Aldermen, Board of

A regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen was held Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber. President Brian S. McCarthy presided; Deputy City Clerk Patricia Piecuch recorded. Prayer was offered by Deputy City Clerk Patricia Piecuch; Alderman Tabacsko 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. REMARKS BY THE MAYOR Thank you, Mr. President, yes I do. This evening I’ll limit my remarks to two items. The first one is the potential cuts that you have heard about the Governor is proposing relative to the State budget that certainly will have an impact here locally. I’m particularly concerned because, as many of you know, last year the cuts that the State had to pass equaled a cost to the City of about $5 million. Those cuts were for two years so we’ll be faced with that same loss of $5 million this year. The additional cuts that you’ve heard being played out in the newspaper and on the news as of late, for Nashua means about $1.2 million, give or take. Those of you here in this room understand that is close to a 1% increase on the tax rate. There is really only so much that the City can bear on its own and I’m very concerned about that. I and the CFO will be meeting with our legislative liaison and our state legislators to talk to them about what those cuts specifically mean to our community, and we are hopeful that we may have some success with that, but I didn’t want to not lay it out for you tonight and give you some sense of what that really means to us as a city. It’s particularly challenging putting the budget together and in addition some of the cuts the Governor is referring to will actually have an impact on our current fiscal year so there will be a little extra work to do there as well. So I wanted to at least make you aware of what that meant. Now, let’s end on a high note. I’m thrilled tonight to be appointing yet another volunteer to one of our committees. Claire McGrath tonight has had a positive recommendation from the Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee to be appointed to the Hunt Board of Trustees. And, tonight, our benches are filled with volunteers from the city with our Boards of Cemetery Trustees as well as the Mayor’s Volunteer Recognition Committee, which is here in force as we recognize tonight their chosen honoree this year, Big Brothers Big Sisters. Volunteer Recognition Week starts on April 18th and runs through the 24th so it is a good time to celebrate the fact that we have wonderful volunteers in our community and they certainly make a difference. Thank you for your kind attention this evening. RESPONSE TO REMARKS OF THE MAYOR – None RECOGNITION PERIOD R-10-11 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Board of Aldermen RECOGNIZING THE BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF GREATER NASHUA Given its first reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN WILSHIRE THAT THE RULES BE SO FAR SUSPENDED AS TO ALLOW FOR THE SECOND READING OF R-10-11 MOTION CARRIED Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 2 Resolution R-10-11 given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN WILSHIRE FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-10-11 MOTION CARRIED Resolution R-10-11 declared duly adopted. Mayor Lozeau Thank you. Mr. President if I could I’ll read this resolution from here, and then I’ll welcome up the members of the committee as well as the honorees. “Resolution recognizing the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua. City of Nashua in the Year 2010 resolved by the Board of Alderman of the City of Nashua that the Mayor and the Board of Alderman recognize Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua as honorees of the Mayor’s Volunteer Recognition Committee. Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteers provide one-on-one mentoring of children who are primarily from single parent homes. In 2009, 447 volunteers from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua mentored children, meeting with them at least three times a month and giving a total of 32,000 volunteer hours per year. Research has shown that children who have a mentor are less likely than their peers to use drugs, to use alcohol and to skip school. They also achieve higher grades and experience improved relations with the adults in their lives. These volunteers give their time in the spirit of community and caring that the Mayor’s Volunteer Recognition Committee seeks to foster.” The mission of the Mayor’s Volunteer Recognition Committee is to recognize Nashua’s volunteers and enhance the quality of volunteer programs while providing a supportive professional network for volunteer administrators. So if I could Mrs. Eyman and committee members. We have Mary Sullivan one of our big sisters and Bill Toomey a big brother. I’m happy to say I’m on the board and serve as a big sister too. You didn’t even know that before did you? Carol Eyman Always looking for more, always looking for more. I would like to on behalf of the Mayor’s Volunteer Recognition Committee I would like to introduce you to Carol Weeks from the Soup Kitchen, Stacy Hynes from the Nashua School District, and Norah Sutton from the Hunt Community, some of the members of our committee, and to honor you and your agency for spectacular use of volunteers. I would like to extend …audio inaudible… Joy Barrett Oh isn’t that nice. Thank you very much. This is wonderful. Carol Eyman We present to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua in grateful recognition of your leadership in fostering volunteer service dedicated to the youth of Nashua from the Mayor’s Volunteer Recognition Committee. Joy Barrett Thank you. I wanted to make sure that I brought a couple of volunteers with me, and there are, we have as Mayor Lozeau said 447 that volunteered with our organization last year, and many of our volunteers we don’t even call them big anymore we call them huge. So I actually have two huge volunteers in Mary and Bill and it is really their impact that they have on children that really makes our program very successful. So I want to thank you very much for recognizing their work. Thank you. Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 3 READING MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND PUBLIC HEARING MOTION BY ALDERMAN CLEMONS THAT THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETINGS OF MARCH 23, 2010, MARCH 31, 2010, AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CONDUCTED BY THE PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OF APRIL 6, 2010, BE ACCEPTED, PLACED ON FILE, AND THE READINGS BE SUSPENDED MOTION CARRIED COMMUNICATIONS – None PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT RELATIVE TO ITEMS EXPECTED TO BE ACTED UPON THIS EVENING Bob Burgess, 32 Bates Drive I’d like to talk on Ordinance O-10-10, Creating a Four-Way Stop Sign at the Intersection of Lewis and Monroe Street. I’m not saying I’m opposed or in favor of this, but watching the Infrastructure Committee meeting, I kind of wonder which way the city’s going with this. As we look at this ordinance as it was written up Dorothy Clarke from the City Legal Department she stated in here the erection and removal and maintenance of all traffic control devices must conform to applicable state statutes and the latest edition of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. This manual of traffic control devices, the city is, and the Infrastructure Committee has more or less been following this for as many years as I can remember. The traffic engineers would come in and they’d present their findings. They’d take an analysis of the traffic in the area and the majority of the time these were passed with their blessings or whatever they found out, but apparently with this, this new traffic safety group they do not want to follow this. They figured well we can bypass the warrants. The warrants are part of this manual of traffic uniform traffic control devices that Mrs. Clarke said has got to be met for this ordinance. We go one step further we look at the traffic department. They provide recommendations to Aldermen Committee of Infrastructure regarding traffic, parking, related ordinances, and safety issues that include traffic signs, pavement marking, and parking meters. Further goes on and the city ordinance sign and pavement marking. All installed signs meet the manual of uniform traffic control requirements, which we seem to be avoiding. We go one step further. The guidelines for the installation of stop signs in the City of Nashua. This is the bible, which the City apparently goes by, and in there it also refers to them, the warrants and whatever. Then we got the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices some of the new Aldermen seemed to be puzzled at the meeting really what this all consists of. In this manual it says stop signs should not be used for speed control, stop signs should be installed in a manner that minimums the amount of vehicles having to stop. This traffic analysis that was taken the warrants denied this in all respects. We go one step further. Now I came into City Hall I was curious how this traffic safety group was formed so went down the City Clerk’s Office and talked to the City Clerk and he made a few phone calls, and I found out the following; they have no authority, they have no power, they only can give opinions. I further went and said gees I’d like the minutes to their meeting. He told me he was told they don’t keep any minutes. This would tell me how people voted on these things, who was in attendance. Without this what have we got? We watched some of the Aldermen talk. One of them said gees it sounds like they got authority, and this clearly shows they don’t have any authority. Another Alderman at the Infrastructure Committee stated well gees is this the way the traffic group, maybe we ought to get something in writing that these analyses are only going to be a recommendation. Well I think we should revert back to the old Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 4 way, it has worked for as many years as I known that the when the study is taken by the traffic engineers, they come before the Infrastructure and it has worked out well in the past. The only few occasions were up on French Hill where a good many of this I was trying to get the warrants on a good many of the stop signs that run all the way along Courtland down to at the end of Tolles Street. Well I got a runaround. It took me a year to find out. Well they never took nothing was taken. As we sit there today I brought up time and time again we got a stop sign at Girouard Avenue. There is no ordinance whatsoever on the book for that stop sign. Tried to get the traffic department to remove that a year ago. Oh we can’t do that. It just goes to show you and like I say I can’t say if I’m in favor of this or against it, but if we look at some of the things the fence is there, and I think the main problem there is when the hospital is going back and forth to work and after that it dies down. I mean I can go into my neighborhood at the corner of Hills Ferry & Concord if this traffic group would come up there when I’m trying to get off the hill when the trucks are backed up in front of the store I’d have a stop sign put in the middle of Concord Street. On the end of Bates Drive I got a 10’ bush there on the thing and I realize I got to stop at the stop sign and it’s my way out. This is part of life and I think we should be back to the going by the warrants and if this group can’t provide minutes I don’t know how anybody could really make a decision on their findings on it. No minutes, nobody knows who was at the meeting, they haven’t got no power, and like I say I’d like to see it reverted back to the old way. Thank you. PETITIONS The following Petitions for Street Acceptance were read into the record: Tanglewood Drive, Valiant Lane, Sugarberry Drive, Chokeberry Lane, Hydrangea Road, Cherrywood Drive, and Daffodil Drive Petitions for Street Acceptance (7) Tanglewood Drive Valiant Lane Sugarberry Drive Chokeberry Lane Hydrangea Road Cherrywood Drive Daffodil Drive MOTION BY ALDERMAN COX TO ACCEPT THE PETITIONS FOR STREET ACCEPTANCE AS READ, REFER THEM TO THE COMMITTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2010 AT 7:00 PM IN THE ALDERMANIC CHAMBER MOTION CARRIED NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS Joint Convention with the Woodlawn Cemetery Board of Trustees MOTION BY ALDERMAN FLYNN THAT THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEET IN JOINT CONVENTION WITH THE WOODLAWN CEMETERY BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING FOUR TRUSTEES MOTION CARRIED Niles Jensen nominated the appointment of Charles Farwell, Jr. and John Economopoulos for terms to expire March 31, 2015 and Dan Buslovick and Howard Frizzell for terms to expire March 31, 2014 Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 5 MOTION BY ALDERMAN VITALE TO CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS MOTION CARRIED 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, Dana Farwell, Charles Farwell, Jr., Niles Jensen, Jr., Marvis Mellen, Mayor Lozeau Nay: MOTION CARRIED President McCarthy declared Charles Farwell, Jr., John Economopoulos, Dan Buslovick and Howard Frizzell duly appointed to the Woodlawn Cemetery Board of Trustees for the aforementioned terms. Oath of Office administered by Corporation Counsel to Dan Buslovick and Howard Frizzell. MOTION BY ALDERMAN LAROSE THAT THE CONVENTION NOW ARISE MOTION CARRIED Joint Convention with Library Board of Trustees MOTION BY ALDERMAN COOKSON THAT THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEET IN JOINT CONVENTION WITH THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A TRUSTEE MOTION CARRIED President