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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 9-1-1988BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 1, 1988 NOV o v , PRESENT: Chairman Harrington; Selectmen Dunn, Markt, Tartufo, Levine; Town Manager The meeting was called to order at 7:40 A.M. to discuss the two Override Questions for the October 13th ballot. The Chairman explained that the secretary was on vaca- tion and the Town Manager had suggested that this meeting could be taped for her to transcribe when she returns. The Chairman said the Finance Committee met with the School Committee last even- ing; they discussed the new school, they discussed reducing space, reducing cer- tain needs and, as a result of what the School Committee told him.last- night;,with XXXXXXXXXXXX some down- sizing they came up with a price of some $19.8 million. It was kind of a split vote on the part of the School Committee, it was 2 -2 most of the evening with one member not there; finally Dianne Royale gave in to support the lower price tag with the lower space. The Chairman of the School Committee mentioned VA= one of the areas in particular - cutting down the kindergarten area which at least Dianne and Steve Calvin, who was the only one who voted against it, was opposed to because he felt it was too short term and they would need that space by the time the school opens. Regardless, the Finance Committee unanimously supported the 19.8 million dollar request for the new school and unanimously approved the 1.2 million or 1.25 that ( we're going to have for water. So with that we would like to have a motion to ap- prove both referendum questions. * MOTION: To place the two questions on the ballot for the override regarding the school and the purchase of land for well sites; the wording to be as written, for the October 13, 1988 election. Tartufo /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0 (School) Levine abstained 5 -0 (Land for well site) Selectman Levine asked if the two questions were going on one ballot rather than two separate issues at two separate times, explaining that she missed the meeting when it was discussed. Chairman Harrington explained that he had said he felt it was foolish to have separate ballots and elections, that Mansfield residents would know the Board was thinking each question alone would have a better chance of pass- ing; and to spend an extra $2500.00 for a second election just didn't make sense to him. As the Board discussed it, they seemed to agree, and the School Committee did also. Why don't vie just be up front with everybody and have it on one day, get all the boards and committees together like we did the last time and have the entire town working in the same direction for both issues at the same time. Selectman Levine asked if there were a possibility of having an explanatory piece of paper as you go in to vote, because now it is no longer going to be a paper ballot where you can have it on the ballot itself or beside the ballot, that ex- plains to the people how much money is going to be borrowed now, because you're not going to take the full 19 million right now, you're only going to take a por- tion of that and the rest is going to follow at a later date. The same thing would be true to some degree with the water situation; you're not going to go to the bank and take 1.2 million or 1.5 million out of the bank the following day BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 1, 1988 PAGE 2 to begin paying interest on, and I think that if we can explain to the people how it's going to be stepped out, people have a better chance of understanding it and both issues would have a better chance of receiving at least the best favorable light that they could get. The Town Manager answered that actually on the water issue the Town vrill be taking out essentially the full amount because it will be needed to go to court very soon after the authorization is approved. The school issue is a phased approach over a number of years with the architectural and engineering work of 2 million dollars being the first borrowing prior to commitment of State aid, as spelled out in the wording of the question. Selectmen Tartufo said he feels no matter how much ex- planation is given it could be confusing and reminded members that Selectman Markt's committee has been formed to educate the townspeople. This was discussed briefly - mailing, flyers outside the polls, etc. Selectman Markt expressed some concern over the School Committee doing their thing, which could be counter - productive to what his committee expects to do. Chairman Harrington suggested he contact them, asking them to let his committee handle it this time, they had two chances already. Chairman Harrington advised that he will ask the Town Manager to draft a Memoran- dum to each board and committee asking them to appoint a member to serve on Select- man Markt's committee as they did the last time to promote this. * MOTION: To set the polling hours at 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Levine /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 Lease on the Spaulding School - Selectman Tartufo excused himself for this