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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 9-24-1975BOARD OF SELECTMEN A G E N D A September 24, 1975 7:30 p.m. - Call to Order Treasurer's Warrant Minutes of the Previous Meeting Clerk's Folder Correspondence • 7:40 p.m. - Reconvene Dog Hearing on West Street Complaint i 7:50 p.m.' - Vote on Fairfield Optical • 8 :00 p.m. - Hearing - All Alcoholic Beverage License for Country Inns Thomas Street • 8 :15 P,-,m- - Joint Meeting with Department Heads on Budget • 9:00 p.m. - Metropolitan District Commission Contract for Receipt of Mansfield Septage • 9:10 p=. - Jaycees ( Mr. Baker) regarding Plans for .Halloween • - Town Manager Report Sewer Connection Review of SRPEDD Title X Letter Authorization for Community Dev. Grant Agreement • - Board Reports Vacancies on Boards and Committees Report on Ware Street Dog Complaint • - Adjournment 1 Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting September 24, 1975 Meeting opened at 7 :30 p.m. All members present (Selectmen Levine and Titus arrived shortly after meeting called to order). Treasurer's Warrant: $214003.68. Approved on the motion of Selectman Colella, second of Selectman DeLong. Vote: 3 -0 (Selectmen Levine and Titus not yet present). Chairman of the Board of Assessors, Robert Eames, met with the Board to discuss assessment of personal property of New England Power Company in the Town of Mansfield. He reported that the company had not been assessed for the first six months of 19749 with a loss of $2,300 in taxes to the Town. The Town Manager said that he had spoken to an official of NEPCO, and that the company was willing to pay this amount if billed for it. Mr. Eames said that he had checked with the State, and that legally there was no way to bill them for this now. The minutes of the September 17 meeting were accepted on the motion of Selectman DeLong, second of Selectman Colella, and voted 3 -0. Two -day all alcoholic license for September 27 and 28 for the Rotary Club Bicentennial Ball at Tennis 95. Motion to approve by Selectman DeLong, seconded by Selectman Colella, voted 3 -0. Renewal for Mansfield Bowladrome pinball machine license. Motion to ap- prove by Selectman Colella, seconded by Selectman DeLong, voted 3 -0. Correspondence was read. Sewer Connection application from George E. Oldmixon for a single family residence at 20 Chestnut Street; assessment has been paid. Selectman Colella moved to approve %the connection. Seconded by Selectman DeLong, voted 3 -0. From the Metropolitan District Commission, contract proposal for Mansfield to dump septage at the Walpole and Stoughton grit chambers. The Town Manager reported that the Town Counsel had reviewed the contract and found it to be acceptable. Selectman DeLong moved to accept the contract$` seconded by Selectman Colella, voted 3 -0. Letter of resignation from Mary Wallace Casey from the Council on Aging, as she has recently married and will be moving to Buzzards Bay. The Board will send a letter to Mrs. Casey thanking her for her past services to the Council and the Town. Bid summary for sludge dewatering facilities construction. There were 8 bids received, the low bid being from Winston Builders at $67,640. The Town Manager said that the total of the :•project was now estimated to be- $125,000 and only $112,000 was budgeted, which includes the dewatering equipment, construction of the facilities, and engineering. Mr. Hannon said that he would have a proposal for the Board in this regard. -1- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting September 24, 1975 Page 2 Correspondence was read. Letter from Town Counsel was read stating that since he is the Board of Health's attorney in any matter that might come up between that Board and Mr. Taxes, (regarding perc: test), he would not render an opinion. There was discussion, and a letter will be sent to Mr. Taxes, in this regard. The hearing on the dog complaint from last week was reconvened. The Dog Officer said that he has not received any more complaints in the last week regarding the West Street complaint againatMr. Craig Pearl. After discussion, there seemed to be nosmore complaints. The Chairman stated that the problem seemed to be resolved, and that the matter would be closed unless further complaints were received. Mrs. Delores Benson discussed with the Board again the drainage pro- blem on the rear of her ;property on Pleasant Street. Since Mrs. Benson was not scheduled to be on the agenda, the Chairman asked Mrs. Benson if she would mind waiting until the scheduled hearings and meetings were completed. She said she would not mind waiting. At 8 p.m, there was a hearing on the application of Mr. George Priesing for an all alcoholic license for the Country Inn at 18 Thomas Street. Mr. Priesing stated that all the abuttors had heen notified and presented the receipts to the Board. He stated that he had a beer and wine li- cense at the present time, and that the full liquor license would bring his restaurant business up to what he had been working towards for 20 years. Mr. Harvey Findlayson spoke in favor of the license, saying that this was one of the restaurants in town that he and his wife would go out to at night, and even though he would have a beer, his wife might like a:mixed drink. Mrs. Beatrice Thayer also spoke in favor of the r license. No opposition was recorded. Hearing closed, and the.matter was taken under advisement. Mr. Allen