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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 01-04-2017Minutes of Board of Selectmen Meeting January 4, 2017 7:00 p.m. Present: Jess Aptowitz, Chairman; Frank DelVecchio, Vice -Chairman, Michael Trowbridge, Clerk, George Dentino, and Steve Schoonveld. Also present was William Ross, Town Manager. 1. Meeting Called To Order At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Aptowitz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Chairman reminded everyone that the meeting is being broadcast live and taped for future broadcast on Mansfield Cable Access. He asked if there were any members of the audience recording, to which there was no response. 2. Consideration of application of new officer/director, new stockholder, and change of beneficial interest for LR Kyoto, Inc. dba Kyoto Japanese Steak House in accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 138 Section 12. Mr. Chung Lee, Legal representative for LR Kyoto, Inc and Ms. Xiu Hui Lin, Manager of LR Kyoto, Inc. were present to requested approval of their application for new officer/director, new stockholder, and change of beneficial interest for LR Kyoto, Inc. dba Kyoto Japanese Steak House for the all alcohol license. Mr. Lee stated that everything will remain the same in regards to hours and staff, and that the request is to add an office and stockholder to the license due to some personal matters of Mr. Long Xing Lin . Mr. Trowbridge confirmed that this application was routed through Town Hall and had no other comments or questions. Mr. DelVecchio had no comments or questions. Mr. Dentin had no questions. Mr. Schoonveld confirmed that the application was complete. Chairman Aptowitz commented that this is the third time that there has been a change to the license. Motion to approve the application of of new officer/director, new stockholder, and change of beneficial interest for LR Kyoto, Inc. dba Kyoto Japanese Steak. Trowbridge/DelVecchio Passes: 5:0 3. Discussion and consideration of renewal of use of a portion of Town property located at 12 Creeden Street by Hands -On Montessori School. Selectmen Trowbridge recused himself from this discussion and left the room. Emily Miller, owner of the Montessori School is present to discuss the consideration of use of town property for their playground. Mr. Ross stated that this consideration is to allow for use of the guard rail in front of the school in order to allow the appropriate amount of playground space in front of the building. It renews every year at this time. Ms. Miller stated that she was surprised to be called in at this time because the agreement usually expires in June, at the end of the school year. She took responsibility for not noticing the change until she was called in for tonight's meeting. Mr. Schoonveld asked if the agreement would be extended to June 30, 2018. Mr. Ross stated that yes, it would be. Mr. Dentino, Mr. DelVecchio, and Chairman Aptowitz had no comments regarding the agreement. Motion to approve the agreement through June 30, 2018 and authorize the Town Manager to execute on behalf of the Board. Schoonveld /DelVecchio Passes 4:0 Trowbridge recused himself. 4. Update from the Planning Board. Present before the Board is H. Thomas French, Sharon Friedman, Joseph Cerretani, Michael McClanahan, and Ralph Penney members of the Planning Board. Mr. French gave his overview of their recent projects and upcoming considerations. He stated that they recently approved the medical marijuana dispenser, coming up they will have a hear on 55 and over apartments off Spring Street, and next week they will have a hearing on the consideration of 192 additional parking spaces on the west side of the train station. The Planning Board feels that big issues in the coming year will involve the downtown area. Mr. French gave an overview of the current and proposed projects in the downtown area. Concerning the proposal for the addition of 192 parking spaces on the old Cleveland Twist lot, Mr. French stated that the Planning Board hopes this is the first step for moving forward with a mixed use TOD development on that side of the tracks, Board Of Selectmen's Meeting November 16, 2016 Page 1 of 6 and the Planning Board has asked the developer to take them through their plan. He added, that the Planning Board would expect that any TOD development would be a private/public partnership to improve the egress to and from the area and potentially other infrastructure. Mr. French stated that the Planning Board is looking forward to working with the recently formed Downtown Committee. He noted, one item the Planning Board is intending to bring to the next Town Meeting is the creation of a zoning bylaw for locating a recreational marijuana facility. Mr. McClanahan mentioned that there is a study on the north access for the traffic flow that the Mass DOT