City Council

REVISED City of rtaunton :M.unicipa[Council:M.eeting :M.inutes City 1fa[[, 15 Summer Street, rtaunton, :M.Jl In tne Cnester ~ :M.artin :M.unicipa[Council Cnam6ers ,.., :M.inutes, Octo6er 25, 2022 at 7.·07 O'cfoc~,<P.:M.. ~guCar :Meeting :Mayor Snaunna £. O'Conne{[presUEng ®'ayer was offerea 6y tne :Mayor ®'esent at ro{[ ca{[ were: CounciCor ©ooner, (])uarte, <.Borges, :McCau{, Cl'ottier, Coute, Sanders ana Cl'oste{[ CounciCor Quinta[ was a6sent. Record of preceding meeting was read by title and approved. So voted. Opportunity for input by the general public. 1. Mary E. Reilly, 131 Alfred Lord Boulevard, Taunton, MA - Speaking on Commendation of an Employee. The City Clerk said Mary E. Reilly called this morning and stated she is not able to attend this evening. She will be put on next week's agenda. 2. Helen DeSilvia, 44 Harrison Street, Taunton, MA - Speaking on Project at 46 Harrison Street. Motion was made to open public input. So voted. Ms. DeSilvia submitted a packet to the Councilors with information regarding last year's property line dispute from the engineer. She said this has been resolved. She stated on August 23rd she presented her concerns about safety, security and sanitary issues at the 46 Harrison Street redevelopment. On September 13th she returned to update the status of the sanitary issue and she is pleased to report that issue had been resolved within 36-hours of her update. She thanked the Council for hearing her concerns and the quick response. She continued to speak about improvements they have been doing to the property that she has seen. She also submitted a letter to the Councilors regarding a survey that was done incorrectly. She wanted to be clear there is no property line dispute. She would like the rest of the debris cleared off her property line. Councilor Coute explained they did have an in depth conversation with Mr.Pirozzi and based on his professional opinion, the only thing they can do at this point in time is ask the owner to clean up the trash. The next step would be fines. Councilor Coute stated they made a motion to send a certified letter on this. Motion was made to close public input. So voted. Hearings: NONE  2 Communications from the Mavor: Mayor O'Connell thanked the Taunton Diversity Network and everyone who participated, attended and helped organize the Domestic Violence Awareness vigil this past Thursday. They are very fortunate to have a community filled with so many people that work to end domestic violence by promoting awareness, education and access to services. It was a very moving and meaningful vigil. There is a couple of community events coming up. This Saturday is Trunk-or-Treat downtown. They are really looking forward to this. This family fun event is free. It begins at 4:30 p.m. right on Taunton Green. Costumes are welcome. There will also be music, s'mores and a movie downtown. Early voting has begun and it continues this week. Also, on Saturday and Sunday. This is during the times City Hall is open located in the Council Chambers. If you need more information, you can visit the City website. Appointments: NONE Communications from City Officers: Com. from the Superintendent of Buildings requesting to pay a prior year reimbursement for professional development seminar required for the electrical license renewal of James Kennedy. The request was received on October 13, 2022 in the amount of $129.00. Motion was made to refer to the Committee on Finance and Salaries. So voted. Com. from the Director of Human Resources requesting to pay prior year bills to Stericycle totaling $406.94. The invoices were not being sent to the proper address. Motion was made to refer to the Committee on Finance and Salaries. So voted. Com. from the Director of Human Resources notifying of a COTMA position opening for Superintendent of Public Buildings due to a retirement. The vacancy will be open effective January 3, 2023. The Superintendent of Public Buildings position will be posted on October 31, 2022. This position will be advertised on the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) website, the City's website, the City's Facebook page and posted internally. Motion was made to receive and place on file. So voted. Com. from Assistant Executive Director of Retirement notifying of retirement for Superannuation of Robert Pavadore, an employee of the Taunton Police Department that is scheduled for December 31, 2022 with 32-years and 7-months of creditable service in the retirement system. Motion was made to approve and send the appropriate scroll of appreciation. So voted. Com. from the Chairman of the Board of Assessors requesting approval to add a condition to future Cannabis Host Community Agreements. They learned at the MAAO Fall Conference that other communities are adding a condition that the Assessors be given the annual right to an interior inspector to verify both the Real Estate Property Record Card and the Personal Property Form of List. The Cannabis facilities in Taunton vary greatly in size and content with annual changes especially to personal property. Motion was made to refer to the Committee of the Council as a Whole and the Law Department. So voted.  