Aldermen, Board of

A regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen was held Tuesday, June 11, 2013, 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 Deane led in the Pledge to the Flag. The roll call was taken with 15 members of the Board of Aldermen present; Alderman Cookson arrived after roll call at 7:33. Her Honor Mayor Donnalee Lozeau and Deputy Corporation Counsel Stephen M. Bennett were also in attendance. REMARKS BY THE MAYOR - None RESPONSE TO REMARKS OF THE MAYOR – None RECOGNITION PERIOD - None READING MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING MOTION BY ALDERMAN WILSHIRE THAT THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF MAY 28, 2013, AND THE PUBLIC HEARING CONDUCTED ON JUNE 3, 2013, BE ACCEPTED, PLACED ON FILE, AND THE READINGS SUSPENDED MOTION CARRIED COMMUNICATIONS MOTION BY ALDERMAN DOWD THAT ALL COMMUNICATIONS BE READ BY TITLE ONLY MOTION CARRIED From: Jeffrey L. Snow, Superintendent, Edgewood Cemetery Re: Request to Meet in Joint Convention with Edgewood Cemetery Board of Trustees MOTION BY ALDERMAN DOWD TO ACCEPT, PLACE ON FILE AND THAT THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEET IN JOINT CONVENTION WITH THE EDGEWOOD CEMETERY BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2013, AT 7:30 PM IN THE ALDERMANIC CHAMBER MOTION CARRIED From: Alderman-at-Large Jim Donchess Re: Why I am Concerned about a Double Standard MOTION BY ALDERMAN DONCHESS TO ACCEPT AND PLACE ON FILE MOTION CARRIED PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT RELATIVE TO ITEMS EXPECTED TO BE ACTED UPON THIS EVENING – None PETITIONS NOMINATIONS, APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS – None REPORTS OF COMMITTEE Budget Review Committee ................................................................. 05/20/13 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the May 20, 2013 Budget Review Committee accepted and placed on file. Bd. of Aldermen – 06/11/13 Page 2 Budget Review Committee ................................................................. 05/21/13 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the May 21, 2013 Budget Review Committee accepted and placed on file. Budget Review Committee ................................................................. 05/23/13 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the May 23, 2013 Budget Review Committee accepted and placed on file. Finance Committee............................................................................. 06/05/13 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the June 5, 2013 Finance Committee accepted and placed on file. Human Affairs Committee ................................................................... 06/04/13 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the June 4, 2013 Human Affairs Committee accepted and placed on file. Committee on Infrastructure ............................................................... 05/22/13 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the May 22, 2013 Committee on Infrastructure accepted and placed on file. Pennichuck Water Special Committee ................................................ 06/06/13 There being no objection, President McCarthy declared the report of the June 6, 2013 Pennichuck Water Special Committee accepted and placed on file. WRITTEN REPORTS FROM LIAISONS - None CONFIRMATION OF MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS – None UNFINISHED BUSINESS – RESOLUTIONS R-13-113 Endorsers: Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko REGARDING A SUN CANOPY FOR THE ROBY PARK PLAYGROUND Given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN PRESSLY FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-13-113 MOTION CARRIED Resolution R-13-113 declared duly adopted. Bd. of Aldermen – 06/11/13 Page 3 R-13-117 Endorsers: Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman June M. Caron Alderman Richard A. Dowd AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF NASHUA TO ENTER INTO AN OFFICE SPACE LEASE AGREEMENT AT THE HUNT MEMORIAL BUILDING WITH HARTMANN LEARNING CENTER Given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN MELIZZI-GOLJA FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-13-117 MOTION CARRIED Resolution R-13-117 declared duly adopted. R-13-119 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Brian S. McCarthy Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly APPROVING THE PROPOSAL OF PENNICHUCK CORPORATION TO GIVE PENNICHUCK EAST UTILITY, INC. AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO LONG TERM LOANS FROM THE DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUNDS Given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN PRESSLY FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-13-119 MOTION CARRIED Resolution R-13-119 declared duly adopted. R-13-120 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman Richard A. Dowd Alderman June M. Caron Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly RELATIVE TO THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF $614,960 FROM THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND THE BUREAU OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICES INTO PUBLIC HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES GRANT ACTIVITY-“FY2014 AND FY2015 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS GRANT” Given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN WILSHIRE FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-13-120 MOTION CARRIED Resolution R-13-120 declared duly adopted. Bd. of Aldermen – 06/11/13 Page 4 R-13-121 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman June M. Caron RELATIVE TO THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF