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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 5-2-1979BOARD OF SELECTMEN/LIGHT A G E N D A MAY 2, 1979 7:30 p.m. - Call to Order Warrant Clerk's Folder 7:45 P-m. - Rodney Plourde - So. Main St. traffic accident 8:00 p.m. - Board of Assessors Release a Statement on Gypsy Moths Petition for bus from Mansfield to Attleboro Statement on May 9, 1979 Meeting (Town Meeting) Select 55 Jurors from Street List Town Manager's Report Board Reports Pending Items Traffic Lights at Franklin & 106 Traffic Lights at 140 & Forbes Blvd. Job Classification Back Bay Brook Phase 3 Water Rates Foxboro Mall (Traffic Pattern) Sanitary Landfill Oak St. Culvert Railroad Station Parking Reminder: Little League Parade Sat., May 5th -- L. Avery to march 11:00 A.M. BOARD OF SELECTMEN/LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting May 2, 1979 PRESENT: Selectmen Lyman C. Avery, Robert Belong and Norman Mahana. Selectman Antonino Caponigro, Jr. arrived at 7:32 p.m. and Selectman Frank Colella arrived at 8:15 p.m. Town Manager William P. Metropulos was also present. The meeting was called to order at 7 :30 p.m. A warrant in the amount of $209,412.88 was read. This was accepted on a motion * by Selectman Mahana, seconded by Selectman Avery. Voted 3 -0. A Revenue Sharing warrant in the amount of $2,589.00 was read. This was accepted on a motion by Selectman Mahana, seconded by Selectman DeLong. Voted 3 -0. Clerk's Folder A Wine and Malt Package Store License which had previously been approved for Glaro Inc. was signed by the Selectmen. A renewal of a Junk Dealer's License for Cal Vizedom, 70 N. Main Street was approved on a motion by Selectman Mahana with Selectman DeLong seconding. * Voted 3 -0. Correspondence A request for transfer of funds in the amount of $837.50 for consulting engineer services as listed from the Board of Health for Acct. No. 455 -0 was noted. Approved on a motion by Selectman Mahana, seconded by Selectman * DeLong. Voted 3 -0. Selectman Caponigro arrived at 7:32 p.m. Recreation Notes detailing current programs sponsored by the Recreation Commission were noted, and the Board commended the programs. A list of Recreation Commission Fishing Derby winners was read by Selectman Mahana. The Board extended its congratulations to all the winners. A letter from the Attleboro Area Community Council with an invitation to attend a Community Forum on Thursday morning, May 10th, was noted. No one from the Board will be able to attend. Letters to the Mass. Division of Water Pollution Control and the Environmental Protection Agency requesting reimbursements in the amounts of $9,013.17 and $27,407.20 respectively were noted. A letter was noted from the County Treasurer's office relative to House Bill 5257 -- an Act transferring the regulation of dogs from county government to cities and towns, indicating opposition to the bill on the basis of increased costs to cities and towns. -1- BOARD OF SELECTMEN/LIGHT Minutes of the Meeting May 2, 1979 Page 2 A request from the American Legion Auxiliary Post #198 for permission to hold their annual poppy sale from May 23 to May 29, 1979 was approved on * a motion by Selectman Mahana, seconded by Selectman Aver. Voted 4 -0. A letter from congressman Christopher J. Dodd inviting New England Municipal Officials to a Technology Transfer Forum & Exposition in Hartford, Conn. on May 21, 1979 was noted. The weekly report from the Chief of Police on disturbance calls received from local liquor establishments was received, with one call from the Depot Lounge. A letter from Self -Help Inc. in Brockton asking the Board to allow use of space in the Town Hall for their Outreach program from May through December 1979 (two days per month) was received. The Board recommended that the Town Manager make the decision regarding use of the Town Hall. A letter from Massachusetts FAIR SHARE requesting permission to canvass in Mansfield during the period extending from May 21 through May 259 1979 (ex- cluding weekends) between the hours of 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. was noted. Selectman Mahana questioned the phrase "without serious problems" and wondered what minor problems might be encountered; also if this group has canvassed in town before. Selectman DeLong questioned the time period. His feeling is that 8:30 p.m. might be too late in the evening. Following a brief discussion, Selectman De Long made a motion to allow FAIR SHARE to solicit from May 21 through May 25, 1979 between the hours of 3:30 and 8:00 p.m. Selectman Mahana seconded. Voted 3 -1. A notice of the meeting of the Joint Transportation Planning Group of SRPEDD was received, and will be forwarded to the Selectmen's representative. A copy of the Return of the Municipal Electric Department to the Department of Public Utilities for the year ended December 31, 1978 was noted. * * * *** ****x Rodney Plourde of 416 South Main Street met with the Selectmen to summarize what he feels is a very serious traffic problem at Willow, Fruit and So. Main Streets, which has been highlighted by a fatal accident on April 28th. Mr. Plourde, who is a senior transportation engineer for a civil engineering con- sulting firm, presented a detailed plan to the Board on suggestions for changes. This included a schematic drawing of So. Main, Willow and Fruit Streets representing existing conditions and suggestions for improvements which can be done individually or in a package. He estimated the cost of improvements at $3,200.00 if installed by contractors, but indicated they could be done for less if installed by the Mansfield DPW. Mr. Plourde further requested that a study be made consisting of an accident history, interviews with neighbors for unrecorded events and mapping of 1 accidente /collisions as documentation for the State DPW to justify reducing the speed limit on Route 140. -2- BOARD OF