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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 9-13-19890 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 1989 PRESENT: Chairman Tartufo; Selectmen Harrington, Sarro, Markt; Town Manager Selectman Dunn arrived at 8:55 P.M. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. and the Flag saluted. 2. Minutes Approved MOTION: To approve the Minutes of August 22, 1989. Harrington / Markt VOTED: 4 -0 MOTION: To approve the Minutes of September 6, 1989. Harrington / Markt VOTED: 4 -0 3. Warrant #13 MOTION: To approve Warrant #13 in the amount of $1,215,130.77, dated September 12, 1989, broken down as follows: General Fund - School Lunch - Special Revenue - Capital Projects - Sewer Enterprise - Water Enterprise - Electric Enterprise Markt /Harrington VOTED: 4 -0 4. Correspondence 1,151,670.76 4,203.99 22,816.93 5,575.83 6,494.64 4,944.67 - 19,423.95 Markt abstained on police items a) Letter to Chairman of the Board from Lt..Gov. Evelyn Murphy re: Second conference co- sponsored with the John W. McCormack Institute of Public Affairs of the University of Mass. at Boston, Sept. 28th. b) Letter to Charman Tartufo from Congressman Barney Frank with a recent letter received from the U.S. Postal Service, Government Relations Dept. Selectman Harrington suggested referring back to interest expressed by a couple of local businesses two years ago. Chairman Tartufo reminded members that the Chamber of Commerce had been sent a copy of the previ- ous letter; why not refer this one to it also. c) Copy of letter to The Folkman Company from William & Pauline Morrison, 328 Maple Street, re: Roadway extension from Beaumont's Pond Subdivision. d) Letter to the Board from Mass. Housing Partnership re: Time to consider redesignation. e) Announcement of Tri -Town Chamber of Commerce affair "Business After Hours" to be held at Great Woods, Sept. 27th, 5 -7 P.M. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING ( SEPTEMBER 13, 1989 PAGE 2 f) Memorandum to the Board from Dept. of Revenue Division of Local Services re: Emergency Assistance Fund. g) Notice of two (2) Mansfield Planning Board public hearings re: - Petition by Peter M. DeGirolamo, Jr. to amend Mansfield Zoning Map - Master Plan study to "Recodify" the Zoning By -laws. h) Memorandum to the Board & Solid Waste Committee from the Town Manager re: Placement on SEMASS waiting list. i) Letter to the Board from Nicholas C. Harris, Trustee /Global Realty Trust, re: Request to place on Special Town Meeting Warrant sale of Town -owned parcel located between Balcom Ridge I and Balcom Ridge II. - See under 'Old Business' j) Copy of letter to the Regional School District Committee from Dept. of Revenue, Division of Local Services, re: Available fund figure in excess of 5% of budget which must be used to reduce assessments. Q Letter to the Board from Shawnut Arlington Trust Co. re: Automated Trash Collection Billing & Receivable Software. 1) Letter to the Board from Bruce Montgomery, General Manager of Great Woods, re: Jerry Garcia concert. The Clerk was asked to read this letter. Selectman Harrington then mentioned that each Selectman was at Great Woods over the weekend, the police coverage was more than doubled, Great Woods security was in- creased, and there were undercover police. There were also clean -up crews in the communities following the concerts, and a walking patrolman in the neighborhoods. Selectman Harrington said he was very proud of the way the weekend went overall and Chief Earls deserves alot of credit. Selectman Sarro echoed Selectman Harrington's praise of the Police Chief and Police Department. Bruce Montgomery, General Manager of Great Woods, was present for this discussion and restated what he had written in his letter - that "Great Woods will not present this type of program in the future ". * MOTION: To send a letter of commendation to the Police Chief and Police Department on the excellent job. Sarro /Harrington VOTED: 3 -0 (Markt out of room during this discussion) Selectman Harrington added that a State Tooper commented that Mansfield did a greater job than what is done at Sullivan Stadium. Bruce Mont - gemery thanked the Board members for what they have said tonight. Antoni Bielan, 900 South Main Street, said this year has been one of the best, and he was very pleased with the handling over the weekend. He said Sunday was no different that when the Boston Pops is playing. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 1989 PAGE 3 m) Letter of resignation, Jonathan Pierce from the Finance Committee. MOTION: To accept the resignation with deep regret and send a letter of sincere appreciation. Harrington /Markt VOTED: 4 -0 Camp Dresser & McKee /Landfill Update Bill Mackey was present to report on the status of the closing of the East Street landfill. The Town Manager first briefly reviewed preliminary plan- ning and the fact that 112 million was approved by Town Meeting for closure. He said there is periodic groundwater testing done and he has written the State asking for reassurance that if the Town proceeds with the capping pro- cess it will be eligible for reimbursement when funding is available. He is trying to secure this assurance in writing. Bill Mackey