City Council

Council President Councillors-at-Large Mark C. Bodanza John Dombrowski Council Vice President Claire M. Freda Gail P. Feckley Susan Chalifoux Zephir 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 – Peter A. Angelini MINUTES CITY OF LEOMINSTER CITY COUNCIL JUNE 8, 2020 JOHN P. MAHAN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS The City Council meeting on June 8, 2020 will be held virtually, by a conference telephone call only. All City Councillors, and members of the public interested in participating in the public forum, or a scheduled public hearing, are requested to call the following number : +1 (646) 749-3122 and enter the following code : 230-150-253 (Please note: the call in number and code are different than the call in number and code from the last meeting conducted on May 26, 2020). The meeting will begin promptly at 6:54 PM on Monday, June 8, 2020. The conference phone call will be moderated by the City Council President and all discussion will be strictly limited to matters on the agenda. It is expected that the audio phone call will be broadcast on Leominster Access Television. PUBLIC HEARING, 6:54 P.M. 65-20 Comcast of Massachusetts III, Inc.: Requests permission to install a new underground conduit system on Tanzio Road starting at Utility Pole No. 14 excavating to place (1) 4” PVC Conduit 170’ +/- to Utility Pole No. 13. (Public Service; Regular Course 5/26/2020; Public Hearing 6/8/2020 @ 6:54 P.M.; Majority Vote) The public hearing opened at 6:54 PM. Dave Fwelling, of Comcast, spoke in favor of the petition. He explained that Comcast needed to install a conduit via underground routes that would lead back up to a pole for 200 Tanzio road. Councillor Pauline Cormier asked if it would disrupt traffic, and how long the process would take. Mr. Fwelling, informed the Council it would take one day and would not disrupt traffic. Councillor Freda asked three times whether anyone would like to speak for against the petition. No one spoke. The hearing closed at 6:58 PM. PUBLIC FORUM, 6:55 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. The Public Forum opened at 6:58PM. Council President Bodanza asked three times if anyone would like to speak for or against the petition. No one spoke. I. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, 7:00 P.M. The regular meeting of the City Council opened at 7:00 PM. II. ROLL CALL OF COUNCILLORS IN ATTENDANCE Council President Bodanza, Council Vice President Feckley, Councillor Freda, Councillor Dombrowski, Councillor Chalifoux-Zephir, Councillor Angelini, Councillor Ardinger, Councillor Pauline Cormier and Councillor David Cormier present. Others Present: Katelyn Huffman, City Clerk; Titi Siriphan, Assistant City Clerk. III. APPROVAL OF RECORDS PRESENTED BY THE VICE PRESIDENT • May 11, 2020 – These minutes were approved and placed on file. • May 26, 2020 - These minutes were approved and placed on file. IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR APPOINTMENTS A measure confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of Nancy King to the Cultural Commission; term to expire 4/15/2023. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 6/8/2020; Majority Vote) This communication was given regular course. A measure confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of Elizabeth Raymond to the Cultural Commission; term to expire 4/15/2023. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 6/8/2020; Majority Vote) This communication was given regular course. Page 2 A measure confirming the Mayor’s appointment of Susan Shelton to the Library Board of Trustees; term to expire 4/15/2023. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 6/8/2020; Majority Vote) This communication was given regular course and it was asked that Ms. Shelton come to the next City Council Meeting virtually for an interview. COMMUNICATIONS C-67 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Relative to the appropriation of $71,492.00 be made to the Cemetery Salary & Wages Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Cemetery Perpetual Care Income Account. (Finance; Regular Course 6/8/2020; Majority Vote) RE: Cemetery Labor $38,446.00 Cemetery Part-time $15,585.00 Cemetery Clerical $17,461.00 $71,492.00 This communication was given regular course. C-68 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Relative to the appropriation of $45,000.00 be made to the Library Expense Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Library State Aid Account. (Finance; Regular Course 6/8/2020; Majority Vote) RE: Library Books. This communication was given regular course. C-69 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Relative to the appropriation of $73,080.00 be made to the Cemetery Capital Outlay Expense Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Cemetery Sale of Lots Fund. (Finance; Regular Course 6/8/2020; Majority Vote) RE: 144 Units $73,080.00 This communication was given regular course. Page 3 C-70 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Relative to the appropriation of $400,000.00 be made to the Pension Expense Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. (Finance; Regular Course 6/8/2020; 2/3 Vote) This communication was given regular course. C-71 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that the Fiscal Year 2021 Water Department Budget which totals $5,876,865.00 be adopted as listed; the same amount to be raised as authorized by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44 Section 53E. (Finance; Regular Course 6/8/2020; 2/3 Vote) RE: Attachment FY 2021 Water Department Budget. This communication was given regular course and public hearing was set by a roll call vote of 9-0 for June 22, 2020 at 6:51PM. C-72 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that