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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 1-17-1979I BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS A G E N D A JANUARY 17, 1979 7:30 p.m. - Call to Order Warrant - Minutes - December 27, 1979 7:35 - Dick Veren - President of the JayCees asking that the Selectmen designate next week as JayCee's Week. 7:40 - Clerk's Folder: - A & A Pizza - Request for a Weekday Pinball Machine 7:45P•m. - Hearing on no- parking on Rt. 140 and Rte. 106 8:00 p.m. - Hearing to discuss the revised traffic flow pattern in the downtown area. 9:00 p.m. - Larry Pigeon - Airport Commission Mr. Lewis - regarding the petition on the Airport New England Telephone - Hearing date to be set New England Telephone - Location of Poles - no hearing required- application to be voted and signed. Town Accountant's decision Town Manager's Report Board Reports Pending Items Traffic Lights Board Policy Emergency Policy Sanitary Landfill Airport Boiler - Bid to be opened tomorrow Job Classification Back Bay Brook - Phase 3 Airport Lease Will there be a meeting of the Airport Commissioners Monday, 1/22/79? Codex Open House on Wednesday, 1/24/79 at 6:00 p.m. BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting (' January 17, 1979. Present: Selectmen Lyman C. Avery, Frank Colella, Robert M. DeLong and David R. Clemmey. Town Manager William P. Metropulos. Selectman Caponigro arrived late. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. The weekly warrant in the amount of $302,423.70 was yeas. A motion to accept the warrant as read was made by Selectman Avery, seconded by Selectman Colella. Voted 4 -0. (Selectman Caponigro had not arrived yet.) A Revenue Sharing warrant in the amount of $3317.61 was read. A motion to accept this warrant as read was made by Selectman Avery, seconded by Selectman Colella. Voted 4 -0. Dick Veren- President of the Mansfield Chapter JayCees met with the Selectmen to ask that they declare the wee- of January 21, 1979, National Jaycees Week in Mansfield. This was so done in a motion by Selectman Colella, seconded by Select- man Avery. Voted 5 -0. (Selectman Caponigro arrived during this vote). Mr. Veren noted that the JayCees wanted to thank the Board of Selectmen for their suppor during the years and a special thanks to the girls in the light department for their help with the smoke detector program. As a result of this campaign about 900 smoke detectors were installed in Mansfield homes. This year is the 20th anniversary of the JayCees Charter. The minutes of December 27, 1978 were noted. A motion to accept the minutes as read was made by Selectman Colella, seconded by Selectman Clemmey. Voted 5 -0. Clerk's Folder A petition has been received with over 500 signatures, and the required 200 needed to call a special Town Meeting checked out by the Town Clerk. This petition is in regards to the Aiport and two articles are being submitted. Article 1 - To see if the Town will vote to cloe the Mansfield Municipal Airport and 2 - To see if the Town will vote to prohibit the Mansfield Municipal Airport from expanding. Selectman Belong noted that he would like to call for a vote to have the Board vote for a Special Town Meeting on Feburary 5, 1979• This will only be 5 days after the time that the Airport Commission planned on awarding the contract for the lease agreement. Selectman Clemmey moved to open the warrant for these two articles for a Special Town Meeting to be held February 5, 1979 at 7:30 p.m., seconded by Selectman Avery. Voted 5 -0 (This time was changed to 8:30 P.M. later on in the minutes.) Selectman Clemmey moved to close the warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held February 5, 1979 at 7:30 - Selectman Caponlgiro Noted that before the warrant is closed he would like to have the $25,000. that is due for the cost of the rail way service which could possible go to $40,000. brought up for a Town Meeting vote Selectman Belong asked Selectman Caponigro what he felt would be the benefit of having it at the Special Town Meeting. Selectman Belong feels that we should wait for the Annual Town Meeting. -1- c / BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting January 17, 1979 Page 3 Selectman Belong asked if there was anyone in the audience to speak either for or against these proposals. Rod Stearns of Stearns INc. No. Main Street noted that this is the first that he heard about it and feels that these business people should be notified, as a business man himself he feels that the should be notified before further action is taken. Selectman Caponigro made a motion that the hearing be continued until next week at 7:45 P.M. and that all the business involved be notified, seconded by Select- man Avery. Voted 5 -0. The Board did vote for no parking in the area of Route 106 (East St.) on both the north and south sides of the street from Franklin St. to Lawndale Road. This -< was a motion by Selectman Clemmey, seconded by Selectman AVery. Voted 5-0. Correspondence continued - A letter was noted from the Great Woods Study Committee with information that 5 acres of Great Woods land has been given to the Mansfield Conservation Com- mission by Arthur and Myra Freeman of Norton. Selectman Caponigro moved that a letter of thanks be sent to the Freeman's for this land that they have donated. Seconded by Selectman Avery. Voted 5 -0. Letter from the Comm. of Mass. Executive Office of Communities and Development - Secretary Byron J. Matthews, who works closely with Governor King. The letter is asking the Town to be conservative in the preparation of the fiscal year 1980 budget. Details of the Governor's tax cap package will be made available as soon as it is filed. A copy of this letter has been sent to the Schoold Dept. also. A letter from the Finance Committee was noted with their schedule of how they are going to handle the meeting with the various departments for the budget of Fy 79 -80. PUBLIC HEARING ON DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC PATTERN The hearing was declared opened at 8:00 p.m. by Chairman Delong, Clerk David Clemmey read the notice that was posted in the Mansfield News of this hearing. The hearing was then turned over To Bob Mangiaratti, Chairman of the Downtown Advisory Committee - Transcript -of the hearing attached. Correspondence continued -- A report from the Police Dept. with a report of three (3) disturbances during the week. Two of the three disturbances were from Jack's Cafe. Selectman Delong at this time requested that a report of how many disturbance calls were received from Jack's Cafe during the