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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 08/09/2017Minutes of Board of Selectmen Meeting August 9, 2017 Present: Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Chairman; Mr. Jess Aptowitz, Vice -Chairman; Mr. Frank DelVecchio, Clerk; and Mr. Steve Schoonveld. Mr. George Dentino was not present for the meeting. 1. Call To Order Board of Selectmen Meeting - Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Trowbridge called the meeting to order at 6:31PM. He reminded everyone that the meeting was being broadcast live and taped for future broadcast on Mansfield Cable. He asked if there were any members of the audience recording, to which there was no response. 2. Public Hearing on Dangerous Dog Complaint Made by Mr. & Mrs. Solivan Chairman Trowbridge stated there was an error in notification to parties and the Board has to resend notification to the parties involved. The earliest time the hearing could take place would be on September 6, 2017 to provide a 14 days' notice. Mr. Aptowitz asked if the Board could vote a temporary judgement. Town Counsel, Mr. Paul DeRensis answered that the Board's most important duty is to protect the people and if there is an immediate threat the Board can issue temporary orders that will last until the Board has the opportunity to hear from everyone. Mr. Aptowitz asked if the Board could hear from the Animal Control Officer, Jeff Collins on the animal in question. Chairman Trowbridge asked what his recommendation would be at this time. Mr. Collins believed the animal is a nuisance and not a dangerous animal. Mr. Collins stated it could be ordered to be restrained on the property. Motion: To take the advice of Animal Control Officer and preliminary declare the animal a nuisance. (Aptowitz/Schoonveld) Passes 4:0 Motion: To ask Animal Control Officer to instruct the owners of that animal to require animal to be leased when outside home until further notice. (Aptowitz/Schoonveld) Mr. Collins asked for an amendment of that motion to include an adult is holding the leash when it is outside the home. Amended Motion: To ask Animal Control Officer to instruct the owners of that animal to require animal to be leased and held by an adult when outside home until further notice. Passes 4:0 Chairman Trowbridge apologized to everyone and restated that the meeting will be September 6, 2017. 3. Presentation of Proclamation for Mr. Dhiren Mistry Mr. DelVecchio read the Proclamation. Mr. Mistry shared his Eagle Scout project which was hosting a concert in support of the food pantry. He stated that over 375 items were donated. Chairman Trowbridge congratulated him and stated that Mr. Aptowitz would attend the Eagle Court ceremony in his absence. Mr. DelVecchio stated that it was quite an accomplishment to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout and congratulated him. Mr. Aptowitz stated it is great work and thanked Mr. Mistry and that Mansfield is lucky to have so many Eagle Scouts. Mr. Schoonveld stated it is a profound achievement and thanked him and all the scouts for all the work they do in town volunteering their time and effort to improve the Town. 4. Consideration of Change in Manager Application for Wines & More for an All Alcohol Retail License Mr. Ryan Forbes came forward from Wines and More. Mr. Schoonveld asked that the license states "not to be drunk on the premise, but the store has tastings. Mr. Forbes answered that a police officer is on site for Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes August 9, 2017 Page 1 those events and everyone that is serving has to be certified to serve. Mr. Aptowitz asked if Mr. Forbes has managed other stores. Mr. Forbes answered that he was at the North Smithfield location for six weeks with the same company. Motion: To approve the change in manager application for Wines & More for an all alcohol retail license subject to the routing. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 S. Discussion and Update of the Chocolate Factory Development Project No one was present. 6. Discussion and Consideration of Striping for Downtown Area Mr. Mark Cook and Mr. Lee Azinheira were present to discuss the striping of the Downtown and Mr. Azinheira explained that last year different options were discussed and the least popular was to eliminate parking. It was agreed to leave as is and monitor. It has been a year and, Mr. Azinheira is recommending leaving the parking as is, striping the missing centerline between Villa and High Street, and painting curbs near intersections and cross walks. Mr. Azinheira also recommends designating the area as a 20MPH safety zone between East Street and Route 106, which is currently at 25MPH. Mr. Schoonveld asked what the criteria would be for painting a curb of a private driveway. Mr. Azinheira answered that driveways would be painted if people were parking too close and an owner had trouble getting in and out of their driveway, but there does not seem to be any problems right now. Mr. Aptowitz stated that the business owners and residents seem happy and should not make any radical changes and supports a 20MPH zone, but stated the police have to enforce it. Mr. Azinheira added that this plan was well received by the Downtown Committee. Chairman Trowbridge also agreed with these recommendations. Motion: To approve the recommendation provided by Mr. Lee Azinheira to reduce the speed limit between West Street and Route 106 declaring it a safety zone of 20MPH. (Schoonveld/DelVecchio) Passes 4:0 Mr. Aptowitz asked if he could ask a question while Mr. Azinheira and Mr. Cook were present. Chairman Trowbridge allowed. Mr. Aptowitz stated that when you get off Route140 North towards School Street and take a right on School Street there is a big pot hole as you turn. Mr. Cook confirmed it is owned by the State and will place another call to have it repaired. 