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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 4-6-1988BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 6, 1988 APR 1 51988 f I� PRESENT: Chairman Harrington; Selectmen Dunn and Markt; Town Manager 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. and the Flag saluted. 2. Minutes of March 30, 1988 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of March 30, 1988. Dunn / Markt VOTED: 3 -0 3. Warrant #43 * MOTION: To approve Warrant #43 in the amount of $292,654.96, dated April 5, 1988, broken down as follows: General Fund - $170,037.37 Revenue Sharing - 214.00 School Lunch 7,685.08 Special Revenue - 57,501.59 Sewer Enterprise - 15,255.31 Water Enterprise - 17,136.83 Electric Enterprise - 24,824.78 Dunn / Markt VOTED: 3 -0 4. Licenses & Permits a) Application for a Common Victuallers License by Kerin E. Abbott d /b /a HOT DIGGITY DOGS, 261 Chauncy Street, a renewal application. * MOTION: To approve the renewal application. Dunn / Markt VOTED: 3 -0 b) Sunday Entertainment License Application for J.E.P.J., Inc. d /b /a TAHANA RESTAURANT, 60 Oakland Street. * MOTION: To approve the Sunday Entertainment License. Dunn / Markt VOTED: 3 -0 c) Application for Sunday Entertainment License for Mansfield Hotel Corp. d /b /a SHERATON MANSFIELD INN & CONFERENCE CENTER, 31 Hampshire Street. * MOTION: To approve the Sunday Entertainment License. Dunn / Markt VOTED: 3 -0 d) Transfer Request #15 in the amount of $29.19 for a balance due on trade school tuition. * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #15. Dunn / Markt VOTED: 3 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 6, 1988 PAGE 2 5. Correspondence a) Letter to the Board from Norton's Town Planner re: John Yelle request as presented to Mansfield Selectmen March 2nd. - The Chairman asked the secretary to refer this to Town Counsel for an an opinion by next Wednesday's meeting. b) Letter to the Board from Executive Office of Communities & Development re: Incentive Aid Program. c) Letter to the Board from Executive Office of Communities & Development re: Status of Use of Privately Owned Wastewater Treatment Plants in Resi- dential Subdivisions. d) Copy of letter to the Regional Manager, Mass. Cablevision, from Mo Prasad re: Request for Equipment for the Mansfield Studio. e) Memorandum to the Board from Hearing Officer of DPU re: NET request that its public and semipublic payphone services be declared competitive. f) Copy of State Ethics Commission Bulletin. ( g) Letter from Mass. Municipal Association re: New services. h) Copy of letter to Board of Assessors from Dept. of Revenue re: 1990 certification standards. i) Invitation to Commencement Exercises for Senior Class of Bristol Co. Agricultural High School, April 28th. j) Letter from S.E. Regional Vocational - Technical School re: VIP invitation and parking cards to the Seventh Annual Open House, April 10th. k) Letter to the Board from New England Telephone re: Approval of Petition No. 88 -2 for existing conduit, manholes and service terminal locations - Former private ways on various streets within the I -95 Industrial Center at I -495. * MOTION: To approve New England Telephone Petition No. 88 -2. Markt /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 1) Invitation to the Board from Mansfield Grange for Town government repre- sentation at the Grange's annual community service award. m) Copy of Planning Board 'Notice of Public hearing' April 20th re: Appli- cation of Richard Staples for subdivision of land. n) Copy of Cable Vision Quarterly Complaint and Significant Service Inter- ruption report. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 6, 1988 PAGE 3 o) Letter to the Board from Mo Prasad re: Mansfield Cable Access Status Report. p) Copies of Town Manager Memorandums to: - Town Clerk re: Debt Exclusion Override Question for May 10 ballot - Town Counsel re: CDAG Grant; the Town Manager advised that he has scheduled a public hearing for April 20th. q) Copy of Master Plan Advisory Council Minutes of March 24, 1988. r) Two letters to the Board re: Thru trucking and speeding on Central Street (Both residences are located on /near (one on Atwood Street) the State owned portion of Central Street. - The Chairman suggested ::contacting Rep. Vernon for assistance on this. 6. Board & Committee Interviews a) Finance Committee - Kevin Sullivan and Jon Pierce, of the FinCom, were present; each Selectman asked the one candidate several questions after she introduced herself and said she is an Actuary by profession. Maria Thomson 153 Gilbert Street She was unanimously appointed for a three year term to expire January 1, 1991. b) Cable Access Board of Directors - Mo Prasad was present. There were two applicants: Bruce Glazer - Has been Selectman representative whose term 531 Fruit Street expires this month. Robert Paza - Has been Subscribers representative whose term 14 Fuller Place expires