City Council

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, DECEMBER 21, 2017 Meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. Attendance was taken by a roll call vote. All members were present. The following COMMUNICATION was received, referred to the FINANCE COMMITTEE and given REGULAR COURSE. C-25 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that the City Council allow the deficit spending of the Snow and Ice Expense Account in the amount not to exceed $250,000.00 as authorized by M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 31D. The following PETITIONS were received, referred to the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, given REGULAR COURSE and referred to the Traffic Department and the Department of Public Works. 21-18 David R. Cormier: Amend Chapter 13, Section 13-66.6 entitled “Senior Citizen Parking” and repeal this section. 22-18 David R. Cormier: Create a left turn prohibition on Albert Drive, northwest bound to Central Street southbound. 23-18 David R. Cormier: Install a stop sign on Albert Drive against southwest bound drivers at Central Street. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, DECEMBER 21, 2017, Cont. 24-18 David R. Cormier: Install a yield sign facing drivers on Albert Drive heading northwest bound onto Central Street. The following PETITION was received, referred to the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, given REGULAR COURSE and referred to the Traffic Department. 25-18 David R. Cormier: Amend Chapter 13, Section 13-79 entitled “Yield Signs” to reflect the existing signs as follows:  Litchfield Street – facing drivers on the exit to Litchfield Street from Central Street northbound.  Litchfield Street – facing drivers exiting Litchfield Street heading southbound on Central Street. The following PETITIONS were received, referred to the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, given REGULAR COURSE and referred to the Traffic Department and the Department of Public Works. 26-18 David R. Cormier: Amend Chapter 13, Section 13-77 entitled “Stop Signs” by deleting the following:  Tanzio Road against eastbound and westbound drivers at Aspinwall Avenue.  Graham Street against east and westbound drivers at Central Street.  Litchfield Street against southwest bound drivers at Central Street  Willard Street, against northeast bound drivers at Lancaster Street.  Viscoloid Avenue against southbound drivers at Lancaster Street.  Whitney Street against northeast and southwest bound drivers at Mechanic Street.  Whitney Street against northeast and southwest bound drivers at Water Street.  Lindell Avenue against eastbound and westbound drivers at Merriam Avenue.  Washington Street against northeast and southeast bound drivers at Merriam Avenue.  Bel Air Heights against eastbound drivers at Old Mill Road.  Aspinwall Avenue against northbound drivers at Malburn Street.  Johnson Street, northwest bound entering Viscoloid Avenue.  Johnson Street, southwest bound entering Viscoloid Avenue.  Day Street, against southwest bound drivers at Main Street.  North Street, against east and westbound drivers at Main Street.  Mill Street, against westbound drivers at Haws Street.  Mill Street, against westbound drivers entering Haws Street.  Park Street, against southbound drivers at Monument Square  River Street, against northwest bound drivers at Hamilton Street.  River Street, against southeast bound drivers at Main Street.  Nichols Street, against northbound drivers at North Main Street.  Lindell Avenue, against eastbound drivers at North Main Street.  Cross Street, against westbound drivers at Central Street. 27-18 David R. Cormier: Amend Chapter 13, Section 13-77 entitled “Stops Signs” to reflect the following existing stop signs:  Bainbridge Street against southeast bound drivers at Willard Street.  Graham Street against westbound drivers at Union Street.  Gamache Lane against southbound drivers at Grant Street.  Decicco Drive against northbound drivers at Union Street.  Grant Street against eastbound drivers at Central Street.  Research Drive against eastbound drivers at Central Street.  Emerson Lane against northbound drivers at Holland Woods Road.  Holland Woods Road against westbound drivers at Pleasant Street.  Walden Court against northbound drivers at Holland Woods Road.  Tanzio Road against northeast bound drivers at Lancaster Street.  Tanzio Road against east bound drivers at Malburn Street.  Bel Air Heights against westbound drivers at Legate Hill Road.  Samoset Drive against southeast bound drivers at Willard Street.  Spindletop Drive against southwest bound drivers at Samoset Drive.  Ballard Court against northwest bound drivers at Samoset Drive.  Keeneland Circle against southeast bound drivers at Samoset Drive.  Candlewood Drive against northwest bound drivers at Keeneland Circle.  Candlewood Drive against eastbound drivers at Willard Street.  