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City of Haverhill |
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Councilors |
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Present – President Michitson, Councillors Scatamacchia, Hart, Ryan, Amirian, McGonagle, Macek, and LePage.
Absent - Councillor Daly O’Brien
City Clerk – Margaret A. Toomey.
1. Approval of Records of the Previous Meeting
Minutes were approved.
2. Assignment of the minutes review for the next Meeting
Councillor Daly O’Brien was appointed to read the records.
3. Communications from the Mayor
Communication was received from Mayor Fiorentini with the Administration’s position on two orders regarding Retirement and Pensions.
Document 68-B
ORDERED: That the City Council of the City of Haverhill accept the provisions of §48 of Chapter 176 of Acts of 2011. This section amends M.G.L. Chapter 32, by adding § 90D 1/2, that will establish a $12,000.00 minimum retirement allowance for retirees who had been granted a “Superannuation, Accidental Disability or Ordinary Disability” Retirement and had completed 25 years or more of creditable service
MAYOR FIORENTINI STATED HIS POSITION ABOUT THE ORDER AND RECOMMENDED APPROVAL. MR. LEWIS POORE, MEMBER OF THE RETIREMENT BOARD, SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE ORDER ON MOTION OF COUNCILLOR MACEK TO PASS THE ORDER PASSED Yeas 8, Absent 1 68-B
Document 68
ORDERED: That the City Council of the City of Haverhill accept the provisions of §29 of Chapter 176 of the Acts of 2011. This section would allow the minimum allowance contained in M.G.L. Chapter 32, § 12 (2) (d), Member Survivor Allowance, to be increased from $250.00 per month to $500.00 per month.
MAYOR FIORENTINI STATED HIS POSITION ABOUT THE ORDER AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE COUNCIL NOT VOTE ON THIS ORDER UNTIL HE CAN OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMA-TION FROM THE NEWACTUARY HIRED BY THE RETIREMENT BOARD ALTHOUGH HE WAS INCLINED TO SUPPORT IT. HE WANTED TO SEE WHAT IMPACT THIS HAD ON THE OVERALL PENSION AND RETIREMENT SYSTEM. MR. LEWIS POORE, MEMBER OF THE RETIREMENT BOARD, SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE ORDER ON MOTION OF COUNCILLOR SCATAMACCHIA TO PASS THE ORDER PASSED Yeas 8, Absent 1 68
4. Utility Hearing(s) and Related Order(s)
No Schedule
5. Appointments
Confirming Appointments:
Kara Andrew, 64 Barker St. to the Haverhill Cultural Council, effective immediately. Term to expire July 24, 2015. CONFIRMED Yeas 8, Absent 1 49-Q
Richard LeBlond, 242 Broadway, to the Haverhill Brightside Commission, effective immediately. Term to expire July 24, 2013. CONFIRMED Yeas 8, Absent 149-R
Jennifer Couturier, 329 South Main St., Unit 31, to the Haverhill Cultural Council, effective immediately. Term to expire July 24, 2015. CONFIRMED Yeas 8, Absent 1 49-S
Mary Phennicie, 21 Highland Ave. #1, to the Haverhill Cultural Council, effective immediately. Term to expire July 24, 2015. CONFIRMED Yeas 8, Absent 1 49-T
Non-Confirming Appointments:
No Schedule
6. Petitions
No Schedule
Applications:
Application was received from Marlene Yeo for “Somebody Cares New England” for a Block Party at 358 Washington St. asking to block off Shepherd St. on August 11 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM.
GRANTED Yeas 8, Absent 1 59-C
Application was received from Catherine Hennessy for “St. Vincent de Paul Society—All Saints & Saint James Conferences”—for a fundraising walk to be held on Saturday, September 29 at 9:00AM beginning at All Saints Parish, continuing onto public streets, and ending at Saint James Church Parking Lot. GRANTED Yeas 8, Absent 1 45-D
Application was received from Grzegokz Kubel for a One Day All Alcohol License for a wedding reception at Winnekenni Castle, August 4 from 3:00PM to 11:00PM.
GRANTED Yeas 8, Absent 158-H
Application was received from Teresa Budrewicz for a Block Party to close 80 Appleton St. to W Clifton St. to the corner of Freemont St. on August 4 from 11:00AM to 7:00PM (rain date August 5) GRANTED with condition of police approval Yeas 8, Absent 1 59-D
On motion of Councillor Amirian to suspend the rules to act on re-appointment of Mary Ellen McEvoy-Lawlor submitted by the Mayor. GRANTED Yeas 8, Absent 1
Mary Ellen McEvoy-Lawlor, 21 Wingate St., Unit 504, non-confirming re-appointment to the Haverhill Community Action Inc. Board. PLACED ON FILE 49-U
Annual License Renewals:
No Schedule
7. Hearings and Related Orders
No Schedule
8. Motions and Orders
ORDERED: That the State Primaries to be held in the several wards in the City on THURSDAY, THE SIXTH day of SEPTEMBER, 2012; the polls to open at seven o’clock in the forenoon and to close at eight o’clock in the evening, and to be held in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 53 of the General Laws and amendments thereto.