this month. Each applicant was, again, asked a number of questions. Bruce Glazer had just been appointed November 1987 to fill an unexpired term, so said he would like to stay with it. He said he brings education expertise and would like to see a TV course in the schools; kids would love it. Bob Paza said he just wants to stay on the Board and he has competition on a ballot as a subscribers' candidate. Bruce Glazer was appointed for a three year term to expire April 1991; Bob Paza was thanked for his interest and wished good luck on his sub- scribers nomination. c) Airport Commission - Three of five applicants were present: Stanley Sohn Dennis Alland Ken Torman 619 East Street 432 Ware Street 86 Rumford Ave. There were interesting questions and answers covering airport issues, after which each Selectman nominated a different applicant. It was BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 6, 1988 PAGE 4 then suggested that no appointment be made tonight and that the secretary contact the other two applicants for an interview. 7. Parents of Special Needs Children Mrs. Cataloni of Eddy Street and Mrs. Thompson of Henry Street were spokes- men for the group. Their concern was the rumor they had heard that the funds for summer camp, in Attleboro, for handicapped children had been cut from the FY -89 budget. They said there are 15 children who need to go to the camp, 90% of whom are over 12 years old. The cost is $7,000, 50% of which is reimbursable by the State. They pointed out that these children have to spend as much as two hours riding the bus to and from the Attleboro camp and expressed the wish that Mansfield could establish its own camp for special needs children. The Town Manager explained that the proposed cut of the Special Needs chil- dren's fund is, so far only a proposal; the money is still in the budget and is supported by both the Selectmen and the Finance Committee. Mansfield's Recreation Director and Chairman of the Recreation Commission were both pre- sent and advised that it would cost approximately $20,000 to establish such a camp in town, would require a building, etc. Discussion then focused on who makes the decision which children are eli- gible to attend the Attleboro camp; the criteria are established by the Board of Education. Louis Amoruso, of.;the.Schoo..l..Committee, said the determination is established by the School Director of Pupil Personnel Services. He also suggested that the buses used for the schools' special needs children could, perhaps, be used for transporting the children to the camp, at a saving. Chairman Harrington asked for communication between the School office and the Recreation Commission Chairman and Director. A rep- resentative from the Attleboro Camp organization was also present and she advised everyone that they always have at least five slots for eligible children who Gannot- afford the expense. Selectman Dunn summarized by stating that the money is in the budget, he thinks the special needs children should be able to go to the camp, and what is needed is communication. 8. Old Business - Town Manager a) Tom advised that fourteen days notice is required for a Special within the Annual Town Meeting; therefore, if a Warrant is closed and signed at next week's meeting, the Special could be held on May 2nd. He said there are two items which need to be on the Special Warrant: utilization of free cash and funding for certain union contract settlements. He mentioned other articles /petitions which have been submitted, but the Chairman pointed out that he believed more signatures were required on a petition for a Special; checking the Town Charter, it was determined that 100 signatures are needed. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 6, 1988 PAGE 5 MOTION: To open a Special within the Annual Town Meeting. Dunn / Markt VOTED: 3 -0 b) Tom said he had talked with Joan Cutillo about sale of the Spaulding School. The vote of the 1986 Town Meeting to sell the school indicated "at the minimum price being the appraised value ". Tom said the most recent appraisal was done in September 1986, and he feels there should be an updated appraisal. He went on to question "public auction ", say - in he would like a legal opinion on sealed bids. He went on to ask the Board if it would like to impose any legal *restrictions for the down- town area and, if so, he would like to work with Mike LaCasse on speci- fications; i.e., pertaining demolishing the building or rehabilitating it, requesting a site plan, etc. *deed Tom said the appraised value a year and a half ago was $117,000. Select- man Dunn suggested starting the bids at a substantially higher rate, but said he was not sure it would be beneficial if restrictions are placed on the property. It was suggested that restrictions be imposed before a new appraisal, but the question was raised, because of the former vote, can restrictions now be imposed legally? Selectman Markt