then reviewed their participation to date: they became involved in the Spring of 1987 when severe rains caused leachate breakouts. They were asked to do groundwater monitoring of existing wells. The leachate has not gotten any stronger or weaker. They were also to prepare a closure plan and they prepared a topographic map. There is an oil pipe line going through the landfill; the Town Manager is working with Shell Oil Co. to resolve this problem. Camp Dresser & McKee worked with the Town to file an application for a grant for the closure; State funds are not available now, but the Town was originally placed on the second list for applicability. Bill said they feel it is best to prepare a very preliminary closure plan, then sit down with the State officials. Their plan is to use an impervious material and cover it with grass. Still to be decided is how to handle the two small landfill areas discovered; this will be influenced by the State. These steps should be completed by the first of the year with the hope of bidding the project mid - summer 1990. Delays on the pipe line relocation and /or State reviews could prolong the process to Spring 1991. Selectman Harrington inquired about the cost today in relation to the Town Meeting figure approved; Bill Mackey indicated it will depend on the State review, but he feels it should be close barring any complications due to the oil pipe line problem. Brief discussion followed, ending with the Town Manager assuring the Board he will be keeping them posted on progress and developments. 6. Robin Meadows /Gary Forget Gary Forget had written a letter to the Board requesting certification for sewer tie -in for thirty (30) luxury apartments at the end of Webb Place, this being necessary to secure a Special Permit from the Planning Board. Mr. Forget was present for discussion. The Tosco Manager advised that the Town Engineer did not yet have the information he needs; i.e. amount of gallons and pipe capacity. The request could be approved tonight contin- gent upon the Town Manager receiving information needed, or waiting. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 1989 PAGE 4 Mr. Forget then said he had talked with the Town Engineer in the afternoon. He explained he has an option for the land and would like to receive his Special Permit prior to the possible zoning change at the Special Town Meet- ing October 16th. The Town Manager added that this connection would also require a State application; Town Engineer feels there is no problem on capacity. * MOTION: To certify subject to final approval by the Town Engineer with his report back to the Board. Harrington / Markt VOTED: 3 -0 Sarro abstained 7. Recreation Commission Interviews Two applicants were present: Patrick F. Burns Ronald C. Reeves 67 Creeden Street 1766 West Street Each applicant was asked to give a short indication of their interest and experience, then each was asked a few quesitons by Board members. Select- man Harrington questioned any conflict due to Mr. Burns' connection with winter basketball, concerning which Town Counsel had written an opinion. * Selectmen Harrington nominated Patrick Burns with Town Counsel's designa- tion as a "Special Municipal Employee ". Selectman Mark nominated Ronald Reeves. VOTED: Burns - 3 Harrington, Dunn, Tartufo Reeves - 2 Markt, Sarro The Town Manager will report back next week as to the appropriate designa- tion of Mr. Burns on the Commission, after checking with Town Counsel. 8. Joe Pasquale /Finance Committee The Town Manager had asked Chairman of the Finance Committee, Joe Pasquale, to be present for a discussion about Free Cash /Stabilization Fund and Re- serve Fund Transfers. The Town Manager handed out information covering Analysis of Local Reserves and Revenue and New Aid Calculations which he reviewed briefly. Among other points, he explained how the State aid figure is attained. He said using Free Cash affects State aid; the only part affected by new acquisi- tion is New Aid; this year there was no State aid. He reviewed the Finance Committee's recommendation to retain the amount in Free Cash and place $100,000 in the Stabilization Fund. * MOTION: To support the Finance Committee recommendation. Harrington / Markt It was stated that Free Cash cannot be spent without a vote of Town Meet- ing. Selectman Harrington urged the Board to leave it there for balanc- ing the budget next year. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINTUES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 1989 PAGE 5 VOTED: 5 -0 The Town Manager then advised been moved up to an 'A' grade good news for the community. the Board that the Town's bond rating has by Moody's as of yesterday; it is very very Selectman Harrington thanked the Town Manager and financial team on their presentation which accompanied this. He said they should be commended - Joan Cutillo, Tom Dwyer, Larry Gallagher, Shaun Burke and John Larch. Chairman Tartufo spoke of it as a tremendous credit to the Town staff. Reserve Fund Transfers - Chairman Tartufo pointed out that "Selectmen endorsement ", as indicated on the Transfer form, has no bearing on the Finance Committee decision; it is strictly a Selectmen recommendation. Selectman Harrington said the Reserve Fund is