Aldermen, Board of

A regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen was held Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber. President Brian S. McCarthy presided; City Clerk Paul R. Bergeron recorded. Prayer was offered by City Clerk Paul R. Bergeron; Alderman Deane led in the Pledge to the Flag. The roll call was taken with 15 members of the Board of Aldermen present. Her Honor Mayor Donnalee Lozeau and Corporation Counsel James M. McNamee were also in attendance. Alderman Deane Point of Order - you might have to refresh my memory a little bit. We had passed an ordinance stating that we were to disclose any business we were going to bring before the board prior to the public comment, so I wanted to disclose that I am asking for suspension of the rules to allow for the introduction of a resolution received after the agenda was prepared; R-10-05, Establishing an Ad Hoc Committee to Explore and Investigate the School District's Budget Deficit Process and Authorizing the Transfer of $40,000 for an Independent Forensic Audit. I will be asking for suspension of the rules this evening. Thank you. President McCarthy Thank you Alderman Deane. REMARKS BY THE MAYOR Mayor Lozeau Thank you Mr. President, I do. Again this evening I am so pleased to bring a slate of nominees before the Board. To the Board of Registrars, Carol Ann Cordero, Michael Popovich, and Kathryn Fogal all re- appointments, to the Business and Industrial Development Authority, Jason Haviland is a new appointment, to the Cable Television Advisory Board, Andrew Cernota is a re-appointment, under the Child Care Advisory Commission, the re-appointment of Joan Schulze, under the Conservation Commission, David Maclaughlin as a new appointment and Peggy Trivilino as a re-appointment, under Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee, Edward D. Moran as a new appointment; and under the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Gerard Reppucci moving from an alternate to a full board member. As I often say to the Board, we are so blessed in this city to have such dedicated volunteers throughout. With the number of boards and commissions we have they certainly work diligently, and we are so fortunate to have them. As a matter of fact, tonight Review & Comment is having its kick-off meeting and they are busily working in room 208 and easily met their quota for volunteers willing to serve. The other thing that I wanted to bring to your attention tonight is I am a little bit concerned about confusion surrounding the sidewalk snowplowing. As you know we have presented a new snow sidewalk plowing plan to this board, to the Board of Education, and to the Board of Public Works to give them a snapshot of what we think we are able to do this season that we have not been able to do in the past. It seems that some are confused thinking that the new initiative in the downtown area is taking priority over the sidewalks that we used to do. I wanted to take this opportunity to make it clear that is not the case. As a matter of fact, in past years; 2008 we were doing just under 31 miles of sidewalk. This year, we will be doing just over 40 miles, an addition of just over 9 miles. 2.77 of those are downtown miles. What many of you may recall and some of the new members do not know, is that the committee that we put together to focus on the snowplowing on sidewalks looked at the school kids throughout the city, actually worked with the GIS Director to put those numbers and those students into a system where we could see Bd. of Aldermen - 01/26/10 Page 2 which way they were walking to school and how many were coming from different areas. That actually changed how we were approaching that. Now I wanted to make sure that everybody understood that as much as we would like to tell you that those 40 miles are going to be done right away in a storm that is not going to be the case. Our goal is to make sure that we get everything done within 72 hours. We don't want it to take any longer than 72 hours. We certainly would like to do it in the first 12 hours, but that is not always possible. There are things that play into that that many of you are aware of, which include when the storm hits, how many storms have we had, are they right in a row, because the staff that plows our streets are also the staff that plows our sidewalks. The school sidewalks are the priority, the crossing guard areas are a priority, and other things come secondary. The crew doing the downtown streets, as you know, is the Transit Department now. They have people that are dedicated just to the transit building and the downtown sidewalks, which is why those seem to get done so quickly. The rest of the routes are divided between schools, Park & Recreation, and Streets so it is a shared responsibility. I just wanted to make sure that we had an understanding that it is a living document, it will change a little bit, and we