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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 9-29-1976BOARD OF SELECTMEN A G E N D:\A September 29,1976 • 7:30 p.m. - Call to Order Treasurer's warrant Minutes: September 22, September 15, & August 23 Correspondence Clerk's Folder: New applications - Airport Snack Bar • 7:40 p.m. - Mrs. Beatrice Thayer re local bus service • 7:45 p.m. - Hearing - Dog Complaint (owner Diane Stewart) • 8:00 p.m. - Bimonthly Meeting • 9:00 p.m. - Chief & Deputy Chief (Fire Dept.) re Options for Ambulance Service • 9:15 P.M. - Light Dept. Director James Hall - workshop on Referenda Items relating to electric service • - Town Manager's Report • - Board Reports Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting September 29, 1976 Present: Selectmen DeLong, Caponigro, Colella, Clemmey, and Titus; Town Manager Dennis Hannon Meeting opened at 7:35 p.m. Treasurer's Warrant: $830,805.97 - Motion to approve by Selectman Clemmey, seconded by Selectman Caponigro, voted 4 -0. (Selectman Titus not yet pre- * sent.) Minutes: September 15 and 22 Selectmen's Meetings and August 23 Light Commissioners' Meeting. Motion to approve by Selectman Clemmey, seconded by Selectman Caponigro, voted 4 -0. (Selectman Titus not present at this vote.) Correspondence: Letter from the State Division of Environmental Quality Engineering regarding File #211 -29 (Mansfield Conservation Commission's hearing on Route 495). Selectman Clemmey commentedlthat this concerned Leo Parente (West Street). From Whitman & Howard, letter regarding Well #2. The Town Manager said that Water Supt. Cahoon had determined that the problem was a manganese concentration, and that the lab tests had verified this. Mr. Hannon dis- cussed-cleaning of this. Letter from RIM Engineering regarding proposed survey for the Covett land between Mill Street and the Canoe River. The Town Manager discussed taking the money for this survey out of the Well Exploration account, and said that a report would be forthcoming from Arthur Stockus of Whitman and Howard. Letter from RIM Engineering regarding proposed West Street layout for Chapter 90 funds. Mrs. Beatrice Thayer of Charles Street addressed the Board regarding local bus service. Selectman Caponigro suggested that the Town Manager contact some of the bus companies in this regard. The Chairman opened the hearing on the complaint of a vicious dog belonging to Diane Stewart of 36 Cottage Street. Selectman Clemmey read the complaint report of Officer J. E. McCarthy, Jr. which stated in detail how he was charged by the dog when answering a complaint that the dog was chasing a man doing yard work on Cottage Street. Allan Tucker of Sharon said that he would like to speak for Miss Stewart., He said that the dog was a Labrador retriever and was not a vicious dog. He said that the dog played with neighborhood children, and did not break the chain as reported by the police officer. (* - Motions Passed.) -1- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting September 29, 1976 Page 2 Miss Stewart continued that the dog likes children and can'.t understand the complaint. Allan Tucker said that he did not know of any other complaint of the dog being loose. He said that the dog has barked, as it is left outside when Miss Stewart goes to work. Miss Stewart said that the dog probably saw the children going to school and wanted to follow them. She said that the dog has been left our be- cause she lived on the third floor. She said that there has never been a problem like this before, and that there would never be again. Dog officer Jocelyn Rosado said that when he got there, he put a collar onthe dog; he did not see the incident involving the officer. Mr. Rosado said that he has had complaints about the dog being loose and barking, but never any about it being vicious. Officer McCarthy stated that he would stand by his report, that he could only comment on the incident reported, and did not know how the dog be- haved on other occasions. Friends and neighbors testified that Miss Stewart's dog was playful and not vicious. Charles Mulcahy of Cottage Street complained of the barking from the dog, although he could not say that the dog has been vicious. Selectman Titus said that he would like to see the dog to determine for himself if it seemed vicious. After discussion, the Board decided that it would not see the dog. Selectman DeLong stated that he considered the officer's report as sufficient and true. The dog officer recommended'that since the owner seems to take care of the dog, let her keep the dog as long as it was under her control at all times. Selectman Caponigro moved that Miss Stewart keep her dog in the house or under her direct control at all times. Selectman Clemmey seconded the motion. The Board discussed the motion: Selectman Caponigro said that if the dog got loose again, he would suggest ordering the dog out of town. The dog officer suggested that the dog be kept in an enclosed area. Miss Stewart said that the'dog would not be left outside alone. After