City Council

HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, MARCH 27, 2017 Hearing opened at 6:21 P.M. with Councillor Dombrowski, Chairperson of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, presiding. All members were present. Councillor Marchand arrived late. The following ORDINANCE was the subject of the hearing: Relative to amending Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic” by inserting a new section, Sec. 13-75, entitled “Speed Limits – Specific Streets” and inserting Beth Avenue, from Willard Street to Central Street, at 25 miles per hour. (Petition 33-17) Councillor Freda said she is in support of the petition; it’s a tool that the police can use if they feel that 25 miles per hour on that street is adequate. No one in the audience spoke in favor or opposition of the ordinance. HEARING ADJOURNED AT 6:23 P.M. ____________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, MARCH 27, 2017 Hearing opened at 6:30 P.M. with Councillor Dombrowski, Chairperson of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, presiding. All members were present. (Hearing continued from February 13, 2017) Present at the hearing was Kristen Kelly, Director of Planning. The following PETITION was the subject of the hearing: 21-17 Kristen Kelly on behalf of the Planning Board: Adopt a new Zoning Ordinance regarding the installation of Solar Energy. Councillor Dombrowski said that during a subcommittee meeting he indicated that he read the by-law and he had some changes. He asked if she had a copy of the changes. Ms. Kelly said yes. Councillor Dombrowski said the major change was redoing Section 3. In addition, in paragraph 4.g, he also made some changes and asked how she felt about these and if she was okay with them. Ms. Kelly said yes. Councillor Bodanza said asked if the ground mounted units were going to be treated as structures. He said he would like to see them treated this way. Councillor Dombrowski asked if his additions in Section 3 sufficed to address his concerns or whether it should be taken as a whole separate section. Ms. Kelly read the following from the proposed ordinance – “all the appurtenance structures to solar energy systems are subject to the regulations of this ordinance concerning bulk and height of structures, lot area setbacks, open space, parking and building coverage requirements”. Councillor Dombrowski said he added a handwritten amendment which he wasn’t sure if it covered it or whether she wanted it flushed out a little more. Ms. Kelly said she thought this was his clarification to include them as appurtenance structures for the purposes of this ordinance. Councillor Bodanza said that out of an abundance of caution there should be a small tweak to sentence “all the appurtenance structures to solar energy systems”. He said it sounds like the appurtenance structures are something over and above the solar energy system. The paragraph addressed his concerns but he’s not sure what that phrase means. Ms. Kelly said she thinks it means any structures, for example, the generator and the other structures, but wondered if it included the solar panels themselves. Councillor Bodanza said correct. It’s more concerning with respect to the ground mounted part. Councillor Dombrowski suggested putting at the beginning of section 4.g.v the following: “solar energy systems as well as all appurtenance structures are considered…”. Councillor Bodanza suggested changing the heading of the section to “Structures and Appurtenances” to be more clear as to what they are talking about. Ms. Kelly and Councillor Dombrowski agreed. HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, MARCH 27, 2017, Continued No one in the audience spoke in favor or in opposition of the petition. HEARING ADJOURNED AT 6:37 P.M. ________________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, MARCH 27, 2017 Hearing opened at 6:37 P.M. with Councillor Dombrowski, Chairperson of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, presiding. All members were present. (Hearing continued from February 13, 2017) Present at the hearing was Kristen Kelly, Director of Planning. The following PETITION was the subject of the hearing: 22-17 Kristen Kelly on behalf of the Planning Board: Update the Zoning Ordinance Table of Uses to modify the applicability of Energy Systems, Renewable and to add two new uses, On Site Solar System and Off Site Solar System. Councillor Dombrowski said that he hand drew an additional Table of Uses below what Ms. Kelly had generated that he thinks covers the changes he made. He asked if she agreed with these or had any problems with the addition. Ms. Kelly said she didn’t have a problem with it but she did want to clarify something. She said there are many different types of systems and purposes for the systems. You could have a roof mounted or ground