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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS 01/31/2018Minutes of Board of Selectmen Meeting January 31, 2018 Present: Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Chairman; Mr. Jess Aptowitz, Vice -Chairman; Mr. Frank DelVecchio, Clerk, Mr Steve Schoonveld and Mr. Neil Rhein 1. Call To Order Board of Selectmen Meeting - Pledge of Allegiance Chairman Trowbridge called the meeting to order at 6:30PM. 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 Ms. Donna Whitehead stated she would be recording. 2. Consideration of Event Application for Field of Honor pending routing through Town Hall Departments and Public Safety Ms. Jeri Rumsis came forward and introduced the Field of Honor. The Field of Honor will be having their annual flag display from May 19 -June 16. Ms. Rumsis stated they were able to donate to Veteran's fund to surrounding towns, sent flags to Hawaii and were able to donate Buddy Bags to the Town of Mansfield this past year. She stated that flags can be ordered online from www.healingfield.org/mansfieldl8 and the deadline to purchase a flag is May 1st and encouraged everyone to come out on May 19`h to support the event. Chairman Trowbridge stated that it warms your heart to drive by the Field of Honor and wishes them success again this year. Mr. Rhein commented that it is beautiful and thanked the whole committee for their work. Mr. Schoonveld thanked them and asked where they were moving next since they keep growing each year. Ms. Rumsis stated that they had three hundred and fifty flags last year and have room for fifty to hundred more and could expand to the North Common (Lowney Common). Mr. Schoonveld then asked where they will be donating this year. Ms. Rumsis is looking into finding a Veteran Community Support Home where there is a lot of need and they are not capable of living on their own. Mr. Aptowitz stated Ms. Rumsis was organized as usual and stated that the Board was here to support the group in whatever they needed. Mr. DelVecchio stated that this good idea has turned into a wonderful spectacular idea and it is great to see the vision of the group. Mr. Raymond, Mansfield Veteran's Agent, came forward and commented that he cannot say enough about the group and stated they are the backbone of his office, and the Town is lucky to have this group. Motion: To approve the event for the Field of Honor pending routing through Town Hall Departments and Public Safety. (Aptowitz/DelVecchio) Passes 5:0 3. Public Hearing in accordance of M.G. L. Chapter 138 Section 12 for Consideration of a New Annual Wine and Malt License for MRK Classic LLC dba Classic Pizza, Maria LaFreniere, Manager to be located at 242 Chauncy Street pending routing through Town Hall Departments and Public Safety at 7:OOPM Mr. DelVecchio read the public notice for the record. Motion: To open the public hearing. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 Ms. LaFreniere stated that Classic Pizza was a family business and she bought the business from her parents. She stated that she missed the deadline to transfer the license to the new LLC business name and is now reapplying to get the beer and wine license for the business. Mr. Rhein asked if the pervious license lapsed at the end of the year and Ms. LaFreniere answered that it had. Mr. Rhein then asked if she was just trying to get back the same license she had and Ms. LaFreniere answered that the license was in the fathers' business name, but she was the manager of record on the license. Mr. Schoonveld asked how many years she was the manager on the license and if she was certified to serve. Ms. LaFreniere answered ten to fifteen years and that she was certified. Mr. Schoonveld asked if there were any issues and Chairman Trowbridge answered that he was not aware of any. Mr. Aptowitz stated he was concerned this was a Meeting Minutes Board of Selectmen January 31, 2018 Page 1 pattern and stated that this causes more work for staff at Town Hall. Mr. DelVecchio had no questions. Chairman Trowbridge asked how many years Classic Pizza was in business. Ms. LaFreniere answered twenty six years. No one from the public had any questions. Motion: To close the public hearing. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 Motion: To approve the application for a new annual wine and malt license for MRK Classic LLC dba Classic Pizza, Maria LaFreniere, Manager to be located at 242 Chauncy Street. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 4. Consideration of 10AM Sunday Alcohol Sales Application for RARE Hospitality International Inc. dba Longhorn Steakhouse pending routing through Town Hall Departments and Public Safety Longhorn Steakhouse pending routing through Town Hall Departments and Public Safety Attorney Joe Devlin of Demakis Law Offices was present representing Longhorn Steakhouse as well the area Director, Mr. Steve Scott. Mr. Devlin stated that in 2010 the law changed to allow restaurants to serve alcohol on Sundays starting at 10am, however Longhorn here in Mansfield did not take advantage of that until now. He stated that this will make them coincide with other restaurants here in Town and all the other Longhorns in Massachusetts and it is especially helpful on holidays like Mother's Day and Father's Day. Mr. DelVecchio and Mr. Schoonveld had no questions. Mr. Aptowitz asked if there had been any violations and Mr. Devlin answered there have not been. Mr. Schoonveld had no questions. Mr. Rhein asked what time they opened now and Mr. Scott answered 11am. Motion: To approve the 10AM Sunday alcohol sales application for RARE Hospitality International Inc. dba Longhorn Steakhouse pending routing through Town Hall Departments and Public Safety Longhorn Steakhouse pending routing through Town Hall Departments and Public Safety. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 The Board skipped to agenda numbers ten through thirteen before the Public Hearing at 7pm. S. Enter into Executive Session and Return to Open Session under Exemption No. 1 and No. 3, M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21- • To discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual. • To Discuss Strategy with Respect to Collective Bargaining, or Litigation if an Open Meeting May Have a Detrimental Effect on the Bargaining or Litigating Position of the Public Body and the Chair so Declares • Consideration and Approval of Executive Session minutes for August 9, 2017, September 16, 2017, November 15, 2017, December 11, 2017 and December 18, 2017 Motion: To enter into executive session and return to open session under exemption No. 1 and No. 3, M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21 to discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health, rather than professional competence, of an individual, or discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges against, a public officer, employee, staff member or individual and to Discuss Strategy with Respect to Collective Bargaining, or Litigation if an Open Meeting May Have a Detrimental Effect on the Bargaining or Litigating Position of the Public Body and the Chair so Declares and for the Consideration and Approval of Executive Session minutes for August 9, 2017, September 16, 2017, November 15, 2017, December 11, 2017 and December 18, 2017 at 7:06PM. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Roll Call Vote: Schoonveld-Aye Rhein -Aye Aptowitz-Aye Meeting Minutes Board of Selectmen January 31, 2018 Page 2 DelVecchio-Aye Trowbridge -Aye Passes 5:0 The Board returned to open session at 8:43PM. 6. Discussion of Articles by Selectmen for Town Meeting and Potential Vote Chairman Trowbridge stated that the Town Manager Search Committee saw the challenges of having the residency requirement for the Town Manager. He noted that Easton received many more applicants and asked the Board for their thoughts about putting this on the warrant for Town Meeting. Mr. Aptowitz agreed and stated that it limits the pool of applicants, but the Committee was lucky to have Mr. Dumas apply. Mr. Schoonveld was in favor of putting it to vote at Town Meeting, but in his opinion the person would need to be very close. Mr. Aptowitz stated that it could be for the discretion of the Selectmen. Mr. DelVecchio commented that it did make it challenging as part of the search for a Town Manager in the most recent search and previous searches for a Town Manager. Mr. DelVecchio stated he would be in favor of eliminating it. Mr. Rhein agreed with eliminating the residency requirement. Motion: To create a May Town Meeting article to remove the residency requirement for the Town Manager and that he or she lives within a fifty mile radius. (Aptowitz/DelVecchio) Passes 5:0 Mr. Stanbrook noted that in 2010 there was a similar article on the warrant and it did not pass. Mr. Schoonveld stated that there should be zoning changes in the Downtown area. Chairman Trowbridge stated that the Planning Board usually initiates those and the Board would make recommendations on those. 7. Discussion of Recreational Marijuana Sales and Updates Chairman Trowbridge stated that he reached out to Mr. DeRensis, Town Counsel asking for the likelihood of being allowed a moratorium. Mr. Rhein stated that he attended a workshop at the MMA Conference about marijuana and generally speaking moratoriums should end, and there does not seem to be a way for the Town to further extend the moratorium, but he would defer to Town Counsel. Mr. Rhein suggested establishing a cannabis policy task force committee because it is an involved process and there are many licensing types. Mr. Aptowitz noted that North Andover banned recreational sales and a growing facility. Mr. Schoonveld commented that he could see why North Andover voted this way because there are no regulations in place, and it is not common place yet. Mr. Rhein stated that the Board cannot deny a recreational license to a licensed medical marijuana facility. Mr. DelVecchio stated that he was surprised that the Planning Board did not have a recommendation of where to zone recreational marijuana. Mr. DelVecchio stated that the Board does need a policy in place. Mr. Schoonveld stated it is a complex issue and need to find some external advice to help understand this and all the different license types. Chairman Trowbridge asked Mr. Dumas to email Shaun Burke because the Planning Board needs to move forward with establishing policies for recreational marijuana sales. Mr. Rhein also noted that if a municipality is going to restrict the number of licenses it cannot be less than twenty percent of the retail liquor licenses. 