is looking into and the Planning Board is requesting that they be involved. Mr. Penney stated that the downtown is always on every new Board of Selectmen's agendas, but nothing gets done. Ms. Friedman stated that with all due respect to Mr. Penney, a new Downtown Committee has been established and they should be given a chance and Chairman Aptowitz agreed. Mr. DelVecchio, the Selectmen's representative on the Downtown Committee, gave his overview of the Downtown Committee and its plans and asked that the Planning Board give them a chance to improve communication and get things done. Mr. Schoonveld stated that they Board has spent a lot of time developing this Downtown Committee to help the Board to make decisions based on the Committee's research and recommendations. Mr. DelVecchio added that Nfr. Ross is the chairman of the Downtown Committee. Mr. Ross stated that the Downtown Committee is already getting things done, such as the additional lighting along the Old Colony Trail. Mr. French summarized by stating that he thinks the downtown is the best he's ever seen it and it continues to get better. Mr. Trowbridge agreed. He stated that the Downtown is in great shape and now the Town needs to look at what can be done to enhance it, such as improved parking. Ms. Friedman stated that some of the parking issues may be perception and there may be opportunity to park that could be considered. Also, she added that there has been discussion about having a cultural district in town which would involve several committees as well. Mr. Penney asked what the plan is for the North Main Street fire station property and the adjacent lot. Chairman Aptowitz stated that the Town needs to figure out what the best use would be for the majority of Mansfield. Mr. Penney asked if the Town would consider selling the property. Mr. Ross stated that when we get to that point, the Town would have to look at the investment of improvements to property as it is 80 years old. Mr. Trowbridge asked if the Planning Board sees any commercial expansion in the hidustrial Park. The Planning Board stated no. Mr. Ross stated that one of the things that the IDC discovered was if an owner is making x $ per square foot on a current lease, it's hard for them to consider tearing the building down for possible future use. All agreed that these kinds of changes will take time as business needs change. Mr. Dentino stated that several properties on South Main have changed and the street is losing all of its mid-size houses. He stated that the developers are the ones changing downtown. He stated that it will be challenging to address parking and traffic. Mr. French noted that Mansfield is a desirable location. Mr. Ross stated that knocking down older homes to build a much larger house could be a real issue and perhaps this is something the Planning Board could look at. Chairman Aptowitz stated that the flip side is that a new, bigger property generates more tax income. The Planning Board noted, in regards to the aging population and the need for over 55 properties, they are limited to areas with water and sewer. Mr. Schoonveld agreed that we do need to be mindful of zoning bylaws to balance housing renovations with possible issues. Concerning the Industrial Park, occupancy changes were made a couple of years ago and changes in the industrial park will turn over in time. In regards to zoning issues, he asked the Planning Board if they feel there are any changes needed or needs that should be addressed. Mr. Schoonveld asked about public development of additional access to the train station lots. Mr. French stated that a private developer is not going to be able to get it done. His opinion is that the Town is going to have to get that done. Mr. Schoonveld asked about lighting issues, he asked if some of those issues come in front of the Planning Board. Mr. Penney stated that they have been looking at illuminated signs, but they typically go Board Of Selectmen's Meeting November 16, 2016 Page 2 of 6 before the ZBA for a variance first. Chairman Aptowitz thanked the Planning Board for their dedication to the work of the Planning Board and the Town. 5. Presentation of FY18 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. Mr. Ross addressed the Board of Selectmen with the proposed budget, giving each member of the Board a copy. He stated that copies will be distributed to the Finance Committee and he will be working on getting a date set up for the first budget sub -committee meeting shortly after Superintendent Gianetti makes his budget presentation. This budget uses the moderate assumptions contained in the five-year plan and the assumption that state -aid will increase by half of one percent. Mr. Ross stated that the governor will give more information about the aid at his meeting on Saturday morning of the MMA conference and Mr. Ross feels it is important for as many members