McCarthy called for nominations. Arthur Barrett nominated the appointment of Kathleen Veracco for a term to expire March 31, 2017. MOTION BY ALDERMAN TABACSKO TO CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS MOTION CARRIED 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, Maurice Arel, Arthur Barrett, Jr., Pauline DeSautels, Mayor Lozeau Nay: Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 6 MOTION CARRIED President McCarthy declared Kathleen Veracco duly appointed to the Library Board of Trustees for a term to expire March 31, 2017. MOTION BY ALDERMAN SHEEHAN THAT THE CONVENTION NOW ARISE MOTION CARRIED REPORTS OF COMMITTEE Alderman Cookson I was hoping to speak prior to your beginning the reports on committee, but I would like to raise an objection to four reports of committee this evening that make specific reference to an audio file for a majority of the discussion of those particular minutes. The audio files were always intended to compliment the text files not replace the text files so I’m raising objections to the Human Affairs Committee on the 7th of April, the Committee on Infrastructure on 3-24, Planning & Economic Development on April 6th, and the School District Budget Deficit Ad Hoc Committee on the 30th of March. President McCarthy Do you have corrections to the minutes or are you just objecting to the fact that they are not verbatim? Alderman Cookson They are not verbatim. They make reference, discussion ensued on a particular topic, please refer to the audio file that is associated with that discussion so that is my objection, and I don’t think we should accept those until we have verbatim minutes. Alderman Tabacsko I can tell you that on the PEDC meeting from the 6th, there was a mechanical malfunction with the machine about – at some point during the meeting and that was an unfortunate circumstance, but I don’t know I just offer that as an observation that would perhaps explain why that happened on that one meeting. Thank you. Alderman Deane That even further exasperates the problem because now those audio minutes aren’t available. Alderman Tabacsko My understanding is that there is a cut of the audio minutes… President McCarthy From the tape? Alderman Tabacsko …from the tape that is available so that there is at least that as a backup. Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 7 Alderman Deane Is that posted on the web site? Alderman Tabacsko I believe that’s what, what you get when you click on the audio minutes. I didn’t try that myself, but that’s my understanding. Alderman Clemons I just want to say I agree with Alderman Cookson’s objection, and would wish that those reports not be entertained this evening until we get the minutes transcribed. Thank you. President McCarthy Is it – it has not in the past been common practice to transcribe presentations and simple discussion items, but to do that with the audio minutes. Do I get the sense that the Board would like to see even the presentations transcribed verbatim because I believe all the cases we’re talking about are discussions. I don’t believe there is any case where there was a decision made, which is not documented in the minutes. Am I correct in that? Alderman Clemons? Alderman Clemons I am not familiar with all of all of that but my objection stems from the fact that there are folks out there who are hearing impaired that may want to know what went on at those meetings. President McCarthy I guess I’m just asking for a decision of the Board do we want everything transcribed verbatim from this point forward? Alderman Deane? Alderman Deane I would concur with that and Mr. President if I may, if you provide me a little leeway, I’d also like to see posted on the web site legislation that meets an untimely death. They seem to just vanish. You file legislation, it’s indefinitely postponed and that’s the end of it. I think that should be put up and the action of this board taken should reflect that it was put to sleep. President McCarthy I’m not, I’m not sure I understand. Alderman Deane We have legislation – I have a piece this evening as a matter of fact we haven’t acted on. There’s a recommendation for indefinite postponement. What the web site will show what ordinances and resolutions have passed from 2002 forward. It doesn’t reflect in that same area… Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 8 President McCarthy The summary that talks about the legislation doesn’t include indefinite postponement? Alderman Deane But everything is in there and I think it all should be added whether it’s passed or not. Alderman Pressly Would you entertain a motion to do all these things? President McCarthy Sure. Alderman Pressly Mr. President I move that the minutes, that the minutes of the meetings that do not have the transcribed be not approved tonight, and in the future all minutes… President McCarthy I guess we don’t – I understand those. What we need… Alderman Pressly …and in the future that all, all minutes of all meetings be fully transcribed? President McCarthy That’s the motion I want to get a vote on.\ Alderman Pressly So moved. I move that in the future all the minutes be fully transcribed, and that any resolution or ordinance that is indefinitely postponed be permanently recorded in city records. President McCarthy Well they are recorded; it’s just the summary that we’re… Alderman Pressly The summary… MOTION BY ALDERMAN PRESSLY THAT IN THE FUTURE ALL THE MINUTES BE FULLY TRANSCRIBED, AND THAT ANY RESOLUTION OR ORDINANCE THAT IS INDEFINITELY POSTPONED HAVE THE SUMMARY RECORDED ON THE CITY WEB SITE MOTION CARRIED Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 9 President McCarthy Alderman Cookson would you remind me which minutes are they that… Alderman Cookson I’d be happy to Mr. President. It was the Human Affairs Committee from April 7Th, Committee on Infrastructure on March 24th, Planning & Economic Development from April 6th, School District Budget Deficit Ad Hoc Committee from the 30th of March. Budget Review Committee ................................................................... 03/29/10 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the March 29, 2010 Budget Review Committee accepted and placed on file. Finance Committee .............................................................................. 03/17/10 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the March 17, 2010 Finance Committee accepted and placed on file. Human Affairs Committee .................................................................... 03/22/10 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the March 22, 2010 Human Affairs Committee accepted and placed on file. Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee ........................................ 