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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 8-8-1979BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS A G E N D A August 8, 1979 7:30 p.m. - Call to Order Warrant Clerk's Folder 7:40 p.m. - Finance Committeee Appointment 7:45 P.M. - David White - RE: Pond 8:00 p.m. - Commuter Rail Committee Water Rates Taxi Regulations Board & Committee Handbook Board Reports Town Manager's Report Pending Items Traffic Lights at Franklin & 106 Traffic Lights at Rt. 140 & Forbes Job Classifications (Deadline - Sept. 1) Back Bay Brook Phase 3 Water Rates Foxboro Mall (Traffic Pattern) Sanitary Landfill Oak St. Culvert Railroad Station Parking New Downtown Traffic Pattern REMINDER - -- Meeting Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. with Joan Cutillo and Finance Committee. BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting August 8, 1979 Present: Selectman Frank Colella, Lyman C. Avery, Norman Mahana, Antonino Caponigro, Jr., and Town Manager William P. Metropulos. (Selectman Robert M. De Long absent) The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. A Warrant in the amount of $67.00 (Revenue Sharing) was read. This was approved on a motion by Selectman Mahana, seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 4 -0. A Warrant in the amount of $77,528.71 was read. This was approved on a motion by Selectman Mahana, seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 4 -0. Correspondence A letter adressed to Selectman Colella from Robert A. Linari requesting the possibility of adding one more street light on James Street was noted. The policy in request like these is to have the Town Manager and director of the light department look at the area in question. This request was taken under advisement until next week. Correspondence from the Bureau of Accounts was noted advising us that the amount of 'free cash's as,of:July 1, 1979 for the Town of Mansfield is $1,105,095. A memo was noted from Chad Maurer, Planning Director with a proposal for use of the certified "free cash ". Selectman Avery noted that the Selectmen will be meeting Sunday morning with the FinCom and this will be discussed. A memo was noted from Community Health Center confirming dates from the up- coming year to hold their Immunization Clinics. A ;report from the police department was read advising that there were no disturbances reported for the week from the local liquor establishments. An open letter to the Selectmen from Margo Jellinek was noted regarding the Special Town Meeting and Article 13• Finance Committee Appointment Finance Committee members, Dave Clemmey, Calleen Cheney, Joseph Houghton and Roger Dotson met with the Selectmen to fill a vacancy on the Finance Committee. Clerk Mahana read the list of applicants and the voting went as follows: The four FinCom members that were present were unanimous in their vote for (.Jeffrey Ptaschnik, 21 Hemlock Lane, Selectman Caponigro, Mahana and Colella voted' for I. Jeffrey Ptaschnik, 21 Hemlock Lane; Selectman Lyman C. Avery voted for Lawrence Pigeon, 34 Clinton St. I. Jeffrey Ptaschnik, 21 Hemlock Lane was appointed on the first ballot with a 7 -1 vote. Correspondence was noted from the Comm. of Mass. Outdoor Advertising Division on an application from the Cleveland Twist & Drill Co. for renewal of their billboard, The Board noted that they do not object to this. BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIG,HT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting August 8, 1979 Page 2 A memo from the Town Manager was read regarding a "contact" problem with the dog officer. The dog officer noted that neither he nor the police have any problem in contacting one another. The Town Manager is also recommending that the telephone and answering device be included in the FY80 -81 budget, in the meantime the dog officer will continue as before to leave the contact point, the police station. Selectman Mahana, who raised this "contact" problem noted that the next time he receives a complaint that the dog officer cannot be located he will note the police officer who could not make the contact. Copy of a letter that the Town Manager wrote to the Council -on -Aging was noted. The letter commends the Council for all their work in raising the extra needed money for the new mini -bus. A letter was noted from Sannie's asking that something be done about the "public parking" lot at Rumford & Old Colony Ave. Mr. Farinella, TreasurercClerk of Sannie's noted that with the new one -way traffic pattern all available parking space will be needed and that this area is a "posted 2 -hour parking zone ". The Town Manager noted that he has spoke to the police department on this and about the only way this can be enforced would be to mark the tires with a piece of chalk and come back two hours later to check. Commuters utilizing the train it was noted are parking there all day. A notice of a public hearing on proposed changes in Civil Service rules was read. The hearing will be held on Thursday, August 30 in Boston. The Town Manager plans on attending and Selectman Avery noted that he would also like to go. Permits for two houses to be moved from West Street were forwarded to the Planning Board for approval a few weeks back, because West St. is a Senic Road. The Planning Board is recommending that the permits be granted provided that the mover certifies to the Town that it will not require the cutting of any trees or removal of stone walls within the West Street right -of -way. Selectman Avery noted that the reason these two permits were not approved was because of past