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 JULY 13, 2020 JOHN P. MAHAN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS The City Council meeting on July 13, 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 (571) 317-3122 and enter the following code : 863-680-781 (Please note: the call in number and code are different than the call in number and code from the last meeting conducted on June 22, 2020). The meeting will begin promptly at 6:50 PM on Monday, July 13, 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, 6:50 P.M. C-76 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that the attached Loan Order be adopted. (Finance; Regular Course 6/22/2020; Public Hearing 7/13/2020 @ 6:50 P.M.;2/3 Vote) RE: Notown and Fallbrook Water Treatment Plants Upgrades. The public hearing for the Loan Order opened at 6:50PM. The order was read aloud. Roger Brooks, Business Manager, spoke regarding the communication. He informed the City Council this Loan Order would provide the money needed for the City to upgrade infrastructure to make for a safer water treatment process. Councillor David Cormier asked three times if anyone would like to speak for or against the communication. No one spoke. The public hearing was closed at 7:00PM. PUBLIC HEARING, 6:53 P.M. 68-20 National Grid requests permission to locate poles, wires, and fixtures, including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, along and across the following public way: Vinton St - National Grid to install one (I) SO Pole on Vinton Street beginning at a point approximately 20' feet south/southwest of the centerline of the intersection of Mechanic St and continuing approximately 270' feet in a south/southwest direction. Per request of customer at 17 Vinton St, National Grid will remove a tree guy and install a new stub pole w/anchor. P2-84 will be set approximately 43' south of pole 2 and an anchor will be set approximately 6' feet from pole 2-84. Location approximately as shown on plan attached. (Public Service; Regular Course 6/22/2020; Public Hearing 7/13/2020 @ 6: 53 P.M.; Majority Vote) The public hearing opened at 7:03PM. Jay, a representative from National Grid, spoke in favor of the petition. He explained to the Council that the petition is on behalf of a customer who requested that infrastructure be replaced and upgraded for safety and service reasons. Councillor Pauline Cormier asked Jay to note to the company that there is concern that National Grid does not clean up debris after jobs and it is left for the customers to handle. Jay informed the Councillor that he would let the office know so that it could be remedied. Councillor Freda asked three times if anyone would like to speak for or against the petition. No one spoke. The public hearing closed at 7:12PM. PUBLIC HEARING, 6:54 P.M. 67-20 Verizon New England, Inc.: Requests permission to locate poles, wires, cables and fixtures, including the necessary anchors, guys and other such sustaining and protecting fixtures to be owned and used in common by your petitioners, along and across the following public way or ways: FRANKLIN STREET: Relocate one (1) solely owned pole numbered T.5-1 to a point on the northerly side of Franklin Street approximately three hundred twenty (320) feet easterly from the center line of Pleasant Street. Reason: Relocate one (I) solely owned pole on Franklin Street at the request of an abutter; and to provide for the distribution of intelligence and telecommunications. (Public Service; Regular Course 6/22/2020; Public Hearing 7/13/2020 @ 6:54 P.M.; Majority Vote) The public hearing opened at 7:12PM. Councillor Freda asked if a representative from Verizon was available to speak regarding the petition. Councillor David Cormier recused himself from the petition and the discussion due to a possible conflict of interest. Councillor Freda raised concerns regarding the petition, and wanted more information from Verizon. The public hearing was left open. Page 2 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 time frame. The Council will not be responding or answering any questions; however, at the discretion of the Council President, clarification may be given. Council President Bodanza opened the public forum at 7:17PM. He asked three times if anyone from the public would like to speak for or against an item on the agenda. No one spoke. The public forum closed at 7:18PM. I. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, 7:00 P.M. The regular meeting of the City Council opened at 7:00PM. Councillor David Cormier made a motion to recess. Councillor Ardinger seconded the motion. The Council went into recess at 7:02PM. The regular meeting was back in session at 7:18PM. II. ROLL CALL OF COUNCILLORS IN ATTENDANCE Council President Bodanza, Council Vice President Feckley, Councillor David Cormier, Councillor Pauline Cormier, Councillor Ardinger, Councillor Angelini, Councillor Chalifoux Zephir, Councillor Dombrowski, Councillor Freda present. Others Present: Katelyn Huffman, City Clerk, Titi Siriphan, Assistant City Clerk. III. APPROVAL OF RECORDS PRESENTED BY THE VICE PRESIDENT • The meeting minutes from the June 17, 2020 special meeting were approved and placed on file. IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR APPOINTMENTS A measure confirming the Mayor’s appointment of Charles Raymond to the Conservation Commission; term to expire 4/15/2023. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Majority Vote) Page 3 This appointment was given regular course. It was requested that an interview be set for the next Council meeting and that a resume be submitted by the applicant. A measure confirming the Mayor’s appointment of Louis Massa to the Office of Emergency Management: Operations Unit; volunteer. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Majority Vote) This appointment was given regular course. It was requested that an interview be set for the August Council meeting and that a resume be submitted by the applicant. A measure confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of the following individuals to the Office of Emergency Management: Operations Unit; volunteer. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Majority Vote) Jason Regan Marcy Rothenberg Harry Quarles Pamela Sullivan Darlene Quarles Ijaz Ahmed Lisa Delorme A measure confirming the Mayor’s appointment of Charles Raymond to the Conservation Commission; term to expire 4/15/2023. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Majority Vote) These appointments were given regular course. It was requested that interviews be set for the August Council meeting and that resumes are submitted by the applicants. A measure confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of John Proietti to the Historical Commission: term to expire 4/15/2023. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Majority Vote) This appointment was given regular course. A measure confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of Paul Weizer to the Planning Board: term to expire 4/15/2025. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Majority Vote) This appointment was given regular course. Page 4 A measure confirming the Mayor’s appointment of Nicholas Bodanza to the Disability Commission: term to expire 4/15/2023. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Majority Vote) This appointment was given regular course. Councillor Bodanza recused himself from the measure due to a conflict of interest. It was requested that an interview be set for the next Council meeting and that a resume be submitted by the applicant. ORDERS C-01 Emergency Preamble Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that an appropriation of $7,400,164.00 be made to the Stabilization Fund; the same amount to be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Account (Undesignated Fund Balance). (Finance; Regular Course 7/13/2020; 2/3 Vote) RE: To fund emergency needs as they arise and appropriate certified free cash. By a Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the emergency preamble was accepted. Councillor David Cormier explained that the communication is an emergency because the Free Cash needs to be transferred and accepted in order to be used in the future. If it is not transferred and accepted it will stay in an account inaccessible until next year. Councillor Freda expressed concern about the communication. She sited that it took a long time for the money to be certified and that the City is behind on other important financial document submittals such as the Schedule A form. The Finance Committee recommended that 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. C-02 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that an appropriation of $103,000.00 be made to the Sidewalk Expense Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. (Finance; Regular Course 7/13/2020; 2/3 Vote) The communication was given regular course. Page 5  COMMUNICATIONS C-03 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request the council to accept $760,805.00 for the City’s phase I portion of the Cares Act funding. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Majority Vote) The communication was given regular course. C-04 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request the council to accept $272,508.00 through the Community Development Block Grant Covid-19 program. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Majority Vote) The communication was given regular course. C-05 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request the council to accept $81,161.00 through the Corona Virus Emergency Supplemental Funding through the Department of Justice. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Majority Vote) The communication was given regular course. V. PETITIONS FIRST TIME ON THE AGENDA 69-20 Nellye Molina: Renew the Second Hand Dealers License for J & J Consignment located at 285 Central Street. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Majority Vote) The petition was given regular course with a referral to the Treasurer and Police Chief. 1-21 David R. Cormier: Request to install a stop sign against southwest bound drivers on Comstock Road at Birchcroft Road. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 7/13/2020; 2/3 Vote) The petition was given regular course with a referral to the traffic agent. Page 6  2-21 David R. Cormier: Request to amend Chapter 13, Section 13-34 to read the following: No parking on Albert drive, both sides for the entire length. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 7/13/2020; 2/3 Vote) The petition was given regular course with a referral to the traffic agent. 