MINUTES - Executive - 3/13/2003 CITY OF SALEM 73
MARCH 13, 2003
EXECUTIVE SESSION
A Regular Meeting of the City Council was held in the Council Chamber
on Thursday, March 13, 2003 at 7.00 P.M. for the purpose of transacting any and
all business, at which time, the City Council, by recorded roll call vote, went into
Executive Session with the City Solicitor to discuss a litigation settlement
regarding Hawkes vs. the City of Salem. Notice of this meeting was posted on
March 7, 2003 at 11.53 A.M.
Councillors Harvey, Driscoll, and O'Keefe were absent.
President Thomas H. Furey presided.
President Furey turned the Executive Session over to Solicitor Keenan to
make a presentation.
Solicitor Keenan explained that William Hawkes was the owner of the
property at 136 Bridge Street. The City took the property for back taxes in 1999.
Taxes were owed the City back to 1984. Once we took the property, we did
nothing with it. Hawkes filed suit and said we should have taken care of the
property. Our insurance company provided us with a defense lawyer. Four
counts of the suit were dismissed, and two remaining counts relating to water
and sewer remained, regarding charging commercial rates.
Parties have agreed to settle for $6,600.00.
Councillor Flynn moved to settle for $6,600.00. It was so voted by a roll
call vote of 8 yeas, 0 nays, 3 absent. Councillors Sargent, O'Leary, Lovely,
Flynn, DeToma, Chuber, Bencal, and Furey were recorded as voting in the
affirmative. Councillors O'Keefe, Harvey, and Driscoll were absent.
Councillor Flynn moved that the Executive Session be adjourned and the
regular meeting continue. It was so voted by a roll call vote of 8 yeas, 0 nays, 3
absent. Councillors Sargent, O'Leary, Lovely, Flynn, DeToma, Chuber, Bencal,
and Furey were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors O'Keefe,
Harvey, and Driscoll were absent.
ATTEST: DEBORAH E. BURKINSHAW
CITY CLERK