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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 10-15-1975BOARD OF SELECTMEN A G E N D A October 15, 1975 • 7:30 p.m. - Call to Order, Moment of Silence Treasurer's Warrant Minutes of the Meeting Clerk's Folder: • Transfer of Liquor License (Karl Clemmey) • Applications for new licenses for The Mansfield Depot (Paul Jodice), 60 Oakland Street: • Milk, Cream, & Oleo • Common Victualler Correspondence • 8:00 P.M. - Pre - Budget Hearing • Board Reports' • Town Manager's Report • 9:00 p.m. - Swearing in of New Police Officers Board of Selectmen Notes of the Meeting October 20, 1975 Williams Street Reconstruction - ,Public Hearing Present: Selectmen Caponigro, Titus, Colella, Levine, and Town Manager Hannon; Planning Director Chad Maurer; Ralph Maloon of RIM Engineering, and area residents Selectman Titus chaired the meeting which opened at 8 p.m. He wel- comed the residents and advised them that the Williams Street project is part of the street reconstruction program of the Capital Improvement Program. He noted that the Board of Selectmen voted in the early part of the year to designate the project as the next street for major re- construction. Similar reconstruction projects included Gilbert and Maple Streets. These,were done primarily with minor improvements to the alignment and drainage. Because of the nature of the street, the Williams Street project would include: e drainage improvements • realignment in the vicinity of the Wading River • widening of pavement Chad Maurer explained the details of the plan for each section of the street noting recommended street drainage improvements and realignment and the cost for each section. He noted the phasing of the project would include the acquisition of the land and suggested that the first section to be reconstructed would be in the vicinity of the Wading River and that after that 1 -2 year period, improvements be made easterly to School Street and the last section to be done would be from the Wading River westerly to West Street. Ralph Maloon gave an overview of the problems of the project noting severe drainage problems in the section from Tremont StreeV,easterly to School Street and alignment problems near the I-lading River. He estimated that the cost of the land acquisition for this project would be kmown after an appraiser was hired. The following summarized the general comments received at the hearing: 1. Several residents felt that there was not a safety problem with alignment near the Wading River because they know the area, and that it would be people not familiar with the road who might have accidents. They felt that the alignment problem was a way of controlling the traffic and stated that there had been no accidents in the area. 2. Concern was expressed over the widening of the road. It was felt by some that the widening would detract Board of Selectmen October 20, 1975 Page 2 Williams Street Reconstruction - Public Hearing from the country setting. Widening would require stone walls and trees being removed and would in- crease the speed on the road. It was suggested to keep the road the same width and improve the drainage and pavement condition. In this regard, it was pointed out that the primary cost to im- prove the road was the drainage and this would cost the same whether the pavement was 18 or 24 feet wide. 3. There was discussion on whether a sidewalk was needed or not, in this rural setting. In this regard, it was pointed out that the Planning Board's subdivision regulations required side- walks. A petition was presented to the Board of ;Selectmen signed by about 40 residents opposing the widening of Williams Street, but in favor of resurfacing and drainage installation. Selectmen agreed to take this under advisement and make a decision within 30 days. CM:dlh Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting October 15, 1975 Meeting opened at 7 :35 p.m. Present were Selectmen Colella, Titus, and Caponigro. The Chairman said that Selectmen Levine and DeLong were out of Town on business. The Chairman asked that a moment of silence be observed for Eleo Zaffini, Planning Board member, who had passed away. Treasurer's Warrant: $166,777.15. Motion to approve by Selectman Titus, seconded by Selectman Colella, voted 3 -0. Motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting by Selectman Titus, seconded by Selectman Colella, voted 3 -0. Selectman Colella was named acting clerk. Application to change the opening time on the all alcoholic beverage li- cense for the Mansfield House, from 1 p.m. on Sundays to 12 noon. Select- man Colella moved that this be changed. Seconded by Selectman Titus, voted 3 -0. Application for a Common Victualler license for the Mansfield Depot, Inc., 68 Oakland Street, from Paul Jodice. Mr. Jodice explained that he would like to have luncheons,and possibly dinners in the future. He said that he hoped to open for business by Christmas. He showed the Board plans for the building. Selectman Titus moved to grant the license. Seconded by Selectman Colella, voted 3 -0. Applications for the Downtown Development Committee received from Edward Tartufo, Walter J. Holm, Priscilla Douglas, and Robert F. Shaw. From the Town of Wesport, notice of the next Bristol County Selectmen's Association dinner, Ladies night at White's Family Restalarant on November 13. From the Sharon Board of Selectmen, notice of the Southwest Area's Select- men's Coordinating Committee meeting to be held at the Golden Steer Steak House on Route 1 in Walpole on October 30 starting at 6 :30 p.m. Other correspondence was read, along with bid summaries for the Fire Station roof, parts for the highway division bulldozer, water division stock, and an insertion valve for the water division. Public hearing on Williams and Old Elm Streets reconstruction to be held October 20, 1975, at 8 P.M. The Town Manager reported that there have been surprisingly few complaints on the combined rubbish and garbage collection. At 8 p.m., the Chairman opened the Pre- Budget Hearing. He asked that the Board members coament first, then the Town Manager, department heads, board and committee chairmen, and the public. Selectman Titus stated that when formulating the budget this year, the town must keep in mind that there..; was