City Council

Council President Councillors-at-Large Mark C. Bodanza John Dombrowski Council Vice President Claire M. Freda David R. Cormier Susan Chalifoux Zephir Thomas F. Ardinger Ward Councillors Ward 1 – Vacant 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 MONDAY, JULY 12, 2021 JOHN P. MAHAN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS INTERVIEW, 6:40 PM Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; request the appointment of Leon Christoforo, to the Historical Commission, Term to expire 04/15/2024. (Ways and Means; Regular Course 05/24/2021; Interview 06/14/2021 at 6:40 PM CANCELLED; Interview 06/28/2021 at 6:30 PM CANCELLED; Further Time 06/28/2021; Majority Vote) Councillor Freda opened the interview and introduced Leon Christoforo, candidate for the Historical Commission. Mr. Christoforo addressed the City Council with his history in the City of Leominster. Councillor Freda stated that she was happy to see he is willing to volunteer his time and efforts. Councillor Dombrowski and Councillor David Cormier concurred. PUBLIC HEARING, 6:45 PM 77-21 Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a 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: Elm Hill Ave - National Grid to install 1 JO Pole on Elm Hill Ave beginning at a point approximately 235 feet north of the centerline of the intersection of Litchfield St and continuing  approximately 15 feet in a western direction. Relocate Pole #I 0-1 roughly 15' south to serve 2 new duplex buildings and remove pole from in front of proposed driveway of 51-53 Elm Hill Ave. (Public Service; Regular Course; 06/28/2021; Public Hearing 07/12/2021 at 6:45 PM; Majority Vote) The Public Hearing opened at 6:45 PM. Councillor Freda opened the public hearing and asked if there was a representative from National Grid present. After a short delay, Rebecca Marques was present from National Grid. Ms. Marques explained that this pole needs to be moved to enable the driveway access of this new construction. Councillor Freda is in support and Councillor Pauline Cormier and Councillor Chalifoux Zephir concurred. The Public Hearing closed at 6:48 PM/ PUBLIC HEARING, 6:50 PM 75-21 Elizabeth Wood (on behalf of the Planning Board) requests to amend the zoning ordinance pertaining to the regulation of dumpster location and screening. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 06/14/2021; Public Hearing; July 12, 2021 @ 6:50PM; REFERRALS IN: Planning Board; REFERRALS OUT: Board of Appeals, Building Inspectors; 2/3 Vote) The Public Hearing opened at 6:50 PM. Councillor Dombrowski continued the public hearing, as the Planning Board still needs to meet in August on this item. A vote was taken to set a public hearing on 08/23/2021 at 6:45 PM and passed with a vote of 8-0. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:53 PM. 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. The City Council President opened and closed the public forum at 6:55 PM, as no one participated. I. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OPENED AT 7:00 PM II. ROLL CALL OF COUNCILLORS IN ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Council President, Bodanza; Council Vice President, David Cormier; Councillor Freda; Councillor Dombrowski; Councillor Chalifoux Zephir; Councillor Angelini; Councillor Ardinger; Councillor Pauline Cormier; Katelyn Huffman, City Clerk; Dianne M. Reardon, Assistant City Clerk. III. APPROVAL OF RECORDS IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR C-01 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Requests that an appropriation of $2,300.00 be made to the Conservation Department Expense Account, the same to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund (Finance; Regular Course 07/12/2021; 2/3 Vote) The Finance Committee gave this REGULAR COURSE. C-02 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Requests that an appropriation of $1,116,678.00 be made to the Street Resurfacing Expense Account; the same amount to be transferred from the Stabilization Account. RE: Chapter 90 Paving Funds (Finance; Regular Course 07/12/2021; 2/3 Vote) The Finance Committee gave this REGULAR COURSE. Page 3 V. PETITIONS FIRST TIME ON THE AGENDA 01-22 Gregory C. Chapdelaine, Purchasing Agent: Request to enter a five-year contract for Actuarial Valuation Studies for Leominster Retirement System and Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Retirement Obligations. (Finance; Regular Course; 03/08/2021; Majority Vote) The Finance Committee gave this REGULAR COURSE. 02-22 Mark C. Bodanza, City Council President: Request to Amend Section 2- 16 of Article III of the Revised Ordinances for the City of Leominster. RE: Replacing “No meeting shall be held during the week of Christmas” with “No meeting shall be held on the fourth Monday of December” (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 07/12/2021; Public Hearing; July 26, 2021 @ 6:50PM; 2/3 Vote) The Legal Affairs Committee gave this REGULAR COURSE. The public hearing was set for 07/26/2021 at 6:50 PM. The vote was 8-0 in favor of setting the public hearing. 03-22 City Council Vice-President David R. Cormier: Request to Amend Section 2-15 for Election of President, by deleting the current language and inserting a new provision specifically regulating the succession of the Office of President, should a vacancy in the Office occur. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 07/12/2021; Public Hearing; July 26, 2021 @ 6:45PM; 2/3 Vote) The Legal Affairs Committee gave this REGULAR COURSE. The public hearing was set for 07/26/2021 at 6:45 PM. The vote was 8-0 in favor of setting the public hearing. A referral is requested from the City Solicitor. 