year.. -3- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting January 17, 1979 Page 2 There is no way that the Town can be assesed without a Town Meeting vote and we have never signed a contract with them . A motion was made by Selectman Caponigro, seconded by Selectman Colella to also enter an article for the townspeople's feeling on the rail service and what the cost to continue with it may be. Motion failed 3 -2 (Selectmen Delong, Avery and Clemmey opposed.) The motion to closed the warrant for the Special Town Meeting was seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 5 -0. Correspondence A letter from Francis Jones - Plumbing /Gas Inspector was noted asking for an increase in funds for the Plumbing and Gas Inspector 1979-80 FY. Selectman Delong noted that this will be reviewed when they go over the budget. A letter from the League of Women Voters was noted requesting that they would like an agenda of the Selectmen's meetings each week. Also they are requesting that the Board members speak loudly enough to be heard by the audience. Select- man Delong asked the Town Manager if a speaker system was put in the budget and he noted that he did look at the cost of them and found that they were pretty expensive however, will look into this again. l PUBLIC HEARING - The hearing was declared opened with the reading of the notice that was published in the Mansfield News - January 11, 1979. The hearing is being held to discuss no- parking at the following areas: Route 140 (Copeland Dr.) on both the east and west sides of the streetfrom West St. northerly to the Foxboro - Mansfield Town lines. Route 106 (Chauncy St. Extension) on the northerly side of the street from No. Main St. to Pratt St. Route 106 (East St.) on both the north and south sides of the street from .Franklin St. to Lawndale Road. The Chief of Police noted that the reason for the recommendation is because of the tractor trailrs parking on Rt. 140 in front of Fernandes Supermarket and the difficulty that people have in going in and out of their parking lot and the gas station in that area, they are unable to see the traffic on either the north or south.side of the street. Another area of much concern is up by D'Angelo's which also have heavy tractor trailer parking. With the snow storms these areas lose about 2 feet of parking space and this narrows down the street compounding the problem. The next area of concern is in the vicinity of the diner on 106 (Kowzie's) Chauncy St.Ext. The problem here is that the road is wide and then narrows down and with the parking on both sides it makes it very hazardous. The last area of concern:is at the intersection of 106 and East Street. Signs for no- parking have already been posted in that area and it seems to be working. -2- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting January 17, 1979 Page 4 A letter was noted from Roy DeGirolamo, Pleasant Street inquiring as to when the traffic lights at 106 and Franklin St. are going to be installed. Selectman Avery request that the Town Manager write to all the people who have either called or sent letters asking about this project. A letter from MARGOT Jellinek was noted regarding the specs on the boiler for the Airport. A list of 20 items are listed as being missing from the specifications. Selectman Caponigro noted that the price of the job has now gone from $5,000. to $14,000. Town .Manager noted that he has referred this to the Building Inspector. Selectman Caponigro also noted that of lot of the items that are listed are not required. The Town Manager noted that the Building Inspector is going over the list to see if it is required according the State building code. A notice was received from the Bristol County Selectmen's Association of the meeting to be held on January 25, 1979 at Marcello's Restaurant in Swansea. Myrna D. Adams, President of BCSA is urging all Bristol County Towns to attend this meeting which will consist of an Open Forum to discuss the fight to strengthen home rule and local control of mandated programs. An application was noted from Francis Sheaff, 47 Union Street, appliying for the Recreation Commission. An application was noted from Robert Mangiaratti,.103 Gilbert St. applying for the Council -On- Aging. A letter from the New England Telephone Co. was noted requesting that a date be set for a hearing to do conduit work, also that abuttors be notified. Select- man Clemmey moved that the hearing date be set for January 31, 1979 at 8:00 p.m. seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 5-0. Another notice from the Telephone Co. was noted for the placement of poles. This requires no hearing only approval by the Selectmen. Approval was granted on a motion by Selectman Clemmey, seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 5-0. Clerk's Folder A request for a Pinball Machine for A &A Pizza, No. Main Street was noted. This was moved to be taken under advisement for a week on a motion by Selectman Clemmey, seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 5 -0. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager notes that there is an icy condition at the underpass on 106 and he noted that he is thinking of putting a flashing light or some sort of a sign up to alert the drivers of this condttion. The highway is doing all that is possible by sanding, salting and scraping. The Town Manager notes that about two years ago a request for signs was put in from i the State DPW, we received a letter two days ago that they will be delivered this Spring. -4- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting January 17, 1979 Page 5 The Town Manager noted that he went to the Bristol County Budget meeting and the budgets they were submitted were taken under advisement. The Town Manager noted that the meeting today with GATRA is up in the air, no cost figures are available, the legislature is looking for some direction from the MBTA. Selectman Delong qsked if the Board was ready to make a decision yet on the Town Accountant. Selectman Caponigro noted that he agrees a candidate should be picked from the four (4) candidates we have but he is not ready yet. Selectman Clemmey noted that he would like to readvertise. Selectman Avery moved that Carol Lund be appointed Town Accountant. Selectman Avery notes that his reason for the motion is that out of the four applicants. interviewed, she in his mind was the best and feels that we will not get any others without a change in the salary rate but feels that this amount of money is good for what they are looking for. This motion received no second. Selectman Delong feels that the candidates are all