Samoset Drive against northeast bound drivers at Candlewood Drive (intersection closest to Willard Street).  Candlewood Drive against southeast bound and northwest bound drivers at Samoset Drive.  Samoset Drive against southwest bound and northeast bound drivers at Candlewood Drive. The following APPOINTMENT was received, referred to the WAYS & MEANS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE and given REGULAR COURSE. Disability Commission – David R. Cormier – Term to Expire 4/15/2019 Page 2 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, DECEMBER 21, 2017, Cont. Upon request of the LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE the following COMMUNICATION was given LEAVE TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT PREJUDICE. Vt. 9/0 Councillor Dombrowski read letters from the Mayor, the Health Director and Director of Inspections into the record. Letters on file in the City Clerk’s Office. C-19 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Authorize the Mayor to acquire, by gift and/or eminent domain for no consideration, for general municipal purposes and/or active or passive recreational purposes, the parcels of land located at 15 Narcissus Road and Olive Road and described more particularly in deeds recorded with the Worcester North District Registry of Deeds in Book 7543, Page 78 and Book 7543, Page 67. Upon recommendation of the FINANCE COMMITTEE the following COMMUNICATION was GRANTED and ORDERED. Vt. 9/0 C-23 Relative to the appropriation of $597,345.00 to the Recreation Department Capital Outlay Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. ORDERED: - that the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($597,345.00) be appropriated to the Recreation Department Capital Outlay Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. A recess was called at 6:21 P.M. to allow the Grant Administrator, Wendy Wiiks, to answer questions related to the communication. Meeting reconvened at 6:23 P.M. Upon recommendation of the WAYS AND MEANS AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE the following RESOLUTION was ADOPTED. Vt. 9 “yeas”. A RESOLUTION TO FILE AND ACCEPT GRANTS WITH AND FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS FOR THE PARKLAND ACQUISITIONS AND RENOVATIONS FOR COMMUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM FOR A NEW PARK AT THE CORNER OF MECHANIC AND LAUREL STREETS IN THE CITY OF LEOMINSTER. Whereas: The French Hill area of the City of Leominster is a densely populated area with little open space, the development of the Mechanic/Laurel Street area of the City as a new park is a priority as evidenced in the most recent Open Space and Recreation Plan and the Gateway Plus Action Plan; and Whereas: The Mechanic Street Park will greatly enhance the French Hill neighborhood by creating open space for recreation purposes immediately adjacent to the Third Street Playground area and expanding the site’s open space acreage; and Whereas: The main focus of the park is to improve access to open space for neighborhood families and individuals for picnicking, walking running, unorganized sports and general leisure. Whereas: Said property is designated as recreational land under Chapter 45, Section 3 by deed and subsequent vote of the City Council and is under the jurisdiction of the Leominster Recreation Department; and Whereas: Said land adjacent to the current playground has also been designated as recreational land under Chapter 45, Section 3 by deed and vote of the City Council and will be under the jurisdiction of the Leominster Recreation Department; and Whereas: The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) is offering reimbursable grants to cities and towns to support the preservation and restoration of urban parks through the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities; and Whereas: Creation of the new Mechanic Street Park will cost a total of $597,345.00 and the City has allocated $597,345.00 through its Stabilization account for the purposes of the Mechanic Street Park. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT 1. That the Mayor be and is hereby authorized to file and accept grants from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs; and 2. That the Mayor be and is hereby authorized to take such other actions as are necessary to carry out the terms, purposes, and conditions of this grant to be administered by the Leominster Recreation Department; and 3. That this resolution shall take effect upon passage. /s/ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk /s/ Mark C. Bodanza /s/ David R. Cormier /s/ Gail P. Feckley /s/ Richard M. Marchand /s/ Susan Chalifoux Zephir /s/ Pauline M. Cormier /s/ John Dombrowski /s/ James Lanciani, Jr. /s/ Claire M. Freda MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:39 P.M. ________________________________ Lynn A. Bouchard, City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council Page 3