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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 11-16-1988BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ), DEC, �`��$.. j NOVEMBER 16, 1988 �r®wN CL Rt PRESENT: Selectmen Tartufo, Levine, Markt; Town Manager Selectman Dunn arrived at 7:55 P.M. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:44 P.M. and the Flag saluted. * MOTION: To appoint Selectman Tartufo Chairman for this meeting. Levine / Markt VOTED: 2 -0 2. Minutes of November 2, 1988 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of November 2, 1988. Markt /Levine VOTED: 3 -0 3. Warrant #21 * MOTION: To approve Warrant #21 in the amount of $715,941.70, dated Novem- ber 15, 1988, broken down as follows: General Fund - $468,484.72 Revenue Sharing - 5,900.00 Special Revenue - 4,297.76 Capital Projects - 1,064.05 ( Sewer Enterprise - 18,261.14 Water Enterprise - 26,724.37 Electric Enterprise - 191,209.66 Markt /Levine VOTED: 3 -0 Levine abstained on school issues Markt abstained on police payroll (Dunn signed when he arrived) 4. Correspondence a) Copy of The Land -Grant University & Local Government: Examining a Growing Relationship. b) Invitation to Board members for a Reception to Welcome John M. Moran, Supt. of Schools, Sunday, November 20th. c) Copy of letter to the Town Manager from David P. Mohr, Norton resident, re: "Courtesy and professionalism of all the Electric Dept. employees ". d) Letter to the Board from Director of Parks & Recreation Dept. and Chairman of Recreation Commission re: Board participation at the Annual Halloween parade. e) Announcement from State Book Store re: Complete set of regulations of the DEQE. f) Letter to the Board from Bob Marshall, Director of Veterans Services re: Progress report after 3 months on the job. - The Clerk read and Selectman Tartufo remarked that when Bob acquires a permanent office, he will need some furniture and equipment. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 1988 PAGE 2 g) Copy of letter to R. Zoppo Co., Inc. from President of Super Place Super- markets re: Closing of Copeland Drive during construction at the under- pass. - The Town Manager explained that traffic will be reduced to one lane. Major businesses in the area were contacted; the State has no opinion as to how it is handled, it will be up to the Town staff; no decision has been made yet. In brief discussion Selectman Levine said she felt it should be left open, then residents may decide whether to risk the delay in getting through or take an alternate route. Selectman Dunn said he would like business input from those most affected. h) Copy of CONEG Connection (Coalition of Northeastern Governors). i) Letter from DEQE re: Amendment to State Financial Assistance Regulations Pertaining to Wastewater Projects. j) Letter to the Board from Dept. of Revenue re: Mansfield "free cash" as of July 1, 1988 - $210,490. Q Letter to the Board from Antoni Bielan, 900 S. Main Street, re: Special meeting with Great Woods and Norton Selectmen November 7th. ( 1) Memorandum to the Board from the Recreation Director re: Request for at least one Selectman to be present Tuesday, November 22nd for the Rotary Club presentation of a flag for the South Common. m) Letter from the Municipal Building Committee recommending Robert Gurek, School Business Manager to replace Mr. Barbarisi as the School Committee Associate Member. * MOTION: To approve Robert Gurek as the School Associate Member to re- place Mr. Barbarisi. Dunn /Markt VOTED: 3 -0 Levine abstained 5. Questions & Answers Joe Carter, Manager of Marciano's Sports store, inquired about the situation with the Spaulding School. The Town Manager said at present the Sale Agree- ment is being drawn up; it will then have to wait for Town Meeting approval. 6. North Common Petition A large group of residents was present who had signed a petition referred to a couple of meetings ago concerning the North Common; the petition signed by some 250 people read: "We the undersigned petitioners hereby request the Mansfield Board of Select- men reconsider the proposed land taking of the North Common which we are ( opposed to for the following reasons: a) Additional excessive truck traffic 24 hours a day b) Excessive noise pollution from truck motors affecting sleeping BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 1988 PAGE 3 c) Excessive air pollution from exhaust systems d) Safety of all residents, especially young children. It is our strong opinion that the Town of Mansfield undertake a feasibility study of a possible alternate route from Francis Avenue to Pratt Street." Mr. Blandori, as spokesperson for the group, said business people and resi- dents oppose any more land "being dissected from the area" and another rea- son is the trucking; they were there to ask the Board to take a look at