City Council

Methuen City Council Regular Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Great Hall, Searles Building Chair Beauregard called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Vice-Chair Zeigler, Councilor Saba, Councilor Saffie, Councilor Simard, Councilor DiZoglio, Councilor Faretra, Councilor Finocchiaro, and Councilor McCarty. Acceptance of Agenda MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Saffie to accept the agenda. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes Acceptance of Minutes MOTION BY: Councilor DiZoglio, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to waive the reading and acceptance of minutes from previous meeting: September 19th, 2022, regular meeting. UPON VOTE: 8 yes, 1 present (Clr. Finocchiaro) MOTION BY: Councilor DiZoglio, seconded by Councilor Saffie to waive the reading and accept the minutes from previous meeting: October 17th, 2022, regular meeting. UPON VOTE: 8 yes, 1 present (Clr. Finocchiaro) Public Participation Phil Lahey, 9 Cochrane Street, spoke against “safe needle injection sites”. There are 300 deaths a day, mostly young adults. People have good intentions but having these means you are giving up on addiction. It is a very costly proposition. Money should be spent on education and helping individuals get into sober homes, het jobs, etc. He asked Councilors to gather with groups of people and invite MVPASAP to go to these groups to speak to individuals to help make them aware genetics play a role in that. He plans to make the same offer to other cities and towns. Education is lacking. Mr. Lahey spoke of driving a school bus and the city Council having a similar conversation fifteen years ago. The city made exceptions for those who drove children if they did not abuse the neighbors or have them complain. Tim Lannon said he doesn’t think three weeks after this being passed is long enough for it to be reconsidered. People have been doing this for years. There is no bus that was a problem. This is something that was done for a long time for high school and lower school grades. There are seven bus drivers and have never had more than nine that wanted to park a bus in the driveway. He questioned how it is ruining someone’s quality of life. Kathleen Burke, neighbor of Tim and Donna, stated she has no problem with buses being parked in driveway. Jeri Ann Batal, referenced Day’s Inn and distributed a notice of a meeting that was on the website for November 4th and taken down. She asked when the meeting would take place. There are 130 children, 85 families. She questioned why they weren’t put on a bus to go back to where they came from. Chair Beauregard stated no city officials had anything to do with that. 1 Methuen City Council Regular Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Great Hall, Searles Building Jeri-Ann said they still must get fed. The city will have to hire more teachers, police, and fire. She doesn’t want taxes to increase. Chair Beauregard clarified (according to the Vice-Chair) the November 4th meeting was relative to Spanish Heritage Month. Jeri-Ann stated she doesn’t want to pay for this with tax dollars. Mayor Perry explained taxes are not going up. The law requires children to be put in our schools. Chair Beauregard suggested reaching out to the state delegation. Donna, Myona Street, stated everyone on their street is against the parking of the bus in their neighborhood. She is two houses away. Every morning the bus is running for twenty minutes. For two months the driver tried to hide it at Heavenly Donuts then in her back yard. One of the neighbors had to move her child’s bedroom due to the fumes from the bus. The driver said she was given a special permit from the city. There are many children on this street. Donna said she called the police on the driver, but she was at the end of the street when police arrived. They could not do anything. Choice Fitness and other businesses in the area there are no deliveries before 7:00 a.m. This driver can do whatever she wants, with the lights flashing while the bus is idling. There was a stove fire ten days ago. The firefighter told her it could have been worse. Donna expressed concern with the quality of life, health issues, sleep issues. She asked Council and Mayor to do the right thing. Linda Soucy, 10 Kirk Street, stated Bill S1258 should be removed because the legislator resigned. Only two were listed, one from Winthrop and one from the Cape. The state should put the sites where they live. We need to say no more discussion on any drugs or anything that would put our youth at risk. Jessica Bailey stated the driver involved is wrong. As a driver you have to go through safety. This person is infringing on someone’s rights. To lump all drivers as one is inappropriate. Other drivers follow guidelines. They ae told to make sure they do certain things. One of DOT standards is you can not idle. This one person is making it hard for others who always care about the safety of children. If there are people who do not care, they need to go. That person is wrong. Drivers are going to step up and make sure these kids are safe. They are doing so by following the guidelines. Diane, Myona Street, said she is directly affected by it. She expressed concern because the bus driver was empowered by the police to do more. This person feels she can do whatever she wants. Sean Fallon sympathizes. He lives next door to Donna. One person complained after fifteen years. Her case must be looked into. He noted any car could hit a child not just a bus. He lives near the Lawrence Airport. It is a way of life. Too many people want to make a huge deal out of things. 