City Council

City of f(aunton !Municipa{Counci{!Meetine !Minutes City 1fa{{, 15 Summer Street, f(aunton, ~ In tne Cnester ~ !Martin !Municipa{Counci{ Cnam6ers !Minutes, January 17, 2023 at 7:04 O'cfoc~/P.!M. <R.§gufar 9deeting 9dayor Snaunna L. 0 'Conne«presitling CFrayer was offered" 6y tne 9dayor CFresent at ro([ca([were: Councifor (})ooner, Vuarte, 9dcCau' <Pottier, Coute, Sand"ers and" Quinta{ Councifors <Borges and"<Poste{[were a6sent. Record of preceding meeting was read by title and approved. So voted. Opportunity for input by the general public. Motion was made to open Public Input. So voted. Mayor O'Connell said she would like to say a few words. As you can see, the chamber is filled this evening with a lot of caring and compassionate people. She thanked everyone for joining them. She stated many of you know there was an incident this weekend at the Taunton Public Library. She wants people to know that in this community, many people and many organizations work together to ensure that Taunton is a welcoming and inclusive City. This weekend protestors showed up at the Taunton Public Library during a story hour that was hosted by the South Coast LGBTQ+ Network. Mayor O'Connell stated they holy condemn these actions, the hate speech and the tactics used by these protestors. They have no place in this community, in this state, in this world. The Taunton Police Department was onsite prior to the arrival of the protestors and additional officers were called in when needed. No physical violence or arrests occurred as a result of this incident. However, they do understand that some people were traumatized by this. She and her staff have been talking with Eileen Dugas from the South Coast Network, the Director of the Library and with the Taunton Police Department. They are all working closely together to really assess what happened, what they can do better and ensure that future events are conducted safely and in a welcoming environment anywhere in the City of Taunton. She thanked the community for indulging her. Eileen Dugas, R13 Purchase Street, Executive Director of the South Coast LGBTQ+ Network spoke about what Taunton means to her and her children. She also spoke about the attack that happened at the Taunton Library on January 14, 2023 when a group of Neo-Nazi's terrorized a group of parents and small children who were there to listen to a drag-artist read a children's book called "The Mitten". This book is a classic children's novel. No one was being groomed or recruited at this event. No one was being subjected to any kind of lude or sexual behavior despite the rhetoric you hear. What happened at the  2 Taunton Library was a form of hate and bigotry. It has no place in Taunton or anywhere else. Herbert Daye, 81 Red Circle, said he thinks "pigs must fly"! He didn't expect them to actually condemn this. He spoke to the audience and asked them to see if their words hold weight. He gave examples on why he speaks with anger. He feels as a minority, their supposed to stick together regardless of what your orientation is or what you are. He is going to hold them accountable, each one of them. He continued to explain his frustrations. Amelia Hoard, 65 Princess Kate Circle, spoke how she and her family were at the drag queen story hour at the Taunton Library this past Saturday. She hesitated going to the meeting out of fear of retaliation despite any protections she may have been offered. She was there to teach her daughters that if you don't speak up for yourself, nobody else will. Despite how people feel about drag queens reading to children, to her, it's no different than any other entertainer for children in the correct setting. Plus, her children were in her sight and by her side while they completed crafts and enjoyed listening to a storybook read to them. Even if Monica Moore, the drag queen in question, was a pedophile as they claimed, there was no threat that her children were being harmed by her side until those men entered the building. Then they were all in threat at that point. She was told she is going to hell and her children will hate her. The same children that were happy and smiling. She hopes the masked men who stood on that sidewalk and stormed the building understand that this type of behavior is no different than any form of radical terrorism that we see in this world today. She continued to explain her frustration. Mija Almeida, 156 Tremont Street, read Monica Moore's statement. She wrote her statement instead of attending the meeting due to her safety. She believes that what they did at the Taunton Library on Saturday, was domestic terrorism. She explained