City Council - License Committee

City of Chicopee City Council License Committee Approved 1-25-2021 Members Stanley Walczak, Chair Fred Krampits, Vice Chair George Balakier Frank Laflamme Derek Dobosz MINUTES November 30, 2020 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Monday, November 30, 2020 at 6:30 PM held in the Council Chambers, 4th floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Members Present Walczak, Krampits (teleconference), Laflamme, Dobosz (arrived 6:32 PM on teleconference, left at 6:55 PM), Balakier Also Present Attorney Daniel Garvey (Associate City Solicitor), Frank Boron (Assistant Building Commissioner), Captain Benjamin Turnberg, Councilor Tillotson, Councilor Galecki, Lee Pouliot (Planning Director) 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. Hearing none the meeting continued. ITEM #1 BE IT ORDERED THAT Veteran Auto Service, 238 Meadow Street, be called before the City of Chicopee License Committee and City Council to discuss the license (s) currently held by Veteran Auto Service including compliance with restrictions imposed upon any licenses held by Veteran Auto Service. The Council may modify, suspend, fine, or revoke any license held by Veteran Auto Service. Business sold to a third party. License holder, Pablo Morales, was not present at the meeting. The Council Office sent a letter requiring his presence at this meeting and called this morning but was unable to leave a voicemail. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Walczak to revoke the license effective upon the issuance of the new licenses to new owners. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. 1 Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Walczak to take Item #6 out of order at the request of Councilor Dobosz who had to report to work. ITEM #6 BE IT ORDERED THAT Murray Automotive, LLC, 102 Old Fuller Road, be called before the City of Chicopee License Committee and City Council to discuss the license (s) currently held by Murray Automotive, LLC including compliance with restrictions imposed upon any licenses held by Murray Automotive, LLC. The Council may modify, suspend, fine, or revoke any license held by Murray Automotive, LLC. VIOLATIONS – too many vehicles, operating outside of hours of operation, junk cars, and not adhering to conditions on the license. Michael Murray was present at the meeting. Councilor Dobosz stated that the business is in violation of the following: 1. Operating outside of the hours listed on the license. Both Councilor Dobosz and Chairman Walczak happened to drive by and witness operations at the business late at night on several occasions. 2. Not complying with restrictions made during the last time you were called in front of this committee. One of these restrictions was making additions or changes to the fence so people on the street cannot see inside the fence. 3. Parking vehicles too close to the road. He is still receiving complaints about vehicles being parked too close to the road. Mr. Murray stated that he will not install the slats in the fencing because he is afraid of theft. He has already had some parts stolen from cars and if he installs the privacy feature there will be more theft. As far as working beyond hours of operation, Mr. Murray stated that because of COVID he is not working on Saturdays and sometimes he has to finish a job and will stay late on Friday. Councilor Laflamme stated that the committee requested that Mr. Murray install the fence screening because of neighborhood complaints. He further stated that those slats must be installed. If Mr. Murray is afraid of theft then he could install security cameras. Mr. Murray stated that he feels if the fencing is left as is and thieves are on the property the neighbors would see them and call the police. Councilor Laflamme stated that it’s Mr. Murray’s neighbors that are the ones that are asking for help. Councilor Laflamme stated his frustration with Mr. Murray not complying with his restrictions over and over again. Councilor Walczak asked if Mr. Murray has any signs on the property that indicate that the property is under surveillance. Mr. Murray stated that he has security cameras out front and in the fenced in yard out back. He continued that it didn’t make a difference the thieves were very quick in and out. Councilor Walczak stated that if Mr. Murray is losing money then he needs to find another means to secure his property. He continued that he is not pleased with Mr. Murray’s response to the violations. He keeps coming in before the committee for violations. The committee may have to start fining, suspending or revoking. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Walczak to have the screening installed within three months – address the required hours of operation – and parking cars too close to the road. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Walczak to return to Item #2. Motion passed. 2 ITEM #2 Application for a Class II License for Meadow Street Auto located at 238 Meadow Street. Applicants Gary George Samuels Christopher Maxwell Wood-Holdt 3 Hockanum Drive 257 Tunix Avenue East Hartford, CT 06118 Bloomfield, CT 06002 Gary Samuels and Christopher Wood-Holdt were present at the meeting. The applicants stated that the trailer has been removed from the property. Captain Turnberg and Frank Boron stated that the property is cleaned up, looking better and organized. Mr. Samuels asked if during a snow storm they could have 2 cars on lifts and park 2 cars under the lifts for snow removal. The committee informed the applicants that they have to live by the restrictions on the license and only 2 cars are allowed inside. Restrictions Good housekeeping No outside storage No junk cars No outside repairs License holder must secure a Certificate of Occupancy prior to exercising the rights granted under this license Total number of vehicles – 20 ( 2 inside, 15 outside, 1 employee, 1 customer, 1 handicap space, 12 cars for sale) Hours of operation M-Saturday 8 AM – 8 PM, closed Sunday Delete trailer on plot plan Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Walczak to approve with restrictions. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. ITEM #3 Application for an Auto Repair License for Meadow Street Auto located at 238 Meadow Street. Applicants Gary George Samuels Christopher Maxwell Wood-Holdt 3 Hockanum Drive 257 Tunix Avenue East Hartford, CT 06118 Bloomfield, CT 06002 Gary Samuels and Christopher Wood-Holdt were present at the meeting. Restrictions Good housekeeping No outside storage No junk cars No outside repairs License holder must secure a Certificate of Occupancy prior to exercising the rights granted under this license Total number of vehicles – 20 ( 2 inside, 15 outside, 1 employee, 1 customer, 1 handicap space, 12 cars for sale) Hours of operation M-Saturday 8 AM – 8 PM, closed Sunday Delete trailer on plot plan 3 Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Walczak to approve with restrictions. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. ITEM #4 Application for an Auto Detailing License for Meadow Street Auto located at 238 Meadow Street. Applicants Gary George Samuels Christopher Maxwell Wood-Holdt 3 Hockanum Drive 257 Tunix Avenue East Hartford, CT 06118 Bloomfield, CT 06002 Gary Samuels and Christopher Wood-Holdt were present at the meeting. Restrictions Good housekeeping No outside storage No junk cars No outside repairs License holder must secure a Certificate of Occupancy prior to exercising the rights granted under this license Total number of vehicles – 20 ( 2 inside, 15 outside, 1 employee, 1 customer, 1 handicap space, 12 cars for sale) Hours of operation M-Saturday 8 AM – 8 PM, closed Sunday Delete trailer on plot plan Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Walczak to approve with restrictions. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. ITEM #5 ORDERED THAT Tito’s Auto Sales, Inc. located at 357 Chicopee Street come before the License Committee to review the currently held licenses and the license holder provide an update on the current business activity. Mr. Jeffrey Jose was not present at the meeting. Mr. Jose was requested to attend tonight’s meeting but did not attend. The license is no longer existing because it expired earlier this year. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Walczak to place on file. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. ITEM #7 Minutes – October 26, 2020 Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and second by Councilor Walczak to approve. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:26 PM. 4