City Council

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AGENDA CHESTER R. MARTIN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 15 SUMMER STREET, TAUNTON, MA 02780 City Clerk's Office MAY 31, 2022-7:00 PM Notice of Posting INVOCATION TIMe:M.~d& (JYf} ROLL CALL oat~:~fea RECORDS JL 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 - NONE COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR • Community Update • COVID-19 Update APPOINTMENTS • Reappointment of Christine Clymens to serve as the Treasurer/Collector for a term of three (3) years expiring June 2025. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY OFFICERS Pg. 1-2 Com. from City Solicitor - Submitting Xfinity Correspondence Pg. 3 Com. from Chief Financial Officer - Providing an update on Revenues, Expenses and Capital Projects COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Pg. 4-5 Com. from Robert O'Connell, President, Segregansett Country Club - Submitting Response regarding Parking on Gulliver Street  PETITIONS Second Hand Article License - NEW 1. Vintage Molaf by Mona Cross located at 749 Rocky Woods St., Taunton for online sales of Costume Jewelry and thrift shop items. COMMITTEE REPORTS UNFINISHED BUSINESS - NONE ORDERS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Order for a first reading to be passed to a second reading FY23 Total Preliminary Budget - City of Taunton Other Ex11enses Total Budget General Government $ 4,405,472.50 $ 3,215,564.71 $ 7,816,037.21 Public Safe $ 6,313,080.60 $ 3,537,591.55 $ 40,267,472.15 Education $ $107,060,118.00 $ I 07,060, 118.00 Public Works/Facilities $ 4,646,541.03 $ 8,122,777.70 $ 13,254,318. 73 Health/Citizen Services $ 1,966,654.65 $ 1,084,814.30 $ 3,051,468.95 Culture & Recreation $ 2,581,495.61 $ 1,040,075.00 $ 3,621,570.61 Debt & Interest $ $ 6,368,592.25 $ 6,368,592.25 Miscellaneous $ $ 11,983.00 $ 11,983.00 Em loyee Benefits $ $ 60,149,607.00 $ 60,219,357.00 Other Financing Uses $ $ 1,005,000.00 $ 1,005,000.00 Enterprise Accounts $ 2,507, 720.50 $ 18,680,540.65 $ 21,206,801.15 Total Budget $52,490, 714.89 $210,276,664.16 $ 263,882, 719.05 Order (or a first reading to be passed to a second reading Ordered That, $4,000,000 is appropriated for the cost of sewage pump station improvements, including but not limited to, installation, repair or replacement of generators and electrical systems to provide permanent backup power capability, installation of and improvements to instrumentation and control (I&C) systems, and other systems necessary to maintain the pumping stations operability and reliability, including the costs of project construction, engineering and legal services for planning, surveying, design, permitting, testing, bidding, construction administration, material testing and resident inspection services, and all other costs incidental or related thereto; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow $4,000,000 and issue bonds or notes therefor under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority; and that the Mayor is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this project. All or any portion of the borrowing authorized by this order may be obtained through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (the "Trust"), and in that regard, the Mayor and any other appropriate officials of the City are authorized to execute and deliver any and all agreements or certificates that the Trust may require in connection with any such borrowing. Order (or u first reuding to be pussed to u second reuding Ordered That, $10,000,000 is appropriated for the cost of financing the construction of Waste Water Treatment Facility Upgrades Phase 2; the proposed work will include, but not be limited to, the construction of a large biological treatment system, including replacement of related equipment to facilitate the removal of nitrogen; further replacement of facility instrumentation and controls (l&C) system; the upgrades to facility buildings, especially for energy efficiency; including the payment of services for planning, design, permitting, testing, bidding, construction administration, material testing and inspection services and all costs incidental or related thereto; which amount shall be in addition to the $40,000,000 previously appropriated and authorized to be borrowed by an order of the City Council passed June 1, 2021 for such purpose, that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow $10,000,000 and issue bonds or notes therefor under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority; and that the Mayor is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this project. All or any portion of the borrowing authorized by this order may be obtained through the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (the "Trust"), and in that regard, the Mayor and any other appropriate officials of the City are authorized to execute and deliver any and all agreements or certificates that the Trust may require in connection with any such borrowing. Order (or u first reuding to be pussed to u second reuding Ordered That, The Loan order adopted by the Municipal Council on June 1, 2021 that appropriated $2,000,000 for the costs of financing the construction for roadway and sidewalk improvements within the City of Taunton be amended to include drainage as an authorized project and to remove the specific location language, so that such loan order shall now read as follows: That $2,000,000 is appropriated for the cost of financing the construction for drainage, roadway and sidewalk improvements within the City of Taunton; the proposed work will include, but not be limited to, reconstruction of roadway base (does not include