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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 2-17-1988WAOMMY ";: BOARD OF SELECTMEN MAR 3;,,- 1 MINUTES OF MEETING f. 4 FEBRUARY 17, 1988 TOWN PRESENT: Chairman Harrington; Selectmen D'Onofrio and Dunn; Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. and the Flag saluted. The Chairman announced that Selectman Mahana was in Faulkner Hospital. 2. Massachusetts Elks Association, Inc. The Chairman said he had a Proclamation to present to the Mansfield Elks, represented tonight by Ed Rosenberg and Malcolm Smith. The Clerk then read the Town's Proclamation for National Patriotism Week, February 15 -21, 1988. Ed Rosenberg said the Elks Association is a fraternal organization which serves in a charitable way; he also said the Elks started Flag Day. The Chairman thanked them for coming and all the Elks for their services. 3. Minutes of February 6th, 10th, and 13th, 1 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of February 6, 1988. D'Onofrio /Dunn Selectman D'Onofrio pointed out that he was present at this meet- ing (his name had been omitted). VOTED (as amended): 3 -0 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of February 10, 1988. Dunn /Harrington Selectman Dunn asked that the Minutes show, on Page 3, that he supported the 9.2% salary increase. VOTED (as amended): 3 -0 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of February 13, 1988. D'Onofrio /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 4. Warrants No. 36 and 36 -A * MOTION: To approve Warrant No. 36 in the amount of $978,117.58, dated February 16, 1988, broken down as follows: General Fund - $843,163.54 School Lunch - 5,232.07 Special Revenue - 12,810.39 Sewer Enterprise - 17,095.86 Water Enterprise - 99,815.72 D'Onofrio /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 * MOTION: To approve Warrant No. 36 -A in the amount of $111,387.87, dated February 16, 1988, Electric Enterprise. D'Onofrio /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 17, 1988 t PAGE 2 5. Licenses & Permits a) Lodging House renewal application, Peter J. Fontanini d /b /a BILLINGS ROOMS, 18 Thomas Street. * MOTION: To approve the Loding House License. D'Onofrio /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 b) Application for three (3) Automatic Amusement Devices (video type), by Carla Rae Vierkant d /b /a CARLA RAE'S, 267 N. Main Street. - The decision was to table until next week for information on the loca- tion which the Selectmen could not identify, as well as the type of business being established. 6. Correspondence a) Letter to the Board from the Executive Director of Thrift Fund, together with a copy of their 1987 Thrift Fund Annual Report. b) Notice of two (2) public hearings by the Dept. of Public Utilities for: New England Telephone & Telegraph Co. c) Letter to the Board from the Southeastern Regional Vo -Tech School re: Final operating and maintenance budget for FY 88 -89, d) Letter to the Board from Executive Director fo mansfield Housing Auth- ority re: Copy of "The Guide to Producing Affordable Housing ", which she feels could be helpful to the Board members. e) Letter to the Board from Chairman of the Citizens for a JFK Day. f) Notice of SRPEDD Commission meeting Wednesday, February 24, 8:00 P.M. g) Notice of a workshop for Southeastern Mass. on "Blueprit 2000" at Wheaton College, Thursday, February 18, 6:30 -8:00 P.M. h) Copy of letter of resignation to John Rhind from Chuck Medchill, Water Operations Manager, effective March 24th. - The Town Manager commented that Chuck holds an important position and has done a good job of getting the Water Department back on track. i) Letter to the Board from Atty. J. Mark Treadup re: Bristol County Char- ter Commission, Local County Advisory Board Member. j) Copy of letter to Jerry St. Hilaire, Wastewater Treatment Operations Manager, from Mass. Electric, re: Appreciation for operating the gener- ator during recent periods of exceptionally high demand for electricity. ( k) Copy of Memorandum to the Town Manager from Chairman Harrington re: Proposed Budget Cuts. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 17, 1988 { PAGE 3 1) Letter to the Board from Executive Director of the Committee on Crim- inal Justice re: Mansfield selected to receive a Drug Enforcement Grant. m) Letter to the Board from Supt. Barbarisi re: Withdrawal of article for structural repairs to the High School. 7. Question & Answer Period Kevin Sullivan, Chairman of the Finance Committee, referred to an article in the Sun Chronicle concerning the Debt Exemption for two new elementary schools, raising a question as to whether the Town Manager's expression "netting out" was correct. The issue led to discussion as to what is exempt in light of an expected 67% reimbursement from the State. The Town Manager said he had discussed the debt exemption question with both the State and Supt. Barbarisi. Steve Calvin, Chairman of the School Committee was present and advised the Selectmen that the State will only commit a percentage after all submis- sions, including a signed contract, are received. Tom (Town Manager) said the project would probably go out to bid in March or April 1989 with June 1989 approximate time for award of the bid; then it would go to the State. Discussion then centered on the possibility of the State reimbursement amount PDXXXMXXXXY dropping. Steve Calvin felt Mansfield would always be eligible for the 67% funding, but might have to wait; in the interim Mans- field residents would have to pick up the debt expense. Selectman D'onofrio felt it was important to have bond counsel word the question so that the reimbursement is earmarked for the schools only (to reduce the tax rate). He