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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 11-06-13Board of Selectmen Minutes November 6, 2013 Present: Jess Aptowitz; Chairman, Doug Annino; Vice Chairman, Kevin Moran; Clerk, George Dentino. Olivier Kozlowski and William Ross; Town Manaeer meeting to order. Chairman Aptowitz reminded that this meeting is being broadcast live by Mansfield Cable Access and taped for future broadcast. Lee Azinheira, Director of the DPW, reported this is a grant put together by the SERSG Group and its nineteen member communities, of which Mansfield is a member, to utilize the 2014 Community Innovation Challenge Grant funding to develop the Southeastern Massachusetts Stormwater Collaborative (SEMSWC). He explained that the grant will directly help these member communities with mandates of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System. Mr. Azinheira noted that in the next six to twelve months the new permitting requirements for municipalities will be released and the Town needs to be prepared to respond to the changes and streamline municipal approaches of protecting local watersheds from impacts of stormwater runoff in a cost effective manner. Mr. Azinheira noted this will benefit communities by working together and sharing resources on a regional basis, as water bodies don't stop at the town lines and are regional in nature. Mr. Azinheira supports the grant and noted that only Mansfield and Norfolk have yet to sign off prior to November 22nd deadline as seventeen other communities already have. Mr. Azinheira noted the Town would be notified in January if approved and then once approved it is a ten month implementation schedule. Mr. Annino asked for the total amount of the grant to which Mr. Azinheira noted $365,000 and provided the Board with a breakdown of services (development of educational web site, provide kits for water sampling, on line data base shared by communities, ect.). Mr. Annino asked if the money was enough for all nineteen communities to which Mr. Azinheira noted the estimate is based on work for all communities and then those communities working together. Mr. Amino asked who was to manage the grant to which Mr. Azinheira noted Environmental Partners Group. Chairman Aptowitz asked if the grant is not approved does the consultant get anything to which Ivlr. Azinheira reported no the consultant would not. To summarize, Mr. Annino stated the Town is going for a grant from the Community Innovation Challenge who hands out grants according to merit. Mr. Ross explained the purpose of this program is to have communities collaborate on issues such as this and work together as a group and the State, to encourage that, makes grant fiords available to encourage collaboration and innovation in addressing issues such as stormwater. Mr. Ross stated the key point is that if the Town is not successful with this grant application, individual Towns will spend money out of their own resources to do this same work because this is required by the EPA and by joining together and applying for this funding we believe we can get as good or better a product but save local resources. Mr. Ross noted that when the Town receives its discharge permit for stormwater all these requirements will be in it and the Federal government is not backing off on this. Mr. Moran noted that what this is addressing are regulations that the Town is going to have to contend with and the State will have further regulations without any compensation. He explained that what the CIC Grant is to get communities to take a collaborative approach and create a drive to Board Of Selectmen's Meeting November 6, 2013 Page 1 of 5 get communities to try and cooperate because these regulations have to be met and hopefully lower costs. Mr. Kozlowski asked if this created any sort of entity within the nineteen communities to which Mr. Azinheira reported no and assured that each community would receive its own permit. Mr. Ross explained that the permits lay out the requirements that are placed upon the Towns for street sweeping, cleaning of catch basins, testing every stormwater outfall in the community and following up if there are any problems. Mr. Kozlowski asked if this was ever required before to which both Mr. Azinheira and Mr. Ross stated no. Mr. Kozlowski asked if there were a rough estimate as to how much this could cost the Town to which Mr. Ross noted that this has the potential to be extremely expensive and that Congress pushed it through and EPA does the rule making. Mr. Dentino noted that this grant does not really spell out in detail its plan for spending and felt that it has the potential down the line to develop policies and procedures that may continue to have to occur and that once the Town establishes the procedures it will have to follow through and have continuity. Mr. Ross noted that the problem is the Town will have to do these