3 Com. from the DPW Office Manager notifying of the buyout for Paul Gargiulo who is leaving employment on October 14, 2022. The payout is a total of $6, 781.20, for the paid check date of October 27, 2022. Motion was made to receive and place on file. So voted. Com. from the Chairman of the Taunton Redevelopment Authority requesting to meet with the Committee on Public Property. In order to have a more active involvement in improving Taunton, they looked at other ways to aid in Economic Development. They have found a unique way to bring about a positive impact, which would be to assist in putting underutilized City parcels back on the tax rolls. They have analyzed the City owned property list and found several parcels they can aid in bringing housing to a neighborhood. It is important to have a test case to move forward. There are six contiguous parcels; Map 22, Lots 29 & 30; Map 23, Lots 9, 10, 12 & 13 for a total of 20.99 acres that works perfectly for a case study. Individually these parcels are not buildable; however, the City could turn over the parcels to the TRA. Motion was made to refer to the Committee of Public Property. So voted. Com. from the Chief Financial Officer requesting a transfer of funds of $282,000.00 from Bond premiums received from its latest debt issuance associated with road and sidewalk repairs. The Finance Department is requesting the $282,000.00 be transferred to a road and sidewalk repair and replacement capital account. Motion was made to refer to the Committee Finance and Salaries. So voted. Mayor O'Connell said it is thanks to our Chief Financial Officer, Patrick Dello Russo, that why we have this extra $282,000.00 to put into the roads. They thank Mr. Dello Russo. Com. from Chief Financial Officer requesting to meet with the Committee of the Whole to provide a brief presentation on a Solar Array to be located at the former landfill. As the Council is aware, the City in partnership with TMLP and its recently hired energy consultants have put in months of work identifying the best location to place a Solar Array Field. The team would like to provide a proposed plan and next steps of the project on November 1, 2022. Motion was made to refer to the Committee of the Council as a Whole. So voted. Communications from Citizens: Com. from Attorney William Rounds, 115 Broadway, Taunton requesting a renewal of a Host Community Agreement with HTC Trinity, LLC located on 354 Winthrop Street (Marijuana Retailer Establishment). He respectfully requests that this HCA be renewed or extended for an additional year. Motion was made to refer to the Council as a Whole. So voted. Petitions: Class II License - NEW Petition submitted by Attorney Michael Strojny on behalf of his client Yacoub Dobeib for a NEW Class II License for YNT, LLC to be located at 603 Winthrop Street, Taunton. Motion was made to refer to the City Clerk to schedule the public hearing. So voted.  4 Committee Reports: Motion was made for Committee reports to be read by title and. approved. So Voted. Recommendations adopted to reflect the votes as recorded in committee reports. Councilor Coute voted present on one item in the Committee of the Department of Public Works. So Voted. Unfinished Business: NONE Orders, Ordinances and Resolutions: Ordinance for a first reading to be passed to a second reading AN ORDINANCE ARTICLE III. STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING Sec 405-53. Prohibited parking places. Be it ordained by the Municipal Council of the City of Taunton as follows: That Section 405-53 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Taunton, as amended, be and hereby are further amended by retracting the existing section pertaining to Lakeview Ave. and adding thereto the following: Lakeview Ave., the North East Side starting at the intersection with Bay Street, North to the Split in Lakeview Ave., approximately 450 feet in length. All ordinances or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon passage. Motion was made to pass to a second reading. So voted. New Business: Councilor Sanders said he received a communication from a resident who lives in the Alanita Drive and Craven Court area, who has expressed some concerns about excessive speed in this very small residential area. The resident requested some speed limit signs be posted. Councilor Sanders said he knows that this isn't something that normally happens in a small residential area. Motion was made to refer the request for speed limit signs in the area of Alanita Drive and Craven Court