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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 2-21-1979l BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT A G E N D A February 21, 1979 7:30 p.m. - Call to Order Warrant Leon Lombardi - RE: Governor's Cap's Minutes of February 14, 1979 Clerk's Folder: 8:30 p.m. - Executive Session Francis Jones - Plumbing /Gas Inspector Town Manager's Report Board Reports Pending Items Traffic Lights at Franklin & 106 Emergency Policy Airport Boiler Job Classifications Back Bay Brook Phase - 3 Water Rates Foxboro Traffic Mall Pattern Traffic Lights at CC &F & 140 Sanitary Landfill BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT Minutes of the Meeting February 21, 1979 Present: Selectmen Frank Colella, Robert M. DeLong, Lyman C. Avery, Antonino Caponigro, Jr. Town Manager William P. Metropulos. (Selectman David R. Clemmey arrived at 7:40 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Selectman Caponigro moved that Selectman Avery be Acting Clerk, seconded by * Selectman Colella. Voted 3 -0. A Warrant in the amount of $89,938.86 was read. This was approved ona motion * by Selectman Caponigro, seconded by Selectman Avery. Voted 4 -0. Correspondence A report from the police department was noted. A disturbance call was read regarding the Depot Lounge. Selectman DeLong asked that the Town Manager find our who reported the disturbance, the Depot or the neighbors. A letter from Representative Leon Lombardi was noted on a bill being filed to give a town the option of delaying this year's town meeting. A request for a transfer was noted for Town Counsel Expense - Acct. #195 -0. This was approved on a motion by Selectman Clemmey, seconded by Selectman * Caponigro. Voted 4 -0. Leon Lombardi - Representative Lombardi met with the Board in an hour long dis- cussion on the Governor's Cap proposal and an Act to Impose Limitations on Property Tax Levies and Expenditures of Cities, Towns, and other local governmental units dependent on the Property Tax. Leon noted that today he attended a Public Hearing conducted by the Legislatures Joint Committee on Taxation and heard nothing new. The same things were said that were said at the Governor's press conference last week. Leon noted that what it means is that the county budget will be under control but the school can maintain fiscal autonomy, whether this means that the municipal government has to make up the difference no one knows the answer to this. Selectman Clemmey arrived at the meeting during the discussion and noted that he just came from a meeting of the Mass. Selectmen's Association and came away with the impression that he does (the Governor) not know how municipal government works. Leon noted that he has heard through the grapevine that the Governor has really committed himself to binding arbitration and school autonomy. People are saying to him, you cannot have this work with binding arbitration. The School department would still have the authority to draft their own budget and not have to confer with town meeting or the Selectmen, but would have to live under their own caps. Specific caps would be imposed on three areas of local government, school budget, wages for public safety workers and the general government budget. There is a provision for an appeal by means of a 2/3's vote by the townspeople if they want to exceed the caps. A lot of people felt that this was going to be a one year proposition, but the Governor's proposed legislation calls for caps to be enforced in future fiscal years. The problems facing tom officials is where to make the cuts, towns will lose 48 to 50% of their ser *ices or salaries will have to be decreased. -1- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT Minutes of the Meeting February 21, 1979 Page 2 Selectman Delong noted that a referendum would be better, it would give a better picture of how the people feel about keeping services. Leon noted that the problem with town meetings is that the attendance and the risk when only 100 -200 people show up, this is why a referendum would be better but more expensive. Leon noted that the State budgct is going to increase as of now 3 -40, Governor King noted that this is the firsv step and there had better be a second, that being local aid, if we are told to keep the budget the same and then we receive no local aid. Leon noted that the Governor made some very tough promises and it will be very hard to keep them. Selectman Delong feels that one of the things that Leon should push for is to spend money that is coining in, for instance, additional revenue from new construction. Selectman Avery asked Leon, -there is going to come out of this legislature a caps program? Leon answered more like a "window dressing" type because you will have the option to go to the town meeting with a 2/3's margin vote from the people. Selectman Delong feels that there won't be too, much of a