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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 02-04-2015Board of Selectmen Minutes February 4, 2015 Present: George Dentino, Chair; Jess Aptowitz, Vice Chair; Olivier Kozlowski, Clerk; Doug Annino, Frank DelVecchio; William Ross, Town Manager Chairman Dentine, called the meeting to order and reminded everyone the meeting is being broadcast live and taped for future broadcast. Consideration of Application of Richard Kelsay for Opening on the Council on Aging Mr. Kelsay said he has been going to the Council on Aging since he retired and has been involved in activities like TRIAD and art classes, and would like to serve on the COA as a way to give back. He said he has volunteered with many organizations and feels he has the experience to help. Mr. Annino thanked Mr. Kelsay for volunteering to serve. He said the COA is an excellent organization with great staff and volunteers. He urged Mr. Kelsay to attend Town Meeting when he can. Mr. Aptowitz said the COA is important to the Board of Selectmen, as well as the residents. He said the town has a growing senior population and he welcomes volunteerism. Mr. Kelsay said he has also been involved with the Food Pantry and there are a lot of seniors in need. [Mr. Kozlowksi arrived at this time] Mr. Dentin said the staff at the COA is great and he thinks Mr. Kelsay will be a welcome addition. Motion: To appoint Richard Kelsay to the Council on Aging (Aptowitz - Armino) All in favor. PASSES Consideration of Carol Roberts for Constable Mr. Aptowitz said Ms. Roberts has been very involved in the town and has several glowing recommendations. Mr. Annino said he is impressed by the number of recommendations Ms. Roberts received from so many people he respects. Mr. Dentino said Ms. Roberts has done a great amount of work for the town and would be a great addition to the constable roster. Ms. Roberts explained a constable's job is to serve important papers and subpoenas. Slue said she is also a Justice of the Peace and a Notary Public, and is going to be a Notary commissioner. Mr. Ross said Mansfield currently has ten constables, with two others planning to apply for the post. Ms. Roberts said of the ten constables, there is only one other female. Motion: To appoint Carol Roberts a Constable (Aptowitz - Armino) All in favor. PASSES Board or selectmen's Meeting FebWary 4, 2015 Page 1 of 7 The applicants were not present; the board decided to push the discussion off to give them time to arrive. r"'r r 2 + ✓zr t- ?. .?, a i a€ Sx ✓3 aL -; on�of��ytgph >< ou;iom�'Pm�a4�Ser�e�'�9�Cha� �Mansfi�ld Relayr�o ,l r�if fo. n1pu1�RQ1 kftlrf atnsBels] lI?gh,Sirooly "�. Tina Seiler. eo- chain explained the Relav for Life is scheduled for.hure 12- 13.2015 at Mansfield High School. The event starts Friday at 6 pm and runs until noon on Saturday. They will also hold Market Day on May 9, 2015 from 9 am -2pm on the South Common. The fundraising tracking thermometer will be placed on South Cormnon, along with a barrier. [Mr. DelVecchio arrived at this time] Mr. Aptowitz asked if the event will require police and fire details; Ms. Seiler said it will. She said the American Cancer Society fiords the detail officers, and they will work out the details before the event. Mr. Annino asked how long the sign would be on the South Common; Ms. Seiler said as a way to encourage donations, it would be tip from mid -April to mid -June. Mr. Ross said that sign has not been a problem in the past. He said the banner typically stays up for two weeks. Mr. DelVecchio said this event is an asset to the town. Mr. Dentino asked if a common victualler's license would be needed for the food service; Ms. Seiler said they get a permit from the Board of Health. Mr. Ross said he would look into the need for a common victualler's license as well. Mr. Dentino said the Relay for Life is an important event in town and is well attended. Motion: To approve the Relay for Life event Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Mansfield High School subject to satisfactory permits obtained by Board of Health for food service, Fire Department for use of propane, Building Department for tents and Electric Department for generator (Aptowitz- Amrino) All in favor. PASSES Motion: To approve the banner as presented (Aptowitz - Annino) All in favor. PASSES Motion: To approve the signage as presented (Aptowitz- Aimino) All in favor. PASSES Motion: To approve the fee waiver request associated with any town permits, including common victualler's license, if necessary (Aptowitz - Annino) All in favor. PASSES Motion: To approve the use of the South Common on Saturday, May 9, 2015 for Market Day subject to approval by the Board of Health and Fire Department (DelVecchio - Annino) All in favor. PASSES Board Of Selectmen's Meeting February 