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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 4-14-1976Board of Selectmen A G E N D A April 14, 1976 s 7:30 p.m. - Call to Order Treasurer's Warrant Minutes of the Previous Meeting Clerk's Folder Correspondence e 8:00 P.M. - John Poole, Pres. Local 154 (Owens Illinois) regarding bottle legislation s 8:30 p.m. - Howard Fiske regarding Borderland Park • 8:45 p.m. - Whitman & Howard: Well Exploration & Testing • Town Manager's Report • Board Reports Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting April 14, 1976 Present: Selectmen DeLong, Caponigro, Colella, Clemmey, and Titus. Town Manager Dennis Hannon also present. The Chairman asked that the Board observe a moment of silence on the death of former Selectman Joseph A. Cataloni, who died on April 8, 1976. The Clerk read a resolution on Mr. Cataloni, and the Board voted that this be included in the next Annual Report. Treasurer's Warrant - $121,728.50 approved by the motion of Selectman Clemmey, seconded by Selectman Caponigro, and voted 5-0. Minutes - Selectman DeLong questioned if the meeting with the I.D.C., Downtown Development Committee, and Housing Authority regarding Fairfield Optical's offer to the Town had been set up yet - the Town Manager will set this meeting up. Mr. DeLong also questioned the speed limit signs on Route 106 near Dimonte's store. The Town Manager replied that the State DPW says that the legal limit to be posted is 30 miles per hour. The Town DPW will be putting these signs up. Mr. Hannon also reported that the radar has been in use in this area, and a report will be forth- coming with the number of complaints and warnings issued. Regarding the enclosed bulletin board, Mr. Hannon reported that the money for this ex- pense would be coming out of the Town Hall office expense. There will be a meeting on the directory signs with the Town Hall /Police Station Arts and Restoration Committee on Friday. Mr. DeLong asked if any further in- formation has been obtained on call firefighter insurance. Mr. Hannon said that he expects to hear from Jim Wills by the end of next week in this regard. Selectman Caponigro moved that the minutes be accepted as submitted. Seconded by Selectman DeLong, voted 5 -0. Correspondence - copy of a telegram from Public & Environmental Affairs Director of Owens - Illinois to the members of the Mass. Joint Legislature Commerce/Labor-.Committee; notice of a public hearing on the merger of Bay State Gas Company and Lawrence Gas Company to be held on April 23, at 10 a.m.; copies of letters from the Municipal Building Committee to Dr. Collins and the Town Treasurer. Invitation from the Fire Chief to attend the Fire Department Annual Ban- quet on May 1 at 7 p.m. Board members will attend. Request from the Recreation Commission for use of Maple Park for their summer programs from July 1 through September 30. Selectman DeLong moved to approve, seconded by Selectman Caponigro, and voted 5-0. Letter of thanks received from the League of Women Voters for the use of the town hall for their annual reception. Letter received from the Department of Community Affairs regarding rent control. Joan Cutillo, Treasurer, met with the Board regarding the bond issues for the School additions. She said that the interest rate of 3.49% was a very good rate, and that this issue would take the project through September, at which time another issue would be sought. Selectman Caponigro moved to accept the proposal as offered. Seconded by Selectman Titus, so voted. -1- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting April 14, 1976 ( Page 2 Also discussed was the financing for the facilities planning for the pro- posed sewage treatment plant. Mrs. Cutillo and Planning Director Maurer will be meeting with the State Emergency Finance Board in this regard. John Poole, representative of Local 154, Glass Bottle Blowers Union at Owens Illinois, met with the Board to speak against the pending bottle legislation. He told the Board that 306 people were employed at the Mansfield Plant and that the Mansfield Plant would have to close if the legislation to ban disposable bottles were passed. He cited the impact on the New England area and pointed out the State of Washington had helped the litter problem without passing such legislation. Mr. Poole answered questions from the Board, and then asked that the Board support the Union's position with letters to the news media and the representatives to the State Legislature. The Chairman pointed out that the Board has previously opposed this bill and sent resolutions and letters to that effect to the Mass. Selectmen's Association and our representatives, and asked the Board if they would want to continue to oppose the bill. The Board members agreed to continue and another letter stating the Board of Selectmen's position will be sent. Howard Fiske of the Borderland State Park met with the Board to report on the recent open house and told the Board that.the next one would be on May 16 at 1 p.m. until 3:30 P.M. He also presented the Board with a ( copy of a report on the Park, and asked that this be incorporated into the Town records. Selectman Caponigro moved that his report be made a part of the Town record. Seconded by Selectman Titus, and voted 5 -0. This will be filed with the Town Clerk as a Town record. Application received from Elaine C. Trench, 135 Central Street, for the Board of Health. Letter received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development re- garding flood insurance studies. The Clerk of the Board, Mr. Clemmey, read 5 decisions from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Application from David White, Walnut Street, Taunton, who is employed at the Blane Chemical Division in Mansfield, for a sworn weigher license renewal. Selectman Caponigro moved that this be granted. Seconded by Selectman DeLong, and voted 4 -1, with Selectman Titus opposed, stating that he was not in favor of this license as the