UP TO $230,000 FROM THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FOR MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE FEDERAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY JOB ACCESS AND REVERSE COMMUTE (“JARC”) GRANT PROGRAM Given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN SHEEHAN FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-13-121 MOTION CARRIED Resolution R-13-121 declared duly adopted. R-13-124 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja AMENDING THE PROPOSED FY2014 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN RELATIVE TO THE USE OF CDBG FUNDS BY THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER Given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN WILSHIRE FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-13-124 MOTION CARRIED Resolution R-13-124 declared duly adopted. R-13-125 Endorsers: Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman June M. Caron Alderman Richard A. Dowd Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman-at-Large Mark S. Cookson Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF NASHUA TO ENTER INTO AN OFFICE SPACE LEASE AGREEMENT AT THE HUNT MEMORIAL BUILDING WITH ARTISTS COLLABORATIVE THEATER Given its second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN MELIZZI-GOLJA FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-13-125 ON THE QUESTION Bd. of Aldermen – 06/11/13 Page 5 Alderman Vitale Quick question to Alderman Melizzi-Golja. I know we’ve had a number of lease agreements now. Can you tell me how the space is rented out and how much space is left. Alderman Melizzi-Golja There is six office spaces, and there is one space left if these two agreements are approved. Alderman Vitale One space left; we’re doing very well. Alderman Melizzi-Golja The only space that will be left is on the upper level. If you’re familiar with that level there are two offices and one has a glass floor. That is the space that will be left. Alderman Vitale Thank you. Alderman Melizzi-Golja You’re welcome. MOTION CARRIED Resolution R-13-125 declared duly adopted. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – ORDINANCES - None NEW BUSINESS – RESOLUTIONS R-13-126 Endorsers: Mayor Donnalee Lozeau Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman Richard A. Dowd Alderman Daniel T. Moriarty Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL DECLARE A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL A VACANCY FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GENERAL COURT FROM DISTRICT 35 (WARD 8) Given its first reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN CHASSE THAT THE RULES BE SO FAR SUSPENDED AS TO ALLOW FOR A SECOND READING OF R-13-126 MOTION CARRIED Resolution R-13-126 given a second reading; MOTION BY ALDERMAN CHASSE FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF R-13-126 MOTION CARRIED Bd. of Aldermen – 06/11/13 Page 6 Resolution R-13-126 declared duly adopted. MOTION BY ALDERMAN DEANE THAT THE RULES BE SO FAR SUSPENDED AS TO ALLOW FOR THE FIRST OF A RESOLUTION RECEIVED AFTER THE AGENDA WAS PREPARED MOTION CARRIED R-13-127 Endorsers: Alderman-at-Large David W. Deane Alderman-at-Large Lori Wilshire Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja Alderman June M. Caron Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Arthur T. Craffey, Jr. Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly RELATIVE TO THE APPROPRIATION OF $270,000 FROM ACCOUNT #70100 “GENERAL CONTINGENCY” INTO A NEWLY CREATED EXPENDABLE TRUST FUND “DAVID W. DEANE SKATE PARK RELOCATION CONSTRUCTION” TO COVER A PORTION OF THE COST TO RELOCATE THE SKATE PARK FROM THE BRIDGE STREET SITE TO A LOCATION NOT YET DETERMINED Given its first reading; assigned to the BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE by President McCarthy NEW BUSINESS – ORDINANCES O-13-44 Endorsers: Alderman Michael J. Tabacsko Alderman Diane Sheehan Alderman Kathy Vitale Alderman Richard A. Dowd Alderman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja RESTRICT LOCATIONS FOR MID-YEAR TAXICAB INSPECTIONS Given its first reading; assigned to the PERSONNEL/ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE by President McCarthy PERIOD FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Paula Johnson, 15 Westborn Drive. I come before you again tonight to ask for my apology where Alderman Sheehan is now running for Alderman-at-Large. I kind of guessed, I figured out why she couldn’t apologize to me because I don’t live in Ward 3. But if she was an at-large alderman then she would have to apologize to me because I live throughout the city. I hope people don’t roll their eyes about this because I think it’s really disgraceful. We’re running for a higher position, I guess I wouldn’t say higher, but we’re running to represent everybody at a larger scale and we can’t even apologize to me. But you never know who you might meet this year out on the campaign trail and let the debates begin. Not that I’m saying anything at this point in time, but you just never know who you might meet. I’ve been watching the budget meetings on and off this week, and I’ll tell you something: I’m really appalled by some of the actions of the Mayor. You can’t get a straight answer. Alderman Deane asks, Alderman Donchess asks, you can’t get straight answers. I get frustrated at that. I remember when I was alderman, we couldn’t get straight answers from Mayor Streeter but then again he wasn’t here. We had to make sure he came in. I think it’s really sad because it was her budget, it’s now the aldermen’s budget but she’s not supposed to debate the aldermen. The president should stop the debates that go on in this chamber with