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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 2-10-1988-i uv BOARD OF SELECTMEN I ? FEg I H MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 10, 1988 PRESENT: Chairman Harrington; Selectmen Dunn, McNair; Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. and the Flag saluted. The Chairman announced that Selectman Mahana is home sick tonight and Sel- ectman D'Onofrio is out of town on business. Selectman Dunn was nominated to be Clerk for the evening. 2. Minutes of February 3, 1988 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of February 3, 1988. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 3 -0 Selectman Dunn pointed out that there should be a correction made in the Minutes of February 1, 1988; i.e., he was not present in time to vote as is indicated. This correction will be shown. 3. Warrants No. 35 and 35 -A * MOTION: To approve Warrant No. 35 in the amount of $489,310.86, dated February 9, 1988, broken down as follows: General Fund - $224,749.99 Revenue Sharing - 129.95 School Lunch - 3,921.64 Special Revenue - 32,794.86 Sevier Enterprise - 177,650.41 Water Enterprise - 50,064.01 McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 * MOTION: To approve Warrant No. 35 -A in the amount of $258,478.15, Electric Enterprise, dated February 9, 1988. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 The Town Manager reported that the tax bills are out, the Schedule A has gone to the State and the $800,000 has been received. Chairman Harrington added he wanted everyone to know that the Town's financial situation was not totally because of the State aid which was being held up. 4. Licenses & Permits a) Application for a One -day Liquor License, Tri County Beagle Club, for February 14th, 12 Noon to 9:00 P.M. * MOTION: To approve the One -day Liquor License. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 5. Correspondence a) Letter from the Massachusetts Elks Association, Inc. re: National Patri- otism Week February 15 -21. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( FEBRUARY 10, 1988 PAGE 2 * MOTION: To adopt the suggested proclamation. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 b) Letter to the Board from Secretary of State Connelly re: Mass. Voter Hall of Fame. c) Copy of Division of Local Services Bulletin re: Course for Collectors of Taxes. d) Memorandum to Municipal officials from Director, Bureau of Accounts, re: Explanation for Calculating FY -89 Levy Limit. e) Letter from Deputy Commissioner, State Office of Minority & Women Busi- ness Assistance re: Enclosed copy of their Directory for 1987 -1988. f) Notice of Planning Board Hearing re: Application of Herbert J. & Eliza- beth Linn for subdivision of land bounded Northeasterly by Town -owned land on East Street and Northwesterly by Town -owned land. g) Two Memorandum from Mass. Civil Defense Agency re: Hazardous Materials Legislation and Title III Orientation and Awareness Program. h) Letter from Mary Hale, President of the MMA, re: January meeting and dis- cussion of objectives and finances. i) Letter to the Board from Town Counsel re: Conflict of Interest issue. Chairman Harrington addressed this, explaining it concerned the issue of the MBC Chairman's mother serving as secretary and the Ethics Commis- sion's correspondence which indicated the best way to handle it would be for the MBC to readvertise the position and, if the mother reapplies, the committee may appoint her, with the Chairman not voting (it is un- clear as to whether this was the case originally). 6. Question and Answer Period There were none. 7. Town Manager Budget and Override The Town Manager handed out a revised "Projections for Fiscal Year 1988 -89" and reviewed it briefly. He indicated there is a $1.4 million projected shortfall. Chairman Harrington then said the Board would like to have a further explana- tion as to when the Fire Department received their computer system and how it was procured. They also questioned four new police cruiser replacements this year instead of three. There was some discussion as to the number of both marked and unmarked vehicles the Police Department has; the Town Man- ager reported that the marked cruisers average 65,000 miles per year. The plan has been to replace two marked cruisers every two years. The Town BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 10, 1988 PAGE 3 Manager said the Police motorcycle is presently in poor condition. The Town Manager then reviewed his Proposed Revision to Management Classi- fication Plan in which he had elevated some positions to a higher level. His overall proposed salary increases for all management personnel repre- sented an overall 9.2% increase. Selectman McNair said he had concern with the Town Manager having only held the position five to six weeks and his analysis of various positions, responsibilities, etc. Selectman Dunn said his concern was that job descriptions had not been justified to per- centages, etc., and questioned evaluating the dollar value of a position. He pointed out that all positions were arranged relative to each other; now some have been moved up, others have not, which he felt is a problem. The Chairman interpreted what was being said as the Board does not want to change classification now but is willing to accept the dollar figures and discuss classification later. Selectman McNair mentioned an 8% increase vs. the suggested 9.2 %, but pointed out that most municipal employees do not receive any additional benefits as union employees do. Chairman Harrington said he would support 8 %, and there would be room to give outstanding performance a higher per- centage when deserved. He said the Board has tried to watch the budget and be as responsible as it can; he not sure, therefore, he could support any more than 8 %. MOTION: To approve a policy of money not to exceed 8% for budget pur- poses. McNair /Dunn The Town Manager said 8.2% would reduce the matrix by 1 %. Selectman Dunn supported the 9.2% increase, saying the people the Board counts on the most are the °secretaries and he wants to be sure there is a fair and equitable spread justified. The Town Manager said there - was =no - logic as budgets were presented.;.