Loading...
MINUTES - Regular - 12/14/2000 CITY OF SALEM 639 DECEMBER 14, 2000 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL A Regular Meeting of the City Council was held in the Council Chamber on Thursday, December 14, 2000 at 7.00 P.M. for the purpose of transacting any and all business. Notice of this meeting was posted on December 8, 2000 at 12.01 P.M. All Councillors were present. Council President Kevin R. Harvey presided. Councillor Flynn moved to dispense with the reading of the record of the previous meeting. It was so voted. President Harvey requested that everyone please rise to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. CLASSIFICATION HEARING A hearing was held on the issue of allocating the local property tax levy among the five (5) property classes for the fiscal year of 2001, and the residential, open space, and small commercial exemption options. President Harvey recognized Mayor Usovicz, who was in attendance this evening. Mayor Usovicz recommended that the City Council maintain a residential factor of 75.1796%. President Harvey stated that the City Council had not received the annual request for the elderly exemption, and asked if the administration had planned to submit this request. Mr. Frank Kulik, Director of Assessing, stated that it would be submitted this evening for a vote, and it was purely an oversight that the Council had not received it earlier. President Harvey gave a brief presentation, showing how even though the tax rate may go down, the tax bills are going up by large amounts, due to the increased assessments. Mr. Frank Kulik then gave an overview of how the city reaches the point of coming here this evening to set a tax rate. He explained how we started back in the 1980's to meet and set a tax rate, which is due to changes in the State Laws. He further stated that the City Council votes on the residential factor. Mr. Kulik then turned the hearing over to Assessor Donald Bates. CITY OF SALEM 640 DECEMBER 14,2000 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL Mr. Bruce Guy, Finance Director, explained that the increase in the budget is due to fixed costs, such as insurance, and inflation. President Harvey asked about the amount of certified free cash. Mr. Guy responded that we were certified yesterday at $4,425,000.00. President Harvey stated that it has been past practice to use some free cash to lower the tax rate, and provide tax relief. The hearing was then opened up to the audience, and questions were asked by the residents. Councillor O'Leary moved that the hearing be closed. It was so voted. Councillor O'Leary moved to go to Motions, Orders, and Resolutions. It was so voted. #903 -ACCEPT CH. 73, SEC. 4, ACTS OF 1986, ADDITIONAL EXEMPTIONS FOR REAL ESTATE TAXES Councillor O'Leary introduced the following Order, which was adopted by a unanimous roll call vote of 11 yeas, 0 nays, 0 absent. Councillor O'Leary moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied. Ordered: That the Mayor and City Council accept the provisions of Section 4, Chapter 73 of the Acts of 1 986 for Fiscal Year 2001, and that such additional exemptions granted be 100% of the statutory exemption amounts, provided all other qualifications specified in said Section 4 and in Section 5, Chapter 59 of the Massachusetts General Laws are met. #904 - RESIDENTIAL FACTOR Councillor Driscoll introduced the following Order, which was adopted by a roll call vote of 8 yeas, 3 nays, 0 absent. Councillors DeToma, Driscoll, Flynn, Furey, Hayes, LaCava, O'Keefe, and Sargent were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors Lovely, O'Leary, and Harvey were recorded as voting in the negative. Councillor Hayes moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied. CITY OF SALEM 641 DECEMBER 14, 2000 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL Ordered: That the City of Salem adopt a Residential Factor of 75.1796% for fiscal year 2001. #905 - OPEN SPACE EXEMPTION Councillor Driscoll introduced the following Order, which was adopted by a unanimous roll call vote of 11 yeas, 0 nays, 0 absent. Councillor Driscoll moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied. Ordered: That the City of Salem not adopt an Open Space Exemption for fiscal year 2001. #906 - RESIDENTIAL EXEMPTION Councillor Driscoll introduced the following Order, which was adopted by a unanimous roll call vote of 11 yeas, 0 nays, 0 absent. Councillor Hayes moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied. Ordered: That the City of Salem not adopt a Residential Exemption for fiscal year 2001. #907 - SMALL COMMERCIAL EXEMPTION Councillor Driscoll introduced the following Order, which was adopted by a unanimous roll call vote of 11 yeas, 0 