also would like to see the debt exemption made subject to State approval. The Town Manager read Bond Counsel's approved wording in which it states "Principal amount not to exceed 22 5..million dollars. Selectman D'Onofrio again added "subject to reimbursement of 67% by SBAB and such revenue received to be used only to offset taxes ". Sel- ectman Dunn said he did not think that was necessary. * MOTION: To develop three scenarios for the question and ask bond counsel to approve them. a) Make it subject to receipt of 67% reimbursement and that any such reimbursement be applied to reduce the tax rate. b) Make it subject to any reimbursement c) Leave it as it is Donofrio /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 Exemption for provision of landfill, water system and well site, sewer system and sewer line extensions - $4.5 million, was the next topic dis- cussed. Wording would read "for bonds issued" and could be with or with- out a set dollar amount. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 17, 1988 PAGE 4 MOTION: To insert figure of $4.475 million. Dunn /Harrington It was stated that the Capital Improvement Committee felt all the projects should be put into just one question rather than break them out individually. Selectman Dunn curcurred. Select- man D'Onofrio expressed concern that voters might kill it all, if everything is under one question, and he wants them to fund capping the landfill. It was decided that all the items are crit- ical to the town. Tom advised all the figures are reasonable estimates. VOTED: 3 -0 The third topic for discussion was the Over -ride of Prop. 21 for the Oper- ating Budget. In the correspondence for this night was a letter from Supt. Barbarisi advising that the School Committee had voted to withdraw their Warrant Article for repairs to the High School roof, feeling it was not critical at this point considering the shortage of funds available for the operating budget. However, the Capital Improvement Committee feels it is a safety factor and should be kept in. The Town Manager then reported that the latest estimate for repairs for the Fire Department ladder truck are now estimated to be close to $80,000, rather than the former estimate of $40,000. Tom said he hopes it can be reduced to $60- 70,000, and this should be added to the operating budget expense. * MOTION: To insert $1.575 million which will include the repairs to the High School roof, which the Capital Improvement Committee has recommended, and $25,000 for the fire truck. Dunn /Harrington VOTED: 2 -1 D'Onofrio opposed The Over -ride question on the ballot will be for $1.4 million. 8. Old Business a) The Town Manager updated the Board on the Town Accountant situation, ad- vising that it is imperative to bring the Town's system up -to -date. He had received a proposal from Peat Marwick concerning the problems the Town has and assistance they can offer. He said they hope to have the balance sheets into the State either Friday or Monday. The estimated total cost for Peat Marwich's services were not to exceed $20,000. Tom advised that the Town needs a part -time accountant and up- dating and training on computer processes. There was discussion on the Reserve Fund, and Tom commented that the auditors should be working on the Town records now, but can't until they are brought up -to -date. * MOTION: To support the Town Manager's recommendation to go forward up to the amount of $20,000. Dunn /D'Onofrio VOTED: 3 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 17, 1988 PAGE 5 b) Selectman D'Onofrio said he had a statement (prepared) which he read; it summarized recent events pertaining to the Board of Selectmen and newspaper coverage of same, and ended with his stated intention to resign as soon as a smooth transition could be affected. c) Chairman Harrington asked Selectman D'Onofrio if he would be willing to serve on the Great Woods sub - committee for the duration of his seat on the Board; he said he would. The second member for the committee was designated to be Selectman Dunn. d) The Chairman then referred back to the letter from MBC Chairman concern- ing permission to use the Town -owned land along Hope Street for parking for the new Library /COA facility, which would then also be used as the adress. * MOTION: That the Board of Selectmen approve the use of Town -owned land for the purpose requested by the Municipal Building Committee. D'Onofrio /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 e) Chairman Harrington announced that the date for a reception for Tom Dwyer and his wife to meet Chairman and members of the Town's boards ( and committees will be March 11th. 9. New Business a) Chairman Harrington advised the Board that he will be out of town next week so that unless Selectman Mahana is able to attend there will not be a quorum for next week's meeting. * b) MOTION: To approve and sign the Election Warrant.(Presidential Primary). Dunn /D'Onofrio VOTED: 3 -0 c) Chairman Harrington reported that he had been advised by Town Counsel that the seat vacated by Selectman McNair cannot be filled at the March 21st election, because the date for return of nomination papers to be in had passed. It, therefore, requires either a Special Election or wait until the March 1989 election. * MOTION: To call for a Special Election as soon as possible. D'Onofrio /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 d) Selectman Dunn asked members of the Board to volunteer for a team for bowling, as they did last year, for the Big Brothers /Big Sisters of Greater Attleboro concern, April 17th. 10. Adjournment ( * MOTION: To adjourn (at 10:10 P.M.). D'Onofrio /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 17, 1988 PAGE 6 MINUTES APPROVED: Date `signed