town and Nicholas Harris in 1989 concerning property owned by Mr. Harris Town Manager and Staff Memorandum from John D'Agostino, Town Manager, concerning sewer rates Memorandum from John D'Agostino, Town Manager, concerning revenue estimates for the Water Department Miscellaneous Letter from Southeastern Regional School District informing the Selectmen that Mansfield's assessment for the upcoming fiscal year will be $281,555 Letter from Mansfield Youth Basketball Association thanking the Selectmen for allocating a portion of the donation the Town received from Rodman Ride for Kids to the Basketball Association Memorandum from Attorney William August concerning the upcoming Cable license transfer public hearing Levitation from David Magnani Senate Chair, Metro West Caucus, and Barbara Gardner, House Chair, Metro West Caucus, to attend a meeting to discuss local aid and property tax relief on March 26 at 11:00AM 2. Questions and Comments - None 3. Old Business A. Town Manager x VHB completed a draft Train Station Master Plan. The third public meeting may be held on April 6 at 7PM. Selectman Amornso requested copies of the draft Master Plan for each of the Board members. A tour of the DPW garage is planned for March 20, 1999, at 9:00 AM. In regard to fleet maintenance, Mr. D'Agostino met with Motor Pool Foreman Peter Sanford and Highway Division Operations Manager Mark Cook this date. A draft plan has been established; once it is final form; copies will be distributed to the Selectmen. x Teskege Airmen are scheduled to visit the Qualters Middle School on May 26, 1999. All Department Head responses to Great Waves Final EIR have been submitted to the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. Copies of the response packet will be available in the Town Manager's Office and at the Library. 4. 8 :00 PM Street Acceptance Public Hearing Clerk Wills read the public hearing notice aloud to consider laying out Fram Drive and Winslow Way as part of the Street Acceptance process. Town Engineer Lee Azinheira explained that because of the recent snow and conflicting schedules, neither of the streets has been inspected by Town staff. Public Comments: A. Fram Drive Doug Verbic, 27 Fram Drive, stated that there is a large drop on the islands from the top of the curb to the ground, the berm and grass strips have been torn up by the plows, and questioned island maintenance responsibility. The sidewalk is cracking on the right side of the beginning of the development near the bus stop. After rain or snow, there is standing water in the road near the first fire hydrant on the right side of Fram Drive. Mr. Verbic also questioned why granite curbing was not installed, stated curb height is inconsistent, and on the right side of the subdivision, either the third and fourth or second and third street trees are dead. Lastly, Mr. Verbic requested the Engineer contact him at 339 -5054 when conducting the inspection so that he may attend. Sheri Eisenstadt, 26 Frain Drive, stated that a number of street trees are growing crooked. Michael Hanley, 39 Frain Drive, stated the developers, Folkman and Zola, disposed of trash and unwanted rocks on the back island. Female Resident, 33 Frant Drive, stated that the developer disposed of trash and building material on the back island in the subdivision. Mike Rocket, 31 Frain Drive, asked if the two detention ponds in the subdivision would be the Town's responsibility once Fram Drive is accepted, if the town would inspect the detention areas and determine the adequacy of the two outflow caps and pond grading. Letter from Pradip Datta 47 Tram Drive, in favor of Fram Drive's acceptance. B. Winslow Way - No comments Board of Selectmen Comments Selectman Amoruso stated he feels that Town should only accept streets that are in good condition and that it would be a good idea to postpone the vote to layout both Winslow Way and Fram Drive. Selectman Robinson suggested establishing a deadline for completion of all punch list items prior to Town Meeting. Selectman McCarter stated he would be happy to rely on the Town Engineer's recommendation, and Clerk Wills questioned what the Frain Drive residents were speaking of when they said "trash." Chairwoman Royle continued the public hearing to April 14, 1999, at 8:30 PM, at which time she would like both the Planning Director and Town Engineer present. 5. Annual Report of the Animal Welfare Committee Animal Welfare Committee members Matt Miller, Chairman, and David Cass presented the Committee's 1998 Activity Report to the Board. The Committee would like to transfer donations received, approximately $43,000 to a non- profit corporation, presently being established, for investment. One full -time Committee member moved out of Mansfield, and the Committee would like the Selectmen to appoint an alternate member as a full member. The Committee would like to amend Chapter 8 of the Town's General By -Laws to include cats, and would like to increase fees, because the present fees are lower than other communities. Because of the failure of the Charter revisions, which would have included a section concerning the Animal Welfare Committee, the Committee would like to submit language to the Town Manager for consideration at an upcoming Town Meeting. 6. 