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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 5-17-1989BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 17, 1989 PRESENT: Chairman Tartufo; Selectmen Dunn, Harrington, Sarro, Manager y 2 4 P89 .. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. and the Flag saluted. 2. Minutes of May 8, 1989 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of May 8, 1989. Harrington / Sarro VOTED: 5 -0 3. Warrant #47 * MOTION: To approve Warrant #47 in the amount of $1,785,904.68, dated May 16, 1989, broken down as follows: General Fund - $ 444,152.10 School Lunch - 9,142.18 Special Revenue - 5,372.62 Capital Projects - 56,991.03 Sewer Enterprise - 5,606.30 Water Enterprise - 5,178.30 Electric Enterprise - 1,259,462.15 Harrington / Markt VOTED: 5 -0 Markt abstained on police items 4. Licenses & Permits a) Application for Sunday Entertainment License renewal for J.E.P.J., Inc. d /b /a Tahana Restaurant. * MOTION: To approve the Sunday Entertainment License renewal. Harrington / Markt VOTED: 5 -0 b) The Clerk read the Paralyzed Veterans Proclamation signed by the Selectmen and presented it to Lois Thomas who then outlined the groups that would be performing on June 3rd. 5. Correspondence a) Memorandum to the Board from the Health Agent re: Report on Automotive Waste Collection Day. b) Memorandum to Chairman Tartufo from Chairman of the Board of Health re: Meeting with Board of Selectmen. c) Letter to the Board from Chairman, City Council Committee for Taunton's 350th Anniversary re: Invitation to attend the Council meeting May 30th. d) Memorandum to Board of Selectmen and other boards & committees from the Town Manager re: Policy for use of Old Colony right -of -way. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 17, 1989 PAGE 2 e) Copy of letter to Agent re: Proposal erty. John Kaitz, National Lumber Co., from the Conservation to use and improve a small portion of Town -owned prop- f) Letter to Selectmen from Director of Education, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy re: Workshop entitled "New Revenues Without New Taxes: Utiliz- ing Public Real Estate ". g) Letter to the Board from Mayor Flynn re: Meeting with Bristol & Worcester County legislative delegations, May 16th, to discuss Local Aid. h) Copy of Housing Voucher Program announcement. i) Memorandum to Selectmen from Director of Environmental Affairs re: En- vironmental Leadership Training Institute. j) Letter to the Board from Dept. of Public Utillties re: Bay State Gas public hearing for an increase in revenues. k) Copy of letter to Town Counsel from Director of Planning & Development re: Time frame for an application for a Special Permit. 1) Letter to the Board from Paul Folkman re: Entrance way for Beaumont's Pond Subdivision, Maple Street. m) Copy of letter to Chief Engineer, Executive Office of Transportation & Construction, Dept. of Public Works, from the Town Manager re: State's plan for the Gilbert Street bridge. n) Letter to the Board from Review Commissioner, Commission Against Dis- crimination re: Civil Rights Review Comments. - The Town Manager clarified somewhat o) Copy of letter to Director, Mass. Executive Office of Environmental Affairs from SRPEDD Executive Director re: Reconstruction of Rt. 140. p) Invitation to American Red Cross Annual Meeting & Award Ceremony, 6/5/89. q) Announcement of South Shore Housing Community Workshop: Housing Rights & Resources, June 7th. r) Copy of letter to the Town Manager from Town Counsel re: Need for fur- ther Town Meeting action relative to annual budget recently approved. s) Copy of Division of Local Services BULLETIN re: Contingent Appropriations. 6. Albertini Memorial Presentation Ed jameson and Ed Marcheselli had provided a blueprint showing their sug- gested location and layout for location of the James Albertini memorial plaque presently on Mansfield Avenue. They asked to be allowed to move it to Kingman Avenue. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( MAY 17, 1989 PAGE 3 * MOTION: To approve the request. Harrington /Markt VOTED: 5 -0 7. Paul Folkman / Beaumonts Pond Paul Folkman was present to explain his proposals for connecting the Mans- field and Foxboro water systems for his definitive subdivision plan as sub- mitted to the Towns of Mansfield and Foxboro (for land abutting Beaumont's Pond). His plan is to place shut offs on each side of the town line, with the valves to be opened only in the event of an emergency need in either com- munity. The Town Manager said neither he nor staff have any problem with this proposal and feel it is something the Town should encourage. * MOTION: To approve the policy in concept. Sarro /Harrington VOTED: 5 -0 It was noted that the proposal also needs to go to Foxboro; the Town Manager will handle it. Paul Folkman's second proposal was for approval to construct a public roadway through the island area separating Maple Street from Old Maple Street as part of his Beaumont's Pond Subdivision. He had included engineering drawings and advised that he believes it will make for a better, safer road system. Paul also explained that he needs permission to go onto Town land to do it. Paul reported he has talked to all the abutters. The Town Manager advised that staff has a few concerns which he elaborated. Paul said he will clean up the island, remove the asphalt and replace with loam and seed. It is ex- pected that a homeowners' association will be formed which will become respon- sible for upkeep of the island area. * MOTION: To accept plans with conditions that area be beautified and main- tained by homeowners association with no expense to the Town and contingent upon approval by the Planning Board - "agreed in concept ". Sarro /Harrington Further discussion indicated Paul will need a temporary construc- tion easement; and he agreed to reimbursement of Town Counsel ex- penses. VOTED: 5 -0 Following the Paul Folkman discussion, Chairman Tartufo announced that Ralph Seifert, who had been present during the disucssion, had served on various boards and committees for thirty -one years and was now retiring as Chairman and member of the Industrial Development Commission. * MOTION: That Ralph Seifert be given a plaque for his many years of dedica- cation and service to the town. Harrington / Sarro VOTED: 5 -0 l BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 17, 1989 PAGE 4 8. Capital Projects /Town Engineer a) Bob Swanson had a Sewer Extension Permit application for ISPO and advised State approval had been received. It is for an 800 foot conneciton into the sewer interceptor on Branch Street; the application has not yet been filled out for six lots. The Board inquired about this going against the sewer Master Plan; Bob felt it would be a severe economic hardship. Selectman Sa.rro said he felt there should be a requirement to follow the Master Plan. Discussion fol- lowed concerning a Camp Dresser & McKee evaluation, and in the interim the Board felt it did not want to approve this just because it is best for the developer. * MOTION: To not approve. Markt /Dunn VOTED: 4 -0 Harrington abstained b) Selectman Dunn summarized the proposal of a gravity system down Willow Street to an 18" main and into Reservoir Street. Bob was asked to get a flow meter for a gravity flow from the Life Care facility south on Willow Street all the way to Leonard Streeet pump station. The Town Manager said he felt the Life Care people should be brought in to discuss this signifi- cant project; it was decided to try for two weeks from now. c) CDAG I and II - Both are finally progressing well; final plans will be ready in 3 -4 weeks. CDAG I - sidewalks and drainage CDAG II - reconstruction of Oakland Street from Swett to Mansfield Avenue; Swett to Francis Avenue to have overlay. Work is expected to conclude by end of July. d) North Main & Chauncy Streets - The Town Manager reported that Cataldo Engineers need more funding for design work. Chapter 90 is paying for the design work and there may be difficulty with the State. Selectman Sarro expressed concern for only one traffic light which is in the center of the intersection, the other one got wiped out, and coming up from the underpass it is difficult to see the one light. The Town Man- ager said he will talk to the Light Department Manager in the morning. e) Forbes Blvd. & West Street Traffic Lights - The consultant has asked for more money and the Town Engineer is negotiating with the State. f) North Main Street reconstruction - The Town Manager and Town Engineer met with the downtown merchants who advised that parking is the biggest prob- lem for them; the Chamber of Commerce was also at the meeting. The Town Manager said he would like the Selectmen to meet with the same group soon. Selectman Dunn again brought up putting the telephone poles underground. The Town Manager said he is meeting with the Telephone Company next week. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 17, 1989 PAGE 5 He said this project is a year away and he is considering a full lane overlay since it is a year away. Selectman Harrington inquired about obtaining the vacant lot next to the fire station. The Town Manager said he has been talking with the owner but they are far apart. 