mounted or you could have something producing energy to be sold off site or use it to be your own equipment on site. By defining the two new categories for on site and off site, she assumed that everything fit into either one or the other and identified the different allowable activities in the different zones. It could be that it is divided by ground mounted or roof mounted as well. Everything falls into one of those two categories. She said that ground mounted can be a solar farm where it would be producing energy for off site use but it could also be on site. You could have a company that wishes to produce energy and they end up using some of their own land for on site panels, but intended to keep the energy usage in their own property and not to sell it. This would be covered under the on site line. She said she was trying to capture the two different types of solar projects via on site/off site, but it could be ground mounted versus roof mounted. Obviously roof mounted would have a lot less impact on the ground and the environment because it’s on an existing and pervious surface and it’s not generally visible. So, there are two different distinctions; either way as far as the table of uses, she is fine with. She’s concerned the third line for ground mounted solar systems may conflict with one of the other two. As long as there are no conflicts, she is fine with it. Councillor Dombrowski said he saw the distinction she was making and he agreed with it, but as far as the table of uses goes, regardless of whether they were on site or off site we were requiring ground mounted solar systems to go through the same protocol, so he thought if it was ground mounted, this is the way it needs to go, regardless. Councillor Bodanza said it is confusing because if you only look at ground mounted you might conclude that you could have a ground mounted off site solar system in a Residence A Zone, but you can’t. It would be easier to just leave what Kristen had by distinguishing it between on site and off site and just note that ground mounted systems have additional requirements. Councillor Dombrowski asked if he saw the amended Section 3 because he reads it as all ground mounted solar energy systems are allowed by site plan approval and Special Permit. Councillor Bodanza asked if this included off site system. Councillor Dombrowski said yes, that’s how he’s reading this so maybe he needs to amend it further. Councillor Bodanza said that the amended Section C proposal would suggest that Residence A user could install a ground mounted solar energy system that serves off site. Councillor Dombrowski said provided they get a Special Permit. Councillor Bodanza said that wasn’t part of her original submission. He would tend to go along with Ms. Kelly’s version. Councillor Dombrowski said that he may have streamlined it a little too much. Councillor Bodanza referenced Section E to Councillor Dombrowski’s edits and said that it is consistent with Ms. Kelly’s graph, but inconsistent with the summary. Councillor Dombrowski said that his summary is a suggested replacement of Ms. Kelly’s section 3. He said he made the edits because Section B of her proposal indicates where they are permitted but is silent as to ground mounted for the balance of the Section. Ms. Kelly clarified that Section B relates only to facilities on municipal and school district properties, specifically. Councillor Dombrowski said his Section B is the same as hers, but he thought they needed to address all other ground mounted systems. Councillor Bodanza suggested a way to correct the discrepancies between Ms. Kelly’s summary and Councillor Dombrowski’s edits and said that the graph in Ms. Kelly’s version should be kept. Councillor Dombrowski said he thinks that they need to specify ground mounted in the other districts other than municipal and school districts. Page 2 HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, MARCH 27, 2017, Continued Ms. Kelly said the reason she didn’t include a reference specifically to ground mounted is because she is going with the grouping of on site/off site. Even if it is a ground mounted in a residential area for on site use, it’s subject to specific requirements based on Section 6 – Standards for Ground Mounted Systems. She said if it’s within 600 square feet, then it might be allowed by building permit only, but if it’s larger than that, they should be reviewed and approved by the planning board with a Special Permit. Councillor Dombrowski said that he feels that all ground mounted systems should require a Special Permit mainly because of the aesthetic nature of them. Ms. Kelly said that she was okay with that. Councillor Bodanza said he agreed with requiring the Special Permit and is okay with the graph as originally proposed by Ms. Kelly. Ms. Kelly said she would amend the ordinance