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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 6-6-1979BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS AGENDA June 6, 1979 7:30 p.m, - Call to Order Warrant Minutes - May 30, 1979 Clerk's Folder Correspondence 7:45 p.m. - Endorsement of Street Acceptance Plans Town Manager's Report Bi- Monthly- Meetings with Boards, Committees and Commissions Board Reports Executive Session - Board of Assessors PENDING ITEMS Traffic Lights at Franklin & 106 Traffic Lights at 140 & Forbes Blvd. Job Classifications Back Bay Brook Phase 3 Water Rates Foxboro Mall (Traffic Pattern) Sanitary Landfill Oak St. Culvert Railroad Station Parking Notice - Fire Department Parade Sunday- 9:00 a.m. from the Central Fire Station GATRA meeting Wednesday, June 13, 3:00 p.m. Taunton City Hall BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting June 6, 1979 Present: Selectman Frank Colella, Lyman C. Avery, Norman Mahana and Antonino Caponigro, Jr. Town Manager William P. Metropulos. (Selectman Robert M. DeLong is on vacation) The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. The weekly warrant in the amount of $359,411.09 was read. This was approved * on a motion by Selectman Mahana, seconded by Selectman Colella. Voted 4 -0. A revenue sharing warrant in the amount of $33,158.99 was read. This was accepted on a motion by Selectman Mahana, seconded by Selectman Caponigro, Jr. * Voted 4 -0. The minutes of May 30, 1979 were read. Selectman Avery noted that his name was spelled wrong in the first column of page 1. Selectman Colella noted that he was not late as recorded, that he was on the telephone talking to one of his "constituents ". However, the Board agrees that he was not present at the open- ing of the meeting and present for the voting on the warrant and minutes. The minutes of May 30, 1979 were approved with the corrections on a motion by * Selectman Caponigro, seconded by Selectman Mahana. Voted 3 -1 (Selectman Colella opposed) ( The Executive Minutes of May 30, 1979 were tabled until next week for approval. Clerk's Folder An application for an Auctioneer's license was noted from Orville Davis This will be a 1 -day license for June 16, with a rain date of June 23, 1979. License was approved on a motion by Selectman Mahana, seconded by Selectman Caponigro. * Voted 4 -0. Correspondence A transfer request was noted from the Board of Health for payment to James Dunn, Engineer, in the amount of $362.50. The Board deferred approval until this can be checked out further. A letter was noted from Town Counsel to the Town Manager regarding the air - conditioning of the computer room. It was agreed after discussion of this letter that the light department go ahead with the plans to install the air - conditioning in the computer room. Motion by Selectman Caponigro, seconded by Selectman * Mahana. Voted 4 -0. A transfer request was noted in the amount of $215.54 to pay for the fencing mat aterials in a court awarded decision for Roscoe Hillman. Approval of this request was made on a motion by Selectman Mahana, seconded by Selectman Caponigro, Jr. * Voted 4 -0 A letter of resignation was noted from Edward Cooney, resigning from the FinCom. Selectman Caponigro moved that a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr. Cooney * seconded by Selectma- Mahana. Voted 4 -0. -1- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting June 6, 1979 Page 2 An invoice in the amount of $8,684.00 for the 4th payment on the Wastewater Treatment Facility and Intercepting Sewers from the Comm. of Mass., Division of Water Pollution Control,, was noted. A request for a Sewer Connection for Donald Maxwell, 81 Highland AVe. was ap- proved on a motion by Selectman Caponigro, seconded by Selectman Mahana Voted 4 -0. A request was noted from the Recreation Commission asking permission to use Maple Park and its facilities for the 1979 summer programs. Also, they request that the front entrance off Maple St. be cleared.. This request was approved * on a motion by Selectman Caponigro, seconded by Selectman Colella. Voted 4 -0. A letter was noted from the Board of Selectmen of No. Attleboro, with a new meeting date to perambulate the bounds, June 23, 11:00 a.m. Mansfield Selectmen are to provide the refreshments. Correspondence was noted from SRPEDD, regarding a special allocation of Com- munity Development Block Grant funds and rental assistance funds they plan on applying for some time this summer. A survey on municipalites showed that Mansfield could [use a total of 648 low income houses. A letter was noted from the Board of Library Trustees, urging the Town Manager to appoint an Historical Commission as soon as