of the Board to be present at the Governor's address as possible. He stated that the budget utilized a rate increase of 10% for employee health insurance, but the hope is that it will be less. He added, the Board will receive information on the rate increase from Blue Cross later in January at the Health Group meeting. One positive item to note, the amount to be paid to Bristol County Retirement will be less than last year. The Town has several requests for additional staff included in this budget. One such addition addresses some issues that Boards and Commissions have encountered, that is to add a part-time minutes taker for some of the Boards that do not have regular staff. Mr. Ross added, for the time being the money will come out of the Board & Committee budgets, but in the proposed budget this expense will all be put in one place. This person would only be paid an hourly wage when they are taking minutes and typing them up. This position would be less than 19 hours and have no benefits. The Town is proposing to add a bookkeeper to the Finance Director/Town Accountant's office. FYI is the year the Plan was to look at additional staffing in the Finance Office, it is also the year that the assistant Town Accountant is retiring. The Town will be reviewing the financial software, this budget includes no money for financial software as this study would be considered in a future fiscal year. The Town is proposing to add a Procurement Officer position for all of the municipal operations and for such School Department operations as they feel appropriate. MIS is looking for a part-time technician to work on MIS projects related to safety issues. Fire Department is requesting the addition of a full-time EMS coordinator, as this effort is currently being handled by two fire fighters and coordination of regulations is not being kept up with as well as it should. Highway Department is proposing two additional skilled labor positions, one in the highway budget and one in the sewer budget. Town is proposing to add hours to the part-time fuel assistance position. The library board is requesting one additional part-time librarian position. Mr. Ross is recommending the Park & Ree director being increased to 37.5 hours to meet the demands of that office. Mr. Ross will be meeting with individual department heads to go over their budgets. Additionally, the major department will be coming before the Board in the next few weeks to present an overview of their budgets. Mr. Ross noted, the beginning deficit that is in the proposed budget is lower than the budgets presented in the last three years. He feels that moving forward the Town is in good shape. Free cash has been reduced by $250,000 down to $250,000, with the goal of being zero next year. The Finance Committee chair requested that $500,000 be included in the budget reserve fund in order to account for any special educational needs that are over and above the available funding. The Superintendent does not feel that that is necessary. Mr. Ross stated he feels that adding that $500,000 was unnecessary, but suggested that the Board may want to hear the Finance Committee's point of view on the matter. Mr. Ross stated that the budget does fund OPEB in the continuing amount of $400,000 plus funding from the enterprise funds in the amount required. This budget would also completed the budget for the budget stabilization fund. In talking with John Stanbrook we will be in compliance of all of our policies, such as dropping the use of free Board Of Selectmen's Meeting November 16, 2016 Page 3 of 6 cash, building up the stabilization fund, continuing to try to build up the OPER. Mr. Ross stated that he looks forward to working with the budget sub -committee and department managers. Mr. Trowbridge asked to add a weekly agenda item for Budget Update. He also requested an electronic version of the proposed budget. Mr. Ross noted that one change already found in the proposed budget is an expense for Fire Department of $60,000 that should have been $6,000. The proposed budget has a deficit of $2,285,862, which is lower than we have had in the past. The overall budget is up 3.4%. The Town side is up about 2-2.5%. Mr. DelVecchio mentioned the management study that was done by the former Finance Committee and stated that it seems that every year the Town looks at that as a more of a guideline than we should. He stated that he doesn't look at the study as a checklist, but looks at it as an opportunity to improve and we might not necessarily need those positions. He asked if we could put some kind of a red flag on the Bristol County Retirement as we want to be sure to keep it in mind for next year as it is an anomaly and will not reoccur. Mr. Ross stated that one of the things he wants to do next year is redistribute the cost of the pensions to the departments. For example, police, fire, and electric can