based on the recommended changes suggested. No one in the audience spoke in favor or in opposition of the petition. HEARING ADJOURNED AT 6:54 P.M. ________________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, MARCH 27, 2017 Hearing opened at 6:54 P.M. with Councillor Dombrowski, Chairperson of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, presiding. All members were present. (Hearing continued from February 13, 2017) Present at the hearing was Kristen Kelly, Director of Planning. The following PETITION was the subject of the hearing: 23-17 Kristen Kelly on behalf of the Planning Board: Update the definition of “Energy System, Renewable” and create definitions for “Solar Energy System for On Site Use” and “Solar Energy System for Off Site Use”. Councillor Dombrowski said that during subcommittee they didn’t have any changes to the definitions. No one in the audience spoke in favor or in opposition of the petition. HEARING ADJOURNED AT 6:55 P.M. ________________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, MARCH 27, 2017 Hearing opened at 7:01 P.M. with Councillor Dombrowski, Chairperson of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, presiding. All members were present. Present at the hearing were Jamie Rheault from Whitman & Bingham Associates; Vincent Campobasso, Attorney; Frank Hartnet, Director of Development; and Mickey Higgins, representing South Coast Development. The following PETITION was the subject of the hearing: 38-17 South Coast Development, LLC: Change the zoning of the three contiguous lots of land at the northeast corner of Central Street and Graham Street, and also the adjacent portion of Graham Street, a public way, from the Residence C and Business B to the Commercial zoning district. Mr. Rheault handed out a presentation to the Councillors and the City Clerk. Presentation on file in the City Clerk’s Office. Councillor Dombrowski read into the record letters of recommendation from the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Rheault said they submitted a petition to rezone a few pieces of property in Leominster, specifically, at the northeast quadrant of the intersection at Graham Street and Central Street. He read from Section 22-3 of the City of Leominster’s Zoning Ordinance entitled “Purpose”. He then directed the Councillors to the aerial photo and zoning map in the presentation handout to explain exactly where the property was located and the zoning districts that surround the property. He said it was important to look at this plan because no one wants to propose spot zoning anywhere in Massachusetts and this plan proves this is not a spot zoning petition. They are expanding the existing Commercial District across Graham Street enveloping three properties and it’s a continuation of commercial. He said the three properties that are included in this petition are 180 Central Street, 58 Graham Street and 172 Central Street in the Northeast quadrant of this intersection. He said together, when you add up the lot area of all three properties, it’s about 45,000 square feet. What they did in the plan that they submitted to the Council is they followed the existing lot lines for the limits of the zoning change. He feels it is always wise to follow existing lot lines when you have the ability to do so. You don’t want to split up a property; you want to follow the lot line so it’s Page 3 HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, MARCH 27, 2017, Continued a clear indication of where it begins and ends and where people have rights and don’t have rights. He said 168 Central Street, a multifamily owned by the McCarthy family, is an abutter and he believes they have frontage on Central Street and Central Place. The next abutter is 11 Central Place, a single family owned by Alvez, is located directly behind the McCarthy’s and to the left of the project. The next abutter is 17 Central Place which is a single family home owned by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He believes it is a rental property. The abutter to the project on 64 Graham Street, owned by the Melendez family, is a multifamily home. He said the reason they are proposing to rezone the three properties and combine them is to propose a motor vehicle gas station/minimart and or carwash. He does not believe a carwash will be part of it, but that’s the way it is categorized in the Zoning Code. He said in Resident C and Business B, this is not an allowed use. It is an allowed use by Site Plan approval and by a Special Permit from the Planning Board in Commercial. This is the reason why they are asking for the rezoning. He referred the Councillors to the conceptual layout provided and explained it’s a 42x80 square foot building. It’s going to be a gas station/minimart/convenient store. It will have a fast food component with a drive thru. If