The voters of the Democratic, Republican and Green-Rainbow Parties are requested to meet at their respective ward rooms, as designated, on the above date and give in their votes for nomination of candidates of their respective parties for Senator in Congress for this Commonwealth; Representative in Congress for the Third Congressional District; Councillor for the Fifth Councillor District; Senator in General Court for the First Essex Senatorial District; One Representative in General Court for the Second Essex Representative District; One Representative in General Court for the Third Essex Representative District; One Representative in General Court for the Fourteenth Essex Representative District; One Representative in General Court for the Fifteenth Representative District; Register of Deeds for Essex Southern District and Clerk of Courts for Essex County. And be if further ORDERED: That notice of the above meeting shall be posted on the Municipal Bulletin Board and in the City Clerk’s Office. PASSED Yeas 8, Absent 1 17-D
MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE CHAPTER 240
An Ordinance Relating to Vehicles and Traffic; Amend Central Business District Parking Map dated 8/17/11 as revised on 7/19/2012 (see document for complete text). There was a related communication from Michael K Stankovich, Director of Public Works. PLACED ON FILE for at least 10 days 22-C
MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE CHAPTER 240
An Ordinance Relating to Vehicles and Traffic; Amend Chapter 240-108, ARTICLE XV1. Parking Fees, Rates and Terms regarding “Central Business District Parking Fees, Rates and Terms” chart
(see document for complete text) PLACED ON FILE for at least 10 days 22-D
9. Unfinished Business of preceding Meetings
Document 74
MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE CHAPTER 213
An Ordinance Relating to Signs Amend Chapter §213-5 Advertising On or Over City Property (see document for complete text)By adding the following at the end of the current section:
“A fee of two hundred ($200) dollars shall be charged to hang banners over a sidewalk or public way.” The above changes to be effective upon approval.
On the question of passage the yeas and nays were as follows: Yeas,-Councillors Hart, Ryan, Amirian, Macek, McGonagle, LePage, and President Michitson, 7, Nays,-Councillor Scatamacchia 1,
Absent,-Councillor Daly O’Brien 1, and PASSED 74 Also,
§ 213-5 Advertising On or Over City Property
By deleting the following:
“…or hang any banner or sign over any sidewalk, street, highway or other public way,”
Subsection B to be deleted in its entirety and the following inserted in place thereof:
“Banners to be attached to a City building or facility advertising a public entertainment or event shall be allowed on a first-come basis for a period of time not to exceed two weeks prior to the event. Banners shall be hung commencing on a Monday, or Tuesday if Monday is a legal holiday, following approval. All such banners shall be hung by the Department of Public Works. The City Council shall demand a suitable surety bond or insurance indemnity policy to save the City harmless from all liability of any nature whatsoever caused directly or indirectly by the hanging of such banners. Preference for the hanging of banners shall be given to persons and/or organizations from within the City.”
The above changes to be effective January 1, 2013.
PASSED Yeas 8, Absent 1 74
10. Communications and Reports from City Officers and Employees
Abatement Report was received from Board of Assessors for the month of June 2012 PLACED ON FILE11-G
Communication was received from Councillor Amirian announcing his official resignation from City Council effective July 31, 2012.
COUNCILLOR AMIRIAN STATED HIS REASON FOR RESIGNATION AS A COUNCILLOR WAS DUE TO HIS NEW POSITION AS PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER HAVERHILL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. HE FELT HE COULD PERFORM HIS ROLE AS A COUNCILLOR WITHOUT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST BUT COMPLIED WITH THE WISHES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. PLACED ON FILE 40-U
Communication was received from Council President Michitson and Councillors Amirian & LePage requesting to introduce Doug Edison, former president of Brightside to present him with a citation for his exemplary leadership in the community.
COUNCILLORS EXPRESSED THEIR GRATITUDE TO MR. EDISION FOR HIS NUMEROUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS. MR. EDISION ALSO THANKED HIS VOLUNTEERS AND BOARD MEMBERS. PLACED ON FILE40-V
Communication was received from Councillor Macek requesting to discuss traffic planning for the Bradford Square/South Central St. area.