will tweak it now and again. There are sidewalks in there that we intended to do and we have discovered that a sidewalk plow was going down the street and all of a sudden it can't fit; there is a pole in the way, there is a tree in the way, there is something wrong with the sidewalk and it has to come off and start over. Those are things that we are going to keep working on. I wanted to be sure that you knew that we are still accomplishing more than we have in the past and we are getting great feedback on it. Thank you for the opportunity to present that and as always, thank you for your kind attention this evening. RESPONSE TO REMARKS OF THE MAYOR Alderman Deane On the sidewalk Mayor, I think the Public Works Department has done an outstanding job plowing snow this winter. I have noticed a significant difference of the past where there weren't vehicles out all night long. He pulls vehicles in and then brings them back out in the morning. We should be seeing some cost savings. That last snow storm we had was an absolute nightmare. That was anybody that had to go out and shovel it was cement, and then the rain. I don't care what you have for equipment, unless you have industrial snow blowers, you are going to have a whale of a time moving that stuff. It just seemed like that Tuesday it just snowed all day. It was supposed to be just light flurries and 4-5 inches later. I think the crews have been doing an outstanding job this winter, and they should be commended for it. Mayor Lozeau Thank you. RECOGNITION PERIOD - None Bd. of Aldermen - 01/26/10 Page 3 READING MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS MOTION BY ALDERMAN CLEMONS THAT THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETINGS OF JANUARY 10, JANUARY 12, JANUARY 13, AND JANUARY 21,2010, BE ACCEPTED, PLACED ON FILE, AND THE READINGS SUSPENDED MOTION CARRIED COMMUNICATIONS MOTION BY ALDERMAN SHEEHAN THAT ALL COMMUNICATIONS BE READ BY TITLE ONLY MOTION CARRIED From: Jack Tulley, Chairman, Business & Industrial Development Authority Re: Nashua Business & Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) 2009 Annual Report MOTION BY ALDERMAN COX TO ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE MOTION CARRIED From: Rose Evans, Accounting/Compliance Manager Re: Notice of the Acceptance and Appropriation of Unanticipated Funds MOTION BY ALDERMAN DEANE TO ACCEPT, PLACE ON FILE, AND REFER TO THE BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE MOTION CARRIED PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT RELATIVE TO ITEMS EXPECTED TO BE ACTED UPON THIS EVENING - None PETITIONS - None NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS Appointments by the Mayor The following Appointment by the Mayor was read into the record: Airport Authority Richard A. Moushegian (New Appointment) Term to Expire: August 31, 2014 78 Tennyson Avenue Nashua, NH 03062 MOTION BY ALDERMAN CLEMONS TO ACCEPT THE APPOINTMENT BY THE MAYOR AS READ AND REFER IT TO THE PERSONNEL/ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MOTION CARRIED REPORTS OF COMMITTEE Budget Review Committee . 01/21/10 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the January 21, 2010 Budget Review Committee accepted and placed on file. Bd. of Aldermen - 01/26/10 Page 4 Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee . 01/14/10 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the January 14, 2010 Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee accepted and placed on file. Planning & Economic Development Committee .. 01/19/10 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the January 19, 2010 Planning & Economic Development Committee accepted and placed on file. Joint Special School Building Committee . 01/10/10 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the January 10, 2010 Joint Special School Building Committee accepted and placed on file. CONFIRMATION OF MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS Board of Registrars MOTION BY ALDERMAN CLEMONS TO CONFIRM BY VOICE VOTE THE APPOINTMENT OF THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS: CAROL ANN CORDERO, 144 AMHERST STREET, NASHUA, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31,2010, MICHAEL POPOVICH, 6 ALEX CIRCLE, NASHUA, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2011, AND KATHRYN FOGAL, 105 COBURN WOODS, NASHUA, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2012 MOTION CARRIED President McCarthy declared Carol Ann Cordero, Michael Popovich and Kathryn Fogal duly appointed to the Board of Registrars for the aforementioned terms. Business and Industrial Development Authority MOTION BY ALDERMAN COX TO CONFIRM BY VOICE VOTE THE APPOINTMENT OF JASON B. HAVILAND, 29 TODD ROAD, NASHUA, TO THE BUSINESS & INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 MOTION CARRIED President McCarthy declared Jason B. Haviland duly appointed to the Business & Industrial Development