City Council

HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, OCTOBER 23, 2017 Hearing opened at 8:01 P.M. with Councillor Dombrowski, Chair of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, presiding. All members were present except Councillor Lanciani. The following ORDINANCE was the subject of the hearing: Relative to amending Chapter 22 of the Revised Ordinances entitled “Zoning” by amending Section 22-50.4.1, Common Driveways, by deleting the words “shall service no more than two (2) lots” and inserting “are not permitted”. Councillor Freda clarified that this is changing shared driveways to not being permitted. No one in the audience spoke in favor or opposition to the ordinance. HEARING ADJOURNED AT 8:03 P.M. ____________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, OCTOBER 23, 2017 Meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. Attendance was taken by a roll call vote. All members were present except Councillor Lanciani. The Committee on Records reported that the records from October 10, 2017 were examined and found to be in order. The records were accepted. A recess was taken at 7:32 P.M. to continue an informational meeting, to hold a public forum and conduct a hearing. Meeting reconvened at 8:10 P.M. The following COMMUNICATION was received, referred to the WAYS & MEANS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, and given REGULAR COURSE. C-13 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Exempt Greg Chapdelaine, Purchasing Agent, from the Conflict of Interest Law as provided for in M.G.L. Chapter 268 A, Section 20B as he will be taking a position at the Department of Public Works as a replacement snowplow operator on an as needed basis. The following COMMUNICATIONS were received, referred to the FINANCE COMMITTEE, and given REGULAR COURSE. C-14 Relative to the appropriation of $60,000.00 to the Sanitation & Drainage Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Account. C-15 Relative to the appropriation of $45,000.00 to the Library Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Library State Aid Reserved for Appropriation Account. The following PETITION was received, referred to the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, given REGULAR COURSE and referred to the City Solicitor, Building Inspector, Planning Board, and Department of Public Works. In addition, a request was made by Councillor Freda to notify the neighbors on Katie Lane. 13-18 Pat Scorzelli as Agent for Highland Manor Realty Trust: Accept the deed for Katie Lane and request the street be taken by eminent domain by the City of Leominster. Petitioner offers to pay any legal fees that may be incurred. The following APPOINTMENT was received under SUSPENSION OF THE RULES. Vt 8/0. The appointment was referred to the WAYS & MEANS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE and given REGULAR COURSE. Board of Appeals Alternate Member – Lee Barron – Term to Expire April 15, 2018 The following APPOINTMENT was received, referred to the WAYS & MEANS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, and given REGULAR COURSE. Council on Aging – Donald Basterache – Term to expire April 15, 2020 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, OCTOBER 23, 2017, Cont. Upon recommendation of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE the following PETITION was DENIED. Vt. 6/2. Councillors Dombrowski and Feckley opposed. 7-18 Officer Julio Ramos: Request “No Parking Anytime” signs be placed on the east side of Main Street from Merriam Avenue to Columbia Street. Upon recommendation of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE the following PETITION was AMENDED, Vt. 8/0, and GRANTED as AMENDED. Vt 8/0. 9-18 Officer Julio Ramos: Request “No Parking” signs be placed three hundred and six feet west from the intersection of Spruce and Whitney Street, on the north side of Spruce Street, starting at pole number five and going one hundred feet to pole number four. The signs should read: No Parking Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. Upon request of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE the following PETITION was given FURTHER TIME. Vt. 8/0. 11-18 Committee on Ordinance Review: Amend Chapter 22 of the Revised Ordinances entitled “Zoning” by amending Section 22-14 “Adoption and Amendment” to require notification of abutters for zoning changes and the costs associated will be paid by the petitioner. Councillor Bodanza, Chair of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, read the Financial Report for the City into the record. Account balances are as follows: Stabilization Account: $11,879,189.00 Upon recommendation of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, the following COMMUNICATION was GRANTED and ORDERED. Vt. 8 “yeas” C-10 Relative to the appropriation of $31,291.00 to the Elections and Registration Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. ORDERED: - that the sum of Thirty-one Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety-one Dollars ($31,291.00) be appropriated to the Elections and Registration Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. Upon request of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, the following COMMUNICATION was given FURTHER TIME. Vt. 8 “yeas” C-11 Relative to the appropriation of $50,000.00 to the Highway Department Overtime Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. Upon recommendation of the FINANCE COMMITTEE, the following COMMUNICATION was GRANTED and ORDERED. Vt. 6 “yeas” and 2 “nays”. Councillors Chalifoux-Zephir and Feckley opposed. C-12 Relative to the appropriation of $100,000.000 to the Gallagher Building Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Gallagher Building Revolving Fund. ORDERED: - that the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) be appropriated to the Gallagher Building Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Gallagher Building Revolving Fund. Upon recommendation by the CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE the following PETITION was GRANTED. Vt. 8/0 12-18 Richard M. Marchand, Festival Facilitator: Request the closure of the following streets from 6:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. for the Silver Anniversary of the Johnny Appleseed Arts and Cultural Festival on September 22, 2018 with a rain date of September 29, 2018. ˗ West Street from School Street to Main Street; ˗ Park Street from West Street intersection in the Church Street vicinity to Main Street; ˗ The City Hall Parking Lot; ˗ The City parking lot adjacent to the City Hall located off West Street; ˗ The City parking lot (defined spaces) located between the First Baptist Church and the First Church Unitarian for handicap parking; and ˗ Church Street from Merriam Avenue to West Street (will still be available with an altered egress pattern for public safety vehicles and business). Page 2 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, OCTOBER 23, 2017, Cont. 