4, 2015 Page 2 of 7 Mr. Ross said he hopes to find out tomorrow about the new insurance rates that will take affect July 1. I-Ie said he has budgeted a 6% increase, but is hoping it will be less. He said the last remaining bargaining units have agreed to shift to the Blue Cross Value Plan, so the remaining employees still on the more expensive plan, most of who are in the School Department, will be moved effective April 1. FIe said it would be a $50- 55,000 savings. Mr. Ross said Governor Baker has announced his planned budget cats, and has not cut unlimited local aid or Chapter 70. FIe did make small cuts in special education finding, charter school reimbursement and library finds. Mr. Ross said they are working toward balancing the budget, and will have a better idea when the health insurance numbers are in. Mr. Ross said there are two bargaining units with whom the town has not reached agreements, but he said he thinks it is close. Mr. Annino asked about the school budget; Mr. Ross said the superintendent has indicated he will have some proposals soon, but is not ready to release them publically at this time. Mr. DelVecchio asked for the FY16 budget to be placed on the agenda for the next budget committee meeting. Mr. Ross said the next meeting will be in late February and said he would add the FYI budget to that agenda. Mr. Aptowitz said the initial budget had a $2.7 million shortfall and asked if that has changed; Mr. Ross said it has not, but he hopes it will change after the insurance numbers are established. Mr. Aptowitz suggested establishing a schedule to help get the budget information out to the residents well before Town Meeting. Mr. Kozlowski suggested press releases to explain the status; Mr. Ross said that would be done as the budget moves forward. He said the Visual Budget web page on the town's website will be constantly updated as the budget changes. Mr. DelVecchio said lie thinks that page is difficult to navigate and asked if there is a tutorial; Mr. Ross said he would check with Mr. Stanbrook. Mr. Ross said the town had appropriated $389,440 for snow removal; the balance going into the latest stornns was about $251,000. He said that includes things like salt and repair work on snow equipment. I-Ie said the January 26 storm cost $82,000 in plowing, equipment repairs and salt delivery. He said he planned to ask the Finance Committee to allow deficit spending, and planned to use $200,000 from free cash for snow plowing. He said he has already talked to the Finance Committee about allocating reserve funds at the end of the fiscal year. Mr. Aptowitz said the reserve fund would likely be used up, so free cash would have to be used. Mr. Ross said free cash is available for unexpected things, so if no emergencies arise, that $200,000 should be sufficient. Mr. Ross said the Finance Committee reserve funds would be the first place to go; free cash requires Town Meeting approval. He said when the Capital Improvements Committee allocated finds for the fiscal year, it left $200,000 for potential snow removal costs. Mr. Ross said the legislature allows towns the ability to deficit spend for snow removal, but the town must maintain its current level of appropriation, which for Mansfield is $389,440.00. If that is lowered, then the town exceeds it in the following year, it would not be allowed to deficit spend the year after, so the towns tries to leave the amount at a reasonable level. Mr. Aptowitz asked about federal fronds for Board Of Selectmen's Meeting February 4, 2015 Page 3 of 7 large storms; Mr. Ross said a request has already been submitted. He said Bristol County may not be included in the federal finding; Mr. Aptowitz suggested talking with Mansfield's state reps about helping with that. Mr. Ross said he has started that conversation. Mr. Ross said everyone involved did a great job keeping the streets clear, especially during the blizzard. He also commended the residents for staying off the streets, which helped crews to keep the streets clear and freed up public safety officials. Fire Chief Neal Boldrighini said there was very little in terms of emergencies during the blizzard. He thanked Mansfield's residents for clearing the fire hydrants; he said 80 -90% of the hydrants were shoveled by residents. Mr. Ross said the Police Department recently got several four -wheel drive vehicles, which Chief Ron Sellon said made a big difference in the department's ability to get around during the storm. FIe said the governor instituting a travel ban helped keep the emergency call volume down. Mr. Dentin asked if the $389,440.00 includes overtime; Mr. Ross said there is overtime appropriated in the snow and ice budget. He said straight time, for plowing during normal hours, is charged to DPW. Mr. Dentino said the snow removal budget has gone up slightly