possible. The Town Manager noted ( that he would like to see an article in the newspaper giving townspeople a chance to submit an application. A letter was noted from Felix J. Cerrato, Jr., Secretary of the Mansfield Kiwanis requesting permission to hold a Limited Lottery, limited to 400 tickets. The Selectmen were not opposed to this and wished Mr. Cerrato who was in the audience, good luck. A list of accounts that will be overspent if current rate of expenditure continues was read. i A notice from the Commonwealth of Mass., Department of Public Utilities was read with notification of a public hearing to be held on Wednesday, June 27, 7:00 p.m. at the Springfield City Hall to raise the rates under certain schedules. Notification was received from GATRA that Administrative Assistant Larry Ross is leaving. Correspondence was noted from the Department of Revenue with the fiscal 1980 Appropriations Limit and Fiscal 1980 Levy Limit. A letter was read from Hugh D. Jones, Chairman of Citizens for Improvement of Commuter Rail with notification that a meeting will be held at the Norwood Town Hall on June 21, at 7:30 p.m.. In attendance will be Robert L. Foster, Chairman of the MBTA to discuss a list of matters compiled by the committee. Selectman Avery suggest that Selectman Mahana attend this meeting along with the Town Manager. -2- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting June 6, 1979 Page 3 Notification was received from SRPEDD on the next meeting to be held for the Joint Transportation Planning Group on Wednesday, June 13, 1979 in Raynham at the Raynham Junior High School. Selectman Avery asked the Town Manager to check and see if our SRPEED representative, Elwyn Atherton is attending these meetings. A news release was received from MMWEC that the long - awaited decision from the Department of Energy's decision relative to the operation of MMWEC's 341 MW Stony Brook Intermediate generating facility was received. MMWEC has passed the substantial financial penalty test, which will enable MMWEC to proceed with the construction of a vital power source for our members, project participants and the whole of New England. Construction is expected to be resumed propmptly. An application was noted from Edward Rosenberg, applying for the Computer Advisory Committee. Mr. Rosenberg notes that he has been in the data processing industry for the past 12 years. Bi- Monthly Civil Defense- Robert Buttons, Director noted that tomorrow night is the first meet of the Civil Air Patrol, flyers are at the airport and schools, also at the Taunton and Norwood airports. We will see after tomorrow night if Civil Air Patrol will be here in Mansfield. Mr. Buttons noted that he would like permission to hold the "coffee stop" over the Labor Day weekend at the highway garage. Last years "coffee stop" took in $3000 which is donated to MS. A motion was made by Selectman Colella, seconded by Selectman Caponigro for permission to hold this. Voted 4 -0. The disaster exercise will be held on June 9, and he hopes to have representa- tion from all departments. A simulated hurricane will be acted out, and this will also be a good chance to see how the Emergency Operations Plans will work. The Town Manager noted that he had the final draft of the Emergency Operations Plan which will need approval from the board. The final draft was completed with minor changes. The Board decided to deferred approval on this until next week to learn what the minor changes are. Computer Advisory Committee - Howard Heaton met with the Board as the Acting Chairman due to the resignation of James Blake. Mr. Heaton noted that as of June 3, billing for the month of April is slightly half done,.at the present progress they should be all caught up by the middle of July. There are still software problems being worked out . The report presented to the Board from Diane Dubuc pretty well sums up the problems that exist. The files are filling up very fast due to the number of transactions programmed each day, however, Mr. Heaton noted that he spoke to Joe McGonagle about this and he felt that after all the bugs are worked out and the system is working at a normal pace, the files should be good for a month before being filled. Mr. Heaton then began to discuss the "air - conditioner "for the computer room and the Board in- formed him that they voted tonight to have the system installed. Downtown Advisory Committee - Selectman Mahana noted that the ad on the pre- liminary proposal for the Fairfield Optical building have been sent out to New England Real Estate journals and the bid will be opened on July 23, 1979. -3- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting June 6, 1979 Page 4 i Industrial