things regardless if it joins a group or not and there are significant ongoing costs that the Town will have to absorb. The only way to not do it is if Congress repeals it. Mr. Dentino noted that grants have placed a burden on the Town to continue with things such as personnel and have cost the Town money. Mr. Moran noted that the Town is required to do most of this (mapping and testing) in order to obtain the permit and the best way to deal with the EPA is to document, document, document and be ahead of the curve. It will be expensive for the Town to maintain and is a huge burden to municipalities. Mr. Azinheira noted that the larger communities (cities) have had this for about a decade now and have spent millions, this is not new but just reaching the smaller communities now. Mr. Kozlowski asked that this is a discharge permit to discharge stormwater where to which Mr. Ross noted any waters in the United States and that the Town has never had a permit for stormwater. Mr. Ross noted that none of the Town's Enterprise accounts cover stormwater which means this will be spent out of the General Fund. The Town will have to spend General Fund money or join these other communities and apply for State funds but whether the Town takes the grant monies or not, the Town will have the expense. Chairman Aptowitz is concerned with the fairness of how the money is appropriated among the nineteen communities. Mr. Ross noted the Town will receive the deliverables. Mr. Azinheira noted that Mansfield is the lead community in this grant and will take an active role. Mr. Ross further noted that SERSG is located within Town Hall. Mr. Kozlowski inquired if it was just one regional permit or nineteen individual permits to which Mr. Azinheira noted they are individual permits. Mr. Ross explained that each community will receive the same data and information. Mr. Kozlowski stated that residents need to understand the impact this will have and asked for a draft copy of the permit to be posted online. Motion: To support and authorize the Town Manager to execute the Community Innovation Challenge Grant by Southeastern Regional Services Group as follows (Annino/Kozlowski): NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Selectmen as follows: 1. That the Town of Mansfield will serve as lead applicant and is hereby authorized to file applications and execute agreements for grant assistance through the Community Innovation Board Of Selectmen's Meeting November 6, 2013 Page 2 of 5 Challenge Grant program as well as furnishing such information, data and documents pertaining to the applicant for said grant as may be required 2. That the Town Manger is duly authorized to sign the Community Innovation Challenge Grant application on behalf of the Board of Selectmen 3. That if said award is made the Town agrees to name a representative to participate in the Project's Steering Committee. The representative would be expected to attend periodic meeting to offer the municipality's local input on the grant program. PASSES 5:0 None. A. Review and Approval of Minutes of Meetings • Board of Selectmen Meeting — October 9, 2013 Motion: To approve Board of Selectmen Minutes of October 9, 2012 (Annino/Kozlowski) PASSES 5:0 B. Approval of Warrants Town Vendor Warrant No. 14019T $478,707.78 Motion: To approve Town Vendor Warrant No. 14019T $478,707.78 (Annino/Kozlowski) PASSES 4:0:lAptowitz ABSTAINS Electric Department Vendor Warrant No. 14019E $1,406,751.85 Motion: To approve Electric Department Warrant No. 14019E $1,406,751.85 (Annino/Kozlowski) PASSES 5:0 Town Payroll Town Medicaid Payroll Warrant No. 14019PT $295,785.33 Motion: To approve Town Payroll Town Medicaid Payroll Warrant No. 14019PT $295,785.33 (Annino/Kozlowski) 4:1 Dentino NAY Town Deductions Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 14019TV $92,872.26 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 14019TV $92,872.26 (Annino/Kozlowski) PASSES 5:0 School Payroll /School Medicaid Payroll Warrant No. 14019PS $1,518,243.61 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll Warrant No. 14019PS $ 1,518,243.61(Kozlowski/Dentino) PASSES 4:1 Annino NAY School Deductions Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 14019SV $509,029.09 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 14019SV $509,029.09 (Annino/Kozlowski) PASSES 5:0 C. Permits/Licenses • Consideration of Common Victualler License for Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt at 242 Chauncy Street Motion: To approve Common Victualler License for Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt (Kozlowski/Annino) Discussion: Mr. Annino noted that he has heard great things about the establishment but wonders why they are just getting a Common Victualler license now if they are already operating. Chairman Aptowitz noted he would like to see policy instituted where there is one application/master form controlled by one person where all