concrete removal or pavement surface course), new and relocated curb, construction of ADA compliant sidewalks and ramps, utility pole relocations and pavement marking and signing improvements; including the payment of engineering and legal services for planning, design, permitting, testing, bidding, construction administration, material testing and inspection services and all costs incidental or related thereto; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer with the approval of the Mayor is authorized to borrow $2,000,000 and issue bonds or notes therefor under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority, provided that the amount authorized to be borrowed for the Project shall be reduced by the amount of grants, reimbursements and/or any other funds available to pay costs of the Project prior to the issuance of any bonds or notes; and that the Mayor is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this project. NEW BUSINESS • Councilor Coute requests to meet with the Police Chief and members of the Police Department in Executive Session to discuss options/precautions for all City Schools related to active shooter threats Respectfully submitted, <f:±,t:f: Assistant City Clerk  City of Taunton OFFICE OF THE MAYOR City Hall · 15 Summer Street · Taunton MA 02780 · (508) 821- IOOO MAYOR SHAUNNA O'CONNELL Ed Correira Patrick Delio Russo, Jr. CHIEF OF STAFF CI llEF FLNANCIAL OFFICER Ligia Madeira Gill E. Enos DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF BUDGET DIRECTOR May 26, 2022 Council President Phillip Duarte Honorable Members of the Taunton Municipal Council 15 Summer Street Taunton, MA 02780 Dear President Duarte and Members of the Municipal Council, Please be advised that I am reappointing Christine Clymens to serve as Treasurer/Collector for a term of three years which will expire in June 2025. Mrs. Clymens has been a wonderful addition to our City team for the past few months and we look forward to the many ways in which she will continue to work with our Chief Financial Officer to improve our finance operations. Thank you for your consideration. V\..Ji-__ Mayor Shau1ma O'Connell  City of Taunton LAW DEPARTMENT 15 Summer Street Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 Phone (508) 821 - 1036 Facsimile (508) 82 1-1397 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 May 20, 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: Submitted herewith is communication dated May 13, 2022 which the Law Department has received from Xfin ity regarding changes to services. Thank you. Respectfully, ~0 - ~ Matthew J. d?s'ta, Esquire City Solicitor MJC/tmg Enclosure  ..·"\ ~· May 13, 2022 City Attorney City of Taunton 141 Oak Street Taunton, MA 02780 Dear City Attorney: We are committed to keeping you and our customers informed about changes to Xfinity TV services. Therefore as a follow-up to our previous communication, please be advised the of the following revised information regarding the Xfinity channel line-up in your community. • On July 8, 2022 1, due to changes in business costs, AMC+ On Demand will increase from $6.99 to $8.99 per month. Please do not hesitate to contact me at patrick_shearns@comcast .com should you have any questions. Very truly yours, Patrtc/vJ. Shear~ Patrick J. Shearns, Sr. Manager Government Affairs MAY 1 9 2022 L I (' f.o t f'fT..,, ,..... ,. . .• 1 May 6, 2022 letter referenced change date of August 8, 2022.  City of Taunton OFFICE OF THE MAYOR City Hall · 15 Summer Street · Taunton MA 02780 · (508) 82 1-1000 MAYOR SHAUNNA O'CONNELL Ed Correira Patrick Delio Russo, Jr. CHIEF OF STAFF ClllEF FINANC IAL OFFICER Ligia Madeira Gill E. Enos DEPUTY Cl IIEF OF STAFf' BU DGET DIRECTOR May 26, 2022 Council President Phillip Duarte Members of the Taunton Municipal Council 15 Summer Street Taunton, MA 02780 Dear Council President Duarte and Members of the Municipal Council, The Finance Department would like the opportunity to provide an update to the Council on Quarter Three Revenues and Expenses as well as a brief update on the Capital Projects. The Finance Department will offer a brief presentation on the City's financial position as \ive head into the Final Quarter of Fiscal Year 2022. Patrick D. Delio Russo Jr. Chief Financial Officer May 23, 2022 City of Taunton Attn: Rose Blackwell, City Clerk -' 15 Summer Street Taunton, MA 02780 RE: Parking on Gulliver St. at Segregansett Country Club Dear Ms. Blackwell: The Board of Governors of Segregansett Country Club respectfully submits our rebuttal to the letter submitted by Club Member Mr. Richard Park to the City Council on Monday May 3, 2022. The information below (in point format) will detail the opposition by Segregansett Country Club to Mr. Park's suggested parking ban for an area directly across from our Clubhouse on the southside of Gulliver St. Please review the following: • Mr. Park is a valued member in good standing of Segregansett Country Club, as well as a resident of Taunton who lives in close proximity to the Club. The Club certainly respects the right of anyone to submit ideas or suggestions on any issue. Unfortunately, we (the Board of Segregansett) were not aware of Mr. Park's concerns related to parking on Gulliver St. until after he had submitted his letter to the City Council. • The Board of Segregansett Country Club has since met with Mr. Park and had a healthy exchange of opinions on the issue. The Board of Segregansett Country Club strongly believes that the No Parking ideas submitted by Mr. Park will have a definite Financial Impact to our Club, and a heightened or additional Safety risk to our members and guests who cross over Gulliver St. on foot and in golf carts when playing or patronizing our Club. We estimate that foot or cart cross-over activity occurs 150+ times (or more per day) when the Golf Season is in full swing. The perspective of the Club will be further detailed below. • Segregansett Country Club has been a proud business enterprise located in Taunton on Gulliver St for approx. 