IN CITY COUNCIL

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2009

TIME 6:36PM

Roll call showed 8 present, 1 absent (C. Lenzi)

Mayor Caulfield presiding

Prior to the beginning of the meeting, a Moment of Silence, in a darkened chamber, was observed for Mary Crowley and Nick Petullo both of who passed away recently. A Moment of Silence was also observed for Pauline Gamache, Former Assistant Treasurer and 32 year City Employee who passed away recently.

CITY CLERK

Minutes of February 10th for acceptance. In Council, Read, accepted and placed on file by motion of C. Milinazzo, seconded by C. Martin. So voted.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Ordinance-Amend Chapter 290, Zoning, Hamilton Canal District Form Based Code. In Council, Given 2nd reading and hearing held. No Remonstrants. Hearing closed. C, Milinazzo then moved, seconded by C. Broderick “To amend the Ordinance to include the recommendation of the Planning Board as it relates to Lots 7 & 8”. So voted. Ordinance, as amend, adopted on roll call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Lenzi). So voted.

Ordinance-Amend Chapter 243, Article VI, Excavations. In Council, Given 2nd reading and hearing held. No Remonstrants. Hearing closed. Adopted on roll call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Lenzi). So voted.

Ordinance-Amend Chapter 150, Entitled Fees, Excavations. In Council, Given 2nd reading and hearing held. No Remonstrants. Hearing closed. Adopted on roll call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Lenzi). So voted.

Pole Loc/Conduit Location-National Grid to place 1 pole on Burns Street and 20 ft on conduit in Hale Street. In Council Read and hearing held.

Dave Aguiar spoke for the petitioner, No Remonstrants. Hearing closed.

Referred to the DPW Division of Street and Inspector of Wires on motion of C. Kazanjian, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted.

CITY MANAGER

Communication-From City Manager, responses to Council Motions/Requests. In Council, accepted and placed on file. So voted.

Appointment-Andrew Hostetler to the Council on Aging. In Council, Read and approved on roll call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent(C. Lenzi). So voted.

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to accept a gift from the Mark and Elisia Saab Family Fund to be used for Winter Protocol at the Transitional Living Center. In Council, Read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Lenzi). So voted.

Order-60 Day Trial, Traffic Regulations, various locations. In Council, Read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Lenzi). So voted.

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to accept the proposal of Louisa Varnum for the property located at 520 Varnum Avenue. In Council, read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Lenzi). So voted.

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to accept the application of Joyce Frazee and convey the property located at 520 Varnum Avenue. In Council, Read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Lenzi). So voted.

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to execute Conservation Restriction with the Parks and Conservation Trust for property located at 520 Varnum Avenue. In Council, Read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Lenzi). So voted.

Vote-Authorize the City Manager to accept the application of Richard & Rita Barry and convey the property located at 95 West Sixth Street. In Council, Read twice and adopted 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Lenzi). So voted.

Order-Order of Acceptance and Taking of a portion of Tremont Street. In Council, Given 1st reading and hearing ordered for 7PM on March 10th. C. Milinazzo, C. Kazanjian, C. Martin were recorded as present, C. Lenzi was absent. So voted.

REPORTS

C. Kazanjian, Chairman of the School Building Sub/Committee said the met recently relative to the construction of the Morey School. C. Kazanjian said the Committee was informed that the construction continues on the new building, it is on time and most importantly, remains on budget. C. Kazanjian said the plans are proceeding with moving into the new building during the spring vacation period and demolition of the old buildings commencing at the close of the school year. C. Kazanjian said the Committee agreed that demolition would be best after the school year in order to have the least impact on students and faculty. C. Kazanjian said the Committee would continue to meet and would report further at that time.

Adopted as a report of progress on motion of C. Elliott, seconded by C. Martin. So voted.

C. Elliott, Chairman of the Finance Sub/Committee said they met this evening with the City Administration as well as Mayor Caulfield, Councillor R. Mercier and Councillor Milinazzo relative to the Fiscal issues in 2009 & 2010. C. Elliott said the Administration informed the Council of the steps taken in order to close the gap of 3.4 Million in the FY 09 Budget. C. Elliott said the Manager has met with all but one collective bargaining group in an effort to come to an agreement on the implementation of work furloughs.

C. Elliott said the Manager has received confirmation from the City's Department Heads, and the Engineers Unit as well as an agreement with the Firefighters Local 853 to forgo 2 Holidays, the equivalent of 3 working days. C. Elliott said the Manager is optimistic the remaining groups will come to some agreement which would address the issue

C. Elliott said the Administration is also grappling with the Fiscal 2010 Budget and at this time formulating a strategy to address the anticipated deficit. C. Elliott said the Committee has scheduled a meeting for March 10th and at that time would report further.

Adopted as a report of progress on motion of C. Martin, seconded by C. A. Mercier. So voted.

PETITIONS

Claims-There was 3 claims, which were read and referred to the Law Department on motion of C. Kazanjian, seconded by C. Elliott. So voted.

Misc.-Joseph Rondeau 75 Agawam Street requesting handicap sign. In Council, Read and referred to the Traffic Engineer. So voted.

MOTIONS

BY C. R. MERCIER, seconded by C. Milinazzo

“Request the City Manager and the Law Department place a handicap parking sing and draw the proper vote for a 60 Day Trial at the side of 87 Livingston Street”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. R. MERCIER, seconded by C. Elliott

“Request the City Manager explore the possibility of moving the police training facility from its present location to the unused area of the Early Parking Facility”. In Council, Referred favorably to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. R. MERCIER, seconded by C. A. Mercier

“Request the City Manager have the Police Department and the Traffic Engineer address the speeding on Puffer Street”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY MAYOR CAULFIELD, seconded by C. Milinazzo

“Request the City support the Portuguese Community in their efforts to erect a Monument honoring their many contribution to the community”. In Council, Referred favorably to the City Manager. So voted.

BY MAYOR CAULFIELD, seconded by C. Broderick

“Request the City Manager to update the City Council on the status of the Comcast Contract”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

At 8:40 PM, C. R. Mercier moved, seconded by C. Milinazzo “To Adjourn”. So voted.

Adjourned Richard C. Johnson City Clerk