it. Acting Chairman Tartufo reviewed the three alternatives which the consultant, Cataldo, had offered the Board some time earlier and advised that the Town had received a Federal Aid Program grant to rectify the traffic light situation at the Rt. 106 /North Main intersection which, he said should have been done several. years ago. The consultants are still studying the alternatives. Funding will not be available for several years, so construction work will not begin for some time; plans are being pursued now, however. There has been no discussion for changing direction of traffic nor changing Liberatore Square. Mrs. DeSantis asked for speed signs at Geno's Restaurant where she feels cars travel too fast. Jim Welch, of Oakland Street, said Oakland Street was not designed for 18- wheelers and it is hazardous; he would like to see another route for trucks. The Town Manager advised that there is a grant coming for reconstruction of a portion of Oakland Street for next year. Selectman Dunn commented on the Industrial Zoning Committee of a few years ago which no one attended to give input or to gain understanding of its purpose; as a result its recommendations failed at Town Meeting. An alternative would be to put a road through wet- lands. Selectman Levine pointed out that putting a truck route through wet- lands would be putting a main road right through the area of land that serves the town's main well - Cate Springs. There were complaints regarding Tighe Trucking which uses Oakland Street. Selectman Levine reviewed the situation with the American Paper Recycling plant a few years back and recommended that the residents present tonight try to work with Tighe Trucking, as the resi- dents with APR. She asked them to "get involved with the Master Plan hear- ings which are coming up next month:' 7. Bungay Lake Associates Ed Landry, President of Bungay Lake Associates, had asked for a meeting with the Board; they are a "neighborhood organization of residents from Mansfield and North Attleboro ". Their letter stated they had several topics they would like to discuss. The first issue mentioned was a property owner on Broom Avenue who had put in a gravel path out to a small island. They knew Mansfield's Conservation Agent, Dick Lewis, was working on it. Selectman Levine said she felt if it was not there originally, it should be removed; the area returned to its original nature. The Town Manager was aware of the situation and said he felt it was a minor issue and Dick Lewis is working with the property owner. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 1988 PAGE 4 The second topic was the quality of Bungay Lake water. Mrs. Carlson, a mem- ber of the Associates, said they have done some testing and acknowledged that Mansfield has helped them through its monitoring of the Homestead Restaurant's septic system. This they appreciate. She also said they have some concern with Mansfield's conservation and water management and mentioned the company that wants to put a trash -to- energy plant in North Attleboro next to the Mansfield line. The Town Manager suggested that she contact Jerry St. Hilaire, Mansfield Water and Sewer Superintendent. Lori Steinmets, a Mansfield resident and member of the Associates group, spoke of concern over the Plain Street bridge where there are alot of parked cars by fisherman, etc. He said it is a very narrow bridge and he would like to have signs installed. The Town Manager said he has discussed this with the Police Chief and agrees signs should be installed from Brown Avenue to the Homestead Restaurant lane; also No Fishing Off the Bridge signs. Also men- tioned was a sign designating Gilbert Street which sits on top of the STOP sign which is too far back so that anyone looking for Gilbert Street goes past and has to turn around. The Town Manager will check into this. Trucks using the Plain Street bridge were mentioned, and the Town Manager said the Police Chief is aware of the problem. The Board expressed appreciation for this meeting and urged them to return so that "we can work together ". David Welch /Trowbridge Woods Selectman Dunn left the meeting for this discussion. The Town Manager reviewed the concept approval contingent upon receipt of a letter from the sewer line owner. He said David Welch has not received said letter so he wants to make another proposal. Ed Broderick owns the sewer line and his attorney does not feel it is a good idea to grant approval while there is litigation going on (which had been previously indicated). There- fore, David Welch is asking approval to install a "dry" line until such time as he receives the letter of approval from Ed Broderick. He wants to get the line in before cold weather prevents it. He cannot tie in, however, until he receives DEQE approval which will take 4 -5 months anyway. Selectman Tartu - fo questioned