Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS 05/23/2018Minutes of Board of Selectmen Meeting May 23, 2018 Present: Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Chairman; Mr. Jess Aptowitz, Vice -Chairman; Mr. Steve 'Schoonveld, Clerk, and Mr. Neil Rhein. Mr. Frank DelVecchio was not present. OFFICE 1. Call To Order Board of Selectmen Meeting - Pledge of Allegiance ERKS; Chairman Trowbridge called the meeting to order at 6:3013M. He reminded everyone%tAn2heti )**a4being I Ift broadcast live and taped for future broadcast on Mansfield Cable. He asked if there were any members of the audience recording, to which Chairman Trowbridge acknowledged that Ms. Donna Whitelig" Feld News M7 A would be. - 14�SET 2. Promotional Ceremony of Captain and Lieutenant for the Fire Department Chief Boldrighini came forward to present three fire department promotions. He stated that all three individuals are dependable, give extra effort every day and their actions have made a tremendous impact to the community and department. Lieutenant Kevin Fontes was promoted to Captain. Justin Desrosiers and Keith Thomas were promoted from firefighters to Lieutenants. Ms. Staples, Town Clerk came forward and gave the oath and their wives pinned their new badges. The Board each thanked them and congratulated them for their service. 3. Support on Application of Safer Grant Mr. Dumas began the discussion stating that the Town has continued to grow year after year and the number of runs has dramatically increased. Mr. Dumas stated that Chief Boldrighini wrote a five year plan and this grant opportunity would allow the department to expedite the plan to add four firefighters over a four year period. The grant if awarded would allow the department to bring on four firefighters at once. The grant covers 75% of the cost in years one and two. At year three it would be 35% and in year four the Town would then have to cover 100% of the cost of each firefighter. Mr. Dumas stated that this would reduce overtime savings and the ability of the department to respond to more calls and not rely on mutual aid from other surrounding towns, which are lost revenue opportunities. Chief Boldrighini stated that the Town has grown especially with commercial and industrial properties and larger residential population that has increased over the years. The department is on pace for 4,000 emergency runs and 3,600 calls for service this year. When comparing these numbers in 1997 there were 1,200 runs and 2005 there were 2,500, however the staffing levels are the same as they were twenty years ago. Chief added that there were 180 times during the year that mutual aid was called which results in a loss of revenue of approximately $100,000. Chief believes that Mansfield should be at ten men per shift and currently is at eight, but realistically with vacations and circumstances was only at seven men per shift 73% of the time. Mr. Aptowitz asked how many eight men per shifts are at each location. Chief answered that there were four at each station, noting that half of the emergencies are simultaneous with no rhyme or reason, so he is unable to up staff for part of the day because there is no pattern. Mr. Aptowitz then stated that staffing of the fire department has been talked about for years; however what is the plan if the grant is not awarded. Chief Boldrighini answered he will continue with the five year plan. Mr. Aptowitz asked how long after a firefighter is hired does it takes for him to be ready to work. Chief answered it is about ten weeks for them to get through the academy. Mr. Schoonveld asked if the Town is on pace to add $113,,000 a year in costs for a new firefighter under the current plan and Chief Boldrighini confirmed. Mr. Schoonveld stated with the grant the Town is accelerating the plan and gives savings to overtime and mutual aid and there may be issues with year five and six, but it would be with or without the grant. Mr. Schoonveld asked what was spent in overtime last year and Chief Boldrighini answered just over $700,000. Mr. Rhein stated that public safety is priority number one and asked the Chief to explain the shifts. Chief Boldrighini answered there are four shifts of eight men and four are located at each station. He stated that when a medical call comes in an engine and an ambulance are dispatched to the scene. If fully staffed and a second call comes in then another engine and ambulance are dispatched. Mr. Rhein then asked the difference between emergency run and a call for service. Chief Boldrighini answered that emergency calls are 9-1-1 medical or fire and calls for service are inspectional for fire alarms or could be for public education. Mr. Rhein then asked if one shift was busier than Meeting Minutes Board of Selectmen May 2 3, 2 018 Page 1 another and the Chief answered it is very uncertain. Mr. Rhein asked how Mansfield compares to other towns in requesting