Willia, Mansfield's representative to SRPEDD met to discuss a resolution urging once again that the state proceed with funding and construction for Route 495. Selectman DeLong moved that the Town support this resolution. Seconded by Selectman Levine, voted 4 -0. Letters will be sent to the representatives in this regard. The Town Manager also discussed the Title X federal funding that SRPEDD was applying for. He said that it would provide for part -time planning and clerical positti`ons, There was discussion of the Town asking for the management intern previously considered under a CLTA program. Select- man Levine moved that the Town support SRPEDD's application for this fund- ing and put in a request for the management intern for Mansfield. Seconded •by-Sele(itman- DeBong, voted 4 -0• 0 grant fol, Community Development from HOD, the Regarding the recent X70900 Town Manager asked that the Board adopt a grant agreement. After discus - approve this. Seconded by Selectman Co- sion, Selectman DeLong moved to lella, voted 4 -0• -9- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting September 24, 1975 ! Page 4 point Robert Tighe to fill the unexpired term of David Grant. Seconded by Selectman Levine, voted 5 -0. Were Street dog complaint was discussed. The Chairman stated that he had visited the Duncans' and that most of the improvements had been made. The only dogs there now were the personal dogs of the Duncan, and that the house was for sale. The Dog Officer says that there have been no further complaints. Selectman DeLong asked if the County Dog Officer has forwarded any replies to the questions he said he would check on for the proposed kennel bylaw changes. There has been no word yet. Selectman Levine discussed reviewing ambulance fees. Selectman Colella said that he would like to correct an editorial remark made regarding snowmobiles in Torn Parks. Selectman Colella thanked Mrs. Beatrice Thayer for her help(,with the Cystic Fibrosis Drive on September 21. Selectman Titus reminded the Board of the October 5 Retarded Children's Golf Tournament. Chairman Caponigro discussed flood plain designations in Town and that there was a questiom:on the way certain areas were designated. Also discussed by the Chairman was a request to be sent to the State DPW regarding Street Acceptances. The Torn Manager will contact Town Counsel and ask him about drafting legislation on this. A date for a work session will be set next week. Another date to be set is the date for the public meeting on Williams Street reconstruction. Mrs. Benson from Pleasant Street again discussed the drainage prGblem on her property. After discussion by Mrs. Benson, the Board, Town Manager, and Dnf)Director, the Chairman asked the DPW Director to come back with a report for next week. At 10:43 p.m., Selectman Levine moved to adjourn. Seconded by Selectman Colella, so voted. -4- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting September 24, 1975 Joint Meeting with Department Heads - Budget Requests The following Department Heads met with the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager to discuss budget preparation and requests: Peg Bradner, Head Librarian - No new positions being considered; are keeping up with normal requests for service; biggest problem is that the State is cutting State Aid for the Library Information Ser- vice and inter - library borrowing. Mrs. Bradner stated that the facili- ties are not adequate: there is not enough main floor space in the adult section, the wiring is not in good condition, the outside of the building needs painting, new tables and chairs are needed, and the boiler is in bad condition. The Librarian and the Library Trustees are working with the Municipal Building Committee and the Planning Director on library expansion. Bert Cook, Building Inspector - Mr. Cook said that he would like to see Capital Improvements work on a vehicle for him. He said that he is keeping up with normal requests for service, even though the routine workload was heavy at times. The Town Manager asked Mr. Cook if he had a record of inspections of this year as opposed to last year. Mr. Cook said that this is broken down at the end of the year. The Building Inspector stated that new building was "off ', but remodel- ing and additions were up. He reported that he made zoning and Board of health inspections usually daily. The only court case was the one Jim Grady is now handling - the gas station on South Main Street. He also reported that the State Building Code was being changed and amend- ments sent out as made. The Town Manager asked Mr. Cook how many miles he puts on his own vehicle a week for town business. Mr. Cook replied about 200 miles, for' which the town reimbursed him 140 a mile., The Chairman d'the Board of Selectmen asked Mr. Cook if a radio in his car would be of help to him. He said that it would save him coming back to the office only to get a call for an inspection in the same part of town he has just come back from. Cy Bellavance, Fire Chief - The Fire Chief will request one additional personnel this coming year. He reported that the department was keeping up with the normal requests for services, and that the workload was some- times heavy and sometSfiftesr;less. Chief Bellavance stated that by July 19 1977, the State would require the modular type ambulances, so he would be including this in his request for new equipment this year. He also cited the need for a new fire station due to the