problem as far as running the town, pkobably special interest items will get shot down. Leon noted that there are various ways in how to lift the caps, there are options being talked about now. Leon noted that it isn't definite how it will turn out but that is how it is now. Leon asked how the budget is being prepared and Select- man Delong noted that it is being prepared based on needs with the understanding that this caps will go through, then it may have to be done over again and if ex- ceeded another budget will have to be done reflecting the caps and then we will ask the people to vote to exceed it. so that will eliminate most of our capital improvement' articles, If we assume that people want a tax cap, services will have to be re- duced� and possible layoffs and a realistic budget prepared so that people will know where the cuts have been made. If we live with last year's budget we cannot give a 7% raise and if we do give a 7t raise some employees will have to be laid off. Leon noted that alliboards are faced with the same problem in other towns, most legislators are saying the same thing but the Governor is not. Will they be able to work their plan into his and will he sign it is the question. Leon asked the board if they went along with the 3 separate /dxntsif its impossible to have local control attached to the bill. Selectman Delong feels that it is stupidity, parts of the town do-not run the same. The school department under budgeted last year. Therec, are certain functions the schools has to provide according to law, if they are capped, they will not be able to perform and it is questionable as to -whbn they will be able to handle a cap. Selectman Caponigro agrees with the Caps. Selectman Avery agrees with the concept of the caps but hard to accept the in- depthness of the thing and there will be a lot of loop holes. Selectman Clemmey disagrees with the caps and noted that the Governor feels that the masses out there want a cap but the people from Mansfield can march right down to the town / meeting and appropriate more money. Selectman Delong feels that it is primarily \ focused on the propetty tax and feels that the people were confused. Rail subsidizing was discussed. Leon was questioned as to how it is subsidized and he noted that he was not sure . Leon noted that he is attending an all day con- ference on Friday and that he will vote for home rule with the provision to have the flexability to exceed the caps . -2- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting February 21, 1979 j Page 3 l As a final note Leon noted that the smaller the government the more efficient it is referring to what would happen if taken over by the state, he noted that this is the same argument that was used on him on his bill to eliminate county govern- ment which got the "deep six" this week. Selectman Delong noted that we will have a 3 -way taxpayers suit on our hands if the school budget is not approved. * * * A motion to go into Executive Session was made to discuss charges that have been brought against an employee of the Town, roll call votes were taken: Avery, yes; Colella, yes; DeLOng, yes; Clemmey, yes and Caponigro, yes. The Board will be back in Open Session. The Board returned to Open Session at 8:50 p.m. A letter was noted from Town Counsel Charlie Mulcahy regarding whether or not assessor Al Turinese should be paid for the week he was not appointed. Town Counsel feels that a motion to this effeut should be made by the board, that he should be paid assuming he thought he would be reappointed and felt that his activities would benefit the town. A motion was made by Selectman Avery, and seconded by Selectman Caponigro that * Al Turinese receive pay for that week he was not reappointed. Voted 3 -2 (Select- man Colella aid Clemmey opposed.) Corr Correspondence continued - A memo:- was noted that the Superintendent of Schools, Robert Barbarisi will meet with the Board next Wednesday night. A notice was read from the DPU on a petition of the Bay State Gas Company seeking approval of its investment in a new subsidiary and the authority to issue additional shares of its common and preferred stocks (NorthernUtilities) A letter was noted from the Board of Library Trustees that they have decided on a replacement for Edward F. Beatty who resigned. However, a request for a joint meeting with the Selectmen to make 'this appointment must be requested in writing. Francis Jones Fran Jones, Plumbing /Gas Inspector met with the Board to discuss his request for a 100% increase in fees. Fran noted that there is a rumor going around that he would go on a fee basis per inspection job. Fran noted that there is more to the job than inspecting, conversation has a lot to do with it and it is very time con- suming. Fran noted that 50% of the inspections are not being carried out. Fran noted that CC &F requires a lot of his time, also that the reason he is asking for more