SELECTMEN/LIGRT Minutes of the Meeting ( May 2, 1979 Page 3 Selectman Avery, who termed himself a "biased supporter" as he has had five different incursions by motorists on to his property, was in favor of making improvements, and felt that the Board should turn the matter over to the Town Manager and Town Engineer. Mr. Plourde also expressed concern with the fact that there is a school bus stop on So. Main Street at the corner of Fruit St. where there have been numerous excursions off road. Selectman Mahana stated that the Board should relay a recommendation to the School Committee that the school bus stop be moved to the east on Fruit Street. Selectman Mahana also noted that Willow and Fruit Streets are not state property, and the DPW Director should be directed to make improvements. The Town Manager responded that we still have to petition the state to do this. The Board commended Mr. Plourde for his excellent study and presentation. Selectman Mahana then read a letter from Lorraine Luck of 20 Pine Needle Lane requesting prompt action on the proposed traffic control for the intersection of Route 106 and Franklin Street. Mrs. Luck was in the audience and was informed by the Town Manager that the equipment will be delivered within two weeks and installed by the end of May. The Board of Assessors met with the Selectmen, with John Prescott speaking for the Assessors. They requested that the Selectmen support continuation of the Assessors' salary system as opposed to a fee system recommended by the Finance Committee. Assessor Turinese asked if the Finance Committee were empowered to change the structure, and Selectman DeLong responded that this would be decided by the Town Meeting. The Board of Selectmen unanimously agreed to recommend the salary schedule instead of a fee system for the Assessors. Selectman Mahana commented favorably on the lack of complaints received regarding the Board of Assessors. There was a brief discussion on spraying for gypsy moths. The Town Manager announced there would be no gypsy moth spraying this year as no money had been appropriated. (Selectman Colella arrived at 8015 p.m.) No petitions have been received regarding bus service between Attleboro and Mansfield. Members of the audience commented in favor of such service, particularly for young and elderly people who do not have transportation available. Selectman Caponigro noted that he had presented a request to the Board of Selectmen for funding of bus service. The Board had asked for petitions, as GATRA will provide cost figures if we have a petition. Select- man Caponigro made a motion to insert an article into the next Special Town Meeting for funding to institute bus service on a trial basis. The motion * was seconded by Selectman DeLong. Voted 5 -0. -3- BOARD OF SELECTDM- LIGHT Minutes of the Meeting May 2, 1979 Page 4 Chairman Avery announced that there will be no Board of Selectmen's meeting next Wednesday, May 9, 1979 due to the Annual Town Meeting. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager read a letter from WARA in Attleboro giving results of a survey the station had made on problems in the area. No. 1 problem of listeners is vandalism and No. 2 problem is taxes. The Town Manager reported that building construction permits for the month of April amount to $1.3 million, with a cumulative total of $6.5 million so far this year. A call was received from Joseph Sullivan of No. Attleboro relative to meeting with the Selectmen of No. Attleboro and Plainville to perambulate the boundaries on May 12, 1979. The concensus was that either May 12th or May 19th would be agreeable for most of the Selectmen. The Town Manager noted receipt of a letter from DEQE regarding a hearing on Rivers and Harbors on May 23rd. Selectman Mahana questioned whether the Oak Street culvert would fall into this category. It is not believed so. The Town Manager gave a brief report on the Mass. Municipal Managers meeting in Milbury on financial disclosure laws. The major points were that the probable effective date will be 1980, and the association would like input from municipal officials and will hold hearings. One question is whether or not an official would be required to disclose if he were not compensated. Selectman DeLong stated that it is hard enough to attract competent people now, and anything done to discourage them would be crazy. It is the con - census of the Board that they would be opposed to this for any unpaid town official. The Town Manager reported that the new Town Engineer had started work on /fNKii 27, 1979. Tom Bonome, Bob Button, Tom Leonard and the Town Manager attended a Civil Defense meeting in Fall River in preparation for the state wide exercise to be held in June. The general public will not be involved in this, and a meeting of local officials will be held prior to the exercise. Mr. Beggs expects to have the Veterans' Memorial completed by Memorial Day. He plans to start work next week, and the Water Department will work out a source of water for him near the monument. -4- BOARD OF SELECTMEN/LIGHT Minutes of the Meeting May 2, 1979 Page 5 Board Reports Selectman Caponigro reported that he has talked with two masons to get prices on the West Mansfield monument brick work, but has now found an employee of the Highway Department who can lay brick. Al Carpeno and the Highway Depart- ment man will do the work. Selectman Caponigro also reported on the leak in the windows in the Town Hall. We have been notifying the architect and contractor whenever it rains. However, nothing has been done. He made a motion to send a letter to the contractor giving him 30 days to correct the situation or we will have the work done and back charge the contractor, subject to the approval of Town Counsel. Seconded * by Selectman DeLong. Voted 5 -0. The status of the Back Bay Brook project was questioned by Selectman Caponigro. The Town Manager