the mayor. You ask a question, you get an answer. We don’t dance around and tap dance on these answers because we, the public, who watches want to know the answers to it. Unfortunately last Monday I couldn’t make the meeting. I kind of had a little slip and fall in the house so I couldn’t make that meeting, but I’m walking Bd. of Aldermen – 06/11/13 Page 7 pretty good now. I’m looking at some of the salaries here on increases. I know that GIS manager was just hired for $100,000. He got $103,000 because it kind of fell in between. I don’t know if this is right, but his salary is going to go up to $108,000 now in this budget. That’s a $4,193 increase. How many people in the community are getting this? I don’t care about step raises, I don’t care about any of that anymore. I don’t think the people of this community really care about this anymore. When people in government are making more than the private sector, and we don’t know what’s going to happen now and I’m hearing stories about many people in the community that are going down to part-time because of Obama Care and they don’t know what the economy is going to be and we’re giving raises. It really is an outrage. But also I couldn’t understand when I watched one night with the Human Resources Director when a question was asked: How many people are on probation and you couldn’t get an answer to that. Please give me a break here. In private sector they would have it just like that and if not they would be fired. They would be put on probation. As a matter of fact I spoke to somebody who used to work at HR and I asked a question and they told me that was unheard of. The answer should have been there like that. If the answer’s not there I’ll get back to you within 24 hours or less. Are you kidding me? This is a corporation but this isn’t Microsoft, this isn’t BAE, and I’m sure there they’d be able to get the answers to that. Where are we falling here? People are listening to these budget meetings and they’re scratching their heads not understanding what’s going on here in this city. And come December, right after the election because I remember when Streeter was mayor he changed that the tax rates came out after the election rather than before because it’s a good political ploy because then you don’t hold your elected officials accountable for raising the tax rates which that should be changed back. Let the people see who’s voting to raise their taxes before the election not after the election because people pay attention more around election time. When it’s going to impact their wallet, that’s when they get angry. So I hope we don’t see a three percent increase or with that game, that shell game. Oh it wasn’t three percent, it’s 2.87 percent. You round it up to three percent no matter what. I hope with the budget committee that we get the answers that the aldermen are asking for and no more debates from the Mayor. Straightforward answers here. I know I want to hear those straightforward answers and so do the people who are watching. It’s amazing how many people are watching because when I go to Hannaford’s, I’m being stopped all the time saying thank you for coming in and asking the questions. Thank you for voicing your opinion again. So again, you just never know who you might meet on the campaign trail this year Have a great evening. REMARKS BY THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN Alderman Craffey I just want to remind everyone we’re having a crime watch meeting on September 20th for Little Florida. It’s not going to be at Amherst Street School this time. It’s going to be at Holman Stadium. Alderman Deane Is there a game that night or something? What’s going on? Alderman Craffey I don’t know what’s going on, I just got the notice from the people. I’m just passing it on. Alderman Deane So you’re going to have it at the stadium? Alderman Craffey Up in one of the suites I guess. Bd. of Aldermen – 06/11/13 Page 8 Alderman Deane That’s a good idea. Alderman Donchess I wanted to speak briefly to the issue of city salaries which I’ve addressed to the Board in this letter especially for the people that are not on the budget committee and may not have watched how this came up. From my point of view the issue of city salaries first came up when the police contract, the supervisors’ contract came up. The raises that were in that contract were one percent, one percent, and 2.2 percent over three years. They made the health care concession that was asked and at the time the Board was focused on a three-year period of time, that being Fiscal 12, Fiscal 13 and Fiscal 14, last yea, this year and next year, looking at the raises that city employees got. Based upon that review the police supervisors were at the high end although I argued at the time that in my opinion the .6 percent over three years was not enough to reject the contract but the majority disagreed. But again they were on the high end of that three year analysis. Then I began hearing from city employees outside the police department: Well look at what’s happening with the merit employees. And it’s not that easy to get the salary information because you have to dig deeply into the budget. But I looked at top level merit employees, top level city hall employees or top level city employees and it seemed like, and it turns out this is correct that over that same three-year period of time that we were considering for the police supervisors at 4.2, at least a number of top city employees were getting 9 percent or even 11 over that same three-year period of time which to me having now rejected 4.2 for cops seemed excessive. I began to ask questions and in the budget committee we were all promised a full report which we got. I think