MINUTES - Special - 5/16/2006 446 CITY OF SALEM
MAY 16, 2006
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
A Special Meeting of the City Council was held in the Council Chamber on
Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 6.00 P.M. for the purpose of discussing Ratify vote of second
passage for a Bond Order for the Ferry and Order from National Grid for a conduit at 8
Essex Street and start date of work for Crombie Street. Notice of this meeting was posted
on May 12, 2006 at 1.22 P.M.
Councillor Furey arrived late at 6.10 P.M.
Councillor Sosnowski left early at 6.35 P.M.
Council President Jean Pelletier presided.
Councillor Lovely moved to dispense with the reading of the record of the previous
meeting. It was so voted.
#320 - RATIFICATION OF SECOND PASSAGE OF A BOND ORDER OF $3,100,000.00
FOR THE PURCHASE OF A FERRY
Councillor O'Leary moved that the matter be taken up at the next Regularly
scheduled City Council Meeting of May 25t", 2006. It was so voted.
#308 — ORDER OF NATIONAL GRID FOR CONDUIT AT #8 ESSEX STREET
Council President Jean Pelletier introduced the following representatives of
National Grid, Dave Gendall, Vice President, Douglas Wagner, Key Account Manager and
Irving Silverman, Operations Superintendent .
Councillor O'Leary moved suspension of the rules to allow the representatives of
National Grid and City Electrician John Giardi to speak. It was so voted.
Council President Pelletier stated for the record that City Solicitor Elizabeth
Rennard could not attend due to illness.
Mr. Gendall of National Grid introduced Doug Wagner, Account Manager and Iry
Silverman Operations Superintendent.
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MAY 16, 2006
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Mr. Gendall stated he has been in touch with Mr. Durand to work out a schedule for
Crombie Street. Crombie street needs three (3) holes opened for conduits. The pavement
was cut but due to weather they have lost time. He stated the work is scheduled to be
done as soon as possible. If tomorrow is good weather the work will be expedited and
excavation will start. He stated they try hard to stick to a schedule. Overtime has been
authorized by the Account Manager. There is a large job down at the rail yard behind the
police station for upgrading of poles. There may be temporary double poles. In the future if
there are any problems or concerns call Doug Wagner.
Irving Silverman Acting Superintendent for National Grid stated that the Council
should feel free to contact him. He stated he is responsible for the physical work getting
done.
Councillor Pelletier told Mr. Gendall how this invitation and meeting tonight came
about. A constituent was in the Council chamber at the last meeting when the Order for
conduit on Essex Street came up she spoke up to her situation on Crombie Street.
Councillor Corchado asked that if work starts tomorrow how long will it take to
complete the work.
Mr. Silverman stated a week and a half to two weeks. It takes 3-4 days just to open
the trench.
Mr. Gendall stated a couple of things can go on at the same time to expedite the
project.
Councillor O'Leary asked for telephone numbers to enable the Council to contact
them.
Business cards were handed out by the representatives of National Grid.
Councillor Lovely thanked the National Grid representatives for coming in on short
notice to resolve the problem.
Councillor Prevey stated that the two women that attended the last council meeting
were so frustrated. Each time they contacted National Grid they were told a different
answer. How can someone get correct answers. Even the representative that was at the
Council meeting had no answers. Who can they call?
Mr. Gendall stated that Ed Freeman is the Project Manager he knows what's going
on. We could have taken care of it had we put those women in touch with him.
448 CITY OF SALEM
MAY 16, 2006
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Councillor Sosnowski thanked the representatives of National Grid for coming in
tonight and asked if National Grid is responsible for the street lights on the Bridge?
Mr. Gendall responded no it's Mass. Highway.
John Giardi stated that he has been working with Mass. Highway and the lights are
coming very soon. Mass. Electric has good quality people and the project should be
complete in 10 to 30 days. We have been meeting with National Grid on how to move jobs
along. He passed out a packet for the Councillors on how to use National Grids website
and you should get immediate response. We're making a lot more headway. Working with
these people you'll see a great response.
Councillor O'Leary stated that John Giardi the City Electrician was once a City
Councillor in the 1980's.
Councillor O'Keefe asked why does it take so long to coordinate and change wires.
He stated that there have been low wires on a pole at Sumner and Grant Rd for a year.
Mr. Giardi stated that after the power company there are several more companies
that need to do their wires.
Councillor O'Keefe stated that the Ordinance for poles states that they have to be
straight. Why are there, so many poles leaning at 85 degree angle?
Mr. Giardi stated that the work that is currently being done is to put in new circuits,
which will cause less interruptions. Angela Hastings at Verizons will deal with the straight
poles.
Councillor O'Keefe stated that if it wasn't for the Power Company (National Grid)
his pump and many others in the city would not have been working to clear the cellars
from the flooding. These pumps have been working nonstop. He thanked them for helping
keep the electricity on during these storms.
Mr. Gendall stated we tried to keep it going.
Councillor Sosnowski left the chamber at 6.35 P.M.
Councillor Corchado asked about the work going on at the transformer. She stated
there was a large crew working today.
Mr. Silverman stated there was a loss of power due to water in a manhole that had
to pumped-out near Peabody Street.
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MAY 16, 2006
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Councillor Sargent asked if you could put speed limit signs on their wooden poles.
He noticed a lot of metal poles close to the wood poles with speed limit signs. Would like
to know if they could eliminate some of these poles.
Mr. Gendall stated there are areas that have the speed limit signs on the wood
poles but we try to avoid it.
Councillor Pelletier thanked Mr. Giardi and the representatives from National Grid
for coming in.
Councillor O'Leary moved approval of the Order of National Grid for conduit at 8
Essex Street. It was so voted.
On the motion of Councillor O'Keefe the meeting adjourned at 6.40 P.M.
ATTEST: CHERYL A. LAPOINTE
CITY CLERK