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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 9-7-1977BOARD OF SELECTMAN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS A G E N D A September 7, 1977 0 7:30 p.m. - Call to Order Treasurer's Warrant Minutes of the Previous Clerk's Folder Friendly Ford, Inc. , 175 Rumford Ave. Mansfield Applying for license to buy, sell, exchange or assemble second hand motor vehicles. (Plans to attend meeting.) 1 more name need for juror (one picked last week sick) 0 7:45 p.m. - Lillian Dee & Lucy DeLutis RE: Retarded Children's Golf Tournament 0 8:00 SRPEDD- Patricia Manget, Michele Stone and Representative from SRPEDD - Status Report 0 9:00 p.m. - Friendly Ford, Inc.- re: License 0 9:15 p.m. - Kevin Dunfey- JayCee's Haunted House 2 Sevier Connection Permits C C & F and 116 Central Street Correspondence CURFEW - Proposal Town Manager's Report Back Bay Brook Bid Board Reports Adjournment PENDING War Memorial Central & West Street Insurance BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting September 7, 1977 Present: Selectmen Robert DeLong, Frank Colella, David Clemmey, and Antonino Caponigro; Town Manager William Metropulos and Recording Secretary Mary Truczinskas. Meeting called to order at 7:35 P.m. Selectman DeLong moved that David Clemmey be Acting Chairman in the absense of Doug • Titus, seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 3 -0 Selectman Caponigro moved tha Robert Delong be the Acting Clerk for the night, • seconded by Selectman Colella. Voted 3 -0. Warrant: $117,701.95 - Moved to accepte the warrant as read by Selectman DeLong, • seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 4 -0 Minutes: Moved to accept the minutes of the previous meeting of 8/31/77 by Selectman • Caponigro, seconded by Selectman Colella. Voted 4 -0. Selectman Caponigro announced that he cannot make the Golf Tournament with the Norton Selectmen on Sunday, September 11, 1977 and asked the recording secretary to please see if it can be cancelled until Sunday, September 18, 1977. Memo from the First Baptist Church asking permission to sell apples on Rt. 106 in the Fall some Sunday afternoon. Permission granted. Application for a sewer permit by David J. DeGirolamo to be connected at 116 Central Street. Selectman Caponigro moved that the connection be approved, seconded by * Selectman Colella. Voted 4 -0.' Application for a sewer permit by WRC Properties, Inc. C C & F Forbes Blvd. Selectman Caponigro moved that the connection be approve, seconded by Selectman Colella. * Voted 4 -0 Letter from SRPEDD with a copy of application /notice of intent from the City of Fall River for a grant in the amount of $113,255.01. Notice from the Norton Sewer Commission of a public hearing to be held on 9/22/77 at 8:00 p.m. in the High School Auditorium to discuss a report on Facilities Planning and Enviromental Assessment. Letter from Comm. of Mass. Dept. of Public Works regarding proposed relocation of Rt. 140. Letter from Comm. of Mass. Dept. of Public Utilities regarding a petition of Bay State Gas Co. to sell notes. Request from Recreation for $300.00 from the reserve fund for bus service the last two weeks of camp. Selectman DeLong moved that the transfer be granted, seconded by * Selectman Caponigro. Voted 4 -0. Letter from Comm. of Mass. Dept. of Corporations and Taxation notifying that the Town of Mansfield has $676,673. in "free cash" as of July 1, 1977. (* = Motions approved) -1- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting ( September 7, 1977 Page 2 Copy of a letter from the Wading River Reservoir. Co. that was sent to the U.S. Enviro- mental Protection Agency indicating that the Town of Mansfield is polluting the reservoir because of the discharge from our treatment facility which empties into the Norton Reservoir. Copy of a laboratory report of water analysis attached. Memo from the Planning Board stating that they have voted to have Carl Hartman serve as their representative on the Landfill Study Committee. Application for the Computer Study Committee by John Maragnano. Application for a Class 1 license for Friendly Ford, Inc. 175 Rumford Ave. Mansfield. Mr. Anthony Frasca met with the board to discuss the application. Mr. Frasca and Mr. Henry R. Basch are partners in this establishment and Mr. Frasca was told that the Board would take the license under advisement for one week to have everything checked out. Will be on the agenda for next week. Town Manager's Report - Mr. Metropulos reported on a meeting that he and Mr. Steve Conroy had with George Glail and Joseph Gramaldi regarding the Norton Reservoir. It was reported that samples were taken about 50 feet down gtreaniiand again at dis- charge into reservoir from lagoon. Selectman Clemmey question the fact that they had to on onto Town property in order to do this and asked whether they had per- mission to do so? Mr. Metropulos stated that it wasn't taken at the treatment plant itself but down stream. The question as to the legality of Norton entering our property without permission was not resolved. However, the only sample taken that was not favorable was the one taken from the lagoon to the reservoir. Effluent from the plant is within standards. It was agreed that the only trouble is in the lagoon area, and noted that as long as the water level is low this will continue to be a problem. One solution to the problems would be to construct a control gate at the lagoon where it discharges into the reservoir and raise the level of the water six to eight inches giving more water and air circulation. The sample taken on 917177 was satisfactory. The Town Manager and the department heads involved will look into the feasability of a barrier. Central and West Street - No reported problems in this area. I have authorized the ad for 2000' of 