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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS Minutes 04/19/2017Minutes of Board of Selectmen Meeting April 19, 2017 7:00 p.m. QI 1ED Present: Jess Aptowitz, Chairman; Mr. DelVecchio, Vice -Chairman; Michael M� TrdP%Etnrl�{idgj3'IJFty Mr. Schoonveld 2017 AM 21 A 8: 56 1. Call To Order Board of Selectmen Meeting — Pledge Of Allegiance Chairman Aptowitz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The Chairman remmdpd everyoJl`githaOthe meeting is being broadcast live and taped for future broadcast on Mansfield Cable. He as' ked'if tli"ee %dere any members of the audience recording, to which there was no response. 2. Conservation Commission Presentation Brian Maxwell, Aaron Roth, and Michael Healy were present before the Board. Mr. Healy gave the Board a summary on some of the activities of the Commission and challenges they have faced in past years. Mr. Healy reminded the Board that the bylaws were revised in 2015 to allow opportunity for variance procedure to be streamlined and to define minor exceptions for homeowners. The Commission also submitted the Open Space Plan to make Mansfield eligible for State grant money. The Commission has also accepted Cabot Pond, off Willow Street, to keep it protected and to take ownership of the dam that creates the pond so that the Town may maintain the dam. Mr. Healy updated the Board on wetlands mitigation and restorations projects. There were two Airport projects that Commission participated in, the Quadrant Four hanger expansion and the Airport Vegetation Management activity. Mr. Trowbridge asked if there are any obstacles coming up for the Conservation Commission. Mr. Healy stated that the Commission works together well and Mr. Maxwell agreed. Mr. Healy noted that the Commission does have some concern as they are seeing a higher frequency of people with violations. He suggested that the Commission might want to consider imposing fines for violations to possibly reduce the use of Town resources to correct these matters. Mr. Trowbridge stated that the violations are probably from people's lack of knowledge or understanding of wetlands. Mr. Trowbridge asked if there are any grant opportunities coming up for things such as Open Space. Mr. Healy stated that Katelyn Gonyer is looking into the possibility of a grant to pay a stipend for an intern. Mr. Schoonveld thanked the Commissioners for serving the Town. He asked what kind of violations the Commissioners are seeing. Mr. Healy stated the violations are items such as building in the no -touch zone or resources areas. He gave an example of one person cutting down 10-12 trees and making them into lumber. Mr. Trowbridge stated that areas are based on vegetation, not just wetlands which make it difficult for people to easily identify. Mr. Healy stated that notice often comes from concerned citizens. Mr. Schoonveld advised that residents should reach out to Katelyn Gonyer, the Conservation & Environmental Planner. Chairman Aptowitz thanked Mr. Maxwell, Mr. Roth, and Mr. Healy for coming in to give the Board an update. 3. Paving Update including Route 106 on Mansfield -Easton Town Lines Lee Azinheira, Director of DPW and Mark Cook, Highway Manager, were present before the Board. Mr. Azinheira gave the Board his recommendations for an improved plan for the paving. Mr. Azinheira stated that the recent sunken trench is the reason they recommend delays. The cross trench has sunk, which is typical for this type of work following the winter. Also, he stated the pavement that was done approximately 4 years ago is showing stress cracks. Mr. Azinheira stated a thin 1" layer was proposed, but instead he is recommending milling the trench and paving the road with thicker asphalt because those stress cracks will come through if a thin overlay is done. Mr. Azinheira stated DPW would like an opportunity to come back after Town Meeting to discuss road work and large projects in more detail with the Board. Mr. Trowbridge confirmed that the stress cracks are already on the other side, not the trench side, and that they are unrelated to the trench. Mr. Azinheira stated the three options as, putting down 1" on the entire road, or milling the trench and a 2" thick layer of asphalt would be put down at least a foot beyond the trench, or milling the whole half of the road to just before the middle lines with no overlay