money is to be able to spend more time with the town and less time with his own business. His long range goal is full time regional split half and half with Mansfield and Foxboro. However, Foxboro indicated that it is too late to put any- thing together for this year. Fran noted that what he is trying to get across to- night is just what he does, storm drainage also comes under his inspections. Fran now works for both the Town of Mansfield and Foxboro. Asked by Selectman Colella if he would consider working for just the Town of Mansfield at a salary of $16,000, he said "no ". -3- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting February 21, 1979 Page 4 Selectman Caponigro asked Fran how much money it would take to cover the Town of Mansfield 100% on plumbing /gas inspections, Fran did not answer this. He did say however, that it is impossible to enforce all the codes in Mansfield on a part - time basis. Selectman "Avery feels that splitting the job between the two towns at a cost of $20,000, makes a lot of sense. Fran noted that the town was lucky to have a plumbing /gas inspector who works for the two towns and is able to do sewage inspections also. Fran noted that with the increase the inspections will be brought up to 85% from 45 %. Fran noted that he is not behind in sewage inspections, they are up to 100 %. Correspondence continued - A letter was noted from the Commonwealth of Mass, Dept. of Public works, Traffic Division, advising us that they will post the signs on Rte. 140 where we requested, all we have to dm is write a letter to them requesting them to put them up. A letter was noted from a Joseph L. Pfeil regarding severe drainage problems affecting his property located on Essex St. The Town Manager discuss this with the Board and noted that Thom Bonome went out to look at this and it involves a water drain that was installed 20 years ago. The water main has not yet been located. Selectman Caponigro feels that if a drain was put in 20 years ago and Air. Pfeil just bought the property 2 -3 years ago then it is up to him to do some- thing about it. Town Manager's Report On the 140 and Forbes traffic signals the Town Manager noted that he was talking with Paul Dalton and a representative from the Mass. Electric noted that he will supply the poles and cables and run the power over to there. Paul has to contact the state with his drawing, which is now in the hands of CC &F officials. CC &F is trying to educate the peoole to use the traffic lights at 140/106 instead of exiting from Forbes Blvd. onto 140. The accident that happened at 106 and Forbes today was discussed and the Town Manager noted that he spoke to the Police Chief about it and he going to police this area more often. As a matter of fact, the Town Manager noted, we are in violation according to the state because we have the area lit up too much. Regarding the landfill, the Town Manager noted that he spoke with Jim Dunn and asked him if he would be willing to meet all.the requirements that the state gave us last week at the meeting and he said that he would. This would be paid under the 496 -0 account. The requirements have to be meet and the state wants an engineer on the job. The Town Manager noted that tomorrow he meets with Francis Corliss on the health agent /sanatarian also to discuss the problems discussed tonight regarding the plumbing /gas inspector. The.Town Manager noted on the meeting that he attended in Boston regarding de- centralization of Civil Service. on the no- parking at 106 and the Diner, signs will be put up by the end of the week. A number of streets signs have been vandalized and we have quite a few pot hole problems. BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting February 21, 1979 Page 5 The next meeting of the emergency plan is March 1, 1979/ The Defense Civil Preparedness Agency was pleased and very surprised on what we had done on our own , that is why the rest of the meetings were cancelled. Board Reports Selectman Avery questioned the Town Manager on the railroad - underpass in the West Mansfield. The Town Manager noted that he spoke to Thom Bonome on this and it is being taken care of. Also Selectman Avery asked the Town Manager to look into a water main that broke out on Elm St. near Old Coach Road. Selectman Avery asked the Town Manager if he checked out the problems reported regarding safety of public records. The Town Manager noted that he has not spoke to Arthur on this yet. Selectman Colella asked that the Town Manager check out parking signs in front of Amici's Funeral Home. Selectman Caponigro noted that he has a few people ask him about lights at 140 and School Street, wants to know if there is funding for this. The Town Manager explained to him that ive have already received funding for the other two places which is 2 years in advance , we will have to wait on this area. ( The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. -5-