to the Safety Officer to take a look. So voted. Meeting adjourned at 7:24 P.M. A true copy: Attest: ~ ';f ~ JLL/KLD C' Cify Clerk  5 City of Taunton Municipal Council October 25, 2022 The Committee on Finance and Salaries j ,._, The meeting was held at Taunton City Hall, 15 Summer Street, Taunton, Ml 027..80 in~e -.. Chester R. Martin Municipal Council Chambers. j ~: ~ i:': f 1] C"'.) N Present were Councilor Phillip Duarte, Chairman an,d Councilor McCaul. C~c~or Porfier wRs absent. ro :r )> -~• r· ;; r- > -,.,_, tfi - ., The meeting was called to order at 5:37 PM. -51. N g w 1. Meet to review the weekly vouchers and payrolls for City departments. MOTION: Approve the payroll warrant in the amount of $1,411,938.19. So voted. MOTION: Approve the accounts payable warrant.in the amount of $2,119,078.36. So voted. 2. Meet to review requests for funding/transfers. a. Request from Assessors' Office to pay prior year invoices from Stericycle in the amounts of $73.68, $73.36, $78.71, and $87.60. MOTION: Approve the request and transfer $73.68, $73.36, $78.71, and $87.60 from account 01-141-5200-5420 (Office Supplies) to account 01-141-5520-5999 (Prior Year) to pay prior year bills. So voted. The meeting adjourned at 5 :40 PM. Respectfully submitted, CITY OF TAUNTON .·)A. - . {'~-~ OCT 2 5 2022 Ma~- IN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL Clerk of Council Committees  6 ....., City of Taunton = ,....., ...... Municipal Council ·-I = - ·· ... ""':', ~· .... :.:. October 25, 2022 -· \") r·--r:·1 ~ .. .·· "! () N ,:·· :t_ -' The Committee of the Council as a Whole -< ('.:) ::r )> ··' r- > - ,_,. -; The meeting was held at Taunton City Hall, 15 Summer Street, Taunton, ~02780 in-:&he Chester R. Martin Municipal Council Chambers. · )i:;. ~ Present were Councilor Phillip Duarte, Chairman and Councilors Dooner, Borges, McCaul, Pottier, Coute, Sanders, and Postell. Also present were Brian Giacobbi, Steve Brabant, and Attorney Adam Braillard of Lunar Xtracts, LLC, Patrick Della Russo, CFO, Robert Todisco of P3, Dan Pallotta of P3, Richard Calderon, Chief Procurement Officer, Curtis Edgin of Caolo and Bieniek, Jim Hanifan of Caolo and Bieniek, Edward Walsh, Chief of Police, and Timothy Bradshaw, Fire Chief. Councilor Quintal was absent. The meeting was called to order at 5:43 PM. 1. Meet to discuss the proposed Host Community Agreement with Lunar Xtracts, LLC for a marijuana product manufacturer establishment at 144 West Britannia St. Councilor Duarte explained that the Law Department had provided the Council with a letter indicating that they are bringing the HCA to compliance with the new changes to the law. Attorney Braillard explained that they had worked with the City Solicitor's Office to make sure that the HCA agrees with the recent laws. Councilor Coute questioned ifthe new laws allow for some discretion relative to the fee and Attorney Braillard explained that prior to these changes, communities could require up to 3 % of gross sales as an impact fee. Now, communities need to show the impact fee and facilities will pay that up to 3%. MOTION: Approve the HCA and refer to the Committee of the Council as a Whole for a future discussion with the Law Department on the changes to the law. So voted. 2. Meet with the Chief Financial Officer, Owner's Project Manager, and Architect for a presentation on the Public Safety Facility project Patrick Delio Russo introduced the project team including the OPM firm, P3, and the selected architect, Caolo and Bieniek. He indicated that the selection process was fair and in line with all Massachusetts laws. He stressed that the Central Fire Station is one of the oldest stations in the country and the Police have been in a temporary location for 45 years. Dan Pallotta of P3 gave a presentation which provided some background on the project team as well as details on the timeline for the project. Currently, he indicated, the project is in phase 2 (programming) and the next phase will be schematic design. The site for the new  7 Page Two October 25, 2022 The Committee of the Council as a Whole - Continued facility is 90 County Street. Mr. Pallotta explained that they have conducted a fire run study to determine if moving the fire station would be detrimental to response times for any areas of the city and have determined that moving central fire to this location would be within NFPA standards. He expects programming to be completed next week and will be moving forward to schematic design with an estimated completion the week of December 5. January should see a report on size and estimated cost of the building. During the process there will be newsletters, a website, public information sessions, and other community engagement. Councilor Borges indicated that she was happy to hear about the expection of openness and transparency. She questioned if there will be fire