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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSELECTMENminutes07112007-20070726120858 Town of Mansfield Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 11, 2007 Present: Chairman Louis Amoruso, Clerk Ann Baldwin, Selectman George Dentino, Selectman David McCarter, John D'Agostino, Town Manager The Board of Selectmen's meeting was called to order at 7:30pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Caroline Nickerson Chairman Amoruso thanked Caroline for coming and leading the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. Town Manager D'Agostino gave a brief presentation on how the Town combined the audits of the Light Dept. and the municipal side. The Town and the Light Dept. are now operating on the same fiscal year calendar. Auditor Brown gave a presentation of the single audits and the combined audit of the Town's finances. The Management Letters were of a positive note and show the Town is moving in the right direction. Selectman Dentino had several questions regarding the Light Dept. audit and Light Dept. Manager Gary Babin attempted to answer them but due to time constrains the discussion was tabled. Selectman McCarter had questions about the Town's comparative credit rating. Auditor Brown indicated that the Town ranks well with its peers. Selectman McCarter asked further questions about the Town's asset vs. debt ratio. Mansfield's debt ration is lower that average per auditor Brown. There was a short discussion about health care costs and savings. The SE Regional Healthcare Group (19 communities together) is monitoring all the angles in this issue. Selectman Dentino asked for a brief scope of work for the audits. The auditors review the Town's financial documents and reports. An opinion or summary of recommendations sheet is not a requirement in this type of audit. Selectman Dentino asked when a vote from the Light Commissioners authorized the pilot payment. Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 11, 2007 1 The issues of compensated absences came up and addressed in the guidelines put forth in the Town's personnel policy. Selectman Dentino also had questions about the Electric Dept write offs. Mr. Babin stated that bad debt is written off for several reasons and every attempt is made to collect those before they are dismissed. Motion: To accept the Light Dept/Municipal audit reports. (McCarter/Baldwin) 3:1 Dentino nay David Letterer, Region 1 EPA Director, MA DEP Scott Sayers and Paul Crafty were present for meeting. Mr. Letterer gave a brief PowerPoint slide show for the Board and general audience. He then took questions from the Board and audience. Questions from the Board: Ann - Timeline of funding. In the fall EPA will submit to Congress for approval. There will most likely be a 3-4 years minimum wait before the beginning of cleanup. Project may be done in stages, which would be helpful to getting the project going sooner. David - The cleanup option recommended for use is not the most restrictive (highest level of rehab) but the best option overall for the Town. George - Was the Town of Foxboro always part of the overall clean up plan? Yes, according to Mr. Letterer. The area is zoned mostly Commercial and Commercial Open space. He would like to see the landfill cleaned to the highest level so the land could be used for anything. Public hearings on the many stages of cleaning have been held over the years. He would prefer to see this issue go to a town referendum so people could vote on it instead of the Selectmen and the Town Manager making the decision. EPA has already set Option 1 in motion so it would really not be feasible to have another public hearing and go back to the drawing board. Rep. Barrows stated that the Town of Foxboro wants to clean up the site and use the portion of the land (1.7 acres) that is in their town for commuter parking. He would like the Board to support getting the project going so the Town's could collaboratively petition the Federal Government for superfund site clean up funds. Some of the more hazardous materials will be transported off site while some of the lesser hazardous materials will be capped and stored on site. Lenny Flynn spoke about this site having a balance of open space with recreational and commercial space. He has been involved in this issue since the 1980's and would like to see this move forward. The County St. access out of the train station area is crucial and we need to pursue this with CSX and the Town of Foxboro. Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 11, 2007 2 I I Rep. Barrows acknowledges that the Town of Foxboro hasn't always seen eye to eye with Mansfield but they need to continue to work together to support this project going forward. Motion: To support option 1 as outlined in proposal. (Baldwin/Dentino) 4:0 passes John suggests that the Town has a P&S in place before the issue goes to town meeting. The P&S language is in the agreement drafted by Atty. Mangiaratti. Atty. Valanzola stated that Bob was accurate in his summary of the proposed agreement. John Sullivan also supports this agreement. Selectman Dentino asks about the discontinuance of Old St. Upon a positive vote of discontinuance (at Town Meeting) the title of the Street reverts to the abutters of the discontinued land. Motion: To approve the contract as it is written and approve the Town Manager to execute the contract. (Dentino/Baldwin) 3:1 passes (McCarter nay) Brief overview of easements requested by John Sullivan, Town Engineer 3 permanent easements required for access to the pump station and the drainage line that runs parallel to the railroad tracks. In addition, there are four temporary construction easements, which are generally to allow for construction maneuverability and any minor adjustments of grades to match grades associated with the project. Selectman McCarter