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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 4-28-1999Board of Selectmen Minutes April 28, 1999 i Present: Chairwoman Royle, Clerk Wills, Selectmen Amoruso,.'McCarter1,-an01 Robinson John D'Agostino, Town Manager 1. 7:00 PM Executive Session Motion: To go into executive session to discuss a contract item with non -union personnel and return to open session. (Amoroso -Wills) Clerk Wills Aye; Selectman Amoroso, Aye; Selectman McCarter, Aye; Selectman Robinson Aye; and Chairwoman Royle, Aye. 2. The open meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. A. Memorial Park Scoreboard Presentation B. Warrant No. 44 - $2,108,593.01 Motion: To approve. ( Amoruso- McCarter) Chairwoman Royle abstained on all Board of Health items, Selectman McCarter abstained on the Municipal Building Committee payroll, and Selectman Robinson abstained on the School Department payroll. Passes. C. Licenses and Permits • Application of the Fire Department for a $32,541.89 Transfer Request for the balance of the cost to purchase an ambulance with a defibrillator Motion: To recommend approval of the transfer to the Finance Committee. ( Amoruso- McCarter) All in favor. Passes. • Application of Town Taxi for a Hackney Carriage License for Vehicle No. 6 Motion: To approve. ( Amoruso- McCarter) All in favor. Passes. • Application of M.G. DiMas Corp for a transfer of the Common Victualler License from the Bagel Train Inc., 350 North Main Street Motion: To approve. (McCarter -Wills) All in favor. Passes. • Application of M.G. DiMas Corp. for a transfer of the Live Entertainment License from the Bagel Train Inc., 350 North Main Street — Tabled • Local Official Bond for the Assistant Treasurer, Sandra LaRosee, in the amount of $32,500 ( Motion: So moved. l (Robinson - Amoruso) All in favor. Passes. • Board of Selectmen Operating Procedures as Amended on April 21, 1999 Motion: To accept as amended. (Wills - Amoruso) All in favor. Passes. D. Correspondence Action Resident Letter from Maverick Drive, Morgan Road, and Pinto Way residents requesting the Town install signs on each of their streets for dog owners to leash and clean up after their dogs. Copied to Police Department. Letter from Brenda Fleming, 4 Dario Way, requesting two "Slow, Duck Crossing" signs on Plain Street in the area between the bridge and Dario Way Copied to Police Department. Letter from Kathy M. Connors requesting a "Duck Crossing" sign on Plain Street near the bridge Copied to Police Department. Board and Committee Memorandum from Finance Committee Chairman, Jim Noris, requesting the Selectmen consider returning to the 50/50 split for inspectors' fees State and Local Government Memorandum from the Mass Department of Revenue Division of Local Services offering to conduct a comprehensive inventory of Mansfield's systems, devices, services, and critical suppliers that might have Y2K vulnerabilities. To participate in the program the Selectmen or Town Manager must sign the attached "Terms of Engagement" , which confirms the Town retains all overall responsibility for achieving Y2K compliance. Motion: To authorize the Town Manager to sign the Terms of Engagement. (Amoroso- Robinson) All in favor. Passes. Memorandum from the Norfolk County Coordinator concerning a legislative proposal to unify the Bristol County Network by 1. Reaching across the departmental boundaries to find common interests and 2. Giving consideration to filing a bill — similar to Norfolk County's pending H. 3491 to divert the State's monthly portion of the deeds excise to Municipal Land Banks Tabled until 515199 Other Resident Letter from a Mansfield resident in support of Great Waves Letter from Mabel L. Badger, 704 Willow Crossing, requesting that when planning future little league parades local church services be taken into consideration. This year's parade was held on Sunday during the protestant church service and fire trucks etc. participating in the parade made a lot of noise. Letter from Arnold and Dorothea Giles, 682 South Main Street, stating it was heartening to see so many parents supporting their children during this year's little league parade but l that the parade was very disruptive to many church services. Mr. and Mrs. Giles request that future parades that include sirens and air horns of police and fire vehicles not be allowed during church worship hours. Letter from Mary Burnes, 232 Mill Street, concerning the Mill Street Small Sewer Extension project. Engineering was copied on this letter. State and Local Government Letter from Ginny Coppola, Aide to Rep. Hyland with enclosed information regarding opportunities to give testimony concerning the Chapter 70 formula Letter from Gimry Coppola, Aide to Rep. Hyland with enclosed information regarding Grant Alert from the Department of Housing and Community Development Letter from the Bureau of Census 2000 extending their sincere thanks to the Town Clerk's Office and Police Department for their cooperation during the initial stages of the U.S. Census in Mansfield Letter from VHB stating the next train station project advisory meeting is scheduled for May 4 at I OAM and the next public meeting will be May 6 at 7:00 PM. 3. 