3-21 National Grid and Verizon New England Inc.: Requests permission to locate poles, wires, and fixtures, including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, along and across the following public way: Nelson St - National Grid to install 1 JO Pole, remove 4 JO Poles and relocate 4 JO poles on Nelson St beginning at a point approximately 10 feet west of the centerline of the intersection of North Main St and continuing approximately 400 feet in a westerly direction. Relocate P4 approximately 5ft back, PJ approximately 4ft back. P2 approximately 7ft back and Pl approximately 9ft east and 8ft back. Install new Pl-84 and anchor approximately 50ft from Pl. (Public Service; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Public Hearing 7/27/2020 @ 6:54 P.M.; Majority Vote) The petition was given regular course and a public hearing was set for July 27, 2020 at 6:54PM. VI. MATTERS BEFORE CITY COUNCIL VII. CITY OF LEOMINSTER – FINANCIAL REPORT The balance of the stabilization fund was: $14,189,152.27. VIII. FINANCE C-76 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that the attached Loan Order be adopted. (Finance; Regular Course 6/22/2020; Public Hearing 7/13/2020 @ 6:50 P.M.;2/3 Vote) RE: Notown and Fallbrook Water Treatment Plants Upgrades. The Finance Committee read the Loan Order for the second time. The Finance Committee recommended that the City Council GRANT the Loan Order. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the Loan order was GRANTED. ORDERED: Roll Call Vote: The loan order was ADOPTED. Page 7  C-77 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that an appropriation of $1,250.00 be made to the Conservation Commission Expense Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Wetland Fee’s Reserved for Appropriation Account. (Finance; Regular Course 6/22/2020; Majority Vote) The Finance Committee recommended that 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. C-78 Emergency Preamble Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that an appropriation of $35,000.00 be made to the Police Department Overtime Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Police Salary & Wages Account. (Finance; Regular Course 6/22/2020; Granted 26/22/2020; To be Ratified 7/13/2020; Majority Vote) The Finance Committee recommended that the City Council ratify the previous vote for the communication. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the vote for the communication was RATIFIED. C-79 Emergency Preamble Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that an appropriation of $30,000.00 be made to the Fire Department Overtime Account: same amount to be transferred from the Fire Department Salary & Wages Account. (Finance; Regular Course 6/22/2020; Granted 26/22/2020; To be Ratified 7/13/2020; Majority Vote) The Finance Committee recommended that the City Council ratify the previous vote for the communication. Roll Call Vote: 8-0-1 the vote for the communication was RATIFIED. Councillor David Cormier recused himself from the communication due to a conflict of interest. IX. PUBLIC SERVICE 67-20 Verizon New England, Inc.: Requests permission to locate poles, wires, cables and fixtures, including the necessary anchors, guys and other such sustaining and protecting fixtures to be owned and used in common by your petitioners, along and across the following public way or ways: FRANKLIN STREET: Relocate one (1) solely owned pole numbered T.5-1 to a point on the northerly side of Franklin Street approximately Page 8  three hundred twenty (320) feet easterly from the center line of Pleasant Street. Reason: Relocate one (I) solely owned pole on Franklin Street at the request of an abutter; and to provide for the distribution of intelligence and telecommunications. (Public Service; Regular Course 6/22/2020; Public Hearing 7/13/2020 @ 6:54 P.M.; Majority Vote) The Public Service Committee recommended that the petition be given FURTHER TIME and that the next public hearing be set for July 27, 2020 at 6:53PM. Roll Call Vote: 8-0-1 (Councillor David Cormier recused himself due to a possible conflict of interest) the petition was given FURTHER TIME and a new public hearing date was set. 68-20 National Grid requests permission to locate poles, wires, and fixtures, including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, along and across the following public way: Vinton St - National Grid to install one (I) SO Pole on Vinton Street beginning at a point approximately 20' feet south/southwest of the centerline of the intersection of Mechanic St and continuing approximately 270' feet in a south/southwest direction. Per request of customer at 17 Vinton St, National Grid will remove a tree guy and install a new stub pole w/anchor. P2-84 will be set approximately 43' south of pole 2 and an anchor will be set approximately 6' feet from pole 2-84. Location approximately as shown on plan attached. (Public Service; Regular Course 6/22/2020; Public Hearing 7/13/2020 @ 6: 53 P.M.; Majority Vote) The Public Service Committee recommended that the City Council GRANT the petition. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the petition was GRANTED. X. WAYS & MEANS APPOINTMENTS A measure confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of Rocco Palmieri to the Historical Commission; term to expire 4/15/2023. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 6/22/2020; Majority Vote) The Ways and Means Committee recommended that the City Council CONFIRM the appointment of Rocco Palmieri. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the appointment was CONFIRMED. XI. NEW BUSINESS Page 9 XII. OLD BUSINESS XIII. COMMUNITY CALENDAR • A moment of silence was held to honor the passing of Father Bob Bruso. XIV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:00PM. - Katelyn Huffman, City Clerk Page 10