City Council - Public Safety Committee

CHICOPEE CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY APPROVED 6-27-2016 MEMBERS PUBLIC SAFETY Robert J. Zygarowski, Chairman Frank Laflamme, Vice Chairman Jerry Roy Gary Labrie John Vieau MINUTES July 14, 2015 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 6:30 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, Fourth Floor, City Hall Annex, 274 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Members Present Zygarowski, Laflamme, Roy (At-Large), Labrie, Vieau Also Present Councilor Lamontagne, Councilor Tillotson, Councilor Krampits, Joel McAuliffe (Communications Director), Dan Garvey (Associate City Solicitor), Jeff Neece (DPW Superintendent), William Jebb (Police Chief), Jeff Cady (General Manager, CEL), Carolyn Porter (Parks Superintendent) In compliance with the Open Meeting Law the Chairman asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting. ITEM #1 ORDERED THAT the Public Safety Committee investigate ways to improve the intersection of McKinstry Avenue and Arcade Street. Councilor Labrie stated that Mrs. LaCroix lives in the brick house at this intersection. Councilor Labrie has filed an order for a guardrail to be installed in front of her house because her home has been struck by vehicles in the past. The order was filed a while ago and the guardrail has still not been installed. Jeff Neece stated that there is a water main in the area in front of Mrs. LaCroix’s house and he has to determine the best location for the guardrail not to hinder with the water main. Councilor Vieau stated that this intersection has been problematic and the city has been trying for over 10 years to work on this intersection. 1 Jeff Neece stated that the last time this intersection was studied traffic signals were not warranted. Perhaps if a study was conducted now that determination would change. He stated that it needs to be reviewed. Steve Frederick suggested the following improvements to the intersection: 1. Replace the lighting with LED bulbs 2. Repaint STOP bars on Arcade Street 3. Repair crosswalk bars 4. STOP painted on Arcade Street 5. Trim city trees on Arcade Street Chief Jebb stated that his department has received complaints about Chicopee Mason Supply truck drivers and Polep truck drivers speeding on McKinstry Avenue. He further stated that the Police Department installed a data recorder on a pole and it showed that 66,000 cars travel McKinstry Avenue over 5 days. Then a car struck the recorder and now it is being repaired. He further stated that he would suggest a plate recorder device that could be installed at this location. This device costs about $25,000 and it would pay for itself in the long run. It records the speed of the traveling car and the license plate. The police department then sends out citations to those drivers that were recorded speeding. The data is recorded so there is no question about the speed or the vehicle in violation. Councilor Tillotson stated that the city should consider the plate recorders. He also suggested that the Police Department place an old cruiser with a fake police officer inside. He stated that he has seen this tactic used elsewhere and it has worked. Councilor Lamontagne suggested lights around the stop signs. Councilor Roy suggested that the city make this intersection a 4 way stop. He has spoken with Representative Wagner’s office and the staff checked with DOT and was told that the state has no jurisdiction over the 4 way stop on this road because it is not a state road. Councilor Roy suggested 4 large stop signs. Motion made to place on file with department head recommendations. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. ITEM #2 ORDERED THAT Westover Job Corp appear before the Public Safety Committee concerning neighbor complaints as a result of a Ward 9 Neighborhood meeting. Motion made for a 5 minute recess at 7:14 PM. Meeting called back to order at 7:16 PM. The representatives from Westover Job Corp refused to come into the Chambers. They stated to Dan Garvey and Chairman Zygarowski that they need clearance from Washington to be able to participate in a public meeting. They wanted to only hold the meeting among the committee without public participation. Dan Garvey stated that this request cannot be honored because it would be violating the open meeting law. This is a public hearing and the public cannot be 2 asked to leave the chambers. The committee decided that they will hear from the public and continue with the meeting without Job Corp. Public Input Mark Farrell, 42 Access Road, stated that he is very disgusted that a Federal agency has a new policy and can’t come into a room and hear concerns. He stated that Westover Job Corp does not enforce the rules that they have in place. The students loiter the neighboring streets, and parks. Rules are not enforced and the students do whatever they want. He further stated that they are not asking the students to go to jail or stay on Westover property. They just want them to stay where they are supposed to be. He stated that a student was recently arrested for stealing electronic devices from a vehicle parked at Ocean State Job Lot. Dumping on Access Road and James Street. Seven years ago there were rules and policies in place at Job Corp and there were no problems. The residents just want things to be the way they were. Katherine Manning, 39 Access Road, questioned whether Job Corp can come into the city and can do whatever they want and the City has no authority to tell them that they have to be good neighbors and citizens. Caroline Farrell, 42 Access Road, stated that there have been fires in the woods, electronics stolen from vehicles that were traced back to students at Job Corp. Job Corp is not a good neighbor. Stan Walczak, 33 Lariviere Drive, stated that while he held the Parks Superintendent position for the City there was a Community Relations Committee at the Job Corp. The previous administration was very receptive to offer assistance in various community projects that he asked for. He further stated that the bus from the Job Corp drives to pick up students wondering the streets but the bus is always empty going back. Councilor Laflamme stated that letters should be sent to the Congressman Neal and the delegation seeking their assistance in getting Westover Job Corp to attend a meeting of the Public Safety Committee. Joel McAuliffe stated that the Mayor’s Office has made several attempts to make contact with Westover Job Corp to address the issues. Councilor Krampits stated that Westover Job Corp should have at least come in to the meeting and listened to the concerns from residents and the Councilors even if they could not respond. Westover Job Corp should have offered professional courtesy to the Council. Councilor Tillotson stated that Westover Job Corp is not adhering to the rules that were in place. Chief Jebb stated that he will visit Westover Job Corp tomorrow and speak with the administration and bring to them the concerns expressed at tonight’s meeting. Motion made to postpone to the call of the chair. Motion passed. 3 ITEM #3 Minutes – June 22, 2015. Motion made to accept. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM. 4