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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 11-14-1984M BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1984 PRESENT: Chairman Wills; Selectmen Dunn, McNair; Levine arrived at 7:40 P.M.; Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. and the Flag saluted. MOTION: To appoint John Dunn as Clerk for the evening. McNair /no second MOTION: To appoint John McNair as Clerk. Dunn /Wills VOTED: 2 -0 2. Minutes of November 7, 1984 3 2 MOTION: To approve the Minutes of November 7, 1984. Dunn /Wills Chairman Wills pointed out that he had abstained on Voucher No. 1455 on Warrant #20, dated Nov. 7, 1984. VOTED, as amended: 2 -0 McNair abstained Warrant #21 MOTION: To approve Warrant #21 in the amount of $1,975,125.48, dated Nov- ember 14, 1984, broken down as follows: General Fund - Revenue Sharing - School Lunch Salaries Special Revenue - Motor Pool - Sewer Enterprise - Water Enterprise - Electric Enterprise - McNair /Dunn $1,061,004.32 15,873.17 - 5,356.52 12,507.42 186.48 2,016.16 3,838.07 874,343.34 The Town Manager had distributed a Memo covering payment of con- sulting services by Demers Associates in the amount of $6,675.55 and a payment to Munilease Corp. in the amount of $204,661.00; the Munilease payment covers the first year lease for the purchase of the three fire trucks. The lease documents and method of pay- ment have both been reviewed by Town Counsel and the Town Account- ant, respectively. VOTED: 3 -0 Sewer Connection Permits a) Boston Envelope Co., Bldg. 11, CC & F Industrial Park, for a modifica- tion of an existing permit for 2,000 gpd to 4,000 gpd. (The application showed the address as "Mansfield Industrial Park ", which is incorrect). BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1984 PAGE 2 * MOTION: To approve, subject to changing the address on the application and subject to State approval. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 b) Pasco Construction Corp. 3 applications for new single residences, Lots 1, 2 and 3, on Fruit Street. * MOTION: To approve the three sewer connection permits. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 5. Correspondence a) Letter from Registry of Motor Vehicles advising that the license to operate for Eastman Motors has been revoked; the dealer plate has been revoked. The Board felt a letter should be sent to Eastman Motors requesting a current address, and if this is not supplied, his license will not be renewed. b) Letter from Charlotte Kowalcek thanking the Board for her appointment to the IDFA. c) Invitation from Bristol County Retirement System to attend a meeting at the Taunton Court House re: Unfunded pension liability, Nov. 28th. The Chairman asked the Town Manager if he would go; Chairman Wills and Chad Maurer will attend. d) Notification from DPU re: Hearing for New England Telephone Co. for their petition to offer additional measured circle calling service in an expanded area within Massachusetts. e) Notice from DPU re: Hearing for Bay State Gas Co. relative to their re- quest for reconsideration of an exclusion from the annual reconcilia- tion of the cost of gas adjustment. f) Notification from District #6 of the State DPW re: Additional information on Central Street trucking. The Town Manager was asked to pursue this. g) Letter from MMA re: Proposed amendment of the education reform package; the Chairman reviewed this briefly, with some discussion following. * MOTION: That the Chairman compose a letter opposing the Mandated Pro- gram. Dunn /Levine VOTED: 3 -0 Levine abstained BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1984 PAGE 3 h) Notice of Hearing from the Conservation Commission re: J. Brugliera Construction Co., Inc. i) Letter from Division of Water Pollution Control re: One -day seminar regarding method of determination and removal of excessive infiltra- tion and inflow, Dec. 7th at the Marriott Hotel in Newton. j) Information Guideline Release from Bureau of Local Assessment re: Prop- osition 22 increase to tax base. k) Memo from Police Chief re: Liquor disturbances and radar violations. Mike Murphy Mike Murphy, 65 Old Farm Road, came before the Board to discuss the quality of Mansfield water. He passed out a prepared statement, referred to the water study done in 1981, which he said nothing has been done to complete it. He had studies done and was concerned about the low PH factor and high copper content, and advised the Board his daughter's blonde hair was turn- ing green, which is what had led him to pursue this problem. He thought the lime injection process was supposed to correct the copper content prob- lem and it isn't, and he feels the problem is rather low on the list of pri- orities. He asked that the Town move ahead with this and correct it. The Town Manager explained the various reasons covering delays for the lime in- jection system, and advised Mr. Murphy that the Witch Pond Well will be the one which will affect his water quality; it is presently being constructed. He said the telemetry system has had to be replaced and will be in opera- tion within a few days now. Mr. Murphy said he felt the townspeople should be advised of this problem and felt they had not. The Chairman assured him that the Board is concerned with all aspects and is on top of it, but the correction process is moving slower than hoped for. Selectman Dunn suggested that electric grounding be checked, which can be a factor in producing copper; nothing should be grounded on copper pipes. Also, that water lines should be flushed before using them. Mr. Murphy was also advised that Mansfield's water is com- pletely safe and that it is expected that the total lime system should be operating by the end of the year. Camp Dresser & McKee Report Jim Glendye and Charles Loveridge were present to make the monthly progress report on the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The most significant activity last month has been start -up of various equipment for testing, as well as bringing manufacturers in to train personnel, etc. Work at the landfill involves putting in piping and leachate pumping station; this will take about two weeks, after which nothing further will be done until Spring. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1984 PAGE 4 Charlie Loveridge then read a letter from the contractor stating that he plans.to run the boiler,this,winter, and requesting a letter from the Tom saying the Town will accept the contractor's guarantee from the time it is started until such time as the treatment plant is in operation when the gen- eral contractor will guarantee it. Selectman Dunn suggested obtaining a rider from the bonding company to cover this period to give the Town the same coverage as if it were under warranty. Charlie Loveridge assured the Board this is normal practice. MOTION: To accept the boiler system prior to accepting the rest of the plant, subject to inspection and recommendation of the Tom's insurance company. