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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 3-14-1984BOARD OF SELECTMEN ( MINUTES OF MEETING MARCH 14, 1984 PRESENT: Selectmen Wills, D'Onofrio, McNair; Selectman Levine arrived at 7:39 P.M.; Town Manager. 1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 P.M. * MOTION: To appoint Jim Wills as Chairman for the evening. McNair /D'Onofrio VOTED: 2 -0 * MOTION: To appoint Dick D'Onofrio as Clerk for the evening. McNair /Wills VOTED: 2 -0 2. Minutes of March 7, 1984 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of March 7, 1984. D'Onofrio /McNair Selectman D'Onofrio offered an amendment, as suggested by Town Counsel, for the second paragraph of Item 2. Selectman Wills suggested the addition of the following: "Town Counsel was then asked by Selectman Wills if that was a legal opinion or a policy opinion; his answer was a policy opinion." * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of Harch 7, 1984 as amended. D'Onofrio /McNair VOTED: 3 -0 3. Warrant #43 * MOTION: To approve Warrant #43 in the amount of $631,601.20, dated March 13, 1984, broken down as follows: General Fund - $ 87,812.12 Federal Revenue - 40.00 Special Revenue - 320.00 Motor Pool - 70.13 Sewer Enterprise - 65,994.21 Water Eneterprise - 3,528.58 Electric Enterprise - 473,836.16 McNair /D'Onofrio VOTED: 3 -0; Wills abstained on No. 4431 4. Licenses a) One -day Beer and Wine License for Tri- County Beagle Club was signed. b) A Proclamation for Albert Walgreen was signed. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( MARCH 14, 1984 PAGE 2 5. Juror Selection a) New Bedford Superior Court, Criminal Session, April 2, 1984 -- Patricia Rapucci, 184 Central Street -- Edward H. Pierce, 206 Union Street Extension -- Gloria J. Miller, 21 Pleasant Street b) Fall River District Court, 6 -man Jury, April 2, 1984 -- Robert A. Goyea, 520 Elm Street 6. Correspondence a) Letter from SRPEDD requesting the Board to endorse the City of Taunton as the southeastern Massachusetts location for the Mass. Technology Park Corp. The City of Taunton is one of three finalists. * MOTION: To ask Town Manager to send appropriate letters. Levine /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 b) Letter to the Town - Manager from American Paper Recycling Corp. regard- ing complaint recieved on March 5, 1984. c) Letter from Mass. Municipal Association advising of a public hearing for the adoption of home rule charters by counties. There was some discussion on this; Selectman Wills felt he would like more detailed information than their attached Summary provided. d) Letter from Joint Committee on Counties regarding a hearing on a charter amendment for counties. e) Letter from the Mass. Industrial Finance Agency urging the Board of Selectmen to contact their congressional delegate re: Restrictions to amounts of IDFA funding. Congressman Frank is in support of the posi- tion of the IDEA. f) Letter from the Chicopee Board of Aldermen requesting that the Mansfield Board of Selectmen endorse their petition relative to automobile insur- ance rates. * MOTION: To R.S.V.P. and send communication of support to Governor Dukakis and the proper legislative members. Levine /D'Onofrio VOTED: 3 -0 Wills abstained g) Letter from Codex Corp. requesting that the Board of Selectmen declare the week of March 31 through April 8, 1984 as "Health Fair Week in Mansfield ". BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MARCH 14, 1984 PAGE 3 MOTION: To declare the week of March 31 through April 8, 1984 "Health Fair 184.Week" in Mansfield. Levine /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 Selectman Wills commented it was pleasing to see corporate neighbors getting involved in community projects of this nature. h) Copy of Memo to Town Manager from Selectman D'Onofrio re: Old Colony Way right -of -way easement deeds (for the Downtown Advisory Committee). i) Letter from Mass. Correctional Industries regarding services provided by MCI: there will be a display of products at the Whaler Motor Inn in New Bedford on March 22nd: j) Letter from Crosspoint Development Co. to Selectman Levine re: Connec- tion into sewer. Q Letter from Citizens' Scholarship Foundation requesting that the Elec- tric Department install banners across two streets announcing their "Phon -A -Thon" on March 24 & 25; the banners would be up from March 19th to 26th. * MOTION: To approve the banners for the Citizens' Scholarship Founda- tion "Phon -A- Thon" the week of March 19th to 26th. Levine /D'Onofrio