COUNCILLORS VOICED THEIR OPPOSITION TO MAKING S. CENTRAL ST ONE WAY. COUNCILLOR MACEK SUGGESTED MAKING PORTION OF S. FERRY STREET ONE WAY INSTEAD AND CHANGING THE SIGNALIZATION. BUSINESS OWNERS SPOKE ABOUT THE PROPOSED DESIGN AND LOSS OF 4 PARKING SPACES ON MAIN ST. COUNCILLORS ENDORSED COUNCILLOR MACEK’S SUGGESTION. MOTION TO SEND LETTER TO MAYOR REAFFIRMING REQUEST TO APPEAL TO STATE TO REDESIGN PROPOSED TRAFFIC FLOW. Yeas 8, Absent 140-W
Communication was received from Councillor Macek requesting to discuss bicycling on Haverhill streets.
COUNCILLOR MACEK SPOKE ABOUT THE SITUATION ON EAST BROADWAY & KENOZA AVE. WITH CYCLISTS CREATING DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THEMSELVES AND MOTORISTS. THESE CYCLISTS ARE MEMBERS OF A CLUB AND RIDE IN GROUPS. HE ASKED OFFICER WATSON TO REVIEW THE STATE LAW REGARDING BICYCLE SAFETY. CYCLISTS CAN ONLY RIDE TWO ABREAST, NOT THREE AND HAVE TO RIDE IN THE SAME DIRECTION OF CARS, UNLIKE PEDESTRIANS WHO FACE TRAFFIC WHEN WALKING.MORE PUBLIC AWARENESS IS NEEDED.
PLACED ON FILE 40-X
Communication was received from Councillor Macek requesting to discuss giving notice to property owners of record prior to any formal action by the City to enact a zoning change(s) of their
property in whole or part.
MOTION TO SEND LETTER TO PLANNING DIRECTOR ASKING HIM TO PUT THIS MATTER ON THE LIST OF ITEMS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE ZONING COMMITTEE. EXPLORE OPTIONS OF NOTIFYING PROPERTY OWNERS ABOUT PROPOSED ZONING CHANGES. Yeas 8, Absent 1 40-Y
Communication was received from Councillor McGonagle requesting a progress report on the repairs to the Hunking Middle School.
DAVID VAN DAM, CHIEF OF STAFF, REPORTED THAT SUPERINTENDENT SCULLY WAS ON VACATION AND THAT THE WORK AT THE HUNKING SCHOOL IS ON SCHEDULE AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY AUG. 10. HE DID NOT HAVE FINANCIALS TO SHARE WITH THE COUNCIL. PLACED ON FILE 40-Z
Communication was received from Councillor LePage requesting to introduce Bill Brown of NRB to discuss potential construction options regarding educational and municipal facilities.
MR. BROWN GAVE A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION EXPLAINING THE MODULAR PROCESS THAT IS USED BY HIS COMPANY. THIS WAS AN INFORMATIONAL PRESENATION. SHOWED PHOTOS OF PROJECTS NRB COMPLETED IN NO. ANDOVER AND WESTWOOD.
COUNCILLOR LEPAGE STATED THAT THE MASS SCHOOL BUIDING AUTHORITY WANTS THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS INCLUDED IN A FEASIBILITY STUDY. HE ALSO REQUESTED THAT A LETTER BE SENT TO THE MAYOR RESTATING THE COUNCIL’S INTEREST IN BEING REPRESENTED ON THE HUNKING SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 76
Communication was received from Councillor Hart requesting a discussion regarding no parking signs on Lowell Ave. alongside Hadley West.
COUNCILLOR HART STATED THAT RESIDENTS ARE PARKING ON THE SIDEWALK RATHER THAN USING THE PARKING LOT MAKING THE SIDEWALK INACCESSIBLE FOR THOSE IN WHEELCHAIRS. PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER WATSON RECOMMENDED NO PARKING SIGNS. REFERRED TO PLANNING Yeas 8, Absent 176-B
Communication was received from Councillor Hart requesting a discussion regarding removal of a handicap parking space at 60 Franklin St. REFERRED TOP PLANNING Yeas 8, Nays 1 76-C
Communication was received from Councillor Hart requesting a discussion regarding removal of a handicap parking space at 54 North St. REFERRED TO PLANNING Yeas 8, Nays 1 76-D
11. Resolutions and Proclamations
P R O C L A M A T I O N
Columbia Independence Day – July 23, 2012 (see document for complete text) ADOPTED Yeas 8, Absent 1 23-P
12. Council Committee Reports and Announcements
No Schedule
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 o’clock P.M. Yeas 8, Absent 1
Attest:
Margaret A Toomey
City Clerk