City Council

Council President Councillors-at-Large Richard M. Marchand John Dombrowski Claire M. Freda Council Vice President Susan Chalifoux Zephir Gail P. Feckley Thomas F. Ardinger Ward Councillors Ward 1 – Gail P. Feckley Ward 2 – Pauline M. Cormier Ward 3 – David R. Cormier Ward 4 – Mark C. Bodanza Ward 5 – Richard M. Marchand MINUTES CITY OF LEOMINSTER CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 JOHN P. MAHAN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS PUBLIC HEARING, 6:40 P.M. C-10 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that the Cross-Connection Control Ordinance, Chapter 17, Section 17-18 be updated per the attached document. The adoption of this updated ordinance will help with the safety preservation of the water quality within the City of Leominster water distribution system, which is a continuous goal of the Department of Public Works. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 08/12/19; Further Time 8/26/2019; Adopted 9/09/2019; Public Hearing 9/23/2019 @ 6:40 P.M.; 2/3 Vote) The public hearing opened at 6:40PM. Councillor Dombrowski asked three times if anyone wanted to speak for or against the petition. No one spoke. The hearing closed at 6:42 PM. PUBLIC FORUM, 6:45 P.M The public forum is an opportunity for any member of the audience to speak on a matter specifically listed on the Council Agenda. Speakers will be asked to come to the microphone and state their formal name and address along with identifying the specific item(s) they wish to address. Each speaker is respectfully asked to keep their comments within a two (2) minute timeframe. The Council will not be responding or answering any questions; however, at the discretion of the Council President, clarification may be given. Council President Marchand asked three times if anyone would like to speak. No one spoke. I. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, 7:00 P.M. Moment of Silence to Recognize John McLaughlin, Sean Santussen, and Firfighter Randy Pouliot. II. ROLL CALL OF COUNCILLORS IN ATTENDANCE Council Preisdent Marchand, Councillor Freda, Councillor Dombrowski, Councillor Chalifoux Zephir, Councillor Bodanza, Councillor Pauline Cormier, Councillor Ardinger, Councillor David Cormier Present. Councillor Feckley absent. Others Present: Katelyn Huffman, City Clerk, Titi Siriphan, Assistant City Clerk. III. APPROVAL OF RECORDS PRESENTED BY THE VICE PRESIDENT • August 26, 2019 • September 9, 2019 • The meeting minutes were postponed to the next meeting. IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR ORDERS C-25 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that an appropriation of $28,000.00 be made to the Emergency Management Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. (Finance; Regular Course 09/23/2019; 2/3 Vote) This communication was given regular course. C-26 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that an appropriation of $23,200.00 be made to the School Department Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. (Finance; Regular Course 09/23/2019; 2/3 Vote) This communication was given regular course. C-27 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that an appropriation of $8,000.00 be made to the Police Department Expense Account; same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. (Finance; Regular Course 09/23/2019; 2/3 Vote) This communication was given regular course. Page 2 V. PETITIONS FIRST TIME ON THE AGENDA 6-20 Joseph Bassett and ten registered Voters to accept Barry Lane as a street in the City of Leominster. (Legal Affairs; Majority Vote) This communication was given regular course with a referral to the Planning Board, the Planning Director, and the DPW. 7-20 Gail P. Feckley: Request to amend Section 13-77, Stop Signs, of the Leominster Municipal Code, by adding a stop sign for north bound traffic on Dingley Street at Fairview Street. (Legal Affairs; 2/3 Vote) This communication was given regular course with a referral to the traffic agent. 8-20 Gail P. Feckley: Request to amend Section 13-77, Stop Signs, of the Leominster Municipal Code, by adding a stop sign for south bound traffic on Dingley Street at Tolman Avenue. (Legal Affairs; 2/3 Vote) This communication was given regular course with a referral to the traffic agent. 9-20 Michael Goldman, Police Chief: Request to delete Section 13-26 of the Revised Ordinance for the City of Leominster and insert a new Section 13- 26 as follows: A. Whenever the Mayor, or the Mayor’s designee, declares a snow emergency exists in the City in regard to snow plowing or snow removal by giving at least six hours' notice, it shall be unlawful for the owner, operator or person in charge of any vehicle (other than one acting in an emergency) to park such vehicle or permit or suffer the same to be parked on any public street in this City for the duration of the emergency. A snow emergency so declared shall continue for a forty-eight-hour period which may be extended by the Mayor or his or her designee as circumstances require. During said snow emergency, the Director of Public Works shall conduct snow plowing, removal, and sand and salt operations. B. The Mayor or the Mayor’s designee may remove the restrictions imposed in any snow emergency for areas of the City as they become cleared. C. The Director of Public Works shall notify the Leominster Police Department, activate CodeRed, and announce the snow emergency through TV, radio, newspaper and City social media outlets and as many other public channels as the Director deems necessary. Page 3  D. The provision of this section shall not apply to handicapped parking areas located in residential zones. E. Any vehicle found in violation of this Section may be removed to a convenient place under the direction of an officer of the police department and the owner of the vehicle so removed, or towed away, shall be liable to the cost of such removal and storage. (Legal Affairs; 2/3 Vote) This petition was given regular course with a referral to the DPW, Police Chief, and Mayor. 