mutual aid. Chief Boldrighini answered that Mansfield gave 98 mutual aid calls and asked for aid 180 times and it should not be this high. He added that when calling for mutual aid it doubles the response time. The current response time is five to seven minutes and mutual aid coming in will take ten minutes or more. Mr. Rhein asked how will the new station will affect response times and the Chief answered that anywhere in Town will be five minutes or less. Mr. Rhein asked if the staffing level comparison chart was up to date and Chief Boldrighini answered it was four year old so if updated today it would show more disparity in Mansfield having less staff than surrounding communities. Mr. Aptowitz asked at what point are additional staff get called in for the shift. Chief Boldrighini answered once all shifts run down to seven men. Mr. Schoonveld asked if the grant could be approved for less than $800,000 or is it an all or nothing grant. Chief Boldrighini answered that it was all or nothing. Mr. Schoonveld recommended that the savings be put aside so the budget does not show a large increase for years three and four. Mr. Dumas recommended putting that in the Finance Committee Reserve and Mr. Schoonveld suggested that this be documented. Chairman Trowbridge stated that mutual aid should only be used for emergencies and other communities are supporting Mansfield residents and budget and this was a "no brainer." Motion: To support the application of the Safer Grant. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 4. Discussion on Mansfield High School Curtain Wall Project Mr. Dumas stated that Mr. Ahern and Mr. Donoghue had given and update to the Finance Committee last week. Mr. Dumas explained that the curtain wall project is for the rear wall and windows that supports the whole backside of the high school. Mr. Ahern estimated the project to be $900,,000,. but had a contingency that brought the project to $1.3 million which was presented and approved at last year's Town meeting. After the feasibility study the project is estimated to cost $1.9 million or $2.1 million with extra contingency. Mr. Dumas suggested this bean item at Fall Town Meeting to amend the $1.3 million borrowing to $2.1 million. Mr. Dumas wanted the Board aware and it cannot be ignored the project needs to be done. Chairman Trowbridge stated this is very unfortunate, the School Committee did everything right with getting estimates., however unforeseen conditions happen, he noted that the same thing happened with the gym. He added that it will not look any different and for the cost there is no enhancement it is just the integrity of the building. Chairman Trowbridge commented that it was built on a swamp and construction was very different in years past compared to how it would be constructed today. Mr. Dumas stated a letter of support from the Board was needed to go forward with the amended application to the MSBA. Motion: To support an amendment to the application to the MSBA for the high school curtain wall project totaling $1,953,,000. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 S. Execution of Order of Taking Regarding Acceptance of the reconfiguration of Willow Street as a Public Way and Sign the Mylar plans Motion: To sign the order of taking and mylar prints for the reconfiguration of Willow Street as a public way. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 6. Discussion and Potential Vote for Selectmen to Sponsor the Remaining Articles from the Annual Town Meeting Warrant Chairman Trowbridge stated the last article from Town Meeting was a street acceptance and then two articles were withdrawn. Chairman Trowbridge asked Mr. Dumas if he was asking the Board to sponsor all three. Mr. Dumas confirmed. Mr. Aptowitz stated that the Board does not take a position on citizen petitions, but does not think it would be fair for them to go out and have to get a hundred signatures versus ten that were needed for Town Meeting because the meeting went long. Mr. Schoonveld asked why one hundred were needed and not ten. Mr. Dumas answered that ten are needed for the Annual Town Meetings and one hundred are needed for a Special Town Meetings. Ms. Staples came to the meeting and Chairman Trowbridge asked if the Board was so inclined could the Board of Selectmen Sponsor an article on behalf of the petitioner. Ms. Staples stated they could and it would Meeting Minutes Board of Selectmen May 23, 2018 Page 2 help bypass the collecting of signatures. Mr. Aptowitz commented that he did not want residents thinking the Board agreed or disagreed with the contents of these articles by sponsoring them. Ms. Staples agreed they could administratively sponsor them. Motion: To administratively sponsor the remaining articles from the recent Annual Town Meeting warrant article numbers 48, 49 and 50 on behalf of the petitioners. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Motion Amended: To administratively sponsor the remaining articles from the recent Annual Town Meeting warrant article numbers 48,, 49 and 50 on behalf of the petitioners if they are so inclined. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 7. Discussion of Summer Meeting Schedule The Board decided to meet June 6,, June 20, July 11, July 25,, August 8 and August 22 and then resume back to every other week. The Board will have a gap of three weeks, but will call a meeting should something come up. 8. SEMRECC Update from Town Manager Mr. Dumas stated there are no changes from the last meeting. Mr. Dumas stated a temporary location in Foxboro and Mansfield goes to SEMRECC first. Mr. Aptowitz asked if we will have a presentation on the cost. Mr. Dumas stated it is all in executive session 9. Resident Questions and Comments There were no resident questions and comments. 10. 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 Meeting Minutes for: • May 15, 2018 b) Vote To Approve Warrants: • Town Vendor Warrant No. 18046T in the amount of $848,588.41 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 18046E in the amount of $1,232,216.60 • School Vendor Warrant No. 18046S in the amount of $551,132.79 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 18047T in the amount of $703,637.40 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 18047E in the amount of $78,250.32 c) Permits and License: • Consideration of Banner Application for Mansfield Downtown Business Association Family Fun Night • Consideration of Hackney Driver License for Issa Jicmi • Consideration of Event Application for Loco Sports, LLC for the L.L. Bean Flannel 5K on October 7, 2018 • Consideration of Event Application for Susan G. Komen New England's Impact Ride on September 29, 2018 • Consideration of Event Application for Shawmut Ave Annual Block Party on June 24, 2018 • Consideration of Event Application for Abolition Day on October 6, 2018 • Consideration of Banner Application for Mansfield High School All Sports Boosters d) Proclamations Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 11. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 18046PT in the amount of $367,694.79. Motion: To approve Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 18046PT in the amount of $367,694.79. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 Meeting Minutes Board of Selectmen May 23, 2018 Page 3 •, Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 18046TV in the amount of $111,366-32. Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 18046TV in the amount of $111,366.32. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 18046PS in the amount of $1,635,850.84. Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 18046PS in the amount of $1,635,850.84. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 18046SV in the amount of $536,692.95. Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 18046SV in the amount of $536,692.95. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 18047PT in the amount of $352,719.69. Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 18047PT in the amount of $352,719.69. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 18047TV in the amount of $106,403.65. Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 18047TV in the amount of $106,403.65. (Schoonveld/Aptowitz) Passes 4:0 12. Correspondence Mr. Schoonveld read the following correspondence items. • Notice from Xfinity that on June 25, 2018 the names of some products, services and equipment will change and that on July 10th WDPX will be added to channel 58 and QVC will move from channel 58 to 82 • Letter from TEC Associates for the Massachusetts Railroads 2018 Yearly Operation Plan • Letter from SRPEDD stating that process has begun to elect two Selectmen to serve on the SMMPO (Southeastern Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization) 13. Town Manager's Report Mr. Dumas thanked everyone for a warm welcome at Town Meeting and thought the meeting went smoothly. Mr. Dumas stated that he attended the Tri -Town Chamber of Commerce Annual Breakfast where he was able to speak with business owners. He also met with Ms. Maureen Doherty and SRPEDD to discuss the grant that was awarded to develop a business guide for the Town to assist with Economic Development efforts. He then shared that the DPW sent out notices to residents of what work will be completed this year, he noted that Webb Place has started full depth reclamation, mill and overlay also has begun on Hampden and Middlesex Roads in the Cabot Park. Mr. Dumas stated that the consultant hired to evaluate the HR position has been meeting with staff today. 