City Council

Methuen City Council – Regular Meeting Monday, November 21st 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. VIA Zoom Chair Beauregard call the regular meeting to order via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. Members present:; Councilor Saffie, Councilor Simard, Councilor Zeigler, Councilor DiZoglio, Councilor Faretra, Councilor Finocchiaro, Councilor McCarty, Councilor Saba, Chair Beauregard. Acceptance of the Agenda MOTION BY: Councilor Saffie, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to accept. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes Pledge of Allegiance/Invocation Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. Council observed a Moment of Silence for Councilor Finocchiaro’s grandfather Frank McKinney. Vice-Chair Zeigler gave the Invocation for the evening. Acceptance of Minutes MOTION BY: Councilor Saffie, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve the minutes of November 7th 2022 regular meeting Approved Vote; 8 yes, 1 present (Clr. Finocchiaro) MOTION BY: Councilor Simard, seconded by Councilor Faretra to approve the minutes of February 22nd 2022 regular meeting Approved Vote: 8 yes, 1 present (Clr. Finocchiaro) Public Service: Grants: None Licenses: Second Hand Dealer Application – George & Mary Simonian d/b/a Lockhaven Antiques, 512 Merrimack Street, Methuen, MA MOTION BY: Councilor Saffie, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes Second Hand Dealer Application – GameStop, Inc., 90 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen, MA MOTION BY: Councilor Saffie, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes Contracts: C-23-46 Woodard and Curran, 40 Shattuck Road, Suite 110, Andover, MA 01810 for Development of an Asset Management Program in the Amount of $160,000.00 MOTION BY: Councilor Saffie, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes C-23-47 N. Granese & Sons Inc., 59 Jefferson Ave. Salem, MA 01970 for Emergency Broken 20” Flanged Pipe Break @ WTP in the Amount of $47,598.97 MOTION BY: Councilor Saffie, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes Methuen City Council – Regular Meeting Monday, November 21st 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. VIA Zoom C-23-48 N. Granese & Sons, Inc., 59 Jefferson Ave., Salem, MA 01970 for Emergency Water Transmission Repair – 16” Burnham Road/Haverhill Street in the Amount of $60,500.11 MOTION BY: Councilor Saffie, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes C-23-49 UTEC (United Teen Equality Center), 250 Canal Street, Lawrence, MA 01840 for Carpet & Mattress Recycling Services in the Amount of $72,000.00 (year one @ $24,000.00 with 2 one year options to renew @ $24,000.00 per year) Approved Vote: Unanimous yes MOTION BY: Councilor Faretra, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes C-23-50 Water Safety Service, Inc., 6 Walnut Hill Park, Woburn, MA 01801 for Backflow Prevention Device Testing & Cross Connection Program in the Amount of $36,540.00 MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Saffie to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes C-23-51 All Sports Heroes Uniform & Supply, 18 First Street, Lowell, MA 01850 for Bullet Proof Vest – Police in the Amount of $27,324.00 MOTION BY: Councilor DiZoglio, seconded by Councilor Saffie to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes Public Participation The City Council received a memo from Jayson Chicalli, 7 Myona Street, which stated he doesn’t have an issue with the bus parking on the street. Mayor’s Report Mayor Perry referenced the CAFO and FSO’s impact statement which references the Free Cash in the amount of 16.6 million dollars certified by the state. He spoke of the $35,00 for the clean river projects, $25,000 on ADA accessible way for the Senior Center, and making a catalog for window replacements. The Mayor said he finished negotiating the cost associated with the tree next to the Library ($14,500) and he may need to use some Free Cash. He reminded the Council that CAFO would like to pay off the 2.2 million dollars, which will be discussed at the December 5th council meeting. The Mayor thanked everyone who participated in the Santa Parade. He commented the certification ceremony was great. Methuen City Council – Regular Meeting Monday, November 21st 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. VIA Zoom He explained that due to the holiday week there would be no trash pickup on Thursday and in the east trash will be picked up on Friday. The city is about to start training on Robo calls, not to happen after 8:00 p.m. unless there is an emergency. On December 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. National Grid will meet with senior citizens that live in Methuen only. Kelly and Jasmine will be there. He said the girls’ volleyball, in almost every program, has won. The final football game is at Dracut on Thursday. Sunday, December 4th 2022 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. is the tree lighting at the Loop. Councilor Saffie thanked the Mayor and police department for their help. Residents were not happy around 8:00 p.m. for Robo calls. It was an abnormal event getting three calls. Mayor Perry said the city will not make any calls after 8:00 p.m. Residents will have the chance to sign up or not get the calls. Councilor Finocchiaro asked if the tree at Nevins Library will be permanent. Mayor Perry responded that the $14,500 includes putting it all up. Next year would be far less expensive to do just the bottom rung. Someone would need a ladder to get access to higher branches. Councilor Finocchiaro asked if there is a deadline for the old trash cans, beyond the pickup date. Mayor Perry indicating they are still doing pick up. On recycling day, DPW is doing