City Council - License Committee

CHICOPEE CITY COUNCIL LICENSE COMMITTEE APPROVED 7-6-2015 License Committee Members Gerry Roy, Chairman Fred Krampits, Vice Chairman Frank Laflamme Robert J. Zygarowski Shane Brooks MINUTES June 3, 2015 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, Fourth Floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Members Present Roy, Laflamme, Zygarowski (arrived 6:34), Krampits (arrived 8:22), Brooks Also Present Dan Garvey (Associate City Solicitor), Carl Dietz (Building Commissioner), Councilor Zaskey, Councilor McLellan 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. ITEM #1 ORDERED THAT the property owner of 922-932 Front Street, Gregory Szyluk, (The Regency Co.) and his tenants of:  922 Front Street – Engine Light  924 Front Street – Audio Works  926 Front Street – Chicopee Auto Service  928 Front Street – Unknown  930 Front Street – Unknown and Occupied  932 Front Street – Unknown and Occupied Along with the Building Department and Fire Department appear before the License Committee and review occupancy permits – license reviews – parking plan – condition and maintenance of property. 1 Attorney Jeffrey McCormick was present representing Mr. Szyluk, the property owner. He stated that Mr. Szyluk is out of town and is unable to attend tonight’s meeting. He will be listening intently tonight and forward all the concerns that the committee has to Mr. Szyluk. Attorney McCormick also stated that the property on Front Street is owned by Front Street, LLC. Councilor Zaskey presented the committee pictures of vehicles on the property that are parked in spots labeled 930 and 932 which are not licensed to have unregistered or registered vehicles. When he asked who owns these vehicles no one can answer that question. This has been going on for years and being that this property is located in the government corridor it should be kept up and presentable at all times. That means that all licenses must be adhered to and restrictions abided by. Councilor Zaskey also witnessed cars and trucks parked in bays that are not licensed by the City. Trash receptacles and recycling bins are filled with car parts. This is all unacceptable and something needs to be done. Councilor Zaskey stated that the property owner needs to make sure that all the businesses operating out of his facility are properly licensed. Carl Dietz stated that when he inspected the property on a Saturday he observed 7 unregistered vehicles (no plates) that according to the license holders of Chicopee Auto Service do not belong to them. Chicopee Auto Service is the only business on the property that has a Class II license and can have unregistered vehicles. Councilor Laflamme stated that he would like the Building Commissioner to coordinate with the Police Department to meet on the property and verify ownership of the vehicles on the lot. Manuel Coronado, license holder of Engine Light Auto Repair, stated that he now has the titles to the cars that are unregistered that he never received payment for the work done. He further stated that he does not sell cars. When asked if his name is on the titles to these cars Mr. Coronado replied that his name is not on the title. Councilor Zygarowski stated that he would like the unregistered vehicles towed off the property since Engine Light Auto Repair is not licensed to sell cars. Councilor Laflamme stated that he would like Barry Brouillard (Environmental Coordinator) to monitor the recycling at this location and for Carl Dietz to coordinate that with DPW. Attorney McCormick stated that he has taken notes of all the concerns and will forward them to Mr. Szyluk. The committee would like a contact person for this property if Mr. Szyluk is unavailable. Someone who can answer questions that may arise. Orders will be filed for the next Council meeting to call in the licensed businesses to review, modify, suspend, or revoke these licenses. 2 The committee recommends the following recommendations:  Building Inspector to work with Police to identify car ownership.  Sanitation to monitor the trash and recyclables at property.  Building to report back prior to next meeting of the License Committee. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Roy to approve. Committee vote 4 -0 favorable. ITEM #2 Application for a gas storage license for Pride Convenience, Inc., 363 Burnett Road. Currently licensed for 23,000 gallons in 2 tanks would like 25,000 in one tank. Applicant Robert Bolduc 246 Cottage Street Springfield, MA 01104 Mr. Bolduc was present at the meeting. He stated that his request is for an increase of 2,000 gallons of diesel and it will be stored in one tank. The following letter was read from the Fire Department: June 1, 2015 The Chicopee Fire Department has reviewed the recent plans for upgrades to the Pride Truck Stop located at 363 Burnett Road. We have met with Mr. Robert Bolduc in regards to his plan to increase his diesel fuel storage capacity as well as reconstruct the diesel fueling area. With an emphasis on public safety, the Fire Dept. has concerns with the stacking up to truck traffic in the eastbound lanes of Burnett Road at the entrance to the truck stop back toward the Mass Pike exit and Rte. 291. This stacking of trucks takes up the right eastbound travel lane of the roadway from the exit/entrance to the Mass Pike which causes vehicles to attempt to move from the right lane to the left lane to get around the stopped trucks waiting to enter the truck stop for fuel. This action is especially hazardous during heavy traffic times. An additional hazard is created when trucks exit the truck stop and have to cross four lanes of traffic to proceed west on Burnett Road toward the Mass Pike and Rte. 291. The congestion in this area is compounded by several traffic lights. Traffic in this area will continue to increase and because this is one of the top problem traffic areas in the city, the Chicopee Fire Department cannot offer its full support to this project without completely addressing these issues. Respectfully, Stephen S. Burkott Chief of the Department 3 Public Input David Amo, 72 Fairway Drive, stated that he agrees with the Fire Chief’s views. He stated that tractor trailers parked on the street waiting to get in. Frank Nataloni, stated that he would like to see 2 tanks instead of one for safety issues if there ever were to be a leak. Mr. Nataloni, stated that Mr. Bolduc has 9 acres that abut his property and there is no drainage on that property. He stated that water runs off onto his property and he would like to see this issue resolved. Mr. Bolduc stated that with this new state of the art 25,000 gallon tank it will only have to be refueled once per day. Mr. Bolduc provided an in-depth explanation of how the tank is leak proof and how the DEP and Fire Department are involved in the installation process. Restrictions Must meet all Fire Department, DEP, State and any legal regulations required by law. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Zygarowski to approve with restrictions. Committee vote 4 – 0 favorable ITEM #3 Application for an amendment to Service Station License at 363 Burnett Road for issuance of an open-air parking, replacement of diesel canopy and pumps, and reconfigure two driveways for Pride Convenience, Inc., 363 Burnett Road. Applicant Robert Bolduc 246 Cottage Street Springfield, MA 01104 Mr. Bolduc was present. He stated that the proposal is to close the facility for a few weeks for a complete overhaul. There will be 7 pumps instead of 8. Everything will be new; new pumps, new piping and new canopy. There will be a master pump and a slave pump. Mr. Bolduc stated that he anticipates that trucks will be able to refuel 75% faster than they are currently experiencing. This will also help to alleviate some of the traffic problems that are going on Burnett Road. Mr. Bolduc further stated that the driveway entrances and exit will be reconfigured and this will significantly alleviate traffic concerns. The station will only be repaved where it is needed. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme for a 5 minute recess. Meeting recessed at 9:03 PM. Meeting called back to order at 9:13 PM. 4 Mr. Bolduc stated that the paid parking portion of the facility will be staffed 24/7 with an attendant and cameras. Public Input David Amo, 72 Fairway Drive, stated that he feels even with this reconfiguration there will still be back-ups. He feels that a security guard driving in the parking area would be a good idea because he feels that there is illegal activity at this facility. The committee would like to see the abutting neighbors drainage issue addressed. Restrictions: 1. 6 foot tall white vinyl fence from A to B near Burnett Road as shown on map. Asphalt curb in same area 2. No truck trailers left without tractors attached in parking area 3. Clear signage for entrances and exits 4. Fire, DPW, State, and Federal regulations apply 5. Must meet Engineering regulations for drainage and water flow 6. Post idle signs at parking entrances 7. Must meet Planning Department requirements Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Roy to approve with restrictions. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. ITEM #4 Minutes – May 6, 2015. Motion made to approve. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:44 PM. 5