6" pipe for the water line extension at the Norton Grove. Since we are now in another fiscal year the bids and quotes from 1976 do not apply to this fiscal year. Wrote a letter to the Dept. of Public Works requesting funds for a Salt Storage Shed. Will be having a policy staff meeting on Friday 9/9/77 at 10:00 a.m. Regarding initiative petition that municipol litagtion are attempting to get underway Towns people should have the right to vote on any arbitraton awards SRPEDD (separate transcript) (* Motions passed) -2- BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting , ( September 7, 1977 Page 3 JayCees - Kevin Dunfey and Kevin Boyce met with the Board to request permission to use the old Fairfield Optical building for their Halloween project. They will get their own insurance and fire and police protection. They have already spoke to John Ahern and the only thing that will have to be done will be to move some christmas lights and decorations. They also requested to leave the display up until next year if possible and also would like to do some renovating and painting inside. Selectmen Colella moved to approve the use of the building after they show their insurance and its been cleared through the Town Manager. Seconded by Selectman * Caponigro. Voted 4 -0 Selectman Colella requested that all Jown Vehicles have the Town Seal on it. Discussion followed regarding the purchasing of a new car for the Town Manager. Selectman DeLong noted that not trading in the present car and keeping it as a pool car should go before a town meeting, and he would support it as a pool car at the town meeting. Selectman DeLong brought up the fact that while the resurfacing of West Street was going on detour signs that were put up (especially around the Spring St. and School St. area) directing people to West Mansfield were not adequately given. It was suggested that temporary signs be installed for trucks entering Transit Seeding AW!alsolto chedkland see what route they are using, according to their contract they have the right to use the shortest route. Selectman Clemmey presented recommendations for specs on a new Town Engineer, Select- man Caponigro moved that it be advertised as soon as possible in the Pawtucket Times, Taunton Gazette, Sun Chronicle, Boston Globe and advertised as "salary open ". Select- * mand DeLong seconded it. Voted 3 -0 Selectman Colella opposed. The Back Bay Brook Bids will be reviewed and _discussed next week. The Town Manager states that he wrote a letter back to Mr. LaMarre who requested answers to some questions he had regarding the Back Bay Brook project. Selectman DeLong chose 1 more name for the jury duty because one choose the week before could not attend. Cathy Anness of 270 Gilbert Street was picked. Their being no further business Selectman Colella moved to adjourn at 9:40 p.m., * seconded by Selectman DeLong. Voted 4 -0 (Motions * Passed) 9910 BOARD OF SELECTMEN /LIGHT COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Meeting September 7, 1977 SRPEDD Present at this meeting with the Board of Selectmen were the following: William Toole- Executive Director of SRPEDD - Chad Maurer, Planning Director Steven Reckhow - Staff Member Raymond Fleurent - Chairman of the Commission Patricia Manget- Manfield's Representative to SRPEDD Ms. Manget was the first to speak and stated that this meeting was requested by the Board of Selectmen to discuss the Boards thinking that possibly Mansfield would like to with- draw from SRPEDD's services and that the major issue seems to be the water quality report, the draft report and in particular the proposed waste water treatment facility. Selectman DeLong asked the first question: Why should we be a member and what benefits do vie derive from being a member? Also, what harm could come to the Town and what would we lose from not being a member? Mr. Toole answered, stating that from the technical standpoint he could explain, but did not realize that this was going to be the issue. He thought that this meeting was called to talked about SRPEDD's position on the waste water treatment plant. He wanted it under- stood that SRPEDD has been totally supportive of Mansfield's position for a long time, however , not using our services as often as you should as far as technical assistance is detrimental. Mr. Toole stated that They provide a lot of services to Taunton and as a esult have a close relationship with them and perhaps did favor Taunton at the Legislative hearing that was held in Norton. Mr. Toole read an excerpt from a letter written by Eric Savolainen, Planning Coordinator for SRPEDD, stating that SRPEDD is a service agency who trys to be responsible for the needs and requests for assistance, the most active participants gaining the most benefit. Mr. Toole continued stating that because of our close relationship with Taunton people feel we are out to gain something for our selves rather than provide services, but the Town has benefited, however, they have never benefited from a regional standpoint and that goes also for Mansfield. There is nothing that SRPEDD had done in providing technical assistance than to be involved from a policy standpoint as far as the SRPEDD commission goes with the committee. Most of the technical assistance programs as the chairman knows, are handled by the staff. The programs are voted on (if you will) by local.' policy holders and the work is occasionally reviewed for its significance and problems discussed but largely it's a staff effort and largely it's a technical effort. On the way down my staff and I were talk- ing and my own staff feels that I am being a little too sympathetic to the concern of Taunton and not as concerned as I should be with Mansfield. Yet I think that they are being a little too concerned with the benefits of Mansfield. The way we deal