they are successful with the City Council to rezone to commercial, the permitting process doesn’t stop there, they have to apply for Site Plan Approval with Planning Board, get a Special Permit as well, so all of the safeguards are in place when they design and go before the Planning Board for public hearings to propose landscape plans, buffers, lighting mitigation, noise mitigation, etc. He said they have done this very successfully on other projects like this within the City of Leominster. He said his client has built several facilities in Leominster including the Cumberland Farms at the corner of the Leominster Connector and Mechanic Street, the Cumberland Farms at Kings Corner in North Leominster, one at the intersection of Leominster and Shirley Road in Pioneer Drive, and a very recent one in Fitchburg on Route 31 at the corner of Route 31 and Authority Drive. He said this all started with a phone call to Kristen Kelly, Planning Director and Peter Niall, Building Commissioner and they got this project on the development review board. They sat down with the Mayor and all the department heads and proposed the zoning change and the conceptual site plan. He said they had a lot of positive comments from this Board. He then had a personal meeting with Mr. Niall and Ms. Kelly and went over the process. They have been encouraged at every step of the way to continue with this process and that led them to the City Council with the petition to rezone. Councillor Marchand commended Mr. Rheault for his presentation. He said the documentation is right on target and a lot of his questions were answered as he read through the information provided. He mentioned that two of the recent projects did not have drive thru windows and asked if he would be willing to nix that part of the proposal because it will be in a residential area. He is concerned with cars backed up with abutters houses right there. He said they didn’t have to commit to it right then but that he wanted to share his position with them. In addition, the speaker system for the drive through can be loud. He asked what the response has been from the abutters themselves and asked if they were buying them all out or if they had addressed their concerns up to this point. Attorney Campobasso said that he had been dealing with the attorney for the McCarthy house and he believes they have a verbal understanding. Offers have been exchanged back and forth and in his last correspondence was a request for a purchase and sale agreement. They tried a number of times to contact the Alves but they would not answer the door. They could not make contact with the Housing and Urban Development. He believes this was a foreclosure. Councillor Marchand asked with respect to the design itself, would the corporation consider not having a drive thru in order to maintain the integrity of the residential piece. Also, would they be willing to increase the buffer with maybe green space or shrubs. He said you don’t want to see parking back there and things that are still going to be offensive, so the idea is to eliminate the traffic in the back and side of the buildings and keep it all out front. Mr. Rheault said part of any proposal if they do move forward with the Planning Board is a traffic study. They have engaged a traffic engineering company to perform the study and to come up with recommendations on the best way for traffic flow and maximum cue so there isn’t a backup. They left plenty of space from the pass through isle. The second isle is basically a pass through in case someone goes through the drive through and decides they didn’t want to wait, they can bail out. There won’t be any parking on the second 16 foot maneuvering isle whatsoever and they left plenty of buffer between the edge of payment and the property line so they can do a landscape berm with pines, arborvitaes and a fence. They plan on screening the abutter completely and there won’t be any parking back there. A prime example of this design is the Fitchburg property where it abuts residents. They negotiated that style design and were approved for that approach. Attorney Campobasso said this project also involves the relocation of the Dunkin Donuts that is in downtown Leominster to this location which doesn’t have a drive thru so this is a major component to this project. He said they will take whatever measures they need to take to build buffer zones or protect the neighborhood as best they can. Councillor Marchand asked how they came up with the curb cut on Graham Street. Mr. Rheault said it is a very good position for the curb cut based upon the traffic flow on site. Councillor Marchand asked if the building is the same size as the one down on Mechanic Street. Mr. Higgins said no. This building is about 500 square feet smaller. Councillor Marchand asked about the location of the dumpster