14. Selectmen's Questions and Comments Mr. Rhein agreed with Mr. Dumas that Town Meeting went well. Mr. Rhein asked Mr. Dumas to explain chip sealing and why it is done. Mr. Dumas answered that it is done to put a protective coat over an existing road to protect and prolong the roadway life. It is not a smooth perfect finish, but it saves money and extends the longevity of a road, he noted that it is temperature driven and this year they are hoping to have better results with chip sealing work being done in July. Mr. Dumas stated that $240,,000 will be spent on chip sealing several roads and if those same roads had full depth reclamation the cost would be over a million dollars. Mr. Rhein then stated that the great cleanup was on April 22nd and there were over 500 volunteers. He commented that the Keep Mansfield Beautiful Committee appreciated the note Mr. Dumas sent to them. Mr. Rhein then stated that Memorial Day is Monday and noted a project he was working on which is a compiled collection of stories and histories of the memorials in Town. Mr. Schoonveld asked if there was a grand list with all the streets that the DPW uses to see which streets have been done and which will need work. Mr. Aptowitz and Chairman Trowbridge stated that Mr. Azinheira has a rolling list. Mr. Schoonveld commented that many people comment that there street was fine but it was chip sealed and Mr. Aptowitz stated that their street was not fine and was done for preventive purposes. The paving management plan was done and streets were classified and Mr. Azinheira developed the paving plan from that. Mr. Dumas stated that the plan needs to be refreshed. Mr. Schoonveld added that a fall town meeting would allow for road Meeting Minutes Board of Selectmen May 23, 2018 1 Page 4 construction to begin earlier because borrowing could be approved then. Mr. Schoonveld commented that he was at the Field of Honor was Saturday and it was an honor to be there and encouraged everyone to take photos. Mr. Aptowitz stated he has been approached about the new building projects that are slated to go in Mansfield and would encourage anyone who has concerns to voice those concerns to the Planning Board as it is out of the Selectmen's purview. Chairman Trowbridge added to that and stated that the Selectmen do not dictate what the zoning is for the Downtown and the masterplan is going to be done and encouraged people to be part of the process. Mr. Schoonveld commented that zoning changes happen at Town Meeting and stated that maybe one of the first items the Economic Development Committee will look at is zoning to see if Mansfield is zoned appropriately for the growth here. Mr. Aptowitz then stated he had issues with the parking outside One Mansfield across from MMAS and Geno's. The parking lot was supposed to be two hour parking 24/7 however people are parking there all night. The signs say two hour parking Monday to Saturday Sam-5pm. Mr. Aptowitz stated that was not what the Board talked about, the residents are supposed to parking in their residential parking lot and these spots or for customers of the businesses in that area. Mr. Dumas agreed if it was the intent of the Board then the signs should say two hour parking anytime. Motion: The parking outside One Mansfield on the North Main Street side is two hour parking anytime. (Aptowitz/Schoonveld) Passes 4:0 Mr. Rhein commented that two hours would not be enough time when attending an event at MMAS. Mr. Aptowitz noted that the police would recognize an event happening and not ticket but if a car is parking there at 8prn and still at midnight it would be ticketed. Mr. Aptowitz then stated that work was completed at the Airport with piping and stated the Town can't be donating supplies to enterprise accounts and he wanted the issue researched. Mr. Schoonveld asked for a running total of the contingencies be listed as part of the Town Manager weekly report. Mr. Aptowitz then stated that tomorrow night the first show at Xfinity that is sold out, so residents should be aware. He also noted that Memorial Day Parade is Monday rain or shine. Chairman Trowbridge echoed what was said about Town Meeting. Chairman then asked for an update on the grant for the rails and trails. Mr. Dumas answered that there is a meeting with the Town of Norton coming up within the next month. Mr. Dumas also stated that the Town will be reconstructing the portion of Old Colony from North Main Street all the way down to Park Street this summer which ties into the roadway and the bike bath area. Chairman Trowbridge asked for the sketch created by Mr. Alves of the proposed reconstruction of the intersection at the new DPW complex. He also noted that he loves driving by the Field of Honor and looks forward to the Memorial Day Parade on Monday. 15. Any items not anticipated by the Chairman 48 hours prior to this meeting There were no items. 16. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the May 23., 2018 Board of Selectmen meeting at 8:22PM. (Aptowitz/Rhein) Passes 4:0 Signature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Date (2w,Z..'elp Meeting Minutes Board of Selectmen May 23, 2018 Page 5