VOTED: 4 -0 1) Letter from the Conservation Commission re: Conservation Fair, May 12th, and their request for a Common Victualler's license to sell various foods. * MOTION: To approve the Common Victualler's license for the Conserva- tion Fair to be held May 12th. Levine /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 * MOTION: To waive the Common Victualler license fee. D'Onofrio /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 m) Copy of letter from Conservation Commission to Board of Health request- ing a copy of the results of the test taken on the water quality near Compo Chemical. n) Letter from State DPW notifying us of our Chapter 90 reimbursements for FY -84 in the amount of $46,130. * MOTION: To accept the Chapter 90 funds on conditions as stated. D'Onofrio /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 o) Letter from State DPW re: Certification of local expenditures for high- ways for FY -85. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MARCH 14, 1984 PAGE 4 p) Letter from Dept. of Revenue presenting the Cherry Sheet for FY -85. The total amount of new state aid is $177,846. q) Copy of letter to GATRA from the Town Manager advising them of Paul W. O'Neill being designated as Mansfield's representative, with the formal vote to be taken tonight. * MOTION: To appoint Paul O'Neill as Mansfield's representative to GATRA. McNair /D'Onofrio VOTED: 4 -0 r) Letter from the Planning Board requesting that their meeting with the Selectmen be postponed until April 4, 1984. * MOTION: To accept the postponement until April 4, 1984. Levine /D'Onofrio VOTED: 4 -0 s) Letter from Gov. Dukakis to Members of the Educational Community advis- ing of a "Gubernatorial Conference on Educational Excellence" on March 28th at Bridgewater State College. t) Letter from Office of Cable Television in Somerville, MA recommending support of Senate Bill 463; there will be a hearing at the State House on March 20th concerning this. 7. Camp Dresser & McKee Report Jim Glendye and Charles Loveridge presented a Progress Report for the month of February, for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, which included some pictures of the interior. The interceptor project is still dormant. As of March 1st, 84% of the contract time has elapsed; in -place construc- tion is estimated at 75 %. Charles Loveridge then presented the follow- ing Change Orders a) The contractor is asking for an extension of contract time of six months, which will bring it up to February 1985; this is for 90 days when rock was encountered and 60 days for delay in delivery of the roof deck. * MOTION: To approve a 6 month extension of time for the contractor. Levine /D'Onofrio VOTED: 4 -0 Discussion followed about when the plant would be ready for opera- tion if construction was completed the end of February; subject to weather conditions, CDM felt it would be near the end of March. Selectman D'Onofrio raised the question as to whether the Town should be considering the amount of water which is being taken out l of the acquifer and not being replaced, with the thought of more sewerage being generated in future years. The DPW Director, who was present, does not feel there is any reason to be concerned at this time. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MARCH 14, 1984 PAGE 5 b) Additional control cable for adjustable weirs at aeration tank; $1,453.25 * MOTION: To approve the Change Order for additional control cable. D'Onofrio /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 c) Relocation of combustible gas and hydrogen gas indicators; $615.52 * MOTION: To approve the Change Order for relocation of indicators. D'Onofrio /Levine VOTED: 4 -0 d) Addition of 4 surge tanks on the lime pump system; $8,331.00 * MOTION: To approve the addition of 4 surge tanks. D'Onofrio /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 * MOTION: To arrange a visit at the Wastewater Treatment Plant for the officials of Norton and Foxboro as soon as the rainy season is over. D'Onofrio /Levine VOTED: 4 -0 8. Fire Chief The Town Manager explained that both the Fire Chief and the Police Chief were present tonight to discuss revisions to their budgets, as a follow - up to the meeting with the Board on January 28th. The Fire Chief's proposal calls for the addition of two permanent Fire- fighters and a full time clerk, as well as elimination of coverage under Vacation Pay and Sick Pay. He had also prepared a survey on the impact of eliminating the Municipal Ambulance Service. The Fire Chief explained that with the