and about snow storage. Mr. Rheault pointed out on the design the location of the dumpster and said they have plenty of snow storage. Councillor Marchand asked if there would be a car wash. Mr. Rheault said no. Councillor Lanciani asked what type of building would abut the McCarthy house. Mr. Rheault said they are not proposing a building abutting the McCarthy’s house, they are proposing a parking area with a large buffer strip between the parking and the property line. Councillor Chalifoux Zephir asked about the Melendez family that lives behind the project. Page 4 HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, MARCH 27, 2017, Continued Mr. Rheault said his understanding was that an attempt was made to visit the Melendez home and they wouldn’t have a conversation with them about the project. Mr. Hartnet said he had some long conversations with the Alvez family on pricing and a retaining wall. He said the property doesn’t fit the project. They’ve talked with everyone else in the circle and they are now waiting to hear back from the McCarthy family. Councillor Chalifoux Zephir asked if they talked with anyone else in the neighborhood. Mr. Rheault said no. Councillor Chalifoux Zephir asked how many gas pumps. Mr. Higgins said there are four dispensers at this proposed location. Councillor Dombrowski asked them to explain what would be involved if they are granted the rezoning. Mr. Rheault said the table of uses in the Leominster Zoning Code tells them exactly what they have to do for each zone and each use. For a motor vehicle gas station/minimart/carwash, they would have to go before the Leominster Planning Board for Site Plan Approval and also obtain a Special Permit from the Planning Board. They would submit a fully engineered site development plan that would include an existing additions plan, topographic survey, property line survey, a site plan designing all structures, water, sewer, drainage, building, existing grades, proposed grades, traffic study, lighting plan, and a fully landscaped design plan with construction details. Councillor Freda asked what the proposed hours of operation were. Attorney Campobasso said they haven’t gotten that far yet. Councillor Freda asked if they were thinking a 24 hour store. Attorney Campobasso said no. Councillor Chalifoux Zephir asked why this project and why in this location. Mr. Higgins said they think this location is good for a neighborhood store. They like Central Street and the traffic on the street and the fact that CVS is across the way and there is already a traffic light in this location. He mentioned that this location is almost identical to the location in Lunenburg. Councillor Freda asked what their intent would be if they were able to purchase some of the abutter’s properties. Mr. Campobasso said their intention is not to take down the McCarthy house and that it would most likely be a renovation and a rental. Councillor Dombrowski asked the Legal Affairs Subcommittee for their recommendation on a decision. Councillor Freda said she thinks they should leave it open in case there is anyone from the public watching tonight that might want to make a comment. Councillors Marchand and Bodanza agreed. Councillor Chalifoux Zephir agreed and said she would like to see a further effort made to contact the two abutters. No one in the audience spoke in favor or in opposition of the petition. HEARING ADJOURNED AT 7:47 P.M. AND CONTINUED TO APRIL 10, 2017 AT 7:00 P.M. ________________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, MARCH 27, 2017 Meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. Attendance was taken by a roll call vote; all members were present. The Committee on Records reported that the records through February 27, 2017 were examined and found to be in order. The records were accepted. A recess was called at 7:31 P.M. to conduct a hearing, hold a public forum, and interview appointees. Meeting reconvened at 8:24 P.M. Page 5 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, MARCH 27, 2017, Continued The following COMMUNICATION was received, referred to the FINANCE COMMITTEE and given REGULAR COURSE. C-59 Relative to the appropriation of $20,000.00 to the Gallagher Building Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Gallagher Building Revolving Fund. The following PETITION was received, referred to the WAYS AND MEANS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, given REGULAR COURSE and referred to the Police Department. 46-17 Christopher Rivard: Grant a Transient Vendors License for the sale of flowers and plants for 2017. The following PETITIONS were received, referred to the WAYS AND MEANS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, given REGULAR COURSE and referred to the Treasurer and Police Department. 