discus- sion. Chairman Harrington asked the Town Manager to brief the Board on his pro- posal. The Steeles received proposals for removing the asbestos from the school building prior to the latest development. Because removal of asbestos is heavily regulated they would like to go forward with this, as originally planned, on the 6th of September so that they don't have to go through another whole regulatory process. He believed, also, that if it is delayed the contractor may tell the Steele's a different price. They ask that some sort of an agreement be worked out so that they can go forward with the asbestos removal on the 6th of September. Jack Dwyer and Jim Kelly, who represents the Steeles, have been trying to do this with some involvement from me, though I was away on vacation some of that time. In any event, they have worked out a very simple lease, really just taking a form from before which was dropped off for me. The intent here is to have a more for- mal and detailed lease prepared as soon as possible after this, but just to get us through the September 6th period right now. The main provisions of the lease is they are to give the Town the appropriate insurance to cover us for the asbes- tos removal work and that should the Town not be able to convey the property to them at some point and time, the Town will refund the deposit which they submit- ted which is, in fact, the obligation that the Town set forth in the bid proposal; also that the Town will reimburse them for the cost of the asbestos removal; and that the Town will renegotiate the terms of this lease at the earliest possible date to cover other items. And the final thing is that this all will expire auto - matically within two years. Initially it had been drafted to expire in ten years, but the Town Manager felt that was way too long and it needed to be wrapped up sooner than that. Their concern was that there may not be a Fall Town Meeting BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING (' SEPTEMBER 1, 1988 PAGE 3 or what will happen at the Annual Town Meeting and they wanted to have a period of time to deal with that. The terms are simply XKXXXXX a one dollar payment, rental payment, and that will be deducted from the final payment they will owe the Town when XK6 X98XK8 XtihK9K the Article is formed to convey the property to them. * MOTION: Authorize the Town Manager to enter into the lease agreement. Dunn /Markt Selectman Levine wanted to clarify that reimbursement for removal of the asbestos is only if the Steeles do not acquire the property. The Town Manager wanted to be sure everybody agreed that this lease ap- proval is only temporary. This is just to get by September 6th. Chairman Harrington pointed out that if the Steeles are not going to have to borrow any money right now, they are going to save alot of money on interest costs while the Town only receives a dollar a month instead of the money it expected to receive a month or two ago. He said he just wanted to bring it up; it did not seem to bother any Board member as there are pros and cons to both sides. The Town will continue to insure the building, but the Steeles will give the Town coverage for protection for anything that might happen during, for example, the asbestos removal. VOTED: 5 -0 ThOlTovin Managdr,jtook(thts, opportunity to apologize to the Selectmen regarding the Saturday nighf$ plane accident close to Great Woods Performing Arts Center; he said neither he nor the Police Chief knew about it until this morning. Select- man Markt, who was a Detail Policeman that night, said the people should all be commended for the way the whole thing was handled. Both highways were used, emer- gency equipment got to the scene without any problem or delay, State Police were there in no time, the FAA arrived. No one was hurt, the instructor was arrested; neither the training pilot nor the student were from Mansfield; it is a State Police investigation. The plane hit a car coming down. Selectman Tartufo then mentioned that there is a Canoe River Aquifer meeting= this afternoon and he is going to brig up the sewer line in East Mansfield. He said Linda Sohn, who is on the Planning Board and the Canoe River Aquifer Commit- tee will bring information regarding the amount of work that is going on in East Mansfield. There are some developers the Planning Board has talked with and Sel- ectman Tartufo said he wants the Planning Board to be careful about negotiations. Selectman Levine agreed, saying be sure to put all facts on the table before nego- tiations are begun, check laws, etc. Selectman Tartufo said he thinks the Plan- ning Board is trying to work out a permit procedure and fee schedules. One con- cept was discussed - developers put money up front and then receive credit for each of their hook -ups toward the money they had put up front. Another concept was a two for one, which he does not approve of. Some discussion followed. Selectman Tartufo said he felt acquisition of a new well site is a positive fac- tor, particularly in working with the Town of Easton. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 1, 1988 PAGE 4 The meeting adjourned at 8:00 A.M. MINUTES APPROVED: Clerk M -C - 3 Z� (- Date signed