not for when a fund is ex- hausted; departments should plan in advance and not wait until an account is exhausted. Joe Pasquale agreed. Selectman Markt said the Board needs current status of the departments. Selectman Harrington felt there is a need for the Town Accountant to make periodic reports on the status of department accounts. The Town Manager said he and staff are trying to work into a more sophisticated fiancial status, reports, etc. Select- man Dunn suggested only encumbering Reserve Account money as it becomes needed because there could become a greater need some time later. * MOTION: To adopt the procedure as outlined. Dunn /Harrington Selectman Dunn said this is only a step in the right direction; possibly down the road encumber the Reserve Fund totally. VOTED: 4 -1 Sarro opposed Selectman Harrington stated he thinks the Finance Committee has really evolved over the past three years and he commends them. 9. Old Business - Town Manager a) Asked about the Oakland Street project, the Town Manager said he be- lieved the work should start tomorrow. Selectman Harrington asked him to write a Press Release on it. b) Referring to use of the old Post Office building, Tom reported that the Planning Director, Shaun Burke, had made contact with new per- sonnel; they had received the Town's letter and are willing to talk in a couple of months. He advised that municipalities have first pref- erence. c) In response to Selectmen Harrington and Sarro's proposal to use Chap- ter 90 funds to resurface roads which could then be done sooner than waiting to use it for reconstruction, then later Town funds could be used for the reconstruction, making no difference in the long run, Tom advised that State requirements are more complicated and restric- tive. Selectman Harrington said he would like that option forwarded BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 1989 PAGE 6 to the Capital Improvement Committee (to use Chapter 90 money "up front "). The Town Manager said he would like to see resurfacing rein- stituted regularly. Chapter 90 funds equal $140,000 - $200,000. Sel- ectman Sarro said he would like to see Chapter 90 funds used. Selectman Harrington said he would like to volunteer for the Capital Improvement Committee; Selectman Markt said he would also. 10. Old Business - Selectmen a) Selectman Markt asked for a schedule next week of the rest of the department review /visits. b) Selectman Dunn brought up Selectman Sarro's previous question of cost for composting. Selectman Dunn felt it would not cost much and he would like to see some started as soon as possible. He asked the Board to support the concept so that it can be studied. * MOTION: To advise the Solid Waste Committee the Board will support a composting program this Fall as long as it can prove there will be no cost to the Town. Harrington /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 * c) MOTION: That the Board would like to direct the Solid Waste Committee to provide a feasibility study for incineration as an alter- nate consideration to resolve our solid waste problem. Dunn /Sarro VOTED: 5 -0 d) Selectman Dunn asked that the Board make at least one appointment to the Agawam Regional Solid Waste Committee, advising that Michael Van Splinter is a co- chairman, so he feels he should be appointed. * MOTION: To appoint Michael Van Splinter as a representative to the Agawam Regional Solid Waste Committee. VOTED: 3 -1 Tartufo opposed; Sarro abstained Discussion followed concerning why the Board had not made an appoint- ment last week, feeling Mansfield's Solid Waste Committee should have a voice in the representation. * MOTION: To reconsider. Dunn / Markt VOTED: 5 -0 * MOTION: For the Solid Waste Study Committee to make two appointments which the Board of Selectmen would ratify. Dunn /Sarro VOTED: 5 -0 e) Special Town Meeting - The Town Manager advised that the Alma Street ( petition has received 100 signatures so it will have to be added to the Warrant, and must be transmitted to the Planning Board immediately. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 1989 PAGE 7 * MOTION: To endorse the Alma Street petition. Sarro /Harrington VOTED: 5 -0 Discussion turned back to the request from Nicholas Harris concern- ing the Town -owned parcel between his Balcom Ridge I and II and his desire to have an article to sell it put on the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Selectman Harrington asked if there would be any restrictions placed on the money received for the sale, thinking particularly of using it for capital projects. The Town Manager advised there are several considerations. * MOTION: To table until next week. Dunn /Markt VOTED: 4 -0 (Tartufo out of room during this discus- sion) 11. New Business a) The Chairman advised that the Assessors have new assessment figures available now, then reminded everyone there will be the usual Classi- fication Hearing Wednesday evening, September 27th, at the Selectmen's meeting. b) Selectman Dunn reported there is a drainage problem on Hope Street near the tennis courts, on both sides of the street; the Town Manager will look into it. 12. Adjournment * MOTION: To adjourn (at 11:05 P.M.) Sarro /Markt VOTED: 5 -0 MINUTES APPROVED: Clerk %, f Date signed