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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSelect Board 09/11/2019Select Board Meeting Minutes September 11, 2019 Present: Mr. Jess Aptowitz, Chairman; Mr. Michael Trowbridge, Vice -Chairman; Mr. Neil Rhein,Pap8(rylr. Steve Schoonveld. Mr. Kevin Dumas was also present. (OWN CLERKS OFFICE Mr. Frank DelVecchio was not present. niq oci ( ­l P 12: 41 1. Call To Order Select Board Meeting -Pledge of Allegiance M A NSF i E LO Chairman Aptowitz called the meeting to order at 6:30PM. After the pledge of allegiance thiq,�ha_trjaiq,,8W rds in remembering all those who lost their lives on September 111h eighteen years ago. 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. Presentation of Parking Study by Nelson Nygaard Mr. Matt Smith from Nelson Nygaard came forward and provided an overview of the yearlong parking study and the findings. This study is to be used to help the Town plan for the next ten years and strategies to support downtown economic development. The study looked at Downtown Mansfield, Commuter lots and surrounding neighborhoods and how this parking serves commuters, residents, employees of the downtown and customers. A total of 4,870 total parking spaces were documented and eighty percent of all off-street parking is not open to the public. He stated that weekend demand for parking is very low and there is always available parking within a block of where someone would want to go. Mr. Smith noted the key findings of the study are that on street parking downtown is underutilized, roadway network problematic for business visibility and access (one-way), that parking signage is confusing and inconsistent, and that the permit programs lack specificity. Mr. Smith then provided several strategies to help improve downtown parking. The first step would be to clarify and formalize on street parking regulations and ensure that parking serves the needs of all users. He stated updating the signage is the most critical item to provide clarity. Mr. Trowbridge asked what the next step would be. Mr. Dumas answered that he would have a future agenda item for the Board to review the full parking rules and regulations and adopt them. Mr. Rhein stated he had specific questions, but this may not be the correct venue for this discussion. Mr. Dumas noted the full study will be made available to the Board. Mr. Schoonveld appreciated the information and he would like to have a timeline with specific dates of when things will be implemented. 3. Presentation from the Field of Honor to the Police and Fire Departments Ms. Jeri Rumsis came forward and introduced the Field of Honor Committee who then presented twenty five mass casualty kits for each police vehicle. Chief Sellon then came forward to accept the donation and they presented a check for $2,000 for the K9 dog that just joined the department. Chief Sellon thanked them for the donation. Chief Boldrighini then came forward and was presented with a metal work flag. Ms. Rumsis stated that it was made by a Veteran who started the 22KILL Organization that helps Veterans to help prevent suicides. 4. Discussion and Consideration for a One Day Beer/Wine License for a Beer Garden on October 5, 2019 Mr. George Pantos, owner of Jimmy's Pub came forward. Mr. Dumas stated that this application was for a one day beer license for the Fall Festival event on Saturday, October 5, 2019. He advised that the beer garden was a fifty foot by thirty foot area that would have one entrance and one exit and roped off as a contained area. Mr. Pantos stated that he is still talking with vendors on how to have the event, but anticipates having fourteen different beers and ciders available. The Select Board had a few additional questions. Motion: To approve a one day beer and wine license for a beer garden on October 5, 2019 with a rain date of October 6, 2019 pending routing through Public Safety and Town Hall Departments. (Rhein/Trowbridge) Passes 4:0 Select Board Meeting Minutes September 11, 2019 5. Presentation from Deborah Penta with Members of the Industrial Development Commission (IDC) and Finance Committee Mr. Dumas introduced members of the IDC, Finance Committee and Penta Communications. He stated the IDC hired Penta Communications to help aid the Town with economic development needs and he considers this an investment. Mr. Krentzman, Chair of the IDC, then spoke on the background and the initiatives of the Commission. He then asked for the Board's approval on hiring Penta Communications and the appropriation of $65,000 for the project. He then introduced Deborah Penta from Penta Communications. Ms. Penta stated they are a full service integrated marketing firm that works for clients to build and sustain their businesses. She then introduced Ms. Lydia Goldblatt and noted that both she and Ms. Goldblatt offer a unique perspective than other marketing firms because they both have municipal experience having been volunteers on Town Boards and Committees. She provided a presentation on how to create a strategy to promote Mansfield as a welcoming community for new businesses, while ensuring existing companies are happy with the Town. She then answered questions from the Board. Mr. Wilk, Finance Committee Chair, came forward and stated that this is a process and it is the most cost effective way to get this off the ground. He stated that the Finance Committee would be meeting tomorrow and the reserve fund transfer will be considered. Motion: To support the spending to hire Penta Communications and the amount is not to exceed $65,000. (Trowbridge/Schoonveld ) Passes 4:0 The Select Board took a quick break at 8:10PM. Chairman Aptowitz called the meeting back to order at 8:16PM. 6. Consideration to Waive Five Year Moratorium for 97 Otis Street Mr. Jeremy Lakota of 97 Otis Street came forward and stated that the boiler needed to be replaced and they want to switch to gas. The moratorium is up in September 2020 and as a resident for a long time he had no plans of selling the property. Motion: To waive the five year moratorium for 97 Otis Street. (Rhein/Schoonveld) Passes 4:0 7. Discussion and Consideration of Date for Fall Town Meeting Mr. Dumas stated that he is considering a Town Meeting on November 19th. Mr. Trowbridge would like to open it on September 25th and close before November 41h so that the Planning Department can hold hearings for any zoning items. Mr. Dumas was unsure he could close it that soon based on items he is working on. 8. Discussion of North Main Street Fire Station and West Street Police Station Use There was no update. 