how the masked men went to the Library to terrorism 35-children and guardians. She stated the LGBTQ+ community is under attack and they can no longer sit around and allow this to keep happening. She wanted to make it clear that the world is watching. She continued to explain why she feels change needs to happen. Zazume Almeida, 156 Tremont Street, said he is an openly queer member of Taunton's LGBTQ+ community. He wanted to state that he is not just extremely disappointed but enraged in many aspects with the City of Taunton's response and up until tonight, lack thereof to explain the attack on the LGBTQ+ freedoms at the Taunton Public Library's drag story hour this past weekend. He explained how he feels the Taunton Police did not do enough. He questioned why the police couldn't act on the Mass General Law that he referenced. He also explained how he is disappointed with the Mayor's office for the lack of response after this event. He continued to question how are they going to feel safe. Rev. Dr. Michelle Walsh, the lead Minister at the First Parish Church, 76 Church Green, expressed her gratitude to the Taunton City Council for receiving her statement today. Also, to the South Coast LGBTQ+ Network for all that they do on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. She explained that the members at the First Parish Church in Taunton are deeply saddened by the events that took place this past Saturday at the Taunton Library during the drag queen story hour with Monica Moore where Miss Moore, families and children who were present were frightened, harassed and traumatized by masked Neo- Nazi individuals. They offer their support of prayers and healing energy's to all impacted as well as their ongoing commitment to them. She continued to express gratitude from her and the members from the First Parish Church. She feels we need a strongly united and unified political voice and will from all segments to stop this from happening here in Taunton or on the South Shore and beyond.  3 Joseph Marques, 401 Berkley Street, spoke about the events that transpired at the Library over the weekend during the drag queen story hour and how it has been weighing heavily on his mind. Drag queen story hour is a family fun event and is very different from night club drag shows that are more geared towards adults. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, to see such a show of hate was devastating. He believes that everyone has their own right to their belief, what happened this weekend was unacceptable. When protesters become unruly and begin to have an effect on the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of individuals, especially children, something needs to be done. He feels more can be done to protect individuals. David Littlefield, 192 Erin Road, East Taunton, said he came to the meeting to learn. He said listening to people and listening to what has been said, he doesn't feel the Council should be held accountable. He feels they need to work with the community and help the community but it's really the community that needs to be held accountable. The community needs to step up and help. Anybody who cares about the people in Taunton needs to be involved in helping people out. He feels this group is obviously a bunch of cowards running around with masks. When they are outnumbered (doesn't mean a fist fight) meaning people that care, show up. This will show the respect, the courtesy and the commitment to the community, of the community to help everyone out. His explanation continued. Jamie Kelley, 208 Scadding Street, read some comments from Senator Pacheco who could not be present. He explained, based on the nature of the protest that took place at our local library this weekend, he emphatically condemns and denounces all hate based groups, their careless words and their shameful actions which have no place in our local community. He would like to unequivocally express his whole hearted disapproval of hate speech in any way shape or form. Cantor Coleman Reaboi, 75 Taft Avenue, Providence, RI, unofficially representing the Jewish community congregation in Taunton, said he is a child of a Holocaust survivor. He spoke about what it's like to be a son of a Holocaust survivor. After their services on Saturday, they were notified that these people were passing by their Congregation. They thought they were coming for them. Nazism is bad. Hate is bad in all aspects. It's even worse when it affects children. He has been to one of these drag queen story hours in the past and he knows they talk about self-image and loving yourself. That's a wonderful message. That's something