HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 11-30-1988BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 30, 1988
PRESENT: Chairman Harrington; Selectmen Dunn, Levine, Markt, Tartufo; Town
Manager
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. and the Flag saluted.
Chairman Harrington opened by reading a Memorandum he, as a Selctman, not
Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, had written to the Norton Board of Sel-
ectmen. He explained it was in response to comments made at a recent sub-
committee meeting of both Boards, as well as comments in the Sun Chronicle.
He said it is unfair to say the Mansfield Board of Selectmen don't care about
the problems with Great Woods Performing Arts Center (Selectman Markt was out
of the room for this discussion).
Selectman Tartufo said he approves of some of the points made in the letter,
but he can't understand why some of the things that were said to be done
weren't. Some things should be conditional; the original plans showed metal
facia at the top of the roof and it has never been installed. Chairman
Rosenberg, of the Board of Health, was present and said what Great Woods
said they would do last Spring has been done. He feels the perception of
Great Woods Performing Arts Center was misleading; it was presented as home
of the symphony. He also said the placement, type and number of speakers
of performers is what causes the sound problems. He went on to say DEQE is
satisfied with what the Town has requested of Great Woods and Great Woods
efforts to conform. He reported that members of the Board of Health had
gone into the Big 'E' Mobile Home Park during performances, and the sound
levels were the same as in West Mansfield.
Selectman Dunn said he feels there are two different attitudes of the people
the sound annoys, and often the lawn speakers are completely off. A curtain
was mentioned recently, to kill the sound; he is not sure whether it was
included in the initial plans. Selectman Tartufo said "we should listen to
the message within what was reported that Norton said ". Selectman Dunn
commented, "Don't listen to newspaper reports; have dialogue between town
officials which we did once this year ".
The Board of Health members feel Great Woods did nothing until there was
discussion a couple of years ago about a noise ordinance; also most of the
complaints come from a few.
2. Executive Session /Litigation and Land Acquisition
- Executive Minutes typed separately -
Master Plan Workshop
Kelli Baker, Chairman of the Master Plan Advisory Council, was present along
with Mike LaCasse, Mansfield's former Planning Director who had worked close-
ly with the Council. Chairman Harrington suggested opening the discussion
with questions and /or comments from the Board of Selectmen.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 30, 1988
PAGE 2
Selectman Levine observed that parking for the north end of town was not ad-
dressed; also, she was concerned with the "geometric height expansion ". Mike
LaCasse advised that the Master Plan is the result of a group of 15 studying
and planning over a 2 -year period, endeavoring to show what Mansfield might
be like tomorrow. The suggested 7 -story building height is only considered
for the industrial park; the Building Inspector may only be comfortable with
six floors. There are to be public hearings and the public may show a desire
for a different number; that is what public hearings are for. Presently only
3 floors are allowed. Downtown parking is not included in zoning for the area.
Kelli Baker recommended that the Board
with the Planning Board now while they
rington felt this should be considered
encourages cluster development,
of Selectmen should be "workshopping"
are working on zoning; Chairman Har-
It was stated that the Master Plan
A couple in the audience asked about an alternate truck route off Oakland
Street. They were told the consultant for the Master Plan recommended fur-
ther study of that area. Mike LaCasse estimated the cost for such a study
could be $30,000. Chairman Harrington asked the Town Manager to obtain esti-
mates for the study for the Capital Improvement budget. The Town Manager
then reviewed the two grants which are to be used for Oakland Street and are
to start next Spring.
Selectman Tartufo expressed strong feelings about 6 -7 story buildings, say-
ing they will be there for a long time and will drastically change the scene
in town. Mike reiterated they would only be within industrial parks and along
direct routes, and they will require a Special Permit.
Kelli and Mike were thanked for their time and efforts and for joining the
Board tonight.
