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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 7-22-1999Board of Selectmen Minutes July 22, 1999 "- Present: Chairwoman Royle, Clerk Wills, and Selectmen Amoroso and McCarterl. . S J John D'Agostino, Town Manager 1. Chairwoman Royle called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. 2. Questions and Comments George Dentin, Gladiola Terrace, stated a couple of weeks ago the Selectmen formed a subcommittee to discuss the Great Waves project, which was disbanded because it was in violation of the open meeting law. Chairwoman Royle responded that the Connnittee was disbanded prior to a violation taking place. Mr. Dentino inquired if subcommittee meetings with the Tweeter Center were in violation. Chairwoman Royle responded that she did not believe so because she had invited the public. Mr. Dentino then asked if it would be possible to bring the discussions with Tweeter Center back. Chairrvornan Royle responded that all information gathered as part of the entertainment license renewal for Tweeter was presented to the entire Board of Selectmen, and Selectman McCarter commented that the entire Board voted on the license renewal. Next, Mr. Dentino stated after reviewing documents in the Town Clerk's Office for a few minutes he does not find the Tweeter Center zoning issue confusing. In 1985 Great Woods applied for a variance, which was granted for a two -year period; in 1987 Great Woods reapplied for the same variance, which was denied. No enforcement action was taken on the zoning issue from 1988 -1991. In 1992 Great Woods reapplied for the variance and it was granted. Mr. Dentino requested the Selectmen seek a determination from Town Counsel on the 1992 Zoning Board of Appeals decision. Chairwoman Royle requested Mr. Dentino put his request to expend Town funds in writing. Mr. Dentino commented that he brought this information forward only as a comparison to Joe Ditchman's open air parking license renewal application and his pending variance application for striping and paving the lot with respect to Board members comments that if the lot is not in compliance it would be closed down. Peter DeTrolio, 496 Ehn Street, stated following the last Great Waves Conservation Commission public hearing, a majority of the Commission members and Great Waves representatives were downstairs conducting a meeting, which cannot continue. Selectman McCarter stated if Mr. DeTrolio feels there has been a violation of the open meeting law, one option would be to contact the District Attorney. Chairwoman Royle responded that she would discuss the issue with the Conservation Commission Chairman. Chairwoman Royle addressed the public stating questions and comments has, at times, gotten out of hand. Over the last couple of months, the Selectmen have been spending almost an hour on "Questions and Comments ", which disrupts scheduled agenda items. ( On April 21, the Selectmen amended its Operating Regulations. One of the amendments grants the Chairwoman authority to limit speaker's time during questions and comments. Selectwoman Royle will be limiting speaking time to three to five minutes and to one time only. If additional time is necessary, time on the agenda may be sought by contacting the Selectmen's office. Next, Chairwoman Royle reported that during executive session this evening a vote passed to authorize Special Counsel to file suit in Superior Court against the Great Waves Mepa Certificate. 3. 8:00 PM Joint Meeting with Foxboro Board of Selectmen: Charlie Masison, Chairman, Kevin Weinfeld, and Mike Coppola Also present for this discussion were Mike Carragher of VHB and Carol Gil of GATRA. The purpose of this discussion was to listen to Foxboro's concerns regarding County Street Access for the train station renovation project. Foxboro residents are concerned with the County Street access proposal, an option being explored as part of the train station renovation project. Mike Carragher of VHB stated if access is made available to the station from County Street, forty to eighty cars would use the road during the peak hour, one half of which is presently using the access road. Discussion continued concerning placing a traffic signal at the County Street access in order to "even the playing field" with the Route 106 access to the site. Also discussed was designating spaces closest to County Street for Foxboro residents, if Foxboro is willing to contribute to construction of that portion of the lot. The current ENF for the project does not include a County Street access; if County Street is used another ENF would have to be filed. It was discussed that Foxboro and Mansfield will work together to put mitigation measures in place and to make the impact of the project as minimal as possible. One additional concern discussed this evening, was that of Foxboro residents living on Hope Street and Summer Street. The residents are concerned with truck traffic and its speed why traveling down the residential streets. Some of the trucks are from Tighe Trucking. Chairman Masison stated he understands at one time the Town had an agreement with Tighe Trucking, which was adhered to for a while, but the situation has gotten worse. Selectman Coppola stated he believes under site plan review trucks were directed to take a right turn only out of the facility. Mr. Coppola