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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes05162012 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 16, 2012 Present: Chairman Olivier Kozlowski, Vice Chairman George Dentino, Selectman Douglas Annino, Selectman Jess Aptowitz, William Ross Town Manager Absent: Clerk Kevin Moran absent. Selectman Annino arrived at 7:10PM Waste water district legislation Rep. Jay Barrows, Dave Young from CDM and Lee Azinheira, DPW Director are present. The legislation presented by Rep. Barrows is a proposed amendment to the legislation that allows Mansfield, Foxboro and Norton to create a Wastewater Treatment District. The amendment would allow the three communities to establish connection fees for new connections to the sanitary sewer collection system of each community. The authorization would allow but not require the establishment of fees; this legislation would primarily benefit Foxboro and Norton because those communities not only have the cost of expanding the wastewater plant but also substantial costs to extend sanitary sewer lines to allow connecting both new and existing users. Any connection fees would be established and paid to the towns themselves not the district. The legislation has been recommended by the IMA Committee that is continuing to work on the agreement that would create the District. Selectman Aptowitz asked how much capacity Mansfield still has. Mr. Azinheira stated it really depends on the year. (the weather, conditions, etc.) Our sewer capacity is near the limits (but not there yet) so there are a lot of variables to consider until the expansion is complete. Mr. Ross stated that the rate of infiltration into the system also plays a role in the amount of capacity available. Mr. Young also stated that the town is still a few years away from having any expanded capacity available. Selectman Dentino asked how the surrounding towns (I & I) are monitored and how it is metered coming in the Mansfield system. Mr. Azinheira provided a brief explanation of our system reads the incoming flow. Motion: To support the amendment as presented. (Dentinol Aptowitz) 4:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 16, 2012 SE Health Group update The group has done quite well with keeping losses down and thus premiums as well. The group also self-insured a couple of years ago and that has been working so well that the group has decided to reimburse the member towns some of the excess funds. Mansfield will be receiving 17'70 of the amount (about $400,000) and that will be deposited into the general fund soon. The town employees may receive an insurance rebate of some sort but that is yet to be determined. Union St. parking discussion The following is from a police dept. memo regarding the on street parking issues next to townhall. Selectman Aptowitz has also stated several times that there seems to be road congestion in that area of Union St. to the end of West St. as well. The road narrows in this area and with cars parked on both sides of Union Street, only one vehicle can safely drive between the vehicles parked on either side of the road. There Is a serious concern of access for fire apparatus etc. When speaking to Officer Lawson he stated that many years prior, before the former school became the Town Hall, there was a proposal put forward to make the section In question "No Parking" on the easterly side on Union Street from Park Row to Just prior to # 38 Union Street. He stated that the Idea was "shot down" by the town because employees of the School Administration building complained that they needed that area to park their cars. There Is now ample parking for school administration and town hall employees In the rear parking lot. It Is my recommendation that the easterly side of Union Street, between #38 Union Street (left side of the property) to Park Row be posted "No Parking Any Time" with proper slgnage and yellow curb paint. Parking should stili be allowed on the westerly side of Union Street In this area. The "No Parking Area" Is needed to assure proper traffic fiow and allow for over sized fire apparatus to be able to gain access to the area In case of an emergency. I recommend that the parking signs should be "Any Time" due to the many meetings that occur In the evening that may cause parking Issues on Union Street. Selectman Annino doesn't believe that the street parking should be limited to the end of West St. Selectman Dentino also has concerns as the church and the food pantry use parking on Union St. sometimes. Motion: To support public safety proposal. (Annino/ Aptowitz) 4:0 passes Traffic Rules and Orders This is a follow up to the agreement that was signed with the state several weeks ago regarding East St. In addition to the agreement, the MA Dept. of Highways has now requested a formal action by the Board of Selectmen to place the traffic rules for Route 106 in place by a formal resolution. Boord of