qualified but without a substantial change in salary he questions the need for readvertising. UAlese the Board wants a more highly skilled candidate. Selectman Caponigro noted that we had two candidates with municipal experience, and two that did not but they have very deep accounting backgrounds. Two of the candidate were local and two from out of town and questions whether we should go out of town when they have the experience. Selectman Avery feels that the Board has been dragging their feet for along time whether by choice or by feeling, Selectman Clemmey wants to readvertise with an increase and Selectman Avery's feeling is that he does not feel the position calls for a salary increase. Selectman Caponigro feels that the salary is sufficient and as far as dragging our feet he only had an interview with the candidatef last week. Selectman Colella noted that he would not be in favor of a salary increase and the two candidatesfrom Mansfield are well qualified. Selectman AVery disagrees, considering the point if the candidate were equal but feels that they are not equal. Selectman Colella feels that the one he wants is qualified and is against readvertising. Selectman Caponigro commented on the interviews being held in Executive Sessions and feels that when a candidate's name is mentioned what good is it going to do him or her if he or she is not choosen and feels that these interviews should be closed to the public. Selectman Colella noted that he feels the same way. Selectman Colella moved to appoint John McAlice, 1466 West STreet as the Town Accountant. Selectman Caponigro noted that this was an excellent candidate but will not second -the motion and gives the same reason that he did not second Select - man Avery's choice of Carol Lund. Selectman Caponigro moved that the appointment to Town Accountant be taken under advisement until next week, seconded by Selectman Clemmey. Voted 4 -1 (Selectman Colella opposed) -5- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting (- January 17, 1979 Page 6 Mr. Robert Lewis, Ware Street, met with the Selectmen to ask them if they would ask the Airport Commission not to sign the lease and if they are planning to sign the lease not to appoint the members on January 31, 1979 that the Airport Commission needs. Mr. Lewis also is requesting that an open meeting be held prior to the Special Town Meeting to discuss the lease and to discuss the petition, also that the Airport Commission be there and that they ask a qualified member of the FAA to attend. Mr. Lewis noted that he had a difficult time getting a copy of the minutes of the meeting that the Airport Commission held on December 30, 1978 and he would like a copy of those minutes. Larry Pigeon noted that these are being typed up. At this time a letter was read by Clerk, David Clemmey regarding the Airport Lease from Town Counsel and he noted that he is in agreement with the lanquage as to its content and form. Larry Pigeon noted that it is not the intent of the Airport Commission to act arrogant or not to act in the best interest of the Town. The signing of the lease is to be postponed until February 7, 1979 after the Special Town Meeting and would like to postpone any recommendations the board might have tonight because action taken at the Speical could affect the signing of the lease. Selectman De Long noted that his first concern is that the fixed based operator is successful, that this is to be a successful operation. Selectman Delong further reports that Mr. Ralph Cutillo at the principal owner is also the principal financial backer and does appear to have substantial wealth, however Selectman Belong notes that his financial statements are not audited and should be. Selectman Delong feels that he should give us an estimated cost of the 5-year plan, how it is to be financed, whether it will be with private funds and how these funds are to be secured. Selectman Delong noted that one of the problems with a fixed base operator is capital, without capital he will not be successul. Selectman Delong further request that he would like to see references on how he operates an airport and asked if they checked his background(the Airport Commission) , also if he (Mr. Cutillo) intends to pay the Town's share of matching funds received. Larry Pigeon noted that the Town of Mansfield and not the fixed base operator receives matching funds but Selectman Delong noted that matching funds were suppose to be supplied by the fixed base operator. Larry Pigeon noted that the Airport Commission cannot secure funds without an agreement from the fixed base operator agreeing to matching funds so that the Town will not be obligated. This will be written into the lease. Selectman Delong proceeded to go over the lease agreement and ask questions on some of the certain articles. Selectman Delong notes that in his 5-year plan Mr. Cutillo says that he is going to investigate jeft fuel but he understood that there were no jets going to be brought in. Larry Pigeon noted that there is no way that jets can be broght in. However, it was noted that some planes are jet fuel pro- pelled. Specific articles that Selectman Delong referred to were Articles 3,4, & 6. On Article 14 regarding auditing. Selectman Delong feels that the auditing should be the leasees expense and not up to the Town. It was mentioned by Larry Pigeon that the auditing could be done either by the JayCees or the Finance Committee BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting ( January 17, 1979 Page 7 However, Selectman Delong feels that the Jaycees are not in a position for this type of responsibility , they may have qualified people today but five years from now they may not, and Selectman Delong does not feel that the Finance Com- mittee shoujld have this additional responsibility, it is not part of their respon- sibility. Larry Pigeon noted that the Airport Commission tried to negotiate this into the contract and could not because of the cost. Selectman'Delong noted that spot checks could be made and the expense would not be that great. It is noted in the lease that no records should leave the leasee, which means Selectman Delong notes that there is a possibility that if you go into this agreement with- out him giving you these statements then the Town would have to assume the responsi- bility. Selectman Delong feels that the record should be changed so that some copies can be removed and made so that the work would not all have to be done (the auditing) on the premises(the airport). Article 19 - Selectman Delong noted that this is a little confusing to him. The Town Counsel noted that the lanquage