said he agrees with Selectman Dunn on the market value, but does not want to see the sale delayed for a prolonged period. The Town Manager was asked to get an immediate legal opinion, then an appraisal, with the hope that both can be secured within four to five weeks. *a) cont'd MOTION: To open the Warrant for a Special Town Meeting May 2, 1988. Markt /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 The Town Manager did not have an article ready but said it would concern taking all excess funds from line items and transferring them to the Re- serve Account (to be discussed with the Finance Committee) and will be worded to keep all options open. Old Business - Selectmen a) Chairman Harrington had a Memorandum from the Town Clerk regarding poll- ing hours for the May 10th Special Election; her recommendation was 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M., with a reminder that by law a Special Town Elec- tion is only required to have a minimum of four hours for polls to be open. The Chairman also advised that the Town Clerk cannot handle a Town Meeting session on May 9th with the Special Election on the 10th; he said he would like to have a Town Meeting session on Saturday. Sel- ectman Dunn expressed concern that some people have to work overtime, so he feels the polls should be open at 6:00 A.M. and Selectman Markt agreed. MOTION: Polling hours to be 6:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Dunn / Markt VOTED: 3 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 6, 1988 PAGE 6 Chairman Harrington pointed out that the School Committee has a real problem with teachers /funding and suggested a possible June Election for the override question. 10. New Business a) The Town Manager explained a request by a developer to construct Wessell Street and a portion of Thompson Street, presently "paper streets ", for development. He reviewed a Memorandum he had previously distributed to the Selectmen which covered recommendations from the Town Engineer and Town Planner, such as Wessell Street turn - around and appropriate ease- ment, a drainage system and appropriate drainage easements dedicated to the Town, a bond to cover cost of the improvements, and everything subject to a final satisfactory review of the plans by the Town Engineer and Town Planner. * MOTION: To support the Tom Manager's recommendations. Markt /Dunn VOTED: 3 -0 b) The Town Manager said he had advertised a public hearing for the CDAG Grant for April 20th. Chairman Harrington said he will be out of the State on that Wednesday and had intended to ask if the Board could meet on Tuesday, April 19th; Selectman Markt said he had a conflict for that date. The Chairman said he would try to reschedule his business trip. c) Selectman Dunn commented "Spring has sprung!" and followed by stating that the dump leachate stinks now; water is leaking through the break- outs, going into the swamp and river; will there be steps taken to abate odors? The Town Manager was to discuss it with Camp Dresser & McKee. Selectman Dunn said he had spoken to Rep. Vernon about grant funds for Mansfield's landfill and Bill Vernon said he would look into it. The Town Manager said CDM is pursuing grant funds; also that DEQE is doing a state- wide assessment of landfills. Selectman Dunn also suggested contact with the Canoe River Aquifer Committee, noting that regional groups often re- ceive priority. d) The Chairman suggested arranging a mid -May round -table meeting with Chairman of all boards and committees to discuss purposes and operations of all. Selectman Markt suggested such a meeting on a quarterly basis. May 18th was established as the date for the round -table meeting. e) Chairman Harrington commented on fees charged by the Fire Department in light of a recent complaint by a contractor of the town. He indicated that the complaint caused conversations and time spent by the Town Man- ager and other Town officials, all of whom are busy. Chairman Harring- ton then asked the Town Manager to prepare a "State of the Town" mess- age to indicate the many projects he and the various department heads are working on. Tom suggested he have it ready after the May 10th elec- tion when there is a full Board; the Board agreed. Selectman Dunn re- ferred back to the Fire Department fee problem, saying that is the type of issue, as handled this time, that prevents things from getting done, BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 6, 1988 PAGE 7 and he would like to see the service provided, then address the issue afterwards, prior to its coming up again. The Board concurred. f) Chairman Harrington referred to the Planning Board Memorandum concern- ing proposed Zoning Amendments, reminding Board members that if anyone has comments or questions to please address them to the Planning Board by April 20th. 11. Adjournment * MOTION: To adjourn (at 10:10 P.M.) Dunn /Markt VOTED: 3 -0 MINUTES APPROVED: Clerk Date signed