his community believes in. Also, protecting the elderly, protecting the children and protecting women. Knowing they were strangers in a strange land. They have to protect the strangers as well. Mark Doherty, 20 Preservation Drive, spoke about the events that took place at the Library on Saturday that was stormed by a Neo-Nazi group. For over a century, the Taunton Public Library has been a place where people of all backgrounds go to acquire knowledge and build community. The Taunton Public Library and Taunton by extension, is a place where all should feel safe and welcomed regardless of their race, sexual orientation or any other aspect of their identity. This is why he is calling on the City's Government to take a strong stand against NSC-131 presence in Taunton. It must be made clear that Tauntonians are people who embrace peoples differences, stand firmly against intimidation and stay true to Taunton's ideas of equality that dates back to historic figures. Andrew Pollock, 592 Chase Road, North Dartmouth, president of the board of the LGBTQ+ Network wanted to bring thanks to the City of Taunton for their response, especially the Mayor. He also said they are extremely grateful for the staff who handled this situation with composure, resilience, quick thinking and professionalism. They took a  4 very dangerous situation and deescalated it. He is so proud of the women and children that stood up with composure and dignity facing this obstacle. They are committed to nonviolence and working to reescalation. They promise they will do peaceful protests. They will not remove an eye for an eye. They do ask to join with them even more than they have because you see what it's like for them. He asked for them to listen. Jolene Westgate, 6 Forest Street, read Mara Boboruzian's statement. She explained that what happened this weekend at the drag queen story hour is horrible. This should have not been a place of hate. Anyone should have the right to practice, feel, be who they are and do what brings them joy. Children were excited. Adults were excited. This hateful group, domestic terrorists, which is despicable that they exist, have now made Monica Moore unsafe as well as the community. The Library is a place to share the love of learning and knowledge, but now people have to be afraid of people storming in. Children are the most accepting creatures of us all. The only way they learn hate is from others. We need to make sure this supremacist group does not stay. Representative Carol Doherty, 148 Highland Street, said she wasn't there on Saturday but today she reached out to the members of the City Council, the members of the network, the Taunton Police Department and read the article in the Gazette so that she could get a better picture of the event. She is deeply troubled by the events that took place this past weekend. Saturday as you all know, members of the Neo-Nazi group Nationalist Social Club or NSC-131, disrupted a drag queen story hour at our Taunton Public Library causing fear and confusion among the children who were gathered there among the adults as well. This is not an isolated incident, rather it is a coordinated campaign among far right nations nationwide to bully and intimidate drag queens in particular, and the LGBTQ+ community in general. She said let me be clear, there is no room in our society for hate and bigotry. The LGBTQ+ community like all communities, deserve to live their lives and express themselves without fear, harassment and violence. Her explanation continued. If we stand strongly together we can defeat this hate. She commended the Taunton Police Department. Heather Baylies-Grigoreas, 16 Belvoir Avenue, said she didn't want to spend her Saturday in chairs in the children's room surrounded by Neo-Nazi's sitting in the chairs with them. She said this was mind-blowing. There were a lot of people who were there who were very frightened. She was more stunned than anything and downright furious. Masked men should not be sitting next to your children. She continued to explain her frustrations. Rev. Marlene Gil, 50 Silver Street, wanted to show her support and allyship to the LGBTQ+ community and wanted to vigorously as possible oppose the Nazi activity that has been in our City and in other cities. When this was happening in Taunton, she was already on the steps in Fall River. She works as a community organizer and with a faith based organization in Fall River. At that meeting, the Mayor of Fall River showed up and was talking with the supporters of the LBGTQ+ community. She also spoke about truth and reconciliation. She feels we need to have a moment where our