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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 9-17-2014Board of Selectmen Minutes September 17, 2014 Present: George Dentino; Chairman, Jess Aptowitz; Vice Chairman, Doug Annino; Clerk, Frank DelVecchio, Olivier Kozlowski and Nick Riccio: Acting Town Manager Chief Boldrighini read from a statement where he referenced that this evening is a milestone for the Mansfield Fire Department. He was pleased to see over thirty years of effort come to fruition and the process of moving forward begin. The Chief thanked the current Board of Selectmen, former Board member Kevin Moran and Town Manager, William Ross for recognizing the need for restructure within the Mansfield Fire Department and felt it to be even more meaningful as they engage it as a unifying team. Chief Boldrighini introduced each Captain and gave a few brief words of their background and experience within the Mansfield Fire Department. Town Clerk Marianne Staples then swore in the new Captains to the Mansfield Fire Department. The wives pinned the new Captains. Mr. Kozlowski noted these ceremonies are a reminder of what a great Town we live in and the tremendous individuals the Town has protecting it day in and day out. He thanked the new Captains for their service. Mr. Annino congratulated the new Captains stated how proud he is of the Mansfield Fire Department and particularly the leadership of Chief Boldrighini and Deputy Chief Puleo. Mr. Aptowitz wanted to extend a debt of gratitude towards former Fire Chief Bellevance who initially presented the command structure years ago. He noted how blessed and fortunate the Town is to have such a solid group of firefighters and thanked them for their service. Chairman Dentino remembered sitting with Mr. Aptowitz and Chief Boldrighini six years ago, discussing how to make this new structure work. The Chairman commended Chief Boldrighini for his patience and noted how great it was to have the Board and management working together to accomplish what was needed. He felt the Town couldn't ask for more with such great Public Safety Departments. Mr. Riccio noted he has had the privilege to work with each of the Captains on different occasions and felt each to be a consummate professional and credit to their profession and the Town. Mr. Riccio congratulated each of the new Captains. Board Of Selectmen's Meeting September 17, 2014 Page I of 8 Representative Poirier noted how heartwarming it was to be here this evening for the pinning ceremony given just coming off of 9/11. Representative Poirier is here this evening to present a check to the Council On Aging from the proceeds of her Senior Spectacular event this past spring. The event included a fashion show, screenings for seniors as well as an informational series for legal advice. Representative Poirier presented a check in the amount of $3,000. She spoke highly of Gale Farrugia, Director, and her work with not only the event but with the Council On Aging. Ms. Farrugia wanted to note what a privilege it is to work on a daily basis with the Mansfield Fire Department and referenced their work with the Triad and the important information it provides to the Town's seniors. She went on to say this was her third Senior Spectacular and noted the tremendous efforts of Representative Poirier. Mr. Aptowitz, as Chairman of the Light Department, noted that the Electric Department will be sponsoring the next senior luncheon in October. Debra Tatum, 385 Mill Street, has been a resident of Mansfield for the past 25 years. She currently works in the real estate industry in the Dorchester area. She noted she works closely with local and state aid agencies. She feels she can be of service to the Town on the Housing Board. Mr. Almino is thrilled that Ms. Tatum is stepping forward and felt her to have experience and knowledge to assist the Housing Corporation. Mr. Aptowitz felt Ms. Tatum to be knowledgeable and appreciated her stepping forward. Mr. Kozlowski felt Ms. Tatum to have an impressive background in this area. He asked if Ms. Tatum had a vision for this board to which she would love to work with seniors. Chairman Dentino thanked Ms. Tatum apply for this board as he knows how busy her schedule is. Motion: To approve Debra Tatum to an unexpired three -year term to expire on January 1, 2016 e -Fs".4 � ➢ °'�'F { fin° Christopher Strong, General Manager, is present to answer any questions the Board may have. Chairman Dentin reviewed the application with Ms. Whalen. He noted that there was a calculation error with regards to the