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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 12-22-1982BOARD OF SELECTMEN AGENDA December 22, 1982 1. 7:00 P.M. Meeting Called To Order Executive Session - Labor Negotiations 2. Warrants 3. Clerk's Folder 4. Correspondence 5. 7:45 Margot Jellinek - Michaelangelo Estates Subdivision, Foxboro 6. 8:00 Public Hearing - Mansfield Taxi & Sandwich Shoppe Two Additional Video Games 7. 8:15 Workshop - Electric Department Phillip Otness & Russell Miner - MMWEC 8. Minutes of December 15, 1982 9. Town Manager's Report 10. Board Reports 11. Adjournment M BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING December 22, 1982 PRESENT: Chairman Levine, Selectmen Dunn, Parsons, Wills, Town Manager, W. Chadwick Maurer, Jr. Selectman McNair not present this evening. 7:11 P.M. Meeting called to order. MOTION: To go into executive session to discuss strategy with regard to collective bargaining and /or negotiations. Parsons /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0. Executive minutes are typed separately. MOTION: To come out of executive session into open session. Parsons /Wills VOTED: 4 -0. Warrants #38 - $125,967.81 town & school expenses, approved. Parsons /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 Levine abstained. Selectman Parsons had a question on a voucher for $100 to Easter Seals. #39 - $2,341.45 revenue sharing, approved. Parsons /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0. 7:45 P.M. Margot Jellinek - Michaelangelo Estates Subdivision Mrs. Jellinek was present to discuss the Foxboro subdivision being considered that would be built on one of our major acquifiers in town. She noted that an environmental impact study was done but that it did not address the percolation rates. Chairman Levine noted that she had discussed this with the Planning Director who noted that both Planning Boards agreed that the study should be checked possibly by Whitman & Howard who are water consultants for both towns. It was suggested that Whitman & Howard review it and if they are not satisfied with it then either town could ask for a different appraisal. Board agreed they should check with the Planning Board on hiring a consultant to review impact study. MOTION: To ask the Planning Board if they should hire consultants to evaluate environmental impact study in question. Wills /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0. 8:11 P.M. Public Hearing - Mansfield Taxi & Sandwich Shoppe - 2 Video Games No one was present from Mansfield Taxi for the hearing. MOTION: To cancel hearing. Dunn /Parsons VOTED: 4 -0. If they are interested, they can return and ask for another hearing. Clerk's Folder Note to be signed for Town Treasurer. That was the only item acted on this evening in Clerk's Folder. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( December 22, 1982 Page 2 Sewer Connection Permit Application for sewer connection permit, 15 Hall Street. Memo from Sewer Supervisor noted that it should be approved, but for upstairs connection only. If Mrs. Hennessey wants to connect the basement at a later date, she will have to have a plan for the bottom floor. She could get two permits but will have one betterment charge. * MOTION: To accept sewer connection permit, 15 Hall Street based on the recommendation of the Sewer Supervisor for connection of top floor only. Wills /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0. 8.15 P.M. MMWEC - Philip Otness, Bob Stein & Tom McHugh Mr. Otness began the presentation by briefing Board members on how MMWEC was formed and what they do the municipalities who are members of MMWEC. He noted that Mansfield is currently relying on oil and they would like to reduce our dependence on oil and try to get out of it. He mentioned that the town is in a tough situation right now as we did not purchase any of the old nuclear in New England. Pt. Lepreau in Canada is the first nuclear in Mansfield. Bob Stein, power supply manager for MMWEC, went over the mix of resources that Mansfield has and what the member towns have as a group. Most of Mansfield's energy is coming from oil (60 %) with 35% from coal and the rest from natural gas. He noted that they also try to sell off excess power for the town and has saved the town about $100,000 by selling off short term committments. Chairman Levine asked office manager, Jean Nichols to explain what her department does. Ms. Nichols began by giving the Board reports on income, cash flow, calculation of fuel adjustment and other reports that she does each month. She noted that a major problem is with cash flow as customers are conserving fuel. There was a short discussion on peak hours of use and Board members asked MMWEC if they could get a comparison on how our rates compare to other communities. MMWEC has a total staff of 125 plus 40 in the power plant. Their payroll was about $5 million with $2 million of that going into the construction of power plants in the area. Mr. Otness noted that on oil plants in New England, 90% of total cost is for fuel and 10% is fixed cost. If the gallons of fuel are reduced, the cost will go down. He noted that they have a contract with Salem Harbor that expires in two years. He will get a power cost study for the Board. Should be ready in two weeks. Selectman Dunn asked about contracting for power that we are not using right now. He mentioned that a hydro - electric plant would then have high capital costs. Mr. Otness noted that nuclear plants are 90% capital cost, 10% fuel; coal is 60% capital with 40% fuel; oil is 10% capital with 90% fuel. He noted that Mansfield will be changing their mix to include a little of each group. We should never buy too much nuclear or hydro power. They then went over what types of committments the Board makes. The Light Commissioners has given MMWEC permission to purchase resources on a weekly basis. This helps them forecast more accurately on a weekly basis. