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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 8-8-1973August S, 1973 Meeting called at 7 :50 P.M. All members present except for 1,1r. Colella arriving late, and the Town Manager. A motion was made by Selectman Levine, seconded by Selectman Caponigro to approve the total warrant of $$77,400.94, and it was so voted.',. Motion was made by Selectman Levine, seconded by Selectman Caponigro to approve the minutes of the July 25th Meeting and was so voted. The Board took under advisement the application of Albert J. Fasulo for a gas tank at 59 King Street, until the Manager checks on the zoning for that area, and the total capacity of the tank. The Board took no action on the application of Mrs. Helen L. Wills of 105 Thompson Street for a junk dealers permit, since it was determined that a business of that type in a residence C zone was not permittable without a variance approval from the Board of Appeals. Ila Wills was informed that d variance application could be picked up at the Town Clerks Office. The board took under advisement, the application for a Flee Market license by Mr. Paul Split for property located on Route 106. There was concern that such a business was not permittable in the agricultural zone, so the Manager was instructed to check on the zoning. The board set a Hearing Date of August 22nd on the application on the Zayre Corp. for two 10,000 gallon tanks for gas and diesel fuel storage, with the hearing to be adverti*ad at least 10 days in advance. A hearing was held on the application of the New England Telephone Co. to install one utility manhole at Pratt Street on the northeasterly site approximately 5521bast of Hope Street. The board reviewed the plan, and there were no comments from the audience, and thereupon the public hearing was closed. Selectman Levine moved that the application be approved, Selectman Secher seconded the motion and it was so voted. From the letter file the clerk read correspondence from the Town to the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project requesting work on Hodges Brook; a notice from the Department of Public Works that the Town's application for Stop Signs at numerous locations had been given preliminary approval; and notice from the Town of Canton that they also appointed Mrs. Wilder as their Representative to Self help Inc. Mr. Hannon stated that the Town of Sharon would be contacted to see if they also concurred on the joint ap- pointment. Chairman Titus asked Mr. Hannon to review the status of several water pro- jects. Concerning the water bad, 1,1r. Hannon stated his reason for the staff recommendations for why the water ban should be temporarily lifted. Pump and motor replacement parts for #2 & 3 were not expected until mid or late September, and the water ban was having only marginal effect at this time. _z- It was proposed that the ban should be reinstated once the replacement parts could be installed. Subsequent discussion also concerned the August 8th letter from Whitman & Howard Inc., recommending that the ban be continued and made more complete. Selectman Levine urged that the ban be continued, to emphasize the nerd to conserve a limited resource. He stated that the ban did serve to remipd people that the water system is inadequate to handle our peak summer demands. Selectman Secher conourred, and expressed concern that additional amounts of water would now be consumed unnecessarily. Selectman Caponigro noted that the ban could again be imposed for the equipment repairs, but had not been extensive enough to have a real impact on the daily con- sumption. The motion was made by Selectman Colella and seconded by Select- man Caponigro, that the water ban be lifted. He then amended the motion to add that the Town Manager contact heavy water users to ask that they vol- untarily ease up on their water consumption. Selectman Levine and Seoher proposed the motion, and the Chairman withheld his vote on the amendment until the main motion was voted upon. The board then moved the main motion, Selectmen Secher and Levine apposed; also the Chairman then cast the majority vote in favor of the amendment. A certificate of entering was discussed with the Town Counsel, relating to the Town's recent access to Witches Pond Well Site across a public easement. Selectman Colella moved, Selectman Levine seconded that the board exeeutec and file the certificate at the registry, and it was so voted. Concerning water extensions and improvements on unaccepted streets, the consensus was that the staff should pursue a policy that applicants for water service extensions or renewals should pay a portion of the materials expense for proper size mains to be extended on their streets, rather than allow the replacement of water services with small service lines. The Town Manager said he would contact Mr. Strang concerning his James Street property in this regard, end that he would prepare a cost estimate on James Street looping a water main on James Street between Spring Street and Benefit Street. The board then reviewed the application for the Board of Health for a $6,400 transfer to continue perc•dlation tests and sewage system inspections. Selectman Caponigro stated his opposition to the transfer because the ex- pense was not justified by an "unforeseen or extraordinary" circumstance. Selectman Levine questioned whether the Town could afford to go without professional review of peraolation tests to insure that home storage dis- posal systems were adequately planned and constructed. Selectman Secher stated that the need for the new services became obvious,once the previous Sanitary Inspeoto): had iesigned;. .. Selectman Colella questioned how the change in personnel could have increased the budget so dramatically. Chairman Titus stated that the Board should have been informed prior to this time on the prospects that the personnel change would necessitate a transfer for new appropriations. Health Board Chairman, Leonard Plynn, stated that the Board of Health had supported the increased fee for the Sanitary In- spector at the Town Meeting, but had had no input into the budget prepara- tion since the Health Board was not established until March 1973. He de- fined the developers engineer as being essentially an advocate, and therefore the Town would be wise to employ an engineer of equal competence to oversee the work. The Health Board felt confident that the increase`' -,in expenses could be matched by the fee revenues and would therefore have no net effect -3- on Town expenses. Town Manager noted that he served both as Toom Manager and as Health Agent, and this produced some divergent responsibilities. He recommended that the transfer be approved for a leaser amount, to insure that the necessary inspections would still be performed this year during the con- struction season and so that an in4potor could be hired at a similar fee when the percolation tests are resumed December 1st. After this discussion Selectman Caponigro moved that the Board of Selectmen deny its recommenda- tion for the transfer request, seconded by Selectman Colella, and it was so voted. Selectman Secher and Levine opposed;.the vote was recommended on the transfer request vote and sent to the Finance Committee for their action. Town Counsel explained the status of the Ryan & Elliot Real Estate trans- action with Owens Illinois and the statue of their requests for a drainage easement, small land parcel, and relief from deed restrictions. The Town Manager reported on the results of the states inspection of the Sewage Treatment Plant on Monday. They were pleased with the general oper- ation of the plant, but were still insistent that the Town should submit a preliminary engineering study on sludge accumulations in tihe Back Bay Brook Lagoon. Selectman Caponigro then moved, and Selectman Levine seconded that the Town enter the engineering contract with CampV Dresser & McKee, and it was so voted. Subsequent for discussions also included parking problems at the railroad station area; Police and Fire access to the roadside area on Route 195, and the status of the Dustin Well test project. The meeting was then adjourned at 10:45',P 24.