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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 6-30-1999Board of Selectmen Minutes June 30, 1999 Present: Chairwoman Royle, Clerk Wills, Selectmen Amoruso, McCarter, and Robinson John D'Agostino, Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. A. Warrants • Warrant No. 52 Motion: So moved. (Robinson - Amoroso) (5 -0) 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. • Warrant No. 53 Motion: So moved. (Robinson - McCarter) (5 -0) 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. • Warrant No. 1 Motion: So moved. (Robinson - McCarter) (5 -0) 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. B. Licenses and Permits • Request from the Lorilee Fish, Recreation Director, to keep the Municipal Parking Lot open until 11:00 PM from June 30 to September 1 during "movies with the stars" and "concerts on the commons" evenings. Motion: So moved. (Robinson - McCarter) (5 -0) Passes. • Request from SRPEDD to appoint a representative to the Joint Transportation Planning Group The Selectmen's present representative, Officer Lawson, does not wish to continue to serve but DPW Director Lee Azinheira volunteered to serve until a new Town Engineer is hired. Motion: To appoint Lee Azinheira. (Wills - McCarter) (5 -0) Passes. • Revised Form 43 for Traittora La Cucina Di Nonna to reflect the legally allowed hours of operation for their wine and malt and cordials permit The Board signed this form, as it was approved on June 16, 1999. Request from Nancy McNeeley and Dan McGonegal for an extension on the renewal of their open air parking facility license for 888 South Main Street. When asked if a two week extension would be sufficient, Ms. McNeeley responded that it would suffice for submission of the site plan but that she is not sure that it would be enough time to pave and stripe the lot. Motion: To grant a two -week extension. (McCarter- Amoruso) (5 -0) Passes. Acme Cleveland Corporation Application for a Variance from the Zoning By -Law paving and striping requirements for parking lots. The hearing on this application is scheduled for July 20 with the Zoning Board of Appeals. Town Manager D'Agostino reported, according to Town Counsel, the Selectmen have the authority to deny the application for renewal of the open air parking license even with the variance application pending. Motion: To send Mr. Ditchman a letter approving the extension of the license until the meeting on July 20 and requesting he notify his customers of the potential of loss of this license for the parking lot should the variances not be granted and he is unable to meet the requirements of open air parking facilities. (Amoroso- Robinson) (5 -0) Passes. C. Minutes Minutes of June 16, 1999 Motion: So moved. (Robinson - Amoruso) Passes. 2. Girls Soccer Trophy Presentation: David Doucette, Mansfield Girls Soccer, presented each of the girls in his under twelve team with trophies for winning the silver metal in the Bays Under Twelve Division. 3. Plaque Presentation Chairwoman Royle presented William Madan with a plaque in honor of his service to the Town while serving on the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen 4. Questions and Comments Christine Flass, Rumford Avenue, inquired of the status of a meeting dedicated solely to Great Waves and stated she would prefer the meeting prior to the site plan being submitted. Ms. Flass also stated she would be interested in the number of patrons at Portsmouth's Water County this year in light of the hot and dry weather we have been experiencing. Ms. Flass inquired of a plan to spend the $88,500 appropriated to oppose the Great Waves project suggesting it may be prudent to establish a plan now with the time constraints that will be in place once certain applications are filed by the proponent. Lastly, Ms. Flass inquired of the progress on development of a water connection policy. Motion: To deny the Great Waves water hook up until all town appeals have been exhausted. (Wills - McCarter) (3 -2) Chairwoman Royle and Selectman Amoruso opposed. Passes. Dave Hannnond, Branch Street, stated he asked a question at the Conservation Commission meeting, to which the Commission responded that it would be more appropriately asked of the Selectmen. Mr. Hammond asked what would happen if a pump fails while the Town is supplying Great Waves with potable water and who would be held liable? DPW Director Lee Azinheira responded. Mr. Hammond also asked if residents could use gray water systems for outside watering if a full -blow ban is imposed. Chairwoman Royle responded that the Board could ask Mr. Azinheira to explore the possibility and that it may be regulated by the State. Karl Clenuney, 750 South Main Street, asked the Selectmen to tell the Town Manager to write a letter to the Police Chief telling him not to count the cars in his parking lot. Motion: That the Town Manager inform the Police Chief not to count the cars in Karl Clemmey's parking lot unless the white lines are gone. (Wills -No Second) Motion: To ask the Police Chief why he is continuing to count the cars and report to the Selectmen. (Wills - McCarter) (5 -0) Passes. Mr. Clemmey stated when the Dave Matthews band played at Foxboro Stadium a few weeks ago, Foxboro received approximately $58,000. A Commission should be developed to establish additional revenue sources for Mansfield. Mr. Clemmey stated that the Subdivision Regulations give the Planning Board authority to require developers /applicants to pay for consultants' fees involving their project. Lastly, Mr. Clemmey stated something is wrong with the Police Department when a paid public announcement is televised on Channel 68 informing the public of the lack of patrols covering Mansfield because of budget mismanagement. Discussion among the Selectmen followed Mr. Clemmey's last statement concerning the public announcement on Channel 68- -where the information originated, if the citizens were put at risk, and officers refusing to work municipal details because of the straight rate. Motion: With the Police Chiefs approval the Town Manager shall meet with the patrolmen's union and find out the facts and work out with the Police Chief. (Wills- No Second) Town Manager D'Agostino stated he plans to address the situation with a management study of the Police Department. Discussion continued concerning whether or not the announcement is in violation of the police associations' bargaining agreement. Bill Gerber, 362 Central Street, asked if the Selectmen received an update on the parking status for the Tweeter Center and if the Board is satisfied that it is moving along. Chairwoman Royle responded that she is satisfied and that Town Counsel would be meeting with the Building Inspector, Planning Director, and Town Manager on this issue. 