City Council

HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, APRIL 26, 2010 Hearing opened at 6:25 P.M. with Councillor Marchand, Chair of the Public Service Committee, presiding. All members were present except Councillors Chalifoux-Zephir and Dombrowski. The following PETITION was the subject of the hearing: 31-10 National Grid: Willard Street: Install 1 singly owned pole on Willard Street beginning at a point approximately 261 feet south of the centerline of the intersection of Central Street. David Bremner, a field investigator for National Grid said this pole is related to the intersection widening and when they did the widening they pushed other poles out so now they need to guy a pole. This is a stub pole across the street to hold the guy wire. Councillor Marchand asked if it was on someone’s property. Mr. Bremner said it is on city property. Councillor Marchand asked if it was going to be on a sidewalk. Mr. Bremner said there is no sidewalk on that side of the road. HEARING ADJOURNED AT 6:28 P.M. _______________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk And Clerk of the City Council HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, APRIL 26, 2010 Hearing opened at 6:30 P.M. with Councillor Rowlands, Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee, presiding. All members were present except Councillor Chalifoux-Zephir. This hearing is continued from March 8, 2010. The following PETITION was the subject of the hearing: 22-10 Frank H. Preston, Agent for Fernand Arsenault: Rezone 12.8 acres of land located at the western end of Marcello Avenue and Kinsman Avenue, north of Marshall Street and south of Mooreland Avenue as shown on Assessor’s Map 244 as Parcels 1A and 2A, from Industrial, Residence A and Business B to Residence A. Councillor Rowlands read the recommendation from the Planning Board. He said all other recommendations were read previously. Mr. Preston said they have no further information except to say that the Planning Board Director Ms. Griffin-Brooks said it as well as we could. He said the Planning Board feels they presented an accurate assessment of the property and they concur with that entirely. Councillor Marchand said he wished that the engineers in this city would pay attention to this hearing. He said when the first project came forward there was a lot of opposition because of a concern but for them to go back to the drawing board and come in with a win win situation not only for the property owner but for the city is remarkable and commendable. He said the petitioner showed flexibility. Instead of trying to fight the system, he worked with the system and Councillor Marchand said he is very pleased with the new proposal before us and unless the Ward Councillor has a problem he will support it. No one in the audience spoke in favor or in opposition on this petition. Councillor Rowlands said the one concern he has is that they are allowed by Special Permit to have a duplex. He said he believes there was concern on a multi-family for this location by some of the neighbors which he believes were three-family and larger. He asked Mr. Preston if he felt they would look into the possibility of obtaining a Special Permit for a duplex. Mr. Preston said because it is permitted we would like to look into it. He said at the Planning Board public hearing last week he made a point to remind the Planning Board that duplexes are permitted with a Special Permit and wanted to make sure that was on the table. He said the sense of the room was that the Planning Board would not look very favorably upon that approach. He said ultimately this project will have to pass Planning Board approval. Councillor Rowlands said your forthrightness before us and answering questions is appreciated. He said any question we asked you have been more than forthright even with some of them you didn’t have to explain. HEARING ADJOURNED AT 6:36 P.M. _______________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk And Clerk of the City Council  2 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, APRIL 26, 2010 Meeting was called to order at 7:34 P.M. Attendance was taken by a roll call vote; all members were present. The Committee on Records reported that the records through April 12, 2010 were examined and found to be in order. The records were accepted. The following COMMUNICATIONS were received under SUSPENSION OF THE RULES and referred to the FINANCE COMMITTEE. Vt. 9 “yeas”. Upon recommendation of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, the following COMMUNICATIONS were given REGULAR COURSE . Vt. 9 “yeas”. C-83 Relative to the appropriation of $10,000.00 to the Sidewalk and Curbing Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. C-84 Relative to the appropriation of $9,800.00 to the Conservation Commission Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Wetland Fees Reserved for Appropriation Account. C-85 Relative to the appropriation of $3,000.00 to the Forestry Department Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Forestry Department Overtime Account. C-86 Relative to the appropriation of $40,000.00 to the Veteran’s Services Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. The following PETITION was received, referred to the PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE and given REGULAR COURSE. A hearing was scheduled for May 10, 2010 at 6:25 P.M. Vt. 9/0. 