9. SEMRECC Update from Town Manager There was no update. 10. Resident Questions and Comments There were no resident questions or comments. 11. Review and Approve Consent Agenda All items on the Consent Agenda may be adopted with a single motion. Any member of the Select Board 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 Select Board Meeting Minutes for: • August 29, 2019 b) Vote To Approve Warrants: Select Board Meeting Minutes September 11, 2019 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 20010T in the amount of $311,049.17 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 20010E in the amount of $67,865.82 • School Vendor Warrant No. 200105 in the amount of $638,104.32 • Town Vendor Warrant No. 20011T in the amount of $2,012,321.89 • Electric Vendor Warrant No. 20011E in the amount of $194,146.46 c) Permits and License • Consideration of Sign Request for the Mansfield Women of Today to place signs on Town Property • Consideration of Banner Request for Mansfield Youth Baseball for September 30 to October 10, 2019 • Consideration of Rosary Rally for Our Nation for October 12, 2019 on North Common • Consideration of Hackney Driver Application for Charles Phillips d) Proclamations Motion: To approve the consent agenda. (Rhein/Schoonveld) Passes 4:0 12. Consideration and Approval of Town Payroll Warrants: • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 20010PT in the amount of $468,670.54 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 20010PT in the amount of $468,670.54. (Rhein/Schoonveld) Passes 3:0:1 (Aptowitz Abstained) • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 20010TV in the amount of $137,579.73 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 20010TV in the amount of $137,579.73. (Rhein/Schoonveld) Passes 4:0 • School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 20010PS in the amount of $1,625,822.51 Motion: To approve School Payroll/School Medicaid Payroll 20010PS in the amount of $1,625,822.51. (Rhein/Schoonveld) Passes 3:0:1 (Trowbridge abstained) • School Deductions Vendor Payroll 20010SV in the amount of $506,779.04 Motion: To approve School Deductions Vendor Payroll 20010SV in the amount of $506,779.04. (Rhein/Schoonveld) Passes 4:0 • Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 20011PT in the amount of $396,912.19 Motion: To approve Town Payroll/Town Medicaid Payroll 20011PT in the amount of $396,912.19. (Rhein/Schoonveld) Passes 3:0:1 (Aptowitz Abstained) • Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 20011TV in the amount of $121,252.23 Motion: To approve Town Deductions Vendor Payroll 20011TV in the amount of $121,252.23. (Rhein/Schoonveld) Passes 4:0 13. Correspondence • Letter from DCR for Dam Safety Inspections for Fulton and Kingman Pond Dams Mr. Rhein read a summary of the above correspondence items. 14. Town Manager's Report Mr. Dumas read a hydrant flushing notification from the Water Department which begins September 17th and runs for six weeks during the hours of midnight to 6am. He noted that this may cause brown water and water should be run until it is clear again. He then read a notification for construction on Oakland Street southbound. Mr. Dumas then stated that Free Cash was certified and is available and subject to appropriation. The grant for $185,000 towards fire fighter supplies was also approved. He also updated the Board on a meeting he had with the Recreation Commission for the Plymouth Street playground project and making it handicap accessible. Select Board Meeting Minutes September 11, 2019 15. Select Board Member's Questions and Comments Mr. Rhein stated that he attended at meeting about having shared hazardous waste dates with other communities. He also brought up concerns with Memorial Park mulch, timing the signals on East Street, RFP for the Fire Station and the landscaping at the Mansfield Green. Mr. Dumas responded to these items. Lastly, Mr. Rhein stated that marketing materials for Fall Festival will be posted and the banner will be on the fence at Marco's building. Mr. Schoonveld asked if the $70,000 for the trail would be on the Fall Town Meeting Warrant and Mr. Dumas responded that it may. Mr. Schoonveld then asked about the Pavement Management presentation and if Cable Access was able to break that out and Ms. Champagne responded that it is a YouTube link that will be posted. Mr. Schoonveld asked if the Board could vote in support of the funding plan that was presented. Lastly, he asked when is the new fire truck expected and Mr. Dumas answered in October and possibly by the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Mr. Trowbridge commented that Ms. Fernando of the School Committee is hoping to organize the collection of donations of travel size toiletries at Town Meeting to donate to a shelter. Mr. Dumas said he would follow up with Superintendent Murphy. Chairman Aptowitz congratulated Deputy Chief Ellsworth on his graduation from the FBI Academy. 16. Any items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this meeting Mr. Dumas stated that an item came up with the last day that needs the Select Boards approval. The construction project at 11 North Main Street requires them to place a dumpster in the public way in two parking spaces for twenty four hours. Mr. Dumas further explained a map depicting where it would be placed and the Board asked a few questions. Motion: To approve the dumpster being placed in the public way as presented and for reflective tape to be placed on the edges of the dumpster. (Trowbridge/Schoonveld) Passes 4:0 17. Adjourn Motion: To adjourn the September 11, 2019 Select Board meeting at 8:57. (Trowbridge/Schoonveld) Passes 4:0 C f�wlQ. �er(L) Signature Minutes prepared by Carrie Champagne Date Select Board Meeting Minutes September 11, 2019