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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 1-4-1989uvi BOARD OF SELECTMEN .JAW 12 1°89 MINUTES OF MEETING 7 JANUARY 4, 1989 �{• N L PRESENT: Chairman Harrington; Selectmen Dunn, Markt, Tartufo, Levine; Town Manager The meeting was called to order at 7:37 P.M. and the Flag saluted. Immediately following, Chairman Harrington said he wanted to make an an- nouncement. He commented on the commitments he ran on for election to the Board of Selectmen three years ago, he enumerated some of the issues and projects the Board had had to meet. He said he supported those issues which he believed were in the town's best interest, regardless of political fallout. The Chairman then said he will not seek a second term due to a greater time commitment on his job which would preclude his devoting the hours necessary to continue being a good Selectman. He urged his fellow Board members to avoid special interest groups and continue to work on town - wide concerns such as road repairs and water improvements Chairman Harrington then suggested that the Board reorganize now in order to provide the Chairman time to work with the Town Manager prior to Town Meeting, although he said he is willing to continue. He felt it is diffi- cult for a new Chairman to handle things as a new Chairman. Selectman Dunn praised Chairman Harrington's performance, describing him as an intense contributor, someone who believes in something and contributes 100% to attain those goals. He is a strong advocate for the town, its fiscal problems, etc., and he is the strongest individual he has worked with. Selectman Levine seconded Selectman Dunn's sentiments; Selectmen Markt and Tartufo said they have enjoyed working with him, have learned from him and appreciated his intensity. 2. Warrant #28 * MOTION: To approve Warrant #28 in the amount of $1,216,108.76, dated January 3, 1989, broken down as follows: General Fund- $ 950,893.88 School Lunch - 5,601.72 Special Revenue - 9,188.17 Capital Projects - 203,273.00 Sewer Enterprise - 18,486.63 Water Enterprise - 8,442.72 Electric Enterprise - 20,222.64 Dunn /Markt VOTED: 5 -0 Levine abstained on School items Markt abstained on Police items 3. Licenses & Permits a) Application for Class II Used Car Dealer's license, a renewal, Vacher's Auto Repair, 95 S. Main Street. * MOTION: To approve the Class II renewal application. Dunn /Markt VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 4, 1989 PAGE 2 b) Application for Common Victuallers license, VFW Post #3264, 88 Chilson Ave. * MOTION: To approve the Common Victuallers renewal application. Dunn /Tartufo VOTED: 5 -0 4. Correspondence a) Copy of Abend Associates "Final Environmental Impact Report" on Recon- struction of Route 140, Great Woods to Rt. 495, Mansfield. b) Memorandum to the Board from Office of the Secretary of State re: Chapter 281 of the Acts of 1988 (Voter education and voluntary registration ses- sions). c) Copy of DEQE Solid Waste Update. d) Copy of Notice of Option To Accept The Provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 32, Section 22D and Become a Funding System, from Division of Public Employee Retirement Administration. - The Town Manager explained this briefly, saying he and Joan Cutillo are studying it; it could be beneficial for the Town. e) Letter from Secretary Anthony, Executive Office of Communities & Develop- ment re: Directory of Land Use Planning Grant Programs. f) Letter to the Board from Atty. Judith Pickett re: Interview Jan. 14th. g) Memorandum to the Board from Secretary Elinor re: Attached letter from Mansfield Elks re: Donation of plaque for Frederick H. Devine, Jr. * MOTION: To accept the donation and to approve the suggsted location for the monument (corner of Chauncy Street and Winthrop Ave.). Markt /Tartufo VOTED: 5 -0 h) Copy of Building Department report for 1988. i) Letter and petition from Residents for Responsible Development re: Pro- posed Lifecare facility on Willow Street. 5. Open Meeting /Weapons Discharge By -law Acting Lt. Figueredo was present instead of the Police Chief, who was ill, and there was a room full of interested residents for this topic. The meet- ing was opened to the public immediately. There were pros and cons; the Valenzolas of Langley Drive had had a bullet fired into the roof of their home and wanted assurance that this would not happen again. They presented a petition signed by 103 registered voters to bring the question of a by -law before Town meeting. One resident felt there is still alot of open land in Mansfield, and Conservation land bought should be open to residents because their money paid for it. Another resident said there are two types of BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING { JANUARY 4, 1989 PAGE 3 "shooting" - hunters and target shooters; the target shooters are the dan- gerous ones. Someone suggested leaving hunters out of the by -law. A mem- ber of the Fish & Game Club said there are stiff State laws governing dis- charge of firearms and he feels the problem is mainly one of enforcement. At present no one is permitted to fire a gun within 500 feet of a residence; discussion followed on the ability to determine a 500 foot distance. One resident said he was a farmer and needs to be able to shoot woodchucks in his garden, etc. Mr. Bond and Mr. Morton, of East Street, felt that even the Fish and Game Club should have restrictions and went on to complain about the "rifle range" the club is presently constructing. The Town Manager was asked to look into the excavation and building going on there. In answer to Mr. Webster and his concern about being able to shoot woodchuck in his garden, Lt. Figueredo said the law does not prohibit shooting on your own property, but rifles are prohibited in eastern Massachusetts. 