addition of 2 men it would give him 5 men on each shift, which would allow him to run 1 man short at times, due to sickness, vacation, etc. He had given each member of the Board documentation of his reasons and rationale, with figures. On the ambulance issue, he feels the service is important and suggests raising the fees, as recommended by Medicompts (the present billing service). The Town Manager reminded the Board members that the salary figures shown on the Fire Chief's Memo are '83 figures, so they will be substantially higher for this year. Selectman D'Onofrio suggested consideration of form- ing a regional ambulance service and, also, that we need to develop inno- vative ways of developing alternatives to the ambulance problem because of the continued rising cost of maintaining our own service; there comes a point of diminishing return in regard to cost. The Fire Chief then touched briefly on his urgent need for a secretary, which would free him up from countless hours of paper work to do other BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MARCH 14, 1984 PAGE 6 duties required of the Fire Chief. The Town Manager advised that he can- not recommend hiring additional personnel because he has already noted in his Work Program and Budget Message lack of funds. The Fire Chief said he is not in favor of closing the West Mansfield sta- tion, feeling it would jeopardize the protection of the residents in that section of town, that insurance rates would increase in that area, that the manpower is constantly in use now, and if he is allowed two additional Firefighters it would increase coverage in West Mansfield at all times. 9. Paul O'Neill At this point Selectman D'Onofrio introduced Paul O'Neill, the newly ap- pointed representative to GATRA. Mr. O'Neill has been a member of the Attleboro Regional Transit Authority and a long time commuter from Mans- field. He told the Board he had attended his first GATRA meeting that afternoon and was mostly a listener. He did, however, pose a question concerning whether there would.be funds to cover increased assessment for Mansfield based on the increased ridership. The Board thanked Mr. O'Neill for assuming this position for the town. 10. Police Chief The Police Chief covered his need for an additional Sergeant or Patrolman stating that he wants to be able to re- instate the full -time walking beat downtown, although he does not feel the foot patrolman is cost effective. He expressed the hope that the new ordinance might help the problem with teen gatherings downtown, which it will take time to prove. He said he feels that patrol coverage is spreading out too far now, and he would like to see the department with 25 men. There was then some discussion about the need for a computer in the Police Department, the cost, and a self - contained system vs. a larger type to incorporate several departments. Jesse Earls explained the three main uses his department could benefit from, using a computer; as a management tool; information retrieval; in- vestigative segment. It was felt that a separate system for the Police Department would probably be advisable from the security point, as well as less expensive. Selectman Wills, acting as Chairman, then recommended to the Board that no decisions be made this evening; that each member study the two proposals and be prepared to discuss them, with the Finance Committee, on March 28th. 11. Old Business a) The Town Manager advised the Board that he had met with the Easton Board of Selectmen on Monday evening and received permission for the Upham property on Stearns Avenue to connect to their water line. Easton did not, however, approve connection for the other two homes in the area. BOARD OF SELECTMEN ( MINUTES OF MEETING MARCH 14, 1984 PAGE 7 The Easton Board will draw up an agreement for both Boards to sign, and at that time Mr. Upham will be allowed to connect into the Easton water system. b) The Town Manager reported that he and Selectman D'Onofrio had met with the State DPW concerning Mansfield's commuter parking lot, and had been given the O.K. to restrict the Graphic Labs lot to Mansfield commuters only, on a trial basis. The DPW was mainly concerned as to whether the lot would be fully utilized, and if not, others would not be able to park there; Selectman D'Onofrio feels this unlikely. Town Manager recommended that the Board vote formally to institute the re- stricted parking on a trial basis, starting March 26th. The Town must put signs up and inform the public, as well as inform Mansfield