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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 10-29-1980BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS A G E N D A OCTOBER 29, 1980 1. 7:00 Correspondence Review 2. 7:30 Call to Order - Minutes of October 22, 1980 3. Correspondence 4. 8:00 PUBLIC HEARING - Sludge Disposal Alternatives 5. Old Business Town Manager's Report 6. New Business 7. Adjournment NEXT WEEK: Dog Hearing, N.E. Telephone Hearing Bi- Monthly Meeting of Boards $ Committees BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF THE MEETING OCTOBER 29, 1980 Meeting opened by Chairman Mahana at 7:30 P.M. PRESENT: Chairman Mahana, Selectmen DeLong, Levine, May, and Avery, Town Manager W. Chadwick Maurer, Jr. Correspondence Letter from Town Counsel to Planning Board RE: Morse Earth Removal Project. MINUTES - October 22, 1980 - Selectman Avery noted the word "letter" should be inserted after his name on page one, first paragraph, under correspondence. Selectman Avery requests the following addition to the motion he made on Page 2, bottom of page, concerning Karl Clemmey license approval: and conditions have been met and approved by Fire Chief. MOTION: To accept Minutes of October 22 as corrected, Avery /May VOTED: 5 -0. Selectman Levine asked Town Manager what kind of problems would be created if the well is installed on private property and then the owners decide not to sell, would the signed agreement be a binding document? Town Manager explained this was only a formality, since town could take property by eminent domain by Town Meeting vote. WARRANTS * #47 Town Expenses and Payroll for $575,563.51 approved: Avery /Levine,4 -0, May abstaining. x #48 Revenue Sharing for $46,495 approved: May /Avery, voted 5 -0. Correspondence (continued) Letter from Town Counsel to Conservation Commission RE: Payment for Publication of Hearing Notices. Letter from Department of Environmental Quality Engineering RE: Landfill Inspection conducted October 22, 1980, and findings therein. Letter from A. Stanzione, Town Engineer, RE: Commuter Parking. Chairman Mahana commented on the possibility of a land swap with Graphic Labs on this once plans have been presented. He explained that we are attempting to have town parking lots paved with available urban system funds, however, we are trying to have the insurance clause in the META contract waived because of the expense involved. Selectman DeLong suggested perhaps paving the south -bound side for parking and charging a fee to recapture the expenses involved. Chairman Mahana noted that if the State paves town owned parking lots, we cannot charge a fee for parking, but might be able to restrict parking to residents only. Selectman Avery requested action be deferred until next week to find out how many cars can be accommodated in town owned lots. Selectman DeLong suggests finding out what town would have to invest to pave lots in order to charge a parking fee. Notice of Mass. DPU Public Hearing on Friday, November 14, 1980, at 10:00 a.m. on the petition of Bay State Gas Company to transfer assets and liabilities of its Con -Sere division to Con -Serv, Inc. -1- BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF THE MEETING OCTOBER 29, 1980 Page 2 Letter from Mansfield Boy Scout Troop No. 17 requesting permission to conduct annual Christmas Tree sale on town property on West Street site. (Note attached from Town Manager's Office that when Veteran's Memorial landscaping was completed, there was some discussion on whether to continue to allow the use of this site. Tile suggestion was made that Fulton Pond parking area could be used.) The Board noted that Fulton Pond area was unacceptable. It was felt since the area at the Memorial site to be used has not as yet been seeded, the Scouts could once again use this site, but were to be instructed that the area would have to be groomed by them in the Spring, and that they would have to find another site for future years. MOTION: That Boy Scouts be allowed to use West Street site and that Town Manager * inform them of any conditions he feels would be appropriate. DeLong /May, 5-0. Application for Council on Aging from Theda M. Hornung, 153 High St. Letter from Town Counsel to New England Security RE: injury claim against School Committee and Town. At this time Selectman Sandra Levine asked to go on record as abstaining now and in the future from any discussion or vote in connection with this claim. Letter from Commissioner Amidon of State DPW advising that Rte. 495 would not be opened to Rte 140 at this time for the reasons the Town of Mansfield had objected to in recent correspondence. Enclosed was also copy of recommendation from State Traffic Engineer J.L. Radio to J. T. Cronin, advising of decision. Letter with enclosed brochure from Tighe $ Bond, water consulting engineers. Letter from Attorney Frank R. Cote, Sherborn, indicating an interest in representing the Town as Labor Relations Counsel. Letter from Town Counsel to Karnig Boyajian attorney for Whitaker $ Sons RE: Town Hall Roof. Mansfield Council on Aging Monthly Newsletter SENIOR EVENTS for October. Annual Report from Mass. Housing Finance Agency. SLUDGE DISPOSAL STUDY