2 Methuen City Council Regular Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Great Hall, Searles Building Jack Pelletier, 10 Gage Street, stated he is extremely disappointed that no one responded to his October 20th email looking for an update on Day’s Inn on specific costs and if the state has paid anything. Twenty-five percent of his wages go to taxes. People are living one mile away for free. Mayor’s Report Mayor Perry reported the individuals at Day’s Inn are not immigrants. On October 26th the Methuen Police Department received certification, in a one-year time. He congratulated the Chief and the men and women of police department. There will be a celebration in Sanborn Hall one week from Thursday. The city doesn’t have the certification of Free Cash from Massachusetts. The ARPA spending monies are obligated. He doesn’t see anything getting in the way. The Mayor said he will bring back the Rocky Morrison contract back to Council once Free Cash is certified. The Mayor announced the Veterans Day parade is Friday beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Santa Parade is November 19, 22 beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Pelham Street. The Fall Festival held last Saturday was a success. Councilor Saba said if he receives an email from a resident, he responds. If all Councilors are responding it is a duplication of work. He suggested residents send emails to one Councilor, not all. Councilor Saba spoke of his suggestion at the Finance Committee meeting relative to the forty-six million-dollar ARPA funding. The CAFO indicated she doesn’t have the time. The DPW Director doesn’t have the time. He suggested bringing someone in. Mayor Perry said he would like to hire the DPW Deputy Director first. Councilor Saba asked if calls could go out to let the residents know about the Veterans Parade. Mayor Perry said MPD purchased an alternate revers 911 system that is not in place yet. He will try. Councilor Saba asked about lighting the tree at the Library. Mayor Perry said there is a $19,000 quote to light the tree. The city’s intent is to light it. Councilor Saba suggested putting up the lights and leaving them up. Councilor Zeigler stated that over the last few weeks there have been a lot of disparaging remarks. The last meeting local officials just found out and are working with the state to get more information. These are not illegal immigrants. Some are citizens. There is a lot of misinformation and we need to make sure we put out the right information. Mayor Perry indicated there was a meeting on Friday. Councilor Zeigler requested an update on that meeting. 3 Methuen City Council Regular Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Great Hall, Searles Building Mayor Perry said there has been an outpouring of support from individuals in the community, GLCAC. There is comfort home care and churches on site. New Balance committed to providing everyone with sneakers. They have more than enough clothing. Sneakers and toys came up as a need. Unfortunately, individuals thought a meeting was outstanding. His office has been inundated with calls from people wanting to help. It went down from 216 people, 55 families, down to 170 people, 45 families. They are displaced and individuals are going to try to place them all by December 31st. Councilor Zeigler noted the community needs to have a plan to assist. Councilor DiZoglio said the Mayor has been very informative about this. This is Hispanic Heritage month. There are children that do not deserve that and for people to continue to say things is inappropriate. This is on the state. The hotel is probably making $10,000 a month. We cannot control this on the local level. Unfortunately, people take it as a different way. He suggested calling the state. The Mayor has done a good job. That is the state and federal level. The Mayor responded to Councilor DiZoglio’s questions. The Mayor said Munis is two months off schedule. The integration will include schools. We are going from seven financial systems to one. Senator DiZoglio obtained additional funding for the Youth Center of $500,000 in addition to the one million previously provided to renovate the Pleasant Valley School. We need to know what the true cost would be. Councilor Simard said the