-he has tried to show logic for his suggestions. -- VOTED: 2 -1 Dunn opposed Discussion turned to the proposed full -time Conservaton Agent position; the Town Manager explained this would include his working with the Plan- ning Department also and said the Chairman of the Conservation Commission supports it. MOTION: To support the position in the budget. McNair /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 Next was discussion as to how to handle proposed settlements with unions. with the Town Manager suggesting a set amount be included in the budget, probably in the Reserve Fund. This led to concern that if a set amount were included in such a fund, could it be called an Unfair Labor Practice. Tom did not think so; if a settlement required more than was available in the Reserve Fund, the Town would have to _look for another source if nec- essary. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 10, 1988 PAGE 4 MOTION: To increase the Reserve Fund to include allowance for union nego- tiations. Dunn /Harrington VOTED: 2 -1 McNair opposed The Town Manager advised he had a meeting with the Assessors Office Manager, Shirley MacPhee who feels the part -time position in her office needs to be changed to full -time due to subdivision growth, condo conversions, property transfers, exemptions and abatements; the counter work has increased consid- erably; tax bills going out late create problems, etc. MOTION: To support additional full -time position in the Assessors Depart- ment. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 3 -0 MOTION: To support the Town Manager's budget as submitted this evening with one adjustment, to decrease salaries from 9.2% to 8 %. Dunn /McNair Chairman Harrington said it is the Board's position and respon- sibility to work with the Town Manager to support the budget it feels the Town needs. The Board must stand up to the Town Meet- ing for what is needed /is necessary; it is up to each member of the Board of Selectmen to support the budget at Town Meeting. Sel- ectman McNair returned to the question of a week or two ago, about whether or not the Board of Selectmen is cutting out the Finance Committee; Chairman Harrington said he does not think so. He said the override is up to Town Meeting to decide whether they want to support the needs of the municipal operating budget. The Finance Committee's job is to scrutinize the needs closely, not to insist to stay within 221; their job is to develop a good, fair budget. Chairman Harrington said part of the 221 package allows for an override if the voters choose. VOTED: 2 -1 McNair opposed The Chairman said the tion for the operating debt exemption will be is there a 1.4 million of trash and insurance comes up and each year text item for consideration is how to word the ques- budget override; next Saturday, February 13th, the discussed. The Chairman raised the question, "Why deficit ?; then answered to cover the increased cost coverage. Selectman Dunn said every year something the municipal budget has no room for anything else. MOTION: To approve the $1.4 million as the amount for the override. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 3 -0 Suggested wording: Shall the Town of Mansfield be allowed to assess an additional $1,400,000.00 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of funding the operat- ing budget of the Mansfield school system and muni- cipal government for fiscal year beginning July 1, 1988. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING 1 FEBRUARY 10, 1988 PAGE 5 (Exact wording to be reviewed by Town Counsel and Bond Counsel). 8. Old Business a) Selectman Dunn reminded the Board members of the Mansfield Women of Today basketball game with the Patriots February 25th, for which they had asked for volunteers. b) Selectman Dunn also reported that the Solid Waste Committee had met and voted to approve their final report, last night. It should be ready for distribution within a couple of weeks; they are having it printed. c) Chairman Harrington read a Memorandum from the Town Clerk regarding the proposed Charter revision which advised that it is too late for this year. d) The Chairman suggested a joint meeting with the Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Solid Waste Committee and Board of Health to discuss the proposed By -laws on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant; also next week he would like to discuss the sub - committee for the Great Woods, Inc. Enter- tainment License. e) The Chairman called attention to a Memorandum from the Town Clerk re- ceived last week which asked for approval of two items concerning the Presidential Primary and Town Election. * MOTION: To approve polling hours for the Presidential Primary and Town Election for 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M., and to approve holding all voter registrations in the Town Hall from this point forward. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 3 -0 f) The Town Manager reported that the Schedule A has been completed, the State has received it and the Town's $800,000 has been released; also the balance sheets should be completed and in to the State by the end of next week, then the State will certify the amount of free cash. 9. New Business a) The Chairman had been handed a request from the Planning Board for the Board of Selectmen to submit a formal request asking the Planning Board to hold public hearings on the petitions for the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, Nos. 47 through 53 and No. 56. * MOTION: So moved. Dunn /McNair VOTED: 3 -0 b) Selectman Dunn asked about progress of the Master Plan and said he would like to see the recommendations of the Industrial Committee incor- porated in the Master Plan. The Board felt this was worthwhile. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 10, 1988 PAGE 6 10. Selectman McNair Announcement Selectman McNair said he has served the Town in various capacities over a period of fifteen years, has followed the recent statements and articles in the newspapers about incompetent and irresponsible members of the Board of Selectmen. He went on to say the Board of Selectmen consists of high level people in town, and he takes acception to the accusations and was announcing his retirement from the Board effective tonight, after the Executive Session. He said he has checked with Town Counsel and a resig- nation can be done within ninety days of an election without a replacement. 11. Executive Session * MOTION: To go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing land aquisition, and to come out only to adjourn. Dunn /McNair POLLED: 3 -0 - Executive Minutes Typed Separately - 12. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M. MINUTES APPROVED: U rk Date signed