HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 12-2-1970ys jl f
rrf,, December 2, 1970
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Meet at 7:31 P.M.
present, and the Town Manager,
The, mlo- ,the', previous meeting were approved as distributed.
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Upon F„ 6P by Selectman Zecher, seconded by Selectman Main it was voted
to app �tlie Treasuxer s Warrant in the amount of $71,918.69,
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It IV +o have the contractor interested in picking up rubbish in the
town <lm d l
ter contract, come to the meeting December 16 for an interview.
Letter'pf resignation received from Albert Zaffini, a member of the Finance
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Comm�.,Q. Upon amotion by Selectman Conroy, seconded by Selectman Zecher
it 19 43,P to accept with regret Mr. Zaffini's resignation, and to send
him agtter of appreciation for his services,
Selectoiii Clemmey advised that the Finance Committee would be meeting Monday
and Wednesday evenings at 7:30 P.M. Anyone interested in serving on this
Committee could come to one of the meetings to be interviewed.
Request received from the Planning Board for the insertion of an article
in the Warrant for $3,000, as the town's deposit under the Community Affairs
program;
Letter received from the Attleboro Mental Health Clinic regarding the townts
contribution to the Attleboro Mental Health, Inc, given annually to assist
in their health activities to the various communities within the area. This
year the Association is requesting that each of the towns consider making a
contribution equal to twenty-five cents for each person residing in the town
as established by the latest census figures. The letter solicited the townts
continued financial support, and hoped that the town would increase its con-
tribution as requested for the coming year. Last year, and previous years,
the town has contributed the sum of $1,500, annually, The Board agreed to refer
this request to the Finance Committee for its decision.
Copy of letter, sent to Joseph Chalifoux from Lawrence A. Mills, Attorney
for Itek Employees Federal Credit Union, which is the holder of the mortgage
on the property at 96 Charles Street was read. The letter advised that it is
intended to immediately secure the demolition of the buildings on this property
on or before December 31, 1970 so that the building on this lot will not be
subject to the annual real estate tax for 1971.
Letter read from Raymond F. Federici, Chairman of the School Committee request-
ing the Board that if and when further remodeling of the town hall takes place,
that offices for the School Superintendent and his central office staff be
seriously considered for inclusion in the plans. This would bring the school
offices closer to the main offices of the town, and thus improve the flow of
information to and from all such offices, It would also allow the making of
two small classrooms out of the present office facilities at the Middle School,
and thus provide for future expansion of the school population,
Upon a motion by Selectman Conroy, seconded by Selectman Zecher it was
voted to grant permission for the installation of a gas service for Gerald
A. Monaco at 2 Elm Street,
Petition received for insertion in the Town Warrant for amendment to the
Zoning By-Law which relates to multiple dwellings out of agricultural zones.
Petition received for insertion in the Town Warrant for article regarding
Incentive Pay Program for full -time Police Officers, To be given to Town
Counsel for preparation of article, and to check.
The Town Manager advised that he had received a call from Easton regarding
setting up a meeting date to perambulate the boundary lines between Easton
and Mansfield, The Board agreed on Saturday morning, December 5, 1970, to
meet here at 9:00 A.M. and meet Easton at 9:30 A.M. at bound on Maple Street.
It was suggested that Sharon be called too, since some of the bounds are
the same,
The Town Manager advised the Board that he had appointed Robert Jones a
member of the Conservation Commission,
Discussion regarding the land auction for the land of low value sale to be
held in the Treasurer's Office Monday at 11 :30 A.M. The Town Manager suggest-
ed that the Board members come into the Treasurer's office at 4:00 P.M. on
Friday to check the parcels that are going up for auction, The Town Counsel
can explain the legal technicalities regarding how long it has to be held befor,
the town can get title to it,
The Town Manager reported that the Brown Avenue water line has been completed
and the services completed. Selectman Main suggested that the residents of
the street be advisedso they may apply for services.
Selectmen Clemmey read an item from a newspaper clippingregarding the State
probing charges of road salt price - fixing, The Attorney'Generalts help was
sought by members of the State Purchasing Agents Assoc. who believe there
may be agreements on prices among three companies who supply highway salt to
about 30 Massachusetts cities and towns. The three major suppliers were
Eastern Minerals Co,; the Chemical Corp, and the International Salt Company
and they have denied there is price fixing among them. After discussion,
since the town awarded the bid for furnishing salt for the coming year to
Eastern Mineral, Inc. it was agreed by the Board that a letter be written to
the Attorney Generals office sending copies of the three bids received by
the town since there were all the same price - $16, per ton,
Selectman Conroy proposed that an article be inserted in the Town Warrant to
appropriate a sum of money to plant trees in various parts of the town to re-
place some of the many that have been taken down, and that the sum of $1,000.
be requested. Upon a motion by Selectman Conroy, seconded by Selectman Clemmey
it was voted to insert the article in the Warrant requesting $1,000, for re-
placement of trees, The Town Counsel to prepare an appropriate article,
Selectman Conroy advised that he had received a call from Percy Slayton
regarding the building at the Fisher Richardson House, An architect is
drawing up a set of plans for this, and they should be ready in about a
week for review. It was requested that at least $500, be added to the
budget for miscellaneous and contingencies on this proiect. The cost of
the project was discussed figuring what is now in the budget, plus the gift
from the Historical Society, and the extra $500.
Selectman Conroy also stated that while talking to Mr. Slayton that the license
granted Karl Clemmy, d /b /a Clemmey Motor Sales at the junction of
Route 140 and Copeland Drive was discussed, Selectman Conroy stated that there
is one small building, and the area for the temporary storage of insurance
company vehicles, Mr. Clemmey has blacktopped the area, put up a fence, and
the thing that was said was that it is a junk yard. No car stays there more
than 30 days, and he can not sell anything in there, and it is not a disgrace.