nays, 0 absent. Councillor Hayes moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied. Ordered: That the City of Salem not adopt a Small Commercial Exemption for fiscal year 2001. Councillor O'Leary moved to return to the regular Order of business and hold a two minute recess. It was so voted. #908 -APPT. MICHAEL ALLEN, CONSERVATION COMMISSION CITY OF SALEM 642 DECEMBER 14,2000 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL The Mayor's appointment of Michael Allen to serve as a member of the Conservation Commission for a term to expire March 1, 2001, was confirmed under suspension of the rules, by a unanimous roll call vote of 11 yeas, 0 nays, 0 absent. Councillor O'Leary requested and received unanimous consent to suspend the rules to allow Mr. Allen to speak. Councillor Hayes moved that a letter and City Seal be sent to Mr. Paul Orr. It was so voted. #909 -APPT. CONSTABLE The Mayor's appointment of David E. Fine to serve as a Constable for a term to expire November 22, 2001, was received and filed. #910 -APPR. STABILIZATION FUND The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was adopted under suspension of the rules. Ordered: That the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the "Fund Balance Reserved for Appropriation - Free Cash" Account to the "Stabilization Fund" in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor. #911 -APPR. PUBLIC SERVICES ENGINEERING SOLID WASTE COLLECTION The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was referred to the Committee on Administration and Finance under the rules. Ordered: That the sum of Three Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Four Dollars ($363,924.00) is hereby appropriated from the "Fund Balance Reserved for Appropriation - Free Cash" Account to the "Public Services/Engineering - Solid Waste Collection" Account in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor. #912 -APPR. PUBLIC SERVICES ENGINEERING SOLID WASTE COLLECTION CITY OF SALEM 643 DECEMBER 14, 2000 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was referred to the Committee on Administration and Finance under the rules. Ordered: That the sum of Three Hundred Fifty-One Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty-Three Dollars ($351,623.00) is hereby appropriated from the "Fund Balance Reserved for Appropriation - Free Cash" Account to the "Public Services/Engineering Solid Waste Collection" Account in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor. #913 -APPR. FIRE SALARIES FULL TIME The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was adopted under suspension of the rules. Councillor Lovely requested and received unanimous consent to suspend the rules to allow Fire Chief Robert Turner to speak. Ordered: That the sum of Seventeen Thousand Three Hundred Sixty-Six Dollars ($17,366.00) Is hereby appropriated from the "Fund Balance Reserved for Appropriation - Free Cash" Account to the "Fire Department - Salaries - Full Time" Account in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor. #914 -APPR. CAPITAL OUTLAY FOR ROOF WORK AT ENGINE #2 FIRE HOUSE The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was adopted under suspension of the rules. Ordered: That the sum of Three Thousand Five Hundred Thirty-Five Dollars ($3,535.00) is hereby appropriated from the "Capital Outlay - Renovations and Repairs" Account to be expended for the completion of roof work on Salem Engine, #2 Fire House in accordance with the recommendation of His Honor the Mayor. #915 -AUTHORIZE MAYOR TO EXECUTE CONTRACT WITH NORTHSIDE CARTING FOR SOLID WASTE SERVICES The following Order was recommended by the Mayor. Councillor Lovely moved to refer the matter to the Committee on Administration and Finance to hold a meeting on Wednesday, December 20, 2000 at 6.00 P.M., followed by a Special Meeting of the City Council. It was so voted. Councillors Hayes, O'Leary, and O'Keefe were recorded as "opposed". CITY OF SALEM 644 DECEMBER 14,2000 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ORDERED: That the Mayor, Purchasing Agent and Director of Public Services are hereby authorized to execute a Solid Waste Services Agreement between the City of Salem and Northside Carting, Inc. for solid waste collection and disposal services commencing January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001, provided that no later than November 30, 2001, the City may elect in its sole discretion to extend the period of the Contract for an additional four (4) years through December 31, 2005. #916 -AUTHORIZE PURCHASING AGENT TO DISPOSE OF 500 SURPLUS WATER METERS The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was adopted. Councillor O'Leary requested and received unanimous consent to