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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes01312007 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 31, 2007 Present: Chairman David McCarter, Vice Chairman Louis Amoruso, Selectman Michael McCue and Selectman Ann Baldwin. John D'Agostino, Town Manager The Board of Selectmen's meeting was called to order at 7:30pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Steve McCaffrie, Mill St. Comments about his email correspondence with the Selectmen. And his corresponding answers from the Town Manager. Mr. McCaffrie also has questions about the contract the Town has with Town Counsel. Bill Clemmey, 9 Deer Path Circle, comments about the delay of appointments to the Board of Assessors. This Board is coming into an important time in the year and is short a Board member. Chairman McCarter presented Mr. Liddick with a plaque for his 12 years of service to the MBC. Mr. Liddick has provided guidance and leadership to the committee and the BOS appreciates all his hard work. MBC Chairman Bill Moore, Vice Chairman Amoruso, Selectman McCue and Town Manager D'Agostino all added their appreciation for all the time and dedication that Mr. Liddick has given to the Town. Vice Chairman Lou Amoruso read the public hearing notice into record. Beverly Estes Smargiassi, Community Development Grant Manager and Gale Farrugia, COA Director and Wayne Darragh, Vice-President, Community Opportunities Group are in attendance. Motion: To open public hearing. (Amoruso/McCue) 4:0 passes Beverly spoke briefly about the current community development program that is ending soon. Community Opportunities Group is seeking a new state block grant on behalf of the Town for up to $1 million. This grant funding would be used for downtown fa~ade upgrades and two housing rehabilitation projects. The three projects would take about 18 months, starting later in the year if approved. Funding for this project would come from the MA Community Development Block Grant II Program; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds this program. Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 31, 2007 1 Selectman McCue asked about the possibilities of using this program to purchase the property next to the No. Main St. fire station for possible re-use by the Town. Beverly stated it may be possible however; she would have to look into the requirements of the program further. Chairman McCarter asked about the changes in the new, proposed program in where the current program has focused heavily on residential rehabilitation. Mr. Darragh spoke about the differences in the upcoming program that would allow for both residential and commercial rehabilitation as opposed to the only residential rehabilitation of the present program. Although the grant program selection is competitive the combined bonus points the Town could receive for utilizing a mixed use application would be looked at favorably by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The target area for this program would be the center of Mansfield, which is the most densely populated area in addition to one of the oldest parts of Town. Beverly referenced the proposed Community Development Strategy's (CDS') List of Priorities, which was distributed at the meeting. She explained that the CDS is a synthesis of the planning tools, such as the Town's Master Plan, that Mansfield has developed over the last decade, and incorporates the priorities that are identified within those planning documents. The CDS must be submitted with the CDF II funding application. Vice Chairman Amoruso asks that people with questions get them to the Selectmen's Office by next Friday, January 9, 2007 for review. Town Manager D'Agostino asks Mr. Darragh about funding for certain municipal buildings that are in need. Mr. Darragh responded that they would be interested in exploring funding options for this proposal. Chairman McCarter stated his appreciation of the thoroughness of the Priorities List in taking into consideration the needs of the Town and increased public safety personnel. Selectman Baldwin asked if the program application would need a letter of support from the BOS. Mr. Darragh stated that any letters of support would be appreciated. Motion: To close public hearing. (McCarter/Amoruso) 4:0 passes Motion: To support the CDF2 grant application with funding for up to one million dollars and send a letter of support. (Baldwin/ Amoruso) 4:0 passes Karl Clemmey appears for application for Associate Member of the ZBA. Mr. Clemmey stated his past experience with boards and committee's. Selectman Amoruso asked Mr. Clemmey about how he would handle cases that involved his family members businesses. Mr. Clemmey stated that as an Associate Member he would probably not be involved much but if he was he would abstain from that particular case. Mr. Clemmey does not plan on being part of the day to day process of the ZBA he would like to assist when necessary. Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 31,2007 2 Motion: To appoint Mr. Clemmey to the ZBA as an Associate Member of the ZBA. (Amoruso/Baldwin) McCue/McCarter nay. Motion fails 2-2. Rick Mahoney appears for application for Cable Access Board of Directors. He has provided voice over services for athletic games on cable access. Selectman McCue asks Mr. Mahoney if he attends town meeting and Mr. Mahoney stated that he does try to when possible. Chairman McCarter commends Mr. Mahoney on his volunteer efforts in the Town. Motion: To appoint Mr. Mahoney to-the Cable Access Board of Directors for an unexpired 3 year term in April 2008. (Amoruso/Baldwin) 4:0 passes Julie Hunter and Maureen Doherty are in attendance for application on the MBC. Mrs. Doherty expressed her continued interest in the MBC. She has served in an administrative capacity in the past and is certified in many municipal applications. Julie Hunter is also interested in serving the Town as she is a licensed Electrician and has several years of construction experience. Selectmen McCue and Amoruso feel the Town is lucky to have two well qualified candidates. Selectman Amoruso asked the candidates if there were specific projects they were interested in. Mrs. Hunter stated that there were no specific projects that drew her to the committee, she just wants to serve. Mrs. Doherty stated she has worked on several projects and her favorite was the Fire Station. She would like the opportunity to do more. Motion: To appoint Julie Hunter to the unexpired term that expires Jan 2008. (Amoruso/McCue) 4:0 passes Motion: To appoint Maureen Doherty to a 5 year term on the MBC expiring Jan 2012. (Amoruso/McCue) 4:0 passes Ed Westhaver and David Kobasa are in attendance to apply for the position on the Recreation Commission. Mr. Westhaver has been involved in youth sports programs for years and would like to serve on the Commission. Mr. Kobasa is also looking to serve on the Commission as he has young children and is interested in getting more involved in the recreation opportunities that the Town provides. He would like to bring more marketing and exposure of the programs provided by the dept. to the residents. Mr. Westhaver is concerned about the amount of playing fields and sports facilities that the Town has to offer. Both candidates stated that they would be able to limit requests for field time and having to say no to requests. Selectman McCue asked the candidates if they had any thoughts about the light situation on the Plymouth Street fields. Mr. Westhaver stated that he thought the Plymouth St. fields have opportunity for expansion and possibly lighting. Both candidates stated that they do attend town meetings. Chairman McCarter asked the candidates what they thought the Commission could offer the teenage population in Town. Mr. Kobasa would want to work with the schools in Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 31,2007 3 coordinating teen sports and activities. Mr. Westhaver is focused on the use/availability of playing fields for all ages. Motion: To appoint Ed Westhaver to a 3 year term on the Recreation Commission expiring Jan 2010. (McCue/Amoruso) 4:0 passes Chris McGowan is present to update the BOS on events going on in the community. The train rails to New Bedford project is being filed again with the legislature. The Regional Transportation plan is being held here in Mansfield in May. Training for first responders must be certified by June of this year. There is also an opportunity for reimbursement of funds expended for training. There are a few intersections in Mansfield listed on the top 100 most dangerous intersections in the SE region as well as the state. SRPEDD has been in contact with the Police Dept regarding possible solutions to our dangerous intersection issues. Other communities in the SE region are beginning to formulate plans on addressing these issues. The use of traffic cameras have been utilized by other parts of the state and may be an option for this area. Selectmen McCue and Amoruso are hesitant to use such a system however the BOS would look at such systems if found necessary. Attorney Robert Mangiaratti is in attendance for update on the issue of Town Counsel. Chairman McCarter states that Atty. Mangiaratti has changed law firms and he would like to clear up any problems and misconceptions that have arisen due to his professional change in law firms. Atty. Mangiaratti asks that the Board appoint him as the Town of Mansfield's legal counsel. The contract of 1989 has been renewed several times with Atty. Mangiaratti as lead counsel. The legal fees/rates would remain at the current rate until further notice or negotiation. Under town charter legal counsel serves at the will at