Development Committee- The Town Manager noted that he received a call from Ralph Seifert, Chairman and he noted that his committee has nothing new to report at this time. Library Trustees - Marion Horton referred to a letter that the Board of Library Trustees had written to the Town Manager urging him to appoint a:. Historical Commission as soon as possible. Marion also reported that the Trustees are going to visit towns the same size as Mansfield such as: Acton, Lexington and Stowe to look at their existing buildings that they have added onto. The Trustees are also very active in visiting many libraries throughout the state. The Trustees have met with the Municipal Building Committee and have worked with them on a very cooperative basis , also working with Friends of the Library in raising funds the the new building. The Children's program is going well, the library has many things to offer except space. Municipal Building Committee - Mr. James Douglas reported'rfor Robert Saquet. An architect, Dix Shevalier has been hired to prepare preliminary plans for the renovation and addition to the existing library. An important aspect of the project is the historical designation for Memorial Hall which the MBC has no control over, this will be handled by a Historical Commission appointed by the Town Manager. Work on the Qualters Middle School roof is now in the hands of architect Gerald Doherty and prepared plans and specifications hopefully will be out to bid by the end of June. The project should be completed by Fall pro- viding no unusual delays come up. Regarding the maintenace and storage build- ing for town departments , the MBC is asking the Selectmen to advise them as to what further action shojld be taken on this project at this time. It was agreed that the MBC meet with the Selectmen at their meeting of June 13. Board of Assessors - Assessor Peter Saunders reported that the Assessors have pretty well rapped up the field work. However, due to the charter change voted at the Town Meeting the Assessors are in limbo and would like to know where they stand legally as far as compensation, the liability exposure of the Assessors and whether they are considered employees are outside contractors. Selectman Avery noted that he agrees with them and feels that they should be in touch with the Town Counsel and all three, Town Counsel, Selectmen and Assessors meet jointly on the ramifications of the wtvrat change. Selectman Avery also noted that he discussed this with TownLL Wii(�el and that he will get back to the Assessors and the Selectmen with an answer for next week's meeting. Planning Board - Bob Lesuer met with the Selectmen as the Planning Board's new chairman . The Board is now reviewing a gravel removal application from the Henley- Lundgren Co. off of So. Main Street, a hearing was held 2 weeks ago and the Board has 60 days in which to reach a decision. Also being reviewed is an application from Peter Fontanini for a pond and sub - divsion. The preliminary sub - division plan from J.P. Smith out on Balcom Street is also being reviewed by the Board . The annual work program is still to be formulated for the coming ' year. Recreation Commission- Gino Cinelli reported to the Board that a ticklish situation came up last night at their meeting. A group had obtained a beer license before engaging Memorial Park, and the park had already been spoken for. Gino noted that he would appreciate it if the Selectmen before granting any licenses for the park to make sure that the applicants have permission from the Recreation Commission. Gino then turned the meeting over to Ted Robinson , Superintendent of Parks and Commons. -4- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting June 6, 1979 % Page 5 Ted noted that he understood there has been quite a bit of complaining about the commons , the first problem is the rain and secondly he is understaffed. He is working with the help of three CETA workers plus a part -timer who works nites because of all the evening activites. Selectman Mahana noted that the only problem he could see is the scheduling and Ted noted that if they get a break in the weather and as soon as all the weekend activities slow down he will be able to reschedule. Weekend activities such as: Conservation Fair, Dog Show, Art Festival, etc is extra work for them because they have to set the common up,clean it , clear it etc. Selectman Avery noted to Ted regarding being understaffed if that meant he is missing a permanent worker and Ted said that he has fought for years to get a helper and had one but he was injured and he has been without one for two years now. The two CETA workers he has now will have a total of eighteen months and the