6. Executive Session The Board was polled to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition - 5 -0 - and to return to open session. - Executive Session Minutes typed separately - 7. Town Manager /Budget Presentation Both the Finance Committee and the School Committee were invited to attend this presentation, as well as Chairman of various boards and committees, and there was good representation from all. The Town Manager opened the meeting by showing a film he thought was per- tinent; i.e. a speech by Mayor Henry Cisneros of San Antonio, Texas which he made at the 1988 ICMA Conference.which centered on major trends that are affecting local government. The Town Manager said a budget is not just a set of numbers, but a policy setting plans for the coming year. Chairman Harrington said the Town Man- ager has made alot of progress in bringing the School Committee and Board of Selectmen together to work on the budget preparation, and particularly the revenue portion. Tom added that the Town Accountant, Larry Gallagher, was also present and had helped a great deal in formulating the budget. Tom had prepared a flip chart showing Revenue structure, as follows: Taxes - 60% of budget State aid - 17% He said there will be no increase this coming year, he feels Local revenue - 21% Utility fees & permits ( Interfund transfers - 3% BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 4, 1989 PAGE 4 and Appropriations Education - 46% Public Safety - 10% Public Works - 8% Utilities - 10% Insurance benefits - 10% Debt (Capital projects) - 6% General Government - 7% Human Resources - 2% Community Development - 1% He said the budget increase over last year is 2.5 million; $240,000 for needed new positions to give better service. Mansfield's tax rate is 1.7% vs,the allowed 212%. He feels it will be necessary to raise fees charged or cut services. Finance Committee Chairman, Joe Pasquale, was introduced to explain how his committee makes their evaluation of the budget. He said they look at each department budget with the department head, line item by line item, and then determine if the requested increases should be recommended to the Town Meeting. Steve Quinn, representing the Planning Board, then brought up his board's concern over whether they have jurisdiction over their budget, which they feel they should have. He then went on to mention his board's opposition to the change from the title Planning Director to Community Development Director which they oppose because the Town Charter calls for Planning Director and they feel it should stay that until there is a Charter change. Chairman Harrington responded by advising Steve that the Town Manager was to talk directly with the Board Chairman and then meet with the Planning Board to discuss the concern, and Tom said he has talked to the Chairman. Steve said his board feels it is a policy matter which is a Board of Select- men matter, not Town Manager. At this time, Marilyn Ouellette spoke up, explaining that she is serving as Acting Chairperson for the Conservation Commission, and her commission had met with Tom concerning the change of title of their Conservation Agent to Environmental Planner and his added duties, and they also have some concerns about the budget and the regrouping. 8. Old Business a) The Town Manager advised the Board that the Auditors are to meet with the Board at next Wednesday's meeting, followed by Anderson - Nichols to review their report on Mansfield's manganese problem in the water. b) Selectman Tartufo questioned the Board's wish concerning the Health Agent's recent Memorandum recommending a Automotive Household Waste Pro- gram in the Spring. Funds amounting to $7,000 are available. This was taken under consideration. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 4, 1989 PAGE 5 c) Selectmen Tartufo reported that signs indicating to drivers that they are entering Mansfield are either not up at all locations and there are one or more which have the wrong date on them (Rt. 106 from Easton and Rt. 140 from Foxboro are missing; the S. Main Street sign at the Norton line has an incorrect date). The Town Manager will check into this. d) Selectman Levine said she would like the Board to set goals and objec- tives for the Town Manager for next year, and it should be done as soon as possible. 9. New Business a) Selectman Levine said she has received a few phone calls from residents who are unhappy with drastically increased water bills, and also one from a resident who was told he could not get off the sewer line and return to a septic system. A call about this had also come in for the Town Manager, but he had not had time to check into it yet. Since the Board of Health Chairman was there, he advised that a Title 5 regulation will not allow a disconnection from a sewer system; this is because of protection for groundwater, etc. b) Selectman Levine said she had been thinking about the complaints concern- ( ing truck traffic on Oakland Street and she wondered if it would be pos- sible to regulate hours for truck traffic. Chairman Harrington suggested she check with Town Counsel. c) Selectman Dunn mentioned the bi- monthly meetings with other boards and committees and the possibility of establishing goals and objectives for at least some of the boards and committees, and how they impact with others. d) Selectman Tartufo reminded the Board that it was suggested they meet with the Planning Board regarding the Master Plan hearings. Selectman Tartufo was asked to contact the Planning Director or Planning Board Chairman to ascertain when the hearings will be held. e) Chairman Harrington asked if one Selectman could serve as a representa- tive for the Board of Selectmen at the Finance Committee meetings con - cerning the budget. No one seemed to feel certain they could coordinate their schedules, but the Town Manager said he expects to attend all the meetings and could report back to the Selectmen. 10. Adjournment * MOTION: To adjourn (at 10:55 P.M.). SL /JD VOTED: 5 -0 MINUTES APPROVED: ,0� �� /,///i489 Clerk G' Date signed