issue is the way it was handled by the state without notice to Methuen. As of October 29, there were no new children at the Marsh School. He encouraged west end residents to contact him or Councilor Saffie. The state should bear the burden to protect our children, our schools and prepare to lessen the burden. Councilor Simard spoke of prominent citizens, that are very generous. He noted the city should refrain from giving aspiring politicians access at city sponsored events. Councilor Faretra said the individuals at Day’s Inn is not the same situation as 2020. These are working families and cannot be compared to what happened with the homeless population. Councilor Faretra reported that Thornton Avenue and Taft Avenue Extension is gravel and needs to be graded. DPW uses that road to push snow further. Steve Gagnon said they are doing basic maintenance. Something can be done. Councilor Saffie mentioned there is not a proper sidewalk on Forest Street, Lowell Street to Cherry Hill Circle where there is a bus stop. She will send details in an email. Mayor Perry indicated the sidewalks will not get done until Spring. Councilor Finocchiaro asked about the original amount of money given to Council for ARPA funds for Council to decide what projects to fund. She said an Emergency Safety Committee would be helpful, where people could share their thoughts. She noted most of the needs at Day’s Inn are fulfilled. Relative to the joint email, she did not receive it and doesn’t know what the email was. She noted responses should be done separately. Maggie said the ARPA funds totaled $77,524,370. 4 Methuen City Council Regular Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Great Hall, Searles Building Councilor Finocchiaro said individuals supported many items that didn’t make the list. People were told Council didn’t want to fund them. That statement was made several times. Council only had a certain amount of money. Mayor Perry said he went into great detail with the media and presented projects in detail. He never blamed the City Council or anything like that. The Council is going to get another chance for the $35,000, which is up to the Council to spend or not. Often the media doesn’t get complete details. Public Service: Grants: Public Service Grant #30611858 Hampstead Street – National Grid to relocate (1) pole 2545 on Hampstead Street MOTION BY: Councilor Saffie, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes Licenses: Special Excavation License – Gas, 48 Shirley Avenue – no heat MOTION BY: Councilor Simard, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. Councilor Finocchiaro indicated the request was dated October 4th and questioned the delay in processing. Steve Gagnon, Engineering, said the resident opted to switch to gas. There is a moratorium on this street. There were three on the original request. It was determined one needed to come forward to Council. The others were new builds. He sent it back to be retyped. It takes approximately two weeks to get to a meeting. Councilor Saba said if there is an active gas leak, they go out and dig a hole. In this case the emergency is the residence inconvenience of no heat. Councilor DiZoglio said he would have supported a special meeting since people are living in this house. Councilor Faretra noted water destroyed this corner of Shirley Avenue. This would be an improvement. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes Other Officers and Committee Reports Councilor Zeigler reported that the Economic Development Community Committee did not hold their meeting Tuesday. A Workshop will be held for small business owners to provide information to them. Councilor Finocchiaro reported that the Substance Abuse, Metal Health, and Homelessness Committee met on Monday, October 24, 2022. They discussed opiates, funding, and prevention measures. The Veterans’ Affairs committee discussed a variety of issues and new programs. The Youth Action Committee will meet Thursday, November 10, 2022 in the Great Hall. 5 Methuen City Council Regular Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Great Hall, Searles Building Unfinished Business Resolutions: TR-22-89 Resolution Declaring Surplus Equipment and Authorizing Auction Surplus Equipment MOTION BY: Councilor DiZoglio, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes TR-22-90 Resolution Authorizing Expenditures of $41,800 from the Edwin J. Castle Fund MOTION BY: Councilor Saffie, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes TR-22-91 Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Fiscal Year 2023 Commonwealth of Massachusetts State 911 Department Support and Incentive Grant MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor DiZoglio to approve. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes Ordinances: TO-22-28 An Ordinance to Amend Section 9-63 of Methuen’s Ordinances to Allow School Buses That Weigh Five Tons or More to Park on Residential Driveways (Requested by Vice-Chairwoman Zeigler and Chairman Beauregard) Motion for Reconsideration: Chairman Beauregard and Councilor Saffie are cosponsoring a motion to reconsider the Methuen City Council’s October 17, 2022, vote to enact TO-22-28. Chairman Beauregard and Councilor Saffie voted with the majority that approved TO-22-28 at the last regular meeting of the Methuen City Council. If the Council approves the Motion for Reconsideration, the Council will then take a second read vote on TO- 22-28. Chair Beauregard passed the gavel to Vice-Chair Zeigler. MOTION BY: Councilor Beauregard, seconded by Councilor Saba to reconsider TO-22- 28. Councilor Beauregard said after talking with several residents, one who brought up commercial vehicles. The voters voted two to one to prohibit parking of commercial vehicles. This is a matter of safety of many things vs. the convenience of a few. He is voting “no” on the measure. Councilor Saba said this item came about because one resident abused it. It has been in place for a long time if neighbors didn’t complain. He received a call from Donna and spoke with Captain Haggar. Councilor Saba noted it should expand to include smaller buses. They must protect neighborhoods. Councilor Faretra said as a Council they can’t make a habit of taking a vote and then reconsider it. Individuals need to get involved before votes are done. He agrees with Councilor Saba. Rules were followed. In one case a person is abusing it and not following the rules. He is 6 Methuen City Council Regular Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Great Hall, Searles Building changing his vote going back to the original ordinance. Residents will be allowed to park if they follow the rules. Councilor DiZoglio agreed with what Councilor Faretra said. In this case, first and second read were done. He does not want reconsideration to become a habit. He suggested bus drivers consider parking in local parking lots instead of going all the way back to the bus company lot. Councilor Finocchiaro noted she is happy residents are here to make sure they have been heard. This item doesn’t include the amendment that the vehicle may not idle at all or may not park in a public way. Councilor Zeigler said during public participation there was resident that said she did not answer her. If it is a blocked number, she doesn’t answer. She suggested individuals send a text or email to reach her. A member of the community used her name. She did not speak with this individual and at no point should a resident use her name. That is not the case. There was one resident that had two buses. The third bus was problematic. It is not fair for politics to be involved if someone doesn’t like an individual. She wants to appeal the ordinance and plans to call and complain to MPD. Reconsideration Roll Call Vote: 7 yes, 2 no (Clr. Zeigler, Clr. DiZoglio) Councilor McCarty explained he was one of the yes votes. In the last few weeks he hasn’t found anyone who agreed with him. His job is to represent residents. They sent a clear message. He appreciates members who voiced their opinion on this. Councilor Finocchiaro thanked residents who came out to say they have a problem with their neighbor. This individual has been disrespectful. She empathizes with their situation. Passing this opens the door to exempt other large vehicles. Residents are clear and she will vote no on this. Councilor Beauregard agreed with Councilor DiZoglio. He does not want to get in the habit of reconsideration. Residents take heart knowing their elected officials recognize their mistakes and are correcting them. Councilor Saffie explained she was in favor at the last meeting. But after that, she got a lot of calls from people who were upset about it. Council needs to make this ordinance better. The residents she spoke with do not support it. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 8 no, 1 yes (Clr. Zeigler) Vice-Chair Zeigler passed the gavel back to Chair Beauregard. Consideration of Appointments: None 7 Methuen City Council Regular Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Great Hall, Searles Building New Business Resolutions: TR-22-92 A Resolution to Prohibit the Opening of Supervised Narcotics Injection Sites in the City of Methuen (Request of Chair Beauregard, Councilor Saffie, and Councilor Simard) MOTION BY: Councilor Simard, seconded by Councilor Saffie to adopt. Chair Beauregard explained that Somerville and New York City opened a safe place. There is legislation produced by two dozen legislators for a ten-year pilot program in the Commonwealth. He wants to send a message “do not think about coming to Methuen”. Councilor Faretra commented this is beneath us as Councilors. No one has mentioned anything about coming to Methuen. Councilor DiZoglio noted this doesn’t prevent anyone from opening a wet shelter where the state or Commonwealth can hand them their drugs. Solicitor Rossetti said the City of Methuen would not hold sites where drug use will