community owns its past and then looks into the future for what it can and should be. Mayor O'Connell thanked everyone for their thoughtful comments and sharing their stories with them. She thanked Eileen, they look forward to continuing their conversation and meeting with her and her team in coming days and weeks. Motion was made to close public input and take a five-minute recess. So voted. Hearings: NONE  5 Communications from the Mayor: Mayor O'Connell said they have a presentation that they are very excited to present to the Council and the community. It's Taunton's 5-year Capital Improvement and Economic Investment Program. This is another milestone that they have reached. It's another recommendation from the Department of Revenue that they have completed. Much thanks to the finance team and the department directors for doing a ton of work. Spending a lot of time analyzing and really working together to strategize, prioritize and put together a plan that is efficient and effective and the best use of tax payers dollars, grant funding as well. The Capital Improvement Plan is approximately (CIP) $34.5-million. It includes three new stabilization accounts to really ensure that they are well prepared to meet future needs. The program furthers their priorities and goals of creating a roadmap for the future of identifying the best sources and uses of funding and funding diverse programs and projects that have a far reaching effect, benefit, drive and economic development across our community. She took a moment to highlight some of the projects that are included in the executive summary: the Public Safety Complex, Memorial Park Restoration, Roads and Sidewalks, Three New Stabilization Accounts, Public Safety and Public Buildings and Bridges. She also gave a briefmg on how hard the team works every day to improve infrastructure, quality of life and to make Taunton a leading City in the Commonwealth. Their five-year Capital Improvement Plan is a responsible, strategic plan that makes the best use of tax payer money and grants. They are paying for projects based on need and planning for them in a five-year model. This is a working document that may change somewhat from year to year as circumstances change. It's meant to be fluid. They are pleased to provide detailed information to keep the community well informed about the financial future of our City. They deeply appreciate the support and the collaboration of the City Council as they work together to advance these goals for the benefit of our City and our residents. She invited Patrick Dello Russo, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Gill Enos, Budget Director to the conference table. Mr. Dello Russo and Mr. Enos reminded folks of what a five-year Capital Improvement Plan is and gave a presentation for the City's five-year Capital Improvement Plan which included: Capital Projects Completed/In Progress, Free Cash and Retained Earnings Update, Establishment of New Funds, Funding Requested from Departments, Fiscal Year 2023 through 2027 Capital Improvement Plan and Appropriation and Transfer Request. Mayor O'Connell thanked them for the presentation and all the work they have done. You can just hear and understand all the collaboration that goes on within the City to get all of this work done. It's greatly appreciated. She thinks in the past three-years and since the CFO has been here, they have seen a lot of progress and it's an exciting time here in our City. Councilor McCaul asked if the Inventory Specialist mentioned is going to work immediately. Mr. Dello Russo said yes, once the position is established, they will actively seek hiring that individual by working with Human Recourses and the Water Department. Councilor McCaul sked if they make this approval tonight, will they be hiring immediately. Mr. Dello Russo said yes, that will be executed. Councilor McCaul asked if there is a fleet management plan in place. Mr. Dello Russo said that's a goal. It's an objective that they are going to have for the next CIP at this time. As you know they just developed the Procurement Division. As of right now, they are kind of just seeing what they have. Mr. Calderon is going from department to department assessing what we have as part of our fleet. They will have that for this Council by this time next year. Councilor McCaul asked for more elaboration about the DPW vehicles being replaced for the fiscal year. Mr. Dello Russo said the three vehicles being replaced, the youngest one is from 2009 and none of them have less than 85,000-miles. These are work trucks that get wear and tear on them.  6 Councilor McCaul asked about