trucks at the new facility and Mr. Pallotta indicated that there are many factors that will go into this decision but they are proceeding as if the fire station will be there. Ms. Borges questioned if they are looking to shut down the School Street or Weir Street stations and Mr. Pallotta indicated that they are looking at moving Central Fire. Mr. Della Russo and Mr. Pallotta indicated that it is important to move quickly due to escalating project costs as well as rising debt issuance costs. Councilor Pottier questioned exactly what the building was being designed to hold and Mr. Pallotta indicated that they are designing the building to hold fire apparatus, fire headquarters, and police headquarters. Mr. Pottier asked how the project would be funded and Mr. Delio Russo indicated that would be looked at in December and January. Councilor Pottier asked Mr. Calderon if, for the procurement of the OPM, consideration was given to those with experience in the City and, if not, why not. Mr. Calderon indicated that preference was not given to those with Taunton experience and Mr. Della Russo suggested that this made it a more competitive process. Councilor McCaul stressed the importance of an open line of communication during this process. Councilor Sanders questioned how the decisions about what will be housed in the new facility would be made and Mr. Pallotta indicated that those decisions would be made by the administration based on many factors. Mr. Sanders questioned if there would be an opportunity at the site to go out the back way on to Gordon Owen Riverway and Mr. Pallotta indicated that they are analyzing this but that two accesses to the site will be necessary. Councilor Sanders stressed the importance ofresponse times. He asked ifthere will be an advisory building committee and who would sit on that committee. Mr. Delle Russo indicated that there would be a committee appointed by the Mayor and two Councilors would be appointed: Councilors Dooner and Postell.  8 Page Three October 25, 2022 The Committee of the Council as a Whole - Continued Councilor Postell indicated that he was not involved with the selection of the OPM but was involved with the selection of the architect. He felt the process was very fair and open and that a very talented firm was chosen. Overall, his understanding is that Central Fire will be part of this project. Councilor Coute emphasized how necessary this project is. Councilor Borges suggested that a community member should be part of the advisory committee. She asked the chiefs for their perspectives. Chief Bradshaw discussed the run study and indicated that this is workable with some redistrictfug. He emphasized the importance of a training facility and his belief that this is the most important part of this project. Chief Walsh stressed that this is a fast moving process. Councilor Duarte expressed his appreciation for the rigorous timeframe in light of inflationary and other concerns. The meeting was adjourned at 6:33 PM. Respectfully submitted, CITY OF. TAUNTON )JfltJJ~__,(_~. c./{aA tru-- I OCT .2 5 2022 Maggie(~. Clarke IN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL Clerk of Council Committees REPORTS ACCEPTED. RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED.  9 City of Taunton i Municipal Council I ,....., = October 25, 2022 I I -1 ~)P 0 ......, ........ r') r-· r :·i The Committee on The Department of Public Works 1 n - . -. N --4 ' -. . ~j . - -J The meeting was held at Taunton City Hall, 15 Summer Street, Taunton, MA;627~ in~ ==•• ," •••• t Chester R. Martin Municipal Council Chambers. ~ > ::llii ::ii:;. N Present were Councilor John McCaul, Chairman and Councilors Coute, Postell, and DuMte. Also present were Tony Abreu, Assistant Commissioner of Public Works, Brad Fitzgerald of SFG Associates, Attorney Brianna Correira, Jeff Tallman of Northeast Engineers and Consultants, and John Garanito of Hawthorne Development. Councilor Quintal was absent. The meeting was called to order at 6:38 PM. 1. Sewer Extension In accordance with Chapter 375-1 of the City of Taunton Ordinance and on the petition of Senna Fitzgerald Gilbert Associates, 28 Main Street, Lakeville, MA on behalf of Zac Cabral, owner of property at 115B Summer Street, Taunton, MA, 02780, a hearing will be held before the Taunton Municipal Council Committee on the Department of Public Works in the Municipal Council Chambers, City Hall, 15 Summer Street, Taunton, MA 02780 on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 5:45 p.m. for a proposed sewer extension on Summer Street. The sewer extension on Summer Street will include a sewer manhole to be installed in Summer Street opposite the southerly property corner of #115B Summer Street. A 2" diameter force main will then be installed in Summer Street to run northerly for approximately 65' to an existing sewer manhole in front of the