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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENMINUTES10242012Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 24, 2012 Present: Chairman Olivier Kozlowski, Vice Chairman George Dentino, Clerk Kevin Moran, Selectman Jess Aptowitz, Selectman Annino, William Ross, Town Manager Absent: Change of Manager - Village at Willow Crossing Anne DeMinico is the new Executive Director for the facility and will be the new Manager of Record for the liquor license. She is Tips certified and has worked at Willow Crossing since last October. Selectman Aptowitz stated that it is very important for companies to notify the Board of Selectmen when a change of manager occurs as this has not been happening and it is a growing concern of the board, Selectman Annino asked Mr. Ross what would happen if the board denied the transfer. Mr. Ross stated they would not have a valid license and would have to stop servicing the residents. Motion: To approve Ms. DeMinico as the new manager of record. (Annino /Aptowitz) 5:0 passes The board would like to see all licensees (Corporate owners too) in January to express their concern over the lapse in change of manager procedures. Cable Advisory Committee update Lou Amoruso is present for discussion. He stated that the entire committee has been working on the license negotiations which include Kevin Moran, the board representative. The license agreement is just about done. However, the manager at Comcast Cable they have been dealing with left and they had to start again with a new person. One of the things they have been bargaining is that the Comcast will provide a studio in the high school for student use. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 24, 2012 Once the committee has finalized the negotiations they will bring it forward to the board for approval. Selectman Moran summarized the experiences he has had with being on the committee and the whole board thanked Lou for working on getting the best deal possible for the town and asked him to thank the rest of the committee as well. Chairman Kozlowski asked if this will be a 10 year license agreement that includes the funding of the studio at the high school including equipment upgrades over the life of the contract. In addition, the committee is hoping to be able to upgrade the cable going from the studio to the high school as that connection is very old and the signal is poor. Signing warrants State Election warrants are ready to be signed for the November 6'h elections and where read into the record by the clerk. The board needs to sign 9 copies for distribution throughout town. Special Town Meeting warrants are also ready to be reviewed and signed. Walter Wilk, Chairman of the Finance Committee and members yogen and ? are present as well. The warrant heading was read into the record by Clerk Moran stating November 6'h will be election day. Article 1: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Mansfield School Conunittee to enter into a Pupil Transportation contract for a period in excess of three years, for a total contract not to exceed five years; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen for the Mansfield School Committee Article 2: To see if the Town will vote to rescind the unissued balance, in the sum of Four Hundred Fifty Thousand dollars ($450,000.00), of the School Planning- related borrowing authorization voted pursuant to Article 26 of the May 23, 2006 Annual Town Meeting; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen for the Mansfield School Conunittee Article 3: To see if the Town will vote to rescind the unissued balance in the Fight Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 24, 2012 Million Dollars ($8,000,000.00) borrowing authorization voted pursuant to Article 4 of the May 4, 2010 Amoral Town Meeting for the Mansfield Municipal Electric Department East Mansfield Substation; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen for the Mansfield Municipal Electric Commission Article 4: To see if the Town will vote to accept M.G.L. Section 8A of Chapter 108 of the Acts of 2012 (also known as M,G.L. Chapter 59A Section 5N or the" VALOR Act") which allows the Board of Selectmen to establish a program to allow veterans to volunteer for up to 125 hours in exchange for up to a $1,000.00 reduction in their real property tax bill; and to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or borrow pursuant to any applicable statute the sum of Three Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($3,750.00) to add to the FYI Allowance for Abatements and Exemptions (Overlay) account to provide for the "Veterans Tax Work -off Program"; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen Article 5: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or borrow pursuant to any applicable statute a sum of money and/or to further amend, increase, decrease, or otherwise adjust the appropriations voted at the April 24, 2012 Annual Town Meeting for several Municipal Town departments for Fiscal Year 2013; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen Article 6: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or borrow pursuant to any applicable statute a sum of money to eliminate the deficits existing at the end of Fiscal Year 2012 as of June 30, 2012; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen Article 7: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or borrow pursuant to any applicable statute a sum of money to be spent by the Town Manager to defray the expenses related to the nine -year inspection and revaluation of all properties in the Town as required by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen for the Board of Assessors Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 24, 2012 Article 8: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or borrow pursuant to any applicable statute the sum of Eleven Thousand Dollars ($11,000.00) to be spent by the Town Manager for the purpose of organizing, codifying, bookbinding, and online posting of the Town Charter and all Town by -laws; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen Article 9: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or borrow pursuant to any applicable statute the sum of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00) to