the grade assessment and the plan with the DPW, if they had already adopted something like this a few months ago. Mr. Dello Russo said the DPW Committee did adopt the water and sewer rates that are directly inline. It's actually under budget from what they said. All those rates will cover the cost of the five-year outlay as proposed this evening. Councilor McCaul asked if there was any debt with the enterprise system. Mr. Dello Russo said there is no debt, they didn't borrow this year. The SRS program was used heavily. With interest rates rising, and our cash available, the decision has been made to move away from that and pay as they go. It has worked out really well and they thanked the DPW for their cooperation. Councilor McCaul asked Mr. Dello Russo if in his experience, has he ever seen something like the Helping Fund account before. Mr. Dello Russo said no. One thing he can say and being 100% truthful, is that a big part of his job is understanding what the priorities are of what the Mayor wants to bring forward to you and this really speaks to her style. It's something for everyone. One thing about the CIP is that they have a lot of information about projects and ongoing needs such as buildings and the fleet. The Mayor is bringing forward a plan that includes parks, recreational, family things and a Helping Hand fund. These things are uncommon for Municipalities. They are really pleased that they really touched every single division this evening. Councilor McCaul said he is concerned about our Veterans and our elderly. He asked if they would take this into consideration and how that would mean a lot to him because he hears that a lot in the community. Councilor Pottier mentioned in the Mayor's comments, it states $17-million in roads with an additional $5- million for this year. He asked if they made a commitment a year or two ago for $4- million, is this included in the number as well. Mr. Dello Russo said yes, the $5-million tonight brings them to $17-million total road commitments over three-years. Councilor Pottier said so it's the $5-million plus the $4-million, not including Chapter 90. Mr. Dello Russo said it's not, that is correct. Councilor Pottier said in reality, Chapter 90 is an extra $1.4-million a year. Councilor Pottier asked on his Sources and Uses document, does he list the source of the Chapter 90 funds. Mr. Dello Russo said they don't because if they start getting into grants, that's a whole other night. Given the need and given the ask, on how much grants they have going on, he thinks it would be prudent of them to bring that forward to them. Councilor Pottier gave kudos to the Administration on the amount of grants that they have received over the last several years. He knows TJ Torres is doing an outstanding, wonderful job. Mr. Dello Russo said the Finance Department will make sure they commit to doing a presentation identifying grants over the last two-years at least. Councilor Pottier said about the $10-million that they· are transferring for the Public Safety building, they are going to be putting in an escrow but they won't be spending that down necessarily until they come up with other funding for the remainder of $60-$70- million or whatever he number is going to be. Mr. Dello Russo said yes, that's correct. It's to reduce the impact of borrowing, that's why they are calling it the "down payment". Then, the bond will obviously have to cover the remaining. Councilor Pottier said and as you say "down payment", you're speaking just metaphorically. Mr. Dello Russo said yes. Councilor Pottier said he mentioned this a year ago when they were before the Council, to make another presentation, which he appreciates, he wishes and hopes to share their optimisms as far as this being sustainable only because prior to him going on the Council, previous Councilor David Semas put an item that 3% of all operating budget would be put to Capital and then a recession hit and Mayor Strojny further exacerbated by some cuts in local aid made by the past Administration, not criticizing but just reality. He appreciated that the Financial team and the Mayor's office are doing the best they can under the current circumstances but, we are only one recession away from having the best  7 made plans kind of put aside. He appreciates the fact however, that they are setting up escrow accounts and reserve accounts, things like that to plan for this and to lessen the temptation to raid those accounts if things become dire. Hopefully not this Administration or any future Administration will be set with some really serious consequences were they have to make a decision of fixing