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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 2-6-13Board of Selectmen Minutes February 6, 2013 Present: Olivier Kozlowski, Chairman; Jess Aptowitz, Doug Annino, William Ross, Town Manager Absent: George Dentino and Kevin Moran Chairman Kozlowski called the meeting to order and stated that the meeting is broadcasting live on Mansfield Cable Access and this broadcast will be available at various times for viewin¢. Kozlowski appointed Nh-. Aptowitz as acting Clerk. A. Review /Approval of Minutes of Meetings: • January 16t1i, 2013 Board of Selectmen Minutes Motion: to approve January 16 "i, 2013 Board of Selectmen Minutes (Aptowitz/Annino) Mr. Annino stated there was detail missing concerning the Logan Marks presentation. Tracey Whalen will review the taped meeting and edit accordingly for the Street Tree portion of the presentation. • January 23`d, 2013 Board of Selectmen Minutes • January 30t1i, 2013 All Boards /Committees Notes Decision made to table minutes to allow Selectmen to further review, Tracey Whalen to edit and have a full Board approve. B. Approval of Warrants Town Vendor Warrant No. 13031T $242,732.91 Motion: To approve Town Vendor Warrant 13031T $242,732.91 (Annino /Aptowitz) PASSES 3:0 Electric Department Vendor Warrant No. 13031E $9,312.32 Motion: To approve Electric Department Warrant No. 13031E $9,312.32 (Annino /Aptowitz) PASSES, 3:0 School Department Vendor Warrant No. 13031 S $19,765.48 Motion: No motion for School Department Vendor Warrant No. 13031S $19,765.48 School Department Vendor Warrant No. 13031 S $19,765.48 does not pass (Annino /Aptowitz) excluding check written to American Express Check 3:0 Town Payroll Warrant No. 13031PT $282,980.35 Motion: To approve Town Payroll Warrant No. 13031PT $282,980.35 (Annino /Aptowitz) 3:0 Town Deductions/Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 1303 ITV $90,438.98 Motion: To approve Town Payroll Warrant No. 1303 ITV $90,438.98 (Annino /Aptowitz) 3:0 School Payroll/Medicaid Warrant No. 13031PS $1,467,530.93 Motion: To approve School Payroll/Medicaid Warrant No. 13031PS $1,467,530.93 (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) 2:1 Annino Nay Board Of Selectmen's Meeting February 6, 2013 Page I of 7 School Deductions-Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 13031SV $487,333.38 Motion: To approve School Deductions - Vendor Payroll Warrant No.1303ISV $487,333.38 (Annino /Aptowitz) 3:0 Town Vendor Warrant No. 13032T $1,200,650.31 Motion: To approve Town Vendor Warrant 13032T $1,200,650.31 (Annino /Aptowitz) PASSES, 2:0. Mr. Aptowitz Abstains, due to conflict of interest on the warrant, concerning reimbursement of expenses to him for attendance at MMA Annual Meeting. Electric Department Vendor Warrant No. 13032E $10,155.13 Motion: To approve Electric Department Warrant No. 13032E $10,155.13 (Annino /Aptowitz) PASSES, 3:0 School Department Vendor Warrant No. 13032S $292,743.58 Motion: To approve School Department Vendor Warrant No. 13032S $292,743.58 (Annino /Aptowitz) PASSES, 3:0 Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Warrant No. 13032PT $277,269.35 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Warrant No. 13032 $277,269.35 (Armin /Aptowitz) PASSES 3:0 Town Deductions — Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 13032TV $83,861.76 Motion: To approve Town Deductions- Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 13032TV (Annino /Aptowitz) PASSES 3:0 Chairman Kozlowski reconfirmed with Mr. Aptowitz his reasoning for abstaining on Town Vendor warrant No. 13032T was a reimbursement issue. Chairman Kozlowski suggested the Board turn their attention back to School Department Vendor Warrant No. 13031S, where there was no Motion and all present members abstained. Mr. Aptowitz returned to that particular warrant. School Department Vendor Warrant No. 13031S $19,765.48 Motion: To approve School Department Vendor Warrant No. 13031S $19,765.48 (Aptowitz/Annino) Chairman Kozlowski moved for discussion. Chairman Kozlowski asked, if the Motion was to approve the entire warrant. Mr. Aptowitz suggested to approve the warrant with the exception of the portion for the American Express Funds totaling $263.18. Motion: To approve School Department Vendor Warrant No. 13031S $19,765.48 minus the American Express Funds of $263.18 (Aptowitz/Annino) PASSES, 3:0 C. Licenses and Permits 2013 Water Installer's License — Brunelle Contracting, LLC Motion: To approve Drainlayers License — Brunelle Contracting, LLC (Aptowitz/Annino) PASSES 3:0 2013 Water Installer's License — Christian & Feck Development Corporation Motion: To approve