northerly lot corner of house #USA. The main is designed to allow other houses to tie into it, with Sewer Department approval. There will be no betterment assessments since no City funding is involved. Plans and specifications for the project can be viewed in the Office of the Department of Public works, 90 Ingell Street, Taunton, MA. Tony Abreau and Brad Fitzgerald gave some background on this request and indicated that it is in response to a failed septic system. MOTION: Open public input. So voted. Karen Fontana of 122 Summer Street asked if she would be eligible to tie in and Mr. Abreau indicated that the 2" force main provides plenty of capacity for her to tie in. He further explained that everyone on that line has a pump. She asked how much it would cost and Mr.  10 Page Two October 25, 2022 The Committee on the Department of Public Works - Continued Abreau indicated that he could not give an estimate but suggested she speak to the contractor for the other homeowner. MOTION: Close public input and approve the project as prescribed. So voted. 2. Sewer Extension In accordance with Chapter 375-l of the City of Taunton Ordinance and on the petition of Correira Law Office, PLLC, 123 Broadway, Taunton, MA on behalf of Dora Estates, LLC, owner of property on Woodbine Street known as Assessors Map 64 Lot 153, Taunton, MA, 02780, a hearing will be held before the Taunton Municipal Council Committee on the Department of Public Works in the Municipal Council Chambers, City Hall, 15 Summer Street, Taunton, MA 02780 on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. for a proposed sewer extension on Woodbine Street. Sewer extension for Vinson St. consists of a new sewer manhole at the intersection of Belvoir Ave. and Vinson St. A 6" diameter sewer line will run southerly for 10 linear feet before transitioning to a 2" diameter force main that will be installed in Vinson St. and continue to run 180 feet to a proposed flushing manhole opposite lots 330 & 332 Vinson St. Forcemain stubs for abutting lots 156, 330 & 331 Vinson St. to be installed. There will be no betterment assessments since no City funding is involved. Plans and specifications for the project can be viewed in the Office of the Department of Public works, 90 Ingell Street, Taunton, MA. Councilor Coute recused himself from this matter. Mr. Abreau explained that this project is to extend sewer to a proposed new home off Vinson Street leaving stubs for homes as they pass by. Councilor McCaul inquired as to the number of stubs and Mr. Abreau said that the plan shows 3 and that it is a 2" force main with grinder pumps. MOTION: Open public input. So voted. MOTION: Close public input and grant the extension. So voted.  11 Page Three October 25, 2022 The Committee of the Department of Public Works- Continued 3. Sewer Extension In accordance with Chapter 375-1 of the City of Taunton Ordinance and on the petition of Hawthorne Development, Inc., Taunton, MA owner of property on Greystone Street known as Assessors Map 105 Lot 113, Taunton, MA, 02780, a hearing will be held before the Taunton Municipal Council Committee on the Department of Public Works in the Municipal Council Chambers, City Hall, 15 Summer Street, Taunton, MA 02780 on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 6:15 p.m. for a proposed sewer extension on Greystone Street. Sewer extension will extend an existing 8" sewer main at the intersection of Cornell Avenue and Greystone Street approximately 100' west on Greystone Street in order to service a new construction duplex to be located at 4 Greystone Street. There will be no betterment assessments since no City funding is involved. Plans and specifications for the project can be viewed in the Office of the Department of Public works, 90 Ingell Street, Taunton, MA. Councilor Coute rejoined the meeting. Jeff Tallman and John Garanito indicated that this was for an extension of an 8" gravity line 95' to the west to provide sewer to a proposed new duplex. MOTION: Open public input. So voted. MOTION: Close public input and grant the petition as presented. So voted. The meeting adjourned at 6:47 PM. Respectfully submitted, CITY OF.TAUNTON OCT 2 5 2022 ~£.CA.~ Maggie E. Clarke IN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL Clerk of Council Committees REPORTS ACCEPTED. RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED. ~!~  12 CITY OF TAUNTON REVISED ORDER#4 FY 2023 ~ ~ eomzat.···-················?.~!.?.~.~~--~~~.:~.~:............. 20.............. THE SUM OF THREE HUNDRED THIRTEEN DOLLARS AND THIRTY FIVE CENTS ($313.35) BE AND HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED FROM ASSESSOR'S OFFICE, OFFICE SUPPLIES ACCOUNT NO. 01-141-5200-5420 TO: ASSESSOR'S OFFICE, PRIOR YEAR ACCOUNT NO. 01-141-5520-5999 (PRIOR YEAR EXPENDITURE). ................................................................ .tff'ktt.