for this came out of the recommended lanquage that is used by the FAA in their'lease agreements. The last article that Selectman Delong had a question on was 20. Selectman Delong noted that in the bid specs it required financial statements for the past five (5) years and one year was received. Selectman Delong notes that his only comment is that in discussing these things with people it is agreed as far as the percentage of increase expected and the plans, but these things may not come to pass and good faith should be spelled out, if you feel that these things are being done in the best interest of the Town. Selectman Delong notes that if the Airport Commission feels that the lanquage should be changed to includes these things then it should also that financial statements should be requested for the past 5 years, so that we Won't be sorry and sa_t that we wished we had done this. Air Charter service is not incorporated so we were given his own personnel statements. Selectman Delong noted that he is a business man and these are his assets and he has to supply this information to the government as well. Selectman Delong further noted that he owns all these other businesses and that we should find out how these companies that he is operating have been doing. There are some questions that are impossible to provide but Mr. Cutillo can tell you what his sales were five years ago, you can't ask him what he expects his sales to be. Selectman Delong noted that it is vital that this time we do not make a mistake! Larry Pigeon noted that his is why he presented the proposal_ to the Board for their comments and recommendations. An unidentified gentleman from the audience wanted to ask.questions, but Selectman Delong told him that at the Special Town Meeting there Will be ample time to ask questions. Selectman Caponigro feels that at town meetings people do not have enough time or do not get a chance to talk. It was then decided to hold the Public Hearing prior to the Special Town Meeting at 7:30 p.m. WA BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting January 17, 1979 Page 8 Selectman Clemmey made a motion to open the warrant to change the time for the Special Town Meeting, Selectman Caponigro seconded the opening of the warrant. Voted 5 -0. Selectman Clemmey moved that the time for the Special Town Meeting be changed from 7:30 P.M. to 8:30 p.m., seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 5 -0: Selectman Clemmey moved that the Public Hearing on the Airport be held on February 5, 1979 at 7:30 p.m., seconded by Selectman Caponigro, Voted 5 -0. Selectman Clemmey moved that the warrant for the Special Town Meeting be closed, seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 5 -0. Both Larry Pigeon and Rodney Stearns, another member of the Airport Commission noted to the audience that they were not in favor of having jet aircraft at the airport, and that the Airport Commission has the authority to stop it if it sees that it is happening. Larry Pigeon noted that he found out today that aircraft patterns have been in- creased since 1976 and that enforcement has not be done at the Mansfield Airport. He noted that these patterns will decrease the noise 80% and that the new manager at the Airpot intends to enforce these new patterns. Larry Pigeon noted that he hopes to be abel to address all these questions at the Public Hearing. Board Reports Selectman Caponigro commented on the meeting that he and the Town Manager attended in Boston regarding rail transportation. Selectman Caponigro noted that he left that meeting with the feeling that there is nory1/'y,W_d, and that the state is being asked to pay 100% of the commuter rail. The feeling from the MBTA is that the reason that cannot gives us any figures is because they do not have a signed contract but without an exact amount of money how can a contract be signed. There are funds available through the state DPW for our department of Public Works. About $65,000 in funds went to the Rhode Island Transportation Authority and this in turn went to Little Compton, Taunton, New Beford, also Fall River area. The money that we are going to need we did not find out about. Selectman Colella noted that he received two calls from Lorraine White of 29 Warren Ave. regarding flooding on that street, the Town Manager noted that the highway department has the pipe to do the job but it will have to wait now until the weather is better. Also, Selectman Colella noted that he had a call from Francis Antosca, 76 Pratt St. who is having a flooding problem with water backing up into his cellar. The Town Manager will have the highway department look into this. Selectman Colella asked the Town Manager what the status is on phase 3 of the Back Bay Brook and was told that we are waiting for funding to complete this phase. Towns are not receiving as much money. M BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting (' January 17, 1979 Page 9 Selectman Avery asked that the Board Policy be on the agenda for next week. Also, he questioned the Town Manager on what the status is on new water rates. The Town Manager noted that he spoke to Ron about this and told him that the Board is concerned about this and would like this information as soon as possible. Selectman AVery questioned the Town Manager as to the status of the traffic problems at CC &F, Selectman Avery noted that he understood from Paul Dalton a couple of weeks ago that the state would be willing to pay for lights . The Town Manager noted that he has been in contact with Francis Corliss, Administra- tor of Foxboro who is going to get in touch with their Police Chief. For now the Town Manager noted that he is waiting to hear on this. Selectman Delong wanted to know if the Town is going to do the work at the Airport on the boiler. Selectman Delong noted that Ralph Cutillo said that he would like to do a better job and would be willing to pay the difference. The Town Manager noted that he spoke to the Building Inspector regarding this and expects to have an answer from him . The bids are scheduled to be opened tomorrow morning. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. OF REARING ON DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC HEARING Jan. 17, 1979 Page 1 R. Mangiaratti: Recommendation that the Downtown Advisory Committee had made to the Selectmen. The product of a great many months of study by the Downtown Advisory Committee that was appointed by the Town Meeting to look into that problem and other problems in the Downtown area. With regard to this specific problem, we have conducted informal public hearings, inviting members of the public and specifically residents and shopkeepers and landowners in the downtown area to public hearings to get an idea of what the problems are with the various proposals that have been discussed over the years. We have reviewed in detail the proposals and the studies that have been made over the last 20 years. I think something like 20 years ago there was a Blair Report commissioned by the town that studied many problems, one of which was traffic in the downtown. We reviewed that. There was a report by a Traffic Committee that was appointed by the.Selectmen and we reviewed that and considered it. And then there was a study by a group of Harvard students which also was studied in detail. What we've tried to do with this proposal that I'll be discussing tonight is to come up with a solution which will alievate some of the problems and yet will not cost the town a great deal of money, and will not greatly disrupt the way things are done now. The problem that we're specifically concerned with is the parking and traffic problem at the north end of No. Main St. where, because there is parking on both sides of the stre6t, because of the width of the road, it is difficult for cars to get through and there's always the danger of someone opening a car door and getting out while they're parked and coming in contact with a oar that's traveling No. Main St. What I'd like to do now is show you what the proposal is and explain to you the reasons we've come up with this proposal and I'll certainly be happy to answer any questions that anyone has. Just to get your bearings on this map ... this is Route 106. This is No. Main St. This is Rumford Ave., this is Old Colony Way. This is the intersection of Church St., West Church St., No. Main St. and Old Colony Way. In addition to the problems that I've mentioned before that we're trying to solve, one of the more dangerous intersections in the town right is this intersection here. We hope that this proposal will eliminate or at least relieve that dangerous situation. Very simply, it's a loop - a one -way loop - that we've proposed. A car coming into town from the north would turn onto Thomas St. Thomas St. would be one way in this direction - west. Then Old Colony Way would be one way in a southerly direction. Traffic would feed down here. At the intersection of Church, No. Main and Old Colony, there would be a small, temporary island and cars wanting to go north would go to one side of the island, and then proceed on this section of No. Main by Curtis Compact and Stearns on opposite sides - will just go one way this way and back out of town. Rumford Ave. would remain two -way. Pleasant and Cottage would be two -way. The committee has voted to recommend that West Cottage St. be one way coming out of town - it's not West Cottage, it's West Church St. - would be one way coming out of town and Church St. the one way direction would be reversed so it would be coming into town. The reason for changing West Church St. heading out of town is just to relieve that intersection. We feel that if we have less traffic going through that intersection, it will be better. At this side, on Church St.'; We felt that if we made Church St. one way in the other direction with a right turn only onto No. Main St., it would enable people in the Back Bay area to have easy access to all this section of No. Main St. Some of the objections or concerns that have been raised deal with trucks coming in to town and wanting to get access to the downtown area. I think that the only answer that we can propose is to have an alternate truck route - directing trailer trucks away from this end of town. If they have to make a delivery into downtown they'd have to go this way - on West St. - and come in from the southern end of downtown. OF REARING ON DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC BEARING Jan. 17, 1979 Page 2 I think that that could be set up either with signs directing trailer trucks to the southern end of town. I think that once a truck tries to make delivery and finds that he can't make this turn, every other time he comes to the town he'll know what way to go. I think what we have here - what we hope the selectmen will agree with - is a bimple plan, a combination of many suggestions. I think that this town and the Town Meetings and the Selectmen have been talking about doing something in the down- town area for many years, and for one reason or another we've never done anything. We've tried very hard to come up with a sensible solution, and I think that for the sake of credibility in downtown development, something has to be done. That's why we've come up with this. There are members of the Downtown Advisory Committee with me here tonight - Rod Stearns, Ralph Seifert, Ed Tartufo - so that we'll all be here and if there are any questions we'll try to answer them as best we can. Before that, the Clerk has some letters. Dave Clemmey: Reads the letter from St. Mary's Church R. Mangiaratti: We're trying to do for the best of everyone concerned, and if there's enough input here tonight contrary to some specific part, we understand that the Selectmen have to make their decision accordingly. But with regard to the comments of the Monsignor, I don't think it would increase the problem at CCD. I think one of the problems with that now is that parents goto drop off or pick up their kids and they come in on No. Main St. and they back up on No. Main St. going into Church, and there's a traffic jam all in that area as they're going from No. Main St. into Church. I think if they were coming the other way, they could back up on Church St. all the way into the Back Bay where there is no traffic, and then when they pick up the kids at the church they would proceed into the downtown area where traffic and take the turn and go up No. Main St. So that contrary to what was said, I think if anything it would eliminate the problem of congestion when there's catechism classes. I think that the consideration that the committee had when they bade this recommenda- tion is that it fits in better with the overall plan. I know that Fire Chief Leonard has some problems perhaps. We could ask him to address the Board now. T. Leonard: Originally last spring I met with the Downtorn Advisory Committee and discussed some of their proposals and how they would affect fire protection at the time. Since that time, in reviewing the notice of public hearing, I'd like to point out some of the problems that I perceive as far as fire protection is concerned. It is especially concerning the one way route northbound. I think the best way ... The basic response route nowwill be from here at the station, then left down to Cottage down Church, down etc. which also allows us direct access to the Back Bay area this way or, if we had to, through Old Colony Way. With the proposal as it stands it only allows us a right hand turn out of the station to get anywhere in this Back Bay area now we have to negotiate this tight corner here, down to Chilson Ave., and then take our pick from any one of these streets. This also applies to getting as far over as Shawmut Ave. and Samoset Ave. and making the swing onto Bristol St. one way or the other. At beet it's difficult. 