49-10 National Grid and Verizon New England: Install 1 jointly owned pole on Wilderwood Avenue beginning at a point approximately 357 feet north easterly of the centerline of the intersection of Main Street. The following PETITION was received, referred to the PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE and given REGULAR COURSE. 50-10 Patrick R. LaPointe: Accept and sign an Assent Agreement with New England Power Company which will allow work to proceed on Tanzio Road where the road crosses under National Grid transmission lines. The following PETITION was received, referred to the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE, given REGULAR COURSE and referred to the Treasurer and the Police. 51-10 Phillip McBain: Renew the license for two pool tables at Captain’s Lounge located at 1536 Main Street. The following PETITIONS were received, referred to the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE, given REGULAR COURSE and referred to the Police and the Starburst Committee. 52-10 Susana Arruda Fidalgo, S & S Novelty: Grant a Hawker’s and Peddler’s License to sell children’s toys and novelty items outside Doyle Field at Starburst. 53-10 Dwayne Davis, S & S Novelty: Grant a Hawker’s and Peddler’s License to sell children’s toys and novelty items outside Doyle Field at Starburst. 54-10 Agnes Martin, S & S Novelty: Grant a Hawker’s and Peddler’s License to sell children’s toys and novelty items outside Doyle Field at Starburst. The following PETITION was received, referred to the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE, given REGULAR COURSE and referred to the Treasurer. 55-10 Matthew K. Zvarek: Grant a Second Hand Dealer’s License to GBA Whitney Field LLC located in Unit 15 in the mall at Whitney Field. Councillor Salvatelli, Chairman of the Finance Committee, read the Financial Report for the City into the record. Account balances are as follows: Excess and Deficiency Account (Free Cash) $1,659,143.90 Emergency Reserve Account $3,662.00 Stabilization Account $11,534,656.38 Upon recommendation of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, the following COMMUNICATION was RATIFIED. Vt. 9 “yeas” C-74 Relative to the appropriation of $28,755.00 to the Sidewalk and Curbing Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. (Granted with an Emergency Preamble on April 12, 2010; another vote is required.)  3 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, APRIL 26, 2010, continued Upon recommendation of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, the following COMMUNICATIONS were GRANTED and ORDERED. Vt. 9 “yeas” C-75 Relative to the appropriation of $48,000.00 to the Assessor’s Revaluation Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. ORDERED: - that the sum of Forty Eight Thousand Dollars ($48,000.00) be appropriated to the Assessor’s Revaluation Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. C-76 Relative to the appropriation of $22,416.00 to the Assessor’s Revaluation Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. ORDERED: - that the sum of Twenty Two Thousand Four Hundred Sixteen Dollars ($22,416.00) be appropriated to the Assessor’s Revaluation Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. C-77 Relative to the appropriation of $11,200.00 to the Wire Department Capital Outlay Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. ORDERED: - that the sum of Eleven Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($11,200.00) be appropriated to the Wire Department Capital Outlay Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. RE: Traffic engineering services-Signal Improvements at Rt. 12 & Rt. 13 C-78 Relative to the appropriation of $25,000.00 to the Fire Department Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. ORDERED: -that the sum of Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) be appropriated to the Fire Department Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. C-79 Relative to the appropriation of $4,000.00 to the Other Finance Offices and Accounts Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. ORDERED: - that the sum of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) be appropriated to the Other Finance Offices and Accounts Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account. RE: Banking Expenses Upon recommendation