that through December 2nd and it may be extended. Councilor Simard asked about the status of the Day’s Inn. Mayor Perry reported there are more families, seventeen additional families. Hans Himmer submitted a FOIA request on money spent to have kids register for Methuen Public Schools. The Governor requested additional funds, some of it would go to Methuen. These are not illegal aliens. He noted there was a problem with food in the room. Inspection staff addressed it. There was a 400% increase in police and fire. The city does not have residents’ food bill for this. Councilor Simard said, as taxpayers, residents are footing bills for impact to our schools. Mayor Perry reported the increase went from 42 families to l57 families. Superintendent Kwong said we have 13 enrolled from the first group and 25 transfers. There is a new group of 15 students in the process of being enrolled. They are keeping close track on transfer costs and time they are spending. Mayor Perry said New Balance has been great to the community partners providing 144 new pairs of sneakers. Other Officers and Committee Reports Methuen City Council – Regular Meeting Monday, November 21st 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. VIA Zoom Unfinished 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 Saffie, seconded by Councilor Simard to approve. 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. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes TR-22-94 Resolution (Req. of Clr. Finocchiaro) Approved Vote: 5 yes, 4 no (Clr. Saffie, Clr. DiZoglio, Clr. Saba, Clr. Beauregard) MOTION BY: Councilor Saffie, seconded by Councilor Simard to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes 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 DiZoglio, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes TR-22-96 Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of a Gift of $50 from Joanne Rader and Stephen Windle to Provide for Continuing Operations of the Methuen Cares Initiative MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Faretra to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes Ordinances: TO-22-29 An Ordinance Amending the Wage and Salary – Personnel Coordinator (amended job description) MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Simard to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes Consideration of Appointments: None New Business Resolutions: TR-22-97 Resolution Authorizing Transfer from Free Cash of $25,000 for the funding of purchase and installation of a new ADA accessible door at the Senior Center Methuen City Council – Regular Meeting Monday, November 21st 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. VIA Zoom MOTION BY: Councilor DiZoglio, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes TR-22-98 Resolution Authorizing Transfer from Free Cash of $35,000 for funding the Clean River Project contract MOTION BY: Councilor DiZoglio, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes TR-22-99 Resolution by the City Council Providing for the Approval Red Activity and Use Limitation at 54 Osgood Street MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Faretra to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 8 yes 1 present (Clr. Finocchiaro) TR-22-100 Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2023 Municipal Road Safety Grant MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Saffie to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes TR-22-101 Resolution Authorizing Expenditure of $1,127.50 from the Edwin J. Castle Fund Resolution Authorizing: MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor DiZoglio to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 7 yes 2 no (Clr. Faretra, Clr. Saba) TR-22-102 Order of Taking for a Public Purpose For 9 Branch Street, Methuen, Massachusetts 01844 (“Property”) MOTION BY: Councilor DiZoglio, seconded by Councilor Zeigler to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 7 yes, 1 present, 1 out of room (Clr. Faretra) TR-22-103 Exclusive Use Agreement Between the City of Methuen (“City”) and Methuen Public School District (“School District”) for the School District’s Exclusive Use of the Property for School- Related Purposes; and MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Saffie to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 8 yes 1 out of room (Clr. Faretra) TR-22-104 A Notice of Federal Interest in the Property (9 Branch Street). MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Saffie to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 7 yes 1 present (Clr. Finocchiaro) 1 out of room (Clr. Faretra) Ordinances: None Executive Session: Open Meeting Law Complaint The Methuen City Council will vote to enter into Executive Session with the Mayor, the Chief of Police of the City of Methuen, Methuen’s Chief Administrative and Financial Officer, the Superintendent of the Methuen City Council – Regular Meeting Monday, November 21st 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. VIA Zoom Methuen Public School District and her staff, and legal counsel for the City of Methuen, in accordance with Exemption 7 (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21(a)(7)), to comply with, or act under the authority of, any general or special law or federal grant-in-aid requirements, and in particular, to review and act under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 23(b), regarding a complaint under the Open Meeting Law by Robert DeFusco against the Methuen City Council. After the Executive Session, the Methuen City Council will reconvene in open session. MOTION BY: Councilor Zeigler, seconded by Councilor Simard to enter into Executive Session. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: UNANIMOUS yes. Request of Councilors .