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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 1-22-1979BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS A G E N D A January 22, 1979 7:30 p.m. - Call to Order Minutes - January 3, 1979 - Hearing from Meeting of December 27, 1978 - Airport Light Commissioner's Meeting Board Polices 8:30 p.m. - Meeting on the Downtown Traffic Pattern BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting January 22, 1979 Present: Selectmen Lyman C. Avery, Robert M. De Long, David R. Clemmey and Antonino Caponigro, Jr. Town Manager William P. Metropulos. Select- man Frank Colella arrived at 7:40 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 7:33 p.m. The minutes of January 3, 1979 were read. A motion to accept the minutes as read was made by Selectman Avery, seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 4 -0. A request for a transfer was noted for Fire Dept. Acct. #353-13 for payment of EMT certification in the amount of $1985.00 This was approved on a motion by Selectman Caponigro, seconded by Selectman Clemmey. Voted 4-0. I * * LIGHT COMMISSIONER "S MEETING James Hall, Director and Diane Dubuc, Office Manager met with the Commissioners. Mr. Hall noted that the summary sheet is not ready because of the backlog in the department. All the October bills are out and 3/4's of the November bills are out. They are planning on being caught up by the second week in February. The computer and printer are working good. Selectman Colella arrived at the meeting at this time. Mr. Hall noted that the 1 -495 work is still to be done, that we have paid for the material and will not be reimbursed until the material is installed. It is expected that work will start again in the spring. Selectman Delong questioned Jim on Seabrook and noted that as he.understood it Seabrook has inquired a willingness to sell off some of its holdings. Jim noted that MMWEC has sent a letter of intent to buty 20%, but we have not heard from them, what they are saying now is that they want to keep 25% . Jim also noted that if they sell off 25 %, in 1985 they will beiin trouble and want to buy it back, and we won't sell it to them. Selectman Delong questioned Jim on Stonybrook and Jim noted that this will be a big topic on the 30th of January at the MMWEC meeting in Boxboro. We have been denied an exemption from the department of Energy to burn oil however, they are still working on the powers to be in Washington and if anyone wants to they can write a letter also. Jim noted that no exemption will cost the consumers of Mansfield a considerable amount of money. Letters will go to the bureaucrapy and Senator Kennedy has been told that we want to get in on the 902 exemption, an amendment to a bill introduced last year. MMWEC will be in Washington before this meeting on the 30th. Jim noted that we were promised this exemption back in 1976 , there were only two places that were to get this, MMWEC and a place out in San Diego. The Commissioners disscussed the use of synthetic fuel. and deregulation of gas and its impact. BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting January 22, 1979 Pgge 2 Correspondence Copy of a letter addressed to the Airport Commission from New England Controls was noted. New England Controls is locatdd in the CC & F Industrial Park is encouraging the Commission to proceed in their effort to keep the Airport opened and provide Mansfield with a first class Airport. An application from Louise Bisbee, 160 Chauncy St. applfing for the Council - On- Aging. A memo was noted from the Town Manager to the Finance Committee alerting them to sub - accounts that are overdrawn and will be needing transfers. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager noted that there are flooding problems due to heavy rain and melting snow. Crews were out doing the best they could under the conditions ex- isting. The Town Manager noted that he was also out Sunday and noted that the Oak Street Culvert overflowed and School Street had to be closed off. The high- way has been doing the best they can by keeping the drains opened. Selectman Delong noted that if the Town Manager is not planning on having a Capitol Improvements meeting before the closing of the warrant, then an article should be put in for Oak St. The Town Manager noted that he has talked to Paul Dalton on the traffic light for CC &F /140. Mr. Dalton noted that he would get in contact with Engineer Tierney, of the State DPW and see if they will agree to donate a light and CC &F will do the design work and supply the pole. On the cruisers for the police department, the unmarked car is being shipped and should be here this week. The marked cruisers should be here also sometime this week. The Town Manager noted that he had a letter from Mr. DiRienzo, School Street asking that the $225. charge for tap in on the water system be abated. Discussion on this followed, Selectman Caponigro wanted to know what the $225• charge would be if the work has been done by the state, and it was noted that we have to charge for the meter and for the work done by the town. Selectman Caponigro moves that we charge them $50.00 for the meter and $10.00 for the hookup. Motion denied, no second. The Town Manager feels that Mr. DiRienzo is conducting a business out of the house which he does not have a license for. Selectman Caponigro moved that we install and connect the meter for our cost of the material and 'labor, seconded by Selectman Clemmey. Voted 5 -0. The Boarid noted that this is the first time anything like this has come before the Board. -2- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS'' Minutes of the Meeting January 22, 1979 Page 3 Board Policy Selectmen went over the final edition of the Board Policy and a few corrections were made. Selectman Avery noted that the resolution he made up should be in- corporated into the policy and not just attached. After some further discussion a motion was made by Selectman Caponigro, seconded by Selectman Avery that the Board accepts this Policy Handbook. Voted 4 -1 (Selectman Clemmey opposed be- cause of the resolution. Selectman Caponigro wanted to know how the Board was going to handtle the letter that was received last week from the Office of Communities and Development on the Governor's cap proposals. Selectman Delong noted that the thing to do is to wait until the Governor presents his propsal's to the legislature and then we present our side to our legislators. The Town Manager noted that at this month's meeting of Municipal Manager's the letter was discussed and it was decided not to do any- thing about it until we find out what the Governor intendd _to do. Selectman Clemmey noted that he attended a meeting Friday night of the Mass. Selectmen's Executive Committee and they are opposed to any caps for the towns unless they can put caps on that towns can live with. The Town Manager then noted that we received a letter from the Bristol County Retirement Board and it was noted that there has been An increase in the retire- ment fund. Selectman Caponigro brought up the letter received from Fran Jones the Plumbing Inspector requesting a raise of $4000 for the plumbing /gas inspector job. Selectman Delong suggested that it would probably be better to give him a per- centage of the inspections that he does. Selectman Colella noted that he would be opposed to any increase unless the assistant plumbing inspector also got a raise. Selectman Clemmey noted that he wants a monthly report of the number of permits taken out for plumbing, gas and electric inspections. Selectman Clemmey also wants the Town Manager to write to the Bristol County Retirement Board and find out just how much we have spent and how much they have put in, also how much has been paid out to this town. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Bob Mangiaratti, Chairman of the Committee noted that he and the committee went over and discussed with the Fire Chief some of the objections raised at last week's meeting to find out which ones he could live with and which ones he could not. It has been decided on both sides that Church Street is to remain the way it is. The next area of concern is the corner of No. 'Main and Thomas Street. Here it has been decided to eliminate three parking spaces on No. Main Street in front of Sannie's, four parking places on both sides of Thomas Street. Traffic coming down Old Colony would -not be permitted to cross No. Main Street and go down Chruch Street, however, the fire station would be permitted to go against the traf- fic on No. Main St. if an emergency exists and use Cottage Street to get to the Back Bay area. -3- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting January 22, 1979 Page 4 As far as adjustments for on- street parking, the restrictions will remain the same and this would be about eleven (11) spaces eliminated. It was pointed out that we are only doing this on a trial basis but the cut back at 106 and Thomas St. should be done now as part of the temporary adjustment so that we will be able to feel the full effect. Thom Bonome, Highway Director also agrees with this. The biggest expense would be the hot top, so the problem here is the money. Before any changes can be made the state has to approve of this. Bob Mangiaratti noted for a trial basis the trucks could access another way down 140 up West Street, because in the long run not only do we want to make a ramp off of 106 but also we would like to install a timing on the lights. The Fire Chief noted that he also spoke to the Police Chief on this and he feels that this is a pedestrian crossing and people use these lights to cross, the Fire Chief questioned whether is can be an area for the right turn on red light. Bob Mangiaratti noted that his committee never considered this right on red for the temporary basis. The Chief noted that the only problem he has right now is how to bring his men back to the station, he ran some tests today and can cut down on some of the time. Bob Mangiaratti noted that the Downtown Advisory Committee feels that the recom- mendations made by the Fire Chief are agreeable. Ralph Seifert, member of the committee noted that he would like the Fire Chief to keep a log of how many calls are made in the back bay area for the next six months. Bob Mangiaratti noted that he spoke to the Police Chief when questioned by Select - man. DeLong and the Police Chief feels that there should only be parking on one side of No. Main Street and they also spoke in length regarding the figure 8 an- other traffic pattern, and the chief indicated to him that he would not endorse the plan but would not vote against it. Selectman Colella asked if the Downtown Committee notified Sannie's of the park- ing spaces they are losing and will not vote on this unless this was done in all fairness to them. The Committee noted that they have always notified Sannie's of the meetings and hearings. The Town Manager noted that he feels it is a good plan and the only way you will know if it works is to try it, there will always be opposition, but it should be given a minimum of 6 months. The.Police Chief did not indicate to him that it proposed any safety problems. Selectman Caponigro made a motion that we accept this new 1 -way traffic pattern as presented this evening and that it be put into effect for a 6 month trial period, seconded by Selectman Clemmey. Voted 4-1 (Selectman Colella is opposed and the reason is because of the eleven (11) parking places be eliminated and Sannie's not being notified) This will have to be sent to the state for approval. Selectman Caponigro noted that a sign should be put up at the intersection of 140 and 106 for trucks making delivery in the downtown area for direction. -4- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting January 22, 1979 Page 5 Board Reports Selectman Colella noted on the problem that Mr. & Mrs. Scapellini is having because of the Oak Street Culvert. He also wanted to know why were are not using town vehicles for plowing and was told by the Town Manager that we are. Selectman Delong wanted to know if the Town Manager was going to do anything about accident and Health policies for police and fire and alto feels that we should look for competitive bids for health insurance for the rest of the employees. They.are now covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield. The Town Manager will look into these items and also noted that he is looking into a safety program for employees under workmen's compensation. Selectman Clemmey questioned him on liability insurance and the Town Manager noted that he has mixed feelings on this. Town Accountant Appointment Selectman Avery moved that Carol Lund be appointed as Town Accountant. Selectman Caponigro noted that his no seconding the motion has nothing to do with her that he feels she is qualified, but feels that we should give people who live in the town a chance. Selectman Caponigro nominates John Krauth for Town Accountant. Selectman Colella moved that John McAlice be appointed as Town Accountant, this was seconded by Selectman Clemmey, Selectman Caponigro said that he spoke with a couple of people that know John and have worked with him and feel that he is qualified, even though he does not have municipal experience neither did;Arthur and he has done an excellent job. Voted 3 -2 (Selectman De Long and Avery opposed) Selectman De Long noted that he feels that the reason for not voting for him is that he feels he does not have the municipal experience that Carol Lund has. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9 :30 p.m. -5-