third one will have a year in July but may be extended for an- other six months. The Town Manager noted that he has a request in for a laborer with a Class -2 license at the unemployment office but to date has not heard. Selectman Caponigro noted that he was the one who brought up the condition of the commons and always said that they looked good when done and realizes that the problem has been all the rain we have been getting. His only concern is the West Mansfield Common on the week -ends when visitors stop at the Old Country store. Ted continued and said that every day they spend two hours just picking up debris and rubbish, emptying barrels and going to the dump, however the commons are better than they have been. He also has charge of helping out in the drop - in- center if they need some work done, maintaining the Fisher Richardson house and the Hartwell School in East Mansfield for the Head Start program. Select- man Avery asked Ted if he asked the Town Manager for extra help and Gino sa4d that they have in the past and a letter is on it's way to the Town Manager ask- ing for more help. Selectman Caponigro noted that he would like to make a recommendation that the Recreation Commission go out and find someone, Select- man Colella noted that he will work with the Town Manager and try to locate help for them. It was agreed that the Board will do their best to find help. Great Woods Committee- Marydee Flynn noted that there was not much to report since the Toren Meeting. They are now meeting with the State DPW regarding the foot bridge to go over Rt. 495. Conservation Commission - Dave Devnew met with the Selectmen and noted thatlhis commission has been'holding hearings on pond development with the Henley - Lundgren company also, Peter Fontanini and J.P. Smith on their sub - divisions. Also being discussed are the little league fields going in out in the West Mansfield area. Robert Mangiaratti came to give a report on the Downtown Advisory Committee and Selectman Mahana noted that he reported on the Fairfield Optical proposal. ( Mr. Mangiaratti noted that press releases are also being submitted to New England newspapers and the Downtown Advisory Committee is meeting next week with the Planning Board because of the serious nature of the work they are getting involved with. The Planning Board would like to set up terms of office for the members at large. Bob also noted that he had a question to ask the Board, -5- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting June 6, 1979 Page 6 and asked what has happened with the "downtown traffic pattern? The Town Manager noted that he discussed this with the highway director and about 30 -40 signs are needed, some we have and some will have to be ordered. Some of the preliminary work has been done and a survey of the area was done today. The Town Manager feels it won't be until August before the new plan can be put into effect. Selectman Mahana gave a report on the Commuter Rail Committee, he noted that the bulk of the the parking area belongs to the MBTA and one of the members has contacted a Eugene Skoropowski of the MBTA and he feels that the land could be leased to the Town. Selectman Mahana notes that there will be a problem with enforcing any parking guidelines and will need an opinion on parking on Town; streets. Other areas his committee will be working in will be public relations, a questionnaire is being compiled aimed at the commuters. Selectman Mahana noted that he utilized a survey done by the Town Planner on commuters.ridership two years ago and feels that his committee may go over the 2 month time limit in having something set up because of the parking problem. Just in the train station area alone there are an excess of 150 cars via an aerial photo. Selectman Avery asked if anyone knows whether the holdharmless lanquage was put into the budget, and Benjamin from the Mansfield News noted that he spoke with Leon and and the lanquage is there but right now there is only a 1.8 million budget and in order to fund the hold harmless agreement they need about 2.8 million. The bill is now in the House Senate Conference Committee. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager noted that he spoke to Mr. Corliss the Administrator of Foxboro asking him to speak to Foxboro's building inspector regarding the sign at the Town lines of the Foxboro Furniture Co. Mr. Metropulos noted that he spoke to our building inspector about it also. The owners of Mr. Donut on Pratt St. have been notified also about removing the sign.from infront of their building. Regarding the granting of Auctioneer licenses, the Town Manager noted that there are no special requirments but the Board can control the number they issue. On Union St. Extension the Town has done some work, however, wb still have not received easements necessary to carry water off to the stream. Selectman Colella noted that he will obtain the easements necessary. The Town Engineer and highway director have been working with the State DPW and contractor on the Rt. 106 and Franklin traffic signals. The Town Manager noted that the So. Main St. and Willow St. is being reviewed by the State DPW , they note'that they are aware of the problem but have not yet discussed it with Rodney Ploude. Selectman Avery brought up a situation where Willow St. exits onto So. Main St. there is a sign advising people to stay to the right of the island when making a right or a left turn, however, there is no such sign entering Willow St. from So. Main. The Town Manager noted that he will bring this to the attention of the highway director. -6- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting June 6, 1979 Page 7 The Court awarded $134.44 to a Loretta Martin for damage claimed to two tires from hitting a pot hole on Willow Street. The Town Manager noted that he would like permission to get rid of "junk and old materials" around the highway garage in order to clean up the area. The materials will be taken to a junk dealer and the money put into the general fund. A motion was made by Selectman Caponigro, seconded by Selectman Colella * for permission to dispose of the junki: Voted 4 -0/ A constuction report from the building inspector for the Month of May was read. Construction estimated for the Month of May totalled $5,429,800., which included the new motel and the new Texas Instrument building going up in CC &F. Total con- struction for the year to date is $11,868,460. Selectman Mahana asked the Town Manager is he has a figure of monies accrued since the fees in the building department have been raised. The Town Manager said there would be no problem ingetting this figure. Board Reports Selectman Mahana would like the Town Manager to request a representative from the police department regarding enforcing commuter parking and any parking ordiances that we can use for a radius of about ; miles. Also Selectman Mahana asked the Town Manager to look into installing a mail drop on the West St. side of the Town Hall. The Town Manager noted that he has already looked into this. Selectman Colella asked the Town Manager if he has done anything about having a sign. installed on Oakland St. at the curve on the road. The Town Manager dis- cussed this further with Selectman Colella. Selectman Avery noted that the stop sign on Willow Street where the street exits onto Spring is hidden by brush and needs to be trimmed. Selectman Avery asked the Town Manager if he received a letter from the FinCom regarding the MDC contract and what action they took. The Town Manager noted that he has not heard from them and will investigate it. Selectman Avery noted that we will have to look seriously for a date for a Special Town Meeting and suggest that the Board think seriously about making this decision at next week's meeting. It was then decided to hold the Special on the second Monday in August, August 13, 1979 at 8:00 p.m.. Motion made by Selectman Caponigro, the time was amended to 7:00 p.m., seconded by Selectman Mahana. * Voted 4 -0. Selectman Avery brought up the question on whether or not the Board wants to post- pone the bi- monthly meetings until October and put the Selectmen's weekly meetings on a bi- weekly basis for the summer. Both proposal were turned down. Selectman Avery said that he is concerned about gangs in certain areas around town and would like the Town Manager to give them some direction on this. -7- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting June 6, 1979 Page 8 i A list of jurors chosen from the street listing book as follows: Earle Nash 11 Karen Farris Nellie Wellman 6 Casa Drive 175 Tremont Street 25 Davis Street Cristine C. Pfeil John S. Lishman George Prescott, Jr. 14 Coach Road 9 Davis Street 52 Walnut Street Phyllis Delliacono Robert J. Culbert Gerald Inman 2 Bonney Lane 590 Elm Street 17 Tremont St Steven A. Barnes Calleen Cheney Richard Fraites 4 Warren Avenue 140 Tremont Street 241 West Street Gregory Matoian Dennis Lovejoy Donald G. Moran 36 Lantern Lane 206 Central Street 36 CAsa Drive William F. Chace Benjamin Penno Jane M. Tegan 21 Henry Street 54 Dean Street 18 Coach Road Michael Riley George Davidson Thomas J. LeBlanc 60 Walnut Street 28 Oakland Street 37 DAvis Street Catherine Washburn Donna J. Smargon Richard M. Hinkson 201 West Street 87 Park Street 566 Elm Street John G. Berg, Jr. 219 East Street There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. -8-