the Board. Motion: To retain Atty. Mangiaratti as the Town of Mansfield's lead counsel with his present firm, Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane. (McCue/Amoruso) 4:0 passes Mr. D'Agostino will send a letter to Atty. Mangiaratti renewing his appointment with the Town as lead counsel with his present law firm. . Warrant No. 30 in the amount of $2,031,485.01 Motion: To approve warrant no. 30 in the amount of $2,031,485.01 Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 31, 2007 4 (McCue/Baldwin) 3-0 (Mr. McCarter abstaining from check #366155) Passes . Warrant No. 31 in the amount of $2,833,200.55 Motion: To approve in the amount of $1,891,043.49 (McCue/Baldwin) 3-0 (Mr. McCarter abstaining from check #366502) Passes · Minutes of January 3, 2007 Selectmen's Meeting Motion: To approve Minutes of January 3, 2007. (Baldwin/ Amoruso) 4:0 Passes . Minutes of December 21, 2005 Executive Session. Motion: To release minutes of December 21, 2005 Executive Session. (Amoruso/Baldwin) 4:0 passes · Water Installers License for P. Beatty Excavation Inc. Motion: To approve Water Installers License for P. Beatty Excavation Inc. (Baldwin/McCue) 4:0 Passes . Water Installers License for Brunelle Contracting. Motion: To approve Water Installers License for Brunelle Contracting. (Baldwin/McCue) 4:0 Passes · One-Day Beer & Wine License for the Courtside Pub at the Mansfield SportsPlex,31 Oxford Road (Police has reviewed and signed off on application) Motion: To approve One-Day Beer & Wine License for the Courtside Pub at the Mansfield SportsPlex,31 Oxford Road (McCue/Baldwin) 4:0 Passes · One-Day Beer & Wine License for the Tri-County Beagle Club, 440 School St. (Police has reviewed and signed off on application) Motion: To approve License for One-Day Beer & Wine License for the Tri-County Beagle Club. (McCue/Baldwin) 4:0 Passes · Letter from Paul Cote, Government Relations Director, of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association regarding assistance in participation of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. (Last week of March through last week of April). Vote to participate in program, grant authorization for placement of sign and designation of public safety official to work with group. Motion: To forward to police dept for participation. (Amoruso/McCue) 4:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 31, 2007 5 · Correspondence from the Board Chairman, David McCarter. Letter to Bernard McCourt of Mass. Highway Dept. regarding grass strip issue at 444 Pratt St. · Email from Mass. Highway Department regarding on-going projects in Mansfield. · Correspondence from Town of Norton, regarding information about roadside memorials. Forward to Police Dept. for review. · Letter from Department of Housing & Community Development regarding update to the Chapter 40B Subsidized Housing Inventory. The Town of Mansfield is currently at 11.67'70. · Letter from Police Chief O'Neill regarding the outstanding actions of Firefighter Ryan Palmieri during the Acella train accident two weeks ago. Letter read into record by Vice Chairman Amoruso. Chairman McCarter would like to have a guideline and ceremony to recognize outstanding performance. The Town Manager reported the following: · Neckties are available for sale at various stores in town to support the MHS swim team. · The Town of Mansfield's water pollution program was recognized for excellence by the State at a ceremony recently in Boston. Congratulations to Ken Hackett and the entire department for their great work. · Possible tour of water facilities for Selectmen. · Recap of New England Folk Festival presentation of last meeting. Campers and RV's are going to be directed towards Canoe River Campgrounds and Normandy Farms in Foxboro as no over night parking will be allowed on town streets or property. · Report of FYOB budget outlook outlined by Mr. D'Agostino. These are projections at this time as the Governors budget has not been released. · Compilation of budget/personnel priorities for FYOB. Dept. heads that are requesting additional personnel will be asked to come to next meeting to discuss increased budget needs. · Selectman Baldwin asks when the next fire/police union negations are being held. · Selectman McCue has nothing. · Selectman Amoruso has nothing. Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 31,2007 6 · Chairman McCue asks about the pending legislation that would let municipalities participate in the state healthcare program. · Meeting with Tweeter Center for license renewal needed soon. Notify the dept. heads of need for meeting. · RFP for Fales Oil property is still needed. Staff will be preparing RFP for the Board's approval. Motion: To adjourn at 1Q:25pm (Amoruso) 4-0 Passes feo~~ ~ ~~~ Signature of Clerk r~ I~ 2~~? Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of January 31,2007 7