Minutes of November 9 & 16, 1988
MOTION: To approve the Minutes of November 9, 1988. Levine /Tartufo
VOTED: 5 -0
MOTION: To approve the Mintues of November 16, 1988. Markt /Tartufo
VOTED: 5 -0
Warrant #22, #23, #23 -A
Motion: To approve Warrant #22 in the amount of $1,235, 201.41, dated
November 22, 1988, broken down as follows:
General Fund -
School Lunch -
Special Revenue -
Capital Projects -
Sewer Enterprise -
Water Enterprise -
Electric Enterprise
$1,064,658.68
7,069.89
22,043.34
928.80
8,404.10
26,664.37
105,432.23
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MEETING
f NOVEMBER 30, 1988
PAGE 3
Tartufo /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 Levine abstained on school items
Markt abstained on police items
* MOTION: To approve Warrant #23 in the amount of $229,005.76, dated Novem-
ber 29, 1988, broken down as follows:
General Fund - $ 51,103.59
Revenue Sharing - 166.00
School Lunch - 12,652.63
Special Revenue - 7,524.12
Capital Projects - 916.98
Sewer Enterprise - 68.83
Water Enterprise - 6,075.26
Electric Enterprise - 150,498.35
Dunn /Tartufo VOTED: 5 -0 Levine abstained on school items
Markt: abstained on police items
* MOTION: To approve Warrant #23 -A in the amount of $252,356.87 for Payroll,
dated November 29, 1988,
Dunn /Tartufo VOTED: 4 -0 Levine & Markt abstained
6. Correspondence
a) Informational Guideline Release from Dept. of Revenue, re: Processing
Application for Hardship Exemption.
b) Letter from Commissioner Garvey, Mass. DPW re: Events concerning Central
Artery and third harbor tunnel project.
c) Copy of letter to Chairman, Mansfield Annimal Welfare Committee from the
President of Just Cats Adoption Shelter, Inc. re: East Mansfield P.O.
building up for sale.
d) Letter from "Maple Street Residents" to the Board re: Littering along Maple
Street.
e) Copy of Rep. Vernon's Press Release re: Award of contract for rehabilitation
of Copeland Drive underpass.
f) Notice from Cable Vision re: Changes in Mansfield Cable Television Rates.
g) Copy of Memorandum to the Town Manager from the Planning Board re: Planning
Dept. budget.
h) Copy of letter to the Zoning Board of Appeals from Chairman of the Planning
Board re: Decision taken on variance request by Donald DesVergnes.
i) Notice of Bristol County Selectmen's Assoc. Quarterly Meeting December lst
at the Diplomat Restaurant, Rt. 138, Easton, 6:30 P.M.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 30, 1988
PAGE 4
j) Information from ICMA re: The Ethics Factor, The First Comprehensive Train-
ing Program on Ethics for Today's Local Government Manager.
k) Letter from DEQE re: First round of annual competition for Compost
Grants Program.
- Selectman Tartufo had a special large bag for leaf composting, which he
displayed, made by Set Point Paper, Inc.; he said the Solid Waste Com-
mittee is studying composting.
1) Copy of letter to Mansfield Police Chief from Stephanie Valanzola, 3 Langley
Drive, re: Gun shots close to her home.
m) Copy of letter to SRPEDD from SRPEDD representative, Kelli Baker, re:
Municipal Assistance Request Form.
n) Copy of letter to Zoning Enforcement Agent from Chairman of the ZBA re:
Complaint from an abutter to Mansfield Fish & Game at 510 East Street.
o) Copy of letter to Building Inspector from William G. Morton, 560 East
Street re: Building of a rifle range by Mansfield Fish & Game Assoc.
p) Copy of letter to the Planning Board from Chairman of the ZBA re: Variance
( Denial for Donald Desvergnes, in answer to Planning Board letter.
q) Notice of DEQE Public Meetings and Hearings re: Regulations to establish
procedures for responding to releases & threats of release of oil and
hazardous materials.
r) Invitation from Mansfield & Mass. Jaycees to a cocktail reception Tuesday,
Dec. 13th, 7:30 P.M. at The Four Hundred Restaurant in Easton.
s) Letter from Mass. Historical Commission re: Beginning of FY 1989 Survey
& Planning grant cycle.
t) Letter from MMA re: New Executive Director, Sheila Cheimets appointment.
u) Invitation to Jaycees Christmas Party Dec. 17th, 7:00 P.M. at the VFW;
R.S.V.P. required by Dec. 5th.
*v) Letter to the Board from John Kaitz, President /National Lumber Co. re:
Mistake made by their contractor and actions to be ta.keni!(see following).
