Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes08222011 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of August 22, 2011 Present: Chairman Jess Aptowitz, Kevin Moran, Olivier Kozlowski, George Dentino, Town Manager William Ross Selectman Douglas Annino absent Call to order at 8:35 pm. Questions and Comments Mr. Fiske of73 Spring Street was present to discuss last Saturday night's concert at Comcast. He has been a resident of Mansfield for more the 75 years. He is very concerned about the noise level at the recent concert. He expressed dissatisfaction with the Comcast Center in this matter. He stated that he hears 60% of the concerts. He is unsure why he can hear the concerts when friends on School St. and his daughter on Judy's Lane, who are closer, are not bothered by conceIts as he is. ChaiIman Jess Aptowitz stated that after receiving many phone calls on tIlis matter that night, he called the Police station. He spoke with Lt. Crickard, who was also concerned regarding this matter. His next calls were with Mr. Montgomery of the Comcast Center and the Chief of Police. Chairman Aptowitz noted that once the events begin there is little that can be done without causing more problems. At that point, the stage manager and sound tech staff need to handle reducing the noise level. Mr. Fiske stated that he feels Comcast had made great strides regarding traffic issues, crowd noise and hopes this was just a "bump" in the road. But he does hope that Comcast gets reprimanded severely regarding this issue. At precisely II o'clock the concert ended. Mr. Fiske feels it is a very bad idea when Comcast holds shows outside the pavilion. This event was excessive and that is why he felt compelled to come fOlward tonight to discuss this matter with the Board. Selectman Kozlowski questioned Mr. Fiske about where he lived and the volume levels at different times during the conceIt. Mr. Kozlowski stated that going forward with Comcast the Board may have to make a few changes. The Board will talk to Comcast about these different locations of generating the music. Mr. Fiske added that if you don't know about these different locations of the performers then you can't fix it. He also mentioned that Mr. Montgomery came to his house to apologize for the high noise levels at the conceIt. Selectman Dentino said that from his home, he does not hear the music most of time, but he does hear consistently the crowd's applause and drums. He feels, too, that the outside stage makes the conditions worse. Mr. Dentino would like to hear from Mr. Montgomery what the actual decibel readings from the various locations within the town on Saturday night. He feels Mr. Montgomery expected that there was going to be complaints regarding the sound levels. IfMr. Montgomery anticipated these problems, why did he go ahead and have the performances outside the pavilion? Chairman Aptowitz recalled that Mr. Montgomery did mention at last weeks Board of Selectmen meeting that he would be taking extra care to check the decibel readings at this conceit. Selectman Moran stated that going forward when renewing Comcast's license, the Board will have to put a clause in to the contract stating that anytime that type of act is being considered, they will have to come before us. At that time, we can take a stand and tell them that those types of bands are not the appropriate at the venue. Town Manager William Ross stated he could hear them all day and he lives over two miles away. Even a window rattled in his house, due to a loud outburst. When he talked with Mr. MontgomelY, he told him how he was celtainly going to recommend to the Board as pmt of the license discussions stmting up with fall, that we recommend setting times and standards and work on something for the performances outside the pavilion area. He informed me that another group "Rock the Bells", coming this September will be in a similar situation and will play in the parking lot till about 9 o'clock. I asked him ifhe really wanted to do that at this juncture. Mr. Montgomery said that the agency that books these events has set it up that way. Mr. Ross feels we really have to do something when renewing Comcast licenses so we will have better control in these situations. Chairman Aptowitz. discussed how this upcoming event will affect the town. Comcast provides the Board with the roster of events, but feels the Board doesn't receive a fiJlllist and the list doesn't indicate where the perfOlmance will take place. He has an issue with this. If the Board knew that there would be these outdoor events taking place, they would have a different say on signing off on their licenses. So in the future, they will need to tell the Board. Town Manager Ross stated that the Board will have to get their thoughts together when the license comes up for renewal. He thinks this will also help Mr. MontgomelY because he doesn't book the events; a separate division actually books the events. Accountants look at how much money they can make for Comcast, not at how much controversy they will cause within the town. Selectman Kozlowski asked if the Board sets the parameters for the enteltainment licenses, do we not set the parameters for where the performance occurs and have ultimate control if an outside stage in the parking lot is to be permissible? Town Manager Ross said that we can do that in the future but we have not done so thus far, going forward we will have to include that in the licenses. Selectman Dentino said that one thought to consider is to allow the performances outside the pavilion during the day, but not at night, Unfortunately, people having outdoor events will be bothered versus someone inside the home with televisions and air conditions to drown out the music. Mr. Dentino also received a call from a Foxboro resident complaining about the music. He believed him because he heard the Rolling Stones years ago all the way from Gillette stadium. The Board members