8. Discussion of Budget and Updates Mr. Dumas stated that the budget is looking really good and he worked with Mr. Stanbrook to complete an in depth analysis. Mr. Dumas added that the budget was projected to be a $2.34 million deficit but the gap was closed with a $1.7 million expense cut and an additional $857,000 to be raised through proposed user fees. He added that in conjunction with paying for one-time items with free cash, that the Town can eliminate the need free cash to supplement the budget. Mr. Dumas noted that he has looked into self -funding options for the workers compensation policy, which could save $100,000. He stated that the budget is very lean and to be able to handle emergency expenses he would like to add funds to the Finance Committee reserve fund. Mr. DelVecchio asked if there will be a balanced budget by the next meeting. Mr. Dumas answered that he would. Mr. Schoonveld commented that this sounds promising and that this was MMA Conference material and Mr. Meeting Minutes Board of Selectmen January 31, 2018 Page 3 Dumas should present at the conference. Mr. Dumas noted that working with Mr. Stanbrook has been great. Mr. Dumas fee driven process for every year going forward and that it goes up or down based on usage and help residents with that fee. 9. Resident Questions and Comments There were none. 10. Review and Approve the 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 Meeting Minutes for: • December 20, 2017 • January 17, 2018 • January 19, 2018 b) Vote To Approve Warrants: • Town Vendor Warrant No. 18030T in the amount of $1,230,795.35 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 18030E in the amount of $50,673.10 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 18031T in the amount of $1,457,162.46 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 18031E in the amount of $138,502.97 • School Vendor Warrant No. 180315 in the amount of $482,187.39 c) Permits and License: • Consideration of Event Application for The Garden Club of Mansfield for Green Plant Sale on May 19, 2018 pending routing through Town Hall Departments and Public Safety • Consideration of Banner Application for The Garden Club of Mansfield for Green Plant Sale from May 7— 21, 2018 • Consideration of Event Application for a wedding ceremony on July 28, 2018 pending routing through Town Hall Departments and Public Safety • Consideration of Event Application for All Sport Booster 5K on June 10, 2018 pending routing through Town Hall Departments and Public Safety • Consideration of Water Installers License for Brunelle Contracting, LLC • Consideration of Water Installers License for Peter DeGirolamo & Sons, Inc. • Consideration of Hackney Driver License for Charles Smith • Consideration of Drainlayer's License for Plainville Pump & Excavating Inc. • Consideration of Drainlayer's License for Peter DeGirolamo & Sons, Inc. • Consideration of Drainlayer's License for Brunelle Contracting LLC d) Proclamations Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 11. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 1803OPT in the amount of $348,663.92 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 1803OPT in the amount of $348,663.92. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 18030TV in the amount of $105,874.22 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 18030TV in the amount of $105,874.22. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 1803OPS in the amount of $1,625,866.80 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 1803OPS in the amount of $1,625,866.80. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 18030SV in the amount of $530,048.61 Meeting Minutes Board of Selectmen January 31, 2018 Page 4 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 18030SV in the amount of $530,048.61. (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 18031PT in the amount of $380,135.73 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 18031PT in the amount of $380,135.73 (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 18031TV in the amount of $118,115.47 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 18031TV in the amount of $118,115.47 (DelVecchio/Aptowitz) Passes 5:0 12. Correspondence • Letter from Verizon of Programming Change to SONY Movie Channel and Cine SONY Television • Letter from Verizon of Programming Change to WYCN Channel 22 • Letter from Verizon of Programming Change to TBN Trinity HD and WOW HD • Letter from Verizon of Programming Change to Game Show Network • Letter from Verizon of Programming Change to GO41T • Letter from Verizon of TV Rate Notification Mr. DelVecchio read a summary of the above correspondences. 