City Council

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AGENDA CHESTER R. MARTIN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 15 SUMMER STREET, TAUNTON, MA 02780 FEBRUARY 1, 2022 - 7:00 PM City Clerk's Office Notice of Posting INVOCATION ROLL CALL Time: // .' b dllm RECORDS Date: / · 08·0(Jfi;., OPPORTUNITY FOR INPUT BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC • Comments will be received for the record • Please state your name and address • Please limit comments to 3 minutes or less • Supplemental written comments may also be provided • Comments should be respectful and courteous HEARING: On the petition submitted by Ricardo Camara, 207 Washington St., Taunton to allow a Grade 2 (7-12 dogs) kennel license for personal use/dogs NOT BUSINESS USE at 207 Washington Street, Taunton, MA • Com. from Animal Control Officer - Submitting recommendation. • Map of Location HEARING: On the petition submitted by Attorney Edmund J. Brennan. Jr., 174 Dean Street, Unit B, Taunton, MA 02780 on behalf of his clients William M. McCaffrey and Mary L. McCaffrey to allow: A Zoning Map Amendment for a portion of the property located at the intersection of Middleboro Avenue/ Pinehill Street, known as property I.D. Map 95 Lot 51 from Suburban Residential to Business District. The property consists of 68,282 sq. ft. and is currently located in two different zoning districts. 42,482 sq. ft. is located in the Business District and 25 ,800 sq. ft. is in the Suburban Residential District. • Com. from Chairman, Taunton Planning Board - Submitting Recommendation • Com. from City Planner - Submitting Comments • Com. from Conservation Agent - Submitting Comments  • Com. from City Engineer - Submitting Comments • Com. from Board of Health Assistant Executive Director - Submitting Comments • Map of Property COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR • Community Update • COVID-19 Update APPOINTMENTS • Appointment of One Permanent Full Time Fire Lieutenant Taunton Cultural Council • Appointment of Josephine Dwuye, 37 Madison Street, Taunton to serve on the Taunton Cultural Council for a term of three (3) years expiring in January 2025. • Appointment of Tara Sousa, 103 Flintlock Road, Taunton to serve on the Taunton Cultural Council for a term of three (3) years expiring in January 2025. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY OFFICERS Pg. 1-2 Com. from City Solicitor - Submitting Xfinity Correspondence Pg. 3 Com. from Police Chief - Requesting to Declare Surplus Prope1iy Pg.4 Com. from Police Chief - Requesting a Conditional Appointment Pg. 5-8 Com. from City Solicitor - Proposed Home Rule Petition - Operations and Maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Pg.9 Com. from City Solicitor - Civil Service Appeal to the Municipal Council of Disciplinary Decision Pg. 10 Com. from City Solicitor - Former Leonard School Property/Assessors Parcels 46-235; 45-229; 46-212 Pg. 11 Com. from First Assistant City Solicitor - American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Pg. 12 Com. from Greater Taunton Area Allied Veterans Council, 82 Ingell St., Unit 4, Taunton Notifying of the Memorial Day Parade PETITIONS Fortune Teller License - RENEWAL 1. Dawn Lorraine located at 159 Silverwood Dr., Taunton COMMITTEE REPORTS UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE ORDERS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS - NONE NEW BUSINESS - NONE • Councilor Borges motioned to meet with the Human Resources Director and the City Solicitor regarding a policy for Council appointments in Council of the Whole. • Councilor Borges motioned to meet with the representatives of Bristol Plymouth regarding financial impact on the new school project on the City of Taunton in the Council of the Whole. • Councilor Dooner motioned to make Taunton a Purple Hemi City  . Animal Control Officer Kennel Inspection Report Kennel Information Kennel Name ~ Address .9.0 1 P~17e"fJl:JG ·- "'83 :') Owner Name R/card{)Lama. r Ci. Address "'"' ""'."""--., --1-..~i;...µ.a..=:=+'u:-:...;;_-""""-"--= ,.IL. Kennel Veterinarian b t; -~ r 'j;;:)~ Veterinarian Address P fl,+=c: Q J[A tJ t <),l\J {\I fVl 4 Number of dogs over 6 months old on premises: 7 Maximium number of dogs allowed: __']_.__ __ Notes _ _ _ _ _ _ _..,,,__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _--1 Licensing Status: New Renewed _ _ Expired _ _ Unlicensed _ _ O t h e r - - - - - - If license was not renewed, why not? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Housing & Conditions: Housing arrangements: In home with family L In home, basement or other _ _ Crated? v@ In outbuilding on premises _ _ _ _ In other housing __ If other, describe and explain: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Kennel runs? V Trolly or tether? v@> Fully fenced area?(j N Compliant w/ M.G. L. Ch 140Sec174E?G)N Notes:----~~\_\~__.·~i'b_._o_l_1C._;)_L':c_L_._1_6_··-----;7~----------------l Dogs are housed in a humane manner: Yes No Conditional Kennel is adequately heated and cooled: Yes / No Conditional - - - Kennel is maintained in a sanitry manner: Yes _L_ N o = Conditional _ __ Kennel has adequate lighting: Yes /No Conditional Kennel has adequate ventilation: Yes V No - - Conditional - - - Dogs are able to stand, lie down, and turn around freely: Yes\;?' No-- Conditional Dogs have access to clean, fresh water: Yes "(;.,..No= Conditional - - - Dogs have adequate exercise space: Yes No Conditional -- --- --- Please explain any "No" or "Conditional" answers ------------------------ Comments: / · Approve~ _V_ Not approved _ _ Reinspect on or after _ _ _ _ Report received by~---------- Before license approval can be given, the following conditions must be corrected as discussed during this visit: White Copy-Animal Control/ Yellow Copy- Town Clerk/ Pink Copy-Owner/Agent  <lJ '' O> ,\[]  TAUNTON PLANNING BOARD 1298 Cohannet Street - office address 15 Summer Street - mailing address Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Phone 508-821-1051 Denise J. Paiva, Secretary Fax 508-821-1665 dpaiva@taunton-ma.gov January 10, 2022 Honorable Mayor Shaunna O'Connell and Members of the Municipal Council City Hall, 15 Summer Street Taunton, MA 02780 CIO Rosemarie Blackwell, City Clerk RE: Proposed Zoning Change - Middleboro Avenue & Pinehill Street (95-51) Dear Mayor O'Connell and Members of the Municipal Council: Please be advised that on January 6, 2022 the Taunton Planning Board held a public hearing on the proposed Zoning Change for prope1iy on Middleboro Avenue and Pinehill Street, property I.D. 95-51 submitted by William & Mary McCaffrey. The proposal is to change the 25,800 square feet p01iion of the property at the intersection of Middleboro Avenue and Pinehill Street (property I.D. 95-51) from Suburban Residential District to Business District. The Taunton Planning voted (6 members in favor, 1 member absent) to forward a POSITIVE recommendation to the Municipal Council on the proposal to change the 25,800 square foot portion of the property from Suburban Residential District to Business District. Attached are depmiment comments from the City Planner, Conservation Commission, City Engineer, and Board of Health. Very trnly yours, Dennis I. Ackerman, Vice Chairperson TAUNTON PLANNING BOARD DIA/djp  City of Taunton, Massachusetts DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND CONSERVATION Location: 1298 Cohmmet Street Mailing: 15 Summer Street Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Kevin R Scanlon, Director! Planner AICP Michele Restino, Conservation Agent Phone 508-821-1051, 508-821-1043 Phone 508-821-1095 Fax 508-821-1665 http: /lwww. ta1111to11-111a.,1;ov December 20, 2021 Anthony Abreau, Chair Taunton Piaru1ing Board 15 Summer Street Taunton, Ma 02780 RE: zone change - lot 95-51- Dear Chairman Abreau and Board Members, This letter is in regards to the request for a zone change for lot 95-51 to be all Business. I recommend that the change be approved If you have any questions, please contact me at 508-821-1051 Sincerely, ~ Kevin R Scanlon, Director AlCP  City of Taunton, Massachusetts CONSERVATION COMMISSION OFFICE: 1298Columnet Street MAILING ADDRESS: 15 Summer Street Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Phone 508-821-1095 Fax 508-821-1665 Consen!(ttion Commissioners Steven Turner, Chair Debbie Botellio, Vice Chair Rf, hard Enos Luis Freitas Matthew Haggerty Marla Isaac Jan Rego December 7, 2021 Anthony Abreau, Chair Members of Taunton Planning Board 15 Summer Street Taunton, MA 02780 RE: Proposed Zoning Map Amendment - to amend the City of Taunton Zoning Map by changing the 25,800 sq. ft. portion of the property at the intersection of Middleboro Avenue and Pinehill Street, known as property I.D. Map 95 Lot 51 from Suburban Residential District to Business District. There are no conservation issues regarding this request to amend the zoning map at the above address. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at mrestino@taunton-ma.gov, or call at 508- 821-1095. 0 Conservation Agent  CITY of TAUNTON DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ENGINEERING DIVISION 90 Ingell Street Taunton, Massachusetts 02780-3507 Phone: 508-821-1027 mpatneaude@taunton-ma.gov Michael P. Patneaude, P.E. City Engineer MEMORANDUM TO: Tony Abreau and the Taunton Planning Board FROM: Michael P. Patneaude, P.E., City Engineer CC: Kevin Scanlon, City Planner DATE: January 4, 2022 RE: City of Taunton Zoning Map Amendment Middleboro Ave/Pinehill St (95-51) The Engineering Office has reviewed the plan submitted as part of the Zoning Map Amendment and has no comment at this time. S:\ Taunton\Engineering Reviews\_Planning Board\Middleboro Avenue\Parcel 95-51\95-51.docx Page 1  Q:itu,_,., of 1Itaunton BoAliD DR. BHYAI" BAGDASIAN DR. BRUCE E. BODNER DR. CHARLES A. THAYER ).Soard of ~ftcaf th HEATHER L. GALLANT, MPH, RS, CHO ·f5 ,g,chool ,g,rmt EXECJTl\/E DIRECTOR 1Massarhtmms 027so·;m. ADAl./t S. V1CKSTROM ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Januaiy 4, 2022 TO: Planning Board FROM: Adam S. Vickstrom Assistant Executive Director Board of Health RE: Prop. Zoning Map Amendment - Prop. ID Map 95 Lot 51 The Board of Health has reviewed the following: Prop. Zoning Map Amendment - Prop. ID Map 95 Lot 51 The Board of Health has no comments. Telephone (508) 821-1400 - Fax (508) 821-1403  $- ,,. <~~ ~ . "~. '""'~· ZONING EXHIBIT PLAN WILLIAM MCCAFFREY -'' ~ PINEHILL STREET TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETIS TAUNTON FIRE DEPARTMENT DATE: January 25, 2022 LOCATION: Taunton Rose Marie Blackwell, City Clerk City of Taunton REQUISITION # 07294 15 Summer Street Taunton, MA 02780 One (1) Permanent Full Time Fire Lieutenant Applicant Status ..... = Q,I "O Q,I .s= = ·- ·- 0 -~ c.. c.. Applicant Signature Q -<l'. Name and Address of Applicant Notified to Report for Interview Riendeau, Sarah ../I WILL Accept the Appointment I I will NOT Accept the Appointment O'Leary, Timothy P rVi WILL Accept the Appointment I I will NOT Accept the Appointment ii' ~~ fJ.Q/t~u~ v ( ?t~~b Faria, Nicholas P / I WILL Accept the Appointment I I will NOT Accept the Appointment 1 Permanent Full Time Fire Lieutenant 1 of 1  City of Taunton Office of the Mayor Sfiaunna O'Conne{{ City J{a{{ :Mayor 15 Summer Street Taunton, :M.JI. 02780 'Ea Correira 'le[ (508) 821-1000 Cfiief of Staff Patrick 'De{{o 'Russo, Jr. Cfiief :financia{ Officer <gi{{ 'E 'Enos 13uc{get 'Director January 28, 2022 Council President Phillip Duarte Members of the Taunton Municipal Council 15 Summer Street Taunton, MA 02780 Dear Honorable Members of the Taunton Municipal Council, Please be advised that I am appointing Josephine Dwuye of 37 Madison Street Road in Taunton to serve on the Taunton Cultural Council for a term of three years which will expire in January 2025. Mrs. Dwuye has been a Taunton resident for over 19 years. She is a very active member of our community and serves as a volunteer at her church and in our local schools and soup kitchen. We welcome the diverse background she will bring to the Taunton Cultural Council. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, Mayor Shaunna O'Connell  City of Taunton Office of the Mayor Sfiaunna O'Conneff City Jfa{{ Jvtayor 15 Summer Street Taunton, Jvt..'A 02780 'Ea Correira Tel (508) 821 -1000 Cfiief of Staff Patricfi 'De{{o 'Russo, Jr. Cfiief ]'inancia{ Officer (Jiff 'E 'Enos 'Buc{get 'Director January 28, 2022 Council President Phillip Duarte Members of the Taunton Municipal Council 15 Summer Street Taunton, MA 02780 Dear Honorable Members of the Taunton Municipal Council, Please be advised that I am appointing Tara Sousa of 103 Flintlock Road in Taunton to serve on the Taunton Cultural Council for a term of three years which will expire in January 2025. Ms. Sousa has been an active member in the community since moving her family to Taunton 20 years ago. She has been a committed volunteer in a number of youth activities and she will make an excellent addition to the Cultural Council. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, Mayor Shaunna O'Connell  City of Taunton LAW DEPARTMENT 15 Summer Street Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Phone (508) 821-1036 Facsimile (508) 821-1397 Shaunna O'Connell Peter F. Winters, Esq. MAYOR FIRST ASST. CITY SOLICITOR Matthew J. Costa, Esq. Thomas P. Gay, Jr. , Esq. CITY SOLICITOR SECOND ASST. CITY SOL ICITOR David T. Gay, Esq. SP. ASST. CfTY SOLICITOR January 25, 2022 Council President Phillip Duarte Members of the Municipal Council City of Taunton City Hall 15 Summer Street Taunton, MA 02780 Dear Council President Duarte and Members of the Municipal Council: Please find enclosed correspondence recently received by this office from Xfinity dated January 19, 2022 . Thank you. Respectfully, MJC/tmg Enclosure January 19, 2022 City Attorney City of Taunton ' 141 Oak Street .J JAN 2 5 2022 Taunton, MA 02780 r .,, ,..,.,.... . ,.. . . ",, Dear City Attorney: As part of our ongoing commitment to keep you and our customers informed about changes to Xfinity TV services, we wanted to update you that on March 22, 2022, the following channel changes will occur: • Afro will only be available in HD; Afro HD will move from Digital Preferred to Expanded Basic and Entertainment remaining on ch 1623. • Kids Street HD will be added to Expanded Basic and Kids & Family ch 1772. HD channels require HD Technology Fee and Xl TV Box or compatible customer owned device. Customers are receiving notice of this information in their bill. Please feel free to contact me at patrick_shearns@comcast.com should you have any questions. Very truly yours, Patrick J. Shearns, Sr. Manager Government Affairs  CITY OF TAUNTON POLICE DEPARTMENT CHIEF 23 SUMMER STREET EDWARD JAMES WALSH TAUNTON, MA 02780 (508) 821-1471 January 24,2022 The Honorable Shaunna O'Connell, Mayor Council President Phillip Duarte Members of the Municipal Council City Hall 141 Oak St. Taunton, MA 02780 The vehicle and associated equipment below is no longer suitable for police patrol and is in need of repair which is cost prohibitive. We are seeking to have the vehicle declared as surplus property so that it may be donated to the Dighton Police Department for use with their new comfort dog. 2009 Crown Vic 2FAP971V9X114979 K-9 If you require any further information please feel free to contact me at 508-821-14 71 or via email at Chief@tauntonpd.com. iu:;~~l-:1 mes Walsh, Esq. G. Cfilef of Police  CITY OF TAUNTON POLICE DEPARTMENT CHIEF 23 SUMMER STREET EDWARD JAMES WALSH TAUNTON, MA 02780 (508)-821-1471 January 27, 2022 The Honorable Shauna O'Connell, Mayor and Members of the Municipal Council City Hall 15 Summer Street. Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Pursuant to previous discussion, I am requesting that the Municipal Council, as the appointing authority for police officers, make a conditional appointment as police officers for the listed candidate below, subject to the conditions set forth. Ruben Cruz Conditions: 1. Completion of a background investigation with no issues or derogatory information that would question fitness to be a Taunton Police Officer. 2. Passing a Command Staff and Municipal Council employment interview. 3. Passing a Human Resources Division Initial Hiring Physical Examination. 4. Passing a psychological pre-screening. 5. Passing of the Human Resources Division's ently Physical Agilities Test (PAT). 6. Successful completion of a Massachusetts Police Training Committee (MPTC) approved Municipal Police Officer Course or approved equivalent as well as any prerequisites to include departmental and MPTC entrance physical fitness tests. 7. Completion of Taunton Police Department Field Training Program. 8. Police Officer Standards and Training (POSTC) certification. 9. Any other requirements identified by the Chief of Police. Respectfully, Edward James Walsh, Esq. Chief of Police  City of Taunton LAW DEPARTMENT 15 Summer Street Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Phone (508) 821 - 1036 Facsim ile (508) 821-1397 Shaunna O'Connell Peter F. Winters, Esq. MAYOR FlRST ASST. CITY SOLICITOR Matthew J. Costa, Esq. Thomas P. Gay, Jr. , Esq. CITY SOLICITOR SECOND ASST. CITY SOLICITOR David T. Gay, Esq. SP. ASST. CITY SOLICITOR January 27, 2022 Council President Phillip Duarte Members of the Municipal Council City of Taunton 15 Summer Street Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Re: Proposed Home Rule Petition - Operations and Maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Dear Council President Duarte and Members of the Municipal Council Submitted with this letter is a proposed special act that the Council is respectfully requested to approve and adopt as a home rule petition to the legislature at the Council meeting of February 1, 2022. This proposed special act will allow the City of Taunton to extend