a handicap - no free cash to start the budget year. He said that there would be a difficult time raising taxes to keep programs continuing and start new ones. He said -1- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting October 15, 1975 Paget there would be little chanoe of new programs - that the upcoming budget would probably be the tightest one in the last five years. He said that he had no intention of increasing the taxes in the Town of Mansfield. Selectman Colella agreed with Selectman Titus, adding that he personally would lean in the direction of public safety - police andfire protection, and stay away from buying land. He said that another hard look should be taken in some areas of Capital Improvements. Some things should be held for another year. The Town Manager stated that the Free Cash situation was very serious. He said that some items such as the summer teachers' salaries would not have to be paid, but the operating budget of the school department in- creases would offset that. Other items to be paid would be the High School roof loan and debt interest for Dustin Well. Mr. Hannon reported that the town would save $209000 if the combined rubbish and garbage collection were continued for the next 3 years. He added that changes in state funding would affect Mansfield contribution to the Regional School. He expects the Cherry Sheet from the state to be even worse next year. Mr. Hannon said that he had hoped that more townspeople had attended the hearing so that the department heads could hear for themselves the services and programs wanted. The Chairman of the Board also expressed that he had also hoped for more input from the public. Ted Robinson, Parks and Commons Superintendent, discussed the garage for storage of park equipment and materials for recreation that was badly needed. He said that some of this is now stored at the Highway garage and on the private property of one of the Recreation Commission members. Mr. Robinson discussed the vandalism and theft of park equipment and the, type of building needed for proper security of the equipment. Beatrice Thayer of 57 Charles Street questioned whether a new fire station would be built, and if it would be located in the C.C. & F. industrial park. Fire Chief Bellavance said that nothing has been done about the new fire station since discussed a year ago. He said that no specific location had been decided from the survey done a year ago, but that this would not be a station for C.C. & F. The Town Manager added that the Municipal Building Committee is working on this, but a historical trend of fires in town has to be provided to them before they can go ahead. He discussed a planned fire insurance rating survey which he hoped would upgrade the town's fire insurance rating. Mr. Hannon cited an improved water system and better trained personnel to help the rating. Mr. George Farnum of East Street discussed the problem with the patch on the road where the water main had been put in., The Town Manager explained Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting October 15, 1975 Page 3 that the patch is a temporary one and a permanent patch will be put in,in the spring, after the trench has settled. Beatrice Thayer questioned the Police Chief about the drinking law. Chief D'Afile,+said that the officer could not enforce the law unless he (the officer ) actually observed the act.', George Vfotjkierricz asked where the other two members of the Board of Selectmen were. He commented that he thought they would have made every possible effort to be at this hearing. The Chairman answered that both Board members were out of torn on business. Mr. Wotjkiewicz stated that the'meeting ought to be held, on another night when the full Board could attend. Selectman Titus stated that the purpose of the pre- budget meeting was to get the input from the public, their ideas on what services and programs would be requested :::by: the towns- people in the upcoming budget year. Mr. Wotjkiewicz asked how the other *_two members of the Board would know what went on if they were not present. The Chairman said that the hearing was being recorded in the minutes. Mr. Wotjkiewicz asked if both members would study these minutes !'scrupulously ". The Chairman replied that, knowing both Mr. Levine and Mr. DeLong, they would. Mrs. Thayer asked the Police Chief whether it would not be wiser to keep the cruisers longer before trading. Chief D'Afile stated that the cost of maintenance would be increased so much that it was less expansive and easier to replace the two cruisers annually. Mr. George Wotjkiewicz said that now that he lives down near the treatment plant, that he has become very interested in sewer treat- ment. He asked the Board where does the town stand now on the regional sewer issue, and what was planned for the budget for sewage treatment. The Chairman stated that the immediate problem should be taken care of when the sludge dewatering equipment is installed. He said that the equipment is on order at this time and that bids have just been taken for the construction work connected with this. He said that although Foxboro and Norton have v6tdd down the regional sewer, the Mansfield town meeting in 1975 authorized the town to go ahead with their own plans. A $52,000 grant has been received for a feasibility study, and this is now being proceeded with. As for the existing plant, the sludge dewatering equipment will be the last major improvement to be made. Mr. Wotjkiewicz asked about the order and delivery of the sludge de- watering equipment, and why it was taking so long. The Town Manager replied that the delivery was 28 weeks and that the contract couldn% be officially awarded until July 1. Mr. Wotjkiewicz said that the present treatment was a "lousy process" and asked what could be done at the plant to improve the present facili- -3- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting October 15,1975 Page 4 ties. He said that a group of Norton students had done a study of the choliform in the Norton Reservoip, and the count had been so high it could almost be considered raw sewerage. The Town - Manager said that this statement should be corrected, as raw sewerage is not being put into the Norton Reservoir. He said that the problem exists. at the sludge dewatering beds now because the sludge is held back, rather than being discharged as raw sewerage. Mr. Hannon said that the plant is doing so much better now than in the past. He said the plant is running much more efficiently than in the past because of reduced infiltration and better - trained personnel running the plant. Mr. Hannon asked Mr. Wotjkiewicz if he had noticed an odor problem lately. He replied no. Mr. Wotjkiewicz Said that the Town was doing a ' "patch job" to keep the plant operating, and that no real concrete plans had been taken to solve the whole problem. Selectman Titus said that the present Board has really taken the "bull by the Horns" in this matter. He said that the sewer problem was wor- sened.