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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 1-12-1977BOARD OF SELECTMEN A G E N D A January 12, 1977 • 7:30 p.m. - Call to Order Treasurer's Warrant Minutes of the Previous Meeting Correspondence • 7:45 P.M. - Board of Assessors Budget Review Owners Uhkhown parcels • 8:30 p.m. - DPW Director Thomas Bonome - Budget Review • - Discussion - Peter's Park Subdivision • - Town Manager's Report • - Board Reports CC. d Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting January 12, 1977 Present: Selectmen Robert DeLong, Antonino Caponigro, Frank Colella, David Clemmey, and Douglas Titus; Town Manager Dennis Hannon Meeting opened at 7:40 p.m. Warrant: $29,553.22 (excluding payroll and school department bills) Motion to approve by Selectman Clemmey, seconded by Selectman Caponigro, voted 5 -0. Voucher #3588, Rim Engineering, $8,464.50 was held subject to the Selectmen's approval of the plans. This will be an agenda item for next week's meeting. Selectman DeLong discussed the security deposit for apartments with electric heat. This will be an agenda item for the Monday night Light Commissioners' meeting. Selectman DeLong moved that the minutes of January 5 be approved. Se- conded by Selectman Caponigro, voted 5 -0. Selectman Clemmey moved that the minutes of the December 29 meeting be reopened, and that he be recorded as "abstaining" on the vote on Page 2 for the salary of the Acting Chief of the Fire Department. Seconded by Selectman Caponigro, voted 5 -0. A letter from Augustine DelGrosso wasread with questions about the Bi- centennial film and also asking to view the film with the Selectmen and Ken Sweeney of the Mansfield News. Chairman Colella asked why Mr. Del- Grosso had not received answers to his questions. Selectman DeLong noted that these were further questions about the film. Selectman Titus noted that the Bicentennial Committee chairperson had answered Mr. DelGrosso's first questions, and that he was not satisfied because he had wanted the contract to restore the film and had not received it. There was further discussion among the Board members, and it was decided to write a letter to the Bicentennial Committee and asked about setting up a date to view the film at the town hall and invite Mr. DelGrosso to attend this showing. A transfer request for the Council on Aging for gas for the minibus was discussed. Selectman DeLong said that he would not vote for this until he was given a projected schedule and proposed budget for the balance of this fiscal year from the Council. Sel &ctman Clemmey said that the FinCom would not approve a transfer as long as there was still a balance in the account. Selectman Caponigro moved to approve the transfer but to tell the FinCom not to release it until the budget is depleted. Seconded by Selectman Titus, motion defeated 3 -2, Selectmen DeLong, Clemmey, and Colella opposed. Selectman Caponigro then moved to get the feeling of the FinCom to see if funds will be available if, at a later date, the budget is depleted for gas and oil, so that the Council on Aging will have the feeling of the FinCom on this. Seconded by Selectman Clemmey, voted 4 -1, with Selectman DeLong opposed, stating that the Council had not yet submitted the report he asked for and that he would not vote for the transfer until he saw that. Kevin Boyce of the Jaycees met with the Board to invite them to the Jaycees Breakfast on January 16 at 9 a.m. at the school cafeteria. Mr. Boyce also Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting January 12, 1977 Page 2 discussed National Jaycee Week. Selectman Caponigro moved that the Board of Selectmen declare January 16 through 22, ds National Jaycee Week. Se- conded by Selectman Clemmey, voted 5 -0. Owners Unknown parcels were discussed by Treasurer Joan Cutillo and Assessors Al Turinese and Peter Saunders. There was discussion on taking the parcels with unknown owners and whether these should be sold at a public auction to get them back on the tax rolls. Peter Saunders explained that some of these pieces were odd shapes and not very marketable. He said that a piece in West Mansfield was contiguous to a school, and that the town might want to retain that rather than sell it at public auction. Mrs. Cutillo explained the pro- cedure to taking these properties: First, the property is assessed to "Owners Unknown ", since there would be no taxes due until this was assessed. The Commissioner of Taxation would have to be petitioned, he would have to know the size and location of the property, whether the land was wet or dry, etc. before he makes a determination, Also, he must be assured that every rea- sonable effort has been made to find the owner. Then, the titles have to be searched at the Registry of Deeds. Then, the land can be taken after 2 years for tax title. If it is a land of low value, the