its present contract with the operator of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) for one additional five year term under the 1996 special legislation (Chapter 362 of the Acts of 1996) which authorized the City to enter into a long term contract of up to 25 years for the operation and maintenance of the WWTP. To summarize the motivation for pursing this extension, the City presently contracts with Veolia North America to operate and maintain the WWTP. The 1996 Special Legislation limits the contract term to twenty years plus one five-year extension for a total of twenty-five years. The existing contract expires in August 2023, which is the end of the 25-year period. The City is under an EPA Enforcement Order requiring the upgrade of the WWTP under a specified time frame . The WWTP upgrade is being conducted in four groups of contracts with an approximate total value of roughly $100 million dollars. The City has existing agreements with the WWTP operator to act as the construction manager for two of the contracts that are now underway for the WWTP upgrades. The EPA Enforcement Order necessitates proceeding with the second two contracts within the next several months. Said work is ready to proceed; however, the Page 2 January 27, 2022 Council President Phillip Duarte Members of the Municipal Council Re: Proposed Home Rule Petition - Operations and Maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Plant City has presently not finalized the agreements to complete said work. A reason that the final two contracts have not yet proceeded is that, if managed by the present WWTP operator, the contract work would extend beyond the expiration date of the 25-year term of its operations and management contract with the City. Supply chain and personnel issues related to COVID have contributed to delays with the progress of the work. The special legislation submitted herewith would help address the above circumstances by allowing a one-time only, five-year extension of services with the current operator of the WWTP under the 1996 special act while the plant upgrades are completed. This one-time extension would enable the City to take advantage of the provisions of the 1996 legislation by using construction manager procedures by the operator of the WWTP. This will provide an efficient manner of oversight of the construction and minimize risk to the City. All contracts will continue to be union contracts. The City will be able to complete the upgrades to the WWTP under the present operator, thereby ensuring that the upgrades are successful and the plant operations are not adversely impacted by a transition of construction management and operations during this critical phase of plant upgrades. The upgrades to the plant will be completed within the five-year time frame which will put the City in an excellent position, at the end of the renewal term and after the plant upgrades are completed, to solicit proposals for a new contract for plant operations and management pursuant to the 1996 Legislation. Under this proposed legislation, the five year extension of services would be subject to negotiation by the City of acceptable contract renewal terms. We have been advised that, to ensure that this home rule petition can be approved by the legislature within the present legislative term, time is of the essence and this proposed legislation must be approved on the local level without delay. Therefore, we are respectfully requesting that the Council vote to adopt the proposed special act as a Page 3 January 27, 2022 Council President Phillip Duarte Members of the Municipal Council Re: Proposed Home Rule Petition - Operations and Maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Plant home rule petition to be transmitted to the City's legislative delegation as soon as possible. Very truly yours, ~()_~~ Matthew J. CosC,Esquire City Solicitor Enclosure  DRAFT FOR REVIEW AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF TAUNTON TO CONTRACT FOR THE RENEWAL OF SERVICES RELATIVE TO THE OPERATION ANDMAINTENANCEOFITSWASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, SEWERS AND PUMP STATIONS, FORA TERM NOTTO EXCEED FIVE YEARS Be it enacted, etc. as follows: SECTION 1. In order to address certain unforeseeable contingencies resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which have contributed to delays with ongoing construction and installation of critical, legally mandated improvements to the