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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin brd of selectmen 03152006 Present: Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 15,2006 !~.. /', ,! ,: ,:' ;"-l t "~j.. '.,'!!i ~ ~,; ; ~ Chairman Roger Achille (arrived at 8:18pm), Vice Chcjlrmafi,aemi{t~~rTS Dolan, Selectman David McCarter, Selectman Louis Amoruso and Selectman Michael McCue Town Manager John D'Agostino , F::!C;E~ r iv' 9: It LI The Board of Selectmen's meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Motion: To enter into Executive Session at 7:05pm for the sole purpose of discussing current litigation and return to Open Session at the conclusion of the Executive Session (Amoruso - McCue) Roll Call Vote: Amoruso, aye; McCue, aye; McCarter, aye; Dolan, aye Vote: 4-0 PASSES r- Ken Buckland from The Cecil Group was in attendance, along with Margarita Iglesia. The following members of the Planning Board were also present: John DeMassi, Fred Armstrong, Walter Jenkins, Ken Torman, Doug Annino, Tom French. Planning Director Shaun Burke was also in attendance. Mr. Buckland said that we have been working for months on this TOD project. We have talked directly with over 150 residents of the town and have held many meetings. One of the items that came up in the discussion is that things other things must happen outside of the TOD area. Mr. Buckland said that the parking garage was the piece was to consolidate commuter parking and additional parking and allowing for development to happen. In speaking about the traffic on Route 106, the garage was the big elephant, at an estimated cost of $27 million. The Phase I concept allows for slight expansion of parking in the form of a lot. Potential improvements that were provided by individuals were: Highland Ave. intersection improvements, pedestrian RR underpass, rail bridge pedestrian enhancements, North Common expansion, exit road to County St., Route 106 widening, etc. Mr. Buckland noted that a way to help pay for the improvements is in the form of district improvement financing plan. Mr. Buckland provided an overview on the district improvement financing plan, a state program. Mr. Buckland provided a chart of the capital program, whereby the capital program costs total $6.5 million and a potential of r Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 15,2006 1 r- $2.5 million in state TOD funds. There is no increase in taxes for anybody, but rather the taxes generated will go to specific projects. In coming forward with this, the town is not in a position to fund the types of projects we are looking for. Mr. McCarter asked about the number of parking spaces. Mr. Buckland said that there would be about 600 on the west side of the tracks; he said that we have about 480 right now on the west side of the tracks, including private and public. He noted that if the garage is appropriate in the future, the lot could be made into a garage. Mr. DeMassi said that if the project is built without a garage, how a garage could be built later. Mr. Buckland said that there is an option of a parking deck on the south side of Chauncy Street. Mr. McCarter asked about the amount of residential units and Mr. Buckland said that we are talking about 280 units. Mr. McCarter expressed concern about these potential residents using services such as the schools. Mr. Buckland replied that the use of the services was taken into account. Mr. DeMassi said that a number of families will move into this proposed new development. Mr. McCarter questioned if we can limit the 600 spaces to Mansfield residents only because we are using state funds and Mr. Buckland said that we could call a certain portion "town spaces" that we would control. Mr. Amoruso expressed concern about the number of children in the new development. Mr. Buckland said that the demographics show that approximately 60 children are expected to move into the development; it would be less than 2 children per unit. r- Ms. Iglesia said that we are talking the worst case scenario; it is safe to consider that it may be less. Mr. McCue noted that we have to look at the pros and cons of this as Mansfield is bursting at the seams in the schools. Mr. McCarter asked if we looked into funding this through a parking authority. Mr. Buckland said that some of the other infrastructure improvements will still need to be made. Mr. D'Agostino said that he does not want to turn this into a regional parking facility but agrees the need for additional parking for our residents. Mr. Amoruso said that assuming that the property owners buy into this, the mechanism that we would implement would be a zoning change. He asked about control. Mr. Buckland said that they looked at the market to gauge interest. One of the things that we added into the capital project is buying land. Mr. McCarter noted that something needs to be done in this area, particularly with respect to the parking situation. Mr. Buckland noted that district increment financing may be the tool the town can use. Mr. McCue noted that two communities are using district increment financing; he is skeptical about DIFs; he doesn't believe that 11-1 or 16-1 doesn't make muster. Mr. McCue said that he is looking for more commercial. Mr. Buckland said that in