HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 6-2-1999Board of Selectmen
Minutes
June 2, 1999
Present: Chairwoman Royle, Vice Chairman Robinson, Clerk Wills, and Selectmen,
Amoroso and McCarter
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. 49
Motion: To approve.
(McCarter- Robinson) (5 -0) Passes.
B. Licenses and Permits
• Application of Mansfield Elks for an Automatic Amusement License for Three
Devices —coin- operated pool and /or billiards and two coin- operated video games - -,
and a request for a waiver of the $60.00 fee
Motion: To approve the license but not the fee waiver request.
( Amoruso- Wills) (5 -0) Passes.
• Request from Lorilee Fish, Park & Recreation Director, for a waiver of the building
inspection fee for the Robinson School for the summer day camp
Motion: To waive the fee for Park and Recreation for the Robinson School.
(Wills - Robinson) (5 -0) Passes.
• Application of Town Taxi for a Hackney Carriage License –Vehicle No.
Motion: To approve.
(Robinson - Amoruso) (5 -0) Passes.
• Orders of Taking for Winslow Way and Fram Drive Street Acceptances
Motion: So moved to sign the order of taking for Fram Drive.
( Amoruso- Robinson) (5 -0) Passes.
Motion: So moved to sign the order of taking for Winslow Way.
(Robinson- Amoruso) (5 -0) Passes.
• Request from Joe Ditchman for an extension on renewal of his open air parking
facility license at 75 Chauncy Street and reference to an agreement exempting him
from the paving requirement
Town Manager D'Agostino stated he does not believe such an agreement exists, that the
lot is privately owned, and paving is required of all privately owned lots of this nature.
Chahivoutan Royle commented that the applicant would have to comply with the paving
requirement. Selectman Amoruso suggested granting the applicant hvo weeks to discuss
the issue ivith the Town Manager, develop a reasonable schedule and /or reduce the
number of spaces to include only spaces that are presently paved.
Motion: To grant a two -week extension and for the Town Manager to report back
to the Selectmen on the result of his discussion with Mr. Ditchman.
( Amoroso- Robinson) (5 -0) Passes.
• Members of the Board discussed whether or not the McNeely Lot, 885 South Main
Street, is in compliance with the parking regulations. Apparently, the lot is partially
striped, the lines are not as long as they should be and some spaces include grassed
areas. The license was approved by the Selectmen on May 26 because all required
Department Head approvals had been received. Chairwoman suggested requesting
written clarification from the Building Inspector on all outstanding issues with this
license.
Motion: To possibly rescind the McNeeley license at our next meeting if issues are
not properly addressed.
(Amoroso- Robinson) (5 -0) Passes.
C. Correspondence
Action
Board and Committee
Letter from Matt Miller on behalf of the Animal Welfare Committee suggesting
increasing adoption rates for both dogs and cats to $40, from $30 and $25 respectively,
and changing surrender fees to $20, from $30 for dogs and $15 for cats
State & Local Government
Letter from SRPEDD requesting an appointment to the Joint Transportation Planning
Group Selectman Anroruso vohnrteered to serve on JTPG. Selecbuwr McCarter
nominated Selectman Amoroso, seconded by Selectman Robinson, which received a
unartinrous vote in favor.
Other
Town Manager and Staff
Memorandum from Town Manager D'Agostino concerning property and casualty,
workers compensation and liability insurance coverage for the Town of Mansfield
Miscellaneous
Sixty -two letters from "Concerned Citizens of Massachusetts" requesting the Selectmen's
support for the continuation of Bristol County
2. 8 :00 PM Cable Transfer Continued Public Hearing
Vice Chairman Robinson left the room for this public hearing.
Attorney Bill August was present for the hearing and reported ten days ago, a new issue
arose with respect to the license transfer. Pole attachment fees had not been paid up to
date by Time Warner Cable and the pole attachment agreement had expired. An
agreement will be required from both MediaOne and Time Warner Cable on re- execution
of the pole attachment agreement and payment of past due fees.
An agreement on school wiring and payment of a portion of the Cable Access Program
Director's salary, approved by the Selectmen on May 5, 1999, has been executed by both
( MediaOne and Time Warner Cable, and a response has been received on the cost that
would be passed onto subscribers if the license is reduced by one or two years.
Attorney Horton provided the Selectmen with a draft approval decision on the transfer
application and recommended the Selectmen vote on the transfer application subject to
having MediaOne assent to the re- execution of the pole attachment agreement and the
light department's confirmation that it has received a satisfactory pole attachment and
defer signing the approval until their next meeting.
At 8:13 PM, Chairwoman Royle closed the public hearing
Motion: That we approve the transfer of the license from Time Warner Cable to
MediaOne subject to establishment of a new pole attachment agreement,
which is satisfactory to the Light Department, and assent to the agreement
by MediaOne, and subject to receiving information back prior to signing
the agreement and back payments.
(Amoroso- Wills) (4 -0) Passes.
Attorney Horton asked if it is necessary that the Board receive the check for the pole
attachment fees prior to executing the agreement. A consensus of the Board agreed that a
check does not have to be in hand as long an agreement is in place.
3. 8:15PM Discussion with Matt Miller, Animal Welfare Committee Chairman
Mr. Miller informed the Selectmen that a vacancy exists on the Committee, which was
previously held by Mike Lattari, Mr. Miller also reported to the Board on an upcoming
Animal Celebration Day scheduled for June 12.
Motion: To allow the Animal Welfare Committee to post signs on the North and South
Common advertising the Animal Celebration festivities scheduled for June 12.
(Amoroso- Robinson) (5 -0) Passes.
Motion: To waive the fee to erect a tent on the South Common, spikeless tent.
(McCarter- Robinson) (5 -0) Passes.