City of Taunton wastewater treatment plant, sewers, and pump stations as necessary to protect public health and the natural environment, and to ensure the successful completion of said improvements, notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, said city may enter into one additional term of renewal, not to exceed five years, of such contract or contracts as are presently in existence pursuant to the authority of Chapter 362 of the Acts of 1996 for the operation and maintenance, financing, design and construction of modifications, and installation of new equipment and systems, of said city's wastewater treatment plant, sewers and pump stations. Such renewal or extension shall be in accordance with terms and conditions acceptable to the city at its sole discretion. Upon the expiration of such term of renewal, any subsequent contract for the lease or sale, operation and maintenance, financing, design and construction of modifications, and installation of new equipment and systems necessary atthe waste water treatment plant, sewers and pump stations, shall be procured pursuant to the procedures set forth in Chapter 362 of the Acts of 1996. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage  City of Taunton LAW DEPARTMENT q 15 Summer Street Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Phone (508) 82 1-1036 Facsimile (508) 82 1-1397 Shaunna O ' Conne ll Peter F. Winters, Esq. MAYOR FIRST ASST. CITY SOLICITOR Matthew J. Costa, Esq. Thomas P. Gay, Jr., Esq. CITY SOLICITOR SECOND ASST. CITY SOLICITOR David T. Gay, Esq . SP. ASST. CIT Y SOLICITOR January 28, 2022 Council President Phillip Duarte Members of the Municipal Council City of Taunton City Hall 15 Summer Street Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Re: Civil Service Appeal to the Municipal Council of Disciplinary Decision Dear Council President Duarte and Members of the Municipal Council : This matter relates to a personnel issue in which a Civil Service employee is appealing a disciplinary action taken by his supervisor. The Council as the appointing authority must decide the appeal. Under the Civil Service law the Municipal Council may designate a hearing officer to hear the appeal. A hearing with the Committee of the Council as a Whole acting as the hearing officer satisfies the procedural requirements of the Civil Service law, with said Committee's recommendation to be confirmed by the Municipal Council. The employee and all interested parties are in agreement that Monday, February 7, 2022 will be a suitable hearing date. A date other than a Tuesday is suggested because of the potential for a lengthy executive session hearing . I am respectfully requesting that the Council vote to refer this matter for an executive session hearing with the Committee of the Council as a Whole on Monday, February 7, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. or such other time on said date that the Council deems appropriate. Please note that under both the Open Meeting Law and the Civil Service Law, the employee is entitled to have this hearing in executive session unless he opts for an open session. Therefore I have not identified the employee or his department in this public communication . ~n<~ Thank you . Cos~Esquire , Matthew J. City Solicitor MJC:tmg  City of Taunton LAW DEPARTMENT 15 Summer Street Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Phone (508) 821-1036 Facsimile (508) 821-1397 Shaunna O'Connell Peter F. Winters, Esq. MAYOR FIRST ASST. CITY SOLICITOR Matthew J. Costa, Esq . Thomas P. Gay, Jr., Esq. CITY SOLICITOR SECOND ASST. CITY SOLICITOR David T. Gay, Esq. SP. ASST. CITY SOLICITOR January 28, 2022 Council President Phillip Duarte Members of the Municipal Council City of Taunton City Hall 15 Summer Street Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Re: Former Leonard School property/Assessors Parcels 46-235; 46-229; 46-212 Dear Council President Duarte and Members of the Municipal Council: On December 3, 2021 control of the former Leonard School property was formally accepted by the Municipal Council as general city property after having been released from school related uses by the School Committee. The former school building is in a state of severe disrepair. The property is not presently utilized by the City. This site does have redevelopment potential and the City has been contacted by interested parties with respect to its potential purchase and redevelopment. At the present time