the roof or heating the house type of thing. Councilor Duarte said as the Chairman of the Finance and Salaries Committee, they certainly received many presentations from Mr. Dello Russo, including the CIP #1 and were eagerly awaiting the CIP #2 and he is very happy to see it in front of them. Most people know he is big on processes. He asked if they could just explain how Capital Projects were being funded previously, versus how they are going to be funded now. Just to give everyone an idea of just how significant of a change this is for the City. Mr. Dello Russo gave details on how the CIP was typically funded on a year to year basis. Discussion continued. Councilor Duarte asked how this plan would be altered. Mr. Dello Russo said for instance, if they have an emergency, and a building floor collapses or a road gets taken out by a rain storm, obviously funding is going to have to be directed to address that need. Say that comes up in Fiscal year 2027, of course they can't allocate as much money as they have had some of those other projects because a "need" and has impacted our plan. Having a plan in place provides them the flexibility to kind of maneuver those around in a five-year model. Each year that this comes before them, it may look a little different based upon their discussion with the Department Directors and the priorities of the Mayor. Councilor Duarte asked if the South Street Bridge is the bridge bordering Taunton and Raynham and does the Town of Raynham have any cost for this project. Mr. Dello Russo said he knows the full restoration is funded through the earmarks from the Federal Government. Councilor Duarte asked about the money that is going to be set aside for the Public Safety Building, if they were to move toward a debt exclusion for this project, would that money offset the amount that would need to be debt excluded. Mr. Dello Russo said that is correct. Councilor Duarte made some comments regarding the stabilization accounts. He asked what other types of things they envision coming out of the social spending stabilization account. Mr. Dello Russo said it's more of a helping hand fund. The biggest thing they can do is finance the funding for a program and then roll that program out. Some of the items that will be included are going to be to help those that are most in need and help those that are falling into some sort of hardship. What that looks like, he thinks they are going to sort of carve out soon to have a final plan. They don't have a final plan necessarily to speak on tonight but, it's definitely going to help those in most need. Mayor O'Connell said to add to that, some of the thinking they have behind this fund is that they have different types of grants right nowthat allows them to provide funding to a lot of programs in the City which they have been glad to do but, what happens when that's not here anymore. They kind of want to set themselves up so they have some type of sustainable spending program that they can continue to help different people and programs. They probably are going to be working with Human Services to kind of look at how they craft this and mold this to best fit our needs in the City. Councilor Duarte spoke about the grant matching fund which is critical because he is sure the City has missed out on numerous grants prior to this Administration over the years due to the lack of will power to go out and find money to match certain grants. Motion was made to establish a Helping Hand Stabilization account. So voted. Motion was made to establish a Capitals Project Stabilization account. So voted. Motion was made to transfer three-million, nine-hundred ninety seven thousand five-hundred dollars ($3,997,500.00) from the Water Retained earnings to fund the following projects and amounts: SCADA Phase II Upgrade ($325,000.00), slope  8 mower for grounds maintenance at WTP Sites ($63,000.00), F250 replacement ($50,000.00), Weir Street water main replacement ($1,000,000.00), Public Safety Facility water related work and install ($1,500,000.00), water main replacement/inventory ($750,000.00), lead service inventory ($240,000.00) and an Inventory Specialists ($69,500.00). So voted. Motion was made to transfer two- million four-hundred thousand dollars ($2,400,000.00) from Sewer Earnings to fund the following projects and amounts: ground water discharge assessment (TMLP site) engineering services ($400,000.00) and Public Safety Facility sewer related cost ($2,000,000.00). So voted. Motion was made to transfer eighteen-million, three- hundred ninety thousand five-hundred eight-eight dollars ($18,390,588.00) from Free Cash to fund the following