be expended by the Town Manager for the purpose of professional services for the permitting and design services associated with the proposed wastewater effluent recharge site on property located in Norton, MA as further described as Town of Norton Assessors Map 24 Lot 4; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen Article 10: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or borrow pursuant to any applicable statute a sum of money to pay for unpaid prior year's bills; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen Article 11: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or borrow pursuant to any applicable statute a sum of money to be transferred to the Town's Capital Stabilization Fund; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen Article 12: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, borrow, or transfer from available funds a sum of money to the Stabilization Fund; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen Article 13: To see if the Town will to transfer the sum of Eighty -Three Thousand Three Hundred Five Dollars and Fifty Cents ($83,305.50) to supplement the funding for the following ongoing non - excluded debt capital projects and to vote to reduce the unpaid debt principal remaining by One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each such unpaid debt, as set forth in M.G.L. Chapter 44 Section 20; or take any other action related thereto. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 24, 2012 SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen and /or Board of Selectmen for the Mansfield School Committee Article 14: To see if the Town will to vote transfer the sum of Seventy -Seven Thousand Eight Dollars and Twelve Cents ($77,008.12) to supplement the funding for the following ongoing non - excluded debt capital projects and to reduce the FYI allowable tax levy by the total amount of the following capital projects' unused balances; or take any other action related thereto. Ongoing Non - Excluded Debt Capital Projects Fund Fund Name Article Vote Purpose Transfer No. Amount 5088 DPW Annual Town Various Town $23,43653 Roadway Meeting Roadway Improvements 5126111 Article Improvements #9A 5082 Robinson Annual Town Repair /Replace $53,571.59 School Meeting Windows at Windows 5126111 Article Robinson School #10 Totals $77,008.12 SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen and /or Board of Selectmen for the Mansfield School Committee Fincomm had a few comments about articles 15 and 16. They would like to borrow short term and then bond for the capital improvements. They have not received all the state revenue numbers yet so they want to hold off until the spring. (spending out of free cash) There was a short discussion about the un funded liabilities that the town faces for retiree benefits. The board is cognizant of the fact that they need to save for this as well as capital projects the town faces in the coming years. Mr. Wilk stated that town depts. have done a great job of being prudent with their budgets and the fincomm is grateful that they have been able to turn back funds in order to be used for free cash. A discussion of balancing stabilization and the use of funds for capital improvements Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 24, 2012 ensued. Motion: To withdraw articles 15 & 16 and amend article 11 to include an additional 1. 5 million in funding, (Moran) withdrawn. Mr, Ross will amend on the floor. Article 15: To see if the Town will vote to amend the source of funds voted in Article 11 Motion B of the April 24, 2012 Annual Town Meeting from borrowing to Free Cash; and to rescind the unissued balance Five Hundred Thousand dollars ($500,000.00) of the Road/Bridge Maintenance - related borrowing authorization; and to transfer from Free Cash in the treasury of the Town the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000,00) to the Road/Bridge Maintenance capital project authorized in Article 11 Motion B at the April 24, 2012 Annual Town Meeting; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen Article 16: To see if the Town will vote to amend the source of funds voted in Article 12 of the April 24, 2012 Annual Town Meeting from borrowing to Free Cash; and to rescind the unissued Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) of the School Gym Wall Repair - related borrowing authorization; and to transfer from Free Cash in the treasury of the Town the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) to the School Gym Wall Repair capital project authorized by the vote pursuant to Article 12 at the April 24, 2012 Annual Town Meeting; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen Article 17: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or borrow pursuant to any applicable statute the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) to pay for replacement of the North Common flagpole; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen Article 18: To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money from Airport Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings to Airport Enterprise Fund Fund Balance for Capital Improvements; or take any other action related thereto. SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen for the Airport Commission Article 19: To see if the Town will vote to create a Mansfield Economic Development Corporation through a special Act of the Massachusetts General Court; or take any other action related thereto. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 24, 2012 SPONSOR: Board of Selectmen Article 20: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town's Zoning Bylaw to the extent necessary to change the Schedule of Principal Use Regulations of the Zoning Bylaws Industrial District, I2, as shown on the attached revised Schedule of Principal Use Regulations attached hereto as Exhibit "A ", and to amend the associated bylaw 3.7; Classification of Other Uses, specifically 3.7.1 Older Building Reuse, as also shown on the attached Exhibit "A ". Or take any action in relation thereto: SPONSOR: Citizen Petition by James J, Russo, Jr. and 109 others Selectman Annino has wanted to discuss this for a while and is taking the opportunity tonight to recap the information he gathered at a recent conference regarding walkable communities. Small cosmetic changes in addition to structural changes in the down town area will really enforce the community environment that we are striving for. Updated street lighting and street curb appeal such as more level sidewalks, green spaces and fagade improvements could really make a difference. Having all of Main St. return to a two way street would also increase the traffic in a good way for the merchants as people have twice the opportunity to see what the area has to offer. Selectman bentino stated that having two -way traffic may not be feasible as parking on some areas of the street are already tight, Chairman Kozlowski and Mr. Ross both stated that the Planning Board and the Parking Committee have both reviewed this possibility and so far have not been able to fully address the issues yet. The downtown area has under gone change over the past years and continues to be a challenge due to the constricted space in some spots in addition to the mixed zoning requirements of the area. Selectman Annino realizes that a truly walkable downtown area cannot be created overnight, however he would like to start, even if it's just baby steps. Mr. Ross has been looking into the creation of business improvement districts. This would be helpful not only for the downtown area but for the Cabot Business Park as well. The DPW has the repair of downtown sidewalks on their priority list; it just hasn't been able to happen yet. We have been working with the downtown merchants in addition to the Beautification Committee by adding flower barrels and decorative trash barrels throughout the downtown area. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 24, 2012 Q &C Neil Rein, Chairman of the Beautification Committee, he is glad that the board is discussing this as it was a core subject of the Strategic Plan with Dr. Mullin this spring. He suggests having a downtown advisory board that works with the DBA to ensure the continuation of these plans and activities. Chairman Kozlowski stated that the DBA could be expanded upon instead of another committee. Scott Feely, Fincomm member, is glad that we are discussing this however; the focus needs to be maintained on keeping the downtown looking attractive as it speaks to the health of the town itself. Stan Feck, resident and former Planning Board member, he suggests that the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board hold a joint meeting in that they invite the downtown businesses to the meeting to hear their thoughts and ideas. Green areas are vital to an active downtown area. Another discussion ensued about the inadequacies of the narrow bridge that crosses Rt. 106 joining the downtown to the train station and N. Common. It's a difficult area to transverse and as such Mr. Ross has been pushing the development of a parking deck with elevators to facilitate the flow of foot traffic. Weekly Business Warrant No. 13017T in the amount of $1,174,134.25 Motion To approve. (Aptowitz /Annino) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 13017E in the amount of $289,948.42 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz /Annino) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 13017PT in the amount of $290,303.39 Motion To approve. (Aptowitz /Annino) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 13017TV in the amount of $86,075.48 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz /Annino) 5:0 passes Warrant No. 13017PS in the amount of $1,477,289.33 Motion: To approve, (Aptowitz /Dentino) 4:1 passes (Annino nay) Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 24, 2012 Warrant No. 130175V in the amount of $473,468.54 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz /Annino) 5:0 passes Correspondence • Email from resident asking the Board of Selectmen to consider leaf blower regulations. Town Managers Report • Presidential election day is always a busy day at the polls so Chief O'Neill asked that the traffic plan be announced. From 6am to 8:30pm on November 6th exiting vehicles from the main high school parking lot will only be able to exit right onto East St. • Bird Rd, substation is complete and the landscaping will be finished in the spring. • Mr. Ross is still speaking with the MMA regarding the Registry of Motor Vehicles denial of plates for rd. equipment • We may have a hurricane preparation meeting tomorrow in case we get it this weekend. • Have returned the delegation agreement to the state for the creation of an Assessment Center in hiring the new Chief of Police this spring. • He is equally proud of the depts. here that skillfully manage their budgets and save money for the town. • The towns free cash has been certified and submitted to the state. BOS Updates • Chairman Kozlowski: The N. Common gazebo dedication was well attended and a great event this post weekend. The school committee and Board of Selectmen will be meeting together for a budget meeting on November 17th Selectman Aptowitz: Thank you to the Accounting Office for all their hard work with preparing the budget for special town meeting. Thank you to the Gonsalves family for their generous donation of the N. Common gazebo. He unfortunately could not attend the celebration this past weekend. He would also like to clear up a misunderstanding regarding the use of municipal funds and MMED funds. They are all one town account but separate funds. Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 24, 2012 Selectman Annino: Would like to see more committees use the meeting room projector for public meeting presentations. • Selectman Moran: In his business travel he has been in several business parks and we need to increase the size of available buildings in our park to meet todays demands. Selectman Dentino: Dianne Royle (former Selectman and town employee) dad passed away last week and he would like to have a moment of silence for him. He would like to get a study started regarding the use of LED street lights. Mr. Ross stated that they have used them in the past without success however he will look into them again as technology is always changing. Adjournment Motion: Adjourn meeting at 9:50pm (Aptowitz) 5:0 passes i�evua'yl&i" Signature of Clerk DecemiAn 12, 2012 Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 24, 2012 10