each year, and lie appreciates how much that has helped. He said DPW, Police and Fire did a terrific job handling the storm. A. Minutes January 21, 2015 B. Approval of Warrants • Town Vendor Warrant No. 15031T $47,052.20 • Electric Department Vendor Warrant No. 15031E $49,145.18 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 15032T $1,765,365.94 • Electric Department Vendor Warrant No. 15032E $47,306.58 • School Department Vendor Warrant No. 15032S $457,168.19 C. Licenses and Permits • Consideration of Drainlayer's License for US General, Inc. • Consideration of Water Installers License for US General, Inc. D. Banners and Signage Consideration of Banner Request from Council on Aging for Holiday Fair Motion: To approve the consent agenda (DelVecchio - Aptowitz) All in favor. PASSES Town Payroll /Town Medicaid Payroll Vendor Warrant No. 15031PT $299,369.92 Motion: To approve Town Payroll /Town Medicaid Vendor Warrant No. 15031PT $299,369.92 (DelVecchio - Aptowitz) Four in favor. Dentino opposed. 0 abstentions. PASSES Town Vendor Deductions Warrant No. 1503 ITV $97,882.07 Motion: To approve Town Vendor Deductions Warrant No. 15031TV $97,882.07 (DelVecchio - Aptowitz) All in favor. PASSES Board Of Selectmen's Meetiag February 4, 2015 Page 4 of 7 School Payroll /School Medicaid Vendor Warrant No. 15031PS $1,510,680.84 Motion: To approve School Payroll /School Medicaid Vendor Warrant No. 15031PS $1,510,680.84 ( Aptowitz- DelVeechio) Four in favor. Amrino opposed. 0 abstentions. PASSES School Vendor Deductions Warrant No. 15031SV $483,358.02 Motion: To approve School Vendor Deductions Warrant No. 15031SV $483,358.02 ( Aptowtiz- DelVeechio) All in favor. PASSES Town Payroll /Town Medicaid Payroll 15032PT $386,471.94 Motion: To approve Town Payroll /Town Medicaid Payroll 15032PT $386,471.94 (DelVeechio - Aptowitz) Four in favor. Dentino opposed. 0 abstentions. PASSES Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 15032TV $121,559.58 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 15032TV $121,559.58 (DelVeechio - Aptowitz) All in favor. PASSES 1. Letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding Modified Flood Hazard Determinations. Mr. Ross said the maps have not changed, but Town Meeting will have to adopt minor amendments to the by -law. Mr. Dentino asked if the Conservation Agent reviewed the changes; Mr. Ross said he will check that. 2. Receipt of Southeastern Regional School District 2013 -2014 Annual Report 3. Letter from XFinity Regarding Its Response to Comcast Customer Video Service Related Issues. Report on the Status of the Montessori School Agreement and Possible Alternatives Mr. Ross said Land Court has decided in favor of the school about the new location they have proposed; the school would have to file site plans and building plans. IIe said when they get a building permit, the law allows the residents to appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals, which would determine whether the building inspector properly issued the building permit. If the ZBA finds the building inspector issued a permit improperly, the applicant could appeal; however, if the ZBA finds the permit was properly issued, the neighbors could appeal. Mr. Ross said lie informed the owners of the school of these possibilities; they were concerned about adding the cost of a legal fight to the cost of preparing and filing plans. He said the agreement about the guard rail at the current location has run out, so it either needs to be renewed or the guard rail removed. Mr. Dentino said the guard rail was put up to prevent vehicles from entering the playground area. Mr. Armin said part of the playground is on the town's right -of -way. Mr. Aptowitz said they are using town land with no lease agreement; Mr. Ross said the time has expired on the license agreement. Mr. Aptowitz said the town has to be fair to everyone who requests to use town land. FIe said if the board decides to grant it, it would have to decide on a fee for the use of the land. Mr. Dentin agreed. Mr. Ross said he would bring additional information to the board. Mr. Aptowitz said he is concerned about this use of town -owned land setting a precedent, so the board should have a policy. Board Of Selectmen's Mecting Febmary 4, 2015 Page 5 of 7 Consideration of Contract Renewal for Town Manager Mr. Aptowitz asked if proposed the salary is the same as Mr. Ross's current salary; Mr. Ross said it is. Mr. Aptowitz said his current contract goes to January 2016, so the new contract would go from January 2016 to 2019. He said the Board of Selectmen has the ability to review the salary. Motion: To sign the contract renewal (Annino - DelVecchio) All in favor. PASSES Mr. Annino said his neighbor had a power outage in the middle of the night during the storm and he met several police officers during