projects and amounts: transfer from Free Cash to General Stabilization ($4,007,124.00), transfer from Free Cash to Capital Project Stabilization ($3, 750,000.00), transfer from Free Cash to Helping Hand Stabilization ($350,000.00), transfer from Free Cash to eliminate Police Detail Deficit ($902,214.00), grant matching fund establishment ($100,000.00), OPEB ($250,000.00), Public Safety Facility ($4,000,000.00), Public Buildings 141 Oak Street roof replacement ($900,000.00), public building library repointing ($20,000.00), public buildings Leddy School roof($80,000.00), public buildings Weir Fire station improvements ($781,250.00), MA TIP project road/intersection design ($130,000.00), road/sidewalks resurfacing, including striping and police details ($2,632,129.70), South Street bridge design related charges ($300,000.00), DPW Flail Mower ($122,995.30), solid waste Chevy Traverse replacement fleet ($29,875.00) and solid waste one pick-up trucks replacement fleet ($35,000.00). So voted. On discussion, Councilor Sanders asked where that leaves them with free cash or undesignated fund balance. Mr. Della Russo said free cash or undesignated fund balance is being transferred into all of these funds which, $4-million was added to their general Stabilization account bringing their balance to over $31-million. Mr. Enos said free cash would be zero now because it's done on a yearly basis. Motion was made to excuse Mr. Delio Russo and Mr. Enos with the Council's thanks. So voted. Appointments: Reappointment of Joseph Norte, 45 Village Circle, Taunton to the Historic District Commission for a term of two (2) years expiring January 2025. Motion was made to move approval. So voted. Communications from City Officers: Com. from the Chairman, Taunton Planning Board notifying of a public hearing for a Special Permit regarding the property at 4 Nelton Avenue, Taunton, for the renewal of an Accessory Dwelling Unit submitted by Phyllis Harraghy, Executor of Eva Thornley Estate. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 15 Summer Street. Motion was made to receive and place on file. So voted. Com. from the Chairman, Taunton Planning Board notifying of a public hearing for a Special Permit from Section 440 Attachment # 1 of the Zoning Ordinance for the conversion of two existing commercial units to residential units, resulting in five residential units and one commercial 2,500 sq. ft. office in the existing mixed use building at 274 Broadway, Taunton, MA (a.k.a. 5 Whittenton Street-parcel I.D. 39-157) submitted by Edward Walsh, Jr., Mgr. of Down on Broadway, LLC. The Planning Board  9 will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 15 Summer Street. Motion was made to receive and place on file. So voted. Com. from the Police Chief regarding parking rates. The City of Taunton Parking Commission voted to implement the following rates at its meeting. All existing rates from the previous ordinances have been incorporated as they existed in ordinance with the following change. The ramp and upper level of the deck will now be available at a reduced rate of $40.00 per month, or $440.00 per year. The entire regulation was attached. The Commission, after consulting with the City's Financial Team, has set rate for electric vehicle charging stations under the control of the Commission. The rate is set by the Commission for charging shall be $00.31 per kilowatt hour. The entire regulation was attached. Motion was made to approve. So voted. Com. from the Executive Director, Office of Economic and Community Development regarding the awarded grant from the MassDevelopment's Real Estate Technical Assistance Program in the amount of $50,000.00. Through this program, the MassDevelopment will assign and pay for a consultant to perform a study on the potential reuses of the former Taunton Nursing Home property. Motion was made to refer to the Committee on Public Property and thanks to the office for the grant. So voted. Communications from Citizens: Com. from Attorney William Rounds, 115 Broadway, Taunton, on behalf of his client, LMCC, LLC, 83 County Street, Taunton requesting their Host Community Agreement be amended to extend it for an additional year. Motion was made to refer to the Committee of the Council as a Whole. So voted. Com. from Blake M. Mensing, The Mensing Group LLC, 100 State Street, 9th Floor, Boston, on behalf of his client, Medicine Man Solutions, LLC requesting to renew and extend their Host Community Agreement for an additional year. Motion was made to refer to the Committee of the Council as a Whole. So voted. Petitions: NONE 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. So