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 AUGUST 24, 2020 JOHN P. MAHAN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS The City Council meeting on August 24, 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 (408) 650-3123 and enter the following code 360-296-053: (Please note: the call in number and code are different than the call in number and code from the last meeting conducted on August 10, 2020). The meeting will begin promptly at 6:50 PM on Monday, August 24, 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. INTERVIEW, 6:50 P.M. 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; Further Time 7/27/2020, 8/10/2020; Majority Vote) The Ways and Means Committee interviewed Mr. Massa for the position of Emergency Management; Operations Unit Volunteer. Mr. Massa informed the City Council that he has had many years of experience with law enforcement and believe his skills will be helpful for the position. He looks forward to giving back to the community. INTERVIEW, 6:50 P.M. A measure confirming the Mayor’s appointment of Ijaz Ahmed to the Office of Emergency Management: Operations Unit; volunteer. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Further Time 7/27/2020, 8/10/2020; Majority Vote)  The Ways and Means Committee interviewed Mr. Ahmed for the position of Emergency Management; Operations Unit Volunteer. Mr. Ahmed informed the City Council that he has had many years of experience as a scientist and believe his skills will be helpful for the position. He looks forward to giving back to the community. PUBLIC HEARING, 6:51 P.M. 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; Further Time 7/27/2020, 8/10/2020; Public Hearing 8/24/2020 @ 6:51 PM; 2/3 Vote) The public hearing opened at 6:49PM. Councillor Dombrowski asked three times if anyone from the public would like to speak for or against the petition. No one spoke. No Councillors raised concerns over the petition. The public hearing closed at 7:01PM. PUBLIC HEARING, 6:52 P.M. 7-21 John Dombrowski, Councillor at Large: Request to amend Chapter 13, Section 13-77 to read the following: Install a stop sign against East bound drivers on Birchcroft Road at Comstock Road. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 8/10/2020; Public Hearing 8/24/2020 @ 6:52 P.M.; 2/3 Vote) The public hearing opened at 7:03PM. Councillor Dombrowski asked three times if anyone from the public would like to speak for or against the petition. No one spoke. No Councillors raised concerns over the petition. The public hearing closed at 7:05PM. PUBLIC HEARING, 6:53 P.M. 8-21 Thomas F. Ardinger, Councillor at Large: Request that a MassDOT approved “Slow Dangerous Curve” sign be placed on the westerly side of Grant Street 100 ft +/- from the northerly intersection of Imperial Avenue and Grant Street. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 8/10/2020; Public Hearing 8/24/2020 @ 6:53 P.M.; 2/3 Vote) The public hearing opened at 7:05PM. Councillor Dombrowski asked three times if anyone from the public would like to speak for or against the petition. No one spoke. The Legal Affairs Committee requested that the public hearing stay open and be given further time because the referral from the traffic agent had not yet been received. Roll Call Vote: The public hearing was continued to September 14, 2020 at 6:54PM. Page 2 PUBLIC HEARING, 6:54 P.M. 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; Further Time 7/27/2020, 8/10/2020; Public Hearing 8/24/2020 @ 6:54 PM; 2/3 Vote) The public hearing opened at 7:08 PM. Councillor Dombrowski asked three times if anyone from the public would like to speak for or against the petition. No one spoke. Councillor David Cormier made a motion to amend the petition to read “David R. Cormier: Request to amend Chapter 13, Section 13-34 to read the following: No parking on Albert Drive. Albert Drive, southbound, from the North intersection of Central Street (rear of 424 Central Street) to the southernmost point of the rear of 444 Central Streets property (right side only). Albert Street, north bound, along the length of 40 Albert Drive (right side only).” Councillor Chalifoux Zephir seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: 8-1 (Councillor Freda Nay) the motion carried. Councillor Freda informed the Council that she was concerned about passing this as amended right away since it would not allow enough time for the public to review and comment on it. Gary Pelletier, 424 Central Street, spoke in favor of the petition as amended. The Legal Affairs Committee recommended that the City Council GRANT the petition. Roll Call Vote: 8-1 (Councillor Freda Nay) the petition was GRANTED. The public hearing closed at 7:28PM. 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. The public forum opened at 7:29PM. Council President Bodanza asked three times whether anyone from the public would like to speak for or against any item listed on the agenda. No one spoke. The public forum closed at 7:30PM. Page 3 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 Pauline Cormier seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the meeting went into recess at 7:01PM. The regular meeting resumed at 7:30PM. II. ROLL CALL OF COUNCILLORS IN ATTENDANCE City Council President Bodanza, City Council Vice President Feckley, Councillor Freda, Councillor Dombrowki, Councillor Angelini, Councillor Ardinger, Councillor Pauline Cormier, Councillor David Cormier, Councillor Chalifoux-Zephir present. Others Present: Katelyn Huffman, City Clerk; Titi Siriphan, Assistant City Clerk. III. APPROVAL OF RECORDS PRESENTED BY THE VICE PRESIDENT • August 10, 2020 – The meeting minutes from the August 10, 2020 meeting were approved as amended. IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR APPOINTMENTS A measure confirming the Mayor’s appointment of Daniel Grammel to the Office of Emergency Management: Operations Unit; volunteer. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 8/24//2020; Majority Vote) This appointment was given regular course. Councillor Feckley asked that the City Clerk set up an interview with Mr. Grammel for the next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting. A measure confirming the Mayor’s appointment of William Fisher to the Office of Emergency Management: Operations Unit; volunteer. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 8/24//2020; Majority Vote) This appointment was given regular course. Councillor Feckley asked that the City Clerk set up an interview with Mr. Fisher for the next regularly scheduled City Council Meeting. Page 4  COMMUNICATIONS C-13 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request that Diana Richard be exempt from the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 268A, (20B) Conflict of Interest. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 8/24/2020; Majority Vote) RE: Election Work This communication was given regular course. V. MATTERS BEFORE CITY COUNCIL VI. CITY OF LEOMINSTER – FINANCIAL REPORT a. The balance of the stabilization account was: $21,443,466.23. Councillor Freda asked the Finance Chair, Councillor David Cormier, to look into the missing appropriations that usually come in to council every year for sewer and water. VII. FINANCE C-12 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Request an appropriation of $17,350.00 be made to the Election & Registration Expense Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund. (Finance; Regular Course 8/10/2020; 2/3 Vote) RE: Schools are requiring a deep clean if used for Election Day. School related Cares Act reimbursement is undetermined at this time. The Finance Committee recommended to GRANT the communication. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the communication was GRANTED. ORDERED: Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the communication was ADOPTED. VIII. LEGAL AFFAIRS 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; Further Time 7/27/2020, 8/10/2020; Public Hearing 8/24/2020 @ 6:51 PM; 2/3 Vote) The Legal Affairs Committee recommended that the City Council GRANT the petition. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the petition was GRANTED. Page 5  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; Further Time 7/27/2020, 8/10/2020; Public Hearing 8/24/2020 @ 6:54 PM; 2/3 Vote) The Legal Affairs Committee recommended that the City Council GRANT the petition. Roll Call Vote: 8-1 (Councillor Freda Nay) the petition was GRANTED. 7-21 John Dombrowski, Councillor at Large: Request to amend Chapter 13, Section 13-77 to read the following: Install a stop sign against East bound drivers on Birchcroft Road at Comstock Road. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 8/10/2020; Public Hearing 8/24/2020 @ 6:52 P.M.; 2/3 Vote) The Legal Affairs Committee recommended that the City Council GRANT the petition. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the petition was GRANTED. 8-21 Thomas F. Ardinger, Councillor at Large: Request that a MassDOT approved “Slow Dangerous Curve” sign be placed on the westerly side of Grant Street 100 ft +/- from the northerly intersection of Imperial Avenue and Grant Street. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 8/10/2020; Public Hearing 8/24/2020 @ 6:53 P.M.; 2/3 Vote) The Legal Affairs Committee recommended that the City Council give the petition FURTHER TIME and continue the public hearing until September 14, 2020 at 6:54PM. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the petition was given FURTHER TIME and the public hearing was continued to September 14, 2020 at 6:54PM. IX. WAYS & MEANS APPOINTMENTS 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; Further Time 7/27/2020, 8/10/2020; Majority Vote) The Ways and Means Committee recommended that the City Council CONFIRM the appointment of Louis Massa. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the appointment was CONFIRMED. Page 6  A measure confirming the Mayor’s appointment of Ijaz Ahmed to the Office of Emergency Management: Operations Unit; volunteer. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 7/13/2020; Further Time 7/27/2020, 8/10/2020; Majority Vote) The Ways and Means Committee recommended that the City Council CONFIRM the appointment of Ijaz Ahmed. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the appointment was CONFIRMED. A measure confirming the Mayor’s reappointment of Yanneth Bermudez-Camp to the Housing Authority; term to expire 4/15/2025. (Ways & Means; Regular Course 8/10/2020; Majority Vote) The Ways and Means Committee recommended that the City Council CONFIRM the appointment of Yanneth Bermudez-Camp. Roll Call Vote: 9-0 the appointment was CONFIRMED. X. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. XI. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. XII. COMMUNITY CALENDAR The community was reminded that the JA Festival will be cancelled. They were also reminded that Early Voting is taking place for the September 1, 2020 election during normal business hours at the City Hall. XIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:55PM. - Katelyn Huffman, City Clerk Page 7