Authority for a term to expire September 13, 2012. Cable Television Advisory Board MOTION BY ALDERMAN PRESSLY TO CONFIRM BY VOICE VOTE THE APPOINTMENT OF ANDREW CERNOTA, 129 SHELLEY DRIVE, NASHUA, TO THE CABLE TELEVISION ADVISORY BOARD FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE JANUARY 1,2013 MOTION CARRIED President McCarthy declared Andrew Cernota duly appointed to the Cable Television Advisory Board for a term to expire January 1, 2013. Bd. of Aldermen - 01/26/10 Page 5 Child Care Advisory Commission MOTION BY ALDERMAN VITALE TO CONFIRM BY VOICE VOTE THE APPOINTMENT OF JOAN SCHULZE, 11 SPENCER DRIVE, NASHUA, TO THE CHILD CARE ADVISORY COMMISSION FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 13, 2012 MOTION CARRIED President McCarthy declared Joan Schulze duly appointed to the Child Care Advisory Commission for a term to expire October 13, 2012. Conservation Commission President McCarthy Before I ask for the motion, there is a correction. I believe on our agenda David Maclaughlin's appointment appears as an alternate member. I believe that is actually for a regular member. MOTION BY ALDERMAN CRAFFEY TO CONFIRM BY VOICE VOTE THE APPOINTMENT OF THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION FOR TERMS TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31,2012: DAVID MACLAUGHLIN, 4 HERITAGE VILLAGE DRIVE, NASHUA AND PEGGY TRIVILlNO, 14 PROFILE CIRCLE, NASHUA MOTION CARRIED President McCarthy declared David Maclaughlin and Peggy Trivilino duly appointed to the Conservation Commission for terms to expire December 31,2012. Oath of Office administered to David Maclaughlin by Corporation Counsel. Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee MOTION BY ALDERMAN FLYNN TO CONFIRM BY VOICE VOTE THE APPOINTMENT OF EDWARD D. MORAN, 37 TAMPA STREET, NASHUA, TO THE MINE FALLS PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31,2012 MOTION CARRIED President McCarthy declared Edward D. Moran duly appointed to the Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee for a term to expire December 31,2012. Zoning Board of Adjustment MOTION BY ALDERMAN CHASSE TO CONFIRM BY VOICE VOTE THE APPOINTMENT OF GERARD A. REPPUCCI, 17 BADGER STREET, #1, NASHUA, TO THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 11, 2010 MOTION CARRIED President McCarthy declared Gerard A. Reppucci duly appointed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a term to expire September 11, 2010. Bd. of Aldermen - 01/26/10 Page 6 UNFINISHED BUSINESS - RESOLUTIONS R-10-01 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman-at-Large Ben Clemons Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. RELATIVE TO THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF $75,000 FROM THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY INTO SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT #336-6274 "PUBLIC SAFETY INTEROPERABILITY COMMUNICATIONS GRANT" AND TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER OF MATCHING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000 FROM ACCOUNT #590-23536 "PRIOR YEAR ESCROW, COMMUNICATIONS" given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN TABACSKO FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-10-01 ON THE QUESTION Alderman Cookson Thank you Mr. President. What was the Human Affairs Committee's recommendation to this legislation? Alderman Wilshire Human Affairs recommended final passage. Alderman Cookson Thank you. President McCarthy The motion is for final passage. Is there further discussion? MOTION CARRIED Resolution R-10-01 declared duly adopted. R-10-02 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman-at-Large Brian S. McCarthy Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman Richard P. Flynn Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman-at-Large Ben Clemons Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman Jeffrey T. Cox SUPPORTING RAIL SERVICE AND AUTHORIZING JOINING THE NEW ENGLAND RAIL COALITION given its second reading; Bd. of Aldermen - 01/26/10 Page 7 MOTION BY ALDERMAN PRESSLY TO AMEND R-10-02 IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REPLACING IT WITH THE GOLDEN ROD COPY PROVIDED WITH THE AGENDA MOTION CARRIED MOTION BY ALDERMAN PRESSLY FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-10-02 AS AMENDED ON THE QUESTION Alderman LaRose Thank you Mr. President. I intend on supporting this, but I feel very strongly that commuter rail needs to go beyond the City of Nashua, and I hope that our delegation stresses that to the New England Rail Coalition. We need to go at least to the Manchester Airport just as Rhode Island is doing; their rail train is going to the T.F. Green Airport. The terminals are going to be approximately 1,000 feet apart. I think it is very important that commuter rail goes beyond the City of Nashua. Thank you. President McCarthy Is there any further discussion? MOTION CARRIED Resolution