Drainlayers License — Christian & Feck Development Corporation (Aptowitz/Annino) PASSES 3:0 Board Of Selectmen's Meeting February 6, 2013 Page 2 of 7 2013 Water Installer's License — Ribeiro Enterprises, Inc. Motion: To approve Drainlayers License — Ribeiro Enterprises, Inc. (Aptowitz/Annino) PASSES 3:0 2013 Drainlayer's License — Comley Excavating Company, LLC Motion: To approve Drainlayers License — Comley Excavating Company, LLC (Aptowitz/Annino) PASSES 3:0 2013 Drainlayer's License — Christian & Feck Development Corporation Motion: To approve Drainlayers License — Christian & Feck Development Corporation (Annino /Aptowitz) PASSES 3:0 2013 Drainlayer's License — Ribeiro Enterprises, Inc. Motion: To approve Drainlayers License — Ribeiro Enterprises, Inc. (Aptowitz/Annino) PASSES 3:0 D. Correspondence • Letter from Bristol County Mosquito Control Project concerning 2014 budget request and duties performed for member cities and towns. Mr. Aptowitz stated it was a lengthy letter looking for a 5% increase in their budget. Mr. Ross noted that there was a letter received and distributed 4 -6 weeks ago where Bristol County Mosquito Control was seeking support of their budget request. The Board asked Mr. Ross to get further information as to their services and this letter is their response. Mr. Ross explained he also followed up with Scott Light, health agent, for further information on what Bristol County Mosquito has done in Town. Mr. Ross referred to the last page of the letter headed Bristol County Mosquito Control Summary. Mr. Ross stated that after looking at that and speaking with Mr. Light, that the Town is getting value from this service and that Mr. Light feels the same way. Mr. Ross also found in the report that Bristol County Mosquito Control also can clean ditches and open waterways and because it is a public health issue permits are at a minimum. Mr. Ross said there are a few situations where we can utilize that service. Chairman Kozlowski asked how we hire their services. Mr. Ross said we ask for the service and Bristol County Mosquito will place the Town on their work schedule. There is no additional charge because it is a part of the State's Assessment. For example, a few years ago there was cleaning of ditches near the Rail Trail, where Bristol County Mosquito could have assisted and money could have been saved. Mr. Ross will review with Rick Alves, Engineering, Lee Azinheira, DPW and Mark Cook, Highway to see where we can use them. Mr. Annino inquired about the CD /Powerpoint presentation provided and if Mr. Ross can get that up on the website. Mr. Ross will review. • Receipt of 2011 -2012 Southeastern Regional School District Annual Report, filed in the Town Manager's office. • Retirement letter from John Hogan, Mansfield Veterans' Services Officer and Director of Crossroads Veterans Service District Mr. Aptowitz read the retirement letter from Mr. Hogan and noted that he will discuss Mr. Hogan's retirement in his portion of the BOS Comments. • Resignation letter from Jack Vultaggio, Jr., from Zoning Board of Appeals Mr. Aptowitz read the resignation letter from Mr. Vultaggio. Mr. Aptowitz noted Mr. Vultaggio's service and longevity on the committee as diligent and extremely Board Of Selectmen's Meeting February 6, 2013 Page 3 of 7 knowledgeable. Mr. Ross noted that there will be a presentation for both Mr. Vultaggio and Mr. Hogan for next week's meeting. Mr. Ross gave a briefing on the impending snow storm. There will be a meeting with staff at 1:OOpm on Thursday, February 7tb, as a pre- planning strategy to ensure all areas are covered. The School Department has been invited to participate as well. There will also be an 11:45 am briefing with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency that will be followed closely. Current forecast predicts a significant event and the Town is preparing in several ways: 1) garbage collection will begin 1 hour earlier on Friday, February 8't', at 6:00am, this has been posted on the Town's Facebook, Twitter and website, and 2) the Town's new salt brine equipment is in place and operational. The Town will be spreading brine, which is a liquid material with salt dissolved in it. This material will turn surface areas white. The brine will pre -wet the streets so that as it snows the brine will melt the snow and save in having to spread salt. Mark Cook, from the Highway Department, believes the Town can cover the same area with 2 tons of salt, through the brine method, that it would take up to 14 tons of salt if just spreading granulated and that the brine method is more effective. Mr. Ross advised that the citizens stay safe and