Gates are up and they are closed in the evenings and Sundays. It was the idea
that some of the Selectmen were opposed to the granting of the license, but
the Board was in accord at that time, and read the minutes of the meeting when
the license was granted,
Selectman Zecher advised that while talking to Mr. Slayton that something was
said about the Clemmey license, but he dial not say that there were any differ-
ences of opinion on the Board on this. Questioned the sale of used cars, the
operation that he is performing right now is not permitted under this type
of license, Selectman Conroy advised again that vehicles are being stored
there, and not sold, and could not see where anyone could say it is a disgrace,
Selectman Zecher questioned what was being done with reference to the results
of the meeting with the Chocolate Company a week or so ago regarding the sewer
problem, The Town Manager advised that they are waiting for their engineers'
reports before another meeting is scheduled.
The town hall renovations were discussed regarding some of the delays in the
finishing of the project, It was suggested that the contractor meet with the
Board regarding a discussion of the project,
Selectman Zecher also questioned regarding the retroactive pay for the Firemen,
The Town Manager advised that he was working on the figures, but that sick
Leave, overtime, vacations, etc, have to be figured yet,
Selectman Zecher brought up about the bookkeeping machine on which the payrolls
are being done. Fie spoke about the cost of leasing it and the cost for next
year, comparing the cost with that of what it cost to have the bank do the
payroll, and the problems that the town has had with this machine, The Town
Manager advised that there is no contract or lease. The idea of the machine
was that a panel would be added to allow for the accounting to be done in the
Town Accountant's office, as well as for budgets, monthly statements of all
accounts, etc. A decision was to be made then whether the town would decide
to keep the machine or not, if voted at Town Meeting, Not happy with it, and
the town can not afford to rent it for just payrolls,
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Elwyn Atherton presented the Chairman
Mansfield Common, since he had learned
for this location at the present time,
Edward Kennedy and has flown over the
to send him a letter of thanks for his
with a United States flag for the Hast
that there is not a flag available
This flag was secured from Senator
!nited States Capitol, The Board agreed
gift,
Joseph Clalifoux before the Board regarding his inspection of the Oakland Street
property known as Shields Foundry, Fach member of the Board received his
recommendations regarding these buildings stating that the owners should be
notified of the conditions listed, and the buildings should be demolished.
He also advised further that he had found out that the property has changed
hands in the past few weeks. The new owners are very interested in taking
the buildings down now before the end of the month. Upon a motion by Selectman
'Lecher, seconded by Selectman Conroy it was voted to go on record that the
Building Inspector should send the new owners of Shields Foundry a letter regard-
ing the demolition of these buildings.
Regarding the property on Bracnh Street, the Building Inspector advised that
the owners had filed and a permit had been given to , the owners to remove
the buildings, but they were away at the present time. This permit is good
for 90 days, and at the end of the 90 days if is not used it is not in force.
As stated previously, the house at 96 Charles Street will be torn down, and
Mr. Chalifoux advised that he had not been able to contact the owner. of the
Rumford Avenue property to be checked,
Willard Roots advised thet.Bbard of his problems regarding a permit for putting a
sewer line into his property on South Main Street, Asked for a permot to have
the town put the sewer line in and inquired about the cost. Ile received per-
mission from the State to go across the highway to connect ,which would be a
costly expense, lie had an engineer make percolation tests of his property
which iwas! all right for a leaching :field, but it was his impression from ad-
vise received that if the sewer line goes by a property, the owner must connect
to the public sewer line. After further discussion, and upon advice of the
Town Counsel upon a motion by Selectman Zecher, seconded by Selectman Main
it was voted, acting as the Board of Health, to allow Mr. Roots to have a leach-
ing field at his property on South Main Street according to a proper percolation
report being received,
Al Turinese before the Board regarding the new rules adopted in 1968 pertaining
to hooking up to the sewer, and the fees charged. Property owner is supposed>to
pay a $10, fee, plus the plumbing permit fee which the plumber has to take out.
He advised that he was unaware of these regulations and that the owner was to
make application for the service. He inquired whether or not this new fee per-
tains to old connections or just new, ones. He also inquired about sewer con-
nections for residents of Oakland Street if they wish to connect to the system.
A discussion followed,
Selectman Zecher brought up the question of changing from the present system
of the Town Manager being Manager of the Light Department, and appointing a
separate Manager for the Light Department, Questioned about putting an article
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in the Town Warrant to have a separate Manager. There was a discussion
regarding the Selectmen petitiohingthe General Court to revise the Charter,
and have Light Commissioners, and then it was suggested to leave this up
to the Charter Study Committee, The Town Counsel checked the Charter
and General Laws, and determined the Selectmen could appoint a Manager
for the Light Department, Generally speaking, the Town Manager is in
charge of the affairs of the town, and in this case, a former Board
probably voted that the Town Manager would be the Manager of the Light
Department, A discussion followed, but no definite decision was made
regarding the matter,
Arthur Terenzi, Service Officer for the V,F,W, spoke about the honor roll
which used to be in the South Common, but has not been in use for about
eight or nine years. Questioned whether or not there would be any way the
town could have an honor roll. Could the old one be fixed, or a new one
set up. There was a discussion about putting money in the budget for
this project,
Mrs. Jellin:ek requested the Town Manager to have the 7 ton load limit sign
on Plain Street straightened, It is bent back so that it is not visible.
Upon a motion by Selectman Conroy, seconded by Selectman Zecher it was voted
to go into executive session for a discussion on budget items.
The regular meeting adjourned at 9:50 P.M.
In executive session the Board discussed salaries for town employees,