of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, the following COMMUNICATION was RATIFIED. Vt. 9 “yeas” C-81 Relative to the appropriation of $8,300.00 to the Municipal Buildings Maintenance Expense Account; same to be transferred to the Excess and Deficiency Account. (Granted with an Emergency Preamble on April 21, 2010; another vote is required.) Upon recommendation of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, the following COMMUNICATION was RATIFIED. Vt. 8 “yeas” and 1 “nay”, Councillor Chalifoux Zephir opposed. C-82 Relative to the appropriation of $60,000.00 to the Municipal Buildings Maintenance Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Storm Expense Account. (Granted with an Emergency Preamble on April 21, 2010; another vote is required.) Upon recommendation of the PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE, the following COMMUNICATION was AMENDED and GRANTED AS AMENDED. Vt. 9/0 Amended from “261 feet southerly” to “261 feet easterly.” 31-10 National Grid: Willard Street: Install 1 singly owned pole on Willard Street beginning at a point approximately 261 feet easterly of the centerline of the intersection of Central Street. Upon request of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, the following PETITION was given FURTHER TIME. Hearing continued to May 10, 2010 at 6:30 P.M. 5-10 John Souza, Chairman, on behalf of the Planning Board: Adopt the following zoning changes proposed by Vanasse, Hangen and Brustlin to include: 1) The Leominster Zoning Ordinance Revised Draft, July 2009 2) The Leominster Zoning Ordinance “Table of Uses,” July 2009 3) The Leominster Zoning Ordinance “Proposed New Zoning Districts,” July 2009 4) The Leominster Zoning Ordinance “New Sections,” January 2009 5) Section 22-19 Residence B Districts which is a correction to the “The Leominster Zoning Ordinance Revised Draft,” July 2009 (Hearing continued to May 10, 2010 at 6:30 P.M.)  4 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, APRIL 26, 2010, continued Upon recommendation of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, the following PETITION was GRANTED. Vt. 9 “yeas” 22-10 Frank H. Preston, Agent for Fernand Arsenault: Rezone 12.8 acres of land located at the western end of Marcello Avenue and Kinsman Avenue, north of Marshall Street and south of Mooreland Avenue as shown on Assessor’s Map 244 as Parcels 1A and 2A, from Industrial, Residence A and Business B to Residence A. Upon request of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, the following PETITIONS were given FURTHER TIME. Vt. 9/0 32-10 Leominster Historical Commission: Adopt a Demolition Delay Ordinance. 33-10 Gennaro Coscia: Enact a City By-law that would prohibit all Level 2 and 3 sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school, playground or anywhere children regularly gather. Upon request of the CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE, the following PETITION was given FURTHER TIME. Vt. 9/0 34-10 Patrick R. LaPointe: Accept a proposed Stabilization and Slope Easement adjacent to Tanzio Road, in accordance with the plan entitled “Easement Plan of Land in Leominster, MA” prepared for the City of Leominster, dated March 4, 2010 by Whitman & Bingham Associates, LLC. Upon recommendation of the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE, the following COMMUNICATION was AMENDED and GRANTED AS AMENDED and ORDERED. Vt. 8 “yeas” and 1 “nay”, Councillor Rowlands opposed. Councillor Nickel abstained from voting on the Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network and Councillor Lanciani abstained from voting on the Montachusett Homecare and MOC due to possible conflict of interest. Communication amended from “Battered Women’s Resources – Second Chance Program” to read “Battered Women’s Resources – Healthy Relationships Program.” C-80 Relative to the appropriation of $563,533.00 to the following accounts for the Year 36 Community Development Block Grant. Leominster Board of Health – Code Enforcement $78,778.00 Leominster OPD - Economic Development Program $72,090.00 Leominster OPD - Housing Rehabilitation Program $223,959.00 Includes $20,000 for Elder Safety Rehab Services Leominster OPD - Planning & Administration $112,706.00 Battered Women’s Resources – Healthy Relationship Program $2,400.00 Beacon of Hope – Respite Services $9,300.00 Boys & Girls Club of North Central Massachusetts $2,500.00 Leominster Housing Authority – Allencrest Learning Center $1,400.00 Leominster Mayor's Office - Energy Assistance Program $10,000.00 Leominster Mayor's Office - Summer Youth Program $14,500.00 Leominster Mayor’s Office – State Pool Fee Assistance $1,200.00 Leominster Recreation Dept. – Summer Financial Assistance $1,000.00 Montachusett Home Care – Money Management for the $5,000.00 Elderly Program Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network – Interfaith $11,000.00 Network Montachusett Opportunity Council – Financial Literacy $3,600.00 Education & Counseling Spanish American Center - Community Outreach Worker $3,100.00 (Information & Referral) Veterans Hospice Homestead – Hero Homestead $11,000.00 ORDERED: - that the sum of Five Hundred Sixty Three Thousand Five Hundred Thirty Three Dollars ($563,533.00) be appropriated to the following designated accounts of Year 36 Community Development Block Grant:  5 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, APRIL 26, 2010, continued Leominster Board of Health – Code Enforcement $78,778.00 Leominster OPD - Economic Development Program $72,090.00 Leominster OPD - Housing Rehabilitation Program $223,959.00 Includes $20,000 for Elder Safety Rehab Services Leominster OPD - Planning & Administration $112,706.00 Battered Women’s Resources – Healthy Relationship Program $2,400.00 Beacon of Hope – Respite Services $9,300.00 Boys & Girls Club of North Central Massachusetts $2,500.00 Leominster Housing Authority – Allencrest Learning Center $1,400.00 Leominster Mayor's Office - Energy Assistance Program $10,000.00 Leominster Mayor's Office - Summer Youth Program $14,500.00 Leominster Mayor’s Office – State Pool Fee Assistance $1,200.00 Leominster Recreation Dept. – Summer Financial $1,000.00 Assistance Montachusett Home Care – Money Management for the $5,000.00 Elderly Program Montachusett Interfaith Hospitality Network – Interfaith $11,000.00 Network Montachusett Opportunity Council – Financial Literacy $3,600.00 Education & Counseling Spanish American Center - Community Outreach Worker $3,100.00 (Information & Referral) Veterans Hospice Homestead – Hero Homestead $11,000.00 Upon recommendation of the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE, the following PETITIONS were GRANTED. Vt. 9/0 35-10 Joanne Atwood: Renew the Second Hand Dealer’s License for The Repair Place at Sears located at the Mall at Whitney Field. 36-10 Mark Gordon: Renew the Second Hand Dealer’s License for LaSalle Music, Inc. located at Twin City Plaza. 37-10 George S. Frankovich: Renew the Second Hand Dealer’s License for Kay Jewelers #285 located at 100 Commercial Road. 38-10 George S. Frankovich: Renew the Second Hand Dealer’s License for Belden Jewelers #240 located at 100 Commercial Road. 39-10 George Boulgarian and Jon Zajon: Renew the Second Hand Dealer’s License for George’s Fine Jewelers located at 255 North Street. 40-10 Game Stop Store #3594: Renew the Second Hand Dealer’s License for the premises at 26 Orchard Hill Drive. 41-10 Game Stop Store d/b/a Movie Stop Store #7045: Renew the Second Hand Dealer’s License for the premises at 82 Orchard Hill Drive. 42-10 Game Stop Store #1485: Renew the Second Hand Dealer’s License for the premises at 100 Commercial Road. 43-10 Kym LeBlanc: Renew the license for 1 pool table at the Tankard, located at 13 Central Street. 44-10 Aime Lemoine: Renew the license for 1 pool table at Seven R’s d/b/a A & R’s Double Inn, located at 166 Water Street. 45-10 Craig Long: Renew the license for 2 pool tables at Jake’s Pub Inc. d/b/a/ Hot Shotz, located at 1293 Main Street. 46-10 William Plant: Renew the license for 9 pool tables at J.C. Fenwick’s located at 37 Mechanic Street. 47-10 Carol and David Shields: Renew the license for 3 pool tables at South Leominster Lounge d/b/a/ Forte’s Lounge located at 1030 Central Street.  6 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, APRIL 26, 2010, continued 48-10 Mason Recreation Center: Renew the license for 7 pool tables and 24 bowling alleys at Mason’s Bowling Center located at 640 R. North Main Street. Upon recommendation of the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE, the following APPOINTMENTS were CONFIRMED. Vt. 9 “yeas” Emergency Management, Admin Unit – Leo Bois Registrar of Voters – Ann B. Mahan – Term to expire April 15, 2013 Upon recommendation of the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE, the following RESOLUTION was given LEAVE TO WITHDRAW. Vt. 9/0 RESOLUTION – Supporting the update of the Massachusetts Bottle Bill Under Old Business, Councillor Dombrowkski, Chair of the President’s Drinking Water Oversight Committee, said they received the March 2010 Water Division Report. He said he looked through it and everything seems to be in order. He said if anyone looks through it and sees anything that is not in order please let him know. He said at the last meeting Councillor Salvatelli brought up an issue regarding the detention pond and said he still does not have the answer but will have it for the next meeting. Councillor Salvatelli said it is not only the detention pond. He said he did a tour of the area and there is a lot of debris along the reservoir along with the detention pond. People in the business and those who know the business indicate to me it makes no sense to have a filtration