7. Discussion and Consideration of Creating a Safety Zone of 20MPH on Draper Avenue Officer Lance Lawson filled in for Officer Kinahan who is on vacation and suggested portable speedbumps to that area. Chairman Trowbridge stated the report arrived today so there was not time to add other streets to this consideration. Mr. Schoonveld stated that it could be tested on Draper Avenue and if that works at the next meeting it could be implemented on others. Motion: To approve the creation of a safety zone of 20MPH on Draper Avenue. (DelVecchio/Schoonveld) Passes 4:0 Motion: To set up the procedures to see the 20MPH and portable speedbumps if needed as recommended by Lance Lawson. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 8. Discussion and Consideration of Increasing Parking Fines and Violations Chairman Trowbridge stated that the current fine is not much of deterrent for those parking at the train stations that do not have a resident sticker. Mr. Stanbrook stated that the tickets issued by month were highest in May and average two hundred and two tickets per month, Tuesday seems to be the day when the most tickets are written. Mr. DelVecchio stated that it would be helpful to know how many of the tickets Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes August 9, 2017 Page 2 were for not having a resident sticker. Mr. Aptowitz stated that those parking in resident only parking without a sticker should be towed, booted or issued a $100 ticket. He noted that it is $50 to park in Boston so a ticket of $25 is nothing to these individuals. Mr. DelVecchio asked if the Board can be specific and have different violations at different amount. Mr. DeRensis answered that the Board can, but the wording needs to be specific if setting different amounts. Mr. Schoonveld noted that there were only twenty four tickets at the train station but there were three hundred twelve on River Street. Motion: To increase the fine for parking without a resident sticker in resident parking to $75. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 9. Discussion and Consideration of Abating Old Parking Tickets Mr. Stanbrook stated that a few months back the Board signed the parking tickets receivables abatement policy and this is a follow up to that policy with old parking tickets. These tickets are from 1986 to 2011 and are in the amount of $84,375. Mr. Aptowitz asked if these tickets go to the registry then in theory the Town should get paid. Mr. Stanbrook stated that some people could have moved out of state. Mr. Aptowitz asked that the Deputy Collector confirm that unpaid tickets are being sent to the registry because there were so many tickets. Chairman Trowbridge stated that many of the ones in the list were for out of state plates. Mr. DelVecchio added that he had an unpaid ticket that he got notification for from the Registry two years later. Motion: To approve the abatement of parking tickets from 1986 to 2011. (DelVecchio/Schoonveld) Mr. Stanbrook stated that just because these are removed from the books it does not mean they go away, and the Town can still receive payments for these tickets. Passes 4:0 10. Discussion and Consideration of Assistant Town Accountant Job Description Mr. Stanbrook stated that the Assistant Town Accountant is retiring soon and the job description has not been updated since 1999. Motion: To approve the Assistant Town Accountant job description. (DelVecchio/Schoonveld) Mr. Aptowitz asked if it needs to be vetted through the union. Mr. Stanbrook answered that it does. Mr. Aptowitz asked if the new job description has a lot more responsibility than before. Mr. Stanbrook answered that he did not think so. Chairman Trowbridge asked if the Town will have to impact bargain. Mr. Schoonveld stated that the changes were licensing and the five years' experience and after 18 years that seems reasonable for that type of position. Passes 4:0 11. Winter Street Construction Concerns: Amanda Gregg Aiu Ms. Aiu had concerns about the construction on Winter Street and asked to be on the agenda but she was not present. Mr. Cook explained that Ms. Aiu had pulled up to her driveway right after the grader had gone by and her driveway was up about a foot. Ms. Aiu spoke with the paving company and they stated they needed a few minutes to clean up and the resident expressed that it was unacceptable to be delayed. Mr. Cook explained that this is common work and the worst part is the removing of the asphalt and doing the grading. Chairman Trowbridge added that Ms. Aiu was not a resident of that home when the public hearing was held making that street at Scenic Road and that is why sidewalks were not planned for the street. Mr. Azinheira explained that it is a narrow road and it is difficult to maintain the sidewalks already that are in Town. Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes August 9, 2017 Page 3 Ms. Aiu of 185 Winter Street arrived and apologized and thought the meeting started at 7:30pm. She stated that Winter Street is a cut through for many people and speed is a concern. She stated that she wished there was an opportunity in terms of making a strip or pedestrian lane. She stated that she understands a sidewalk is not feasible, but is hoping for some room to compromise. Chairman Trowbridge stated that this process started years ago and unfortunately Ms. Aiu was coming in after the road was being torn up. Mr. Aiu then came forward and understands that permits cannot be changed. He is looking for a pedestrian accommodation and that as he understood the plans there is twenty four feet of pavement and asked if the lanes can be ten feet instead of twelve foot lanes which would leave a bike or pedestrian lane of 4 feet on one side. Mr. Azinheira stated that unfortunately the road is only twenty two feet. Mr. Cook added that a fog line can't just be on one side of the road, but suggested having Mr. Rick Alves review the street to see if there was anything that could be done with striping. 