applicant is not from Mansfield. Application received from Walter Lawrence, 21 Chilson Avenue, for an auctioneer's license. Motion to approve by Selectman Clemmey, Selectman Caponigro seconded the motion, and it was so voted. ( Selectman DeLong moved that the Board approve the change of name for the license for Class II Auto sales that was approved last week under the name of Mansfield Auto Body and Sales. The name will be changed to Standard Auto Body and Sales, to be located at 425 North Main Street. Seconded by Selectman Caponigro, and voted 5 -0. sAM Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting 1 April 14, 1976 Page 3 The Town Manager reviewed with the Board the summary of bids received for the tree removal contract. Mr. Hannon said that the Maltby Company, the low of the four bidders; was a very good and experienced company. The Town Manager reported on a survey that the DPW Director was conduct- ing at the landfill. A letter from the Building Inspector regarding zoning of some class II auto licenses was discussed. After the discussion, Selectman Caponigro moved that the Town Clerk be sent a letter requesting him to make sure that all zoning problems are cleared before the licenses come before the Board of Selectmen. Seconded by Selectman De Long, and voted 4 -1, with Selectman Clemmey opposed. The Town Manager reviewed with the Board the well exploration and testing program and reviewed the draft report from Whitman & Howard engineering company. The Manager pointed out several potential water sources, and explained to the Board which sites would be for a supplemental well. Mr. Hannon reviewed the costs for land acquisition and developing the site and the cost to hook it into the town water system. He said that the next step would be to acquire the land and to go to the State for public hearings. The Board members agreed to go ahead with the project. The Town Manager reported on the setting up of the sludge dewatering equipment, and reported that the representatives from the manufacturer would be in on Friday to make sure that the equipment was running properly. Application to connect to the town sewer received from David Ingram for 56 Dean Street. The Town Manager reported that he had checked with the proposed owner, and that this would be for a duplex. After discussion, Selectman : Caponigro moved that this permission be granted. Seconded by Selectman De Long, and voted 5 -0. Water meter bids were discussed. Mr. Hannon said that the specifications would be bid differently this time for a less expensive meter, at a 25% cut in cost. He said that it would be the same type of meter used now, only the housing would be of a different type. The salvage value of the old meters was also discussed. On beautification projects, the Town Manager reported that a nursery com- pany had submitted sketches of the North Common, the underpass area, and for an area in the center of town. These were reviewed, and the Board directed Mr. Hannon to proceed with the plans. Transfer request for $10,600 for Group Insurance and Blue Cross for Town employees was discussed. The Town Manager said that the rate for Blue Cross had increased 38% and that when the budget is made up, the amount for insurance for the last 6 -month period of the fiscal year is not known. ( Selectman Caponigro moved that the transfer request be approved by the Board and forwarded to the Finance Committee for action. Seconded by Selectman De Long, voted 5 -0. -3- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting ( April 14, 1976 Page 4 After further discussion of the financing for the facilities planning, Selectman Clemmey moved that the Board send a letter of intent to borrow to authorize the Town Treasurer to proceed with the arrangements for borrowing for this project. Selectman DeLong seconded the motion, and it was voted 5-0. This will allow the Town Treasurer to borrow in anti- cipation of the receipt of the grant from the EPA. The Town Manager explained that prior to taking action on the Town's Step application, the Division of Water Pollution Control must have evi- dence that Mansfield will be able to obtain the necessary land easements. Mr. Hannon referred to the two drafts of bills that would have to be filed prior to April 27, 1976, to take easements within the Town of Norton by eminent domain (to construct sewer interceptors) and to acquire property within the Dever State School to construct the sewer plant. It was noted that both these petitions would include the right to make these facilities available to the Towns of Norton and Foxborough. Selectman DeLong moved that these two proposed bills be filed for action in the State Legislature. Seconded by Selectman Titus, and voted 5-0. The Board discussed whether the Capital Improvement Committee title should be removed from the cover of the "Warrant Report ". Selectman Clemmey said that after talking to the Finance Committee; that committee will drop their request for $3,000 to print their report next year if the words "Capital Improvement Committee Program" are removed from the cover. No opposition was registered to doing this, so the printer will be notified to do so. Selectman DeLong moved that Delores Benson, 38 Pleasant Street, be appointed the Selectmen's representative to SRPEDD and the Joint Transportation Plan- ning Group. Seconded by Selectman Caponigro, and voted 5 -0. The Chairman discussed a delayed traffic light at North Main Street. The Town Manager said that the cost would be approximately $30,000. Selectman Clemmey suggested that a police officer be assigned to the intersection to direct traffic at the peak traffic tie -up times. Regarding the installation of the delayed traffic signal, the Board will recommend this item as a capi- tal improvement item for next year's program. The Chairman discussed the fires along the railroad tracks. Another letter will be sent to the railroad. Selectman Titus moved to adjourn at 10:15 p.m. so voted. Qti Seconded by Selectman DeLong,