warm. Assessment Center was completed for the Town's Chief of Police position. Four candidates were assessed by several individuals including a retired police chief, retired human resource person, current Town Manager from another community, current police chief from New Hampshire as well as members of the staff from Mark Morris & Associates. They spoke highly of all four candidates. Will review scoring and then present to Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission will then add points for education and experience and submit to the Town Manager the top 3 ranked in order. Mr. Ross discussed briefly with the Civil Service Commission staff, which observed the assessment, and was told the results could be in before the end of February. As Mr. Ross works through the review and appointment process he will keep the Board fully informed. Mr. Ross asked Gary Babin, Electric Department, for a briefing on the wind storm from January 30 "i. The worst outages concerning electric were on Maple Street, where a large tree came down. That affected customers on Pratt, Maple, Franklin and East streets for about an hour. The second area was trees on wires on Ware Street where circuits needed to be taken down and customers affected on Ware, Branch, Mill and Essex for about 25 minutes. The third area was a tree hitting a pole on West Street, no customers out, but pole needed to be replaced. Finally, on Lakeview, trees came across wires knocking down one of the three phases where there were a few houses down and repair took about an hour. Problems were reported as early as 4:OOam and all reports were handled and resolved with everyone on line by 11:00am. Mr. Ross commended the electric department and crews. Strategic Planning Implementation Committee met on February 4111 concerning the status of implementation of the plan. Mr. Ross noted quite a bit of progress in several areas. The Planning Board is moving forward on zoning issues as related to Cabot Park and transit oriented development and the downtown. The committee has done the research and working with the Chamber of Economic Development Committee to establish a meeting with the businesses in Board Of Selectmen's Meeting February 6, 2013 Page 4 of 7 Cabot Park to discuss business improvement district. Chairman Kozlowski stated they should also be involved in the public hearing on zoning changes. Mr. Ross met with Schools and Finance committee concerning short, medium and long term budget and financial projections as outlined in the Strategic Plan and moving that forward. Spoke about combining maintenance operations in the schools in certain areas. The School Department has certain requirements by law to complete before they can move forward, specifically related to bargaining units. Ms. Hodges is moving forward on that so that they will be ready to join if appropriate. Conservation and Open Space Plan is up for renewal. Currently being worked on and was an element in the Strategic Plan. The Advisory Committee would like to meet again in 3 weeks with level of priorities. There will be notes and Mr. Ross will be sure to forward those to the Board. Mr. Ross noted that the Town is now up on Facebook and Twitter. Mr. Ross stated it has been useful in getting information out concerning the upcoming storm. Mr. Aptowitz noted at the MMA conference last year there was a breakout group on social media and it is a great tool for communicating. Chairman Kozlowski announced the Twitter Account as @ mansfield ma. Mr. Annino met with the Downtown Business Association. A number of different issues were discussed regarding signage and changes in the zoning by -laws that the Planning Board is working on. Mr. Annino also expressed the interest in sidewalks and cleanliness, which are some of the things the Town needs to manage. Mr. Annino asked, when the weather is nicer, for the Selectmen to walk the area and start thinking of how to help with improvements. Mr. Armin would like a good alliance between them and the Board and fostering an open line of communication. Eventually there will be a committee formed. When time permits on the Agenda Mr. Annino would like to develop a master list of projects. Mr. Aptowitz spoke to his meeting with the Crossroads Veterans District for the four communities. As mentioned earlier, Mr. John Hogan has announced his retirement. Mr. Aptowitz worked with Mr. Hogan on projects, including the flagpole and he will be missed. Mr. Aptowitz made a motion on the district level to do something for Mr. Hogan and would like to see something from the Town as well. Mr. Ross noted he has been such an asset promoting veteran's services with a