12. MBTA Construction/Parking There was no discussion on this topic. 13. Resident Questions and Comments Sharon Racine of 22 Howe Street stated that she was present tonight with more concerns. She stated the Turner Brothers have organized and contained their area and it's paved and cleaned. The Clemmey lot is not clean and there is lots of dirt that is blowing down the streets. She also stated there are also two exits and creates a bottle neck out onto Howe Street. Ms. Racine asked why traffic can't all exit out of River Street. Mr. Trowbridge asked Mr. Karl Clemmey who was present to come forward. Mr. Karl Clemmey said they are just trying to work with the Town. Ms. Racine also stated concerns for the sidewalk with poison ivy and asked if it could be paved for those walking to and from the train. Mr. Azinheira answered that he will look at the sidewalks in the area and see if improvements can be made. Julie Collins of 26 Howe Street stated that two parking spots in front of her house are causing lots of problems. People are parking on the lawn between 26 and 30 Howe Street. Mr. DelVecchio stated he knows what Ms. Collins is talking about and those spots are at the top of a "T" with two streets. Chairman Trowbridge stated that potentially other streets in this area will get temporary speed bumps and reductions in speed. Mr. Azinheira stated he will look into this area as well. Mr. DelVecchio stated that maybe these two spots can be removed. Mr. Aptowitz stated that the Board is doing the best they can and does not think it will ever be perfect. Allen Bryer of 187 Copeland Drive asked if this area can be referred to as the transit or station district to create a focus group on it. Chairman Trowbridge answered it is a TOD-Transit Orientated District. Scott Feely of 489 Fruit Street stated that the $75 parking will be a deterrent and for the Board to look at additional info to see if there are repeat offenders, repeat offenders who do not pay and then suggested that more severe penalties would be a good idea. Mr. Aptowitz agreed and asked if Mr. Simmonds has the ability to know when he is writing a ticket to know if one has been written before to that person. Mr. Stanbrook was unsure. Mr. Feely stated the need to know if there was a pattern. 14. 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. Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes August 9, 2017 Page 4 a) Approval of Board of Selectmen Minutes for: • Meeting of July 26, 2017 b) Vote To Approve Warrants: • Town Vendor Warrant No. 17057T in the amount of $1,645.34 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 18005T in the amount of $1,513,604.70 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 18005E in the amount of $78,197.08 • School Vendor Warrant No. 180055 in the amount of $373,862.57 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 18006T in the amount of $2,468,062.77 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 18006E in the amount of $29,061.47 c) Permits and License: • Consideration of Banner Application for Mansfield Youth Basketball • Consideration of Special Events Application for a Vigil for Go Gold Angels of America (Childhood Cancer Awareness) pending routing through Town Hall Departments and Public Safety • Consideration of Hackney Driver Application for Steven Poliskey d) Miscellaneous: • Consideration of the installation of a bus stop sign on the south side of Crocker Street near the train station • Consideration of Parking Plan and Waiver of One -Time Per -Vehicle Parking Lot Fee and Building Permit Tent fees for Parking at the Xfinity Center During the Dell Technologies Championship from August 28, 2017 through September 4, 2017 Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 15. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 18005PT in the amount of $428,114.92 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 18005PT in the amount of $428,114.92. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 18005TV in the amount of $131,401.09 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 18005TV in the amount of $131,401.09 (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 18006PT in the amount of $371,869.10 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 18006PT in the amount of $371,869.10 (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 18006TV in the amount of $116,646.81 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 18006TV in the amount of $116,646.81 (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 18006PS in the amount of $1,261,932.10 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 18006PS in the amount of $1,261,932.10. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 3:0:1 (Trowbridge Abstained) • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 18006SV in the amount of $375,000.80 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 18006SV in the amount of $375,000.80 (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 16. Correspondence • Letter from Mr. Louis Andrews • Letter from Federal Railroad Administration Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes August 9, 2017 Page 5 • Letter from Department of Conservation and Recreation • Letter from Comcast • Letter from the Mayor of Lowell • Letter from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission • Letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Mr. DelVecchio read a summary of the above correspondences. 