due bills owed to the electric department for previous house movings. Selectman Mahana moved that permission to move these two houses be tabled until all outstanding bills are paid, seconded by Selectman Colella. Voted 4-0. Selectman Caponigro noted that the permit is granted to D.R. Betts the mover and not the homeowner, and it is up to him to see that the bills are paid. Correspondence was noted from the Office of Energy Resources regarding public information programs on energy conservation. Selectman Mahana noted that he feels we should contact the energy office and let them know that the Town Hall is open to them on a given night to conduct one of these seminars. The monthly report of July, 1979 from the Mass. Tourist Information Center was noted. It was noted that due to the gasoline shortage, attendance was down by 23% from last year's figures.. -2- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting August 8, 1979 Page 3 Commuter Rail Committee Richard D'Onofrio, Charles Campbell and Paul O'Neill, members of the Commuter Rail Committee ( COMPARK) met with the Selectmen to discuss the status of ob- taining parking spaces to date. Mr. D'Onofrio noted that last Thursday the Committee met with GATRA and explained their concern to them, in order to go forward with the lease requirements as outlined by the MBTA for rental of three parcels for parking, major renovations will be needed and the Town will not be able to accomplish what the MBTA wants done because of the cost. Parcels 1,2 & 3 that the Town own can be effectively utilized to take care of approximately 200 -400 cars,.and these parcel §:.could be designated for Mansfield residents since they already contribute to commuter rail and parcels 5,6 & 7 used for commuters outside of Mansfield to defray 1 he cost of running the commuter rail to Mansfield. Selectman Avery questioned how the Committee intended to enforce the parking rules. Selectman Mahana noted that right now they are just trying to tie the whole thing together , there was a question brought up at one time of using the school crossing guards but they have not reached this point yet. The Committee tonight is looking for authorization from the Selectmen to have'the Town Counsel do a title search on parcel 1 and 3, the Committee wants to make sure that they are dealing with town own land. Mr. D'Onofrio noted that they would like to use Town Counsel for four things: ( 1, to do a title search on land owned by MBTA; 2, to do a title search on land owned by the Town; 3• to consult with the COMPARK Committee and review with them an agreement with the MBTA and 4. also draft up some type of agreement or lease with private property owners of land in that area. Selectman Caponigro moved that authority be given to the Town Counsel to work with the Commuter Rail Committee on these title research projects. Seconded by Selectman Colella. Voted 4 -0. Selectman Mahana noted that he would also like the continued use of the Town Engineer on this project, because the Committee is in the process of submitting a capital expenditure outline to GATRA and will need the help of the Town Engineer to formulate figures to get this on the ball. Selectman Caponigro noted that at today's meeting of GATRA they noted they were very receptive and will await Select- man Mahana's formal proposal at their next meeting. Mr. D'Onofrio wanted it noted that Selectman Mahana, Chairman of COMPARK is the hardest working member. Water Rate Study Two proposals were received to do a Water Rate Study, Camp Dresser & McKee and Whitman & Howard. Selectman Avery noted that the biggest difference in the two proposals is the price, one proposal is $10,000 and the other is $21,000. The Annual Town Meeting appropriated $10,000 for this study. ( A motion was made by Selectman Mahana that we grant the contract to Whitman & Howard, since they meet the amount specified at the Town Meeting for a water rate study In the amount of $10,000 and also they meet all the requirments that we needed. Seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 4 -0. as BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the fleeting August 8, 1979 Page 4 Selectmen reviewed the Taxi Regulations for the second time and after cor- rections approved the regulations. A motion for approval was made by Select- * man Mahana, seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 4 -0. Mr. John Glenn, 17 Fulton Street, who runs and operates Mansfield Taxi sifting in the audience was asked what he thought about the new rules and he felt they were very fair and he could live with them. He also questioned the Selectmen about the space up at the railroad station that he now leases from the MBTA and how this would affect him if the Town were to lease this property from the MBTA. Mr. Glenn was told by Selectman Mahana that the same conditions would probably exists. Mr. Glenn noted that he would be more than happy to sell the parking permits if and when the time arrives. The Selectmen then reviewed the Handbook on Boards, Committees and Commissions. After review and changes made the board adopted the new Handbook on a motion by Selectman Caponigro, seconded by Selectman Mahana. Voted 4 -0. During review of the Handbook, Selectman Colella made a motion to do away with the Board of Health and bring it back under direction of the Board of Selectmen noting that he was never in favor of separating it from the start. This received no second, Karl Clemmey, entered the meeting after meeting with the Planning Board for approval of his site plan. At last week's meeting a sewer connection permit was taken under advisement pendirg