5. Water Update with DPW Director Lee Azinheira Town Manager D'Agostino reported that the water levels have been monitored very closely and, as a result, he is recommending imposing a more stringent water ban. Mr. D'Agostino and Mr. Azinheira reviewed pumping levels with the Board. Discussion following among the Selectmen, Town Manager, and DPW Director concerning each of the wells, pumping data, pressure problems that have developed recently, the lack of rain, reporting of violators to the Water Department, weekend pumping data, and notification of the change in Phases to the residents. Based on the present pumping data, Town Manager D'Agostino recommended instituting Phase 3 of the water ban, which allows outside watering Monday - Thursday, 6am -8am, on an odd /even basis, and watering vegetable gardens an on odd/even basis, 6 -9am and 6- 9pm. Motion: To institute Phase 2 of the water ban, allow outside watering from 6am to 8am on an odd/even basis, with vegetable garden guidelines to remain the same as in Phase 1. (Robinson - Amoroso) (3 -2) Clerk Wills and Selectman McCarter opposed. Passes. The following discussions took place prior to a vote on the above motion: Paul Johnson, 19 Mayfower Drive, stated he has not heard any discussion among the Selectmen concerning homeowners who have recently installed new lawns, the Town needs to set an example, and that the Board should think about going into water receivership. Mr. Johnson continued to state that he is disgusted with management and the lack of vision and that he feels there is a hidden agenda behind the water restriction. Mr. Johnson also stated he feels the Board is spread too thin and should consider hiring a consultant on water issues. Dave Hammond, Branch Sheet, stated that he would like to focus on the demand side rather than supply —the treatment of the aquifer, the previous drought lowered the water table more than this has - -and he proposed the Town host a water conservation fair on the town common for two days to increase water conservation awareness among the residents. Motion: To support the water conservation fair in the fall. (McCarter - Amoroso) (4 -0) Selectman Robinson was not present for this vote. Passes. The following discussion took place before the above vote. Selectman Amoruso suggested including recycling awareness along with water conservation at the fair. Robert Goldman, Van Gemert Drive, suggested if the Board members would like to be taken seriously about the water ban they not show support for Great Waves and stated he feels the issues will be compounded with Great Waves. Mr. Goldman requested information on the Great Waves subcommittee discussions and suggested that Great Waves' use of water will drain the aquifer. Mr. Goldman also stated if the facility does locate in Mansfield residents would not obey the water ban restrictions. Motion: To impose Phase 3 of the water ban. (Wills - McCarter) Withdrawn. The water restrictions vote, motion above made by Selectman Robinson and seconded by Selectman Amoruso, was taken at this time followed by the vote to hold the conservation fair made by Selectman McCarter and seconded by Selectman Arnoruso, also above. Motion: To appoint David Hammond as a member of the Fair Committee with other members of the Committee to follow. (Amoruso - McCarter) (5 -0) Passes. DPW Director Lee Azinheira gave an update on the Walsh Well, stating that half of the wellfield is down due to a number of air leaks, which may be caused by glue used on the PVC not holding. The wells were constructed in the early 90s; the contractor has since gone out of business. The second half of the well site may need to be repaired in the fall. The extent of the leaks is still being evaluated and a recommendation to the Water and Sewer Commissioners is anticipated next week. 6. Edgewood Church of Christ Agreement Attorney Jacobs is seeking to act as the Town's agent and execute an agreement with the Edgewood Church of Christ concerning their sign. The members of the Zoning Board participated in reaching the settlement and have reviewed and commented on the proposed agreement. Mr. D'Agostino does not feel comfortable signing the agreement because he was not involved in negotiations leading up to it. Chairwoman Royle commented that the sign should be illuminated from dusk until 10pm year round, and Selectman Robinson agreed that he could not support illuminating the sign until l 1prn. Motion: To authorize Attorney Jacobs to sign the proposed agreement for judgement. (McCarter-Wills) (3 -2) Selectmen Robinson and Royle opposed. Passes. 7. MIS Position Description Motion: To approve the position description for the MIS Director. (McCarter- Amoruso) (3 -2) Selectmen Robinson and Wills opposed. Passes. 8. Charter Revisions Selectman Robinson commented that he would prefer to review proposed Charter revisions during a workshop, and Chairwoman Royle agreed. 9. Downtown Crosswalks Motion: That we direct the Town Manager to have the crosswalks painted at the locations requested by Jay Barrows for the Downtown Business Association. (Wills -No Second) Members of the Board questioned which guidelines are used to determine the need for crosswalks. 10. Adjournment Motion: To adjourn subject to taking up Agenda Items 10, 11, 12, and 13 and correspondence at next Wednesday's Light Commissioners meeting. (McCarter - Wills) (5 -0) Passes. Clerk's Signature Date of Approval