Town Hall departments would need to sign off before a license is approved. Mr. Ross thought that was a good idea. Mr. Kozlowski noted that the Town wants to encourage an environment where companies can innovate and the Town needs to make that as easy as possible. Motion: To approve Common Victualler License for Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt (Kozlowski / Annino) PASSES 5:0 Board Of Selectmen's Meeting November 6, 2013 Page 3 of 5 D. Correspondence • None Mr. Ross informed the Board that he received a notice of Statutorily Required Meeting In The Host Community To Consider The Application For A Category 2 Gaining Commission License. The meeting will be held from 4:00 -6:00 on December 4d' at Beatrice H. Wood Elementary School at 72 Messenger Street. This is a public meeting. Mr. Ross reminded that Town Hall will be closed on Monday, November 11th for the Veteran's Day holiday. The parade will begin at 10:00am at Memorial Park. Mr. Ross noted that asphalt was poured on the sidewalk area on the east side of Town Hall due to it being badly broken. The Town is also examining options for the stairs on that side as well. Mr. Ross is working with the Conservation Commission to receive an action to designate the building area of the lot that the Town owns on Fruit Street so that Town can have the tax reverted lot for sale this Spring. The Town moved ahead and marked the parking spaces on Oakland Street and will work to number within the next week. Mr. Ross noted the Town gained 33 spaces to address the commuter rail parking issue. Mr. Dentin inquired about the Mansfield Avenue area to which Mr. Ross noted there would be a additional 35 — 40 spaces and there will be a drawings and then a neighborhood meeting. Mr. Ross again reported that the Town is losing Maureen Doherty as she is stepping down from her post on the Municipal Building Committee at the end of the year. The Town will be looking for someone with a good architectural background to replace her. Finally, Mr. Ross stated the Town is moving into the 3`d phase of the auction of surplus equipment (vehicles) and it is anticipated to have raised an excess of $100,000 and will go to the General Fund. Chairman Aptowitz wanted to be certain that the insurance company knew that these assets were to be removed from the policy. Mr. Moran noted that the CIP committee has met and both Police and Fire are fairly reasonable. He felt that Capital will be completed early and submission to the Board should be by the end of December. Mr. Moran also noted that it is good to be back. Mr. Kozlowski felt it was important to acknowledge a letter was received from the AG's office but because it was just received it was not appropriate to discuss. Mr. Annino asked that Mr. Ross follow up with Shaun Burke regarding the pollution control unit at TGIFriday's at Mansfield Crossing. He believed that was a condition of approval. Mr. Dentino inquired as to the status on repairing the light at the fire station. Mr. Ross spoke to Chief Boldrighini who stated that the firefighters were not using it but is checking on it. Mr. Board or Selectmen's Meeting November 6, 2013 Page 4 of 5 Dentino stated this is a dangerous situation as travelers are looking at a flashing yellow when emergency vehicles are exiting. Mr. Ross will mention this again to the Chief. Chairman Aptowitz noted the rash of break- ins on empty homes in Mansfield. The Chairman encouraged residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Mansfield Police Department. Chairman Aptowitz inquired as to the status of the entrance to the Lincoln Place development. Mr. Ross noted that the developer and town staff are working together for lighted bollards. Mr. Ross noted the bollards would be placed at the trail at both sides of the streets. Mr. Kozlowski inquired about the speed table as well and would like Mr. Ross to follow up in regards to that. Mr. Moran felt that it may be because it is not a final street. Chairman Aptowitz asked about the email the Board received in regards to lights around the South Common. Mr. Ross noted The Town chose not to turn those lights on as the street lights are on and that the Town is also in the process of putting the holiday lights up on the South Common. The Town, once the holidays are over, will look at turning those lights back on. Mr. Kozlowski encouraged residents to stay tuned to the Electric Department meeting next as it has an important issue to tackle. Chairman Aptowitz congratulated Officer Paul Whitty on his retirement on behalf of the Board. Chairman Aptowitz noted that Officer Whitty had 31 years on the job with 26 years in Mansfield. In addition, Mr. Ross noted that Chief Sellon received approval from the Civil Service Commission on the testing of two lieutenants and sergeants. r ='- MU UII Signature of Clerk /Tracey Whalen Board Of Selectmen's Meeting November 6, 2013 Page 5 of 5 Il / Zak Date of Approval