approval of the site plan. However, Mr. Clemmey informed the Board that in checking with the Building Inspector, a sewer connection permit has to be obtained before a site plan is approved and under state law, it cannot be denied if space is available. A motion to approve the sewer connection permit for Karl Clemmey at 370 West Street was made, Selectman Avery stepped down from the chair and seconded the motion. Voted 4 -0. Approval of two house moving permits for houses to be moved from West Street was moved by Selectman Caponigro, subject to overdue bills with the Ilght department being paid, seconded by Selectman Mahana. Voted 4 -0. Town Manager's Report The Town Manager noted that the Board of Assessors are compiling a list of all town owned land separate from the tax exempt list. A survey is also being done regarding the Town Hall being kept open till 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evenings. A meeting with MMWEC has been tentatively scheduled for Thursday, August 30, 7:30 p.m. here at the Town Hall to discuss Seabrook and nuclear power. ( The Town Manager noted that due to the rain we had over the past weekend, our wells were sufficiently replenished and suggest lifing the water ban. A motion was made by Selectman Mahana, seconded by Selectman Caponigro to temporarily left the water ban. Voted 4-0. On the question of young adults congregating on Selectman Delong's rall, the Town Manager noted that the police are aware of the problem , have een watching the situation and have made arrests. -4- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting August 8, 1979 Page 5 Selectman Avery asked the Town Manager if the police department said they are having a problem with Selectman De Long or the people in his house when they make an arrest and the TownManager said "no ". (regardiijg effluent being discharged) On Avon /the material has been forwarded to CDM and we should be receiving a reply by next Wednesday. Mr. Metropulos noted that he discussed the material with CDM on the phone and it appears to be acceptable however, they did want to review the material. On the Fairfield Optical, the building inspector has been working with the JayCee "s on their planned use of the building for a haunted house to make sure all specific codes are met. On Thursday, the Town Manager noted that he met with Mr. Alegi, of the State DPW and discussed our available Chapter 90 funds. He was informed that we have approximately $240,000 left. These are funds that have accumulated up to FY77. Unless we can agree on improving some of our primary streets we may lose the funding. Primary roads that we discussed were as follows: Chauncy St. School St. Elm St. Central St. Route 106 Franklin St (Rt. 140 to No. Main St.) (West St. To Elm St. (School St. to town line) (Chauncy St. to Copeland Dr (No. Main St. to town line) .(Rt. 106 to town line) The funds available are not enough to do all the streets but will submit the list to the state and have them come out and review them. The Board agreed that all the streets be submitted, that the Board of Selectmen approves the repaving of all these roads. The Town Manager noted that he also discussed Oak St. with Mr. Alegi, however, this is not a primary road and further that any consideration given would have to i ;nclude widening, drainage, etc. Tentative approval has been given for the planned work of the culvert and the limited surfacing. On So. Main St,, Fruit & Willow Mr. Alegi noted that the state does not plan on doing any improvements, this area is not on the priority list and view the problem as an enforcement problem due to speed. MR. Plourde was also in attendance at this discussion and is looking for the Town to establish a street line he was advised that his surveyor will establish the property markers and line the Town then will verify accurateness. Mr. Plourde's plans that were submitted to the state were rejected. The question of putting reflectors up was discussed but the Town Manager noted that] they are torn down as fast as they are put up. the State said Selectman Avery who lives on the So'. Main St. near the corner of Willow and Fruit St. feels that it is a case of enforcement and really is a case of ex- cessive speed ( The Town Manager read the building construction costs for the month of July. Construction cost for the month of July was $362,745 and $14,929,334. to date, for the year. A total of $890.00 was collected in fees for the month of July. -5- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting August 8, 1979 ( Page 6 Board Reports Selectman Caponigro noted that he attended a GATRA meeting today and discussed proposals for the railroad station and it is official that our assessment for FY78/79 will be a maximum of $13,500 and could be less. Also, Selectman Caponigro noted that the water department is having a problem with collection of liens because of houses in Norton that Mansfield supply water to and houses in Mansfield that Norton supplys water to, he feels that the Town Counsel should investigate this. The Town Manager noted that he could not find any agreements with other towns as far as supplying of water.. Selectman Mahana noted that he would like to see the work on the Oak St. bridge done before the winter season. The Town Manager noted that as soon as the Town Engineer has the specs drawn we will advertise. Selectman Mahana would like to have the locks changed on all the doors of the Town Hall especially the Town Manager's door. It was noted that the Board of Health had the locks changed on their files.because of files missing, it was also brought up that the doors of the Town