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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMaster Plan Council 05/07/1987Date of meeting Members Present: TOWN OF MANSFIELD MASTER PLAN ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING May 7, 1987 Kelli (Spedden) Steven Chapman Paul Folkman Bill Madan Ralph Seifert Allen Willis LJUi N 1 9198? ' ] ;,i Baker Steve Calvin Joanne Colella Larry Harrington Carl Nelson Stuart Sweet The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. at the Mansfield Public Library. No minutes were presented at this meeting. Correspondence A memo to Kelli Spedden, Chairman of the Master Plan Advisory Council, from Steve Quinn, Chairman of the Planning Board, dated May 6, informed her of the Planning Board's decision to request her presence at their May 20 meeting to discuss questions they have regarding the Master Plan process. A memo to Kelli Spedden from Steve Quinn dated May 7 was received informing her of the failure of a motion (which had been requested by the Board of Selectmen) to reconsider the Planning Board's appointment of a member to replace Mr. Annino at their May 6 meeting. A memo to Kelli Spedden from Steve Quinn was received informing her of the appointment on April 29 of Richard Sebetes to fill the position previously held by Mr. Annino. A request was received from Mr. Richard Gordon for a copy of the draft of Connery Associates' Affordable Housing Plan which was distributed to members on April 30, 1987. Discussion of the appointment of new members to the Council Mrs.(Spedden) Baker suggested that the Council table discussion of Connery Associates' latest housing draft for this meeting and informed the Council of the recent development of a difference of opinion between the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board in regard to the appointment of new members to the Master Plan Advisory Council. The Planning Board, at their April 29 meeting, had appointed a member to replace Doug Annino. Since the the Board of Selectmen had agreed with the Council in January that due to the volume of information already received, it would be difficult for new members to familiarize themselves with all the work already completed. Therefore, it was decided that in the future if a Council member resigned, a replacement would not be appointed unless that member was the Board of Selectmen or Planning Board representative (Larry Harrington or Bill Madan). Because of this earlier decision, the Board of Selectmen requested that the Planning Board reconsider its new appointment. A motion to do this at the May 6 Planning Board meeting failed. TOWN OF MANSFIELD 2 MASTER PLAN ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING — 5/7/87 Discussion of the appointment of new members to the Council (cont) The Planning Board was aware of the policy not to appoint new members, and despite this, appointed a new member. The Board of Selectmen did not ratify this appointment; therefore the Master Plan Advisory Council is placed in the middle of a conflict between the two boards which created and oversee it. Mrs. (Spedden) Baker apologized to Richard Sebetes (who is the person appointed by the Planning Board), emphasizing that this was no reflection on him, but that under the circumstances she could not allow him to vote as a member unless this conflict is resolved. [Mr. Sebetes advised Mrs. Baker that he did not "accept her authority" to disallow his membership on the Council, but it is hereby noted that Mr. Sebetes did not participate or vote in Council discussions.] Mrs. (Spedden) Baker advised the Council that it had been suggested to her by a number of different people that the Council not schedule any further meetings or conduct any business until this matter is resolved. She added that before accepting any motions to adjourn though, she would like comments of all members present on this situation. Some comments were: — Some Planning Board members have allegedly stated that they feel the Board of Selectmen is exercising too much control over the Master Plan Advisory Council. Since until Mr. Annino's resignation there were two Planning Board members on the Council and only one Selectman on the Council, this did not seem to be valid. — Mr. Harrington stated that he tries to limit his input to the Council, because as a Selectman, he will vote on the final proposal, as will the Planning Board members. — Mrs. Baker stated her pride in the Council for the way it works with the diversity of its membership, and objects to people who would attempt to destroy this. — Many members stated their belief that no member has tried to sway the decisions of the Council in favor of the board or interest they represent; that all are working toward developing the best plan possible for the town as a whole. — Members also stated their concern that if there are problems between the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, and Master Plan Advisory Council, it is imperative that they be resolved now. There is concern that if the Council completes its work and presents an updated Master Plan to the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board, it may become a victim of the dissension between these boards. — Mrs. Baker stated her objection to rumors that some Planning Board members allegedly feel a lack of communication exists between them and the Council. There has been no communication sent by the Council to anyone without copies being sent to the Planning Board, the Board of Selectmen, the Town Manager, and the Planning Director while there was one; the Council has the reputation of being one of the best documented in town. Not only are all minutes of meetings sent to the Planning Board, but reports are also forwarded periodically detailing progress to date. — The Council discussed requesting a meeting between these two Boards and the Council to work this problem out. TOWN OF MANSFIELD 3 MASTER PLAN ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING - 5/7/87 Discussion of the appointment of new members to the Council (cont) During the discussions, some members became aware that a member of the audience was taping the meeting. Discussion followed regarding the appropriateness and legality of this. Several members thought that permission of the board then meeting must be asked in order to allow taping. Other members thought that any taping was legally allowed. A motion was made and seconded that the Council not allow its meeting to be taped; however this motion failed with only four members voting in favor, 2 opposed, and many abstaining. There was some doubt and confusion as to the laws governing taping of meetings. Some additional comments on the situation existing in regard to new members: - Both Mr. Harrington, the Selectmen's representative, and Mr. Madan, the Planning Board's representative, felt both their Boards would be willing to make time in their agendas to discuss this. - There was some discussion of there being two particular Planning Board members who are outspoken on this issue and should be present at any proposed joint meeting. There was some concern that these two members might not attend. - There was also discussion by some members of the Council that these two Planning Board members have been an ongoing problem in Planning Board proceedings on other issues and that that issue should be addressed. - Mrs. Baker stated there was a rumor circulating that IEP had written and sent a five page final report. For the record, there was no final report by IEP; Mansfield's material that was in IEP's possession was thrown in a box (uninventoried and uncatalogued) and forwarded to Mansfield by Federal Express. Following this discussion, Mr. Chapman made a motion that a joint meeting be held with the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen within the next two weeks. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sweet, and passed by unanimous vote. After discussion of how and when to schedule this meeting, Mr. Willis made a motion to let the Council chairman, Mrs. Baker, arrange the time and date. Mrs. Colella seconded the motion, and it passed with 9 members in favor and I opposed. At 8:30 Mr. Chapman made a motion to adjourn. Before this was seconded, Mr. Gordon, a member of the audience, requested permission to speak. This being granted, he quoted the Massachusetts State Law which permits the recording of public meetings unless in Executive Session. Mr. Seifert seconded Mr. Chapman's motion to adjourn, and the motion passed by unanimous vote. Resp cttfully submitted, Deborah Hillman, Secretary 61111ilac%e y 6A C �',7