8:00 PM Discussion with Bill Flannery, Southeast Regional Schools Representative; Superintendent James J. Hager; and additional SE Regional Administrative Staff Mansfield Public Schools Superintendent John Moretti and School Committee Chairman Emil Giordano were also present for this discussion, as was Finance Committee Chairman Jim Noris. Chairwoman Royle opened the discussion explaining the Selectmen are concerned with the Southeast Regional School assessment, inconsistency in the assessment from year to year, and timing of notification of the assessment. Superintendent Hager distributed an informational sheet to the Board authored by Jeff Wolfson, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Education, dated August 24, 1998, "Reauthorization of the Chapter 70 School Finance Formula: Some Technical Issues for Discussion" and explained that this coming budget may be the last for the existing formula used to arrive at the assessment. Members of the Board asked questions such as the following: why a separate education reform formula cannot be developed for regional schools, if assessments for other towns have increased as greatly as Mansfield over the last year (70 %), and thoughts on avoiding the budget crunch in the future and plan better for the assessment. Mr. D'Agostino stated that he is concerned with having to support this type of increase so late in the budget process, asked what type of increase is projected at the conclusion of education reform, and if more or less State aid is anticipated. Superintendent Hager responded that lie does not anticipate an increase in State aid and suggested the Selectmen contact its senators and representatives regarding dealing with the inconsistencies with the regional school assessments (formula), and requesting a formula that can be understood. At the conclusion of the meeting, Chairwoman Royle requested Mr. Flannery keep the Selectmen informed of upcoming meetings concerning the formula. 4. 8:30 PM Discussion with Jim Higgins, Resident, Superintendent Moretti, and School Committee Chairman Emil Giordano Mr. Higgins submitted a petitioned article for inclusion in the Town Meeting warrant for $1.7 Million dollars for the construction of a gymnasium addition at the Qualters Middle School. Mr. Higgins explained due to the growth of Mansfield, the community has outgrown the current gym space. In August 1998, the Selectmen voted to support the concept, but due to timing neither the School Committee nor the Superintendent have been supportive. School Committee Chairman Giordano stated the School Committee is in support in concept and that at the earliest, a definitive answer cannot be received from the State on funding until the Fall. Town Manager D'Agostino asked if it is the Selectmen's desire to seek 67% reimbursement from the State for any type of project that attaches itself to the high school, to which Chairwoman Royle responded affirmatively, as long as the School Committee also endorses the project. 5. 8:50 PM The Bagel Train Wine and Malt Transfer Public Hearing Clerk Wills read the public hearing notice and department head routing slips aloud for the l application of M.G. DiMas Corp. to transfer the wine and malt license from the Bagel Train Corp., 350 North Main Street. The applicant, Michael DiMascio, resident of 535 South Main Street, was present requesting approval of his application. Board of Selectmen Questions Members of the Board inquired of the hours of operation and the type of entertainment proposed. Public Comment —None. Chairwoman Royle closed the public hearing at 8:57 PM. Motion: To approve the transfer of the wine and malt license from the Bagel Train Corp. to M.G. DiMas Corp. (McCarter- Amoruso) All in favor. Passes. 6. 9:00 PM Sewer Rate Public Hearing Town Manager D'Agostino read the public hearing notice aloud. Town Engineer Lee Azinheira and consultant Chris Woodcock, Woodcock and Associates, were present for the hearing. Mr. Azinheira reviewed the proposed sewer rate structure outlined below for FY2000 and recommended the Selectmen set the rate for FY2000 only and review rates annually: General 0 -3000 $22.62 3001 -4500 $23.88 4501 -6000 $25.70 over 6000 $28.12 Plus: IPP- SIU /CN $5.77 IPP Other $3.88 Board of Selectmen Questions Members of the Board asked questions concern sewer revenues, location within structure of an average user, number of gallons per cubic foot, and additional revenue projected with the new rates. Town Manager D'Agostino explained that migrating from the Town's present health care provider to Blue Cross/Blue Shield could result in a savings of $110,000. Also, savings in property and liability insurance may be an additional $30,000. Selectman McCarter requested and the Town Manager agreed that notices should be sent to large industrial users notifying them of the increase in the rates. At 9:28 PM, Chairwoman Royle closed the public hearing. Motion: To approve the block rate schedule as proposed by Mr. Azinheira for FY2000, j effective in the August bill. (Amoroso- Wills) All in favor. Passes. 7. 9:30 PM Discussion with Jeff Siena, Chairman, Airport Commission Re: Airport Master Plan Update Airport Commissioner Fiske was also in attendance for the presentation. Chairman Siena submitted drafts of the Airport Master Plan Update to the Selectmen for their review and highlighted different aspects of the Plan. The Airport Commission placed an article on the Annual Town Meeting warrant for $33,000, 3% of the total amount required for airport improvements involving tie downs. The federal government will fund 90% of the project and the state 7 %. Chairman Siena stated he feels the Commission made progress this evening at a meeting with neighbors concerning increased noise and traffic at the Airport. At 9:50 PM, the Board took a five minute break. 