the Fiscal Year 2021 Sewer Department Budget which totals $5,511,549.00 be adopted as listed; the same amount to be raised as authorized by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44 Section 53E. (Finance; Regular Course 6/8/2020; 2/3 Vote) This communication was given regular course and public hearing was set by a roll call vote of 9-0 for June 22, 2020 at 6:52PM. C-73 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Relative to the appropriation of $100,000.00 be made to the Gallagher Building Salary & Wages Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Gallagher Building Revolving Fund. (Finance; Regular Course 6/8/2020; 2/3 Vote) RE: FY2021 Operating Expenses. This communication was given regular course. C-74 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that the Fiscal Year 2021 which totals $133,457,622.00 be adopted; the same amount to be raised by Fiscal Year 2021 Revenue. (Finance; Regular Course 6/8/2020; 2/3 Vote) RE: Attached Fiscal Year 2021 Budget document. This communication was given regular course and public hearing was set by a roll call vote of 9-0 for June 22, 2020 at 6:53PM. Page 4  C-75 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request the approval of the CDBG Budget/Action Plan for Year 46. (Finance; Regular Course 6/8/2020; 2/3 Vote) This communication was given regular course. V. PETITIONS FIRST TIME ON THE AGENDA 66-20 Comcast of Massachusetts III, Inc.: Requests permission to install a new underground conduit to service number 1 Main Street. Water Street: Starting at Utility Pole No.3 excavating to place (2) 4" PVC Conduits 295'+/_ to a proposed 24"x36" vault. From the newly placed vault continuing with the excavation with (2) 4" PVC Conduits 355'+/_ to a proposed 24"x36" vault located on Mechanic Street. From the newly placed vault the conduit will continue 3'+/_ and on to the property of 1 Main Street. In addition (2) 4" PVC Conduits will be stubbed out of the vault for a future take off. (Public Service; Regular Course 6/8/2020; Public Hearing 6/22/2020 @ 6:54 P.M.; Majority Vote) This communication was given regular course and public hearing was set by a roll call vote of 9-0 for June 22, 2020 at 6:50PM. VI. MATTERS BEFORE CITY COUNCIL VII. CITY OF LEOMINSTER – FINANCIAL REPORT a. The balance of the stabilization fund was $14,172,721.80 Councillor David Cormier also recorded VIII. FINANCE C-64 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: request that an appropriation of $345,000.00 be made to the Fire Department Capital Outlay Expense Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. (Finance; Regular Course 05/26/2020; 2/3 Vote) The Finance Committee recommended the City Council GRANT the communication. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the communication was GRANTED. ORDERED: Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the communication was ADOPTED. Page 5  C-65 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: request that an appropriation of $70,000.00 be made to the Fire Department Capital Outlay Expense Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. (Finance; Regular Course 05/26/2020; 2/3 Vote) RE: COVID-19 Upgrades to Facilities. The Finance Committee recommended the City Council GRANT the communication. Councillor Freda asked whether this money would be reimbursed by COVID funds and why those funds weren’t being used. Council President Bodanza explained that COVID funds had been applied for but have not yet been received. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the communication was GRANTED. ORDERED: Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the communication was ADOPTED. C-66 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: request that an appropriation of $50,000.00 be made to the City Solicitor Expense Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. (Finance; Regular Course 05/26/2020; 2/3 Vote) RE: Higher amount of activity during Fiscal Year 2020. The Finance Committee recommended the City Council give the communication LEAVE TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT PREJUDICE the communication. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the communication was LEAVE TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT PREJUDICE. IX. PUBLIC SERVICE 65-20 Comcast of Massachusetts III, Inc.: Requests permission to install a new underground conduit system on Tanzio Road starting at Utility Pole No. 14 excavating to place (1) 4” PVC Conduit 170’ +/- to Utility Pole No. 13. (Public Service; Regular Course 5/26/2020; Public Hearing 6/8/2020 @ 6:54 P.M.; Majority Vote) The Public Service Committee recommended that the City Council GRANT the petition. Roll Call Vote: 8-0-1(Councillor David Cormier abstained from the vote due to a possible conflict of interest) the petition was GRANTED. X. NEW BUSINESS • Councillor Feckley set a Special Meeting Date on June 17, 2020 at 5:45PM. She also set the Public Hearing date and time for the CDBG budget for June 17, 2020 at 5:45 PM. Page 6  • Councillor David Cormier set the Budget Meeting Schedule for Fiscal 2021 as follows: Date Time Department June 15, 2020 6:00PM Mayor/Administration June 15, 2020 6:15PM Dept. of Public Works June 15, 2020 6:30PM Fire Department June 15, 2020 6:45PM Police Department June 17, 2020 6:00PM Recreation Department June 17, 2020 6:15PM Library June 17, 2020 6:30PM School Department Councillor Freda requested that Recreation Department be added to the meetings, and the Finance Committee agreed. XI. OLD BUSINESS XII. COMMUNITY CALENDAR • Councillor Freda informed the Council that the LATV archives will release the footage in honor of 30 years for the Vietnam Veteran Memorial. XIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:50PM. - Katelyn Huffman, City Clerk Page 7