10-20 Jeffrey Miller and ten registered voters request to accept Jay Ave as a Street in the City of Leominster. (Legal Affairs; Majority Vote) This communication was given regular course with a referral to the Planning Board, the Planning Director, and the DPW. 11-20 Claire M. Freda: Request to amend Section 13-77, Stop Signs, of the Leominster Municipal Code, by adding three stop signs for the following locations: Barry Lane at the intersection of Barry Lane and Debbie Drive. Barry Lane at the intersection of Barry Lane and Beth Avenue. Jay Avenue at the intersection of Jay Avenue and Debbie Drive. (Legal Affairs, 2/3Vote) This communication was given regular course with a referral to the traffic agent. VI. MATTERS BEFORE CITY COUNCIL VII. CITY OF LEOMINSTER – FINANCIAL REPORT a. The balance of the stabilization fund was $17,865,782.15. VIII. FINANCE C-24 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that an appropriation of $117,065.00 be made to the Fire Department Capital Outlay Expense Account; same amount to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. (Regular Course 9/09/2019; 2/3 Vote) Page 4  The Finance Committee recommended that the communication be GRANTED. Vote: 8-0 the communication was granted. ORDERED: Vote 8-0 the communication was ADOPTED. Councillor Freda indicated that she felt that many things would soon be obsolete and more of these requests would be coming down to Council for approval. IX. LEGAL AFFAIRS C-24 (FY19) Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Allow Roll On America to connect into the Leominster water system through a Special Act of the Legislature. (Regular Course 11/13/2018; Pending Referrals City Solicitor; Public Hearing 1/14/2018; Further Time 12/10/2018; 9/09/2019; Tabled for Further Study 1/28/2019; Removed from table 9/09/2019; Majority Vote) Councillor Dombrowski made a motion to amend the petition to read “To Allow Giggles and Grins LLC…” as per the request of the applicant. Councillor Bodanza seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously (8-0). Councillor Bodanza made a motion to amend the communication to say “…through a Special Act of the Legislature or an Inter Municipal Agreement in the discretion of the City Solicitor.” Councillor Dombrowski seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously (8-0). X. PUBLIC SERVICE 5-20 National Grid and Verizon New England: Requests to install 1 Jointly Owned Pole and remove 1 Jointly Owned Pole on Hall Street beginning at a point approximately 265 feet west of the centerline of the intersection of West Street and continuing approximately 15 feet in a north direction. (Regular Course 9/09/2019; Public Hearing TBD; Majority Vote) The Public Service Committee recommended that the petition be given Further Time and a public hearing be set for October 15, 2019 at 6:40PM. Councillor David Cormier abstained due to a possible conflict of interest. Vote: 7-0 the petition was given further time and the public hearing was set. XI. WAYS & MEANS A measure confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of the following individuals to the Office of Emergency Management: Assistant Directors: Deputy Directors: Page 5  Richard Gauvin Tom Piper Dan Thibodeau Al Staal The Ways and Means Committee recommended that the appointments listed above be confirmed. Vote: 8-0 the appointments were CONFIRMED. 4-20 Election Order: An Order Relative to the November 5, 2019 Municipal Election. (Regular Course 9/09/2019; Majority Vote) The Ways and Means Committee recommended that the Election order be granted. Vote 8-0 the Election Order was GRANTED. XII. NEW BUSINESS 1st Reading Ordinance C-10 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that the Cross-Connection Control Ordinance, Chapter 17, Section 17-18 to be updated per the attached document. The adoption of this updated ordinance will help with the safety preservation of the water quality within the City of Leominster water distribution system, which is a continuous goal of the Department of Public Works. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 08/12/19; Further Time 8/26/2019; Adopted 9/09/2019; Public Hearing 9/23/2019 @ 6:40 P.M.; 2/3 Vote) Councillor Dombrowski read the ordinance aloud. The Legal Affairs Committee recommended that the first reading of the ordinance be ADOPTED. Vote: 8-0 the first reading of the ordinance was ADOPTED. XIII. OLD BUSINESS • Councillor Chalifoux Zephir informed the Council that she received an email update from the Mayor’s Office regarding the status of the athletic fields. She read the email into the record. • Councillor Marchand thanked everyone who sponsored, donated and assisted in the preparations of the Johnny Appleseed Festival. • Councillor Freda informed the council that her church community commented on the great improvements in the city for sidewalks and roads. XIV. COMMUNITY CALENDAR • October 3, at 7:00PM. Councillor Bodanza’s new history book about Leominster will be showcased at the Library and at the Historical Society on October 10. Page 6  • Cocunillor Freda informed the Council that the next Police Station Building Committee meeting would occur on October 4 at 7:30AM. XV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:04PM. - Katelyn Huffman, City Clerk Page 7