I am requesting that the former Leonard School property be referred to the Committee on Public Property for consideration of its future status including the potential of its disposal by sale in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Procurement Act. Thank you . Respectfully, ~~s~ City Solicitor MJC:tmg  City of Taunton // LAW DEPARTMENT 15 Summer Street Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Phone (508) 821-1036 Facsimile (508) 821-1397 Shaunna O'Connell Peter F. Winters, Esq. MAYOR FIRST ASST. CITY SOLICITOR Matthew J. Costa, Esq. Thomas P. Gay, Jr., Esq. CITY SOLICITOR SECOND ASST. CITY SOLICITOR David T. Gay, Esq. SP. ASST. CITY SOLICITOR January 27, 2022 Phillip Duarte, Council President Members of the Municipal Council City of Taunton 15 Summer Street Taunton, MA 02780 Re: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Dear Council President Duarte and Members of the Municipal Council: This letter is to inform you that the U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued its Final Rule which codifies the guidelines for expenditure of ARPA funds. The Final Rule was adopted on January 6, 2022. Likewise, Bristol County has set forth its procedure for allocation and disbursement of its ARPA grant to Bristol County communities. The total anticipated amount of the county funds will be up to $10, 134,653.85. The City's total confirmed ARPA funding, exclusive of the county funds, is $20,992,932.00. Pursuant to M.G .L. c. 44 §53A the appropriate procedure is for the Council to vote to formally authorize the City to accept these funds. Therefore we are requesting that the Council vote to authorize the Mayor to accept all available ARPA funds on behalf of the City inclusive of the aforementioned amounts, to be expended in accordance with the rules and regulations governing ARPA funds as per the requirements of M.G .L. c. 44 §53A. Thank you . PFW/tmg Enclosure  /J,. MEMORIAL DAY After a two-year pandemic-caused hiatus the GTAAVC is planning a Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30, 2022. Formation begins at 12:30 p.m. on Dartmouth, Coram, Bradford, and Adams streets. It will stait at 1:15 with right turns to Broadway, south to Taunton Green, east on Main Street to the junction of Sumner and Spring streets and Church Green, turn right on Spring and disband in the Allans Avenue parking lots. A written reply by May 6 is needed to insure your parade location. The GTAAVC's address for replies is below. The e-mail addresses are gene_mccaffrey@yahoo.com or nestcard@aol.com. The contact person named below will be informed of your location and (on May 30) if there is a cancellation because of rain. If cancelled, there is no rain date. The phone number should not be a workplace number unattended on the holiday. Following the parade refreshments will be served to the participants at VFW Post 611, 82 Ingell Street. Dear GT AA VC: I (we) will provide the following: auto _color guard float _marching unit musical unit Other (describe): _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Organization Name: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Contact Person: ------------~ Phone: -~~~~~ Greater Taunton Area Allied Veterans Council 82 lngell Street, Unit 4 Taunton, MA 02780-3507  R[ CEI V ED .. , "'. ~ !·~·s OF FI CE znzz JAN 28 A IQ: 13 FEBRUARY 1, 2022 li~.lJti !Ort HA .CITY CL&RK HONORABLE SHAUNNA L. O'CONNELL, MAYOR COUNCIL PRESIDENT PHILLIPE. DUARTE 0 AND MEMBERS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEE MEETINGS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022 AT 6:00 P.M. AT TAUNTON CITY HALL, 15 SUMMER STREET, TAUNTON, MA, 02780 IN THE CHESTER R. MARTIN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 6:00 P.M. THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND SALARIES 1. MEET TO REVIEW THE WEEl<LY VOUCHERS & PAYROLLS FOR CITY DEPARTMENTS 2. MEET TO REVIEW REQUESTS FOR FUNDING PLEASE NOTE: A "MEETING" OF THE ENTIRE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, AS SAID TERM IS DEFINED IN MASS. GEN. L. C. 30A, §18 MAY OCCUR CONCURRENTLY WITH THIS COMMITTEE MEETING THE COMMITTEE ON YOUTH AND RECREATION 1. MEET TO REVIEW THE STATUS OF THE YOUTH COMMISSION PLEASE NOTE: A "MEETING" OF THE ENTIRE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, AS SAID TERM IS DEFINED IN MASS. GEN. L. C. 30A, §18 MAY OCCUR CONCURRENTLY WITH THIS COMMITTEE MEETING Respectfully, ~/!~ Colleen M. Ellis Clerk of Council Committees