14y other concern was coming down and across this way. At the time that I originally discussed this with the DAC, it seemed like an excellent idea, and I stated so. Since that time, reoondidering it, I have concerns about making the left hand swing here with traffic parked and the possibility of snowbanks, with the turning traffic and the approaching traffic also. With everybody trying to make the swing onto Thomas St. at the same time. Now I did state in my letter to them that a possibility 1� TRANSCRIPTION OF HEARING ON DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC Jan. 17, 1979 Page 3 T. Leonard (continued): would be temporary lights or lights at some other time where we could shut the traffic off and go against the flow of traffic down the Main St. It still doesn't alleviate our one way problem on Church St. where we have to approach from the back end. But it's ah Alternative to consider if the proposal seems to work to alleviate the traffic problem downtown. Another consideration is my off duty men's response. We are not sufficiently manned that we can move all our apparatus out at once, so I have to depend on my off duty response to man some of the apparatus. 30% of the department would be affected by this change in their response to the station, in that they would have to come in this way and make a loop all the way around in back of the station unless they would go against the one way traffic. This is difficult at best as far as I'm concerned. I don't know what the alternative could be to find a better route there. I have men coming both from Route 106 this way and from the North End this way, so it's a concern of mine. The third concern I have, and again I don't know if this traffic flow is going to alleviate that problem, is the backup of traffic on No. Main St. from the lights at 106 back this way. We have a problem now, specifically between the hours of 3 :30 and 6 :00 p.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday, with the traffic backing up from the lights. My concern here is that the traffic is feeding in from Church St., from Cottage and Pleasant Ste. directly this way, that all this main stream of traffic is going to back up further and give us problems getting out of the station. Those are my main concerns. I have discussed them with Chad and he has advised me as far as the turning traffic on Thomas St. that one of the possible alternatives at this time is breaking off a portion of the island and bringing a direct turn in from the underpass. I think this would take care of my concern here at Thomas St. I proposed to the Downtown Advisbmy.,- Committee the possibility of banning parking spaces for three or four spots in front of Sannie's and also on the opposite corner - across from the corner of Sannie's, especially if the turning lane is not going to be adopted right away. So those are my basic concerns right now. I'm not saying this plan won't work because I don't have the answers to comup with and give them an alternative. R.M.: You feel you could live with that, Tom, on a trial basis, in the event that It worked out that permanent lights would be installed that would actuate out of the department? T.L.: I think that the permanent light situation would be definitely looked into if this is what they want to consider. The lights would have to be set back at High St., Old Colony Way and Church St. Old Colony both ways. We'd have to stop traffic here and allow it to go through. R. DeLong: Right, if you've got it back up in here already and you shut your lights off you still have to get rid of all these cars in front of your station. .T.L.: Right, as far as the lights are concerned, I think it's going to be a complex process to determine where the lights are actually going to be placed. I do have concerns on going this way to the Back Bay due to the aided corners and the tightness of the intersections. It is going to increase our response times by a matter of 30 secs. to a minute in most cases. This was taken with an automobile. Until I actually take some apparatus out and try the corners to see what a true response time would be. With an automobile in most oases it was 30 sees. to a minute, de- pending on where in the Back Bay we were going. R. DeLong: Before you stop I'd like to get your recommendation. T.L.: I don't know that I have a true recommendation. I was more inerested in pointing out my concern. I think the traffic problem is there and we have to do something about it, but I don't know what is the best way to go about it. TRANSCRIPTION OF HEARING ON DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC Jan. 17,1979 Page 4 R. Mangiaratti: Tom, a question. What happens in the other cities, etc. that have one way streets. Does the fire apparatus circumvent or do they go the wrong way? Tom Leonard: In some cases they go the wrong way. We have on occasion gone the wrong way but I wouldn't want to make it a normal habit to go southerly on No. Main St. I can see a case of where if we were going to s000t to Cottage St., it would be a possibility. But you're still fighting traffic and ore should have an opinion from town counsel as to whether we'd be in the right or wrong - going against the traffic. I'm not wholeheartedly against the proposal but I think there are some severe drawbacks to it. That would be my opinion of it right now. R. DeL: I think you've got to make a decision whether you're going to recommend it or not. It's your responsibility as far as the insurance is concerned. R.14.: If the plan were modified so that the recommendation that you had about even cutting back on a temporary basis this bit of an island here in the north end at 106, or putting in the no parking in the areas he suggested ... T.L.: That would take care of this problem here, Bob. I'm more against this down here, because I know that the other can be resolved and I'm not sure that this can. R. DeL: Do you want more time and then be able to discuss it with them? T.L: I would be willing to go back to the