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( December 22, 1982 Page 3 On a 6 month basis to a year, they have most of the systems to allow their managers to authorize purchases up to one year in duration. Over one year, the Light Commissioners approve the power sales agreements. Town Manager noted that Mansfield does have the short term agreement with MMWEC. Right now everything over that comes to the light commissioners. Board asked if light department manager should have that authority for one year purchases. Mr. Otness noted that so far, everything has worked out well. There was a question on billing structure and he noted that every contract has an individual billing structure with a different due date. Ms. Nichols noted that some accounts are prepaid ahead of time. There was a short discussion on the cost of service study which is presently being done. Power trans- mission lines for Hydro Quebec are going through Vermont with last 6 miles in New Hampshire. Regarding regional power meetings, they should start again in the spring. Selectman Dunn asked about a consultant to sell off excess power for the town. Mr. Otness noted that MMWEC already does that for the town, but they would not be in any conflict if they hired and individual to do this. In some instances though, it might hurt the town. Mr. McHugh noted that the price of #6 oil is $27 /barrel and #2 oil is $1.43 a gallon. Mrs. Jellinek came back before the Board to discuss separating the position of DPW Director /Town Engineer into two positions as the town planner and building inspector cannot inspect roads, etc. This will be brought up as one of the board's items for disoussion. Correspondence From Bureau of Accts. re: From Margot Jellinek re: From Whitman & Howard re: From Whitman & Howard re: From Bristol County Advis completion of fiscal assistance. Foxboro subdivision material. Baravella property on East Street. termination of contract with W. Hickey Co. ory Board re: meeting 1/8/83 at 10:00 AM. * MOTION: To appoint John Dunn as representative. Wills /Parsons VOTED: 3 -0. From N.Attleboro re: requesting SPREDD do a truck route study. Town Manager will write letter. From Self Help re: doing their annual report. Given to Gale Farrugia. From Conservation Commission re: cutting trees in Maple Park. Christmas card from the Williams' and from Fay Spofford & Thorndike. Letter from Doris Williams to the Board. From Norton Selectman Gouveia to Board re: congratulations. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( December 22, 1982 Page 4 FROM MA. DPW RE: Ch. 90 contract reimbursement $54,896. From DEQE re: Step 3 grant payment to be signed by Chairman. From Rewlew Trust re: sewer permit issued previously for land off Fruit St. From Town Counsel re: Mansfield legal cases pending. From Town Counsel to Library Trustees re: opinion on employment contract. From Airport Commission re: lease agreement with Powell Aviation. * Letter of resignation from Planning Director Paul Folkman. Motion to send letter from Board with best wishes. Wills /Parsons VOTED: 4 -0. Chairman Levine brought up Voucher #2941 for payment to Atty. David Gay. She noted that $617.50 cannot be paid because he was not hired until October 27, 1982. That amount is for work prior to that date. Town Counsel had reviewed and gave his opinion last week that it was proper to pay it as he was preparing information for the Board on behalf of the Town. Selectman Dunn felt it should be paid as it was work for the town, not their personal work. John White also noted that it was proper to pay it. He noted that Board's attorney could be paid, but counsel for Town Manager could not be paid by the town. * MOTION: To request a return opinion from Town Counsel re: payment to David Gay. Wills /No second. * MOTION: To reconsider Warrant #38. Parsons /No second. * Minutes of December 15, 1982, approved. Parsons /Wills VOTED: 4 -0. Town Manager's Report Town Manager explained the weekly water reports to the Board. He also noted that he had two bid awards for this evening. One is for repair of the bulldozer which is to be awarded to Babcock Equipment for a price of $3,221.88. The other was for replacement of two police cruisers. To be awarded to Natick :Ford from state bid list for a total price of $17,900 which includes a complete package, installation of radio and new cage. Town Manager went over status of current projects with the Board. Spoke briefly on personnel policy for town meeting and meetings scheduled with CDM and Whitman & Howard to review status of sewer and water projects. Board decided they would meet at the town hall for the Saturday meetings. He also spoke about meetings with Foxboro & Norton for connection into the new treatment plant. John McNair is on the adhoc committee and a new person should also be appointed. * MOTION: That we reconsider adhoc committee to include John Dunn, John McNair, W. Chadwick Maurer, Paul Marchessault. Wills /Parsons VOTED: 4 -0. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING December 22, 1982 Page 5 Town Manager then went over the budget for FY 84. He hopes to have it completed by January 19, 1983. He then went over the figures for insurance and benefits for next year and anticipated revenue. Selectman Wills noted that the town will have $500,000 less than last year and brought up the possible override of 22. Board Reports Selectman Parsons spoke briefly about policy for the Board. Will get copies of School and Planning Board policies. Selectman Dunn suggested a workshop meeting to address all issues in the coming months. Select- man Wills asked about status of recount which is next Thursday. It was decided to have a workshop next Thursday evening at 7:30 P.M. to work on policy matters. Selectman Wills did not have a report. Selectman Dunn did not have a report. Selectman Levine asked about keys for draws in meeting room. * There being no further business, meeting was adjourned at 11:27 P.M. Parsons /Wills VOTED: 4 -0.