47-17 Laurel Krueger: Renew the Second Hand Dealers License for Belden Jewelers #0240 located at 100 Commercial Road. 48-17 Laurel Krueger: Renew the Second Hand Dealers License for Kays Jewelers #1285 located at 100 Commercial Road. 49-17 Matthew K. Zvacek: Renew the Second Hand Dealers License for Gold Buyers of America located at the Mall at Whitney Field, 100 Commercial Road, Unit 86. 50-17 Virginia A. Tocci: Renew the Second Hand Dealers License for Joseph’s Jewelers located at 28 Central Street. 51-17 Roger Cormier: Renew the Second Hand Dealers License for RCDC Inc. d/b/a Crowne Jewelers located at 12 Lindell Avenue. The following PETITION was received, referred to the PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE, given REGULAR COURSE and referred to the Department of Public Works, Planning Board, Director of Inspections, Treasurer/Collector, City Solicitor and the Mayor. 52-17 Jorge Andrew Syiek et al: Accept Constitution Drive and Federal Circle as accepted streets. The following PETITION was received, referred to the CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE, given REGULAR COURSE and referred to the Mayor. 53-17 Claire Freda on behalf of Kathie Peloquin: Place signs on Main Street at the common, Route 117 near Walmart, Route 12 at Litchfield Street and across from Longhorn Restaurant, West Street in front of the Senior Center and the Veterans Center to advertise the Annual Quilt Show to be held at St. Leo’s gym on June 23rd and 24th, 2017. Signs would be placed on June 3rd and taken down on June 25th. The following APPOINTMENT was received, referred to the WAYS AND MEANS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE and given REGULAR COURSE. Emergency Management – Rescue Unit – Christopher Minor The following RE-APPOINTMENTS were received, referred to the WAYS AND MEANS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE and were given REGULAR COURSE. Board of Appeals – Paul Romano and Michael Ciccolini – terms to expire April 15, 2020 Board of Health – Jacalyn Lastella - term to expire April 15, 2020 Conservation Commission – Daniel Brodeur – term to expire April 15, 2020 Doyle Field Commission – Patrick LaPointe and Ernest L. Rooney - terms to expire April 15, 2020 Historical Commission – Rocco Palmieri and John Proietti - terms to expire April 15, 2020 Recreation Commission – Douglas Cormier and Lionel Charpentier - terms to expire April 15, 2020 Registrars of Voters – Charles Milhans and Nancy Piermarini - terms to expire April 15, 2020 Upon recommendation of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, the following PETITION was GRANTED with AMENDMENTS. Vt. 8/0 21-17 Kristen Kelly on behalf of the Planning Board: Adopt a new Zoning Ordinance regarding the installation of Solar Energy. Upon recommendation of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, the following PETITIONS were GRANTED. Vt. 8/0 22-17 Kristen Kelly on behalf of the Planning Board: Update the Zoning Ordinance Table of Uses to modify the applicability of Energy Systems, Renewable and to add two new uses, On Site Solar System and Off Site Solar System. Page 6 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, MARCH 27, 2017, Continued 23-17 Kristen Kelly on behalf of the Planning Board: Update the definition of “Energy System, Renewable” and create definitions for “Solar Energy System for On Site Use” and “Solar Energy System for Off Site Use”. Upon request of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, the following PETITION was given FURTHER TIME. Vt. 8/0 (Hearing continued to April 10, 2017 at 7:00 P.M.) 38-17 South Coast Development, LLC: Change the zoning of the three contiguous lots of land at the northeast corner of Central Street and Graham Street, and also the adjacent portion of Graham Street, a public way, from the Residence C and Business B to the Commercial zoning district. Upon recommendation of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, the following PETITIONS were GRANTED. Vt. 8/0 43-17 Gregory C. Chapdelaine, Purchasing Agent and David Laplante, Treasurer/ Collector: Allow the Purchasing Agent to award a contract for the City’s Lock Box Services for a six (6) year period. 