if the 8" line Mr. Welch is considering has been approved by the Town Engineer; he was advised it will be further reviewed by the Town Engineer to determine if it is appropriate. MOTION: To approve, subject to conditions of the Town Manager's letter to Mr. Welch, dated November 7, 1988, Markt /Levine VOTED: 3 -0 Old Business a) The Town Manager reported he received a call from the Manager of Cleve- land Twist Drill and the AMC /Jeep dealer regarding parking problems; park- ing is allowed on both sides of Draper Avenue. Tractor trailer trucks have trouble negotiating the intersection curve with parking on both BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING l NOVEMBER 16, 1988 PAGE 5 sides; it also hampers two -way traffic since the street is not wide enough. Selectman Tartufo suggested making Draper one -way to eliminate vehicles using Draper Avenue as a way of avoiding the traffic lights. The Town Man- ager was asked to pursue this. b) The Town Manager advised that the tax rate )dM)DW GX certification has been recieved as 13.53 residential, 16.55 industrial /commercial, and tax bills are now being sent out. 10. Old Business - Selectmen a) Selectman Dunn expressed concern about sunken trenches, holes in streets which he would like to see corrected before snow comes. b) Board members were reminded that tomorrow night there is a meeting at the High School auditorium, open to the public, for an explanation of trash -to- energy proposals, the moratorium issued by the State, etc. c) Selectman Levine announced that the Citizen Scholarship Foundation will have an educator speak on How Colleges and Universities view scholarships brought onto campus. d) Selectman Levine requested that a sign was needed at Acorn Manufacturing on School Street directing traffic into the industrial park; she said many trucks miss the turn and then have to turn around. Could a sign be placed indicating the industrial road before the trucks cross the bridge or just off it. She also would like to see a sign for the Sheraton Hotel off Rt. 106; she suggested that both the industrial park management and the Sheraton be asked to fund these signs. e) Selectman Levine then pointed out that she had noticed in the MMA adver- tisement for the Planning Director's replacement that it was inconsistent with the Town Charter in that it titled the position "Community Development Director" and the Charter indicates no such position. The Town manager said the job description indicates the position is Town Planner plus other duties. Selectmen Levine and Dunn asked that it be clarified when the position is filled. f) Selectman Levine observed that the National Lumber Company construction off Maple Street has removed conservation land and it is not even contigu- ous to their property. She reported that they have dug a hole 30 feet deep; it is Town property. She said either today or yesterday it was filled and she noticed that there was loam on the top; she couldn't help but wonder what was underneath, observing that gravel was removed. She said she feels strongly that was removed is what should be put back, and requested that an investigation be made to ascertain what was put back in the hole. The Town Manager reported that the Conservation Agent, Dick Lewis, and Building Inspector /Zoning Enforcement Officer, Bert Cook, were handling BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 1988 PAGE 6 it. He said the company made a mistake and are willing to rectify it; Dick Lewis is working with them and at the same time they are going to do some work for the Town which is needed up there. Dick Lewis is to have everything put in writing. Selectman Levine said she felt the hole is with- in 400 feet of the Cate Spring well, which is an added concern. She reit- erated her feeling that what was taken out should be put back, and she wanted to know what was put in the hole. The Town Manager said two quali- fied people are overseeing what is being done. Selectman Levine asked for a report on what has been done. g) Saturday's Hazardous Waste Collection Day was announced for November 19th. Chairman Tartufo said a brochure is being sent home with school children. h) Jail & Bail Day for the March of Dimes, going on today and tomorrow, has raised $10,000 already. Mike LaCasse had been present for the discussion of the National Lumber Com- pany issue and said the Planning Board had reviewed their plan because they are in the Water Protection District; also that they are going to do some things for the benefit of the Town. Acting Chairman Tartufo thanked Mike for what he has contributed for the benefit of the town and said he will be missed and he hoped the Town would be able to use him on a consultant basis. 11. Adjournment * MOTION: To adjourn (at 11:00 P.M.) Dunn /Markt VOTED: 4 -0 MINTUES APPROVED: Clerk Date signed F 1