Voted. Unfinished Business: NONE Orders, Ordinances and Resolutions: NONE New Business: NONE Meeting adjourned at 9:09 P.M.  10 A true copy: Attest: JLL/KLD  11 City of Taunton Municipal Council January 17, 2023 The Committee on Finance and Salaries I The meeting was held at Taunton City Hall, 15 Summer Street, Taunton, MA b278Qjn th~ Chester R. Martin Municipal Council Chambers. j ~· ~ ._,;,,~ Present were Councilor Phillip Duarte, Chairman and Councilors Pottier and ~"baijfi Gilf'2nos,~ Budget Director, and Ian Fortes, City Auditor were also present. .'"3 Jf: U The meeting was called to order at 6:38 PM. I ·> ~ .D 1. Meet to review the weekly vouchers and payrolls for City departments. MOTION: Approve the payroll warrant in the amount of$1,319, 049.21. So voted. MOTION: Approve the accounts payable warrant in the amount of $584, 773.39. So voted. 2. Meet to discuss the request from the City Auditor for a transfer of $25,184.67 from the reserve account to the Auditor's Office. Councilor Duarte referenced a letter from Ian Fortes that explained that this transfer is to cover two employee buyouts. MOTION: Approve the request and transfer $25, 184. 67 from the Reserve Account into the Auditor's Office accounts as follows: $13,000 into account 01-135-5100-5191, $2,149.53 into account 01-135-5100-5193, and $10,035.14 into account 01-135-5100-5197. So voted. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM. CITY OF iAUNTON Respectfully submitted, I JAN 1. 7 2023 ')1Vzt;j'?)'--'--' (. Cc.a~i..._..___, ~ ~UNICIPAL COUNCIL Maggie E. Clarke Clerk of Council Committees n::J. ~CCEPTED. RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED. FJk!V-  12 CITY OF TAUNTON ORDER#l3 FY 2023 ~ ~ (]owu:iJ............-........~~~~!.~.?.~. :~:.~............... 20.............. THE SUM bF TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY FOUR DOLLARS AND SIXTY SEVEN CENTS ($25,184.67) BE AND HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED AS FOLLOWS: FROM RESERVlj: FUND ACCOUNT NUMBER 01-132-5200.-5784 $13,000.00 TO AUDITOR'S ACCOUNT NUMBER Ol-135~5100-5191 $2,149.53 TO AUDITOR'S ACCOUNT NUMBER 01-135.:5100-5193 $10,035.14 TO AUDITOR'S ACCOUNT NUMBER 01-135-5100-5197 IN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL JANUARY 17, 2023 ADOPTED, JENNIFER LEGER, CITY CLERK A TRUE COPY: ATTEST: PRESENTED TO THE MAYOR AND APPROVED, JANUARY 20, 2023 CITY CLERK SHAUNNA L. O'CONNELL, MAYOR ..........................................................:..... efkL.  13 CITY OF TAUNTON ORDER#14 FY 2023 ~ ~ {]~ . . . . . . . . . . .!~~~~~:.. ~.?.:.?.:~?.:~.............. 20.............. THE SUM OF THREE MILLION NINE HUNDRED NINETY SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND ZERO CENTS ($3,997,500.00) BE AND HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED FROM WATER RETAINED EARNINGS I UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCE ACCOUNT NO. 60-3590-3590 TO FB - WATER CIP - 2023 ACCOUNT NO. 33-3590-3590-2023 ................................................................ ~~  14 CITY OF TAUNTON ORDER#15 FY 2023 ~ ~ e~ . . . . . . . . . . .:~.~~~~--~.:.:.:~:~. . . . . . . 20.............. THE SUM OF TWO MILLION FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND AND ZERO CENTS ($2,400,000.00) BE AND HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED FROM SEWER RETAINED EARNINGS I UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCE ACCOUNT NO. 63-3590-3590 TO FB - SEWER CIP - 2023 ACCOUNT NO. 32-3590-3590-2023 ................................................................ rff'~  15 CITY OF TAUNTON ORDER#l6 FY 2023 ~ ~ <Joruu:ii . .-. . . . . . . . ~.~~-~~~--~7.~.:.~~~---··········· 20.............. THE SUM OF EIGHTEEN MILLION THREE HUNDRED NINETY THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY EIGHT DOLLARS AND ZERO CENTS ($18,390,588.00) BE AND HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED AS FOLLOWS FROM FREE CASH UNDESIGNATED FUND BALANCE ACCOUNT NO. 01-3590-3590 $4,007 ,124.00 TO FB - STABILIZATION TRUST ACCOUNT NO. 84-3580-8000 $3,750,000.00 TO FB-CAPITAL PROJECT STABILIZATION ACCOUNT NO. 84-3580-8027 $350,000 TO FB - SOCIAL SPENDING STABILIZATION ACCOUNT NO. 84-3580-8028 . $902,214.00 TO POLICE - OFF DUTY DETAILS ACCOUNT NO. 89-2570-8.901 $100,000.00 TO FB -GRANT MATCHING FUNDS ACCOUNT NO. 27-3580-6710 $250,000.00 TO FB - OPEB TRUST ACCOUNT NO. 84-3580-8018 $4,000.000 TO UFB PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX PROJECT ACCOUNT NO. 84-3590-3590-493-06 $5,031,250.00 TO FB - CITY CIP - 2023 ACCOUNT NO. 34-3590-3590-2023 ................................................................ Ck£.