Adoption Donations
Matt Miller, on behalf of the Animal Welfare Committee, submitted a letter to the
Selectmen, listed in this evening's correspondence, suggesting the Selectmen increase
adoption donations /rates for both dogs and cats to $40, from $30 and $25 respectively,
and changing surrender fees to $20, from $30 for dogs and $15 for cats
Motion: To allow the Animal Welfare Committee to collect donations at their discretion
for adopting and surrendering of cats and dogs and place the funds in a donation
account.
(McCarter - Amoroso) (5 -0) Passes.
4. 8 :30 PM Train Station Preferred Alternative Presentation by GATRA and
VHB, Project Architect
Frank Gay, GATRA, explained the process that has been followed for this project and
turned the presentation over to VHB architect, Mitchell Kearny.
Mr. Kearny reviewed the project overview, public participation process, and station
( master plan. Mr. Kearny and additional VHB staff members reviewed the preferred
alternative plan, including parking volumes, the four quadrant approach, station usage
and traffic data, intersection improvements, station layout, secondary access, and
environmental issues.
Board of Selectmen Questions:
Members of the Board asked questions concerning an access road to County Street,
Oakland Street access, Highland Avenue/Route 106 traffic light operation, landscaping,
resident only lot locations, possible expansion, parking on Cleveland Twist property,
platform shelter, possible land takings, potential cost, funding, handicap access,
pedestrian access, track fencing, Route 106 traffic light coordination, projected usage,
Route 106 improvements, compliance with zoning requirements, lot maintenance,
timeline for project, whether or not traffic flow will work without an access road to
County Street, and phasing the project in coordination with traffic improvements.
Motion: To support the preferred alternative presented by VHB dated May 6, 1999,
conceptual plan.
(McCarter - Wills) (3 -2) Vice Chairman Robinson and Selectman Amoruso
Opposed. Passes. Selectman Amoruso explained that although he is not
opposed to the plan he did not vote in favor of the motion because he is
concerned about process and he feels the vote should be taken after the fourth
and final public meeting.
Chairwoman Royle stated she feels the fourth public meeting should be held during a
Selectmen's meeting and cablecast.
Before leaving the meeting, Frank Gay stated Mansfield received the TDM grant for
subscription coach service, which will be funded federally 80% and by the state 20 %.
GATRA will survey commuters over the summer to determine their needs and how the
service should be designed. The service will begin in the Fall. Mr. Gay will keep the
Selectmen informed on how the service is working out. Gatra is also working on a ride
sharing program for Mansfield and two other communities.
5. Questions and Comments
Bill Gerber, Central Street, inquired of Town Counsel's review of a water regulation
proposed by Selectman Wills. Town Manager D'Agostino responded that it would be
discussed during the upcoming, June 7, Light Commissioners' meeting and a policy
would be recommended for the Board's adoption. Mr. Gerber also inquired of Tweeter
Center's zoning compliance, stated that traffic is presently confusing on Route 106, and
suggested the Town paint directional arrows on 106 to lessen the confusion, similar to
Easton. Lastly, Mr. Gerber stated he feels there is a speed limit issue on Central Street,
Copeland Drive, and Chauncy Street.
6. Airport Commission Appointment
Selectman Amoruso nominated Lou Andrews, seconded by Selectman McCarter.
Selectman Wills nominated Clement Kiley, seconded by Selectman Robinson.
Lou Andrews received three votes, Chairwoman Royle, Vice Chairman Robinson, and
Selectman McCarter, and was, therefore, appointed.
7. Town Manager's Report
• Police Chief O'Neill plans to scout out three Phish concerts with other Police
Personnel paid by the Tweeter Center, as part of their entertainment license
regulations. The Selectmen's approval is required for the trip to be paid by Tweeter.
Motion: To approve.
(Amoroso- McCarter) (4 -1) Passes.
• In addition, Police Chief O'Neill requested the Manager announce that any residents
not wanting persons on their property should post "No Trespassing" signs during the
Phish concert days.
• The Walsh Well site was operational for a short period of time yesterday and will be
on and off over the next few weeks during start up. The Selectmen will be invited to
a ribbon cutting ceremony in June.
• The Oxford Storage tank is being filled. It was previously off line for valve work and
exterior painting. The contractor, Hroma Corp., has been notified that due to elevated
water demands, the Town can no longer wait. Painting will have to be completed in
the Fall.
• The Town Manager will be out of the office June 3 and 4 while attending a
Massachusetts Managers' Conference in Jiminy Peak.
• Water Division Head interviews are ongoing, and the Town Engineer's position has
been advertised.
• The informational packet for Monday's Light Commissioners' meeting will be
distributed by Thursday. Selechnan McCarter asked if any information rvoudd be
provided in advance by the Water Consultant.
• An executive session of the Board of Selectmen is scheduled for June 16 at 6:30 PM
with Attorney Kesten to provide an update on the Larch case.
8. Old Business
• Selectman McCarter requested an update on the Church Street sidewalks.
Clerk Wills stated a local businesswoman asked if speed limit signs could be posted
on Main Street through the center of town. As a result of a meeting last week with the
President of the Downtown Business Association, Jay Barrows, Town Manager
D'Agostino forwarded a request to the Police Chief to look into shiping downtown
crosswalks, review the speed limit, and possible prohibition of 18 -wheel tractor
hailers from using Main Street.
Motion: To extend the meeting to 11:10 PM.
(Wills- McCarter) (5 -0) Passes.
Chairwoman Royle inquired of the status of Memorial Park contamination and DEP's
involvement.
Chairwoman Royle asked if a fact sheet on lawn watering and water conservation
measures would be distributed to residents.
9. Adjournment 11:10PM
Motion: To adjourn.
(Robinson - Amoroso) (5 -0) Passes.
Clerk's Si iat2ire Date of Approval