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 4 -0 Selectman Levine approved with res- ervations 8. Selectmen Business a) Selectman Dunn referred to discussion a feed weeks prior covering dis- position of the Winthrop Street parking lot and the suggestion to sell it. He said he would like to see something in smiting, to see a deci- sion made. He'also made note that it was perhaps not the best time since Selectman D'Onofrio is not present, yet has strong convictions concerning the lot. Selectman Levine expressed opposition to sale of a Town -owned property, but suggested possible lease or rent. Chairman Wills suggested asking COMPARK to study the situation; it was felt this had already been done. Paul O'Neill, the Town's representative to GATRA, was present and, to the surprise of the Board, indicated that as rider- ship increases, assessment goes down. Paul O'Neill then reported the possibility that through GATRA the COA might be able to get their new bus for less cost. He was unclear about some of the objections the COA had when they investigated the possibility of GATRA's help, so suggested that the Town Manager contact Francis Gay, of GATRA. Mr. O'Neill ended by taking a minute to tell the Board how very much their Resolution had meant to Julius Varga just prior to his death. b) Selectman McNair proposed that the Board put a question on the ballot at the upcoming election in March, asking the townspeople which direc- tion they think the Board of Selectmen should take regarding actions by the Ethics Commission. He was referring to a recent letter from the Ethics Commission to a School Committee member concerning conflict of interest. He feels the situation has boiled down to a potential person- ality situation, with 95% of the townspeople now exempted. He then read a prepared statement: BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 1984 PAGE 5 "Should the Selectmen of Mansfield vote to provide 'special municipal employee' status for all elected boards and com- mittees, thereby exempting full time municipal employees from the Conflict of Interest Law under Massachusetts Gen- eral Laws, Chapter 268A ?" McNair /Dunn Selectman Dunn explained that the reason he did not propose the same for elected officials was because he felt he would not get support. He feels, however, the decision is his responsibility, not the towns- people's, but he will accept the Board's decision. Discussion fol- lowed; Selectman Levine supported John Dunn's opinion; Chairman Wills said the statement is demogoguery, and objected to the wording. Sel- ectman McNair then said he would check with Town Counsel for correct wording, that his intent is simply to bring it before the public and let them decide. It was suggested that the motion be tabled until next week. MOTION: To grant permission to talk with Town Counsel. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 Wills abstained MOTION: In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 268A of the Mass. General Laws, that the Mansfield Board of Selectmen hereby classify all appointed Town officials, referred to under sec- tions of Article 5 of the Mansfield Town Charter, and all elected Town officials, referred to under Sections 3 -3, 3 -4 and 3 -5 of Article 3 of the Mansfield Town Charter, as "Spec- ial Municipal Employees ". Dunn /Wills Chairman Wills then said he seconded the motion for purposes of discussion, and he does so because, and only because, we are discussing all of the elected and appointed officials under our Charter and not any particular officials. He was discussing the motion because it applies to all appointed and elected officials, and he would support the motion to make all elected and appointed officials Special Municipal Employ- ees without regard to any one particular office. Selectman Dunn then explained that this applies to all ap - .. pointed positions and elected positions, except for the Select- men who, under the provisions of Chapter 26A, are not allowed. a Special Municipal Employee classification.. This would only allow them to serve the office, but not be in conflict. There was further discussion; Chairman Wills voiced his strong -feel- BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING � NOVEMBER 14, 1984 PAGE 6 ing that it is something that put to bed. Selectman McNair Board has the right to make a be; this point was objected to Motion VOTED: 3 -1 McNair opposed WORKSHOP - Priorities ought to be done, done now and again said he does not feel the Charter change, which this would by Chairman Wills. It was established that the time was too late to cover the entire planned subject and Town Manager's Memo, but the Town Manager reminded the Board that there was a meeting with the School Committee next Tuesday to discuss budget and program for next year, so he would like to take a few minutes to formulate thoughts and ideas for the 5 -year work plan, as proposed. He feels the Work Program established in 1983 should be revised to chart the growth expectations of the community, and this should be based on col- lective needs, and not solely on revenue and expenditures. There is a need for long -range planning, needs over an extended period of time. There was discussion; Selectman Dunn explained that the Town Manager has put to- gether what will affect "our business ", he has taken inventory in order to provide a guide base. He felt that capital projects over the next five years should also be looked at; there is a need to forecast future needs. Chairman Wills would like to see a process whereby programs that can be dropped during a five year plan are charted, and suggested being ready with something a little more definitive. The consensus of the Board was that this idea will be carried to the School.Committee meeting next Tues- day. 10. New Business Chairman Wills asked for the Board's opinion concerning a meeting on Nov- ember 21st, the evening before Thanksgiving. It was decided to not meet; a meeting will be posted for Tuesday, November 20th, at the School Library -, where the Warrant will be signed. MOTION: To go into Executive Session for purposes of contract negotia- tions; to come out only to adjourn. Dunn /Levine VOTED: 4 -0 MINUTES -)APPROVED: // A Date signed