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 22-50.4.1, Common Driveways, by deleting the words “shall service no more than two (2) lots” and inserting in place thereof the words “are not permitted” . Upon recommendation of the WAYS & MEANS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, the following ELECTION ORDER was ADOPTED. Vt. 8/0 CITY OF LEOMINSTER MUNICIPAL ELECTION ORDER NOVEMBER 7, 2017 ORDERED:-that the City Clerk be and she hereby is authorized and directed to notify and warn the voters of the City of Leominster to assemble in their respective polling places in the several wards and precincts of the City, designated by the City Council as follows: WARD 1A SKY VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL 500 KENNEDY WAY WARD 1B SKY VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL 500 KENNEDY WAY WARD 1C SKY VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL 500 KENNEDY WAY WARD 2A FRANCES DRAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 95 VISCOLOID AVENUE WARD 2B FRANCES DRAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 95 VISCOLOID AVENUE WARD 2C FRANCES DRAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 95 VISCOLOID AVENUE WARD 3A FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES HALL 456 LITCHFIELD STREET WARD 3B FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES HALL 456 LITCHFIELD STREET WARD 3C FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES HALL 456 LITCHFIELD STREET WARD 4A SENIOR CITIZEN DROP-IN CENTER 5 POND STREET WARD 4B LEOMINSTER VETERANS’ QUARTERS 100 WEST STREET WARD 4C LEOMINSTER VETERANS’ QUARTERS 100 WEST STREET WARD 5A AUDITORIUM, CITY HALL 25 WEST STREET WARD 5B AUDITORIUM, CITY HALL 25 WEST STREET WARD 5C FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LEOMINSTER 23 WEST STREET On Tuesday, November 7, 2017 then and there for the purpose of giving in their votes for the election of candidates for the following offices: Mayor; four Councillors-at-Large; one Councillor for each Ward; three School Committee Members-at-Large; one School Committee Member for each Ward; all for terms of two years, beginning on the first Monday in January, 2018 And it is further ORDERED:- that the polls shall be opened at 7:00 A.M. and closed at 8:00 P.M. and that notice shall be given by publication of this order in a conspicuous place in the office of the City Clerk. Per Order Leominster City Council True Copy Attest: Lynn A. Bouchard City Clerk Page 3 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, OCTOBER 23, 2017, Cont. Upon recommendation of the WAYS & MEANS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, the following ELECTION ORDER was ADOPTED. Vt. 8/0 CITY OF LEOMINSTER SPECIAL STATE PRIMARY ELECTION ORDER NOVEMBER 7, 2017 ORDERED:-that the City Clerk be and she hereby is authorized and directed to notify and warn the voters of the City of Leominster to assemble in their respective polling places in the several wards and precincts of the City, designated by the City Council as follows: WARD 1A SKY VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL 500 KENNEDY WAY WARD 1B SKY VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL 500 KENNEDY WAY WARD 1C SKY VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL 500 KENNEDY WAY WARD 2A FRANCES DRAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 95 VISCOLOID AVENUE WARD 2B FRANCES DRAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 95 VISCOLOID AVENUE WARD 2C FRANCES DRAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 95 VISCOLOID AVENUE WARD 3A FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES HALL 456 LITCHFIELD STREET WARD 3B FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES HALL 456 LITCHFIELD STREET WARD 3C FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES HALL 456 LITCHFIELD STREET WARD 4A SENIOR CITIZEN DROP-IN CENTER 5 POND STREET WARD 4B LEOMINSTER VETERANS’ QUARTERS 100 WEST STREET WARD 4C LEOMINSTER VETERANS’ QUARTERS 100 WEST STREET WARD 5A AUDITORIUM, CITY HALL 25 WEST STREET WARD 5B AUDITORIUM, CITY HALL 25 WEST STREET WARD 5C FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LEOMINSTER 23 WEST STREET On Tuesday, November 7, 2017 then and there for the purpose of casting their votes in the Special State Primaries for candidates of political parties for the Office of Senator in General Court for the Worcester & Middlesex District. And it is further ORDERED:- that the polls shall be opened at 7:00 A.M. and closed at 8:00 P.M. and that notice shall be given by publication of this order in a conspicuous place in the office of the City Clerk. Per Order Leominster City Council True Copy Attest: Lynn A. Bouchard City Clerk Page 4 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, OCTOBER 23, 2017, Cont. Under old business, Councillor Feckley read the following letter from the Mayor into the record: October 20, 2017 Office of the City Clerk Lynn Bouchard, City Clerk 25 West Street Leominster, MA 01453 Dear Ms. Bouchard, I am in receipt of your letter dated October 11, 2017 requesting an update on plans for repairing the Colburn Pond Dam at Barret Park. Please note we will be hiring an engineer to draft a design and will then prepare to put the project out to bid. Thank you for your attention. Sincerely, S/S Dean J. Mazzarella Mayor Councillor Chalifoux-Zephir requested an update on the joint meeting with the School Department. A subcommittee meeting was established for the President’s Committee on Street Acceptance for Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 5:30 P.M. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:52 P.M. ________________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council Page 5