City Council

HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, JULY 8, 2013 Hearings opened at 8:46 P.M. with Councillor Rowlands, Chair of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, presiding. All members were present. The following PETITION was the subject of the hearing. 76-13 Leominster City Council: Amend Chapter 22, Article XIII, Section 22-79 of the Leominster Zoning Ordinance entitled “Sign Regulations” by designating the City Council as the special permit granting authority for signs located on city property. No one in the audience spoke in favor or in opposition of the Petition. No Councillors spoke. HEARING ADJOURNED AT 8:48 P.M. _____________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, July 8, 2013 Meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. Attendance was taken by a roll call vote; all members were present. Councillor Marchand arrived late. The Committee on Records reported that the records through June 17, 2013 were examined and found to be in order. The records were accepted. A recess was called at 7:31 P.M. to continue the informational meeting, hold a hearing and public forum. Meeting reconvened at 9:02 P.M. The following COMMUNICATION was received with an EMERGENCY PREAMBLE and referred to the CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE. Vt. 9 “yeas”. Upon recommendation of the CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE the following COMMUNICATION was GRANTED. Vt. 9/0 C-1 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Grant an easement to National Grid for the placement of utility lines at the Southeast School located at 95 Viscoloid Avenue. The following PETITION was received, referred to the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, given REGULAR COURSE and referred to the Police Department. 1-14 Robert Salvatelli: Place a stop sign on the corner of Norfolk Drive and Cumberland Road. The following PETITION was received, referred to the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE and given REGULAR COURSE. 2-14 Nancy and Raymond Cormier: Place a “No Parking” sign in front of the property adjacent to 12 Roosevelt Avenue. The following PETITION was received, referred to the CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE, given REGULAR COURSE and referred to the Mayor, the Treasurer and the Director of Inspections. 3-14 Robert Salvatelli: Review and develop a fee schedule for the Municipal Garage that reflects current costs and maintenance associated with repair of facility. The following PETITION was received, referred to the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE and given REGULAR COURSE. 4-14 Susan Chalifoux Zephir: Amend Rule 32 of the City Council’s Rules and Procedures – Order and Committees, by adding to the end of the second sentence “specifically on the petition or communication under consideration by the Council. Furthermore, he/she will not be allowed to interrupt the City Council meeting but will be recognized by the Council President upon the meeting being called to recess.” Upon recommendation of the FINANCE COMMITTEE the following COMMUNICATION was RATIFIED. Vt. 9/0. (Granted with an Emergency Preamble on June 24, 2014; another vote was required) C-145 Relative to the appropriation of $8,000.00 to the Emergency Management Agency Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Emergency Management Agency Salary and Wages Account.  2 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, July 8, 2013, continued Upon recommendation of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE the following PETITION was GRANTED. Vt. 8/1, Councillor Freda opposed. 76-13 Leominster City Council: Amend Chapter 22, Article XIII, Section 22-79 of the Leominster Zoning Ordinance entitled “Sign Regulations” by designating the City Council as the special permit granting authority for signs located on city property. Upon recommendation of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE the following PETITION was GRANTED. Vt. 9/0. 77-13 James Lanciani Jr.: Grant to Matthew Swaine the needed time to retire under an ordinary disability retirement. The Home Rule Petition as follows: Section l. Not withstanding any general or special law or rule or regulations to the contrary, the City of Leominster Retirement Board shall retire Matthew Swaine under the terms and conditions of ordinary disability retirement pursuant to Section 6 Chapter 32 of the General Laws. Section 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage. Upon request of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE the following PETITION was AMENDED. Upon recommendation of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE the PETITION was GRANTED AS AMENDED. Vt/.8/1, Councillor Freda opposed. Amended by changing “unaccepted streets” to “city streets”. 78-13 Richard M. Marchand: Revise the City of Leominster Traffic Ordinances to not allow registered or unregistered utility trailers to be parked on city streets for an extended period time if not being used by the owner for a specific purpose. Upon recommendation of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE the following PETITION was GRANTED. Vt. 8/1, Councillor Dombrowski opposed. 79-13 Richard M. Marchand: Request the Police Department Traffic Bureau investigate the legality and the feasibility of creating a section in the City Traffic Ordinances to remove common traffic violations from being submitted to the state and remain a local violation with assessments of said violations paid directly to the City of Leominster. Upon request of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE the following PETITION was given LEAVE TO WITHDRAW without prejudice. Vt. 9/0 81-13 Joseph W. Kleczka: Repair the sink hole in front of 102 Viscoloid Avenue. Upon recommendation of the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE the following COMMUNICATION was GRANTED. Vt. 8/0. Councillor Rowlands abstained due to a possible conflict of interest. C-146 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that Courtney Rowlands be exempt from the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 268A (20B) Conflict of Interest as she is currently employed by the City of Leominster as a School Aid and will be taking a position as a Summer Leisure Counselor. Upon recommendation of the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE the following COMMUNICATION was AMENDED and GRANTED AS AMENDED. Vt. 9/0 Amended to remove ”not to exceed $1,000.00” and insert ‘in the amount of $1,000.00”. 82-13 James Jolicoeur, on behalf of the Leominster School Committee: Request that the City Council consider granting a yearly stipend to School Committee members in the amount of $1,000.00. Upon recommendation of the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE the following APPOINTMENTS were CONFIRMED. Vt. 9 “yeas” Office of Emergency Management – EMS Unit - Mark Leger and Ronald Houle Under Old Business, Councillor Marchand said at the bottom of Walnut Street on North Main Street where there is a small parking area near the cemetery and railroad tracks, there are about 15 parking spots people use for policital advertising or to sell flowers around the holidays. He said it has become a used car lot. He said there were four cars there today with for sale signs on them. It is city property. Councillor Dombrowski suggested he get in touch with the Building Department. Councillor Marchand requested a letter be sent to the Director of Inspection suggesting limited parking in those spots. Councillor Marchand said at a later date he would like to have the Fire Chief back down to the Council regarding funding and staffing another ambulance. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:45 P.M. _____________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council