Worcester, the garage has already been built. He said that there are hundreds of these types of projects (DIFs - called TIFs elsewhere) working elsewhere. He admitted that there are some key decisions to be made. In terms of the mix of the project, it has been proven to be successful. A lot of residential is needed to r-- Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 15, 2006 2 ,r- make commercial work. Ms. Iglesia noted that there is a downtown area that needs to be considered. Mr. Buckland said that we tend to be heavy toward residential because the market is there and because they are customers. Mr. DeMassi highlighted various uses that aren't retail or warehouses that could happen: daycare, indoor hockey rink, recreational facility; etc. Mr. Buckland said that a zoning provision could be written where more of this could be added. Mr. McCue reiterated his discomfort with DIFs and the two concepts have far too much residential. Mr. Buckland said that he will send along the Tiverton, RI example because it is a small town. Mr. Dolan asked if the Planning Board has met on this plan and the members replied that they had not yet met. The Board thanked Mr. Buckland and Ms. Iglesia for attending. Motion: To enter into Executive Session at 8:15pm to discuss pending litigation and return to Open Session at the conclusion of the Executive Session (McCarter - Amoruso) 4-0 Passes Roll Call Vote: Amoruso, aye; McCue, aye; McCarter, aye; Dolan, aye or"' The Board returned to open session at 8:30pm with Mr. Achille present. DPW Director Lee Azinheira & DPW Office Manager Betty Amicone were present for the discussion. Mr. Azinheira said that we solicited contracts for trash collection services. He tried to get different vendors and different options. He met with 5 different planners and got curbside collection quotes from 2 vendors and tipping from 3 vendors. Waste Management and Allied were the two companies that produced quotes for solid waste and recycling. Mr. Azinheira said that he has some experience with municipal trash collection in his hometown, as he is on his DPW Board. He noted some of the concerns with municipal trash collection and is recommending that we contract out. He explained the chart that he handed out to the Board. He noted that Waste Management provided a quote for automated collection, and they would provide the barrels. The good news is that overall, we have assumed an overall reduction of 10% from last year. He is looking to have an advertising blitz on cardboard/paper recycling as well as possible hire someone to go around enforcing collection by the contractor and from residents. r Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 15, 2006 3 r Mr. McCue asked about the length of years for a contract. Mr. Azinheira said the curbside contract would be for 5 years, the disposal would be for 1.5 years with Waste Management and the contract with Wheelabrator would then kick in. Mr. McCarter asked for a chart that showed the amounts for 5 years. Mr. Azinheira noted that Wheelabrator is looking for a response by June, so this will need to go to Town Meeting. With respect to white goods, the goods are picked up by the contractor, but it costs $25.00 per item and the town is currently paying that cost. Mr. Dolan asked about recycling at the schools. Ms. Amicone indicated that they do recycle. Mr. D'Agostino said that while we are doing better with recycling, there is a significant amount of savings that could be realized if we were recycling more cardboard and paper. Mr. D'Agostino asked Ms. Amicone what assumptions are we making and Mr. Azinheira said that we are comparing apples to apples. Mr. D'Agostino said that the contractor is trying to be competitive with respect to automated collection because we would be one of the first communities to do so and he is trying to get into the market. Mr. McCarter asked if we could do automated collection and Mr. Azinheira noted that there are a lot of start-up costs, labor issues and vehicle maintenance/breakdowns involved. r"' Mr. Amoruso noted his interest in going to automated and taking it to Wheelabrator. Mr. Azinheira said that the Board doesn't need to go make a decision tonight. If we went to an automated system, we would need lead time to provide containers and could start this up in April 2007. Mr. Dolan suggested putting this on the agenda in the next couple of meetings. Mr. Azinheira said that he is also looking for a reserve fund transfer for $26,479.00 to the Highway Division to replace the pump and repair and re-drill the irrigation well at the Plymouth Street Recreation Fields. Motion: To support (McCue - Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Candidates for appointment to the Animal Welfare Committee are Amy Gartland-Magee and Sally Holm. Each candidate introduced themselves to the Board. Mr. Achille asked if the Board members had questions for the candidates. Mr. Dolan noted that there are two vacancies with different terms ending and asked if either candidate cares which term they get and both noted that they do not. Mr. Amoruso asked if they are members of PET A and both replied that they are not. He noted that they have the time and the passion. Mr. McCarter thanked the candidates for coming