monthly rent which Ms. Whalen would correct prior to submission to the ABCC. Board Of Selectmen's Meeting September 17, 2014 Page 2 of 8 Motion: To approve the change of corporate officer /director for ZRC Operations, Inc. dba Qdoba Mexican Grill subiect to chances noted (ADtowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 4:0 Evens Pierre, 306 Francis Avenue, is before the Board to request a new hackney carriage and driver's license. Mr. Pierre spoke to his background and noted he has been in the business for the past ten years and has worked for Veterans Taxi and most recently for a company in Boston. He has been a resident in Mansfield for four years and after attending a few shows at the Xfinity Center and Gillette Stadium felt there is a need for more services in this area. Mr. Kozlowski noted it is nice to see new businesses in Town and has noted how busy he has seen the Train Station area when there is an event at Gillette. He wished Mr. Pierre well. Mr. Aptowitz asked why Mr. Pierre no longer worked in Boston to which he explained he left due to Uber, which is a smart device application that locates rides and the taxi industry has seen a decline. Mr. Riccio noted it is a major phenomenon in major cities. Motion: To grant a new hackney carriage license and new hackney driver's license for Evens Pierre subject to satisfactory inspection of the vehicle with Officer Kinahan (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 4:0 Mr. Annino suggested the Board review the lists provided by him and Mr. DelVecchio and come to a consensus of five to ten items for the Board to tackle in FY 15. Mr. Aptowitz noted he had read through those lists and felt he agreed with many of those on the lists. Chairman Dentino did not want to move forward this evening without a full Board. Chairman Dentino asked the Board to come prepared for its next meeting. Mr. Aptowitz congratulated Mr. Annino for his work on the North Common. Mr. Annino stated it was a cooperative effort of the community. Maureen Driscoll, Union Street, and 17 year resident of Mansfield, is present to comment on a news article that ran in the Sun Chronicle regarding the "puppy mill ". Ms. Driscoll is concerned about the statements made within the article by Town officials, specifically the statements about the Town not being able to obtain enough evidence and also questioned the statement of not observing more than four dogs at one time. Ms. Driscoll felt the Town was not active in investigating claims of a "puppy mill" and stated the threat of a lawsuit should not paralyze the Town when action should have been taken. Ms. Driscoll stated she has sent written documentation and evidence to the Board as far back as a year ago and asked the Board to consider her remedy within that correspondence. She was particularly upset about the length of time this situation has gone on and noted she is not pleased with the direction that Town officials gave to the Town's Animal Control Officer, Jeff Collins. Chairman Dentine, noted he has every intention of having this as an "informational" agenda item and asked that Ms. Driscoll please refrain from making allegations. Ms. Driscoll thanked the Board for their time and asked the Board to seriously consider her remedy laid out in her correspondence. Board Of Selectmen's Meeting September 17, 2014 Page 3 of 8 Mr. Payne, 21 East Street, Unit 21), lives below the unit where the animals were held. He explained to the Board that animal waste is migrating through the wood floor and into his unit causing contamination and making his residency untenable. Mr. Payne is asking what the Town is going to do about his living situation and noted he has made a formal complaint to the Board of Health just this evening. It was explained to Mr. Payne that Scott Leite, Board of Health agent, is currently on vacation. Mr. Riccio stated this is the first he has heard of the complaint and asked Mr. Payne to please contact his office first thing in the morning to further discuss and document the complaint. A. Review and Approval of Minutes of Meetings • Board of Selectmen Minutes September 3, 2014 Motion: To approve the Board of Selectmen Minutes for September 3, 2014 (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 4:0 B. Approval of Warrants • Town Vendor Warrant No. 15011T $209,575.93 Motion: To approve Town Vendor Warrant No. 15011T $209,575.93 (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 4:0 • Electric Department Vendor Warrant No. 15011E $197,108.46 Motion: To approve Electric Department Vendor Warrant No. 15011E $197,108.46 (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 4:0 • Town Payroll /Town Medicaid Payroll Warrant No. 15011PT $334,417.25 Motion: To approve Town Payroll /Town Medicaid Payroll Warrant No. 15011PT $334,417.25 (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 3:1 Dentino NAY • Town Deductions — Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 1501 ITV $103,750.19 Motion: To approve Town Deductions — Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 15011 TV $103,750.19 (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 4:0 • School Payroll School Medicaid Payroll Warrant No, 15011 PS $1,465,617.92 Motion: To approve School Payroll School Medicaid Payroll Warrant No. 15011 PS $1,465,617.92 (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 3:1 Annino NAY • School Deductions Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 15011 S $474,023.74 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 15011 SV $474,023.74 (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 4:0 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 15012T $958,740.41 Motion: To approve Town Vendor Warrant No. 15012T $958,740.41 (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 4:0 • Electric Department Vendor Warrant No. 15012E $1,558,740.39 Motion: To approve Electric Department Vendor Warrant No. 15012E $1,558,740.39 (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 4:0 • School Department Vendor Warrant No. 150125 $788,726.91 Motion: To approve School Department Vendor Warrant No. 15012S $788,726.91 (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 4:0 Board Of Selectmen's Meeting September 17, 2014 Page 4 of 8 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll Warrant No. 15012PT $353,274.28 Motion: To approve Town Payroll /Town Medicaid Payroll Warrant No. 15012PT $353,274.28 (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 4:0 • Town Deductions — Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 15012TV $103,856.16 -Motion: To approve Town Deductions — Vendor Payroll Warrant No. 15012TV $103,856.16 (Aptowitz/Kozlowski) PASSES 4:0 C. Licenses and Permits • Consideration Of Request By The Tri -Town Chamber Of Commerce For 7t11 Annual Taste Of Tri -Town, October 7, 2014 At Mansfield Crossing For One Day Beer And Wine License, Signage And Fee Waiver Request o Cannot fill banner request as schedule is full o At time of meeting there were no businesses serving alcohol Motion: To approve the fee waiver request (Annino/Aptowitz) PASSES 4:0 • Consideration Of Request By Mansfield Parks and Recreation For Annual Halloween Parade On October 25, 2014 Motion: To approve the Annual Halloween Parade, October 25, 2014 (Annino /Aptowitz) PASSES 4:0 • Consideration Of Hackney Driver's License For Jeffrey Wallis, Already Taxi Motion: To approve hackney driver's license for Jeffrey Wallis, Already Taxi (Kozlowski /Aptowitz) PASSES 4:0 • Consideration Of Hackney Driver's License For Michael Fenton, Veterans Taxi Motion: To approve hackney driver's license for Michael Fenton, Veterans Taxi (Kozlowski/Aptowitz) PASSES 4:0 D. Correspondence • Letter From Resident Matthew Cook In Regards To The Sweet and Crafty Building Mr. DelVecchio joined at this portion of the meeting at 8:14pm Mr. Annino read the letter from Mr. Cook into the record. Discussion: Mr. Kozlowski noted as a general statement this is not a Town decision but a private decision made by the business /property owner. Mr. Aptowitz agreed with Mr. Kozlowski as it is a private matter. Mr. Aptowitz wished the owners, Marianne and Vince, much success and will miss Sweet n Crafty. Mr. Annino refrained from comment as he is involved with this project. Mr. DelVecchio agreed that this is a private decision but felt that because the Town is not focused forward this was a missed opportunity. He also felt there was a missed opportunity with the Willowdale Golf Course where perhaps something creative could have been accomplished with such a large open space. He also referenced the Chocolate Factory and felt to Mr. Kozlowski's point about a downtown business committee that would have suggestions to come before the Board. Mr. DelVecchio is not suggesting the Town Board Of Selectmen's Meeting September 17, 2014 Page 5 of 8 purchase all available land but to be more proactive and to have a fixture oriented point of view. He appreciated the resident's letter. Chairman Dentin also thanked business owners Marianne and Vince for 31 years of being small business owners with a great product in the Town. Chairman Dentino did not think that this particular