PUBLIC HEARING At 8:00 Clerk May opened a public hearing to discuss the Camp, Dresser, McKee Sludge Disposal Study for alternatives methods and locations of the disposal of sludge. A complete transcript of the minutes of this hearing are typed separately and attached to Minutes of October 29, 1980. Public Hearing was concluded at 9:5S p.m. at which time the Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen continued. Old Business Town Manager's Report - Chapman Company started construction of the new well on Monday. The DPW cleared the land on Friday. The State has tentatively approved the site in order to start construction before the hearing scheduled for November 12, 1980. FmHA has allowed construction to commence, However, they are requiring other portions of the project to go out for bid. The availability of the type pipe needed is -2- BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF THE MEETING OCTOBER 29, 1980 Page 3 Town Manager's Report difficult at this time because some of the suppliers are on strike. In response to a question by Selectman Mahana, Town Manager replied that if we cannot obtain the type specified, we could lay pipe on top of the ground if we had to in which case it would be easier to obtain the materials necessary. Whitman $ Howard are looking into possibilities of tieing in the Ash Property and Mill Street. Mill Street output is 400,000 gallons per day. That, however, would be a temporary installation. Selectman Levine, after reviewing the weekly pumping schedule, questionned why, on Saturday, October 25th, after receiving 2 inches of rain, we were still pumping 2.4 million gallons? Selectman Levine asked whether the Board should make a policy decision on what other conservation steps can be taken, or whether to leave this decision to Town Manager? Chairman Mahana felt the Town Manager should be given some input from the Board. He suggested asking the biggest users to curtail a shift if necessary. The largest water user is the chocolate factory. Town Manager noted that Bob Morrison has been going out to the industries to read the meters and daily contact will be made with industries. Chairman Mahana also asked Town Manager to take a closer look at the water being consumed by the car washes and laundromats. Selectman DeLong suggested that Town Manager monitor the heavy users and come to some conclusions. Selectman Levine asked for a copy of the meter readings from the various industries. Town Manager reported the receipt of a resignation from Harris Akell, Sealer of Weights and Measures. Town Manager has received three union contract proposals. He would like to arrange a meeting in two weeks to discuss the proposals with the Board and Department Heads. NEW BUSINESS Transfer request from Treasurer for interest to be paid on the $600,000 borrowed in anticipation of taxes. Transfer request for $4,875.23. Town Manager's recommendation that Board approve transfer request. x MOTION: To approve transfer request in the amount of $4,875.23 to Account #850 -0. DeLong /Levine, VOTED 5 -0. Selectman Avery asked Town Manager if any word has been received on the tax rate and was told we are waiting for State approval. Town Manager reported receiving an application for permit for sewer connection from Codex on new building to be constructed. Request was for a 15,000 gallon allocation. Town Manager noted they were given an allocation of 50,000 gallons for entire complex, and by monitoring water use, we should determine if they are nearing the 50,000 allocation. He notes that there have been some changeovers in some of the buildings which might have increased the sewer capacity. Board Reports Selectman Levine reported she spoke to Cabot, Cabot, and Forbes on the Lights at 140 and has been told there is a delay primarily because it is now necessary for them to -3- BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF THE MEETING OCTOBER 29, 1980 Page 4 go out to bid on the equipment since they were unable to obtain used equipment as hoped. It is now hoped for installation to be done about first of December. Propostion 22 Selectman Avery asked the Board if they would like to take a stand on Prop. 22? If it passes, are we going to be without all of the services we have been providing? Selectman May was opposed to 1122" for the opinion that the legislature is not going to do anything about taxes. If "22" passes, they will increase another tax. Selectman Levine opposed also because at this point State is saying to struggling cities and towns that they will not help. With the speed in which the legislature moves, we will probably have to live with 1122" for a while after it passes. In her opinion it is going to hurt the little people in-- -this town. Selectman DeLong opposes 22 because we don't know what we are voting for. Chairman Mahana feels Prop. 22 penalizes the growing towns. He agrees with many of the itmes, but not the distribution formula. The small cities and towns will not be state aided if the big cities need it more. * MOTION: That the Mansfield Board of Selectm n be recorded as opposing Proposition 22. May /Levine, VOTED 5 -0. * There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Avery /May, 5 -0.