Hall have been found open at night. Selectman Avery noted that he is in agreement if it is for the privacy of files. Two things can be done, either change the locks on the files or get bar locks with one master key , also the bar lock is a lot cheaper than changing all the locks Selectman Mahana noted that he did not propose this to exclude people from using the Town Hall. Selectman Avery suggest that the Town Manager check into bar locks and a master -key for the files and only the Town Manager would have the master key. Selectman Mahana noted that he would like to get a list of the call firemen that respond to the fire alarm5during the night and daylight hours, plus the number of alarms sounded on that alarm for a certain period of time (did not indicate the specified time). However, he decided that he would investigate this himself. Selectman Mahana noted that he would like to have the building inspector check out the huge pile of lumber on School St. Also the streets under the 140 under- pass are dirty again and a lot of areas on No. Main St, the vacant lot that use to house the Yarn Shop and the strip of town owned land at public parking. The Town Manager noted that he will look into this. Selectman Colella wanted to know if they still sell brooms and shovels in Mansfield. Selectman Mahana noted that it behooves the Town to set an example of cleanliness. Selectman Avery asked the Town Manager if money was cut from the budget for street cleaning and he noted that we did not cut money out of the budget but ( did not increase the line items for street cleaning, such as, maintenance to equipment, gas, oil, etc. The Town Manager noted that the street sweeper is out and has asked the highway director for a new schedule. ss BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting August 8, 1979 Page 7 Selectman Mahana noted that at Old Elm & School Sts., there is a culvert and a water problem, the problem seems to be that the inlet is lower than the outlet. This will be looked into by the DPW. Selectman Colella, noted that Angel St. is still having a water problem and wants to know if it is possible to put a catch basin in across the street. The Town Manager noted that this is a major drainage problem and will have to come under the Capital Improvement Program. Selectman Colella questioned if a boundary marker can be put up on the corner of James St. (this is a parcel of land that was donated to the Town at the last Town Meeting). The Town Manager noted that this has already been done. Selectman Colella also noted that the drainage problems on Ware & Park Sts. should be looked into before any repaving is done. The Town Manager noted that the highway director is aware of these problems. Other problems that Selectman Colella wants looked into are: lights that are out on No. Main St. from the underpass to the Purina store; George Briggs, Hodges St., stump in front of his house and the corner of 106 & No. Main St. should be cut back allowing the trailer trucks to make the corner. Regarding the corner, Selectman Colella was told that this is in the plans but where this is a six month trial run they don't want to do any major work yet. ( Selectman Mahana, noted that he would like to draft an article for the next Town Meeting to raise money for trees to be planted in the No. Main St. area. Last years budget was cut to $1.00. He feels that the Board of Selectmen should be the leaders in enhancing the beauty of the Town. Selectman Avery, questioned the Town Manager when the lights at 106 & Franklin will be energized., The Town Manager noted that we are still waiting for signs and markings on the street have to be sandblasted off, also, a pole has to be removed and an island has to be cut back. Selectman Avery asked the Town Manager what the status was on the WW2 monument? The Town Manager noted that Mr. Beggs said he is really backlogged and is trying to do this work along with other work that he has and that he is losing money on this and now it is costing him money. The whole thing is in the hands of the trustees. Selectman Avery questioned what we have to do to get people to clean up their property. He is referring to the "Schultz" property that is in the middle of the industrial park. He was told that this comes under the Board of Health and they will be notified. Leon Grant asked if he could meet with the Board. Before approval was granted, Selectman Mahana made a motion that here after unless someone is on the agenda, they will not be allowed to present an article or petition or discuss anything that is not already on the agenda. Seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 4 -0. Selectman Avery noted that he agrees with this in order to prevent a discussion on something that the Board is not prepared for. IVa BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting ( August 8, 1979 Page 8 Leon Grant came before the Board regarding the problems that he has been having with the Conservation Commission in the development of his pond. However, the Board told him that there is not much they can do and i,f he believes that he is right in what he is doing to proceed and take legal action if necessary. He was also told that if he has a legitimate complaint that a Board is not acting in good faith then the Board of Selectmen may call a jbint meeting with that Board or Commission to dis- cuss the problem, however, he should have documentation of this. Two jurors were chosen for the Taunton Superior Court: Eleanor M. Ottaviani Philip Thurber 576 No. Main Street 35 Glen Street Their being no further business the board adjourned the meeting at 10:20 p.m. -8-