industrial development and residential growth in Mansfield. The Town Manager said that thds would be reviewed at the next Capital Improvment meeting. Chief Bella- vance reported that now a CETA girl was doing some clerical work and hoped that this funding would continue. Joan Cutillo, Town Treasurer - Mrs. Cutillo said that she would be put - ting in a request for another full time girl in place of the CETA part - time girl in that office now. She said that the Department is not able -1- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting September 249 1975 Page 2 Joint Budget Meeting - Continued to keep up with the workload. She discussed the problem with the bankb and escrow money and the extra work that this would create!: for the treasurer's office. Mrs. Cutillo anticipated that another expense for next year would be envelopes, which have not been bought for two years. Arthur Remillard, Town Clerk and Accountant - No new positions are requested for the town clerk's office this year. He said that the office is keeping up with the normal requests for service, but there would be a problem in the up- coming elections: there will be a March 2 presidential election and the town election. He said that the only time he might need more help is during census time. Select- man DeLong asked Mr. Remillard if he would need any new equipment. Mr. Remillard said that he did not foresee this need. Robert Eames, Chairman, Assessors - Mr. Eames said that as far as personnel went, they were all set. Regarding future capital im- provements, Mr. Eames said that the State would require re- evalua- tion within the next couple of years, and that the cost for this and new tax maps would run about $1509000. Also discussed was the cost . for computer service for the Assessors. James Hall, Light Director - Mr. Hall said that no new personnel were l requested. He said that the Department was keeping up with normal requests for service. He said that he would not recommend any new services. He said that as fax as equipment, the billing machine was in pretty bad condition, and the cost for a new one would be between $6,000 and $7,000. Also discussed was the replacement of the bucket truck. Selectman Titus discussed the possible use of the bucket truck for fire alarm maintenance. The Chairman asked the Town Manager to get some figures on whether this function would be better in the Fire or the Light Department. Mr. Hannon said that this would be part of the budget work. At this point in the meeting, the Chairman recognized Mr. Baker of the Jaycees. He told the Board of a proposed project for the young people for Halloweens the "Haunted House ". He said that he had gotten per- mission from the owners of the old granary behind North Main Street parking lot, and that tis had been inspected by both the Fire Depart- ment and the Building Inspector. He said that the tours through the building were to be escorted, and all safety regulations had been met. The Board gave approval for this event. Chad Maurer, Planning Director - Continu�hg. with the budget discussion, the Planning Director discussed his department. He said that the se- cretary had to do some of the Board of Health work. Selectman Levine discussed the mapping system, and Mr. Maurer said that this was being done in conjunction with another project. Also discussed was the opin- ion questionnaire sent out recently. -2- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting September 24, 1975 Page 3 Joint Budget Meeting - Continued Tom Bonome, DPV, Director - Mr. .Bonome said that the DPW was keeping up with normal requests in most cases. He said that the cleanup work was caught up with, and that the Department was keeping up with the normal workload. He said that no more employees would be requested, but that a reorganization of the department was being considered. He recommended no new services. He discussed the new equipment that would be requested under Capital Improvements. Bill Cahoon, Water and Sewer Superintendent - Mr. Cahoon said that the Department was keeping up with normal requests for service. He said that the Department sometimes regeived 15 - 18 complaints a day. He said that the biggest problem was finding out various valve locations underground (no maps showing their locations were available) and meter reading. He said that the meter reading was a month behind because the men have a had time gaining access to read meters. Also, Mr. Cahoon reported that there had been 157 leaks in town since June. He did not recommend any additional services from the Water Department. Regarding Capital Improvements, Mr. Cahoon discussed looping the water system from East Mansfield up to South Main Street. He also was requesting an additional truck, as it took 22 hours to make the rounds to the pumping stations every day, and the vehicle was tied up for this time. Mr. Cahoon reported on the infiltration progress, and also discussed the bids to be opened for the construction of the sludge dewatering facility. He said that the standpipe being constructed by C.C. & F. was finished, although there was no water in it yet. He also reported that the Stearns Avenue water main extension had been completed, and would be in use as soon as the State gave its approval of the sample. Town Manager Hannon reported that C.C. & F. was waiting for the engineer's approval on the standpipe, and when all the legalities were in order, the standpipe would be turned over to the Town. -3-