suspend the rules to allow Mr. Albert Hill, Purchasing Agent, to speak. Ordered: That the Purchasing Agent is hereby authorized to dispose of approximately 500 surplus water meters through a competitive bidding process. #917 - SUPPORT OF INTEGRITY OF WENHAM LAKE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY Councillor Flynn introduced the following Order: Ordered: That the City Council support the insuring of the integrity of the drinking water for Beverly, Salem and Wenham by promoting the thorough investigation, impartial evaluation and effective removal of threats to the Wenham Lake Watershed, including the contributing water reservoirs of Putnamville, Longham and Ipswich River. Councillor Harvey amended "that the Committee on Public Health, Safety and the Environment meet in January with Wenham Lake Watershed Association to discuss dangerous contaminants surrounding our drinking water supply." It was so voted. The Order was adopted as amended so that it shall now read as follows: Ordered: That the City Council support the insuring of the integrity of the drinking water for Beverly, Salem and Wenham by promoting the thorough investigation, impartial evaluation and effective removal of threats to the Wenham Lake Watershed, including the contributing water reservoirs of Putnamville, Longham and Ipswich River. CITY OF SALEM 645 DECEMBER 14, 2000 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND BE IT FURTHER ORDERED: that the Committee on Public Health, Safety and the Environment meet in January with Wenham Lake Watershed Association to discuss dangerous contaminants surrounding our drinking water supply. #918 - RESOLUTION - FINANCIAL SUMMIT Councillor Driscoll introduced the following RESOLUTION: WHEREAS: municipal auditors, bond rating agencies, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting (NACSLB) all recommend that local governments prepare three to five year financial forecasts of revenues and expenditures, and WHEREAS, effective revenue and expenditure forecasting by the City will provide an understanding of available funding, evaluate current and future financial risks, assess the likelihood that city services can be sustained, and assess the level at which capital investments in our community can be made, and WHEREAS, the tax agreement entered into between the City of Salem and New England Power relative to the Salem Harbor Power Plant calls for a 4.2 million dollar reduction in tax revenues to the City of Salem over the course of the next three fiscal years, commencing July 1, 2001, and WHEREAS, over the course of the last two years, a period during which the City received unprecedented revenues from state coffers and encountered no reduction in revenues from the Dower plant tax agreement, the average residential property tax bill in the City still increased by $226.00 and WHEREAS, the impact of the impending power plant tax agreement will have a severely deleterious effect on all tax payers within the City of Salem, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SALEM, AS FOLLOWS: That the City of Salem immediately commence preparation of a 36 month financial plan consisting of items such as an assessment of fiscal problems and opportunities facing the City and actions needed to address these issues; a short and long term forecast of municipal revenues and expenditures that incorporates economic, planning and policy assumptions; and short and long CITY OF SALEM 646 DECEMBER 14,2000 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL term revenue, expenditure, and service implications of continuing or ending existing programs or adding new programs, services and debt. The goal of this financial planning process will be to provide a framework for decision makers and stakeholders in the community to shape policy and actions before economic problems worsen. BE IT FURTBER RESOLVED that local elected municipal officials, including representatives from the School Committee, City Council and Administration, schedule a fiscal summit during the month of January, 2001 regarding the present and future financial condition of the City of Salem and the preparation of the aforementioned financial plan. Councillor O'Keefe amended after the word "assumptions" add the following: "agreements with non-profit non-taxable property for payments/services in lieu of taxes. It was so voted. The resolution as adopted as amended so that it shall now read as follows- RESOLUTION- WHEREAS- municipal auditors, bond rating agencies, the Government Finance Offices Association (GFOA) and the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting (NACSLB) all recommend that the local governments prepare three to five year financial forecasts of revenues and