plant with that kind of mess there. He said the response he got from the Water Department was that all the employees are busy and it is difficult to get people up there to clean it up and they can’t stop projects to do that. Councillor Salvatelli said we gave them $19 million to work with and they can hire someone to go in there and clean up. He said he would be in support of that. He wants to push this because it is getting critical. He said if it doesn’t get done now before the plant goes in it will never get done. Councillor Dombrowski agreed with him. Councillor Lanciani said back in March we were sent a notice from the Retirement Board that they would be having a meeting in March that was relative to a raise for the retirees. He said he attended that meeting and there was a 2-2 vote which meant there was no vote on it. A question was sent to PARAC by one of the members of the board and a letter was sent back stating that it could be brought up under a motion at another time. He said last week this meeting was held and he, as a retiree, and Councillor Salvatelli attended. During the discussion Councillor Salvatelli asked for some financial information relative to the Retirement Board and this evening he is asking for a follow up to be done. He thinks that if the retirees knew exactly what was going on they could understand the reasoning. why the no vote is being taken or has been taken. It is his understanding that a vote should be taken and is hoping the question will be brought up again when the five member board meets and votes on it one way or the other so that people can be satisfied with understanding the way in which a vote and the manner it is taken. Councillor Marchand asked Councillor Cormier, Chairman of the Committee on Schools to contact the Superintendent to investigate whether the money used for school choice to pay for the oil leaks had an impact on teaching and learning? He would also like an estimate on an annual basis of the percentage of local aid that is allowed to be transferred back to the City of Leominster municipality to assist the School Department with incidental expense throughout the year (i.e. bookkeeping, grant writing etc.). Councillor Nickel said he talked to Councillor Cormier and we have a pretty full agenda coming up. He suggested having a meeting with the School Department on an off night and meet as a Council of the Whole. Councillor Marchand said we could have LATV supporting that meeting. He said there is a lot of information and we need to get the community behind the action steps that we all take to be able to move forward into next year. Councillor Salvatelli said he would like to see a detailed report on the retirement system fund and what it made or lost in the last eight years. He wants to know what our liability is in terms of it and on the 2-2 vote one member has not been showing up and the 2-2 vote just nullifies the vote and nothing happens. He stated his wife is involved in the retirement pension system and would affect him. There are people in that retirement system that are 70-80 years old that are making $5,000 to $7,000.00 and can’t meet their bills or pay for their mortgage or medicines. He said you would have cried if you heard some of the stories. He said this Retirement Board and particularly two members, don’t see fit to even call another meeting to at least bring it out into the open and make a public vote. They used the two positions to void the meeting and it was a disgusting display of government. I told them personally and now I’ll say it publicly. It isn’t what we are all about in this town and we are here to help people. In accordance with Section 3.6 of the Leominster City Charter a vote was taken to get a detailed report on the Retirement System Fund including what it made or lost in the last eight years and what our liability is as requested by Councillor Salvatelli. Vt. 9/0 Councillor Rowlands said he would like to highlight the fact that we continue to make improvements in the level of TTHM’s especially in the furthest distribution points in the water system. He said it is encouraging it is being done without a large increase in costs, just doing things differently. He said he is very happy to see the continuing progress. Councillor Rowlands said as far as the vote taken by the Retirement Board there is nothing more frustrating in government than to go before an incomplete board. When you expect the Board to be there to take the vote, no matter how the votes turns out, if it is a complete Board and the vote is taken at least you know the right thing was done. But when you have an incomplete Board for any reason that is the most frustrating. He said we have not seen an appointment to the City Boards for over two years now. He said in some cases two thirds of the members on our Boards have expired terms. We have to do something