on the other side. Mr. DelVecchio confirmed that the trench work had nothing to do with destroying the integrity of the road and causing those cracks. Mr. Azinheira stated that the stress fractures are a result of the widening. Mr. DelVecchio stated that it was explained to the Board that the road would be returned to its original condition. Mr. Azinheira stated that he had distributed a memo stating there was to be a thin overlay, and that could be still be done, but it is now his recommendation to mill and put down a thicker layer of asphalt on the side where the construction took place. Mr. Cook explained that a one-inch layer is nothing more than cosmetic on the side opposite the trench. He continued, with a one-inch layer you will lose one inch of reveal which will cause issues with the handicap ramps and they will have to cut into all of the side streets. Mr. Azinheira stated that over the winter the road is showing cracks, unrelated to the construction and had that kind of deterioration not occurred the one-inch overlay would have been good. Chairman Aptowitz asked if the cracks were related to the winter or the construction. Mr. Azinheira stated that wear always shows after the winter. Chairman Aptowitz stated that the Board was told Easton would be paying for the road to be reconstructed from curb to curb. Mr. Azinheira stated that he would come back to the Board with options and numbers for the Board to consider. Chairman Aptowitz stated, "The road has to be done this year." He added, "We owe it to the residents to fix the road." Mr. Schoonveld stated that his opinion is that Easton would pay for the full cost. Chairman Aptowitz stated that Mansfield would pay the difference between the cost of a two-inch layer and one-inch top coat. Mr. Schoonveld stated this cost should only be for the cost of the actual one inch of asphalt, not all of the labor and equipment associated with paving as those would have had to be there for the first one inch already. Mr. Azinheira noted, the first 1200 ft. by Flint Farm is not scheduled to be done until next year, but there is a plan to at least level that part of the trench as well. Chairman Aptowitz asked why it was never presented to the Board that there would be an odor control system on the corner of East Street by Flint Farm. Mr. DelVecchio stated, it looks horrible and it is built as close to the road and guardrail as possible. Mr. Azinheira stated, because of the slope it looks very big. Mr. Cook suggested adding slating through the chain-link fence that is designed to look like an evergreen branch. Mr. Schoonveld asked if the work on Rt. 106 would impact the Town's ability to do the $2 million in road repairs this summer. Mr. Azinheira stated it would not impact the $2 million as Easton will be paying for the Rt. 106 reconstruction. Mr. Trowbridge stated that he would be in favor of putting down a thicker layer of asphalt over the entire road. He added that he would like to see slats or screening put in the fence on the odor control system at the corner of Rt. 106 and East Street near Flint Farm to buffer it. Mr. Azinheira told the Board that the Town has been working for years to try to get State and Federal funding for repairs of the North Main Street underpass and bridge. There is structural work that needs to be done totals $4.3 million. The Town has been working with Frank Gay from GATRA. Mr. Gay has an $800,000 Federal grant that he is working on for this location, if the Town gave a 20% match, which the Town had agreed to provide. Mr. Gay of GATRA told Mr. Azinheira that he is trying double the grant. Mr. Azinheira continued, if Mr. Gay can double it the Town will want to utilize Chapter 90 or put another $200,000 toward the project. Mr. Azinheira also informed the Board that he is filing a project needs form with Mass DOT to try to get on the TIP for Rt. 106 from N. Main to Rt. 140 including the underpass to redo joints on the underpass. Mr. Azinheira stated that it will be funded with State and Federal funding for this project. Mr. DelVecchio stated that this sounds like a Capital Project. He recommended that Mr. Azinheira put together an overview of the project with the funding sources go before the Capital Improvement Committee. Mr. Azinheira stated that they are also updating their pavement management program to roll out in the Fall. 4. Approval of FY18 Water/Sewer Rates Mr. Azinheira