R-10-02 declared duly adopted as amended. R-10-03 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY TREASURER TO APPLY TO THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (NHDES) TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE LOAN BY UP TO $250,000 FROM ITS REVOLVING LOAN FUND FOR ADDITIONAL EXPENSES RELATED TO THE HAINES STREET AREA SEWER SEPARATION PROJECT given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN DEANE FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-10-03 BY ROLL CALL A Viva Voce Roll Call vote was taken which resulted as follows: Yea: Alderman Clemons, Alderman Vitale, Alderman Craffey, Alderman Deane, Alderman Pressly, Alderman LaRose, Alderman Tabacsko, Alderman Melizzi-Golja, Alderman Cox, Alderman Sheehan, Alderman Wilshire, Alderman Chasse, Alderman Flynn, Alderman Cookson, Alderman McCarthy 15 Nay: a MOTION CARRIED Resolution R-10-03 declared duly adopted. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - ORDINANCES 0-10-02 Endorser: Alderman-at-Large Brian S. McCarthy UPDATING THE REFERENCE TO THE VERSION OF MASON'S MANUAL OF LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE USED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN given its second reading; Bd. of Aldermen - 01/26/10 Page 8 MOTION BY ALDERMAN WILSHIRE FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF 0-10-02 MOTION CARRIED Ordinance 0-10-02 declared duly adopted. 0-10-03 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau CORRECTING AND UPDATING SEVERAL ITEMS OF ADMINISTRATIVE LEGISLATION given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN COOKSON TO AMEND 0-10-03 IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REPLACING IT WITH THE GOLDEN ROD COpy PROVIDED WITH THE AGENDA MOTION CARRIED MOTION BY ALDERMAN COOKSON FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF 0-10-03 AS AMENDED ON THE QUESTION Alderman Deane Could somebody help me with what was amended in this ordinance; what language was either added or taken out from the original? Alderman Chasse In Article II where it says Financial Service Division Director "/CFO" was added. Alderman Deane Thank you. President McCarthy Is there any further discussion? MOTION CARRIED Ordinance 0-10-03 declared duly adopted as amended. 0-10-04 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau UPDATING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PARKING METER AND PERMIT MATTERS given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN LAROSE FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF 0-10-04 MOTION CARRIED Ordinance 0-10-04 declared duly adopted. Bd. of Aldermen - 01/26/10 Page 9 NEW BUSINESS - RESOLUTIONS R-10-04 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Richard LaRose Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman-at-Large Ben Clemons Alderman Jeffrey T. Cox Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja RELATIVE TO THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $63,125 OBTAINED FROM THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE INTO SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT 331-6284 "2010 VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN GRANT PROGRAM" AND TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER OF $40,294 FROM ACCOUNT 591-86007 "CONTINGENCY- POLICE GRANTS" INTO SAID SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT Given its first reading; assigned to the HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE and the BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE by President McCarthy MOTION BY ALDERMAN DEANE THAT THE RULES BE SO FAR SUSPENDED AS TO ALLOW FOR THE FIRST READING OF A RESOLUTION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS PREPARED MOTION CARRIED R-10-05 Endorsers: Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman-at-Large David W. Deane Alderman-at-Large Mark S. Cookson Alderman Richard P. Flynn Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. ESTABLISHING AN AD HOC COMMITTEE TO EXPLORE AND INVESTIGATE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S BUDGET DEFICIT AND BUDGET PROCESS AND AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF $40,000 FOR AN INDEPENDENT FORENSIC AUDIT Given its first reading; assigned to the PERSONNEL/ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITIEE and BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE by President McCarthy NEW BUSINESS - ORDINANCES 0-10-07 Endorser: Alderman Paul M. Chasse, Jr. ESTABLISHING A 25 M.P.H. SPEED LIMIT ON LAWNDALE AVENUE Given its first reading; assigned to the COMMITTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE by President McCarthy 0-10-08 Endorser: Alderman Paul M. Chasse, Jr. ESTABLISHING A NO PARKING ZONE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF REVERE STREET Given its first reading; assigned to the COMMITTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE by President McCarthy