also stated that there is additional truck traffic in this area from other Mansfield businesses and asked if Mansfield can relieve Foxboro of this traffic. Motion: That we ask the Town Manager to research the initial site plan review for Tighe and other businesses in the area, and upon the appropriate research, contact the businesses in violation of the agreement if it is in writing, expressing concern regarding there traveling through residential areas. ( Amoruso- McCarter) 1 Amendment by Selectman McCarter: That we ask the Town Manager to research the initial site plan review for Tighe and other businesses in the area. (4 -0) Passes. Motion: That we ask the Town Manager to research the initial site plan review for Tighe and other businesses in the area. (Amoroso- McCarter) (4 -0) Passes. Charwoman Royle suggested the Town of Foxboro place patrols on the streets in question to address the speeding issue. Lastly, Chairman Masison requested notification of upcoming meetings concerning the train station project. 4. Weekly Business A. Warrant No. 4 Motion: To approve. ( Amoruso- Wills) Chairwoman Royle abstained on all Board of Health items; Selectman McCarter abstained on all Municipal Building Committee items; and Selectman Ammuso abstained on the Recreation payroll. (4 -0) Passes. B. Licenses and Permits • Memorandum from the Building Inspector /Zoning Enforcement Officer, Bertram Cook, stating after a review of the original site plan for parking at the McNeeley site he is recommending increasing the number of spaces to seventy -seven to remain in conformance with zoning. If Ms. McNeeley wishes to increase the number of spaces to one hundred twenty- four, an application for site plan approval will have to be submitted. Motion: To allow seventy -seven spaces and approve with seventy- seven. (McCarter- Amoruso) (4 -0) Passes. When asked if the lot is presently striped, Mr. McGonegal responded affirmatively. • $200,000 Local Official Bond for the Treasurer's Position Motion: To approve the $200,000 bond for the Treasurer's position. (Amoroso- Wills) (4 -0) Passes. • $200,000 Local Official Bond for the Collector's Position Motion: To approve. ( Amoruso- McCarter) (4 -0) Passes. • Drainlayer's License Application of Feeney Corp. and positive recommendation of the DPW Director Motion: To approve. ( Amoruso- Wills) (4 -0) Passes. Memorandum from Traffic Safety Officer Lawson in response to Pamela Edwards, 1369 East Street, request for the Town to install a traffic mirror in front of her home. Officer Lawson states although he has no objection to installation of the mirror, in the past it is the proponent's responsibility to supply the mirror and the DPW will usually assist with installation. Motion: To approve the installation of a mirror at 1369 East Street. ( Amoruso- McCarter (4 -0) Passes. C. Minutes of July 14, 1999 Motion: To approve. (Amoroso- Wills) (3 -0 -1) Selectman Robinson abstained. Passes. D. Correspondence Action: Town Manger and Staff Memorandum from Town Manager D'Agostino asking if it would be possible for the Selectmen to consider allowing day care providers an exemption from the water ban to fill wading pools only Other: Town Manager and Staff Memorandum from Town Manager D'Agostino to the Board of Selectmen concerning payroll deductions for dental insurance 5. Town Manager Report • Last week, there was discussion among the Selectmen concerning having Mansfield's water consultants monitor the well drilling activities on the Great Waves site. A scope of services has been submitted by Woodard & Curran, dated July 22,1999, in the amount of $88,500. Motion: To authorize the Town Manager to sign the Scope of Services as detailed by Woodard & Curran, not to exceed $8,000.00. (McCarter - Wills) (3 -1) Selectman Amoruso Opposed. Passes. • Selectman Amoroso commented that he would like Woodard & Curran to take a look at the affect of the bedrock wells on the vernal pools and if the affect can be determined during this time of year, being as dry as it is. • A new Town Engineer, John Sullivan, has been hired and will begin work on September 1, 1999. Clerk Wills asked if after the Town Engineer is on board, and a MIS Director and Water Operations Manager are hired, consultants mould be used less frequently. • Peter Sanford, Motor Pool Foreman, was recently ASE certified in four or five different areas. • Tata and Howard completed an assessment of the existing lines at the Walsh Wellfield and concluded that the field needs to be repiped. The cost to replace is $83,000. The existing Walsh Well contract for $1.7 Million will be amended to include this additional work, and funding will be sought from within the departmental budget. Repairs should be made now so as not to have to undergo a de- watering process, which would increase the cost substantially. Funding will be sought at the Fall Town Meeting to repair the second side of the field. Chairwoman Royle and Selectman McCarter questioned why the second side could not be repaired now to avoid additional expenses. Chairwoman Royle suggested the Town Manager order pipes for both sides now. Town Manager D'Agostino responded that he would discuss this with the Town Engineer. • Tennis Courts are operational at Memorial Park. Chairwoman Royle inquired if the Town Manager had received communication from DEP regarding remedial actions as a