04/08/10 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the April 8, 2010 Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee accepted and placed on file. CONFIRMATION OF MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS Hunt Building Board of Trustees MOTION BY ALDERMAN CLEMONS TO CONFIRM BY VOICE VOTE THE APPOINTMENT OF CLAIRE MCGRATH, 121 CHERRYWOOD DRIVE, NASHUA, TO THE HUNT BUILDING BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2014 MOTION CARRIED President McCarthy declared Claire McGrath duly appointed to the Hunt Building Board of Trustees for a term to expire December 31, 2014. Oath of Office administered by Corporation Counsel. Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 10 UNFINISHED BUSINESS – RESOLUTIONS R-10-09 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire Alderman-at-Large Ben Clemons Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman Diane Sheehan RELATIVE TO THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF $25,000 FROM THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY INTO SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT #331-6252 “2009 FEDERAL STREET SWEEPER GRANT” Given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN WILSHIRE FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-10-09 MOTION CARRIED Resolution R-10-09 declared duly adopted. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – ORDINANCES O-10-10 Endorser: Alderman Paul M. Chasse, Jr. CREATING A FOUR-WAY STOP AT THE INTERSECTION OF LEWIS STREET AND MONROE STREET Given its third reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN CHASSE FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF O-10-10 ON THE QUESTION Alderman Flynn I’m a little torn by this legislation. I would say that I think the sponsor of the legislation has done an excellent job of pursuing repeatedly some solution to this problem on that street. I think the residents of that street have made a strong case for some assistance that they need from the city, some solution to their problem. I myself, I like rules. I like ways for the city to proceed in an organized fashion, and when Mr. Burgess quoted this analysis on the back of the legislation that we have for the four-way stop sign, he stopped a little short when he said the, it says the erection and removal and maintenance of all traffic control devices must perform to applicable state statutes and the latest edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. It then states RSA 47:17 VIII (a), and when I pulled that up off the web site, it talks about city councils have the power to make such, all such laws. It goes into a bunch of categories that the city council can use, and under Section VIII for traffic devices and signals, it clearly states that the erection, removal, and maintenance of all such devices shall conform to all state statutes and the latest education of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. So I’ve operated under that before I became an Alderman, I kind of understood that to be the way that the city made its decisions on how to place things like stop signs throughout the city. I didn’t always agree with it some of the decisions. Some of my legislation got turned down for that reason. very very hard to pass the warrant to add stop signs in the city quite frankly. Very hard to do that. I was trying to think of an analogy tonight on my way in here, and it’s kind of like all of a sudden Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 11 parallel lines do intersect. It just, we have rules, they seem to work for everything or we try to make them work. We adopted them, we agreed to go forward, and we did kind of prove some theorems based on parallel lines never intersect. Now suddenly we’re in a position where we’re I think I’m very sensitive to the sponsor’s purpose, I’m sensitive to the neighborhood, but I’m not sure where, where we leave ourselves after this legislation should it pass, if this is the way that we’re going to go ahead with approving stop signs based on – is it based on speeding now? If there’s a speeding issue we sometimes will put in a stop sign? If it doesn’t meet the warrant we really don’t care that the state RSA seems to want us to follow those rules? So I’m really kind of I’m able to see both sides of the street. I still feel that my geometry is true to me, and I’m not sure that my understanding of how the city was going to operate still holds if we go ahead and pass this tonight. But if we do, I’ll understand the new latitude that the board can take I guess. Alderman Cox I’d just like to commend Alderman Chasse for over a year trying to bring this forward, and I think clearly there is a process in place for the work to be done in committee for the Infrastructure Committee, and it involves the input from the Traffic Safety Committee, which is exactly what was stated earlier, it’s input. It’s a recommendation that they make. They made a favorable recommendation. Alderman Chasse and the superintendent of traffic met with the neighbors out on the street and clearly stated that we’ve done a warrant, it doesn’t meet the warrant, but it definitely should be done for the safety of the street and the neighborhood. We had a very long and productive discussion on this and we agree at committee, we agree that it definitely should be done for the safety of the neighborhood. Thank you. Alderman Pressly Thank you Mr. President. I would also like to commend the sponsor for hard work for his constituents, and also I’d like to share that the concern that Mr. Burgess brought up tonight. Members of the committee had the same, very same concern. We didn’t know much about this Traffic Safety Committee and with the understanding of many member on the committee, I have requested of the legal department that we, we draft something to define what, who these committees are and if they would follow the Right to Know Law as far as you know who’s on it, when they meet, and how they arrive at their decisions and to provide the minutes. So the points that Mr. Burgess brought up were noted by many of the committee members, and we do hope to solve that if we can. I don’t know if there are other committees like this in the city that you know very informally come together and then make a recommendation, which I think is wonderful that that is done, and it is very helpful, but it would be nice to know you know who’s on these committees, how they arrive at their decisions, and have them follow the same rules that other committees follow so I will call and remind the legal department if they could move ahead on that that might help a little bit in the future. Thank you. Alderman Tabacsko Can I just ask a question? Forgive me, I’ve misplaced my legislation. The recommendation that came out of committee was back to the original version. Is that the four-way stop sign if I can ask that question? Alderman Chasse That is correct. Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 12 Alderman Tabacsko Thank you. President McCarthy That’s my understanding of it. Alderman Chasse Yes. Alderman Tabacsko Thank you. I just wasn’t sure what version we’re at here. Thank you. Alderman Chasse I’m going to make it brief. I really don’t like four-way stop signs myself, but I’m looking for this to get passed tonight. If we come up with another solution, if somebody comes up with a great brainstorm, we find something else; I’ll be more than happy to take these things down. There is that fence that’s in the way. It’s a sight problem where Lewis comes in at probably like a 45 degree angle into Monroe and you got to sneak out from Monroe to look up the street. There is a telephone poll that is also there that’s hindering the thing so perhaps in the future if we can move the telephone poll maybe the guy’s fence will burn down or something I don’t know you know but something like that, maybe he will move it down for a smaller fence, chain link fence where you’d be able to see, and I’d be more than happy to take these things down, but we’ve had an accident there where both parties went to the hospital. I have been working on this for 3 years now, and 3 or 4 years ago there was an accident there where they took off, took a ranch house right off the foundation, and if the young man that was living in that house was supposed to be where his Mother told him he was supposed to be, he probably would have been seriously injured. So sometimes it pays not to listen to your Mother I guess, but I said sometimes. So I’m looking for your support tonight. I really would appreciate it. Thank you. Alderman Clemons I too want to commend Alderman Chasse for working on this and coming up with a number of different options and solutions working with the neighbors. I think this is a much better solution than the one-way street, and I will support this this evening. Alderman Cookson If it doesn’t meet the warrant analysis, it should not be in place. Alderman Clemons Just my, my only response to that is that the sometimes you have to take a situation and you have to look and say what makes the most common sense. And not sometimes not everything falls within a certain set of parameters and you have to go outside of those parameters. I think this is a perfect case. I think we’re doing the right thing if we pass this this evening. Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 13 Alderman Cookson The only recommendation that was provided to Alderman Chasse by the Superintendent of Traffic was a four-way stop, four-way stops or stop signs should not be used for, to slow down traffic, and that is what it is being used for in this particular case. We have paid staff, we should be able to come up with some other traffic calming measures at that particular location, and we pay staff good money to come up with these recommendations. There has not been a multitude of recommendations. In fact, the only ones that that have been ultimately suggested to Alderman Chasse were by former Alderman Plamondon the former Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee. This was discussed at length at the last Infrastructure Committee meeting. So I don’t believe that this should pass. I think that it should either go back to committee and have our staff do the work that they are paid to do and come up with a recommendation that meets the warrant analysis if a warrant analysis is indeed mandated by law, and it should meet that. Otherwise I don’t think that this should move forward and I’d like to ask for a roll call. President McCarthy A roll call has been requested. Alderman Chasse I’m going to answer that real quickly. There was many things that were done. The guy had buses on the outside of that fence. I went over to his house and I asked him if he would take them down, and he had no problem whatsoever. He took them down that weekend. There were many things that were done. one of the other things we’re looking at is that telephone poll, which is perhaps can be moved to facilitate that area. It is not for slowing down the traffic, it is for stopping cars from hitting each other because you’re coming out from a blind side on the from Monroe going towards Lake Street. Yes it will slow down traffic. That’s a guarantee, but that is not the major issue here. The major issue is you’ve got a blind spot and where St. Joe’s Hospital expanded so considerably that Lewis Street and Monroe Street are used as shortcuts going from Kinsley to Lake Street or vice versa. Thank you. President McCarthy Is there any further discussion? If not, would the Clerk please call the roll? 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 McCarthy 13 Nay: Alderman Flynn, Alderman Cookson 2 MOTION CARRIED Ordinance O-10-10 declared duly adopted. Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 14 O-10-13 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau AMENDING THE ‘LAND USE CODE’ BY ADDING PROVISIONS REGARDING DRUG REPLACEMENT THERAPY FACILITIES Given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN TABACSKO FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF O-10-13 ON THE QUESTION Alderman Cookson I just had one question, and that was at the committee level we never discussed what type of drug replacements that this facility was going to be doing. Does anybody know what kind of drug replacement is going to be offered at this facility? President McCarthy Mayor Lozeau? Mayor Lozeau Yes. There was interested in a methadone clinic going in in the city. Alderman Cookson Thank you. Mayor Lozeau You’re welcome. MOTION CARRIED Ordinance O-10-13 declared duly adopted. O-10-14 Endorsers: Alderman-at-Large David W. Deane Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly CHANGING THE DUE DATE OF THE PROPOSED AMOUNT OF UNDESIGNATED GENERAL FUND BALANCE TO BE USED TO REDUCE THE ANTICIPATED TAX RATE Given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN DEANE FOR INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT OF O-10-14 MOTION CARRIED Ordinance O-10-14 declared indefinitely postponed. O-10-15 Endorser: Alderman-at-Large David W. Deane RELATIVE TO ANNUAL UPDATES OF THE PURCHASING MANUAL Given its second reading; Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 15 MOTION BY ALDERMAN DEANE TO AMEND IN ITS ENTIRETY O-10-15 BY REPLACING IT WITH THE GOLDEN ROD COPY PROVIDED WITH THE AGENDA MOTION CARRIED Alderman Pressly I just hope that Alderman Deane has a happy heart now. President McCarthy We’ll see in a minute. Alderman Deane? Alderman Deane I move for final passage of O-10-15 as amended. MOTION BY ALDERMAN DEANE FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF O-10-15 AS AMENDED MOTION CARRIED Ordinance O-10-15 declared duly adopted. NEW BUSINESS – RESOLUTIONS R-10-12 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large David W. Deane Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Paul M. Chasse, Jr. Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman Jeffrey T. Cox Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman Richard J. LaRose Alderman-at-Large Brian S. McCarthy APPROVING A HOLMAN STADIUM SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT Given its first reading; assigned to the COMMITTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE and the BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS by President McCarthy Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 16 R-10-13 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Clemons Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire RELATIVE TO THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $145,868 INTO SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT #342-6483 “HIV PREVENTION SERVICES GRANT” FROM THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Given its first reading; assigned to the HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE by President McCarthy R-10-14 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Brian S. McCarthy Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Jeffrey T. Cox Alderman Richard LaRose Alderman-at-Large Ben Clemons Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja REQUESTING DESIGNATION OF AN “AMHERST STREET ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION ZONE” Given its first reading; assigned to the PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE by President McCarthy R-10-15 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Brian S. McCarthy Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Jeffrey T. Cox Alderman-at-Large Ben Clemons Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman Richard LaRose Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman Diane Sheehan REQUESTING DESIGNATION OF A “NORTHEASTERN BOULEVARD ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION ZONE” Given its first reading; assigned to the PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE by President McCarthy Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 17 R-10-16 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire Alderman Jeffrey T. Cox Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman-at-Large Ben Clemons Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja RELATIVE TO THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF $364,000 INTO SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT # 341-6455 “FY 2011 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANT” FROM THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Given its first reading; assigned to the HUMAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE by President McCarthy R-10-17 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Ben Clemons Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman Jeffrey T. Cox Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire RELATIVE TO THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF $364,000 INTO SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT # 341-6456 “FY 2012 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANT” FROM THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Given its first reading; assigned to the PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE by President McCarthy R-10-18 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman Jeffrey T. Cox Alderman Kathy Vitale AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPANDING THE CLOSED LOOP TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM OF THE CITY’S EXISTING TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER AND TO ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE $1,840,000 FOR THE PROJECT Given its first reading; assigned to the COMMITTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE and the BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS by President McCarthy Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 18 R-10-19 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Brian S. McCarthy Alderman Michael Tabacsko Alderman Jeffrey T. Cox Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman Diane Sheehan AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL ACTIONS RELATED TO A LAND EXCHANGE AND PROPOSED LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE YMCA FOR PORTIONS OF PARCELS ON RIVERSIDE STREET (LOT E-1358 AND LOT E-1359) Given its first reading; President McCarthy R-10-19 will be assigned to the Finance Committee. Alderman Deane Mr. Chairman, Mr. President. President McCarthy Alderman Deane? Alderman Deane Could you send R-10-18 to the Board of Public Works as well? President McCarthy Sure. Alderman Deane Thank you. R-10-19 assigned to the FINANCE COMMITTEE and the BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. R-10-20 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. UPDATING THE FINANCIAL STANDARDS FOR THE CITY’S WELFARE GUIDELINES Given its first reading; assigned to the PERSONNEL/ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE by President McCarthy Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 19 R-10-21 Endorser: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Ben Clemons Alderman-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Jeffrey T. Cox AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF APPROXIMATELY .36 ACRES OF LAND AND BUILDINGS AT 43, 51 AND 53 PINE STREET AND 22 LEDGE STREET, TAX MAP 85, LOTS 58, 59, 62 AND 63, FOR THE PURCHASE PRICE OF TWO HUNDRED TWELVE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($212,850) assigned to the PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE and the NASHUA CITY PLANNING BOARD by President McCarthy NEW BUSINESS – ORDINANCES O-10-16 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman Richard P. Flynn AMENDING THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS RETIREMENT SYSTEM assigned to the PERSONNEL/ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE by President McCarthy PERIOD FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT President McCarthy Two people have signed up. Mr. Cutter? James Cutter, 86 Palm Street, Nashua Open letter to Alderman McCarthy. Land survey we had done measures 49.5 or 3 rods on the east side of 88 Palm Street to our property. Our property is 33 feet, 2 rods to 82/84 Palm Street. Notebook 344, page 137 of May 27, 1862 covers Ash Street, Buck Street, just shy of what would become Palm Street and the Hollis Street area. Some sections of the city are still measured in rods. Book 419, Page 452 of September 2, 1874 begins with 337 feet in half south of Hollis Street becomes the Tyrell Land, which is now 88 Palm Street was 49.5 not 50 feet wide. This parcel is for 78, 80, 82, 84, and 86 Palm Street at 150 feet more or less rather than 153. Book 428, Page 134 of May 13, 1875 for 86 Palm Street was purchased by John Lund and owned until October 18, 1887. Book 4990, Page 256 of August 2, 1887 for 88 Palm Street was purchased by John Lund and owned until October 27, 1897. Both of these properties were owned simultaneously by John Lund from August 2, 1887 to October 18, 1887 making it impossible to have a gap between them. Thus the gap is on the north side of 86 Palm Street. The land for 86 Palm Street has always been 33 feet wide. In 1875 when 86 Palm Street was accepted and boundary lines on Palm Street were made to align with Ash Street and the land for 88 Palm Street was increased on Palm Street to 50’ and 8” wide, 4 inches less than 51’. That’s in the Deed. The 2.659 feet, which is 2’ 8” gap between out properties by the survey team combined with the 4” above brings the gap to 3’. The 1950 and 1971 building permits had 53.57’ as 88 Palm Street, boundary line instead of 54’ because Leo Caron knew he had 4” less than his Deed, which agrees with the survey. Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 20 Our driveway is 10’ 3” wide. A) the enclosed family photo has the shadow of the 1’ thick utility pole at the mouth of our driveway. The shadow is 1/10 the width of the driveway showing the driveway is at least 10’ wide. B) the small barn or auto garage in the photo of the side of the house is 10’ wide. C) in 1950, when I was 19 years old and knew from the size of automobiles driveways had to be 10’ wide. Building inspectors/public servants are responsible for building permits (RSA 676:11). Ordinance 190-268, building permits and land use permits states in part – showing the actual dimensions of the lot. 1950 and 1971 building permits did not do it, and is known as a false statement. On the application form is applicants are advised that the making of a false statement on this form is a criminal offense. It is referring to RSA 641:3 unsworn falsification of the criminal code and is a misdemeanor. The Assessing Department should also take blame for our problem because after a building permit is approved it is sent to them for any changes to the tax map that would affect the taxes. An attorney’s letter or survey is required when the boundary lines differ from the tax map. When these requirements are not met, the Assessing Department should call the building inspector or his office. On February 9th of this year, I told about going to the Assessor’s office for a year before they would change the tax map from what had been on the old building permits to agree with the 88 Palm Street Deed. That is truth to what I have been saying. But RSA 626:3 – effect of ignorance or mistake of the criminal code makes a public servant guilty when he approves in error a building permit as was done in 1950 and 1971 for 88 Palm Street. Please have the city inform our neighbors to remove their fence, etc., and return the land to us. Very truly yours, James Cutter. Thank you. Bob Burgess, 32 Bates Drive Alderman McCarthy for years I’ve been coming in here and we had something that was brought up a resolution or an ordinance and it was superseded by the golden copy. Inaudible… for years I’ve been bringing up I think it would be a good policy to possibly to read the changes to this. I mean it isn’t helping the people out there in the audience that don’t know what’s going on and this continues to happen. Mayor I got to commend you yesterday I guess the City went up and they took the safe dig up there on Lewis Street. Didn’t take long. I got a cell phone. I don’t know if we want to get the traffic department to install those signs tonight or not. several months ago Mayor I come in here reference signs coming over the Hudson Bridge into the city that to me I thought was disgusting, deplorable of the city for people coming in and after months they still sit there. I took a ride by there today. On the building there’s nine signs on some of the shacks, eleven ground signs, one on the trailer for a total of 21 signs that sit coming over that bridge. I think it’s an eyesore for the people in the city or visitors coming in and I was hoping maybe like I say if we could put these signs all together or something to clean it up. I notice the trying to think of the committee – we’re going to have 12 statues along the river. I wish we could use this woman that’s in charge of Brownfield and maybe some of the Aldermen take an active role. What are we going to do with the Beazer site, the seepage that’s going into the city land at Greeley Park? We sat here for years – nobody wants to seem to face the issue. I hope maybe we can get some Aldermen to work on this like we did Lewis Street how fast the action took place. Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 21 Maybe somebody could bite the bullet and maybe it’s time to get the EPA involved here instead of just the DES out of Concord. Another sore thing I think if anybody read the paper this week is the condition of the schools, the amount of schools that are failing in the city as far as reading and math goes. I think I don’t know what the answer to improve this the millions of dollars we put in the education I think it’s time maybe the school board we got to start thinking about the maybe the state’s got to make a move to try to keep some of these youngsters back from moving up. There’s no sense taking a kid say in the second grade and moving up to the twelfth. If he can’t read in the second and just keep moving him and moving him. It isn’t helping society there. This deficit committee on the schools, I think like most residents in the city I think I think we really got to dig into this deeper. I think why this went on, did it go all the way up to the CFO in the city and up in the Mayor and the Finance Committee and all this other that we went overspent in the city? I think the taxpayers need some answer. The answer isn’t just to study how we hire people. Like the Mayor said earlier today, the state’s in trouble. I think we’re going to get hit harder and harder. The state’s really in trouble, and a lot of this is going to come back and reflect on the taxpayers in the city I think with future taxes. But I’m hoping we can get some Aldermen to bite the bullet on the Beazer site. I think we’ve played with it long enough. The city wants to just seem to ignore it except down deep we know what’s coming. I live in the neighborhood. We know that land that when the DES come up and said well we can just bulldoze it and push it all into the southern part of that thing and they can develop it, and I think it’s time to see what we can do about cleaning it. Forget the monuments. We don’t need any more monuments or statues in the city. the park down the south end there I thought we were going to have a nice beautiful park where people could go down and sit on the bench and enjoy life and see the green space, but it seems like the way to go is the statues in the city. Thank you very much. REMARKS BY THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN Alderman Cookson Thank you. I just wanted to share with everyone that Southern New Hampshire Services is having a Senior’s Count Spring Cleanup this Saturday at 8:00 a.m. at 72 Vine Street. If you have the