* *w) Memorandum from the Health Agent re: Household Hazardous Cleanup Day report.
x) Letter from owner, Arthur D. Brownell, Taxi -Inn Restaurant re: Change of
location to 270 N. Main Street.
i y) Invitation from the Recreation Director and Director of the Light Dept.
to attend the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony Monday, Dec. 5th at
4:00 P.M. on the South Commons.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 30, 1988
Page 5
z) Letter from Executive Office of Communities & Development, Director, Office
of Rental Assistance, re: EOCD Certificate & Voucher holders.
aa) Letter from Robert K. Hirsch re: Position on Planning Board or Conservation
Commission.
bb) Copy of letter to the Board of Assessors from Chief Malme, Bureau of Local
Assessment re: FY -90 Reassessment Program.
cc) Copies of 3 letters from Town Counsel re:
- Letter to the Town Manager re: Sewer Extension for Trowbridge Woods
- Letter to Dick Lewis, Environmental Planner, re: Amendment to Conservation
Commission's Rules & Regulations
- Letter to Dick Lewis re: Review of Covenant Document
*(v) The Chairman advised that he and the Town Manager had discussed this,
but tonight's agenda was too full to include Mr. Kaitz. The Town Man-
ager will answer the letter and only if there is more dissatisfaction
will he need to meet with the Board. Selectman Levine said the land is
the Town's and the Board makes decisions, not the Conservation Agent;
she questions whether it was a "mistake" and feels they should be willing
to pay damages for what they did. Selectman Dunn said there is value to
the property and the gravel taken out. Consensus of the Board was to
have Mr. Kaitz come to the next meeting of the Board.
* *(w) The Clerk read this and Selectman Tartufo asked that a letter be sent
to the Board of Health for the good job.
7. Old Business - Town Manager
a) Tom asked the Board for a decision as to how to handle the proposed Cobb
Street sale; he would like to not sell all 14 lots individually, but to
promote some "common owners ". He said he also still has some reservation
about proceeding without Town Meeting approval, and mentioned Town Counsel's
opinion recommended going back to Town Meeting for another vote. Chair-
man Harrington agreed with "packaging" some of the lots and advised wait-
ing until after the holidays. There was a question as to what the last
Board vote was concerning this property, so it was left until next week.
b) Tom reported the sale of the land on Rt. 106 last Saturday went for
$38,000; the appraised value was approximately $5,500.
8. Old Business - Selectmen
* a) MOTION: To allow the Board of Health request and to proceed with liti-
gation they were concerned about.
Dunn / Tartufo VOTED: 5 -0
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 30, 1988
PAGE 6
b) Selectman Tartufo said he was concerned with "settling" pavement (road)
where work was recently completed. The Town Manager advised that there
was a consultant on the job, and the contractor has been responsive on re-
pair calls.
c) Selectman Tartufo announced that the Midget A football team had won the
Super Bowl, saying he's not sure it ever happened before, and he thinks
it deserves recognition; he complimented the team and the coaches.
d) Chairman Harrington asked the Town Manager for a full update on position
vacancies next week.
He advised Board members that 13 Town Counsel applications have been re-
ceived and he would like to schedule a discussion of what the Board wants
of a Town Counsel next week.
e) The Chairman also asked Board members to be sure to have any comments
pertaining to the Town Manager's evaluation in by next week's meeting.
9. New Business
a) Selectman Markt raised the question of whether there is any interest in
the present Post Office building, once it is vacated; he said he had
talked with the Postmaster about it. Selectman Markt said if the Town
acquired it, it could then sell it with imposed conditions. The Town
Manager is to pursue this.
b) Chairman Harrington referred to the Town Manager's Memorandum concerning
the Town Accountant six months review; he suggested one or two Board mem-
bers talk with Larry Gallagher; Selectman Tartufo suggested Selectman
Mark and /or Chairman Harrington as being most qualified.
c) Chairman Harrington said he will be out of town for the next two weeks,
except for those two Mondays and suggested changing the Board meeting
night to Monday on December 5th and 12th. He was reminded that there
should be a Light Commissioners meeting December 5th; it was decided that
if anything presssing developed for Selectmen, it could be handled at the
Light Commissioners meeting. The Board of Selectmen will then next meet
December 12th, then return to Wednesdays December 21st.
10. Adjournment
* MOTION: To adjourn (at 11:59 P.M.) Markt /Levine
VOTED: 5 -0
MINUTES APPROVE � - c-�e /�z /o//t Clerk Date signe