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 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF LEOMINSTER CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 4, 2021 JOHN P. MAHAN CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS PUBLIC FORUM, 6:29 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 was opened at 6:29 PM. With no one speaking, the public forum was closed at 6:30 PM. I. REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, 6:30 P.M. II. ROLL CALL OF COUNCILLORS IN ATTENDANCE PRESENT: Council President Bodanza; Council Vice-President David Cormier; Councillor Pauline Cormier; Councillor Thomas Ardinger; Councillor Peter Angelini; Councillor John Dombrowski; City Clerk Katelyn Huffman; Assistant City Clerk Dianne Reardon ABSENT: Councillor Freda; Councillor Chalifoux Zephir III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR C-24 Dean J. Mazzarella, Mayor: Requests that $27,000,000 is appropriated, in addition to the $3,000,000 previously appropriated by vote of the Council on August 15, 2019 and the $2,000,000 previously appropriated by vote of the Council on August 10, 2020, for the purpose of constructing and equipping a police station, including the payment of costs incidental or related thereto; that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow such amount and issue bonds or notes therefor under M.G.L. c.44 or any other enabling legislation; and that the Mayor and/or the Treasurer are each authorized to take any other action necessary or convenient to carry out the project and this vote. Any premium received upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, may be applied to the payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with M.G.L. c.44, §20, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount. (Finance; Regular Course 10/04/2021; Public Hearing 10/12/2021 @ 5:54PM; 2/3 Vote) Kevin Witzell and Todd Costa gave an update and presentation on the Police Station project. Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella acknowledged the team of Councillor Claire Freda, Police Chief Aaron Kennedy; Police Lieutenant Mark Amico; Police Sergeant Daniel Proietti; Kelly Vallee; James Marois; Kelley Gammell; Wendy Wiiks; Greg Chapdelaine; Brett Thompson; James Whitney; Henry Frye; Patrick McCarty; James Lanciani; Carlos Cintron; and Michelle Richards. Council President Bodanza reminded the City Council that a public hearing will be set for the Tuesday, October 12th meeting. He encouraged the City Council to forward any questions regarding this project to the City Clerk prior to that meeting. He thanked the team for their hard work. This petition was given regular course. The public hearing was set by a vote of 6-0 for October 12, 2021, at 5:54 PM. Page 2 IV. PETITIONS FIRST TIME ON THE AGENDA 11-22 Request that the City Council vote to accept the 2020 Re-Precincting Plan for the City of Leominster. (Legal Affairs; Regular Course 10/04/2021; Majority Vote) Council President Bodanza explained that re-precincting occurs after a federal census year (2020). Council Vice President David Cormier explained that he spoke to the City Clerk today regarding an Ordinance that will need to be changed so it can reflect the new boundaries. City Clerk Katelyn Huffman added the process regarding complying with the state laws. She noted that the Ordinance cannot be amended until we get an OK from the LEDRC (Local Election District Review Commission). V. NEW BUSINESS VI. OLD BUSINESS VII. COMMUNITY CALENDAR Council President asked for a Moment of Silence due to the unexpected passing of Jim Leblanc, Emergency Management Director. Council Vice-President David Cormier asked that an item be placed on the next agenda in remembrance of Mr. LeBlanc. VIII. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Councillor Pauline Cormier, seconded by Councillor David Cormier, to ADJOURN the meeting at 6:55 PM. The motion was passed 6-0. - Katelyn Huffman, City Clerk Page 3