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 26, 2021 JOHN P. MAHAN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS PUBLIC HEARING, 6:35 PM 05-22 City Council Vice-President David R. Cormier: Request to Amend Chapter 13, Section 13-34 and add the following: Grant Street northerly side from 176 to 222 Grant St. & Grant Street southerly from 179 to 221 Grant St. RE: No parking on both sides of street (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 07/12/2021; Public Hearing; July 26, 2021 @ 6:35 PM; 2/3 Vote) The Public Hearing opened at 6:35 PM. Councillor Dombrowski opened the public hearing, giving the floor to Council Vice-President David Cormier to speak on this petition. Councillor David Cormier spoke on the problems with traffic and parking around the dam and how this petition will likely help control the traffic pattern. Councillor Dombrowski asked if any member of the public wanted to speak for or against the petition. No one spoke. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:39 PM. PUBLIC HEARING, 6:40 PM 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 @ 6:40PM; 2/3 Vote) The Public Hearing opened at 6:40 PM. Councillor Dombrowski opened the public hearing, reading the referral from the City Solicitor and then giving the floor to Council Vice-President David Cormier to speak on this petition. Councillor David Cormier stated that this petition is housekeeping of the ordinance that is already in place. Councillor Ardinger asked if there was a timeframe for an election of this type. Councillor David Cormier answered that the proposal explains how the election would be done and a timeframe for the election. Councillor Dombrowski read the entire petition. Councillor Dombrowski asked if any member of the public wanted to speak for or against the petition. No one spoke. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:49 PM. PUBLIC HEARING, 6:45 PM 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 @ 6:45PM; 2/3 Vote) The Public Hearing opened at 6:50 PM. Page 2  Councillor Dombrowski opened the public hearing, referring to the referral from the City Solicitor and then giving the floor to Council Vice-President David Cormier to speak on this petition. Councillor David Cormier stated that this petition is housekeeping of the ordinance that is already in place. Councillor Dombrowski asked if any member of the public wanted to speak for or against the petition. No one spoke. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:53 PM. PUBLIC HEARING, 6:50 PM 02-22 Mark C. Bodanza, City Council President: Request to Amend Section 2- 016 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 Public Hearing opened at 6:54 PM. Councillor Dombrowski opened the public hearing and then gave the floor to Council President Bodanza to speak on this petition. Council President Bodanza spoke on the way the current ordinance is written and there is no substantive reason to have a fourth Monday meeting in December, as it seldom happens anyway. Councillor Dombrowski asked if any member of the public wanted to speak for or against the petition. No one spoke. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:56 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 time frame. The Council will not be Page 3  responding or answering any questions; however, at the discretion of the Council President, clarification may be given. The Public Forum was opened at 6:57 PM. Mr. Michael Stassen, 893 Main Street, spoke on C-03 (E-Rate Revenue). He explained what the E-Rate was and recommended passage. The Public Forum was closed at 6:58 PM. I. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, 7:00 P.M. II. ROLL CALL OF COUNCILLORS IN ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Council President Bodanza, Council Vice-President David Cormier, Councillor Pauline Cormier, Councillor Ardinger, Councillor Angelini, Councillor Chalifoux Zephir, Councillor Dombrowski, Councillor Freda, Katelyn Huffman, City Clerk, and Dianne Reardon, Assistant City Clerk Councillor Freda requested a moment of silence for Father Dennis O’Brien from Our Lady of the Lake Parish. III. APPROVAL OF RECORDS • June 28, 2021 • July 12, 2021 Council Vice-President David Cormier stated that the minutes looked in order and he recommended placing them on file. IV. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Requests the appointment of Eileen Ramsden of 110 Cove Rd, Lunenburg, MA, to the Office of Emergency Management. (Ways and Means; Regular Course 07/26/2021; Interview 08/09/2021 @ 6:50 PM; Majority Vote) This Communication was given REGULAR COURSE and an interview was set for August 9, 2021 at 6:50 PM. Page 4  C-03 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Requests that an appropriation of $298,455.60 be made to the School Department Expense Account; the same amount to be raised by Fiscal Year 2022 Revenue. RE: Estimate FY 2022 E-Rate Revenue. (Finance; Regular Course 07/26/2021; Majority Vote) This Communication was given REGULAR COURSE. C-04 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Requests that the list of Election Officers for August 31, 2021 – August 31, 2022, be appointed. (Ways and Means; Regular Course 07/26/2021; Majority Vote) This Communication was given REGULAR COURSE. V. PETITIONS FIRST TIME ON THE AGENDA VI. MATTERS BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL VII. FINANCIAL REPORT – BALANCE $19,902,000.00 VIII. FINANCE 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 recommended that the City Council GRANT the ORDER. A roll call vote was taken, and it was GRANTED with a vote of 8-0. Councillor Freda asked if most applicants pay for the advertising. Council Vice-President David Cormier answered yes, but that goes into the general fund. ORDERED: By a Roll Call Vote of 8-0 the order was ADOPTED. 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 Page 5  (Finance; Regular Course 07/12/2021; 2/3 Vote) Council Vice-President David Cormier recommended this petition be given LEAVE TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT PREJUDICE, as it is unnecessary since the Chapter 90 funding has come through. A vote was taken and the petition was given LEAVE TO WITHDRAW WITHOUT PREJUDICE with a vote of 8-0. FINANCE – CONTINUED 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; 07/12/2021; Majority Vote) The Finance Committee recommended that the City Council GRANT the PETITION. A roll call vote was taken, and it was GRANTED with a vote of 8-0. 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 IN: Planning Board; REFERRALS OUT: Board of Appeals, Building Inspectors; Continued Public Hearing: 08/23/2021 at 6:45 PM; 2/3 Vote) Councillor Freda asked if there was any reason why two different inspectors have two different opinions. Councillor Dombrowski answered that these questions should be brought up at the scheduled public hearing. The Legal Affairs Committee recommended that the City Council give this petition FURTHER TIME, as the Public Hearing is scheduled for August 23, 2021 at 6:45 PM. A vote was taken, and it was passed with a vote of 8-0. 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. Page 6  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 recommended passage of this petition. A vote was taken and the petition was GRANTED with a vote of 8-0. LEGAL AFFAIRS – CONTINUED 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 @ 6:40 PM; 2/3 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. 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 @ 6:45PM; 2/3 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. 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. RE: No parking on both sides of street (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 07/12/2021; Public Hearing; July 26, 2021 @ 6:35 PM; 2/3 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. Page 7 X. NEW BUSINESS XI. OLD BUSINESS Second 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 second reading of this Ordinance. A roll call vote was taken and passed 8-0. XII. COMMUNITY CALENDAR Councillor Freda updated the Council that the Police Station plans have gone through the Planning and Conservation Boards and it will go out to bid on September 2, 2021. There will be a presentation soon. Councillor Freda attended the Eagle Scout ceremony for Ryan Doyle whose project was a veterans’ cemetery identification project. He worked in conjunction with the Veteran’s Department. XIII. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councillor Chalifoux Zephir, seconded by Councillor David Cormier, to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:19 PM. The motion was passed 8-0. - Katelyn Huffman, City Clerk Page 8