be supervised. Councilor DiZoglio mentioned a church could house people brought to Methuen and given drugs. Solicitor Rossetti said any facility that would look to supervise drug use, they are still illegal with the state and federal government. He doesn’t think narcotics are offered at a sober house. Hypothetically, if the state were to come in, local law would be put aside if there is state legislation passed. Methuen could potentially be one of those sites. Councilor Finocchiaro questioned wet shelters and drug use on property. Councilor Saba said the time to do this is before there is a company on our doorstep wanting to do this. Councilor Simard said he agrees to a certain extent. Look where we are with Day’s Inn. He is a strong advocate for the city and it not going to entertain the thought of a supervised drug site. Councilor Saffie said in the future this could become an issue. There are people going to a Methadone clinic, leaving, and driving away. This is a safety issue. She is in favor of the resolution prohibiting sites. Councilor Finocchiaro referenced the large number of drug users in Boston and Worcester. She spoke of her cousin who could have been alive today if there was a site available to her cousin. If done properly, it could save lives. She believes people wouldn’t want it but would like to hear more from the residents. Councilor Zeigler noted she is in favor of proactive legislation. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes TR-22-93 A Resolution to Declare the Methuen City Council’s Staunch Opposition to the “Defund the Police” Movement (Request of Chair Beauregard, Councilor DiZoglio, Councilor Saffie, and Councilor Simard) MOTION BY: Councilor Saffie, seconded by Councilor DiZoglio to approve. 8 Methuen City Council Regular Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Great Hall, Searles Building Chair Beauregard said the Methuen Police Department went through the process of becoming accredited. This resolution is the ide of supporting law enforcement, we stand with our police officers and the work they do. There are plans to modernize the police department. Council could share their wishes while acknowledging the work they do. Councilor Faretra said Council has the opportunity every June which got us where we are. He said actions speak louder than words. The re-organization and contracts passed. Councilor Zeigler noted she agrees with supporting our police department. MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro to strike the fourth Whereas paragraph. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 6 yes 2 no (Councilor DiZoglio, Councilor Beauregard), 1 out of the room (Clr. Faretra) Councilor Saba said he stands with the police department. Certification is written into the contract. We are all proud of what they are doing. He is not willing to do what the last paragraph says, “support everything MPD is doing”. Councilor Saffie said our police department has done a major turn around over the last year and a half. Council backs our police, fire, and DPW. We have a great community. We do not know who they will be protecting. We make improvement. If we can afford it, we should do it. Councilor McCarty referred to making cuts in the police department budget. His concern is with increasing the budget. He does not like the idea of passing something like this. The two CBAs set the course and we will see the police department go up regardless of this resolution. At one time, we had a Police Chief who would have taken advantage of this. Council has already taken votes to support this budget. He suggested tabling the resolution or voting it down. MOTION BY: Councilor Simard, seconded by Councilor McCarty to table. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 5 no, 4 yes (Clr. Saba, Clr. Simard, Clr. Faretra, Clr. McCarty) Councilor DiZoglio said this is a symbolic gesture. At one time the morale was very low. What they did has created a lot of greatness. The police officers are playing basketball and interacting with people. This resolution is showing this Council is still behind the women and men in blue. Council voted for a new Chief and a new contract. He is voting ‘yes”. The goodness of this department is showing. The neighborhood patrols have increased. Councilor Simard agreed it is very symbolic. We have a responsible Chief of Police. Chair Beauregard said there is no dollar amount. MOTION BY: Councilor McCarty, seconded by Councilor DiZoglio to strike “’s portion of the FY24 municipal budget” in the last paragraph. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes 9 Methuen City Council Regular Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Great Hall, Searles Building MOTION BY: Councilor McCarty, seconded by Councilor Saba to strike the language in paragraph five “and their operating budget”. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes. MOTION BY: Councilor Saffie, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to adopt as amended. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes. Police Chief Scott McNamara expressed his appreciation for the sentiment and comments. He is grateful for the support by the Mayor and the Council. TR-22-94 Resolution Waiving Additional Trash Barrel Fees for Active-Duty Military and Veterans Who Have Honorably Served Our Country (Requested by Councilor Finocchiaro, Councilor Simard, and Councilor Faretra) MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor DiZoglio to approve. Councilor Simard said he filed a disclosure with the City Clerk and can participate. Councilor Saba asked how many requests have come in for a second barrel. Mayor Perry responded 425 requests have come in for second bins. Councilor Saba said he would like to help Veterans. They may ask for something smaller. Residents asking for a second bin have a large family. He looks at this as a tax. Waiving this for certain people messes with the taxes we have. This is creating a bureaucratic mess. Councilor Faretra commented this is another piece of legislation to continue to make Methuen a better place to live. Tracking serial numbers is how we know what barrel belongs to whom. Mayor Perry said sixteen requests are Veterans. He has great respect for them. There is no way of telling how many would make a request. It could force us to order more carts. He requested that Council table this. He commented that sometimes residents say their trash wasn’t picked up but the placed it out too late. He said recycling is on the upswing. Councilor Finocchiaro noted that Veterans in other communities are given a variety of waived fees. This is a new fee. There are specific laws that cover taxes and fees. This is a fee. This is no lost tax dollars. She said that Veterans are used to unlimited trash. On page two Section 2B there is an added provision, a concurrence of the Executive Branch to support it. This only includes primary residence, which is a small number of Veterans. It is an extremely limited scenario. If it passes two reads, the Mayor decides his concurrence. MOTION BY: Councilor McCarty, seconded by Councilor Saba to table. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 6 no, 3 yes (Clr. Saba, Clr. Saffie, Clr. McCarty) Mayor Perry indicated any Veteran can call him. It isn’t the barrel. It is the weight of what is in the barrel. Councilor Simard said if the Veterans get the barrels free, the city didn’t account for that. Councilor Saba noted everyone was used to free trash. 10 Methuen City Council Regular Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Great Hall, Searles Building Councilor Finocchiaro said everything Council passes goes to the Mayor and he may decide not to sign it. If the $100 is not the correct amount, it should be changed. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 7 yes, 2 no (Clr. Saba, Clr. Saffie) TR-22-95 Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Housing Choice Initiative Planning Grant Awarded to the City in the Amount of $50,000 MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Faretra to approve. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes TR-22-96 Resolution A Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of a Gift of $50 from Joanne Rader and Stephen Windle to Provide for Continuity Operations of the Methuen Cares Initiative. MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor DiZoglio to approve. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes. Ordinances: TO-22-29 An Ordinance Amending the Wage and Salary – Personnel Coordinator MOTION BY: Councilor Simard, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. CAFO, Maggie Duprey, said this person would handle workmen’s comp, civil service, which are the main additions to this role. There is a higher level of experience that would be needed. Mayor Perry said there are four HR individuals. This is a necessary position. Councilor Zeigler commented that any investment in HR is an important investment. Councilor DiZoglio said this is a role that already exists that we are adding to and not an additional position. This for an executive secretary to do more. He asked if the position is going to pay more for the person to do more, by creating this position with these expectations. Councilor Finocchiaro expressed concern with the job description and educational requirements. Three to five years in office management could get Methuen in legal trouble. This cannot be an individual who is learning on the job. She would like to see “bilingual as a requirement” not desired. The CAFO said they would not put “required” as it narrows what they are looking for. Using “preferred” takes it into consideration. MOTION BY: Councilor Finocchiaro, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to delete under Educational Requirements “or office management experience”. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes MOTION BY: Councilor Simard, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve, as amended. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes. 11 Methuen City Council Regular Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Great Hall, Searles Building Solicitor Rossetti explained that if the legislation goes unsigned by the Mayor, it becomes effect after ten days. Contracts: C-23-39 Enterprise Equipment, 276 Libbey Parkway, Weymouth, MA 02189 for IFB23.04 Removal and Installation of Cooling Tower Pumps at Timony Grammar School in the Amount of $84,236.00 MOTION BY: Councilor Faretra, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes C-23-40 Adamson Industries, Inc., 45 Research Drive, Haverhill, MA 01832 for Outfitting of (8) 2022 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles in the Amount of $118,696.75 MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor DiZoglio to approve. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes C-23-41 TEC, Inc., 282 Merrimack Street, 2nd floor, Lawrence, MA 01843 for City-Wide Culvert & Bridge Asset Management in the Amount of $90,000.00 MOTION BY: Councilor DiZoglio, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON VOTE: 8 yes, 1 out of the room (Clr. Saffie) C-23-42 Woodard and Curran, 40 Shattuck Road, Suite 110, Andover, MA 01810 for Design Services to Rehabilitate Burnham Road, Wastewater Pump Station in the Amount of $540,000.00 MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Saffie to approve. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes. C-23-43 Woodard and Curran, 40 Shattuck Road, Suite 100, Andover, MA 01810 for Granite Street Pump Station & Water System Resiliency Improvements in the Amount of $595,000.00 MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Saffie to approve. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes. C-23-44 Liberty Chevrolet, Inc., 90 Bay State Road, Wakefield, MA 01880 for (1) 2022 Chevrolet 9600 GVW 3500 Express Van, V6 in the Amount of $51,980.05 MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Saffie to approve. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes. 12 Methuen City Council Regular Meeting November 7, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Great Hall, Searles Building C-23-45 McGovern Municipal HQ, 1200 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01702 for (8) 2022 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles in the Amount of $285,474.80 MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Saffie to approve. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes C-23-37 Window Film Depot, 25 Montvale Road, Woburn, MA 01801 for IFB23.01 – Installation of Safety and Security Film (Districtwide) in the Amount of $119,555.00** C-23-38 Window Film Depot, 25 Montvale Road, Woburn, MA 01801 for MHEC State Contract MC14-E05 Installation of Defense Lite Security Panels and Bullet Shield Panels LVL3 in the Amount of $342,638** MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Saffie to enter Executive Session. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes. **Executive Session: The Methuen City Council will vote to enter into Executive Session with the Mayor, Methuen’s Chief Administrative and Financial Officer, Methuen’s Chief Information Officer, and legal counsel for the City of Methuen, in accordance with Exemption 4 (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(4)), in order to discuss the deployment of security personnel or strategies with respect thereto; and in particular, to review and approve two contracts in the amounts of $119,555 (C-23-37) and $342,638 (C-23-38) for the provision of safety and security measures to the Methuen Public Schools– public discussion of which may be reasonably likely to harm the safety and security of Methuen Public School buildings. Following the Executive Session, the Methuen City Council will reconvene in open session, and the Council Chair will publicly announce the results of the vote(s); no further information or documentation will be furnished given the sensitivity surrounding safety and security measures, consistent with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(4), and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 4, Section 7, Clause 26(n). The Methuen City Council returned to November 7th, 2022 open meeting. Chair Beauregard announced the following votes taken in Executive Session. C-23-37 Window Film Depot, 25 Montvale Road, Woburn, MA 01801 for IFB23.01 – Installation of Safety and Security Film (Districtwide) in the Amount of $119,555.00 UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes C-23-38 Window Film Depot, 25 Montvale Road, Woburn, MA 01801 for MHEC State Contract MC14-E05 Installation of Defense Lite Security Panels and Bullet Shield Panels LVL3 in the Amount of $342,638 UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes Adjourn MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor DiZoglio to adjourn. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes. 13