with the problem of Taunton who wants to stop the waste water treatment plant and Mansfield who wants to pursue what has been a mandate from the state for several years and supported by SRPEDD in a lot of ways is a delicate issue. For example, we filed a proposal with EPA requesting that they let us study the impact of large sewer treatment plants on the surrounding land use both from an investment standpoint, a problem standpoint, .nd a pollution standpoint. The answer vie received was that we feel your report has merit, however, we have no money, why don't you check some of those studies. Frankly, that response was not what we were looking for. SRPEDD 'age 2 September 7, 1977 Maybe what we are really concerned about is not the use itself but the management of it and I think that this is all SRPEDD's position has been, that you might have a concern and we have advised Taunton of this concern. Possibly if we could sit down with (us) as the mediators and make the whole situation benefical to all. What I have tried to point out is that we have been available to you on many occasions and have talked with Chad at times, we have had a cordial but not close relationship. Selectman DeLong responded by saying: what you are saying is that we are not getting our maximum benefits because we are not asking for it and that you have been more sympathetic to Taunton because they have asked for it and we haven't? Mr. Toole answered that Taunton has benefited more because they have asked us to become more involved, however, that association has not harmed you in a regional capacity at all and has not affected SRPEDD's position with Mansfield. Our association has largely been with the Mayor and not with the council. Selectman DeLong asked Chad Maurer, Planning Director, to respond to Mr. Toole's statement. Chad Maurer- stated that as far as Mansfield not deriving maximum benefits from the tech- nical assistance is correct and we have never taken the full allotment of time that is alloted to us every year. I know that they were very active with us in the Downtown pro- ( 'ect and spent a lot of time with us, but as far as on a day -to -day basis and gaining cechnical advice wepdon't get it. My feeling is that we have the capability within the Town to handle any specific problem that comes up and if we wanted to contact SRPEDD or any such agency we will do that but we do not rely on them in any manner or form as an on- going advisroy committee. As far as the issue with the treatment plant itself my concern is the fact that SRPEDD originally conceived the idea of the regional treatment plant and pushed us into this direction. The time that Mansfield really needed the endorsment of SRPEDD is when we ran into the problem. At the hearing in Norton and other meetings we've had at the State House SRPEDD representatives would not speak because they were not auth- orized to do so and stood mute never supporting us and as far as I am concerned shuffled around the issue. This concerned me because I knew how much SRPEDD was involved. I feel there was a certain amount of interest gone toward the City of Taunton and feel that SRPEDD bent over backwards for them. However, in the final analysis, we got the legislation that we needed and it was totally from our own effort. Draft 208'- The more recent one is the 208 draft where included in the draft were several alternatives for the treatment plant, but the decision had already been made not to follow the alternatives because the decision to construct the plant in Norton had already been made and it would only cloud the issue to start to re- evalute and rehash it all over again. We were asked to review the draft and make comments and it is my understanding that before our comments were received from the Town and they gave us until September 1, SRPEDD had al- ready printed the draft report. I feel there is a credability problem here somewhere. Discussion continued as to SRPEDD's not speaking in Mansfield's behalf at the hearing in Norton. Ray Fleurent felt that SRPEDD had made a big mistake and should not have stood +ormant on the issue. Selectman DeLong stated that what was the use in making a study if jou can't comment on that study, Mr. Fleurent stated that the purpose of not allowing SRPEDD to speak is they did'nt want to fight two towns and that was a mistake, a synopsis - was the only thing formally submitted at that time. SRPEDD September 7, 1977 °age 3 Pat Manget_ Mansfield now has an active member, I am extremely active, and should be able to work out someway to get the benefit that we should have. Had I been on the work program and the policy committee at the time of the Meeting I would certainly have read some report from the staff. Selectman Clemmey stated that he felt the policy committee should have taken a stand at the time and not just stand back. Steven Reckhow -- spoke on the 208 draft stating that the final 208 plan sets the state and federal policy on funding, that is to say that the town gets control now over what the state and federal funding is going to be on water pollution control in Mansfield. So oflall the alternatives in the draft, you select which one you want and that goes into the final draft and that goes through a certification process and what Mansfield selects is what gets endorsed for state and federal funding . After further discussion from all Selectman Caponigro made the motion to pay the bill and continue as a member, Chad Maurer feels that with the benefits we have received from SRPEDD for example 495 and for the amount of money and the hours we are allotted we are getting our money's worth and should stay in. Ms. Manget stated that in her opinion just the municipal assistance alone is enough and we should stay with SRPEDD. Selectman DeLong seconded the motion to pay our annual dues. Voted 4 -0.