-.when C.C. & F. and other industry came into to town and also the building developments, which put a strain on the system. He said that the Board has gone Into the State at least 9 times in-:,the last 3 years to push for the solution to this. He said that the Town has come as far as it can with the facilities it has. The State and Federal govern- ment cannot be pushed any further. The Town Manager commented that under EPA requirements, every facility has to have a discharge permit and meet certain requirements by certain dates, or be subject to fines. He said that he was confident the Town can do that. He said that the new sludge dewatering equipment will be able to process more than the plant can produce. Library Trustee Edward Beatty discussed the money to be budgeted for maintenance at the Memorial Building. The Town iManager said that this item had been cut.at Town Meeting. Mr. Beatty said that the jurisdiction of the Trustees was only for the inside of the building, and that the outside of the building was the responsibility of the DPW Director and the Town Maneger. The Town Manager said that costs on- some of the repairs needed were being gotten. The Chairman said that the need for the main- tenance money will have to be stressed to the Finance Committee. Mrs. Thayer asked the Fire Chief when the town would have to have the new ambulance as required by the State. Fire Chief Bellavance replied by July 1, 1977. George Wotjkiewicz discussed the tax rate. He said that in the past few years the rate has either been stabilized or decreased and commented that everyone preparing the budgets this year have no ..increase; He said that the Town should not spend more money than is taken in. He said that Mansfield is going along the same road as New York City. He said that cuts should be made in 1976 so that the tax rate is backrwhere it was in 1974. -4- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting October 15, 1975 Page 5 The Chairman said that when the Board and Town Manager became aware of the out in the Cherry Sheet from tba State, department heads were notified and told to keep this in mind when preparing this year's budget. He also said that he has seen the department heads out and then something would be brought up on the Town Meeting floor and be voted and raise the rate anyway. Selectman Titus said that when Town Meeting is held, receipts from the State are not known yet, that the Cherry Sheet does not come in until after the town meeting. He said that for the last 3 years, against the wishes of the Town Manager, the amount has been "guessed ", based on the previous years' experience. He said that,the Town Manager has warned that it cannot be guessed what the State and Federal govern- ments will pay. He said that the townspeople must consider what should be done at Town Meeting, as this decides the budget. He said that he was all for acquiring land in the Great Woods, but only if it can be afforded. Mr. Wotjkiewicz told Mr. Titus that he had demonstrated good leadership at last year's town meeting regarding the Great Woods. He said that the meeting was packed with special interest groups. He said that the Selectmen should take a much stronger stand on this and force the issues down. He said that a lot of things have slipped through town meeting like this, and that the Board should be prepared for this as there will be a lot more of it. He told the Board they should gather their own forces and balance the budget. Selectman Titus said that he would like to see the tax rate go down. Regarding the sewer problem, he said that this board has worked very hard on solving this. Mrs. Margot Jellinek of 1551 West Street said that the tax rate should be set before Town Meeting, and take things from there. The Chairman said that this yeas, the approach of knowing what affect the items wowtld have on the rate would be taken this year. The Town Manager said that the tax rate cannot be actually set before the Cherry Sheet comes in and the assessments are made. The Chairman asked if there were any further questions or comments. There being none, he declared the hearing closed. Selectman Titus commented that the final budget presented at Town Meet- ing 'is the Board's. He said that the information is gathered and com- piled by the Town Manager and the depattmept heads, but the final budget is that of the Board of Selectmen. Chief D'Afile said that of the list of 48 people on the Civil Service list, there had been no one from Mansfield. He introduced the following men who have been chosen for the Mansfield force: Walter Langley, John McCarthy, Jr., Edward Cormier, and Alan Keith. The Town Clerk swore the;men in, ,- -5- Board of Selectmen Minutes of the Meeting October 15, 1975 Page 6 and Chief D'Afile introduced the wives of the new officers. The .Chief also introduced Sergeant Robert K. Jones who recently completed an in- tensive training course at the FBI Acadamy at Quantico, Virginia. The Chief said that Sgt. Jones class was the 102 session, and that he (the Chief) had graduated from the 62nd session in 1958. Chief D'Afile said that Sgt. Jones had maintained an A and B average in grades. Sgt. Jones said that he had benefited greatly from this course, and that he hoped to help the men on the force in torn. The Torn Manager and the Board members congratulated Sergeant Jones and also welcomed the new officers to the force. The Chairman said that the vacancies on various Boards and Committees would be discussed next week before the full Board. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. M