17. Town Manager's Report Mr. Stanbrook stated he received a letter from the META stating that they would be taking an additional four parking spots during construction. They apologized for the loss of parking, but it was a safety issue. Mr. Aptowitz stated he wanted to make sure the Town is not paying for spots that are not available to park in. Mr. Stanbrook stated that the spots that are blocked were not paid for on the July payment to the META. Mr. Aptowitz stated that there is a parking machine that should tell us how many spaces are being used and that is the number that should be paid for. Mr. Stanbrook stated that the signal at East Street and Pratt Street is in flash mode. This is to get people familiar with the new traffic signal and will be working on August 30th, a week before school starts. Mr. Stanbrook updated the Board that at the Municipal Complex the steel work has preceded well and 95% has been completed and masonry work will begin soon. Mr. Stanbrook then stated that there was a notice for Route 106 paving from Stearns Ave to Monahan Lane. The milling will be starting on August 13th and 14th during the hours of 6pm to 6am. He added there will be a no dig moratorium for five years. Mr. Aptowitz asked that the Town of Easton is billed promptly for details. The new hours for Mansfield Green started on Tuesday, August 1st Mr. Stanbrook stated that Ford Explorers have had carbon monoxide detected and Lieutenant Archer installed detectors in all the Explorers to monitor to make sure they are safe. 18. Selectmen's Questions and Comments Mr. Schoonveld asked that activity is tracked on Tuesday mornings at the Mansfield Green and that the month of November includes Sunday hours for leaves. Mr. Azinheira agreed. Mr. Schoonveld stated that the MBTA is looking to add Wi-Fi seventy four feet tall towers every mile along the tracks. Mr. Schoonveld stated that this is a huge project and seems that this technology would not even be useful years from now. Mr. DeRensis attended the MBTA meeting on behalf of the Town of Canton. The MBTA notified communities north of Boston, not south of Boston and therefore Mansfield had not received notice. He added that the communities at the meeting were very unhappy and the MBTA agreed to a thirty day moratorium that runs out August 18th and there is talk of extending this another thirty days. The poles are seventy four feet high and they are going to rent everything over forty feet to private carriers to generate revenue. The communities asked what they could do to regulate this and the MBTA states that they are exempt from local control. The communities stated that the MBTA is only exempt from services that relate to transportation and the MBTA stated the project relates to transportation because it will reduce transportation costs. Mr. DeRensis stated there is a lack of communication, lack of reach out to public and property owners and has 100% opposition. Mr. DelVecchio asked how much revenue it would generate but Mr. DeRensis did not have an exact number. Mr. Schoonveld added that he looked online and there are no photos of what the poles even look like. Mr. DeRensis stated that the MBTA wanted the project complete by next year and the communities north are vigorously trying to fight it. Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes August 9, 2017 Page 6 Mr. Aptowitz asked if the mesh slates were installed in the fence at Flint Farm and Mr. Azinheira answered that he spoke with the company and should be up in few weeks. Mr. DelVecchio asked what is the process of parking tickets is from the time the officer writes the ticket until it goes to the registry and how long it takes to get through the process. Town Manager Search Committee meetings for interviews are on the 24th and 28th. He also thanked Mr. Schoonveld for bringing up the MBTA monopoles and researching. Chairman Trowbridge stated that Mr. Dentino was in comfort measures stages and the family asks that he find courage, comfort and peace. He asked that everyone keep Mr. Dentino in their thoughts. 19. Any items not anticipated by the Chairman 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 20. Enter into Executive Session and Not Return to Open Session • Consideration of value, exchange, lease and acquisition of real property. Executive Session per section 21(a)(6) of the Open Meeting Law • Consideration and Approval of the April 12, 2017 and July 12, 2017 Executive Session Meeting Minutes Chairman Trowbridge stated that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Town of Mansfield with the respect to the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property and interests in real property Motion: To enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property and interest in real property where an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the Town's negotiating position and the Chair has so declared, pursuant to section 21(a)(6) of chapter 30A of the general laws and to approve the executive session meeting minutes of April 12, 2017 and July 12, 2017 and not return to open meeting at 8:30PM. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Roll Call Vote: Schoonveld-Yes DelVecchio-Yes Aptowitz-Yes Trowbridge -Yes Passes 4:0 Signature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes August 9, 2017 Date Page 7