was present to request an increase in the water rate. Mr. Azinheira is recommending a 2% increase in the rate due to concerns about the revenue because of stricter water bans. Next week the Board will see a request for a relaxed water ban. The State is allowing the Town to go to Phase III for lawn watering and Phase I on vegetables gardens. Mr. Trowbridge stated, giving the timing of the relaxed water ban he would like to make a motion to put the updated ban into effect immediately. Motion: To go to PHASE III Mandatory Outside Water Use Restrictions (Lawns and Flower Gardens) immediately: ❑ Odd/Even Watering Monday through Thursday only (odd number properties are permitted to water on odd number days, and even number properties are permitted to water on even number days of the week.) ❑ Time period for watering lawns and flower gardens is further restricted to morning hours between 6 a.m. — 8 a.m (2 days per week, odd/even days, Monday through Thursday only). ❑ Filling swimming pools, washing cars and washing buildings are permitted. PHASE I Mandatory Outside Water Use Restrictions (Only Vegetable Gardens) effectively immediately: ❑ Watering of vegetable gardens is permitted 5am-9am and 5pm-9pm on odd/even days. (odd number properties are permitted to water on odd number days and even number properties are permitted to water on even number days.) Watering vegetable gardens by hand held hose is permitted anytime. Mr. Azinheira recommended that Kurt Gaffney put out signs that simply state Water Ban in Effect and to put the details of the ban on the Town's website. (Trowbridge/Delvecchio) Passes 4:0 Motion: To approve 2% increase in water rates Mr. Trowbridge stated that he is happy to see a small increase. He added that this is acceptable as some of the towns surrounding Mansfield are a little lower and some a little higher. Mr. DelVecchio stated that Chairman Aptowitz asked what the increases had been in the past. Mr. Azinheira stated that it had been 4%. Mr. DelVecchio stated that it only makes sense if you support or vote for the actions that produce these rates you have to vote for the rates. Mr. Schoonveld asked if these increases are already covered in the budget. Mr. Azinheira replied, it will. Passes 3:1(Trowbridge/DelVecchio) Aptowitz opposed Regarding the sewer rates, Mr. Azinheira stated that the town has had fairly aggressive rate increases of the past decade. Mr. Azinheira has done a rate study to analyze the impact of the debt service. The study supports the increase as it will meet the operating needs of the sewer division. Mr. Azinheira is recommending a 2.5% increase, which is mostly the cost -of -living. He stated, the average usage is 11,000 cu. Ft. per year which is the gross rate based on a charge of 85% water, plus a discount of 10% for paying on time. Motion: To approve the increase as presented. Passes 3:1 (Trowbridge/Schoonveld) Aptowitz opposed S. Continued Discussion of Town Manager Search -Update from Search Committee Chairman Aptowitz stated that Dick Kobayashi reached out to him to set up a time to meet with each of the Selectmen. The Selectmen's Secretary will be setting up a time for him to meet with each Selectman for a period of 45 minutes to 1 hour to discuss what the Selectmen's thoughts are on the needs of the Town in regards to a new Town Manager. Once that is done, Mr. Kobayashi will start the marketing materials. Chairman Aptowitz stated he had updated Mr. Kobayashi on the completed Search Committee and it will be about 6-8 weeks before candidates will be available for interview with the Search Committee. Mr. Schoonveld asked what do you think potential hire date or offer date would be? Chairman Aptowitz stated that Mr. Kobayashi reported to Chairman Aptowitz that the overall the process would be 3-6 months to complete entirely. Mr. Schooveld stated so September 1st and Chairman Aptowitz replied, don't hold me to that. 6. Resident Question and Comments None 7. 