result of contaminants found in the Park. Mr. D'Agostino responded that he had not, but at some point, he would submit a remediation plan. 6. Old Business • Clerk Wills received a letter Monday concerning Main Street speeding and stating that allowing diagonal parking on Old Colony Way would only add to vehicles "flying "down the streets downtown, Clerk Wills suggested the Police Department start ticketing cars on Main Street. Toivn Manager D'Agostino responded that SRPEDD will be conducting a speed study downtown and that he would like parking included also. • Chairwoman Royle suggested the Town may want to enter into discussions with the owner of the vacant lot next to the North Main Street Fire Station to use the lot for parking. • Clerk Wills inquired if any regulations exist concerning private hedges growing over onto public sidewalks. Clerk Wills ivill submit a list of residences, whose hedges have grown onto the sidewalk, and the Town Manager will request the Building Inspector revieiv each instance. • Clerk Wills inquired when construction of the new island at Vicino Buick Pontiac is planned. Toivn Manager D'Agostino responded finding would have to be internally, a public hearing would be required, and that he would have Mr. Sullivan take a look at the project when he begins work for the Town in September. Motion: That the Town Manager send a letter to the Police Chief requesting he place a detail to ticket speeders on Main Street for public safety reasons. (Wills - McCarter) (4 -0) Passes. • Selectman McCarter asked if the Town Manager is comfortable with the present water restrictions. Mr. D'Agostino stated that there are a number of residents in violation of the water restrictions and that their addresses and names are being ( recorded and placed on cable. Selechnan McCarter and Chairioman Royle were not in favor ofplacing their names and addresses on cable. • Selectman McCarter thanked Town Manager D'Agostino for supplying him with a i list of upcoming road and sidewalk work. • Selectman Amoruso asked why the Town is watering the South Common during restricted times and especially after a rainstorm. Selectman Amoruso also commented that geese are making a mess on the common and that something should be done. In response to Selectman Amoruso, Chairwoman Royle suggested turning off the sprinkler timer on days when it has rained the previous day. Torun Manager D'Agostino will discuss this Mike Ahern, DPW, Special Projects Manager. • Chairwoman Royle congratulated the Water Department on receiving a 1999 Public Water Supplier Award, scoring in the top 20 %. • Chairwoman Royle announced the Farmers' Market is in full swing, Thursdays 2- 6pm and Saturdays 9am -lpm. • Chairwoman Royle announced the Town Manager is in receipt of a letter from the Secretary of Environmental Affairs, Robert Durand, stating he is not willing to meet with the Selectmen to discuss the Great Waves project because the Town filed a Notice of Intent to Appeal. • Chairwoman Royle inquired why the Kingman Pond water level is low. Torun Manager D'Agostino responded that drainage issues have to be addressed and the piping would be repaired using Town forces. 7. New Business • Selectman McCarter thanked the Lions Club for donating slush left over from Wednesday's Sidewalk Sale to the Recreation summer camp. • Selectman McCarter asked why the North Main Street parking lot next to Mansfield Cooperative Bank could not be open later at night for downtown businesses, such as the Elks and a future Italian restaurant. Chairwoman Royle suggested the Police Department review the idea. • Chairwoman Royle announced in July and August Board of Selectmen and School Committee meeting repeats would be broadcast on Channels 8 and 15. All live meetings will be broadcast on Channel 15 only. All meetings will be broadcast on Channel 15 in September. • Chairwoman Royle stated the Rails to Trails joint meeting with Norton would be broadcast on cable this Saturday, July 24, at 8:00 PM and on Sunday, July 25, at 9:30 PM on Channels 8 and 15 and on Channel 15 on July 29 at 7:00 PM. • Chairwoman Royle stated the Selectmen are in receipt of a letter from Superintendent Moretti stating the School Department's year -end balance was between $6,000 - $10,000. The School Committee is appreciative of the Town's cooperation demonstrated by granting them the $60,000 Reserve Fund Transfer, but there is Ipresently no need to access the funds. • Chairwoman Royle noted that the Selectmen are in receipt of a letter from Foxboro Water and Sewer Commissioner Joan Sozio requesting Mansfield notify Mansfield water users in Foxboro of Mansfield's restrictions. Town Manager D'Agostino responded that notices have been sent. • Chairwoman Royle acknowledged an invitation for the Selectmen to participate in a 20th Centmy Celebration parade in North Attleboro on September 26 and inquired if any of the Selectmen would be attending. • Lastly, Chairwoman Royle thanked David Hammond for putting together a draft outline for the Fall Conservation Fair, suggested dates (October 2, 9, or 16) for the Fair, and announced that the Selectmen are seeking volunteers to serve on the Committee. Anyone interested in serving on the Committee should contact the Selectmen's Office. 8. Adjournment 10:35 PM Motion: To adjourn. (Amoruso -M Carter) (4 -0) Passes. Clerk's Sig attire Date 4fl?