will get a report for the next meeting. Selectman Mahana suggested cutting back money for the South Common Improvement from $6,000 to $3,000. The Tom Manager is to check Southeastern Regional School for welding costs, etc. Selectman Colella inquired about the status of the drainage project on Union Street Extension. The Town Manager replied that there is a problem between property owners. A swailing box was going to be installed to raise the manhold about 611. There is a supposed paper street but abutters claim the property. The material has been there for several weeks awaiting resolution of the dispute. Selectman DeLong would like to have the Board assign Chad Maurer to get to- gether with Whitman and Howard on updating the water master plan, with the intent that a year from now we go before Town Meeting with a bond issue to implement those items over a 5 or 10 year period. He stated that water is one of our biggest problems right now and we have not been doing anything since funding ran out. If we can get money approved, we would not have to borrow until it is needed over a period of time. Selectman DeLong moved, after some discussion, that a bond issue for the master water plan be presented to the Town Meeting * in 1980. Seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 5 -0. Selectman Colella moved to adjourn. No second. Selectman Avery stated that while the Board voted to insert Article 3 (To petition the General Court for permission to refund tax money) in the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting on Wednesday, May 9th, the Board has not taken a position on the Article. A discussion followed with Selectmen Avery, DeLong and Caponigro opposed to supporting the article as it would be a time - consuming and cumbersome process to rebate, and it would also be expensive. They feel it would be more advantageous to the taxpayers to use this money, after certifi- cation by the State, to reduce the tax rate for next year. Selectmen Mahana and Colella believe that the taxpayers want the money refunded and that it is -5- BOARD OF SELECTMEN/LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting May 29 1979 Page 6 the Selectmen's responsibility to see that the money gets back to the people. Selectman Mahana made a motion that the Board support Article 3, seconded by Selectman Colella. Motion Failed 2 -3. The Town Manager was asked to check into the traffic control at Forbes Blvd. and Route 106. There was a discussion on how to present the salary accounts at the Town Meeting in view of the Board's recommendation for a 690 cost of living increase for non -union personnel, and the fact that the Town is still in negotiations with the unions. It is recommended that the Town Manager consult with the Town Counsel on this, and prepare figures for a Sunday morning meeting. Selectman Avery inquired about the status of the Foxboro Mall. The Town Manager has not heard anything new on the subject. Calleen Cheney of the Finance Committee was in the audience and presented a report on the 694 -1 account to Chairman Avery, which he read. Following some discussion, it appears that two grants were received from the Emergency Preparedness Fund, one in the amount of $7,587.99 which was erroneously put into estimated receipts, and another in the amount of $7,475.00 which was correctly entered. However, the $7,587.99 was journal entried to the 694 -1 account which made a total of $15,062.99• There was also a discussion of the use of the Dustin Well account for Article 2 of the first Special Town Meeting. The Town Manager believes that the money available in the account is not bonded money. $175,000 was borrowed for the account at first with an additional $475,000 borrowed later, for a total of $650,000. Of this, only $430,000 was bonded. However, the Finance Committee has reservations about the legality of using this money for Article 2 and would prefer to use Surplus Revenue instead. This was agreed to by the Selectmen. Robert Saquet of the Municipal Building Committee was also in the audience and gave the Board an informal report on the proposed DPW garage. He stated that the Parks & Recreation Commission has chosen not to participate in the project as they would like to have their own building at the park eventually, and this cuts the scope of the project by 2,000 feet. He briefly described the present plan as 8,000 square feet of new space to be used in conjunction with the existing building. The building is to be subdivided -- new office space and maintenance,and storage, control of parts, etc. No more vehicle storage space than now used will be included. Another phase of the project would be a fuel depot for use by all town departments, to maintain a three to six month fuel supply of regular gas, no -lead and diesel fuel. There was a discussion about installing a chain link fence around the area, and it was determined that fencing across the front of the area would be sufficient. 10 BOARD OF SELECTMEN/LIGRT Minutes of the Meeting May 2, 1979 Page 7 The total cost of the project is estimated at from $220,000 to $250,000, including a hydraulic lift. This works out to $25.00 per foot for 8,000 square feet, fully equipped. The building is to be of relatively inexpen- sive construction, with a minimum amount of heated space to save on insulation. Only the maintenance area and office area would be heated. Selectman DeLong questioned why the Town Manager has not been consulted in the planning, and also wants the Parks and Recreation Commission to meet with the Selectmen on May 16th. Mr. Saquet recommended bonding the project now at 6 to 6- 12$0. If the building is put off for a year it will cost more. Selectman Avery requested the Town Manager to go over this project and report back to the Board. The Selectmen chose 55 names from the Town Street List for jury duty. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. -7-