Commissioner of Taxation must again be petitioned to declare it as such. (for land under $2,000 in value) If he agrees, then it is held for six months, and then may be sold at public auction as a land of low value. If the property is worth more than $2,000 - it is land- courted, and after it becomes a possession of the town and may not be sold except by town meeting vote. Assessor Turinese also noted that should the owner be located in this process, he would be liable for any expense the town incurred in the search, along with the back taxes. A meeting was set for February 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Assessors' office to look at each parcel with an unknown owner on the maps to see if the land would be of any value to the town or if it should be sold. School Depart- ment, Conservation and Recreation chairmen, and Great Woods Study Committee, and Library Trustees will be asked to attend this meeting to see if any of the parcels might be of use to them. Budget Review, Assessors - Assessors Peter Saunders and Al Turinese discussed their budget request for next fiscal year. Items discussed: computer billing, revaluation, and various other expenses for the Assessors. Budget Review, DPW - DPW Director reviewed the Water, Sewer and Highway Divi- sion budgets with the Board and Town Manager. Items discussed: sewer divi- sion expenses, landfill; rubbish contract options (unlimited pickup), highway division expenses, engineering expenses, street signs, snow and ice removal, catch basin cleaning, street lighting, and equipment maintenance. Regarding snow removal, Selectman Caponigro read a decision from November 1971 -2- Board of Selectmen Minutes Of the Meeting January 12, 1977 Page 3 which requires the Town to plow any public way, whether or not it is an accepted street. The Town Manager asked that the Board approve a transfer request for snow removal in the amount of $10,000. Motion to approve a transfer request for snow removal for $10,000 by Selectman DeLong, seconded by Selectman Caponigro, voted 5-0. Mr. Hannon also discussed sending a letter to the highway department to commend the men for the job done under extremely adverse conditions. Letter received from Conrail (Consolidated Rail Corporation) informing town that rail commuter service will be discontinued on March 13, 1977, as Conrail is not permitted to subsidize commuter rail service and has received no offer from the MBTA or other political body to subsidize this service. Selectman Caponigro moved to contact the area legislators and have them set up a meeting to see what can be done about this. Se- * conded by Selectman Clemmey, and voted 5 -0. Application received from Robert Shaw for the Airport Commission. Villa Street Parking was again discussed. Selectman DeLong moved that 2 -hour parking be allowed on the northerly sidebeyond the Post Office driveway to Rumford Avenue, that there be 15 minutes parking on the northerly side from North Main Street to the Post Office driveway, and no parking on the southerly side. Seconded by Selectman Caponigro, voted 5 -0. The Board discussed Peter's Park Subdivision. Selectman Clemmey said that after reading the report prepared by the town manager and DPW director, that this matter is completely within the Planning Board's jurisdiction, and the Selectmen should not be involved. He also noted that in the future the town should obtain a written agreement rather than verbal. Selectman Caponi- gro agreed, along wil';h Mr. Titus. Selectman Colella said a letter should be sent to Mr. Ceccarelli in this regard. Selectman Clemmey noted that the warrant for the annual town meeting will close on February 1, 1977. The Town Manager discussed well exploration and testing with the Board. He said that there is still $30,000 in community development funds that have to be used for land acquisition. Mr. Hannon discussed with the Board possible sites where land might be acquired and prolonged tests done for water. He suggested a possible site in the Canoe River watershed. Selectmen DeLong and Caponigro discussed a possible site in the Wading River area. Mr. Hannon will check this site out. Selectman DeLong asked if the Board could write a letter to Walter Main con- cerning his possible financial interest in the airport - whether this would constitute a conflict of interest, as he has just been appointed to the W9 Board.of Selectmen ( Minutes of the Meeting January 12, 1977 Page 4 Airport Commission. Other Board members agreed that a Better should be sent asking Mr. Main to check this with Town Counsel. Chairman Colella said that Donna Hart had contacted him about a dog problem and that she wanted to be on the agenda next week. The dog officer will be asked':to look into the complaint. Selectman Clemmey moved to adjourn at 10:.40 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Caponigro, voted 5 -0. -4-