44-17 Gregory C. Chapdelaine, Purchasing Agent and David Laplante, Treasurer/ Collector: Allow the Purchasing Agent to award a contract for the City’s Ambulance Billing Services for a six (6) year period. Councillor Bodanza, chair of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, read the Financial Report for the City into the record. Account balances are as follows: Stabilization Account $11,440,784.75 Upon recommendation of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, the following COMMUNICATION was GRANTED and ORDERED. Vt. 8 “yeas” C-54 Relative to the appropriation of $2,000.00 to the Cemetery Salary & Wages Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. ORDERED: - that the sum of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) be appropriated to the Cemetery Salary & Wages Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. Upon recommendation of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, the following COMMUNICATION was GRANTED and ORDERED. Vt. 7 “yeas”. Councillor Cormier abstained due to a conflict of interest. C-55 Relative to the appropriation of $200,000.00 to the Fire Department Overtime Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. ORDERED: - that the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) be appropriated to the Fire Department Overtime Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. Upon recommendation of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, the following COMMUNICATIONS were GRANTED and ORDERED. Vt. 8 “yeas” C-56 Relative to the appropriation of $250,000.00 to the Snow and Ice Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. ORDERED: - that the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) be appropriated to the Snow and Ice Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. C-57 Relative to the appropriation of $25,000.00 to the Snow and Ice Overtime Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. ORDERED: - that the sum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) be appropriated to the Snow and Ice Overtime Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. C-58 Relative to the appropriation of $305,000.00 to the Wire Department Capital Outlay Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. ORDERED: - that the sum of Three Hundred and Five Thousand Dollars ($305,000.00) be appropriated to the Wire Department Capital Outlay Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. Upon recommendation of the PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE, the following PETITION was GRANTED. Vt. 8/0 45-17 David R. Cormier: Place a Blind Driveway sign on Willard Street just after the intersection of Overlook Drive to indicate that 525 Willard Street has a blind driveway. Upon recommendation of the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE, the following APPOINTMENT was CONFIRMED. Vt. 8 “yeas” Conservation Commission – Michael Hurtubise – Term to expire April 15, 2020 Page 7 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, MARCH 27, 2017, Continued Upon recommendation of the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE, the following APPOINTMENT was CONFIRMED. Vt. 7 “yeas” and 1 “Nay”. Councillor Freda opposed. Upon reconsideration, the APPOINTMENT was CONFIRMED. Vt. 6 “yeas” and 2 “nays”. Councillors Freda and Marchand opposed. Conservation Commission –Elisabeth Ricci-Blair – Term to expire April 15, 2020 Upon recommendation of the WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE, the following APPOINTMENTS were CONFIRMED. Vt. 8 “yeas” Emergency Management – Communications Unit – Agustin Arrua-Vargas Emergency Management – Rescue Unit – Jordan Ndolo Emergency Management – EMS Unit – Stephen Farynaz The following ORDINANCE was read a second time, ADOPTED as presented and passed to be ordained. Vt. 8 “yeas” The City of Leominster In the year two thousand and seventeen AN ORDINANCE Amending Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic.” Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Leominster, as follows: Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances entitled “Motor Vehicles and Traffic” is hereby amended by inserting a new section, Sec. 13-75, entitled “Speed Limits – Specific Streets” and inserting in said section the following: Upon the following streets or ways, speed limits shall be posted as follows: Beth Avenue, from Willard Street to Central Street, at 25 miles per hour. _____________________ The following ORDINANCE was read a second time, ADOPTED as presented and passed to be ordained. Vt. 8 “yeas” The City of Leominster In the year two thousand and seventeen AN ORDINANCE Amending Chapter 22 of the Revised Ordinances, entitled “Zoning.” Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Leominster, as follows: Chapter 22 of the Revised Ordinances, entitled “Zoning” is hereby amended in Section 22-62.3.7 by deleting the following words in the fourth sentence of said subsection: “and always within the right of way.” ___________________________ Under Old Business Councillor Lanciani said he met with Interim Police Chief Goldman regarding the problems they are having with signs and Chief Goldman’s recommendation is to come before the Council for a discussion. He has been invited to the April 24, 2017 meeting. Councillor Chalifoux Zephir asked that Chief Goldman include an overview update on the Police Department in general. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:35 P.M. ________________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council Page 8