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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 6-15-1988BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JUNE 15, 1988 nn :rr JUL — 1!��i 6� 1988 ail PRESENT: Chairman Harrington; Selectmen Dunn, Levine, Markt, Tartufo; Town Manager The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. and the Flag saluted. The Chair- man then thanked all the voters who voted and those who voted for the Over- ride. He said he considers this a mandate from the people of Mansfield to improve the quality of their life. He said he would also like to extend his appreciation to the Mansfield Lodge of Elks for their presentation to the Flag on Sunday, June 12th. 2. Minutes of June 1, 1988 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of June 1, 1988. Selectman Tartufo said he would like the Minutes of May 25, 1988 to show the actual vote for the Conservation Commission appointment. i.e. 4 -0 1 abstention. Markt /Tartufo VOTED: 5 -0 * * * 3. Warrants No. 52, 52 -A, No. 53, 53 -A MOTION: To approve Warrant No. 52 in the amount of $159,253.77, dated June 7, 1988, broken dorm as follows: General Fund - Revenue Sharing - School Lunch - Special Revenue - Sewer Enterprise - Water Enterprise - Electric Enterprise Markt /Tartufo VOTED: 4 -0 $133,926.18 102.00 8,879.09 7,246.01 1,320.14 2,477.04 - 5,303.31 Levine abstained MOTION: To approve Warrant No. 52 -A in the amount of $795,361.58, dated June 9, 1988, for Payroll. Dunn /Tartufo VOTED: 4 -0 Levine abstained MOTION: To approve Warrant No. 53 in the amount of $382,449.81, dated June 12, 1988, broken down as follows: General Fund - $361,683.36 Revenue Sharing - 19.32 Special Revenue - 7,026.89 Capital Projects - 477.65 Sewer Enterprise - 110.00 Water Enterprise - 13,132.59 Dunn /Tartufo VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JUNE 15, 1988 PAGE 2 * MOTION: To approve Warrant No. 53 -A in the amount of $212,789.06, dated June 15, 1988, for Payroll. Dunn /Tartufo VOTED: 5 -0 4. Licenses & Permits a) Application for One -day All Alcoholic Beverage License, Tri- County Beagle Club, School Street, June 18, 1988, 12 Noon to 12 Midnight. MOTION: To approve the One -Day All Alcoholic License. Tartufo /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 b) Application for One -day All Alcoholic Beverage License, Tri- County Beagle Club, School Street, June 19, 1988, 12 Noon to 7:00 P.M. MOTION: To approve the One -Day All Alcoholic License. Tartufo /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 c) Transfer Request #17 in the amount of $11,121.06, Plumbing /Gas Inspector Fees. - The Town Manager indicated that $29,000 was transferred into the Transfer ( Account and with tonight's Tranfer Requests it will be dorm to $18,000. * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #17. Markt /Tartufo VOTED: 5 -0 d) Transfer Request #18 in the amount of $16,497.01, Electric Inspector fees. * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #18. Markt /Levine VOTED: 5 -0 e) Transfer Request #19 in the amount of $3,000.00, Town Clerk for election registrars' salaries. * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request #19. Markt /Tartufo VOTED: 5 -0 - Chairman Harrington congratulated all those who worked the Special Elections this year. f) Transfer Request #20 in the amount o time clerk salary. - This was discussed since there was count. The Town Manager explained Finance Committee. * MOTION: To approve Transfer Request F $300.00, Recreation Department part - not a '0' balance shown in the ac- that he had discussed it with the #20. Dunn /Tartufo VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JUNE 15, 1988 PAGE 3 5. Correspondence a) Copy of letter to Frank Patterson, 24 Goward Drive, from Chairman of the Planning Board, re: Answer to his complaints. b) Letter from MMA re: Expansion of services in the coming year. c) Copy of letter to Board of Assessors from Dept. of Revenue re: Proposed valuations for all municipalities. d) Letter from Utility Constrctors' Assoc. of New England, Inc. re: Proposed Fiber Optic Cable Regulations. e) Request for waiver of fee for a sign on the front lam of the High School. * MOTION: To waive the fee for a sign at the High School. Dunn /Tartufo VOTED: 4 -0 Levine out of room. f) Letter to the Board from Region Director, Dept. of Mental Health, re: Important housing development program. g) Letter from Wayne Southworth, Chairman of the Canoe River Aquifer Advis- ory Committee re: Annual appointment due before July 1. h) Copy of letter to Accountant /Treasurer from Dept. of Revenue, Director of Accounts, re: Year end reporting requirements. i) Copy of Dept. of Revenue Informational Guideline Release re: Quarterly Payment of Local Aid. j) Copy of County Commissioners of Bristol County Report. k) Announcement of "Chemical Emergency Simulation (June 16 & 17) ", U.S. EPA. 1) Three (3) notices of Public Hearings by Dept. of Public Utilities: - DPU proposed regulation to establish rules for recovery by Mass Elec- tric companies of costs of major incremental investments in electric generation. - Transfer of ownership of Zip Call, Inc. - Providence TMC, LTD to resell telephone service throughout Mass. m) Letter from Executive Office of Transportation & Construction re: Public Works Economic Development Grants (PWED). n) Meeting Notice, Bristol County Selectmen's Assoc., June 16th, Melio's Restaurant, Norton. - Chairman Harrington addressed this, saying Mansfield has not had a rep- resentative for some time, and he would like to correct this. o) Letter from Civil Defense Agency re: Public awareness of approaching danger potential from hurricanes and tornadoes. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JUNE 15, 1988 PAGE 4 p) Letter to the Board from William Flannery, Jr., Boys State Committee Chairman, re: List of Mansfield High School Juniors selected to attend the 1988 Boys State Convention. - The Clerk read the names and the Chairman congratulated all of them. q) Letter from Mass. Dept. of Public Works re: Balcom Street /Wading River Bridge approval. r) Notice from Great Woods re: Addition of two (2) acts to 1988 schedule (Previously approved). s) Copy of Release, Great Woods, "Great Woods Center Community Program to Raise Money for Mansfield Community ". t) Invitation from Mansfield School Committee to attend a "Community Needs Assessment ", Mansfield High School Library, June 21st. u) Copy of letter to Town Counsel from Mansfield's Health Agent re: Town Meeting vote of Article 26. v) Letter to the Board from Paul Folkman re: Plans to subdivide and develop a parcel of land (covered in Karl Clemney's Article for Town Meeting, land off Rt. 106). w) Letter to the Board from Carla Foley re: Vote on Article 25 of Town Meet- ing (the Paine School). - Selectman Dunn left the room during this topic. The Clerk read the letter; a copy is to be sent to the School Committee. - The Town Manager said there is convoluted wording in the General Laws and he has discussed the matter with both Carla Foley and Town Counsel. x) Letter to the Board from Supt. Marshall and the Plainville Water & Sewer Commissioners re: Eastern Area Lateral Sewers. Y) Invitation to Dedication Ceremony, June 26th, of the Mansfield 689 Staffed Apartments, 651 S. Main Street, 2:00 P.M. z) Invitation to Groundbreaking Ceremony for new facility, Forbes Blvd. & Plymouth Street, Chrysler Parts Depot, Jeep /Eagle Parts Distribution Center, July 18th. aa) Letter to the Board from R.M. Vallee, Catalyst Waste -to- Energy Corp., re: Presentation to Board of Health Junel6th for development of a re- source recovery facility; Selectmen invited. bb) Letter to the Board from Director Miller, Dept. of Environmental Quality Engineering, re: Placement of Mansfield's East Street landfill on the DEQE High Priority Landfill list. - Chairman Harrington said this is good news for the Town. The Town has applied for a "Capping Grant "; the letter refers to "landfill assess- ment and clean -up program ", which is the larger grant. Selectman Tar - tufo suggested obtaining all expenses incurred since 1986. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JUNE 15, 1988 PAGE 5 cc) Letter of resignation from Kevin Sullivan, Chairman of the Finance Com- mittee. MOTION: To accept the resignation with regret and send him a letter of appreciation. Markt /Levine VOTED: 5 -0 dd) Letter to the Board from Chairman, SRPEDD Commission, re: Twentieth An- nual Meeting, June 22nd, with invitation to attend. 6. Open Meeting /Water Suppl ,Distribution The Chairman turned the meeting over to the Town Manager who, in turn, intro- duced Anderson - Nichols representatives, Paul Howard and Howard Chin. Acting DPW Director, Jerry St. Hilaire, and Water Department Foreman, Ben Couture, were also present. Paul Howard handed out copies of information which he then addressed. They contained information and charts on the continuing water supply for the Town, and Howard Chin pointed out that beyond 1991 there will be a deficit in sup- ply. Paul Howard explained the 1986 DEQE regulations and the present "pump test design ", an effort to have towns protect their well sites. He said there are only two viable sites in Mansfield: the Mill Street site and the Ash property. Chairman Harrington asked about the feasibility of the largest users in town having their own wells. He was told that has not been looked into and the impact on revenue would have to be looked at. Also, private %,tells would most likely draw from the same aquifer as the town. Selectman Levine asked about the Albertini wells. The 5th has been shut down for five years and 2 and 4 for one year. Paul Howard suggested looking at what is existing, categorize those, then consider improving, treating, expanding such sources. He re- ported they have applied for a leak detection grant for the Town, which is on the fundable list for $25,000, with matching funds the Town has; this in- cludes a water audit program. A press release was suggested for water conservation at this time, voluntary conservation was requested. The article in the paper regarding lead in water supplies was mentioned; Paul said Mansfield is ahead with a study al- ready done and remedies instituted. Ben Couture reported sampling is done twice a month for bacteria; the water is tested for metals quarterly; lime injection is a daily problem due to the system being installed on a shoe string budget. The problem with the ph level is pretty constant. Chairman Harrington asked for suggestions as to how to raise money to pur- chase needed well sites and develop the wells without going for an override. Sale of land, capital charge and bonds were mentioned. Selectman Levine was asked, and agreed, to work with Selectman Dunn on the Ash property problem. A resident asked about the accuracy of the meters; he was told 1 %t for approx- imately seven years. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JUNE 15, 1988 PAGE 6 The Town Manager addressed Water Operations, reporting the budget for the Water Enterprise account is currently facing a $90,000 shortfall. The rea- son for this is that delinquent accounts were not considered and amount to approximately a quarter of a million dollars. He said delinquent notices went out today to all accounts. Liens cannot be placed until eighteen months after the original delinquency; Tom said he feels the system encourages delin- quency. A three -year meter replacement program was instituted one year ago. There are buildings with no meters and mal- functioning meters. 841 have been re- placed this year and 875 are expected to be replaced in the coming year. A systematic replacement program needs to be set up on a regular basis. The State has a meter replacement program for up to 50% for the upcoming year. A resident expressed concern about extending the water main out Rt. 106 to Easton, saying it is an advantage to developers, but a disadvantage to the Town, putting more demand on services and need for water. 7. Question and Answer Period Jeff Greer, Manager of Cleveland Twist Drill, said they have experienced "brown- outs" the last three days which causes erosion in voltage and impacts ( their production capability; also the low voltage damages motors. He wanted to know whether this is a short -term matter, due to the extreme hot weather. Selectman Dunn, Chairman of the Light Commissioners, advised that it is a reflection on distribution of the outside "grid" status, which means power supply to the town which is sometimes cut because Seabrook is not operating. 8. Old Business a) The Town Manager reported that the compressor for the Police station air conditioner is burned out. CDM is expected to deliver specs for the new system tonight. He said any employee may go home if they feel ill due to the extreme heat, using sick leave or a personal day. After brief dis- cussion, the consensus of the Board was that anyone who cannot cope may go home without being penalized. The Town Manager went on to explain the problem for replacement of the units is compounded by leaks in the roof. The Town Manager said there are two options; an adaptable or non- adapt- able unit. The membrane theory was discussed briefly; Selectman Levine said she has no faith in it. b) Selectman Dunn said he would like a second member for the Great Woods sub- committee; there were no volunteers. He also reported that he has asked Great Woods for volume read -out reports. c) Chairman Harrington reported on a conversation he had with Marie Brooks of the Big E Mobile Park regarding the May 31st concert. d) Selectman Markt publicly thanked members of his ad -hoc committee for the Override study, which was accepted.* He said it was an example of people working together and accomplishing things. (* The Override was voted in). BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JUNE 15, 1988 PAGE 7 e) The Chairman asked the Town Manager how many open positions he was work- ing to fill at present; Town Engineer, Water Operations Manager, Veterans Agent. Chairman Harrington asked the secretary to report on what she had learned concerning the Veterans Agent position, then asked Selectman Tartufo to work with the Town Manager and Selectman Secretary on this. f) Chairman Harrington commented on the new Town Accountant's diligence and that he had told the Accountant, Larry Gallagher, to feel free to attend Board meetings at any time. g) Chairman Harrington reported that he had talked with the Town Manager about his proposed salary matrix and re- classification, then suggested that the Board meet on a Saturday in August to put everything out on the table, then establish priorities, because the Town Manager has so many items /problems to deal with. 9. New Business a) Selectman Tartufo displayed an award from the Division of Wildlife and Fisheries to the Canoe River Aquifer Committee, as well as a Citation from Rep. William Vernon. He said both were to be on display for a period of time in each member town's Town Hall. He also advised that the Easton cable TV had taped 30 minutes of the Committee's Awareness Day which he expected to copy onto a tape for Mansfield's cable TV to run. Selectman Tartufo then mentioned the Canoe River Aquifer Committee's dis- cussion of Mill Pond and asked the Board to support a project to investi- gate how to fix the pond /dam. * MOTION: To ask the Conservation Agent, Dick Lewis, to investigate reno- vation and restoration of Mill Pond. Tartufo /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 b) Selectman Markt expressed concern for the lack of a barrier to prevent cars from crossing from Mansfield Ave. onto Court Street; he had under- stood there was supposed to have been such a barrier. c) Selectman Levine said she would like to see a Capital Improvement Commit- tee started as soon as possible. d) A Memorandum from the Board's secretary was read asking for volunteers to participate in a softball game against the Town of Foxboro, and ad- vising that all three Foxboro Selectmen were going to play. Selectmen Dunn, Markt and Tartufo volunteered. The game is to be played June 30th. 10. Adjournment * MOTION: To adjourn (at 11:25 P.M.). Levine / Markt VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JUNE 15, 1988 PAGE 8 MINUTES APPROVED: CC er__ Date signed