further discussion, Selectman Caponigro made his motion again: to order Miss Stewart to keep the dog under control at all times, specifically in the house or when chained, Miss Stewart must be home. Seconded by Select- * man Clemmey, voted 5 -0. The Bimonthly meeting was held with Board and Committee chairmen. The following -2- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting September 29,'1976 Page 3 reports were received: Airport Commission (Donald Zecher): reported on parachuting operations, airport improvements, Route 495 land- damage status. Bicentennial Committee (Donald Zecher): Mr. Zecher said that there was nothing to report at this time. Building & Housing Code Committee: not represented Board of Assessors (John Prescott and Peter Saunders): reported recently - set tax rate would be $84 per thousand, an increase of $7.20 over last year's rate. George Wojtkiewicz of Gladiola Terrace commented on the recent special town meeting. He had not been able to attend the special town meeting because of hearings scheduled by the Board of Appeals for that same night. Board of Assessors (George Wojtkiewicz): reported that there was one law suit pending regarding a recent decision; that the present budget would run about $300 short because of the number of hearings held so far. Capital Improvement Program Committee (Dennis Hannon): reported that the committee has already met and has received some of the requests. Conservation Commission (Charles A.M. Meszoely): reported on the King- man Pond project, Sweet land acquisition, and the Great Woods Study Com- mittee. Council on Aging: not represented. Finance Committee (Lyman Avery): reported on "zero- based" budget approach for upcoming fiscal year. Board of Health (Karl Clemmey): reported that the Board of Health had completed the revision of regulations and that they had gone to the State for approval. Also reported on the resignation of one of the members. Selectman David Clemmey read the letter of resignation from Elizabeth Roohe from the Board of Health. Industrial Development Commission: not represented. Undustrial Development Financing Authority: not represented. Library Trustees (Edward Beatty, Cynthia Seifert, Marie Willis): reported on library survey being done through the Municipal Building Committee and the new card system made possible through a federal grant. In relation to the new.card system, the Trustees presented former librarian Dot Lunn with Library Card #1 from the new system. -3- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting ( September 29, 1976 Page 4 Municipal Building Committee: not represented. Recreation Commission (Louis Cinelli): reported on the Park Department, and programs set up by the Recreation Department. Town Hall/ Police Station Building Committee (Tony Caponigro): reported on the shrubs and landscaping, leaking windows, and pistol range progress. Planning Board (Kenneth Parsons): reported that formerly - approved sub - divisions were being followed up on and that no new plans were before the Planning Board at this time. World War II Scholarship Committee: not represented. Youth Council (James Creeden): reported that the Council was working on a "Youth Resource" booklet, and they would be looking for private funding for the printing of this. X � k Fire Chief Bellavance and Deputy Chief Richard Bellavance met with the Board and the Town Manager to discuss options for ambulance service. There was dicussion on whether the old ambulance should be kept for trans- port cases or traded in when the new modular ambulance is received. Also discussed was whether the fees for ambulance service should be increased. After further discussion, Selectman DeLong moved that the old ambulance be disposed of when the new ambulance was received (with a reasonable "break -in period" for the new ambulance to make sure that everything was working cor- rectly.) Seconded by Selectman Titus, and voted 3 -2, with Selectmen Colella * and Caponigro opposed. After further discussion of the ambulance rates, Selectman DeLong moved that the rates be increased to a minimum of $25 for a resident, $30 for a non- resident, or $1 per mile, round trip, whichever is greater. Seconded by Selectman_ Titus, voted 5 -0. The equipment for the new ambulance was discussed, and Selectman Clemmey moved to get all new equipment for the new modular ambulance, and that the radio be kept from the old ambulance as a piece of backup equipment. The motion was seconded and voted all in favor. Light Department Director James Hall met with'the Board to discuss the re- ferenda items relating to the Light Department: the flat rate issue and the question of establishing a public power authority to be run by the state. f Mr. Hall introduced Jack Walk , a representative from the New England Public Power Association (NEPPA) who spoke on behalf of establishing a public power authority. Selectman Titus discussed other referenda items, and whether the Board of Selectmen should take a stand on the items. There was discussion, then he -4- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting ( September 29, 1976 Page 5 moved that the Board of Selectmen publicly advise'-Mansfield voters to vote no on Questions 4, 5, 6 and 7. No second received. Selectman DeLong questioned whether the Board of Selectmen should advise voters on the questions that were beyond those with economic impact on Mans- field. There was further discussion among Board members, and it was agreed to table the discussion until next week. Selectman Clemmey moved that the Board of Selectmen oppose the Flat Rate question. Seconded by Selectman Titus, and voted 5 -0. Light Director Hall requested permission to attend an educational semi- nar from October 26 through 29 in St. Louis, Missouri. Selectman DeLong j moved that the Light Director be g given permission to attend this seminar. * Seconded by Selectman Caponigro, and voted 5-0. Selectman Clemmey moved that the Board accept the resignation of Betty Roche from the Board of Health with regret and send a letter of thanks to her for her service to that Board. Seconded by Selectman DeLong, * and voted 5 -0. Letter from Louis Tarsa, secretary of Boy Scout Troup 17,'request to sell Christmas trees on the old town hall site from November 13 - 28. Select- man Titus moved that the request be approved. Seconded by Selectman * Caponigro „ and voted 5-0. Also from Boy Scout Troup 17, request to use the town highway garage for a staging area for the paper drive on October 30 - 31. Motion to approve by Selectman DeLong and seconded by Selectman Caponigro. Voted 5 -0. It was noted by Selectman DeLong that the area should be picked up (any loose papers). This will be noted in the letter of permission to Mr. Tarsa. Letter from the FinCom regarding the "zero budgeting" approach to next year's preparing of the budget. Selectman Caponigro moved to send a copy of this letter to all department heads and boards. The Town.Manager requested that this be held so that he might send some follow-up material with the letter. Motion withdrawn. Notice from state regarding public hearing on Proposed Air Quality Attain- ment and Maintenance Plan. Selectman DeLong moved that the Chairman attend the meeting or appoint someone to go in his place. Selectman Clemmey was designated to attend. Request from the P.M. Club to hold the 20th Anniversary reception at the Town Hall on December 2 from 6 to 11 p.m. Selectman DeLong moved to grant permission providing there were no conflicts. Seconded by Selectman Caponi- gro, voted 5 -0. Letter from the Division of Employment Security regarding National Employ the Handicapped Week, Selectman Titus moved to proclaim the Week of October 3 -5- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting ( September 29, 1976 Page 6 through the 9 as National Employ the Handicapped Week in Mansfield. * Seconded by Selectman Caponigro, and voted 5 -0. Notice from the Police Department of complaints regarding the Cycle Shack, Samoset Avenue. Selectman Clemmey moved to set a hearing on this for next week, at 9:00 p.m. Seconded by Selectman DeLong, and * voted 5 -0. 1. Renewal for Jack's Cafe for Radio, TV, and Jukebox license. Motion to approve by Selectman Caponigro, seconded by Selectman DeLong, and * voted 5 -0. The Town Manager said that Arthur Remillard will be the Acting Town Manager while he is out of town on vacation next week. Mr. Hannon reported that the Comprehensive Plan of 1970 had a trans- portation section, and that the student intern now working with the Planning Director had prepared a questionnaire in connection with this for the MBTA study. Mr. Hannon asked that permission be granted to enclose the questionnaire'in the light bills. Selectman DeLong moved to grant such permission. Seconded by Selectman Caponigro, and * voted 5 -0. The Town Manager discussed the parking of school buses behind the highway garage. He reported that Town Counsel has opined that a zoning variance will be necessary as it seems to be an expansion of a non -con- forming use. Selectman DeLong moved to have the Chairman of the Board sign the application for the variance on behalf of the town. Seconded by Selectman Titus, voted 5 -0. Selectman Titus reported on the Visitors from England he visited at the Canoe River Campground. Selectman Clemmey reported on the hearing attended by him, Selectman Caponigro and the Planning Director in Boston on House Bills 5365 and 5366 (acquisition of Dever land in Norton for regional treatment plant, and for the easements for the interceptor). Mr. Clemmey said that the State Administration Committee will probably report favorably on the first bill for the acquisition of the Dever property, but the other bill needs to have more information presented on it and would be taken up again in January. Chairman Colella discussed a request made to him to use the town hall for private ski instruction. The other Board members expressed that the town hall should not be used for such a purpose. Selectman Clemmey moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 p.m. Seconded by Selectman Caponigro, voted 5-0.