table with them, but I don't want to hold them up indefinitely. R. DeL.: I know. We don't want to hold them up either, but I think we have to have a recommendation from you. I would want one before I made a decision. We can't very well vote, Tommy. If you see something that's vital against public safety, then you have to make a recommendation. T.L.: Well, we have a definite density problem over here as far as housing is con- cerned. We have a lot of people that are involved in this area, and this has tra- ditionally been a problem area for us as far as traffic is concerned anyway. To me that is a definite minus against the program. I think that most of the other concerns can be worked out aside from our response. The only thing I can see there is we're going to have to use Chilson Ave. and come up Cottage to come in. Going to be quicker. T. Caponigro: What is your recommendation on the Church St. reversing? T.L.: I can see why it's done, Tony. Again it hinders us. I can see wanting to funnel the traffic this way. This area here is going to be a definite im rease. We're talking a minute to this area. When we ran the times we ran them to the beginning of the intersection - not to the middle of the street, just to get the idea. At the time I discussed this with Bob and his committee we were not talking the reversal of the one way of Church St. W. Metropulos: On that, there were two thing that I saw in other areas that they've tried as far as backing up traffic that blocks the fire station. They prohibit the backup to be in front of a fire station and they have the roads marked. They also have "fire line only" traveling, so they can travel in the opposite direction of the regular flow, which could be a possibility in this but you would have to eliminate some parking on that side -- keep it open ... R.M.: You've got two lanes of traffic traveling north on No. Main St, now. What we igteiLled to do is have one lane of traffic going north on No. Main St.so there's a TRANSCRIPTION OP HEARING ON D014NTOWN TRAFFIC Jan. 17, 1979 Page 5 R. Mangiarotti (continued): lot more room for people to manipulate on No. Md n St. T. Leonard: How about the parking in this area between Strearns down to Old Colony Way. Would that remain parking on one side only? R.M.: We didn't make any recommendation on that. If the Selectmen want to add it we have no objections. Right now we have a situation where there are two lanes of traffic - one in each direction. What we're going to have is one lane of traffic so there will be a lot more room for fire engines to drive around one way or another. T.L.: I have a concern that people are naturally going to drift to the left if they plan on going left on Thomas St. And this may start as far doin the street as Stearns or before. It will probably be more of an enforcement problem than anything else. R.M.: I think you're concerns about tim are perfectly logical. If you have to go further it's going to take longer. But I think any time you have a traffic flow change or a one way street situation, it's going to affect the time it takes to get the engines in place. When we originally spoke to you, you mentioned that it would be a matter of seconds -- now it's about a minute. I understand, we're not holding you to that, but even at a minute it's a question of balancing the various factors. With regard to traffic backing up, I think that the flow of traffic going north on No. Main St. will be the same. We haven't done anything to really increase or de- crease the number of people that want to go that way. T.L.: I think you have in that you've changed the direction of flow on Church St. out whereas before you were taking people off No. Main St. and possibly using Chilson Ave. or Church St. to the end. So in that way I think that the traffic flow will be in- creased. I don't have all the answers for you certainly. As regards the time factors for me, 10 or 15 seconds would probably be acceptable, but 30 to 45 seconds brings us to the critical stage in our business. R.M.: In brief response to what Tommy brought up, I think that there can be solutions to some of the points he raised, and then there are some things that can't be resolved. The town is either going to have to accept a certain number of drawbacks associated with a plan like this if they feel they are enough benefits derived from it. But I think what he mentioned about cutting back Thomas St. and putting a couple of no parking areas to make turns easier would eliminate a substantial amount of his objec- tions. Are there any questions or points from the audience? Margo Jellinek: She thinks that if No. Main St. was closed for through traffic of trucks, all the difficulties would work out. The Selectmen could do this and it would help greatly. Trucks would be allowed only for deliveries. She thinks it would work. Lawrence Jackson, 32 Church St. owner of the Jackson Funeral Home: I have a few points. No. 1, St. Mary's C.C.D. Center. You read a self - explanatory letter from Pastor Duffy. Self- explanatory, reason why. Opposed. Number of children - doesn't want to put the traffic back onto No. Main St. Dr. Gasson's office has been there for over 30 years. The funeral homeh been there for over 35 years. You have a letter from Alice and Mary Donahue of Church St. - life -long residents - opposed. The residents of Church St., as far as I know, are opposed to changing Church St. The current church, by the way, has been there over 70 years - either as a church or C.C.D. Center. The biggest thing I have against this plan is it creates a hardship for my business. Somebody that comes from the south to my business, it's almost impossible to tell them how to get there. Another factor I feel very strongly about is the Pire Dept. And the safety factor of Church St. Again I'm talking residents TRANSCRIPTION OF HEARING ON DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC Jan. 17, 1979 Page 6 l L. Jackson (continued): as opposing this and the pastor as opposing this. You have a definite problem of getting ambulances and fire apparatus down there. I've been down here at least twice before on Church St. The chief made comments before about it. We finally came to a one way street - hopefully we can keep it the way it's going now. I think Dr. Gasson has some comments too. Dr. Anthony Casson, 33 Church St.: I do have an office on Church St. - for 30 years - and I agree and concur. Patients coming from the south end of town to get to my place on No. Main St., I defy anyone to try to direct someone who doesn't know the town how to get there. There are so many side streets, circuitous turns, etc. Coming