retire on full pension at 55 years of age, but the rest of the staff is 65, so perhaps more of the cost should be absorbed by those departments. Mr. Ross stated that he did not get as much of the performance included as he wanted to because it is going to take some more work. Mr. DelVecchio stated that special education spending is one of the biggest variables in the budget. He added, it would be nice to put some thought into finding some way to smooth that volatility in the special education budget. Mr. Ross stated that the school is careful on spending the money they receive from the state because a change in just one or two students can make a big difference. Mr. Trowbridge noted that the one big item that are up -in -the -air is healthcare. He asked what the amount going into Capital Stabilization was. Mr. Ross stated zero. Chairman Aptowitz would like to see a reconciliation of the FYI free cash. Mr. Trowbridge stated he wanted to get a date set, either January 18th or 25th, for a meeting for the budget sub -committee. Mr. Dentino asked about the increase for health care. Mr. Ross stated that he budgeted for 10% increase, but is hoping for a 7-8% increase. Mr. Dentino asked where the Town is with unfunded liabilities. Mr. Ross stated that we are $50-55 million in the hole, or more depending on how it's calculated. Mr. Schoonveld stated that it is important for the audience to understand that this is just an initial budget, as Mr. Ross has not met with the departments yet. Mr. Schoonveld noted, with respect to special education, in working with the Superintendent, Mr. Vozzella and others on the School Committee they will collectively be able to provide the Board with a way to deal with those needs. Chairman Aptowitz stated that the Finance Committee has a couple of members dedicated to working with the schools. Mr. Schoonveld stated that they have been working very closely to see what the past impact has been and no one wants to cut anything because of a one-year expense and that is the definition for the need for a reserve. Mr. Schoonveld wanted to set the record, FY 17 budget was $90.8 million, FYI $94.3 million in revenue. He stated that he would like to look more closely at how that revenue growth was developed. Mr. Ross stated that John Stanbrook worked with the Board of Assessors on the construction that is going on. Board Of Selectmen's Meeting November 16, 2016 Page 4 of 6 Chairman Aptowitz stated that it is important to him to see the reconciliation of free cash, so he would like Mr. Ross to follow up with him on that. He also wants to get into the details of the additional personnel requests to make sure they are needs and not wants. 6. Continued Discussion on the update of Public Safety/DPW Complex Costs Mr. Ross stated that there is nothing new to report tonight. 7. Resident Questions and Comments. None 8. Review and Approve Consent Agenda All items on the Consent Agenda may be adopted with a single motion. Any member of the Board of Selectmen may request that an item be withdrawn from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration in which case that item will be voted on separately from the remainder of the Consent Agenda. All licenses have been routed through Town Hall Departments and any conditions have been noted below. a. Approval Of Board Of Selectmen Minutes For: • Meeting Of December 28, 2016 • Vote To Approve Warrants: Town Vendor Warrant No. 17027T in the amount of $1,379,953.78 Electric Department Vendor Warrant No. 17027E in the amount of $273,166.85 School Department Vendor Warrant No. 17027S in the amount of $645,616.11 Motion to approve the consent agenda. Trowbridge/Schoonveld Passes: 5:0 9. Consideration And Approval Of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 17027PT in the amount of $357,976.24 Motion To approve the Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 17027PT in the amount of $357,976.24 (Trowbridge/DelVeechio) PASSES 5:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 1702TV in the amount of $113,976.59 Motion To approve the Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 17027TV in the amount of $113,976.59 (Trowbridge/DelVecehio) PASSES 5:0 10. Correspondence • Letter from Verizon notification of channel change. • Letter from Verizon notification of rate increase for Fios TV or Fios Internet Plan. 11. Town Manager's Report Mr. Ross followed up on the correspondence from Verizon. The Town offices have received several calls concerning the changes. There is a new NBC Boston station has started with zero viewers and until they have substantial viewership in Bristol County they cannot be carried by Comcast and Verizon. It is highly unlikely that they Boston NBC station will ever be carried by cable because in order to establish substantial viewership views would have to have an aerial signal. There have been some articles in the paper related