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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes03142007-20070329151004 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 14, 2007 Present: Chairman David McCarter, Vice Chairman Louis Amoruso, Clerk George Dentino and Selectmen McCue. 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, 236 Mill St. Resents fact that he was called a liar in an email. He would like the BOS to re-read the emails in question and respond back to him. Questions also about the Housing Trust fund and the housing assistance accounts in relation to the newly created Mansfield Housing Board of Directors. Changes in these funds can be made at the Special Town Meeting. Chief Bellavance and Officer Lawson present. On September 27, 2006 the Board voted to approve a "no parking" restriction on West Cottage Street, along the northerly side of West Cottage between N. Main Street and Old Colony Road. At the December 11, 2006 meeting the Board voted to reconsider the September 27th vote. At that meeting the Board voted to lift the "no parking" restriction on West Cottage Street, along the northerly side of West Cottage between N. Main Street and Old Colony Road and revert back to a 2 hr. parking limit. On January 26, 2007 Police Chief O'Neill asked the Board to reconsider the vote of December 11th allowing 2 hr. parking on West Cottage St. There seems to be confusion regarding which street is the one being addressed. The downtown business owners wrote a letter stating their issues with no parking on West Cottaae St. (Between N. Main St. and Old Colony Rd). Officer Lawson states in his letter of December I, 2006, his opposition to removing parking restrictions on Cottage St. (Identified as on the opposite side of North Main St. on the GIS map.) Chief Bellavance believes that there should be no parking in this area as well. Selectman McCue also thought that there should be no parking on Cottage St. Selectman Amoruso asked about the possibility of 15 minute parking limits. Office Lawson did not think that would work. Selectman Dentino asked about the different ways and streets that fire and police public safety staff would be able to access Cottage St. According to Chief Bellavance 24 feet is the longest ladder on a pumper truck stationed at No. Main St. This is not long enough to reach the top floors of buildings in this area. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 14, 2007 1 He would have to utilize the larger trucks housed at the Plymouth St. and there is not enough room on Cottage St for parking and public safety equipment. Motion: To reconsider the previous vote of December 11, 2006 to lift the "no parking" restrictions on West Cottage Street, along the northerly side of West Cottage between N. Main Street and Old Colony Road and revert back to a 2 hr. parking limit. (Amoruso/McCue) 4:0 passes Motion: (for discussion) To reinstate the parking ban in Cottage Street. (McCue/Amoruso) 3:1 passes (Dentino nay) Motion: For 15 minute parking from Bam to Bpm and no overnight parking on Cottage St. Amoruso/no second. Motion fails Motion: For 2 hr. parking from Bam to Bpm and no overnight parking on Cottage St. Dentino. Amoruso second for discussion. (Dentino/McCarter) 2:2 motion fails (Amoruso/McCue nay) Clerk Dentino read the public hearing notice into record. Motion: To open public hearing. (McCue/Amoruso) 4:0 passes Counsel from McDermott Quilty & Miller LLP, representative from ARG Enterprises and Manager of Record, Mr. Johnson are present. Menu's and floor plans were passed out to the Board. Selectman Dentino commented on the clean record of the company in regards to liquor violations. He also has questions about drinking alcohol in the outdoor seating area. The owner explained the configuration of the patio seating and what would prohibit guests from leaving the premises with their drinks. Mr. D'Agostino asked if the patio could be gated. The restaurant will consider that idea in addition to shrubs around the patio area. Selectman Amoruso asked about where the other locations are in the country and TIPS training that they will be providing. Servers are shown videos and given tests to comply with alcohol training requirements. Selectman McCue asks how the company selects Managers of Record. Mr. Johnson will be here to get the restaurant open and off to a good start and then train another permanent manager. Sandy Lavine, 20 Walnut Street. Does the Town have a law or regulation that states that a company has to use the license in six months? According to the Chairman and the Town Manager they are not aware of any such requirement. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 14, 2007 2 Motion: To close public hearing. (McCue/Amoruso) 4:0 passes Motion: To grant an all alcohol license to ARG Enterprises, Inc. dba Black Angus Steakhouse. (McCue/Amoruso) 4:0 passes Kathy McDonald is present to discuss the kick off for the Air Race. The kick off will be on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at the Tournament Players Club in Norton. Chairman McCarter has questions about the use of the town seal on the letter. This isn't a Town sponsored function however; the event will involve several Mansfield residents and businesses in addition to bring several hundred thousands of dollars to the community. Selectman McCue is glad the event has chosen to end (fly into) at the Mansfield Airport. He also asked about the number of women and girls that will be flying into the Airport. According to Ms. McDonald the exact route and number of planes is yet to be determined. Ms. McDonald read the announcement for the kick off for the public. Tickets are available at Mansfield Oil. Information for the kick off is available at several area businesses. Chairman Andy Gazzolo and the members of the Finance Committee are present. 