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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 2-25-1976B O A R D O F S E L E C T M E N A G E N D A February 25, 1976 • 7:30 pm - Call to Order Treasurer's Warrant Minutes of the Previous Meeting Clerk's Folder: Class II License, South Main Street Shell Station Pool Table License for Regent Cafe Correspondence • 7:45 pm - Light Director James Hall • 8:00 pm - John Gross • 8:15 pm - Dog Complaint (owner - Edward Johnson) • 8:30 pm - Bylaw Study Committee • 8:45 pm - Council on Aging and Executive Director Maureen Canner re budget for FY 76 -77 • 9:00 pm - Margot Jellinek • Town Manager's Report Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting February 25, 1976 Present: Selectmen DeLong, Colella, Caponigro, and Titus. Selectman Levine was out of town on business. Also present, Town Manager Hannon. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. The Treasurer's War- rant totalled $516,643.47. Motion to approve by Selectman Titus, seconded by Selectman DeLong, voted 3 -0. (Selectman Colella not yet present.) Selectman Titus moved that the minutes of the previous meeting be approved. Seconded by Selectman DeLong, voted 3 -0. (Selectman Colella not yet present) Application for renewal of a coin - operated Pool Table for 'the Regent Cafe. Motion to approve by Selectman Titus, seconded by Selectman DeLong, and voted 3 -0. (Selectman Colella not yet present) Application for a Class II auto repair license for South Main Street Shell at 4 South Main Street, owner Irwin Kamen. Mr. Kamen stated that he would like to be able to repair 2 or 3 cars and sell them. The Board took the application under advisement for one week. The Board declared March 12 Easter Seals Coffee Day in Mansfield. Light Department Director James Hall met with the Board to discuss the pur- chase of power through Northeast Utilities Service Company from a gas turbine source from February 1, 1976, through October 31, 1976. Mr. Hall explained that the Town can only purchase up to 80% of its power through the Contract Demand agreement, and must "shop around" for the other 20 %, in order to cover the peak load. Mr. Hall stated that this was the time of the year when the' Town's load peaked, and that the agreement would have to be adjusted after October 31. There was further discussion, and Selectman Titus moved that the Board of Light Commissioners authorize Dennis Hannon, as Manager of the Light Department, to sign the agreement. Seconded bj� Selectman DeLong, voted 4 -0. Mr. Hall also reported that the R -9 rate agreement settlement with NEPCO would be signed tomorrow, and that Mansfield would be getting some money back on that settlement, although he did not have the exact figures yet.__ The R -7 and the N -8 rate agreement settlements are still in negotiations, and the R -10 rate will become effective on March 1. Another item of business discussed by the Light Commissioners was whether or Jnot to install individual meters for electricity at Twin Oaks apartments. After discussion, the consensus of the Board was to continue with the master meters in each building. The Town Manager discussed a Christmas lighting labor bill totalling $3,313.50 from the Light Department. He said that the Board could abate this if they so wished. Selectman .DeLong moved that this bill be abated. Seconded by Selectman Titus, and voted 4 -0. John Gross met with the Board regarding recommendations of kennel owners on a proposed kennel bylaw. He submitted a report to the Board in which changes were recommended in the restrictions suggested in the Planning Director's memo on Kennel Bylaw proposals. He suggested the elimination of Point #1 Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting February 25, 1976 Page 2 (that kennel licenses for 4 or more dogs would require construction of the structure to M.S.P.C.A, standards before issuance of license) saying it was not related to zoning, and that the minimum standards were less than what most "respectable" kennels were now. On Point #2 (regarding the set- back of 25 feet from the side of the property and 40 feet from the rear), Mr. Gross and other kennel owners felt that front and rear setbacks should be determined on an individual basis, and that screening would depend on the type of dogs being housed. On Point #3 (a kennel for 10 or more dogs would be considered a primary use, and would required a certain amount of land) Air. Gross felt that this was too discriminatory, i.e. a kennel with 10 or more dogs would need 100,000 square feet of additional land. Point #4 concerned the number of dogs to be housed in a kennel and that no more than that number specified on the license shall be housed at one time. On this point, there was some discussion on what control if any the Town had over the County in the issuances and revocation of kennel licenses. The Town Clerk said if a location was properly zoned, then the license could not be denied under present laws. The Town Manager expressed that the Town could set reasonable limits, and that was the purpose of a bylaw proposal. Mr. Gross said that in Point #6 the proposal was that the sale of pet supplies, pet food, etc. should not be a part of the kennel license, and felt this was unfair to kennel owners running a professional business. The Chairman thanked Mr. Gross for his report and accepted it on behalf of the Board. Mr. Gross commented that kennels were not the big problem in Town in the control of dogs, but rather the individual dogs running loose. Board members will take this report under advisement in consideration of a kennel proposal. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Johnson of 31 Tremont Street met with the Board at the Board's request regarding continuation of complaints from the neighbors about the Johnsons' dogs running loose inthe neighborhood. The Chairman spoke of the hearing held on October 29 and of the letter received from the Johnsons in which they stated they would be selling their house and moving. The letter.stated that they would make every effort to confine their dogs until they moved. The Chairman pointed out that subsequent complaints have been received. Mrs. Johnson stated that they would be passing papers on the house on Monday, the first day of March. Selectman DeLOng asked them when they would be-moving from the house. Mrs. Johnson replied that they would have to move within 10 days of passing papers. Mr. Nevers from 32 Tremont Street said that there is 'still a problem, although the dogs have not been running in the last 4 - 5 days. Another neighbor asked what guarantee they would have that the Johnsons would be moving. Selectman DeLong said that some action would have to be taken whether the people moved or not. The Dog Officer stated that the problem has been going on for a while now and has received several calls on the loore dogs in the past. The Town Manager said that the Board should be advised that these dogs are loose without a license and that the neighbors have been complain- ing. John Gross said that the dogs without licenses should not be allowed, as they are illegal. The Chairman said that this was not a hearing, and would not allow general audience to speak. He did allow a few of the neigh- bors to speak. The complaints were of running or loose dogs or barking After further discussion, Selectman DeLOng moved that the dogs be picked up (any unlicensed dogs) after 14 days by the dog officer. Seconded by Selectman Titus, and voted 4 -0. The chairman said that the dogs will be removed from the premises if they are still there after 14 days. Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting February 25, 1976 Page 3 Council on Aging members Bradford Johnson, Reverend Rankin, Clara Flint, and Linda Martinelli, and Executive Director Maureen Canner of the Drop In Center met with the Board to discuss various budget items. Bradford John- son, Acting President of the Council, explained about an emergency meeting held by the Council to discuss proposing a home health care program for Mansfield. He explained that this did not come to their attention until only three weeks ago; and therefore had not been included in the original budget proposal of the Council already reviewed by'the.Town Manager. Mr. Johnson explained the details of the program, saying that the cost (matching funds with the state and federal governments) for the town would be $576. The $93 already voted by the Town for this type of program would be used to carry Mansfield through June 31 with these services. The services to be provided would be: homemaker services, transportation, and chore.services. Attorney Johnson said that the Council was requesting also another 5 hours for account 677 -1, the director's salary, so that the program might be co- ordinated. He said that the Council's recommendation was based on the rate of $6.25 per hour for 25 hours a week (including the 5 hours for the home health care program) for 53 weeks. Board members discussed the num- ber of hours a week to be worked by the Director. Selectman DeLong asked why some of the volunteers could not carry out more of the program. Ms. Canner answered that she felt the programs would suffer if the director did not put in the proposed number of hours. After further discussion which included the director's qualifications, Selectman Titus moved that the Line Item 677 -11 Council on Aging Director's Salary, be recommended by the Selectmen to be increased from $5,564 to $8,125 and that the Line Item 678 -6, Programming, classes, supplies, be increased from $300 to $876. ✓ Selectman Colella seconded the motion, and it was voted 3 -1, with Select- man DeLong opposed. Account 677 -3, Council on Aging secretary, was dis- cussed. Attorney Johnson said that with the added work of the home health program, a secretary would be even more needed. There was discussion from the audience, and Selectman Titus said that he would move to include the $1,500 for the secretary under the Selectmen's budget. No second or vote. Other line items were discussed. Maureen Canner said that the present woodworking class was conducted on a volunteer instructor basis, who pro- vided his own tools. She said that the Council's original request had been $500, and the Town Manager had cut it to $300. She asked that the Board recommend another $200 for that line item. Selectman Titus moved that the Board recommend another $200 for that account, making the total of Line Item 678 -6, Programming, $1076. This was seconded by Selectman Colella, but the vote was tied, with Selectmen Colella and Titus in favor, and Selectmen DeLong and Caponigro opposed. Also the clerical and postage Line Item, #678 -8, was discussed. Selectman Titus moved that this be in- creased from $700 to $850. Seconded by Selectman Colella, voted all in favor. Arthur Remillard, David Clemmey, and Ralph Maloon met with the Board. They were appointed to the Bylaw Study Committee with James Creeden, but a fifth member was never appointed, and the Committee has never met. The Board of Selectmen asked if these members were willing to serve on the committee if it were to continue. They agreed they would. A letter will be sent to Mr. Creeden to see if he would still want to serve on this committee;: James Grady, the Town counsel, will serve as an em7officio member of the committee. Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting February 25, 1976 l Page 4 Arthur Remillard reported that he had attended the hearing on the Bristol County Budget last Wednesday evening. He said that there had not been a quorum at the meeting, and that they would meet again next week. Mr. Remillard also discussed the possibility of splitting the Town Clerk and Accountant's position. Mr. Remillard explained that the Town Clerk part of the job kept him very busy, and there was a great deal of account- ing work. The Town Manager suggested bringing in a junior accountant. This will be discussed again next week, when Mr. Remillard and the Town Manager can get together figures of comparable positions. Mrs. Margot Jellinek, 1551 West Street, was on theagenda to ask the Board about items in the recommendations of Arthur Young Company. Mr. Hall, Director of the Light Department, advised her how these recommendations had been implemented. Mrs. Jellinek also questioned the Board's actions earlier in the meeting, acting as Light Commissioners, saying that the meeting had not been posted as Light Commissioners. Mrs. Jellinek was advised that the meetings were posted both as Selectmen and Light Commis- sioners every week now. DPW Director Thomas Bonome met with the Board and the Town Manager to dis- cuss his department's salary accounts. He told the Board that through re- organization, he would be able to get along with,one less person in the �. Highway Division, a cut of $8,750. Mr. Bonome was commended for his effort. Also discussed were certain parking signs in town, the life of the sanitary landfill (3 - 4 years). Selectman DeLong moved that the appropriate account be adjusted downward for the personnel cut in the Highway Division, and that this be sent to the FinCom as the Board's recommendation. Seconded by Select- man Titus, voted 4 -0. The Town Manager relayed the request of Representative Phil Filosa to have permission to reduce the Town Map in size to enclose in the Welcome Wagon letter. There was discussion, and the Board members agreed this was alright. The Town Manager reminded the Board of the Joint Legislative Conference to be held Saturday at the State House. Air. Hannon also asked that the Board review the draft report of the Select- men for the Annual Report. other items discussed: interviews to be conducted by the Airport Commission of the firms expressing interest in the airport lease; the continuance of the combined rubbish /garbage collection (the Board will send a letter to the Board of Health that they would like to continue the combined collection), the finishing up of the wording on articles for submission for town meeting; the easements for Back Bay Brook. Regarding the wording for the Youth Council article, #34, there was discus - sion after which Selectman Colella moved that the article,read; "that the Board of Selectmen appoint a suitable youth director to ..." Selectman Titus seconded the motion, and the vote was 2 - 2, with Selectmen Caponigro and DeLong opposed. Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting February 25, '. 1976 Page 5 Letter received from Congresswoman Heckler regarding Revenue Sharing. A joint meeting of the Board of Appeals set for next week. Operation Friendship requested that Park Row be closed to traffic on May 22. Board agreed to do this again this year. Board of Assessors will meet jointly with the Board of Selectmen next Wednesday, after the Board opened the joint meeting this evening, and postponed it until next week. The Chairman said that a formal letter should be sent to the Norton Board of Selectmen from this Board regarding the lagoon at the sewage treatment plant. The Town Manager said that he had one item for executive session regarding Police negotiations. Selectman DeLong moved that the Board go into execu- tive session to discuss the Police negotiations. Seconded by Selectman Colella. Roll call vote: Selectman DeLong - yes; Selectman Colella - yes; Selectman Titus - yes; and Chairman Caponigro - yes. it was noted that the Board would not return to open session after the executive meeting. In executive session,-the Board discussed with the Town Manager the current status of Police negotiations, up to and including the last negotiating ses- sion on Monday, February 23. The Town Manager explained the status of dif- ferences between the Town and the Union's proposals for: wages, work sche- dules, overtime provisions, and vacation. The Board noted that many of the differences are extreme and mediation may be necessary as the next step. The Board discussed alternatives for Mr. Hannon and Town Negotiator Arthur Murphy for the next negotiating session. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.