to this frustrating situation. Mr. Ross stated that the Town will be doing some grading on Webb Place. The underground work is complete. The Town is arranging for a crew to do temporary paving in the next couple of weeks and it will be redone in the Spring. Concerning lighting on North Main and Oakland, the Town is going to turn off some of the new lights to see if we need to keep both sets of lights on. The Town has added some lights in the trail area, behind Jimmy's Pub, and will be creating some additional parking spaces. There will be a sub -committee established to identify parking downtown, and to look at the pathway area from Downtown to Fulton's Pond. One item of note is that there should be some lighting on the pathway, but there are houses on both sides. Mr. Trowbridge stated that on Old Colony Trail, corning off N. Main Street onto Old Colony, there is a significant puddle and residents are concerned about it freezing. Mr. Ross said he would have it Board Of Selectmen's Meeting November 16, 2016 Page 5 of 6 addressed. Mr. Ross stated, the Branch Street Solar has not been turned on yet by choice, not the Town's. There have been two more appeals filed by the WSA Property owner. One to the Zoning Board of Appeals, and one related to the Planning Board issuing a special permit. In speaking with Town Counsel the Town will need to do more than file an appearance in regards to the Planning Board side, because with that one the statue is specific that the Town has to defend that, so there may be some expense in defending that. Mr. Ross plans to talk to the defendants about reimbursing the Town for that expense. Columbia Gas will be in on January 18, 2017 to discuss the North Main Street patch. Katelyn Gonyer is reviewing the NationalGrid vegetation program request and stated that initially it looks like their previous year's program request. There will be a public hearing on January 25th for the pole relocation on East Street. Mr. Ross spoke to Russell Burnaby, Chocolate Factory, he said they have their financing in place. The special permits that had been issued to the Chocolate Factory are good for two years. Mr. Mr. Ross said that he told Mr. Bamaby that he needs to move forward as there are substantial changes in the state building code. Mr. Ross stated that he will get back to the Board about additional hours at Mansfield Green. Mr. Ross also stated that he has spoken to Sacha about making changes to the website to make it more friendly. Mr. Dentino asked where we stand on goals and objectives. Mr. Ross stated that he has been wonting on it and he will get it to the Board within a week. Mr. Schoonveld suggested giving a public acknowledgement such as a proclamation or to call special attention during a Board meeting for all Board & Committee volunteers. Chairman Aptowitz suggested adding the item to an agenda to get a vote. Mr. Schoonveld asked that an agenda item be added for the Board to review the Strategic Operational Study. Mr. Trowbridge suggested February for the view of the Strategic Operational Study. Mr. Ross stated that he would forward it to any Selectmen that wanted them. Mr. Schoonveld mention the OPEB, pension study, and special education expense, and asked if the Board thought it appropriate to hear the thoughts of the Finance Committee, or sub -committee, on those items. Mr. Trowbridge stated that his opinion is that items such as that belong with the budget sub -committee. Mr. Schoonveld asked for a copy of the CAFR. Mr. Schoonveld asked when the Town Manager's review would take place. Mr. Ross stated that his employment date is the 17`", and the Board agreed it would be done as soon after that as possible. Mr. Ross stated that he would have his part to the Board by next week. The deadline for Board to submit their individual reviews to Chairman Aptowitz is January 25"i, with the actual review taking place at the first meeting in February. Mr. DelVecchio stated that they need a meeting of the Light Commission. The Board agreed on January 23`a Mr. Trowbridge asked if there are any new developments from MBTA. Mr. Ross stated, no. Mr. Trowbridge asked when the deadline for Town Counsel RFP. Mr. Ross stated it is the 19°i and as of today, there have been no submissions. Chairman Aptowitz asked if Powers & Sullivan have done the audit. Mr. Ross stated, yes. Chairman Aptowitz noted that Ruthie Boynton passed away last week. He stated that she was very involved in the COA and the Town and offered the Board's deepest condolences and sympathy. 12. BOS Questions and Comments 13. Any Items Not Anticipated By The Chairman 48 Hours Prior To This Meeting 14. Motion to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:46 pm (Schoonveld/DelVecchio) Passes 5:0 JAIZ I eel Signature Date Minutes prepared by: Nancy Griffin Documents used in this meeting: None Board Of Selectmen's Meeting November 16, 2016 Page 6 of 6