residents that they must have a dump sticker on their front bumper in order to use that lot. . * MOTION: To institute restricted parking in the Graphic Labs lot to Mansfield residents, starting March 26th, for a trial period, to be reviewed April 18, 1984. D'Onofrio /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 c) The Town Manager advised the Board that he had received a report from the Department of Revenue relative to amendments of Proposition 2 -1/2 and the Cherry Sheet, which he will be reviewing and then come back with a report. Selectman Wills remarked he noticed a lower assessment for the Southeastern Regional School. d) Selectman Wills brought up the matter of reviewing the Personal Policy and Administrative Positions which, he understood, members were sup- posed to submit comments and questions on. He felt.a deadline should be established. The Town Manager said written comments or discussion in person with him would be acceptable. e) Selectman Wills then raised the question as to why we had not had the promised meeting with the telephone company in January. There was dis- cussion and Selectman D'Onofrio voiced his feeling that an effort should be made to impress upon the phone company why we feel they may not be putting forth their best efforts when it comes to Mansfield, re- minding the Board that they had not done the survey the Board had asked for. * MOTION: That we develop the first available date that is mutually agreeable with Mr. Colemen to discuss the problem with the telephone company, such as, ESS, underground lines, use of different numbers, allocation of revenue. D'Onofrio /Levine VOTED: 3 -1 Wills opposed BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MARCH 14, 1984 PAGE 8 Further discussion included asking residents who are interested to attend the scheduled meeting with Mr. Coleman to voice their concerns; the more support the Board receives, the more significant the problem will appear to the phone company. f) Selectman McNair advised the Board that the Recreation Commission Ohairman had approached him about a time for their rescheduled meet- ing with the Board, requesting next week as their preference. It was felt that the next couple of weeks schedules were pretty full; April 11th was picked. g) Chairman Dunn had asked that a Joint Boards and Committees meeting be rescheduled. * MOTION: To table setting a date until next week when Chairman Dunn will be present. D'Onofrio /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 12. New Business a) Town Manager brought up the possibility of a Special Town Meeting with- in the Annual:Town Meeting to consider the telephone surchage for pay- ment of putting in underground lines downtown. He felt it was too early to act on this because of others wanting to add Articles. * MOTION: Resolve to have the Board consider, at some future date, a Special Town Meeting within the Annual Town Meeting for the purpose of laying before the voters the opportunity of fund- ing underground cable costs. D'Onofrio /Levine VOTED: 4 -0 b) Selectman Wills wished to remind everybody there is a Town Election on Monday, March 19th, with a question on the ballot for repairing the highschool roof. c) Selectman Wills asked that the Board schedule a meeting with the Town Accountant to discuss Town Accountant procedures and improvements she may want to make in that department. * MOTION: To meet with the Tom Accountant on April 18, 1984, to dis- cuss Town Accountant procedures and improvements she may want to make in the department. D'Onofrio /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 d) Selectman Wills mentioned the Ninth Annual Legislative Conference which he, Chairman Dunn and Selectman D'Onofrio had attended on the 10th. The morning session was on the State budget and the Cherry BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING j MARCH 14, 1984 PAGE 9 Sheet. The afternoon session was on public education in the Common- wealth. There was a panel discussion moderated by Governor Dukakis, and the Selectman all felt the conference interesting and worthwhile, coming back with significant ideas for coordinating ideas in the future. 13. It should be noted that this meeting was filmed, as a "dry run" by the cable company, and the Board was invited to go to the office at 792 S. Main Street, Mansfield, to view the tape. The Town Manager was asked to coordinate a time for this prior to next week's meeting. 14. Adjournment * MOTION: To adjourn at 10:50 P.M. MINUTES APPROVED: 3/��/ Date signed Levine /D'Onofrio VOTED: 4 -0