City Council - Claims and Accounts Committee

CHICOPEE CITY COUNCIL CLAIMS & ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE APPROVED 3-14-2016 MEMBERS John Vieau, Chairman Gerry Roy, Vice Chairman Frank Laflamme Gary Labrie William Zaskey MINUTES October 22, 2015 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, Fourth Floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Members Present Vieau, Roy, Laflamme Members Absent Zaskey, Labrie Also Present Daniel Garvey (Associate City Solicitor), Sharyn Riley (Auditor), Harold (Lefty) Thompson (Insurance Claim Officer), Amy Rivera (Assistant DPW Superintendent) The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM. In compliance with the Open Meeting Law the Chairman asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting. Claim 15-37 Joseph Sepulveda, 26 Northern Drive. Mr. Sepulveda was not present. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to postpone. Motion passed. Claim 15-38 Shane McCnnon, 38 Lakeshore Drive, Monson. Auto deny not a City resident. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to deny. Motion passed. Claim 15-39 Walter Barz, 35 Casino Avenue. Mr. Barz stated that he hit a pothole and had it serviced at Unique where he purchased the vehicle. The car is registered to his girlfriend, Tina, who lives in Longmeadow. Lefty was unable to see the vehicle because Mr. Barz then bought a new car and no longer has the car that was damaged. The vehicle was in his girlfriend’s name because he has poor credit but he stated that he is a principle driver on the insurance policy. The committee reviewed the insurance policy and it does list Mr. Barz as a driver along with several other people. 1 Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to deny because the claim was not proven and the owner of the vehicle is not a resident of the City. Motion passed. Claim 15-40 Jennifer Riley, 625 Lombard Rd. Councilor Laflamme excused himself from this portion of the meeting. He is a relative to Ms. Riley. Ms. Riley stated that she was driving on Lombard Rd when she hit a very large pothole. She stated that there was no way to avoid it. DPW and Police were called immediately. The depreciated amount according to the Insurance Claim Officer is $185.00. Motion made by Councilor Roy and second by Councilor Vieau to approve $185.00. Motion passed. Claim 15-41 Daniel Jaracz, 34 Mathieu Drive. Not present. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to postpone to the next meeting. Motion passed. Claim 15-42 Mary Diaz, 407 Springfield Street. Amy Rivera stated that the property is owned by Ms. Diaz’s daughter, Lisa Silva, who lives in Connecticut. A tree fell on the handicapped rail that leads into the house. Ms. Diaz is elderly and disabled and cannot attend the meeting. She is available by phone if the committee would like to speak with her. The committee felt that the money should be sent to Ms. Silva because she is the property owner. Amy Rivera stated that the DPW was informed of the incident. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to approve $300.00. Motion passed. Claim 15-43 Jodi Eno, 101 Thaddeus Street. Ms. Eno stated that she was traveling on Dale Street near the intersection of Montgomery Street she hit a very large pothole with her new car that had 700 miles on it. She said that a sewer drain was also sticking out of the pothole. Motion made by Councilor Roy and second by Councilor Laflamme to approve $182.31. Motion passed. Claim 15-44 Ann Gagnon, 54 Old Fuller Road Ext. Ms. Gagnon stated that she was traveling on Lombard Road and hit a very large pothole. The police came and stayed at the scene until the DPW came to fill the hole. She had just purchased the car. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to approve $300.00. Motion passed. Claim 15-45 Patrick Devine, 73 Monroe Street. Mr. Devine stated that he was traveling on Burnett Road and in front of McDonald’s he hit a large pothole that had a drain sticking out. He damaged his tire. Amy Rivera stated that a pothole in this area was never reported. She travels this road every day and never recalls seeing a pothole at this location. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Roy to postpone and request photos and invoice for the repairs. Motion passed. Claim 15-46 Beverly Los, 28 Glenwood Street. Ms. Los stated that she came to City Hall to do some business and when she left she hit a patch of sidewalk that was uneven and tripped. Her new glasses broke. When she returned home she called Councilor Zygarowski to inform him of what happened. Amy Rivera stated that Councilor Zygarowski did call DPW and reported the incident. DPW spray painted the sidewalk in front of City Hall that was uneven. Ms. Los stated that she had the glasses replaced at Ken’s Eyewear. The committee wanted to see a receipt for the new glasses. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to approve upon the City Auditor receiving a paid invoice from Ken’s Eyewear. Not to exceed $300.00. Motion passed. 2 Claim 15-47 Jenny Cortez, 10 Volpe Drive #49. Ms. Cortez stated that Volpe Drive is full of potholes. She hit one and damaged her muffler pipe, converter box, gas tank, and tires. She brought the car to one repair shop but the work performed was unacceptable. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to postpone until next meeting and until the committee receives a verifiable paid invoice. Motion passed. Claim 15-48 Laura Monsalve, 28 Thaddeus Street. Ms. Monsalve stated that she hit a pothole on Grattan Street and there was something metal sticking out of the hole. Amy Rivera stated that road is undergoing a sewer separation project. The claim should be sent to the Waste Water Department. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to deny and refer to the Sewer Project. Motion passed. Claim 15-49 Michael Tarrant, 140 Leona Avenue. Mr. Tarrant was not present. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to postpone. Motion passed. Claims Postponed from 5/14/2015 Claim 15-22 William Manewich, 57 Ames Avenue. Mr. Manewich was not present. He was not present at the last meeting also. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to deny. Motion passed. Claim 15-23 Velma Johnson, 38 Bell Street, Apt. #2. Ms. Johnson stated that she was traveling in her Mercedes on Fairview Avenue and hit a pothole. Harold Thompson stated that only the rims were damaged. Ms. Johnson stated that she brought the car to the Mercedes dealership to fix the tires. She just had the repair done because she didn’t have money. Motion made by Councilor Roy and second by Councilor Vieau to deny. Claim not proven. Motion passed. Claim 15-24 Jeremy Valentin, 17 Adams Street. Mr. Valentin stated that during the February 8th snow storm all vehicles were towed from Adams Street. Adam Street is not on the list of streets for towing. He further stated that all his neighbors called the Mayor’s office and their cars were released from the tow yard. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to approve by forwarding to the Law Department. Motion passed. Claim 15-27 Susan Santoro, 41 Blanche Street. Ms. Santoro was not present. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to deny. Motion passed. Claim 15-34 Tara Denault, 50 Theodore Street. Ms. Denault hit a pothole and damaged her caliper and ball joints. Harold Thompson said that he was never able to get in touch with Ms. Denault to look at the vehicle. He spoke with A & H Repair and was told that the work was done. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to approve $287.65. Motion passed. Minutes – May 14, 2015. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Vieau to approve. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM. 3