to challenge this because it is a fundamental flaw in the checks and balances of this City.  7 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, APRIL 26, 2010, continued In accordance with Section 3.6 of the Leominster City Charter a vote was taken to have the Building Inspector submit a petition to support his recommendation on petition 22-10. Vt. 9/0 Councillor Rowlands said at the last meeting he asked about legal services in regard to Research Drive. He said we were told there would be no legal services changed to the taxpayers or the City. He said he got back a letter stating we will be charged and that it is normal. We also have an invoice from Kopelman & Paige dated March 24, 2010 that we have another $2,871.00 that is being charged for environmental issues, indemnification and other things. My first point is we were told it was not going to cost us anything and the second point is does the grant money cover it. Not what is normal for the City but can the grant money be used to pay for the legal services. We were told we could not use it for legal services for the taking of the land but the legal services to move through the development are covered under the grant. He said he still believes the taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for the legal services, so, if the legal service is covered, let’s use it for that. Councillor Freda said she has spoken with the City Clerk and asked her to speak with Kopelman and Paige, and she said the night John Giorgio was here she spoke to him regarding the appointments. She said as Ways & Means Chairman she is addressing the issue. Committee meetings were scheduled for May 5, 2010 Finance 6:30 P.M. Legal Affairs 7:00 P.M. Under New Business, Councillor Chalifoux Zephir said she has a copy of a letter from Chris Knuth, Director of the Health Department sent to Roger Brooks about public sewer overflows at 43 Granite Street in Leominster. She said the sewer system in that part of town historically has overflowed not only to people’s private property but the Monoosnock Brook. Recently because of all the rain that we have had has become much more serious. Mr. Knuth’s letter states “The discharge of untreated sewerage on the ground surface is a public health hazard and discharging to a waterway is a violation of a whole plethora of state and federal regulations. Any private party that was found discharging untreated sewerage to the ground or waterway would be fined and ordered to immediately correct these conditions. The City must hold itself to the standards of all applicable and relevant regulations.” She said this is an ongoing problem and DPW has tried to mitigate this by make short term correction and closing manholes and other things but this requires more attention. She said the City is slow in addressing this. She said when Mr. Brooks comes down to speak about the retention pond she would like to ask him what the City is planning to do. In accordance with Section 3.6 of the Leominster City Charter a vote was taken to have Mr. Brooks to come to the next meeting to address the detention pond and the Granite Street issue on May 10, 2010 at 6:45 P.M. Vt. 9/0 Councillor Freda said Lynn Fiandaca’s class that has been working on the dog waste program and it has been awarded the Secretary’s Environmental Award for the State and will be presented a certificate and a check at the State House. She also said she “An Evening With The Beatles” will take place on Wednesday April 28, 2010 from 7-8 p.m. at the Library. She said it is a serious meeting on taking precautionary issues with the Asian Longhorn Beatle. There is no charge and is co-sponsored by the Conservation Commission and the Trustees of the Reservation. Councillor Freda said the school building information is getting in the newspaper and said she is on the committee and the committee was asked to keep it close to the vest because the numbers are not finalized yet and will be going back to the state. She said it is unfair when these numbers are thrown out when they, as a committee, asked them to look at some of these things and reduce some of the costs and come to them with a final number. She said she is a little disappointed that it is happening and doesn’t know where it is coming from and the Superintendent seems to be quoted quite often. She said it is too early for people to start trying to determine what the cost of this is going to be and should wait until everything is finalized. Councillor Salvatelli said he attended the Leominster Art Association art show and it was incredible. The new facility makes it look even brighter. He said they barely break even with their expenses. He said it the whole event is a community asset and congratulates them. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:37 P.M. _____________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council