from the north end you have to either go up on 106, turn down Chilson Ave. They don't know Chilson Ave. from any other street but have to pick it out. But to come up from the underpass, turn Thomas St. and then go down either Rumford Ave. or Old Colony and then get down and find they can't even make a turn on Church St, have to turn north again and go up Cottage St., etc. they won't know where they're going. As to the C.C.D. Center ... END OF SIDE 1. R.M.: Dr. Casson, how many people do you have to tell how to get to your office right now from out of town? Dr. G.: I can't give you an estimate of that, but there are people who have come to this town who I do physicals for pre - employment. They call up and say "how do you get there ?" R.M.: How many people are you talking about? Dr. G.: Inthe course of a week I would say there are projably 10. To add to that, I've got people who come to me from Attleboro and No. Attleboro -- people who have been coming to me for years - not new. Now I have to turn around and give them new instructions on how to get there. I'll be glad to show you a printed plan that will show them very easily coming up So. Main St. and going right to Church St. They can come right in West St. without a problem. I am now familiar with C.C.D., though I have discussed it with several people after reading the pastor's letter last night. Those that have gone to pick up their children seem to have this type of situation. They are waiting somewhere on Church St. heading east coming off of Main St. until they see their child getting ready to come out; at which time they move their vehicle up in this maze of traffic that no fire apparatus could get through to start with. Once they get the youngster in the car they move aalong, so at one end of the puzzle we have a lot of cars waiting for kids, but at the other we have a very orderly time process of leaving. So instead of clogging the traffic on Church St. fzom No. Mahn St., in fact they'll be clogging Chilson down waiting for their children in a very orderly manner of leaving C.C.D. onto No. Main St. In fact, I'm glad he pointed that out because the traffic pattern for C.C.D. is much better for the bown if Church St. goes west instead of it present pattern. L. Jackson: Mr. Chairman, this is his opinion. The pastor has stated his opinion. He's in charge of the church. He's in charge of the C.C.D. center. He sent the letter and he opposes it. I think that's self - explanatory. He's the man in charge of that system, and I hope you take that into strong consideration. I'd like to concur with Dr Casson and Mr. Jackson. I'd like to say that I came to many meetings when we were trying to get this one way pattern on Church St. as it was. The pastor of St Mary's at that time was Father Higgins. He was present. Also present was Fire Chief Bellavance, and his theory was that this should be one way going the way it was because the fire engines and police TRANSCRIPTION OF HEARING ON DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC Jan. 17, 1979 Page could go down Church St. they would have a much better chance to get in there. lie also though there should be one parking lane up the street so they could get in. Now if this pattern were reversed, what are you going to do, send the fire engines out the wrong way on a one way street? At present they're headed the right way even out to the high school. I don't think that this pattern should be changed there at all. I would highly concur with changing the Thomas St. pattern and then maybe correct the situation where people tie up traffic trying to make left turns when there is sa sign telling them to go right. I concur with the one way setup coming down into the Church St. section. Think it would alleviate a lot of problems at the traffic lights. Edward Tartufo - - - -- I'm a communicant of St. Mary's Church, and I can recall Church St. going in many directions. I don't think there's a good solution no matter which direction you move in. R. Mangiaratti: Mr. Chairman, the Downtown Advisory Committee would like to have a decision made as quickly as possible, and I think that your Board concurs in that. Perhaps we could arrange to meet with the Selectmen some time to discuss what was heard tonight if that is agreeable. R. DeL.: What I would like is to have you (Tom Leonard) meet with the Adfsmry Committee and discuss the plan again, and then come back after the Chief is reason- ably comfortable in his own mind so that he can made a recommendation one way or the other. R.M.: I'd like to say that Chief Leonard has made a reasonable presentation of his concerns tonight. I'm just asking the Board not to force Ghief Leonard to make a decision. R. DeL.: I'm not forcing him to make a decision; rather a recommendation. Does the Board have any comments. Do you concur with mbr request? L. Avery: I concur with what Bob has suggested - that we have a meeting with the Downtown Advisory Committee and the Board of Selectmen to go over all these things and that rather than have Chief Leonard meet with the Downtown Advisory Committee that he be involved in the meeting because my basic concern is not Church St. but the safety factor and the extent of time it takes to get to a fire in the Back Bay area. That's the most important thing that has to be resolved as far as this plan is concerned. I suggest a joint meeting of the DAC, this Board and the Fire Chief as soon as possible. R.M.: He agrees for his committee. R.DeL.: I still would like to have the Chief meet with the DAC. First, ... T. Caponigro: After eight years of dealing with this thing, I would take the Committee's recommendation and the action I personally would vote on tonight would be to accept everything except the way on Church St. As far as the Chief's excep- tions, I think those can be worked out. L. Avery - Do I understand you correctly? You want to keep Church St. the way it is now? T.C.: Yes, and my reason for that are the objections that have been raised on the Street itself. I appreciate the Committee's opinion and tend to agree with it, but think we have to consider the amount of objection at this time. TRANSCRIPTION OF THE HEARING ON DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC Selectman Avery noted that he would put his The motion that the Board of Selectmen and with the Fire Chief meet jointly to discuss factor at this point on Monday, January 22, Caponigro. Voted 5 -0. The hearding was declared closed. Jan. 17, 1979 - Page 8 suggestion in the form of a motion. the Downtown Advisory Committee along the ramifications and the safety - 1979 at 8:00 p.m. Seconded by Selectman