religious fervor. Mr. Aptowitz reported that the district promoted Mike Johns to the director position. Mr. Ross will be meeting with the other three managers concerning a replacement. John Hogan and Heath Hobson are employees of their Towns, therefore the process of appointing is up to each town and the Town Manager would appoint. But because this is a district position, it is a shared situation. Mr. Ross will work with other towns and share the opportunity to assign the lead. Mr. Aptowitz stated there are approximately 5,000 veterans between the four towns (Norton, Mansfield, Easton and Foxboro). Long range goal is reaching out to offer services. Board Of Selectmen's Meeting February 6, 2013 Page 5 of 7 Mr. Aptowitz reminded Mr. Ross about getting to the budgeted number. Mr. Aptowitz does not want this process to still be ongoing in May. Mr. Ross said Finance Committee is working on this and will have the number in mid - March. The Town is not using the Governors' revenue numbers due to them being based on a tax package, which may be difficult to get it done. Mr. Ross assured that the Town is moving in the direction of fine - tuning. Health insurance rates will be lower than the Town budgeted and could be between 2'/2% and 5% lower. The School Department has a few retirements as does the Town (Library, Veterans and Chief of Police), which makes a difference. It is a moving target that we are getting a handle on. There is now a number on the phone system of about $400,000. Mr. Ross welcomed Mr. Annino's thoughts once he had a chance to review the report. Doug Collette, from the IT Department, is deeply involved in the process. Doug salvaged the answering system at the high school and is a great asset. The Town will continue to get numbers, for example, mosquito control, Southeastern Regional School District and air masks for the fire department came in under budget as well. Mr. Ross tentatively added to the budget as a HR Director position. The Finance Committee asked to include the position in the 5 year plan as well as a procurement officer. There was a Comcast Center subcommittee meeting on Monday, February 4d' with Mr. Aptowitz, Mr. Ross, Chairman Kozlowski, Chief of Police O'Neil and Bruce Montgomery from the Comcast Center and the Clemmeys were in attendance. Mr. Aptowitz stated that the subcommittee went through the Licensing Agreement and will put something together as far as an addendum for an in house command center, which Chief Boldrighini is finalizing. Mr. Aptowitz asked for patience with the impending storm concerning plowing. The Town is geared up. There will be high snow banks and crews will work diligently to stay on top of it and he asked for patience. Mr. Aptowitz would like to send another memo distributed to the staff concerning parking. Town staff need to park out back. Mr. Aptowitz is concerned that people that need to do business at Town Hall cannot, due to parking. Mr. Ross will take care of the memo. Chairman Kozlowski expressed condolences to the Flint Family on passing of Beth Flint. She was a fixture in the conmiunity. Concerning Comcast, Chairman Kozlowski commented that much of the body of Agreement itself will remain the same with exception to 1) EMS plan for managing medical response at the Comcast Center, sorting out who does what. A plan is in the works with input of EMS provider to Comcast and Comcast itself and then will be submitted to the State for approval, and 2) unified command, which ensures that communication is all representatives working together in a unified response to any incidents that may happen. The Chairman believed there would be something to the full Board soon. Will wait on issuing final license until the new chief has been named and has had the opportunity to provide input. Chairman Kozlowski asked for follow up on an email sent Mr. Ross, Walter Wilke and Jolm Stanbrook, on a news report for a town in NJ, that had a shop local event. The rewards for the program would go to pay property taxes. Mr. Ross was unsure of the legality but will look into that. Board Of Selectmen's Meeting February 6, 2013 Page 6 of 7 Chairman Kozlowski is anticipating an update on the status of the Conservation Regulations. Chairman Kozlowski asked about the Selectmen receiving an email concerning drones and how a city in Viriginia enacted a local by -law and has anyone responded. 3: "' Any Items Not Anticipated By The Chairman 48 Hours Pr or To This'1VIeeting, ; 6. Adjourn,- Motion to adjourn at 7:54 pin (Aptowitz/Annino) All in favor. PASSES Signature of Clerk /Tracey Whalen Board Of Selectmen's Meeting February 6, 2013 Page 7 of 7 2�L��ZOi Date of Approval