the emergency, who were kind and considerate. Mr. Aptowitz thanked both chiefs for their cooperative work during the blizzard. Mr. Kozlowski said the chiefs attended the meeting to speak to the event application for the antique auto swap, and the applicant did not attend. He asked if the board should act on the application. Mr. Dentino said he doesn't want to act on the application without the applicant in attendance. Chief Sellon said he would rather wait to talk about it when the applicant is in attendance. Mr. Ross said SRPEDD will be doing a housing needs study, and he is exploring other ideas to use funding. Mr. Ross said he spoke with Daniel St. Clair from Spaulding and Slye, which manages the properties Prudential bought from Prologis in the business park. They are very interested in redeveloping several parcels and would like to meet in March. Mr. Ross said the February 11 agenda is very light, and asked members to contact his office if they have anything to add. Mr. Dentino suggested starting to think about the XFinity license; Mr. Ross said he has spoken with the chiefs about that and agreed it is time. He said they agreed the lawn area needs better lighting, especially since XFinity is selling "mega tickets." Mr. Ross said the first organizational meeting of the newly re- formed IDC will be tomorrow at 6:30 in 3 alb. He said the new members will be good at promoting Mansfield to businesses. He said he would provide a presentation from the MMA conference about promotion, including coalitions of communities. He said it might be worth looking at a coalition with Foxboro and Norton to help attract economic development opportunities to the area. The three town managers Will meet next week. Mr. Ross said the Finance Conunittee will be meeting tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Ross said trash pickup has been delayed one day this week because of the snow. Mr. Dentino said he attended a meeting in Taunton about marketing, and would provide copies of the presentation to the other members. Mr. DelVecchio said the re- formed IDC is exciting, and thinks the Virtual Budget will be a good tool. He asked if the board is supposed to appoint a representative to the Communications Committee; Mr. Ross said he believes so. Mr. DelVecchio said the Finance Committee is doing a good job; he mentioned they will have an article in the newspaper, which he said is generally positive. Mr. Kozlowski said some parts of that article appear to advocate for certain things at Board Of Selectmen's Meeting February 4, 2015 Page 6 of 7 Town Meeting. Mr. Annino said he appreciates the Finance Committee getting out in the public eye and being proactive. Mr. Annino asked if SRPEDD could help with build -out and school enrollment numbers; Mr. Ross said the housing needs study would help with build - out numbers. Mr. Ross said Mansfield has had rapid growth with a peak in enrollment, which is starting to come down. Mr. Annino said it would be prudent to think about where the town wants to be in terms of population and industrial bases. Mr. Ross said there are still several parts of town that could be developed, but said the town is close to capacity at the wastewater plant. Mr. Annino said it is important to have a build -out plan to guide how the town will look and function. Mr. Ross said the new public safety building is necessary, not only because the existing facilities are outdated, but because the population has shifted. Mr. Ross said lie has spoken with Ron Morgan at the MBTA about the rail crossing, which would help Mansfield plan for redevelopment of the train station area. Mr. Annino said the contact with Spaulding and Slye is a great opportunity to market the town; Mr. Ross said the conversation was very positive. He said Spaulding and Slyc also does Transit Oriented Development work. Mr. Kozlowksi said several members attended the MMA conference and he attended a breakout session on stormwater management. He said he has spoken with Mr. Azinheira about getting that information out to the public; the public comment period has been extended to February 27. Mr. Aptowitz said he is trying to organize a meeting of the Audit Committee. Mr. Ross said the Annual Town Meeting warrant is now open and will close March 2. Mr. Aptowitz said he attended firefighter award night and mentioned Howard Fiske, who was recognized for over 50 years of service to the department. Mr. Aptowitz asked residents not to shovel snow into the sheet. Mr. Ross said the biggest problem is commercial properties. The board put the discussion off several times to give the applicant time to arrive; no one was in attendance. Motion: To adjourn at 8:50 pm ( Aptowitz- Annino) All in favor. PASSES '[ Signature of Clerk Board Of Selectmen's Meeting February 4, 2015 Page 7 of 7 6.11.15' Date of Approval