8:45 PM Discussion with Town Engineer Lee Azinheira A• Server Rates Town Engineer Azinheira submitted a memorandum to the Selectmen "Sewer Rate Increases ", proposing an increase of 22.7 %, and reviewed rate tables developed by the consultants, Woodcock & Associates. The Town is presently reviewing establishment of a sewer connection and I & I charge. Board of Selectmen Comments: Selectwoman Royle feels a 22.7% rate increase would be too great for one year and would prefer to phase the increase. Selectman Robinson is uncomfortable with instituting a 22.7% increase to make up for nine years of not having an increase. Town Engineer Azinheira would like to provide the Selectmen with information on Inflow & Infiltration; and Chairwoman Royle suggested scheduling an hour on a future agenda for an update on I & I and another hour for a water update. Selectman McCarter questioned the average homeowner's bill, if an inclined rate schedule would be feasible, the numbers of gallons the plant can handle each day, and whether or not rates would increase with the an enterprise fund. Mr. Azinheira stated he would like to schedule a joint meeting of the Selectmen, Board of Health, and Planning Board to discuss the Town's sewer policies. Selectman Amoruso stated he feels a 22.7% increase is too great at one time and asked if the Town presently utilizes a graduated rate system and if standards exists regarding what commercial users inject into the sewer system. Chairwoman Royle questioned the percentage of residences on Municipal sewer and the impact of Great Waves on the treatment facility. B. Water Connection Policy Town Engineer Azinheira explained that there is no sewer connection fee, only inspection fees. A sewer enterprise account would have to be in place in order to charge a sewer connection fee. Town Manager D'Agostino and Town Engineer Azinheira questioned the Selectmen's original intent when establishing a water capital charge and if it was the Boards intent to charge only new connections or for any new construction, i.e. additions on an existing structure. Chairwoman Royle stated she does not feel it was the Board's intent to charge one parcel twice, and Selectman Robinson agreed. C. Woodard & Curran Report Town Manager D'Agostino explained when completing a water model for the Town, Tata & Howard used the worst case scenario, the Town is not presently in the situation described by the water model. The Town will always have to institute water restrictions with or without Great Waves; DEP will not allow the Town to lift all restrictions. Both Mr. Azinheira and Mr. D'Agostino stated the Town is scheduled for an increase in the water withdrawal permit, with the Walsh and Morrison Wells soon on -line, and conservation measures in place, Mansfield's average daily demand will be met. D. Water Connection Restriction Town Engineer Azinheira stated that Woodard & Curran would have to explain the procedure to institute a water connection moratorium and that the Board may want to discuss the issue during the upcoming joint sewer policy meeting. Members of the Board inquired of the present guidelines in place for water connections as well as a recommended policy for the Board's consideration, such as whether or not the Commissioners should issue the permits rather than the Water Department. Selectman Amoroso stated he would also be looking for a similar policy for sewer connections. Mr. Azinheira suggested waiting until after the joint sewer policy meeting to establish a policy. 7. Old Business A. Town Manager x Because the Town will be faced with a number of permitting issues with the Great Waves project, Mr. D'Agostino asked Town Counsel to outline the permitting process and pertinent laws. Discussion among Board inembers followed concerning Great Wanes. The Finance Committee Chairman will update the Selectmen on the budget at next week's meeting. x Mr. D'Agostino signed a contract with Attorney William August to retain his services as Special Counsel during the cable license transfer. x Two interview groups have been established for the DPW Director and Water Operations Manager. Interviews will begin within the next week. Selectman Amoruso asked if there would be resident participation in the interview process and stated it may be helpful for a resident or Finance Committee member to participate. B. Selectmen x Selectman Robinson stated that he is still waiting for information concerning the Electric Department. If Somerset decides not to host the mid- spring Selectmen's Association meeting, Selectman Robinson would like Mansfield to. x Selectman McCarter questioned why Norton Officials did not sign a joint Great Waves FEIR response letter. 8. New Business A. Town Manager x Canoe River Awareness Day will be on April 15, 1999, this year. Town Manager D'Agostino stated he would like to pursue, with Selectmen's permission, a 20 -acre parcel of land abutting the Walsh Well site owned by Owen O'Connor. The parcel is assessed at approximately $40,000 and would protect the Walsh Well site. Selectman Amoruso suggested the Conservation Commission may be have funding available, and Town Manager D'Agostino suggested the balance of the Gonsalves Account may be an option. Town Manager D'Agostino inquired of the Board's interest in establishing a committee to review the Charter to determine which revisions proposed by the Charter Commission should be brought to the Fall Town Meeting. Motion: To intend to set up a committee and decide the membership at a later date. ( Amoruso- Robinson) WITHDDRAWN B. Selectmen Clerk McCarter recognized a copy of a letter the Selectmen received from Representative Hyland to the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs in opposition to Great Waves. Clerk McCarter also inquired about a memorandum in the Reading Folder concerning a "Cops in Schools" program and stated it seems to be a worthwhile program. Selectman Robinson stated he would like to meet with the Manager about the "Copsfast" program. x Selectman Amoruso asked if recycling issues discussed in a letter from Gerald and Pat Bedard had been addressed. Chairwoman Royle requested the Town Manager write a letter to the State on behalf of the Selectmen requesting they level fund Chapter 90 for repair of bridges and funding for Mansfield. Town Manager D'Agostino responded that he also lvrote letters concerning finrding for the bikeway, and Mansfield is on the list for finding nextyear. Mill Farm Drive resident, Diane Ready stated she is trying to put together a residents' meeting on March 29 concerning Great Waves and that information from Town Counsel regarding necessary permits would be helpful for that meeting. 9. 11:00 PM Adjournment Motion: To adjourn. (Robinson - Amoruso) All in favor. Passes. Clerk's Signatrr •e Date of zlpprovl