building could be designated historical. Chairman Dentino stated Mr. DelVecchio had nice thoughts of purchasing but asked him to stop and think of the fiords required to do that. Chairman Dentino did not feel the Town has the funds and is fortunate enough to maintain the roadways, trash and salaries. Mr. DelVecchio stated it was not his suggestion to purchase all of these properties but was only suggesting that there are opportunities out there that perhaps a group actively focused on that initiative could come across and present to the Board. Mr. Ross is attending the ICMA Conference. There is no Town Mr. DelVecchio followed up on the topic of goals and objectives and asked over the next few meetings the Board could discuss some of the topics and referenced economic development issues. Chairman Dentino noted the Board had decided earlier this evening to schedule a discussion on the Board's next agenda. Chairman Dentin also explained to Mr. DelVecchio that there would be a discussion of the recent dog issue in Town that would be strictly informational. Mr. Aptowitz noted he is uncomfortable with discussing that topic at the Board level. He is fine with statements made by the Police Chief and Zoning Enforcement Office but noted it is still a pending legal matter. Chairman Dentin reiterated that this will be an informative discussion only. Mr. DelVecchio noted he will not be at next week's meeting in observance of Rosh Hashana. Mr. Aptowitz will also not be in attendance. Mr. Annino and Mr. Kozlowski will be able to attend but Mr. Kozlowski agreed with Mr. Aptowitz and noted that as long as the discussion is only informational and no statements were made by the Board as it is a pending legal matter. Mr. DelVecchio did watch last week's Finance Committee meeting and felt it to be very interesting especially working on policy decisions, goals and objectives. Mr. DelVecchio noted that Mr. Ross had given him draft copies of policies recommended by the Finance Conunittee. Mr. DelVecchio would like to discuss some thoughts he has on those policies at a future meeting. Mr. Aptowitz explained that those policies were a result of comments made by Standard and Poors that the Town would have received a higher bond rating if such written policies and procedures were created. Mr. DelVecchio asked if it would be appropriate for him to distribute his comments /changes to the Board for review to which Chairman Dentino stated it would be fine. Mr. DelVecchio attended the New England States Government Finance Offices Association in Providence. Board Of selectmen's Meeting September 17, 2014 Page 6 of 8 Mr. DelVecchio explained that he was late this evening due to his attendance at the high school's curriculum night. Mr. DelVecchio's son is a sophomore at the high school. Mr. Annino summarized for Mr. DelVecchio the discussion earlier this evening regarding goals and objectives where each Board member would itemize five to ten issues for the Board to tackle this year and then come to a consensus on. Mr. Aptowitz received an email from Gary Babin, Director, Electric Department that the audit has been completed. It was his understanding from Mr. Babin that there were no issues. Mr. Aptowitz asked Mr. Riccio to follow up with Human Resources Director, Patti Firing, on a salary listing of all the municipal employees. Mr. Aptowitz connnended police and fire for their services at the Xfinity Center this past season. He noted the last show was Tuesday, September 91h. Mr. Kozlowski attended the tenth anniversary celebration earlier this evening at Highland -March Office Business Centers located in Cabot Park where he presented them with a proclamation. Mr. Kozlowski expressed a concern about the scheduling conflict with the high school curriculum night and asked that the Board plan for these events in the future so that those who need to attend can. Mr. Kozlowski noted that he is still in the process of obtaining a permit for MBTA ticket sales for the Firebox Cafe at the train station. Mr. DelVecchio wanted to thank Debra Tatum for coming forward and volunteering for the Mansfield Housing Corporation. Chairman Dentin asked for the status of mural. He asked Mr. Riccio to follow up. NE i - - 1111111 ai -0 None. Board Of Selectmen's Meeting September 17, 2014 Page 7 of 8 M Rxemitive. SPSSinn as flip Chair Tlenlarvc (Anninn /Antmvitv) Knvlmveki The Board Annino (AYE). DelVecchio (AYE) and Dentino in Executive Session. Signature of Clerk C(,y{t,, /Tracey Whalen Board Of Selectmen's Meeting September 17, 2014 Page 8 of 8 Io__ j,(� Date of Approval