11 'Yo increase in requests from the municipal side and 14 'Yo increase in requests from the school side. The salary increases and benefits packages for both the municipal and school employees are using a large part of the budget. The school system budget has grown greatly over the past few years and we can not afford another school sponsored override. Education increases have gone up 72% from FYOO-FY07 while the Town side has gone up 28%. Chairman Gazzolo does not feel the Superintendent represented his budget figures as accurately as he could have at last weeks meeting. The Town has a lot of other areas of interest other than just what the school system feels it needs. The Town is already running a deficit making an override even less feasible. Health insurance premium increases have been costly for the both town and schools employees and are being negotiated with their perspective unions. Any cost savings have been already figured into the current budget numbers. Selectman Dentino believes that the Town needs to outsource some of its services as to reduce the man force needed to operate town services. Thus reducing the expenses of salaries, pensions and associated benefits. The Town Manager assures the Board that he is seeking ways in which to reduce expenses and close the budget gap. Selectman Amoruso would like to be able to work with the School Dept and the Finance Committee all together in a workshop format. · Warrant No. 37 in the amount of $2,769,725.09 Motion: To approve warrant no. 37 in the amount of $2,769,725.09 (Amoruso/Dentino) 3:0:1 (Mr. McCarter abstaining from check # 367844) Passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 14, 2007 3 · Minutes of March 7, 2007 Selectmen's Meeting. Correction to page 3, 2nd paragraph. Selectman Amoruso "may not support the override" not.cJoes not support the override. Motion: To approve amended Minutes of March 7, 2007. (Amoruso/Dentino) 3:0:1 (McCue abstains) Passes · Request for Common Victualler's License for Black Angus Steakhouse Motion: To approve Common Victualler's License for Black Angus Steakhouse (Amoruso/McCue) 4:0 passes · Request for Water Installers License renewal for Callahan Inc. Motion: To approve Water Installers License renewal for Callahan Inc. (Amoruso/McCue) 4:0 passes · Request for Water Installers License renewal for Cat Alley Farm. Motion: To approve Water Installers License renewal for Cat Alley Farm. (Amoruso/McCue) 4:0 passes · Request for Water Installers License for Walsh Contracting Corp. Motion: To approve Water Installers License renewal for Walsh Contracting Corp. (Amoruso/McCue) 4:0 passes · Letter to Chairman McCarter from Selectman Dentino regarding his being deposed in ongoing litigation. Selectman Amoruso asks Selectman Dentino why he feels that he needs legal counsel for a deposition. Selectman Dentino feels that this is a political situation and that he is being pursued as a political figure so he feels he needs counsel for protection in this particular case. He is not comfortable with use of Town Counsel; he would like his own legal representation. According to Chairman McCarter Selectman Dentino is afforded legal representation as a Selectman. However, Town Counsel is generally used in most all situations. The questions are: Is Selectman Dentino being subpoenaed as an individual or a Town official? And why can't Town Counsel be utilized in this case? Chairman McCarter and the other Board members do not see why this case warrants separate counsel. · Memo from Town Manager D'Agostino regarding Open House schedule of DPW and Public Safety facilities. The Plymouth Street Fire Station has also been added to the list of facilities to be added to the schedule. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 14, 2007 4 · Letter from Lorilee Fish, Park & Recreation Director regarding the use the Selectmen's meeting room for the summer program "Movies with the stars" series in case of inclement weather. The dates requested are all Wednesday evenings, June 27th, July 11th, 25th, August 8th and 22nd. Once the summer schedule for the Board has been set we will coordinate the two schedules. · Letter of request from D'Angelo's Grilled Sandwiches. They are celebrating their 40th anniversary on Monday, April 9, 2007 and would like to have this day proclaimed as "D'Angelo's Grilled Steak & Cheese Day" in Mansfield. Motion: To send letter supporting D'Angelo's as a long standing business in Town. (McCue/Amoruso) 3:0:1 (Dentino abstains) passes The Town Manager reported the following: · Senior Coffee hour at the COA tomorrow. · Mr. D'Agostino will be meeting with Bruce Montgomery of the Tweeter Center on Monday to discuss this year's license agreement. Will be discussing a fee and charge schedule change. · Selectman Dentino asks Mr. D'Agostino about a school essay contest through the MMA. Mr. D'Agostino will look into it. · Selectman Dentino asks Mr. D'Agostino about the senior work abatement program. There is a backlog of people that are waiting for positions. The intent of the program is to help Senior Citizens with paying their taxes with this work abatement program. This program allows town depts. to utilize these people in specific ways. The positions or chores within the depts. are not created for the purpose of this program. · George memo's from John. Request for copies of emails from between John and the other members of the Board from the time he was elected (May 2006) to now. He has requested 'the emails be available in ten days. · The issue of John's annual review in April. Selectman Dentino stated that Mr. D'Agostino should not get another raise with his review. Chairman McCarter and the other Board members stated that this is only a review; a raise is not always tied to a review. The Town Manager will receive his raise as stated per contract in July. Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 14, 2007 5 Motion: To adjourn at 1O:45pm (Amoruso) 4-0 Passes feo~e- ~ ~~~ Signature of Clerk ??1~ 2/, 2~~? Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of March 14, 2007 6