asked if the authorizations for the easements are already in place. John Sullivan stated that they have all been agreed to. Selectman Dentino asked if the Cleveland Twist easement has always been there. Yes, it has per John Sullivan. Motion: To execute the Order of Taking and sign the easements plans for recording. (McCarter/Baldwin) 4:0 passes Lou Masiello from W/S Development was present as meeting. They need the Selectmen to sign to traffic signals agreements with MA Highway in order for them to proceed. The Selectmen had previously held off on signing the agreements until they could meet with MA Highway but that had not happened. Motion: To sign agreements authorizing work. (Dentino/McCarter) 4:0 passes · Rep. Barrows spoke about the CDBG Block grant The Town received for downtown rehabilitation work. The grant in the amount of $799,200 will be used for a wide range of unique development needs. The funds are targeted to provide decent Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 11, 2007 3 housing for low income residents and to expand economic opportunities. These funds will assist 651 s. Main St., which serves the housing needs of disabled residents, as well as providing funds for expanded parking and improved drainage at the Mansfield Housing Authority. In addition, there will be a study for community friendly redevelopment plans centered around the MBT A commuter rail station. · July 20th COA barbeque held at 12pm · Lee Azinheira will be acting TM during John's vacation on July 2pt to August 4th · Chairman Amoruso brought up the issue of John's contract raise of 3'}'o for FY08. The Chair and John signed the payroll slip during the meeting and the Town Manager's performance review will be discussed at a future meeting as time does not allow for such a discussion right now. · Warrant No. 01 in the amount of $544.00 Motion: To approve warrant No. 01 in the amount of $544.00 (McCarter/Baldwin) 4:0 passes · Warrant No. 02 in the amount of $4,325,678.48 Motion: To approve warrant No. 02 in the amount of $4,325,678.48 (McCarter/Baldwin) (Mr. McCarter abstaining from check # 372303) 3:1:1 passes (Dentino nay) · Warrant No. 53 in the amount of $1,652,013.16 Motion: To approve warrant No. 53 in the amount of $1,652,013.16 (McCarter/Baldwin) 3:1 Passes (Mr. McCarter abstaining from check #372142) · Board of Selectmen meeting minutes of June 13, 2007 Motion: Move to approve (McCarter/Baldwin) 4:0 Passes · Board of Selectmen Session meeting minutes of June 27, 2007 Motion: Move to approve (Dentino/Baldwin) 4:0 Passes · Water Installers License application for TNT Development Motion: Move to approve (McCarter/Dentino) 4:0 passes · Water Installers License application for US General Contractors Motion: Move to approve (McCarter/Dentino) 4:0 passes Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 11, 2007 4 · Common Victuallers License application for Papa Gino's in Mansfield Crossings. Motion: Move to approve (Dentino/Baldwin) 4:0 passes · Request from resident Steven Passanisi regarding relocation of parking space #639 on Howe St. Mr. Passanisi would like to add to his residence and needs space for his driveway. Motion: Move to approve re-Iocation of parking spot. (McCarter/Baldwin) 4:0 passes. Notify neighbor of space re-Iocation. Stephen Spilewski, 42 Howe St. · Letter from SRPEDD regarding serving on the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Selectman McCue had previously done this. · Letter from Bernard McCourt, Mass Highway regarding the ongoing construction issues on Rt. 106. Copy of email from John Sullivan to John Bielski of Mass Highway regarding a schedule of completion. · Letter to Mass Highway from Eric Baldwin, Championship Director at the Tournament Players Club regarding the renovation work being done on Rt. 140. They are looking for adjustments to the renovations/traffic patterns to accommodate the PGA Tour in August. · Letter from Fire Chief Robert Bellavance. He will be retiring from his position on December 31, 2007. Chief Bellavance has worked for the Town for the past thirty six years with the last five being the Fire Chief. The Board will miss him but wish him well in his retirement. · Correspondence from the Board · Letter to the School Committee regarding forming joint budget committee. · Letter to the FCC and DTC regarding issues with Comcast hi-def programming. None Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 11, 2007 5 · Old business from Chairman Amoruso: Letter from Verizon regarding utility locations/extensions. He would like to discuss this at the next meeting. · Old business from Selectman Dentino: The hiring of Fire fighters issue again and he has been asking for info from the Town Accountant, Bea Kearney. She would not release the documents requested until she talked to Lou. The Chairman needs to authorize the release of certain info. This has been a long standing policy of the Board. He is also upset with the way that Board members cut him off from speaking at recent meetings. · Old business for Selectman McCarter: Rigging up the rope for flag on North Common. Mark Cook will be notified. · Old business for Selectman Baldwin: Extension in hours at the Green. · New business from Selectman Baldwin: Residents have called about the Clemmey sign saga on Tony Cap's building. The sign insinuates that no one is running the town when the Town Manager is out of the office. Selectman Baldwin stated that the Town Manager comes into work in the evening after court. She wanted to assure residents that the Town Manager is still working thru the duration of the trial brought against the Town. IINo new business from Selectman McCarter . No new business from Selectman Dentino · No new business from Chairman Amoruso Motion: To adjourn at 1O:50PM ( McCarter) 4-0 Passes ~~~~$a-~-m Signature of Clerk F~ 25; 2~~? Date of Approval Board of Selectmen Minutes of July 11, 2007 6