discussed the NOI1on Fireworks in short length. Chairman Aptowitz wanted to discuss one more item regarding the meter readings done by Comcast. He questioned what good was it by having different readings all over the town. He feels it would be a good idea to speak to Mr. Montgomery from the Comcast Center regarding this event, find out what the decibel readings were for this past event, and go from there. This event was not acceptable. Mr. Fiske said it took only 35 minutes from the time he was at the Mansfield Police Station for a woman from Comcast to come to his house to do readings in his driveway for a good half hour. The woman taking the readings told Mr. Fiske that the loudest reading came from the Willowdale golf course area. He believes the town was mislead when the Comcast was first built. The next event at Comcast is September 13th. He thanked the Board for their time. Town Manager Ross stated that Chief O'Neill was concerned and he will also be reviewing this matter. A shOl1 discussion took place regarding the structure of Comcast in comparison to the structure in Indiana. A question was brought up whether the outside concel1s were "free", Chairman Aptowitz assured Mr. Fiske that the Board will come up with new guidelines when renewing the Comcast licenses and Mr. Ross will speak with Mr. Montgomery before the next event. Weekly Business Warrants and Permits: Selectman Moran had three warrants from August 23rd that needed the Board's approval. Warrant #12008T, Town Vendor for $544,202.38. Motion: To approve the warrant of August 23, 2011 (Kozlowski/Dentino) 4:0 passes. Chairman Aptowitz noted that he had not yet reviewed this warrant, but will do so at a later time this week. He reserves the right to bring this item back up for a revote if he finds it necessary. The next warrant was 12008E for the Electric Depmiment for $28,820.00. Motion: To approve the wan'ant of August 23, 2011 (Kozlowski/Dentino) 4:0 passes. The next wanant was 12008S, School vendor for $306,348.78 Motion: To approve the warrant of August 23,2011 (Kozlowski/Dentino) 4:0 passes. Mr. Ross stated that these warrants came up with incol1'ect dollar amounts. Karen and Linda Darling apologized for the error. This enol' was conected in the minutes. Correspondence: Selectman Dentino stated that a letter came in, last week. Chairman Aptowitz stated that he did not read it and apologized to the concerned resident. Selectman Moran had read the letter and said that it was regarding Comcast. It was regarding trespassing, trash in resident's yards and people relieving themselves on private propelty. The Board will deal with this topic at the next meeting. Chairman Aptowitz did say that he thought Comcast sent a trash truck around the day after each event to take care of the trash issue. He cannot confirm for sure that this is accurate. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager had one item to repmi. The Levesque matter is closed. The insurance company has paid $250,000. The town's has paid the $10,000 deductible spent on legal fees some time ago. All releases signed. BaS Updates: Selectman Kozlowski questioned the "NO THRU TRUCK" sign that should be off North Main Street for Senecal. Mr. Ross said that Mark Cook forgot and it should be up. He will double check on Tuesday, August 23rd. Selectman Moran had no updates at this time. Selectman Dentino had one small item. At Fresh Catch parking lot going out onto Chilson Ave he stated that you have to go half way out onto the street to be able to see if any cars are coming because of trees and overgrown shnlb. He feels this is very dangerous. Mr. Ross said he will look at on Tuesday, August 23rd. Chairman Aptowitz had previously asked for an update of the ramp on Southbound. What is the status? And, why are they moving at a snails pace? Mr. Ross mentioned the recent atiicle in the Sun Chronicle regarding Mass Highway projects that take far longer than estimated and costing more. Staff says they don't understand how they ever get things done. Mr. Ross said that Rick Alves was told to get off the job site because it wasn't his project. I would contrast that with how quickly the Canoe River Dam project went. It took no more than 90 days. Probably more like 60 days. We funded it and the work went faster. Selectman Dentino said that Lynch prefers to get in and out and complete a job quickly. Not engineering or weather holding them up, must be lack of payment? Mr. Ross said that he will talk with Engineering on Tuesday, August 23rd. Chairman Aptowitz is concerned about the train station commuters parking on Union Street. It is still happening. He stated that maybe we need to put up signs "No Train Station Parking". Mr. Ross said that he has talked to the Chief on this matter. One concern they have is that if you put signs up, it would have to be down the entire street so that the commuters do not park down further on Union Street and park in front of resident's houses. If there is enough concern, we can mark that area with signs. Chairman less Aptowitz expressed his concern that commuters do not pay the $4 charge to park at the commuter lots. The parking on Union Street is for Town Hall business only. Also there is plenty of parking at the commuter lots now versus back in the 90's. Selectman Kozlowski noted that he recently went to Boston with this family and was unable to locate the Non Mansfield Resident parking locations. He actually called Karen to have her help him locate these spots. He would like to see these areas marked better. He feels maybe this is contributing to commuters parking in the wrong locations. Mr. Ross will have Steve Simonds, Parking Agent look into this matter. The next Board of Selectmen's meeting will be the Wednesday after Labor Day, September 7,201 I Adjourn at 9: 1 0 pm. Motion: To adjourn (Kozlowski/Moran) 4:0 passes. Respectfully submitted: Nancy Olson /J /i/". f,\/;r \-=-- Signature of Clerk 1- /V-I/ Date of Approval