13. Town Manager's Report Mr. Dumas stated that he will be attending the MBC meeting and has been attending the weekly site meetings on Thursdays and the Committee will be attending the February 28th meeting to provide an update to the entire Board. Mr. Dumas stated that he would like Chief Sellon and Chief Boldrighini to also be present at the February 28th meeting to go over details as it relates to public safety moving to the new location in June of 2019. Mr. Dumas stated that he met with Robert Verdone from SMRECC and the four communities are lucky to have him as a leader. Mr. Dumas stated that SMRECC is looking at a high rock location in Foxboro and they will need an interim location in Easton or Foxboro. Chairman Trowbridge asked when they would have a decision. Mr. Dumas answered that they are hoping to know by end of February. Mr. Dumas then provided an update on Economic Development and the contact he made with Anawan Brewing Company and he will be touring the Mansfield Bio - Incubator facility to see if there are additional opportunities to bring other similar businesses to the area. Mr. Dumas also commented that he appointed Ms. Parks to the Historical Commission. Mr. Dumas then updated the Board on the snow and ice budget which was still in the positive at $47,657.76 through January 29th. Mr. Dumas also commented he met with Comcast cable to resolve a coverage and connectivity issue in one area that is affecting five or six streets in one neighborhood. Lastly, Mr. Dumas then stated that he is trying to set up a meeting with Verizon. 14. Selectmen's Questions and Comments Mr. DelVecchio stated that he discussed the website at MMA Conference several vendors, including Civic Plus. Chairman Trowbridge asked if that was an item that would go through CIP. Mr. Schoonveld stated that it is something that should be discussed at the CIP meeting in February, noting that a new website is desperately needed. Mr. DelVecchio stated that he looked at other town websites and noted that some included a Selectmen list of guidelines and how they interact with Town departments and offices and hopes that when the Board completes their goals and objectives that it would make the list of items to put on the website. Mr. Aptowitz received a letter from Bristol Country Advisory Board and the need to revote the project for Bristol County Agricultural High School, the revote is needed because there is a question of the validity of the quorum. Mr. Aptowitz then asked if the meeting with Verizon was on cell phone coverage or cable issues and Mr. Dumas answered both. Mr. Schoonveld asked the rhetorical tax question of the week which was how has the distribution of the allocation of assessed values in the commercial and industrial zone changed over the past five years. Mr. Schoonveld stated that it was a great MMA Conference. He then stated that it should be the collective goal of the Town to present at Meeting Minutes Board of Selectmen January 31, 2018 Page 5 the MMA Conference on our economic development success story in five years like the Town of Needham. Mr. Schoonveld stated that he attended an OPEB and parking workshops at the MMA Conference as well. Lastly, Mr. Schoonveld stated that he would be attending SMHG meeting next week since the Town was with the group until June 30, 2017. Mr. Rhein stated that economic development continues to be a popular topic and stated the Director of the Mansfield Bio -Incubator will be coming to the IDC meeting on March 15th to discuss how to attract more tenants to Mansfield. He noted that the Bayer Company was also interested in the space and the Town could reap the economic benefits if that space was fully leased. He also commented that Annawon Brewery was looking for a place and was glad to have seen the post on Facebook to forward to the Town Manager. Mr. Rhein stated that the Downtown Advisory Committee was meeting at Town Hall next week and encourages everyone to come to those meetings. Mr. Rhein stated that to have a vital downtown businesses need to be open at night. Lastly, Mr. Rhein stated that the Historical Society has a presentation Saturday at fpm at the library on the blizzard of 1978. 15. Any items not anticipated by the Chairman 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 16. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the January 31, 2018 Board of Selectmen meeting at 9:3013M. (Aptowitz/DelVecchio) Passes 5:0 Signature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Date Meeting Minutes Board of Selectmen January 31, 2018 Page 6 --a .-, CD `1' .so rail t rn --its -rt !� sQ d J: rn Meeting Minutes Board of Selectmen January 31, 2018 Page 6