120+ years. While we cannot present members still alive from the early days ....... we have many members today with over 50++ years of Club Membership. In fact, our 9 Member Board has an average Club tenure of 25+ years per Board Member. Factually, we disagree that the specific area that Mr. Park now proposes as a No Parking area has ever been posted with No Parking signage. Signs can be found on other areas of Gulliver, but as it relates to the approximate 10+ spots affected by Mr. Park's proposal, the Board of Segregansett firmly believes that the area in question has not been a posted No Parking zone at any time in the past based on our recollection. • We believe a heightened (not reduced) Safety Risk is a possible outcome by designating the current area as a No Parking zone. It is important to understand that Gulliver St runs directly through and 85 GULLIVER STREET, TAUNTON, MA 02780 PH. 508-824-9110 FX. 508-821-3869 SEGREGANSETT.COM  bisects our Golf Course. There are at least 8 (or more) scenarios where golfers on foot (or potentially more concerning in a golf cart) are crossing Gulliver from hole to the next hole, from the Pro shop to the putting green, 1" Tee or driving range, from the Clubhouse to the Pro Shop, etc, etc. Today, the cars parked in the area in question serve to slow down traffic, same as parking on any city street does throughout any city. To eliminate the current parking in front of our Clubhouse that exists .. today, will (in our respectful opinion) increase the speed of cars traversing Gulliver from Rt. 44 to Burt St. (or vise-versa) on an exponential basis. This will place Segregansett members and guests at an increased personal safety risk if not mitigated in some fashion. • The proposal in question will also impact the very important Function business of Segregansett Country Club. In addition to available Dining for members and guests, our Wedding, Collation, Anniversary, Reunion, Shower (et al) functions are a major source of important income and profit for our Club. Given the fact that we have a fairly full membership today, every inch of available parking space (particularly on weekends in Season) is very important to the experience that we are marketing to our customers who choose Segregansett for their special occasions. To eliminate 10+ parking spots that exist today will adversely affect the marketing of our Function business and we urge the City Council to seriously consider the impact of this proposal to the financial health of a long-time enterprise of the City of Taunton. This is particularly important as we are successfully emerging from navigating through the 2+ years of the pandemic as a financially stronger business on many fronts! Simply, this proposal by Mr. Park is not financially supportive to our business or member(guest) safety as it proposed. • As the area I community surrounding the Club has grown, the use of Gulliver St for local residents has grown significantly as well. This coupled with the very dangerous intersection at Burt St./ Williams St at Rt. 44 continues to increase the local use of Gulliver St as an alternative route for area residents. Respectfully (and while this idea has been proposed by past Boards of the Club) we believe that Gulliver St. should be closed to local traffic and at the same time place traffic lights at the Burt St. /Williams St. /Rt 44 intersection. Long term we believe this would be a more perfect solution and possibly have a distinct economic development impact to the West End of Taunton bordering Rt. 44. This may or may not be feasible at this time, but it warrants some consideration in this discussion. The Board of Governors of Segregansett Country Club sincerely thanks the City Council of Taunton for their consideration and support of the Club relative to this issue. Simply, the proposal at hand will (in our opinion) negatively impact the business of Segregansett Country Club and potentially exacerbates personal safety risks for our members and guests who frequent our Club. R&;/tr.o~ Robert O'Connell President - Segregansett Country Club cc. Board of Governors/ Segregansett Country Club  I· i·J.:[ IVfO •• I • • 1 !ff ICE lOZZ HAY 2b P t: 51 MAY 31, 2022 _ _ _ Cl I Y CLERK HONORABLE SHAUNNA L. O'CONNELL, MAYOR COUNCIL PRESIDENT PHILLIP£. DUARTE AND MEMBERS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEE MEETINGS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2022 AT 5:30 P.M. AT TAUNTON CITY HALL, 15 SUMMER STREET, TAUNTON, MA, 02780 IN THE CHESTER R. MARTIN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5:30 P.M. THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE AND SALARIES 1. MEET TO REVIEW THE WEEKLY VOUCHERS & PAYROLLS FOR CITY DEPARTMENTS 2. MEET TO REVIEW REQUESTS FOR FUNDING/TRANSFERS 3. MEET WITH THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO DISCUSS AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT 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 OF THE COUNCIL AS A WHOLE 1. MEET FOR A PRESENTATION OF THE PETER GAY SCHOLARSH IP FUNDS 2. MEET TO DISCUSS REQUEST TO AMEND HOST COMMUNITY AGREEMENT FOR LMCC, LLC, 30 SHERWOOD DRIVE 3. MEET WITH THE LAW DEPARTMENT AND CITY CLERK TO DISCUSS TRACKING OF MARIJUANA HCA'S, SPECIAL PERMITS AND LICENSES AND CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION INQUIRIES 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