Bd. of Aldermen - 01/26/10 Page 10 0-10-09 Endorser: Alderman Paul M. Chasse, Jr. Alderman-at-Large David W. Deane PROHIBITING THE OPERATION OF TRAILER-TRUCKS ON ROBINSON ROAD Given its first reading; assigned to the COMMITTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE by President McCarthy PERIOD FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT David Gleneck, 34 Tampa Street Requested the board stop all illegal funding for the project named Broad Street Parkway. He asked that the legal documents be checked to see the board, prior to most of the current elected officials, has never approved any money for the acquisition or demolition of property or for planning or construction of the parkway. Stated it would be nice if minutes of meetings could be reviewed, but there are none as the City and the Department of Transportation used a process called informational meetings. At these meetings, the City and DOT presented what they wanted, promised and open process, but kept no minutes or records. All comments and objections are not recorded. He remarked meeting after meeting the DOT would say things had to be changed and the project will proceed from here. Mr. Gleneck stated he has discussed the issue with many citizens who have wondered why the agreed upon process was not being followed. He provided an example; in 1994 the City and the Department of Transportation conducted a public hearing on the parkway. At that hearing, the DOT provided four proposed routes for the parkway and told the citizens they had to choose one. The citizens selected the lease invasive route (Little Florida/Fairmount Heights area). He believed 95%) of the citizens present came from those two areas. There were over 100 people at that meeting. About four months later the DOT held an informational meeting and showed a plan that was not one the four previously provided. When questioned, the representative from DOT stated they had to make some minor changes. Additional questions posed were ignored. During the ensuing years the citizens of Nashua have forced the city to hold two public hearings. At each the City and the DOT neglected to answer a single question, but stated all questions would be answered later as required by law. To date, not a single question has been answered despite his persistent requests. On October 30, 2003 city officials, state DOT, and Broad Street Parkway Committee met to agree on specific items; no additional property takings or demolitions without a meeting by all parties. Within four months the City and DOT had violated these agreements and took and demolished more property. Even though it was a public meeting, no minutes were ever produced and the videotape was accidentally destroyed. He remarked last year the citizens requested the Board of Aldermen allow the citizens to vote on the project. Once again, the citizens were denied a voice in the project. At the last public hearing, there were 196 in attendance. A poll was taken, which resulted in 190 votes against and 6 for. He remarked at every meeting where citizens were allowed, the opposition has been overwhelming. He noted a meeting where former Mayor Streeter attended prior to his election where 95 citizens were present. Because the presenter kept saying there was no opposition to the project, Mr. Gleneck asked for a headcount. The outcome was that 94 were against and 1 was in favor. Bd. of Aldermen - 01/26/10 Page 11 Remarked this is a project where no one can give a valid reason for the project. He stated no one has ever stated the purpose of building the parkway. Stated he has proven over and over again that every reason given in the past was false. He did this with information directly from the environmental impact statement. The reason given at the last informational meeting was to relieve traffic on Main Street. In 2003 the city paid consultant to determine the project affect on Main Street. The results were published in the Telegraph. The consultants' results were with or without the parkway traffic on Main Street would be affected by less than 1o~. He commented the last time traffic was reduced on Main Street the city lost almost all of the businesses that were there. Stated he is probably the only person to have ever completely read the environmental impact statement and the only person to make positive suggestions to improve the functionality of the project. The current shortened design is based on a formal proposal given to the board by him. However, he opposes the project as he believes it does not serve any purpose other than to put infrastructure in place for developers to use. He commented on how acquisition of property was handled; immediately demolished after DOT acquisition. He stated all acquisitions were done before final route approved or defined. He believes that process was used in an effort to force the citizens to approve the parkway because so much funding would have