8. Questions and Comments Diane Ready, 38 Mill Farm Drive, applauded the efforts of the Board of Selectmen and Officials who appear to be getting some attention from Great Waves and stated she appreciates that an offer has been made for Wave Good Bye to ask questions of 1Nh•. Samuels through the Chair at the next meeting, but that the group will have a lot more questions after his presentation. Chairwoman Royle responded that Mr. Saumels presentation will be rescheduled, maybe to May 19, because his is not prepared with all the facts and figures he would like for the May 5 meeting, and that Wave Good Bye could ask questions through the Chair after the presentation. Ms. Ready commented that although the Great Waves project will be downsizing by 600 parking spaces, the facility will still be able to accommodate the same number of patrons. Lastly, Ms. Ready suggested once the legal opinion on the Tweeter Center parking issue has been finalized an open explanation should be made to the public on how the facility will remain in conformance with zoning. Peter DeTrolio, 496 Ehn Street, asked which town officials are speaking with Great Waves proponents. Chairivoinan Royle and Clerk Wills both responded that they have been in contact with Great Kwes representatives, as has Selectman Amoroso ivith Rayna Rubin. Mr. DeTrolio asked if the "deal" would be the same as "three votes" with Great Woods. Selectman Amoroso responded that he is not negotiating but will listen to the proponents. Clerk Wills responded that he contacted Mr. Samuels after receiving a letter with a hotline number and asked if he would consider placing money in an escrow account for ivater issues and that he also spoke ivith hint one other time. Mary Cinelli, 7 Village Road, stated that her two recycling bins were not picked up yesterday, along with her neighbors, and they still were not picked up this evening. Ms. Cinelli continued to state that a barrel that was taken by NEED was never replaced as she was promised. Ms. Cinelli also stated when N.E.E.D attended a previous Selectmen's meeting she did not hear the Selectmen question them about disposing of recylables in the trash. Mr. D'Agostino responded that he would need the time and route that this was occurring on so that the drivers could be held accountable. Lastly, Ms. Cinelli stated this past waiter the snowplows did a job on her curbing and that it needs to be picked up all along her street. Karl Clemmey, 750 South Main Street, asked if Chairwoman Royle would be allowing public comment during the Tweeter Center entertainment license review at next week's meeting, to which Chairwoman Royle responded negatively. Mr. Clemmey also commented that the Town should make a recommendation on a State Conservation permit application made by Great Waves and that the Conservation Agent should be directed to respond within the comment period deadline, four to five days. Lastly, Mr. Clemmey asked if correspondence lie sent the town concerning his renewal application for his open air parking facility could be discussed at this time. Dorothy Gerber, Central Street, inquired if the Tweeter Center entertainment license requires a unanimous vote for renewal. 9. Regular Weekly Business Continued A. Licenses and Permits • Request of Acme Cleveland for an extension of license renewal period for their open air parking facility, 75 Chauncy Street Motion: So moved to grant the extension until June 1. (Amoruso- Wills) All in favor. Passes. • Open Air Parking License Renewal Application for the McNeeley Lot, 888 South Maier Street - All required department head sign -offs have not been received. Chairivonran Royle requested the Selectmen's Secretary remind the applicant to subunit a request for extension, as the license expires April 30. • Open Air Parking License Renewal Application of 875 South Main Street Realty Trust - All required department head sign -offs have not been received. Clerk Wills read a memorandum from the Building Inspector concerning outstanding issues with the license. Mr. Clemmey responded if the Board makes him stripe his lot, he will if everyone else does; the Building Inspector has no jurisdiction over a sign referenced in his memo because it is located on State property; he has a serious problem with Regulation No. 21; and he would like his license granted subject to his lot being striped as long as everyone else does. Selectnan McCarter responded that the regulations were adopted by the Board effective Janu my 1999 and asked because of the number of requirements imposed if they should be waived for a certain amount of time to allow for compliance. 10. Town Manager Report Mr. D'Agostino met with Town Counsel and Department Heads regarding establishing criteria that the Board could use when evaluating water hook ups. Doug Reed, Woodard & Curran, was also involved in the meeting. A defendable policy will be submitted to the Selectmen within two to three weeks. Selectman McCarter inquired of the typical amount of gallons of water per day a house uses. Mr. D'Agostino expects the Walsh Well to be on line June 1. Mr. D'Agostino reported that there is correspondence in the Selectmen's Reading Folder regarding the significant impact process required for the Witch Pond Well No. 10 and that he should have an idea of the feasibility of permitting the well by January. Chairwoman Royle suggested the Town maybe should look at another area in town for well development. 11. Selectmen • Chairwoman Royle reported this evening, in executive session, the Board discussed the Town Manager's raise for FY2000 and granted a 7.5% increase. 12. Adjournment —11:00 P p Clerk's Si uatun•e Date o A proval