04-22 City Council Vice-President David R. Cormier: Request to Amend Section 2-15-1 for Election of Vice President, by inserting a new provision specifically regulating the succession of the Office of the Vice President, should a vacancy in the Office occur. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 07/12/2021; Public Hearing; July 26, 2021 @ 6:40PM; 2/3 Vote) The Legal Affairs Committee gave this REGULAR COURSE. The public hearing was set for 07/26/2021 at 6:40 PM. The vote was 8-0 in favor of setting the public hearing. A referral is requested from the City Solicitor. Page 4  05-22 City Council Vice-President David R. Cormier: Request to Amend Chapter 13, Article 3, Division 2, Sections 13-34 (no parking on certain streets) and add the following: Grant Street northerly side from 176 to 222 Grant St. & Grant Street southerly side from 179 to 221 Grant St. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 07/12/2021; Public Hearing; July 26, 2021 @ 6:35 PM; 2/3 Vote) The Legal Affairs Committee gave this REGULAR COURSE. The public hearing was set for 07/26/2021 at 6:35 PM. The vote was 8-0 in favor of setting the public hearing. A referral is requested from the Police Department Traffic Agent. 06-22 Angela Chebuske, Conservation Agent: Requests City Council endorsement for the Kiosk Eagle Scout Project on the Hill St. Conservation Land Property. (Ways and Means; Regular Course 07/12/2021; Majority Vote) Council President Bodanza indicated that this petition is unnecessary, under Chapter 40 Section 58C. A vote was taken and the petition was given LEAVE TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT PREJUDICE with a vote of 8-0. Councillor Freda asked that the Stabilization Fund and Stabilization Account stick to one wording, making it clear that this is one fund and not two individual funds. VI. MATTERS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL VII. FINANCIAL REPORT Councillor David Cormier stated that he does not have a financial report this evening. VIII. FINANCE IX. LEGAL AFFAIRS 75-21 Elizabeth Wood (on behalf of the Planning Board) requests to amend the zoning ordinance pertaining to the regulation of dumpster location and screening. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 06/14/2021; Public Hearing; July 12, 2021 @ 6:50PM; REFERRALS: Planning Board, Board of Appeals, Building Inspectors; 2/3 Vote) Page 5  The Legal Affairs Committee requested Further Time and to set the public hearing for 08/23/2021 at 6:45 PM. The vote was taken to set the public hearing and was passed 8-0. 76-21 City of Leominster Retirement Board requests to accept the provisions of Ch. 32 Sec 20(4) (h). RE: Changing the board custodians' maximum allowance from $1,500.00 to $3,000.00 per year. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course; 06/28/2021; REFERRAL IN: Treasurer; Majority Vote) The Legal Affairs Committee recommended passage of this petition. A vote was taken and the petition was GRANTED with a vote of 8-0. X. PUBLIC SERVICE 77-21 Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a 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: Elm Hill Ave - National Grid to install 1 JO Pole on Elm Hill Ave beginning at a point approximately 235 feet north of the centerline of the intersection of Litchfield St and continuing approximately 15 feet in a western direction. Relocate Pole #I 0-1 roughly 15' south to serve 2 new duplex buildings and remove pole from in front of proposed driveway of 51-53 Elm Hill Ave. (Public Service; Regular Course; 06/28/2021; Public Hearing 07/12/2021 at 6:45 PM; Majority Vote) Councillor Freda read the petition and stressed the importance of this pole movement to the building and prospective buyers. A roll call vote was taken and the petition was GRANTED with a vote of 7-0 (Councillor David Cormier abstained). XI. WAYS AND MEANS 78-21 City Council support of a Remote Learning Option for the Leominster Public School Resolution. TO BE RATIFIED (Ways and Means; Regular Course 06/28/2021; Majority Vote) A roll call vote was taken and the ratification was PASSED with a vote of 8-0. Page 6  Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor; request the appointment of Leon Christoforo, to the Historical Commission, Term to expire 04/15/2024. (Ways and Means; Regular Course 05/24/2021; Interview 06/14/2021 at 6:40 PM CANCELLED; Interview 06/28/2021 at 6:30 PM CANCELLED; Further Time 06/28/2021; Majority Vote) A roll call vote was taken and the APPOINTMENT of Leon Christoforo to the Historical Commission was CONFIRMED with a vote of 8-0. XII. NEW BUSINESS First Reading of an Ordinance 74-21 Peter Angelini, Ward 5 Councillor; Request to install a stop sign on Leland Avenue against northbound drivers at Hoover Street. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course; 06/14/2021; Public Hearing: 06/28/2021 at 6:50 PM; 2/3 Vote) The Legal Affairs Committee recommended ADOPTION of the first reading of this Ordinance. A roll call vote was taken and passed 8-0. Councillor Freda stated that the City Council is supposed to meet with Boards and Committees and she would like to start that again, beginning with the Conservation Commission. XIII. OLD BUSINESS XIV. COMMUNITY CALENDAR XV. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councillor Pauline Cormier, seconded by Councillor David Cormier, to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:20 PM. The motion was passed 8-0. - Katelyn Huffman, City Clerk Page 7