opportunity to come by maybe bring a rake and you know do a couple of hours of cleaning up some, helping the seniors in the area. That’s this Saturday the 17th, 8:00 a.m., 72 Vine Street is where we’re kicking things off at. Alderman Flynn Yes we had a communication this week in our Friday packet that’s the retirement notification, couple individuals getting their retirement benefits. These are basically unused sick time and unused personal time. This one here is one of these on this sheets this week is $31,000. Three weeks ago we had one for a police supervisor that was over $50,000. The city spends I think we’ll, not necessarily in the budget book, I think we spent way over what was in the budget book last year, but I think we spent close to $3 million last year on retirement benefits. Probably going to spend – I bet it will be in the budget book this year for close to $3 million. That amounts to $90 to $100 on everybody’s tax bill is what it amounts to. It’s 2% of your tax bill if the - $1.2 million is almost 1% and the $3 million is a pretty strong 2%. These are all contractual things that’s something that we, I think when we get to this year’s budget hopefully we’ll have some dialogue about some dialogue about trying to work out with some – come up with some solution on how we’re not going to carry that carry that chain forward for ever and ever – Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 22 what we’re going to do about that so I don’t really have anything but a wise suggestion, but I will make more comments about that when that comes before the Budget Committee. Hopefully we don’t just pass that forward without some real dialogue about it. And the other thing is for those of you that don’t know it, they’re picking up lawn waste this week – leaves and leaves and tree limbs whatever are being picked up starting this week so I had mine out Monday morning and this is if you, if you are a Wednesday person you want to start putting yours out tomorrow morning at 6:45 a.m. So glad to see that’s started again for this year. Thank you. Alderman Chasse I guess I took my happy pill tonight. I have the agenda here and I’m kind of going through some withdrawals because I don’t see any appointments by the Mayor. I mean I can’t remember the last time you didn’t appoint somebody. What are we going to do down at the Personnel/Administrative Affairs Committee if we don’t have anybody to talk to? But that was kind of one of the first things I noticed. I said this is unbelievable. First time probably in I don’t know. I had a lot of hair the last time you didn’t appoint anybody. Next. Alderman Melizzi-Golja Yes thank you. I’d like to announce that PAL is holding their first adult spelling bee. I put brochures on each of your desks. It’s going to be this Friday at Estabrook Grill at 5:30 p.m. and we have five teams of adult spellers. You’re invited to join us. Thank you. Alderman Sheehan Thank you. I’ve gotten a public notice from Pennichuck Water Works for the French Hill neighborhood. There’s going to water mainline work being done, and there is a public meeting for all customers and people that may be affected in French Hill, and that will be tomorrow night at the Universalist Church at the White Wing School on 58 Lowell Street, which is also accessible by Grove Street. The streets that will be impacted are Jefferson Street, Cross Street, Summer Street, Shattuck Street, Norton Street, Dowe Street, Lock Street, Holman Street, Grove Street, Granite Street, and Lessard Street. I would encourage anyone to attend who wants more information on that. Alderman Tabacsko Thank you. I just want to wish all of the spelling bee contestants all the luck. Unfortunately my schedule is such that I’m going to be out of town Friday, and I won’t be able to attend, but I want to hear all the details when I get back. That sounds like it will be a very good event. Also wanted to mention Trestle Brook Crime Watch regular meeting is this Thursday 7:00 p.m. and they’re also doing their own, at Trestle Brook they’re doing their own Earth Day celebration actually on Sunday of the weekend. That’s the 25th. It’s the day after the landfill is doing their Earth Day thing on the 24th so and they’re kind of working together on that over the weekend so I think the Earth Day celebrations are have really caught on, and I think it’s a tribute, and I know our people at the landfill do a fantastic job and I plan to join them over there and just and wanted to mention that Trestle Brook does their own thing, uses that opportunity to do their own thing on that Sunday of that weekend so thank you. Alderman Pressly Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 23 Thank you. The trees along Kinsley Street are in full bloom, and if that’s not a street that you travel in your daily routine, please make a point to do it. It’s absolutely amazingly beautiful, and it lasts only about 10 days so make it a point to take a trip down Kinsley Street some time soon. Thank you. Alderman Deane Thank you. I wanted to send condolences out to the parents and many friends of Ryan Joyce who passed away on the 3rd of April. He was 29 years old. Thank you. Alderman Clemons Thank you. I just want to make a comment that I share the Mayor’s concerns about the budget cuts that are coming out of Concord. I think that it’s, this is going to pass on things to our taxpayers that really is kind of unnecessary. I think they have a good bipartisan plan up there to bring jobs to the state via expanded gambling and that is something that I hope that the Legislature decides is a good thing to do. Hopefully the Governor can get on board and realize that having those facilities in this state is much much less detrimental than the destruction that’s going to occur if we have to keep cutting into our state budgets. Thank you. Alderman Vitale Last night we held the first Ward meeting in Ward 1. For those people that didn’t get a chance to attend, tomorrow evening at 6:00 o’clock I’ll be down at Starbucks if anybody in Ward 1 wants to stop by and discuss anything that they would like to bring to my attention. Thank you. President McCarthy I did note Alderman Pressly how beautiful the trees were on the way down Kinsley Street. Alderman Pressly Aren’t they gorgeous? You really must go. It’s mind boggling. Alderman Deane Okay we’re going. President McCarthy I couldn’t help but wonder as I looked at them just how much prettier it would be without the power lines running along side them however. Alderman Pressly That’s true. But they’re astoundingly beautiful. Committee Announcements Alderman Wilshire Monday April 19th Human Affairs, 7:00 p.m. here in the Chamber. Bd. of Aldermen – 04/13/10 Page 24 ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY ALDERMAN CRAFFEY TO ADJOURN MOTION CARRIED The meeting was declared adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Attest: Patricia Piecuch, Deputy City Clerk