been expended already. He believes project funding has never received legal approval. He questioned where the city received the $15 million that has been spent on it. The city has approved a bond for the parkway and funding for consultant studies, but the city has never approved any legal resolution allowing expenditures for property acquisition or demolition or planning or building of the Broad Street Parkway. He asked the board to review the process with citizen participation and either kill it or make it legal. He remarked the city cannot afford the project and the taxpayers can't afford the $76 million in taxes to pay for a $39 million project that has no stated purpose. REMARKS BY THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN Alderman Flynn Stated he agreed with Mr. Gleneck that a referendum should have occurred on that question. Stated he watched part of a Board of Education meeting last Saturday morning where they were discussing their budget. One of the things that bothered him was a budget that had a lot of teaching positions cut but still had positions being added for administration. He also remarked he was bothered by the discussion on the special needs budget. The first item discussed was adding a position. His objection was to the justification for the position; they would save money if they hired someone instead of bringing someone in under outside services as the city would have to pick up 1/3 of the cost under the benefits package. Stated they worked hard and he saw a lot of sincere concern about how the school department is going to outline their true needs going forward. He agrees they are in a difficult position. Bd. of Aldermen - 01/26/10 Page 12 Alderman Tabacsko The PAL Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 9th . The Trestle Brook Crime Watch block party is scheduled for July 10th . Alderman Deane Thanked Mr. Gleneck for his comments and believed he could not be more right on. He commented the process has included safety and legal infractions. He felt it to be a perfect example of taking the end around to get something done. Stated he would like to have seen a referendum. Commenting on the legislation regarding the school district's budget, stated in four out of the last six years the school district has been in crisis. It continues to amaze him the board is considered micro-managers of their budget, but when you start uncovering what is going on over there things seem to change a little. Touched on the program budgeting that was done in the 05/06 budget years. Remarked he looked through some old newspaper articles where almost four years ago there appeared the same headline as was recently in the newspaper regarding potential positions to be cut. Commented the CFO during the time of the first article was Mr. Conrad, the current Superintendent. He stated is knows they are in a tough predicament, but feels inquiring minds want to know what went on; how was money spent and why things were done the way they were done. Stated there was a total lack of oversight and mismanagement of over $80 million in our school district, and here we are with another crisis. He remarked it bothers him they will use the children as their political pawns and the board will have to ask other departments to try to bailout the school district yet again. Stated his belief an independent audit of the school district by a third party is needed. Commented he sat in the Chamber and listened to the COO of the school district state they didn't need additional funding as they were all set, and a week and a half later the wheels came off the wagon. He understands Mr. Conrad has identified some of the issue, but believes a third party is needed to take a good hard look at the finances so corrective actions can be taken. Believes such an audit would benefit not only the Aldermen, but the school district and the Board of Education as well as the citizens who are paying the bills and want to understand what is happening. Alderman Craffey Stated his agreement with Alderman Deane that such an audit should have been conducted a while ago. He was asked about this on the campaign trail. Believes this is a way to resolve the issue and provide closure for the public. Alderman Clemons Stated his agreement with the previous speakers. Commented there were obvious mistakes made, and he hopes, moving forward, the budget process will be handled differently. Alderman Vitale Brought Mr. Reppucci's presence to the attention of the board. Oath of Office administered to Gerald A. Reppucci by Corporation Counsel. Bd. of Aldermen - 01/26/10 Page 13 Committee announcements - None ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY ALDERMAN DEANE THAT THE JANUARY 26,2010 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN BE ADJOURNED MOTION CARRIED The meeting was declared adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Attest: Paul R. Bergeron, City Clerk