in. ,"--" Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 15, 2006 4 r Motion: To appoint Sally Holm as an alternate member to the Animal Welfare Committee to the term ending January 1, 2007 (McCue - Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Motion: To appoint Amy Magee as an alternate member to the Animal Welfare Committee to the term ending January 1, 2008 (McCue - Amoruso) 5-0 Passes Candidate for appointment to the Board of Health is Joe DeGirolamo. Mr. Dolan asked if he has been on any other board/committee and Mr. DeGirolamo replied that he had not. Mr. McCarter asked why he is interested in the Board of Health. Mr. DeGirolamo noted that he doesn't know too much about the Board but is excited about learning. Mr. Dolan noted that this Board has a lot of power. Mr. McCue noted that Mr. DeGirolamo does not regularly attend Town Meeting and Mr. DeGirolamo said that he has attended them in the past and watches them on television. Mr. Amoruso asked him about the issues and Mr. DeGirolamo noted that he is interested in learning about the issues. Mr. McCarter noted that he will provide a good mix to the Board. r- Motion: To appoint Joseph DeGirolamo to the Board of Health for the term ending January 1, 2009 (McCue - Amoruso) 5-0 Passes . Warrant No. 37 in the amount of $2,879,655.64 Motion: To approve (Amoruso - Dolan) 4-0-1 Passes (Mr. McCue abstaining and Mr. McCarter abstaining from check # 351083) . Warrant No. 38 in the amount of $2,663,524.32 Motion: To approve (Amoruso - Dolan) 5-0 Passes (Mr. McCarter abstaining from check # 351184 . Regular Session Minutes of March 1, 2006 Selectmen's Meeting Motion: To approve (Dolan - Amoruso) 4-0-1 Passes (Mr. McCarter abstaining) r Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 15, 2006 5 r- . Hackney Driver Application for James Madden (all documentation is in order and the Town Manager is recommending approval) Motion: To approve (McCue - Amoruso) 5-0 Passes . Water Installer's License for Callahan Inc., 80 First Street, Bridgewater (all documentation is in order and the Water Operations Manager is recommending approval) Motion: To approve (Amoruso - McCue) 5-0 Passes . Restricted Water Installer's License for Oliveira Construction Inc., 1100 Grand Army Highway, Somerset (all documentation is in order and the Water Operations Manager is recommending approval of a restricted license for the construction related services related the Branch Street project.) Motion: To approve (Amoruso - Dolan) 5-0 Passes . Drainlayer's License renewal for Callahan, Inc., 80 First Street, Bridgewater (all documentation is in order and the Town Engineer is recommending approval) Motion: To approve (Amoruso - McCue) 5-0 Passes r- . Drainlayer's License renewal for Dejonco Construction Corp., 500 School Street, Mansfield (all documentation is in order and the Town Engineer is recommending approval) Motion: To approve (Dolan - McCue) 5-0 Passes . Settlement of the Kevin Doyle v. Town of Mansfield, et al Motion: To consent to settle case (Amoruso - Dolan) 4-0-1 Passes (Mr. McCue abstaining) . Settlement Agreement for Fairfield Green at Mansfield, L.P./Town of Mansfield Mr. Amoruso noted that the Board voted to settle this matter and the vote to sign the agreement is needed. Motion: To sign (Amoruso - Dolan) for discussion Town Manager provided a brief summary of the settlement. Board will take vote when Mr. Dolan returns to the meeting (who stepped out of the meeting momentarily). . Town of Mansfield v. BBC Co. Inc. r-- Mr. D'Agostino provided a summary of the case, which involved the failure of the epoxy floors at the Police Station. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 15, 2006 6 r Motion: To authorize Town Manager to settle case (McCue - Amoruso )4-0 Passes Vote on Fairfield Settlement: 3-2 opposed) Passes (Mr. McCue and Mr. McCarter . Letter from Comcast informing the Board about a new cable offering called the Family Tier. . Email from Town Engineer John Sullivan regarding the light at Flint Farm on Route 106. The light should be fully functional the end of May/first part of June. . Memo from the Town Manager to the TIF Committee regarding a committee meeting with Innovative Spinal Technologies. . Department of Revenue bulletin providing a summary of 2005 municipal finance law changes. r- . Memo from Lorilee Fish, Director of the Park & Recreation Department, requesting permission to use 3AB (during inclement weather) on specific Wednesdays in June, July & August for "Movies with the Stars". . Letter from MassHighway informing the Board that a pre-construction conference will be held at the District 5 Office in Taunton on March 30th at 10:00 for the resurfacing of Route 495 southbound. Letter was copied to the Town Manager, DPWand Engineering. . Letter from the Mass. Municipal Association inviting local officials to its 2006 Spring Regional Update Meetings. The MMA will be holding one of its meetings in 3AB on Wednesday, March 22nd at 6:00pm. Please let Lauren know if you can attend. . Email from Town Accountant Bea Kearney relative to the warrant article to transfer money from free cash into stabilization. Ms. Kearney indicated that it the article should be for the Special, but we have no free cash to transfer. . Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day announcement, sponsored by the Town of Mansfield Board of Health. It will be held on Saturday, April 8th from 8-1 at the Tweeter Center and is for residents only. The announcement has been posted on the web site and the cable scroll. ,"--" . Email from Andrew Morrison, candidate for reappointment to the Cable Access Board of Directors, indicating that he will not seek reappointment at this time. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 15, 2006 7 r- Motion: To send letter of thanks for service (McCarter - Amoruso) 5-0 Passes . Memo from the Town Manager regarding the Building Inspector's letter to the Holiday Inn. . Memo from Nick Riccio, Inspector of Buildings/Zoning Enforcement Officer, requesting that the Board approve the permit fee schedules. The revisions do not reflect an increase in fees; rather they propose to clarify the Building Department's policies in order to eliminate any future confusion. Motion: To approve revised fee schedule (Amoruso - McCue) for discussion Mr. D'Agostino said that this will memorialize what we already do, so that there will be no future confusion. Mr. McCarter asked that with respect to the previous memo, does the town have to provide counsel for the Building Inspector? Mr. D'Agostino replied yes. Mr. McCarter asked if this matter goes before the ZBA and Mr. D'Agostino replied that it does. Vote: 5-0 Passes . Memo from Town Engineer John Sullivan providing the Board with the spring notice for the Route 106 Reconstruction Project. The notice has been posted on the r- web site and cable scroll. . Letter from the Mansfield Historical Society requesting funding from the proceeds of the Deutsche Bank Championship. Mr. D'Agostino said that if we had money available, we would consider allocating funding for Youth Soccer. In addition, the Garden Club is proposing improvements to the WWII Memorial. Mr. McCarter noted that he spoke with the director of the Journey to Resiliency Program requesting money from the proceeds. He noted that a policy should be created so that people can follow the criteria. Mr. D'Agostino said that we can develop a policy if the Board so desires. Mr. McCarter asked how much money we have in the Deutsche Bank gift account. Mr. D'Agostino will look into that for the Board. . Letter from Fire Chief Bob Bellavance inviting the Board to attend an informational meeting to address the preparedness and challenges of public sheltering and influenza pandemic. The meeting will be held at the North Attleboro Police Department headquarters on Monday, April 10th at 6:30pm. . Letter from Class II Auto Dealer license applicant Massoud Atallah regarding the memo from the Building Inspector stating that Mr. Atallah would need to apply for a special permit. Mr. Atallah's intent is not to hold a dealership on site, but rather export cars and secure a license in town while he looks for a commercial site that the town would approve for a car lot. r- Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 15, 2006 8 r- . Letter from South Shore Housing requesting a vote for the ADDI (American Dream Down-Payment Initiative Program) down payment and closing cost assistance to be administered by South Shore Housing Development Corporation. Motion: To send letter to South Shore Housing stating the Board's support for SSHDC to administer the ADDI for the Town of Mansfield (Amoruso - Dolan) 5-0 Passes . Memo from Kurt Gaffney, Water Operations Manager, regarding the Branch Street Utility Project. . Invitation from the Police Chief, asking for a representative from the Board to attend the American Red Cross "Real Heroes" Breakfast on Thursday, March 30th at 7:30am at White's of West port. Officer Roy Bain is being honored. Mr. McCue will try to attend. Mr. D'Agostino reported the following: . There is a pressing issue with respect to MMED. Mr. Babin and Mr. D'Agostino are requesting authorization to purchase replacement power for a scheduled Seabrook outage in October 2006. We are not requesting an increase in the PPCA. The r-- MMED staff would like to execute a bilateral contract to replace the Seabrook energy as soon as possible. Motion: To authorize the Mansfield Municipal Electric Department Manager to execute contracts required for the purchase of replacement energy exclusively related to the scheduled outage of the Seabrook Station in October 2006 (Amoruso - Dolan) 5-0 Passes . We are finishing up our internal budget reviews. We will have to initiate budgetary reductions on the municipal side. Our pending deficit is $4.7 million. We may have to fund some capital items and will provide a recommendation from CIP. He noted that staff has not seen any reductions on the school side. Chairman Achille passed the gavel to Vice Chairman Dolan. Motion: To rename Giles Place to Ronald Reagan Way (Achille - McCue) for discussion The Town Manager explained that streets named less than twenty-five years ago can be changed by the Board of Selectmen without having a hearing and the action cannot be appealed. Vote: 5-0 Passes ,~ Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 15, 2006 9 r- r-- r-- None Motion: To adjourn at 9:49pm (McCue) 5-0 Passes ~ Z7~~ :1?te:-t?~e-t- :1?t~~ 2t?t?~ Signature of Clerk Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 15, 2006 10