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 April 12, 2017 b. Vote To Approve Warrants: Town Vendor Warrant No. 17042T in the amount of $784,004.72 Electric Department Vendor Warrant No. 17042E in the amount of $ 40,999.98 c. Events and Signage: •Consideration of Event Application for Run from the Cops 5K Run/Walk d. Permits and License: • Consideration of Commercial Parking Lot License Renewal for Mansfield Parking LLC located at 75 Chauncy Street • Consideration of Commercial Parking Lot License Renewal for Foundry LLC located at 1 Foundry Street • Consideration of Commercial Parking Lot License Renewal for Rumford LLC located at 875 South Main Street • Consideration of Commercial Parking Lot License Renewal for Xfinity Center located at 885 South Main Street Motion: To approve the consent agenda with the understanding that the Commercial Parking Licenses approval is subject to approval of Public Safety and Town Hall departments. (Trowbridge/DelVecchio) Passes 4:0 8. Consideration and Approval Of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 17042PT in the amount of $335,546.19 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 17042PT in the amount of $335546.19 (Trowbridge/Schoonveld) Passes 4:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 17042TV in the amount of $107,663.07 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 17042TV in the amount of $107,663.07 (Trowbridge/Schoonveld) Passes 4:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 17042PS in the amount of $1,602,593.85 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll in the amount of $1,602,593.85 (Trowbridge/Schoonveld) Passes 3:1 Trowbridge Abstains • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 17042SV in the amount $547,91.38 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 17042SV in the amount of $547,991.38 (Trowbridge/Schoonveld) Passes 4:0 9. Correspondence Letter from Southeastern Regional High School to Jackie Boudreau, Town Treasurer regarding the final approved Southeastern School District quarterly payments. 10. Town Manager's Report Mr. Stanbrook met with the Finance Committee regarding the three transfers from the reserve fund for the Collins Center, the Acting Town Manager stipend, and the Financial Director's help. Last Thursday the Town had a bond rating call for $20,750,000. Twenty million dollars is related to the Municipal Complex $750,000 is the road bond from last year that the Town is going to be long-term borrow. Mr. Stanbrook reported that the FY18 budget information is on the Town's website. Mr. Stanbrook stated that he would do a budget update next week. Mr. Aptowitz asked the Board if next week's Selectmen's meeting could begin at 6:00 pm. The Board agreed to begin at 6:00 pm next week. Mr. Stanbrook stated that the Mass DOT has started drainage improvements on the median on Rt. 140 from 7:00 am — 3:00 pm in the area of the Rumford River. 11. BOS Questions and Comments Mr. Schoonveld noted that the budget information on the Town's website is very good. Mr. Schoonveld noted that the timing of the appointment of the Town Manager will affect next year's budget and that will need to be looked at some point. Mr. DelVecchio stated that he will not be at the meeting next week. Therefore, he would like to note that the wording for the marijuana article will need to be looked at before Town Meeting. Mr. Trowbridge noted that the Planning Board will not finalize their votes until next Wednesday. Mr. Stanbrook stated that he has an updated version of the warrant from the Planning Board. Chairman Aptowitz stated that he received a call from a resident regarding the Town Report. He stated that Sharon does a smaller version that could be more cost-effective and he suggested that we might consider a different version of it moving forward. Mr. Trowbridge stated he would like to see other Town's version as well. Chairman Aptowitz noted that he had asked Mr. Stanbrook to give him a report on the outstanding details. Chairman Aptowitz stated that he is disappointed that we have vendors that we are paying that owe the Town money. He would like the report to be shared with Department Heads. The Chairman wants the Town to collect on the owed money. Chairman Aptowitz stated that he has insisted on safety meetings between public safety officials and the Xfinity Center and those meetings have been occurring. The Town needs to finalize the Xfinity agreement. Chairman Aptowitz asked Mr. Stanbrook to reach out to the Chiefs to finalize the agreement. The Chairman then asked Mr. Stanbrook to find out when the MBTA will be executing the plan on the construction of the mini-hi's at the train station. 12. Any Items Not Anticipated By The Chairman 48 Hours Prior To This Meeting 13. Motion to adjourn at 8:36 pm. Signatk Minutes prepared by: Nancy Griffin ��tL Zl,( e_e>C`7 Date