the people that did the report did a very good job in presenting a full picture of city salaries. But the picture they presented was now a different period of time. A four-year look back from the current Fiscal Year 2013 back to 12, back to 11, back to 10. What it showed was the bulk of merit employees because there had been a year in which merit employees did not get a raise a couple of years ago that for merit employees, and there’s a big chart on this, Table 3 which I hope you all will take a look at, what it showed was that merit employees over that four-year time was getting the median 1, the one right in the middle, was getting 2.3 percent a year for four years. It made these more recent raises to some of the people look less extreme. This is certainly a way, maybe a valid way of looking at city salaries, but it also showed another thing. What is shows is if the police supervisors’ contract had been approved they wouldn’t be near the top but in fact near the bottom of raises that have been approved for other groups because Table 3 shows us what a whole bunch of different employee groups have received over the past four years. If you exclude the police groups which do not have contracts and just to go back in this four- year period the supervisors would have gotten 2.5, which they did get, 2.5, and then under the contract 1 and 1. The police supervisors under this four-year period of time would have received 7 percent or 1.75 percent per year for four years. When you look at the various groups and again the mayor and the departments did a very good job in giving us, I think, a complete picture, when you look at the departments you will see over that four-year period they tend to have gotten somewhere in the 2 to 2.5 percent range, not 1.75 as the police supervisors would have gotten but 2 to 2.5. Of the 11 groups that are non-police that are on this sheet, eight would have done better if the contract would have been approved. Eight would have done better than the police supervisors. Three would have done worse. For example, as I said the merit employees the median person got a 2.3 percent raise over that same period of time. The fire, 4.5. AFSCME, 3.4. Custodial, 1.9. We have not yet gotten to a group that would have done as poorly as the police supervisors if the contract had been approved. Library, 1.9. Still more than the police supervisors. Teachers, 3.9. Clerical, 2.4. We still have not reached a group that has low raises as the police supervisors. Administrators and schools, 1.2. That is less than the police would have gotten. Paraprofessionals, 4.0. Principals, .9, lower than what the police would have gotten. Nurses, 2.7 and psychologists, 2.0. Again the police supervisors for this period of time would have been at 1.75. Now we didn’t have this information and maybe no one really understood this at the time we reviewed the police contract, but all I’m saying is this total review leads me to believe that had we known this we might have approved the police supervisor’s contract . If we’re really looking at fairness and consistency, certainly that contract was well within what other employees are getting. I Bd. of Aldermen – 06/11/13 Page 9 agree with the Mayor that fairness and consistency is important. I’m not sure that anyone was really, anyone even the mayor was aware of exactly the way this looked before the analysis was done. But now that it has been done, I think that we need to take it into account as we make salary decisions going into the future. Thank you, Mr. President. Alderman Moriarty Just a simple Happy Birthday to Ward 9 resident Bill Sutton. Alderman Chasse Children’s Home tournament, the 27th. I have one opening for one full team. If anybody is interested, anybody that’s out there, call the house and get your name on the chopping block. Thank you. Alderman Wilshire I just want to reiterate what Alderman Chasse said. It’s a great event. It’s the 14th Annual Club National Golf Tournament. We always have good weather. That’s a promise. Alderman Chasse Bring your rain gear. President McCarthy I had the pleasure to go to the closing ceremonies of the 6th Sculpture Symposium this past weekend. Once again the symposium has brought some really neat new pieces of public art to Nashua. One of them has been temporarily installed in Park Social. I suggest going by to take a look at it. There is another piece that will be set at Ledge Street School, and one that by a local sculpture, Julio Aguliera which I don’t think we know exactly where it will be yet but we’re close. It is my estimation a fantastic piece. If you have an opportunity to see them, do so. Lastly, Happy Birthday to Alderman Craffey. Committee announcements: President McCarthy The budget committee will meet tomorrow evening for a change of pace. Alderman Deane The skate park relocation board will meet Thursday evening, Room 208, at 7:00 p.m. I had a question for you, Mr. President. Where does the City of Nashua have their cars inspected? Mayor Lozeau The majority of our cars are inspected at the streets garage. Alderman Deane So we inspect our own vehicles. Bd. of Aldermen – 06/11/13 Page 10 Mayor Lozeau Generally, yes. Alderman Chasse Personnel, Monday night, seven o’clock in these Chambers. Wednesday night, Finance, seven o’clock, I hope, in these Chambers. Alderman Tabacsko PEDC is next Tuesday, which is the 18th. That’s a public hearing as well on the ordinance to do with alcohol near schools. ADJOURNMENT MOTION BY ALDERMAN DEANE THAT THE JUNE 11, 2013 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN BE ADJOURNED MOTION CARRIED The meeting was declared adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Attest: Patricia Piecuch, Deputy City Clerk