MINUTES - Special - 7/6/2009
193
CITY OF SALEM
JULY 6, 2009
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
A Special Meeting of the City Council was held in the Council Chamber on
Monday, July 6, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of taking up a Supplemental
Appropriation for the FY2010 Police Department Budget and a Traffic Ordinance for
Broadway. Notice of this meeting was posted on July 2, 2009 at 11:58 A.M.
Councillors Sargent, Sosnowski, Ryan and O’Keefe were recorded as absent.
Council President Paul Prevey presided.
Councillor Veno moved that the City Council adjourn to the Council Anteroom to
hold an Executive Session, and at the end of the Executive Session, the regular
meeting will continue. Adopted by a roll call vote of 7 yeas, 0 nays, 4 absent.
Councillors Veno, Pinto, Pelletier, McCarthy, Lovely, Furey and Prevey were recoded
as voting in the affirmative. Councillors Sosnowski, Sargent, Ryan and O’Keefe were
recorded as absent.
See canister in vault for minutes of Executive Session. Minutes cannot be
released without approval from City of Salem Legal Department.
On the motion of Councillor McCarthy, the Executive Session adjourned, and
the special meeting continued by a roll call vote of 7 yeas, 0 nays, 4 absent.
Councillors Veno, Pinto, Pelletier, McCarthy, Lovely, Furey and Prevey were recoded
as voting in the affirmative. Councillors Sosnowski, Sargent, Ryan and O’Keefe were
recorded as absent.
#429 – APPR. OF $125,000 TO “POLICE EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE” ACCOUNT
The following Order recommended by the Mayor, was adopted by a roll call
vote of 7 yeas, 0 nays, 4 absent. Councillors Veno, Pinto, Pelletier, McCarthy, Lovely,
Furey and Prevey were recoded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors Sosnowski,
Sargent, Ryan and O’Keefe were recorded as absent.
Councillor Pelletier moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would
not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
ORDER: That the sum of One Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars
($125,000.00) is hereby appropriated to the “Police Educational Incentive Account” to
be funded by property taxes, state aid, non-property tax revenue and reserves when
the FY2010 tax rate is set in accordance with the recommendation of Her Honor the
Mayor.
Councillor Furey assumed the Chair.
194
CITY OF SALEM
JULY 6, 2009
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
#430 – RESOLUTION – POLICE CAREER INCENTIVE PAY (QUINN BILL)
Councillor Prevey introduced the following Resolution, which was adopted by a
roll call vote of 6 yeas, 1 nay, 4 absent. Councillors Veno, Pinto, Pelletier, McCarthy,
Furey and Prevey were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillor Lovely was
recorded as voting in the negative. Councillors Sosnowski, Sargent, Ryan and O’Keefe
were recorded as absent.
Councillor Lovely moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would
not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS: The Commonwealth reduced the State’s share of Police Career Incentive
Pay, also knows as the Quinn Bill, benefits to cities and towns by 40%,
which means a shortfall of $270,000 for payments owed to the City of
Salem; and
WHEREAS: In addition to the $270,000 shortfall, local aid has been reduced to the
City of Salem by approximately $3.5 million dollars, with a FY2011
outlook that has state leaders equally concerned about budget impacts
for next year; and
WHEREAS: Salem has limited financial reserves to make up for the State’s shortfall
of the Quinn Bill payments; and
WHEREAS: There is a strong desire to avoid reductions in personnel within the ranks
of our Police Department.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Salem City Council, as follows:
That the Council hereby supports and appreciates the efforts and
professionalism of the men and women working in the Salem Police
Department and is desirous of finding a solution to allow for full Quinn Bill
payments, despite a state cut in this line-item.
The Council wishes to help make up for the State’s cut of Quinn Bill
benefits by approving an appropriation of $125,000 toward the $270,000
shortfall.
195
CITY OF SALEM
JULY 6, 2009
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
That given the City’s current finances, the Council is limited in it’s
willingness and ability to further fund Quinn Bill benefits, without
collaboration on cost saving measures from our Police Department
personnel.
Councillor Prevey resumed the Chair.
On the motion of Councillor Veno the meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
ATTEST: CHERYL A. LAPOINTE
CITY CLERK