Selectmen Minutes of May 16, 2012 2 Motion: To sign the East St. agreement. (Annino/ Aptowitz) 4:0 passes Old animal shelter use- GATRA Bus GATRA has made a request to utilize the former animal shelter as a location for storing buses that are used to provide services to seniors and other dial- a- ride customers within the Town of Mansfield. The former animal shelter is not used for any other purpose. The buses are currently stored at the COAlLibrary parking lot and this would free up parking at that facility. GATRA would assume all costs, utilities and insurance. The proposal would benefit the town by relieving the town of the responsibility of maintaining the building and freeing up parking as mentioned above. Selectman Dentino has concerns over the buses being stored at the old shelter as that is off a residential street. What would be the hours of operation? The issue of parking the buses on a dirt lot was also discussed. However, the buses are currently parked on a dirt/gravel lot at Memorial Park. Town Counsel has reviewed the letter from Mr. Sarro and the relevant MA statues. In addition, he has also spoken with legal counsel at the ABCC. Town Counsel has not reviewed the specific franchise agreement in question, however in a typical arrangement; a franchise fee is paid based on a specified percentage of the gross revenues of the business of the franchisee. The Board of Selectmen has discretion whether or not to initiate what would in essence be an audit by requiring the license to submit sufficient documents and records that would allow the LLA to determine whether the licensee is complying with the terms of the agreement. The Board of Selectmen could also defer to the ABCC for enforcement of this matter as well. Mr. Ross stated that this matter is best handled by the ABCC as they have the knowledge and resources to handle this request. Both Selectmen Aptowitz and Annino would like to have the ABCC review the request. Selectman Dentino also believes that this should be reviewed by the ABCC not the Board of Selectmen due to a lack of technical knowledge of the subject. Mr. Ross will follow up with counsel. Boord of Selectmen Minutes of May 16, 2012 3 None Weekly Warrant No. 12046T in the amount of $311,780.20 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Dentino) 4:0 passes Warrant No, 12046E in the amount of $377,928.93 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Dentino) 4:0 passes Warrant No. 120465 in the amount of $484,507.54 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Dentino) 4:0 passes Warrant No. 12046PT in the amount of $335,582.60 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Annino) 3:1 passes (Dentino nay) Warrant No. 12046TV in the amount of $104,777.57 Motion: To approve. (Aptowitz/Dentino) 4:0 passes Road race request from the Jamie Fund. Event is scheduled for August 25th. Motion: To approve. (Annino/Dentino) 4:0 passes Correspondence None Town Managers Report . Local aid numbers from the Senate have been released. · The School Dept. has released their first quarter report and it will be on the website soon. · The first joint school/townhall staff meeting will be next week. . Supt. Hodges and Mr. Ross have been discussing a date for a joint Board of Selectmen ISchool Committee as well. · MMED meeting will be on the Board of Selectmen agenda next week. . Keep Mansfield Beautiful has donated flower barrels to the town hall and we thank them. Boord of Selectmen Minutes of May 16, 2012 4 . The Fish and Game Association would like to put a sign up next the Highway Garage to alert people that the Assoc. building is behind the garage. (Shared driveway). Selectman Annino would like the Board of Selectmen to see the sign first. BOS Updates Chairman Kozlowski: The community garden had a successful volunteer day and will be doing another next week. It is also time to register for your plot if you are interested. There are two options: The family (share) option and the plant your own options are available. . Selectman Aptowitz: Please wish Karen Dumont the best on her new job. The carpet for the conference room and hallway should be arriving in the next few weeks. The audit company we hired will be providing a report soon on the towns financial systems. The third VSO for the Veterans District has been hired and all the member towns now have coverage to see veterans when needed. . Selectman Annino: None . Selectman Moran: Not present . Selectman Dentino: Would like to see a progress report on the indemnity agreement for the Comcast Center. Mr. Ross has contacted other venues but has not heard back yet and will continue to pursue the matter. Also, kudos to the West Side Story production people at the High School. And the parents of the students also deserve special praise. Adjournment Motion: Adjourn meeting at 8:47pm (Annino) 4:0 passes 'J:::wUe ~ Signature of Clerk ~e- 2t? 2012 . Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of May 16. 2012 5