9. Old Business - Town Manager a) Notice has come from the State that Mansfield's grant application for co- composting will not be funded this year; there will be future funding cycles. b) The flushing program is completed. It has been a very good program with very few complaints. Water cleared up much more quickly, There was one isolated problem on Ware Street last Saturday; they are not sure of the reason why it occurred, but possibly because the Dustin Well had been off. 10. Old Business - Selectmen a) Selectman Harrington asked for an- update on the road work downtown. He was told it will be 6 -8 weeks until the overlay after testing is done. The Town Manager then briefly reviewed the situation with the closing of Copeland Drive due to the two pumps failing. At present it is open again, one lane. Chairman Tartufo again asked for a list of projects with accompanying time table for work, completion, etc. b) Selectman Harrington stated he would also like an update meeting on the train station situation. The Town Manager said he has been in touch with Francis Gay of GATRA about a possible contract award; he said the issue is anything but dead. Selectman Harrington said he would like a meeting with GATRA as soon as possible. 11. New Business a) The Town Manager reported he had received a letter from the U.S. Post Office informing him that the Mansfield Post Office building is for sale and the Town has first opportunity to purchase it. Problems are financ- ing and specific use; the Post Office will not offer an appraised value. There was discussion and it was felt that the building has alot of value as a key parcel in the downtown area. It was suggested that Barney Frank be contacted and an appraisal is needed. Selectman Harrington said he does not want to see alot of money spent (fair market price) for a non- specific use. The Town Manager was asked to get more information and to also let the Planning Board know about it. Opinion was expressed that if the building is sold to a private individual, there should be certain restrictions placed on its use. Selectman Dunn pointed out that it has limited parking, which could restrict its use. The Town Manager was also BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 17, 1989 PAGE 6 asked to check into the one -time discussion about retaining the mail boxes at the old post office. Selectman Sarro mentioned the possibility that the Electric Department may have to move, so maybe the post office build- ing would be a possibility for that use; the Board seemed to think that was an excellent idea. b) The Town Manager advised he has received notice of a grant period for re- imbursement for a water meter _repalcement_ program; it will be open for two weeks. Jerry St. Hilaire is working with Anderson - Nichols & Mass Installa- tion to put a comprehensive application together (possibly $40,000 to $120,000). 12. New Business - Selectmen a) Selectman Sarro reminded Board members that he wants meetings with the Police, Fire, DPW Departments as his priority. Selectman Harrington said he supports this to learn goals, needs, problems, etc. The Town Manager suggested having the Board go to the various departments to see the facil- ities, etc. and that, perhaps, cable TV could film such visits to run later. b) Selectman Dunn reported that SEMASS had met with the Solid Waste Study Committee and the committee learned that capacity already available has been spoken for and there is a waiting list. Selectman Dunn said he would like a draft letter to ask SEMASS to be put on the waiting list; also a future letter indicating future interest in a recycling proposal; both letters to be reviewed by the Board and the Solid Waste Committee. Sel- ectman Dunn said he feels the Board should consider the Millis recycling program. c) Chairman Tartufo said Town Meeting has concluded, so now the Board must consider an override. He asked the Town Manager to work up information pertaining to one, and he felt the question should be pursued as soon as possible. The Town Manager advised there is a need for State figures, also new growth figures. MOTION: To ask the secretary to send a Memorandum to the Board of Assessors to meet with the Board next Tuesday, May 23rd, with explanation of what the.Board.is,looki`ng.for. Sarro /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 13. Adjournment MOTION: To adjour n MINUTES APPROVED (at 11:25 p.M.). Harr- ington /Markt /t'% / / r / r< Clerk fli VOTED: 5 -0 ` . Date signed