expenditures and WHEREAS: effective revenue and expenditure forecasting by the City will provide an understanding of available funding, evaluate current and future financial risks, assess the likelihood that city services can be sustained, and assess the level at which capital investments in our community can be made, and WHEREAS: the tax agreement entered into between the City of Salem and New England Power relative to the Salem Harbor Power Plant calls for a 4.2 million dollar reduction in tax revenues to the City of Salem over the course of the next three fiscal years, commencing July 1, 2001 and WHEREAS: over the course of the last two years, a period during which the City received unprecedented revenues from state coffers and encountered no reduction in revenues from the power plant tax agreement, the average residential property tax bill in the City still increased by $226.00 and WHEREAS: the impact of the impending power plant tax agreement will have a severely deleterious effect on all tax payers within the City of Salem, CITY OF SALEM 647 DECEMBER 14, 2000 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SALEM AS FOLLOWS: That the City of Salem immediately commence preparation of a 36 month financial plan consisting of items such as an assessment of fiscal problems and opportunities facing the City and actions needed to address these issues; a short and long term forecast of municipal revenues and expenditures that incorporates economic, planning and policy assumptions; agreements with non-profit non- taxable property for payments/services in lieu of taxes and short and long term revenue, expenditure, and service implications of continuing or ending existing programs or adding new programs, services and debt. The goal of this financial planning process will be to provide a framework for decision makers and stakeholders in the community to shape policy and actions before economic problems worsen. #919 - TAG DAY - SHS. BASKETBALL Councillor Hayes introduced the following Order, which was adopted. Ordered: That the attached tag days for S.H.S. Basketball Boosters be approved. #920 - MATTERS BEFORE VARIOUS COMMITTEES BE CARRIED INTO 2001 Councillor Hayes introduced the following Order which was adopted. Ordered: That the attached lists of items currently before various Committees of the City Council remain in Committee for further action, for the year 2001. #921 - (#892-989) GRANTING LICENSES Councillor Hayes offered the following report for the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses, and Legal Affairs. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. The Committee on Ordinances, Licenses & Legal Affairs to whom was referred the matter of granting certain licenses has considered said matter and would - recommend that the following be granted SECOND HAND Compliments Resale Boutique, 132 Boston St. CLOTHING SECOND HAND R.A. Difillipo Antiques, 131 Essex St. VALUABLE Saccon Jewelers, 131 Essex St. CITY OF SALEM 648 DECEMBER 14,2000 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL TAXI OPERATOR Donald Barnes, 22 Taylor St., Gloucester Albert W. Calman, 203 Washington St. Kevin E. Collins Sr., 109 Gloucester Ave. Gloucester Patricia Fraser, 28 Summit Ave. Ramon A. Nunez, 59 Memorial Pk.Ave., Lynn Blair Schetromph Jr., 36 St. Anns Ave., Peabody TAXICAB Dave Jalbert & Sons Inc., 12 Mt. Vernon St. (LIMOUSINE) Peabody TAG DAY St. Joseph's Food Pantry, April 28, 2001 S.H.S. Girls Track, March 31, 2001 #922 - BLUE LIGHTS FOR SNOW REMOVAL Councillor Flynn offered the following report for the Committee on Government Services. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. The Committee on Government Services to whom was referred the matter of blue lights for snow removal has considered said matter and would recommend that the blue lights have been installed on all entrance corridors and they are ready for this winter. #923 - BERRYWOOD LANE WATERLINE Councillor Flynn offered the following report for the Committee on Government Services. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. The Committee on Government Services to whom was referred the matter of the Berrywood Lane water line has considered said matter and would recommend that the work will begin on this in a year or so, dead ends to have rusty water iron and manganese Swampscott Road to add water pressure near Vinnin Square, Witchcraft Heights because of high fecal counts have to be first. #924 - SNOW REMOVAL ISSUES Councillor Flynn offered the following report for the Committee on Government Services. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. The Committee on Government Services to whom was referred the matter of snow removal issues has considered said matter and would recommend The D.P.W. Director has stated that they are all set to go and have purchased 400 tons of salt. CITY OF SALEM 649 DECEMBER 14, 2000 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL The Committee asked that the D.P.W. Director send the Council a memo about snow emergency provisions and this should also be posted in the library, City Hall and the newspaper. #925 -#927 - LICENSE APPLICATIONS The following license applications were referred to the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses, and Legal Affairs. SECOND HAND VALUABLE Filigree & Fancy, 4 Wharf St., Pickering Wharf TAXI OPERATOR Leather S. Durpis, 0 Boardman St., Salem Richard A. Hudson, 50 Warren St., Peabody Carlos J. Pacheco, 29 Albion St., Salem Jeffrey L. Schafer, 81/2Daniels St., Salem TAXICAB Larry's Transportation, 81 Leach St., Salem (1) (LIMOUSINE) North Shore Airport Limo, 1 0 Colonial Rd., Salem (15) #928 -#963 - DRAINLAYER/CONTRACT OPERATOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS The following Drainlayer/Contract operator license applications were granted. Advanced Industries Inc., 106 Oakville St., Lynn Bartlett & Steadman Co. Inc., 67R Village St., Marblehead Baystate Excavation Corp., 364R Boston Ave., Medford C & B Construction Mgmt. Inc., P.O. Box 1326, Gloucester Caruso & McGovern Const. Inc., 1 Industrial Way, Georgetown J. Doyle Backhoe Service, 31 Pooles Ln., Rockport N. Granese & Sons Inc., 18 Yorkshire Rd., Marblehead K & B Excavating, 105 Mason St., Salem Thomas Mackey & Sons Inc., 58 Broadway, Salem J. Marchese & Sons Inc., 69 Norman St., Everett J. Masterson Construction Corp., P.O. Box 165, Hathorne McLaughlin Construction Co. of Peabody Inc., P.O. Box 388, Peabody Meninno Construction Co. Inc., 76 Oakville St., Lynn Pelletier & Milbury Corp., 129 Water St., Danvers Pumel Enterprises, P.O. Box 985, Salem Mr. Rooter Plumbing, 70 Herrick St., Beverly United Utility Corp., 74 Main St., Salisbury CITY OF SALEM 650 DECEMBER 14,2000 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL Domenick Zanni sons, Inc., 22 Lakeview Ave., Reading #964 -#968 - CLAIMS The following Claims were referred to the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses, and Legal Affairs. JoAnne L. Bogle, 1 Chase St., Salem Margaret T. Burke, 37 Maple Valley Rd., Lynn Elizabeth Correnti, 28 Jackson St., Salem Susan Leblang, 5 Will Sawyer Rd., Peabody Atty: Arthur L. O'Keefe, 14 Lynde St., Salem (for Maureen DeAngelis) # 969 -#976 - BONDS The following Bonds were referred to the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses, and Legal Affairs and returned approved. DRAINLAYER Baystate Excavating Inc., 364R Boston Ave., Medford Caruso & McGovern Const. Inc., 1 Industrial Way, Georgetown J. Marchese & Sons Inc., 69 Norman St., Everett Pumel Enterprises, P.O. Box 985, Salem Mr. Rooter Plumbing, 70 Herrick St., Beverly United Utility Corp., 74 Main St., Salisbury Domenick Zanni Sons, Inc., 22 Lakeview Ave., Reading CONTSTABLE David E. Fine, 8 Tozer Rd., Beverly (#870) -VETO AUDIT ENGAGEMENT TEAM RESOLUTION The matter of the Mayor's Veto of Order#785, Audit Engagement Team to conduct an Operational Audit of the Salem Transfer Station was then taken up. Councillor Driscoll requested and received unanimous consent to suspend the rules to allow Mr. Bruce Guy, Finance Director, to address the Council. Councillor O'Keefe moved that the matter be tabled. It was so voted. Councillor O'Leary was recorded as opposed. (#871) - ORDINANCE, TRAFFIC, SEC. 51B, DERBY STREET CITY OF SALEM 651 DECEMBER 14, 2000 REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL The matter of second and final passage of an Ordinance amending Traffic, Section 51 B, Parking Prohibited, Derby Street, was then taken up. The Ordinance was adopted for second and final passage. (#875) - ORDINANCE, TRAFFIC, SEC. 50113, LIBERTY HILL AVENUE The matter of second and final passage of an Ordinance amending Traffic, Section 50B, Handicap Parking, Liberty Hill Avenue, was then taken up. The Ordinance was adopted for second and final passage. (#877) - ORDINANCE, TRAFFIC, SEC. 75, THORNDIKE STREET The matter of second and final passage of an Ordinance amending Traffic, Resident Sticker Parking, Thorndike Street, was then taken up. The Ordinance was adopted for second and final passage. (#878) - ORDINANCE, TRAFFIC, SEC. 49 & 51, STOP SIGN AND PARKING PROHIBITED, CROSS AVENUE The matter of second and final passage of an Ordinance amending Traffic, Stop Sign and Parking Prohibited on Cross Avenue, was then taken up. The Ordinance was referred to the Committee on Government Services. On the motion of Councillor Flynn, the meeting adjourned at 10.30 P.M. ATTEST: DEBORAH E. BURKINSHAW CITY CLERK