MINUTES - Regular - 11/12/2009
266
CITY OF SALEM
NOVEMBER 12, 2009
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
A Regular Meeting of the City Council was held in the Council Chamber on Thursday,
November 12, 2009 at 7:00 P.M., for the purpose of transacting any and all business. Notice of
this meeting was posted on November 6, 2009 at 9:34 A.M.
Councillors O’Keefe and Lovely were recorded as absent.
Council President Paul Prevey presided.
Councillor Sosnowski moved to dispense with the reading of the record of the previous
meeting. It was so voted.
President Prevey requested that everyone please rise to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
(#566) – POLE LOCATION, ON BROAD STREET
A hearing was held on the Order of Verizon and Massachusetts Electric Company for a
jointly owned pole on Broad Street. Appearing in favor was Sabita Mahabier-Sheehy of Verizon
and City Electrician John Giardi. There was no one opposed. The hearing was closed. Councillor
Pelletier moved that the Order be granted. It was so voted.
#615 – APPT. ALICE WILLIAMS TO THE COUNCIL ON AGING
The Mayor’s appointment of Alice A. Williams to serve as a member of the Council on Aging
with a term to expire November 12, 2012, was confirmed by a roll call vote of 9 yeas, 0 nays, 2
absent. Councillors Veno, Sosnowski, Sargent, Ryan, Pinto, Pelletier, McCarthy, Furey and Prevey
were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors O’Keefe and Lovely were recorded as
absent. Councillor Furey moved that a letter and City Seal be sent to Frank Cloucher. It was so
voted.
Councillor McCarthy requested and received unanimous consent to suspend the rules to
allow Ms. Williams to speak.
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CITY OF SALEM
NOVEMBER 12, 2009
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
#616 – APPT. PAMELA GREAVES TO THE COUNCIL ON AGING
The Mayor’s appointment of Pamela Greaves to serve as a member of the Council on Aging
with a term to expire November 12, 2012, was confirmed by a roll call vote of 9 yeas, 0 nays, 2
absent. Councillors Veno, Sosnowski, Sargent, Ryan, Pinto, Pelletier, McCarthy, Furey and Prevey
were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors O’Keefe and Lovely were recorded as
absent.
Councillor McCarthy requested and received unanimous consent to suspend the rules to
allow Ms. Greaves to speak.
absent. Councillor Furey moved that a letter and City Seal be sent to Kathleen Wilkerson. It was so
voted.
#617 – APPT. JULIA KNISEL TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
The Mayor’s appointment of Julia Knisel to serve as a member of the Conservation
Commission with a term to expire November 12, 2012, was confirmed by a roll call vote of 9 yeas,
0 nays, 2 absent. Councillors Veno, Sosnowski, Sargent, Ryan, Pinto, Pelletier, McCarthy, Furey
and Prevey were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors O’Keefe and Lovely were
recorded as absent. Councillor Furey moved that a letter and City Seal be sent to Kevin
Cornacchio. It was so voted.
Councillor McCarthy requested and received unanimous consent to suspend the rules to
allow Ms. Knisel to speak.
#618 – APPT. HELEN F. SIDES TO THE PLANNING BOARD
The Mayor’s appointment of Helen F. Sides to serve as a member of the Salem Planning
Board with a term to expire July 1, 2013, was confirmed by a roll call vote of 9 yeas, 0 nays, 2
absent. Councillors Veno, Sosnowski, Sargent, Ryan, Pinto, Pelletier, McCarthy, Furey and Prevey
were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors O’Keefe and Lovely were recorded as
absent. Councillor Furey moved that a letter and City Seal be sent to David Weiner. It was so
voted.
Councillor Pelletier requested and received unanimous consent to suspend the rules to
allow Ms. Sides to speak.
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CITY OF SALEM
NOVEMBER 12, 2009
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
#619 – APPT. WILLIAM P. GOREHAM TO THE TRUST FUND COMMISSION
The Mayor’s appointment of William P. Goreham to serve as a member of the Trust Fund
Commission with a term to expire November 10, 2021, was held until the next meeting of
December 3, 2009 under the rules.
#620 – APPR. TO STABILIZATION FUND AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND
The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was adopted under suspension of the
rules.
ORDERED: That the sum of Five Hundred and Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty
Dollars ($504,480.00) is hereby appropriated from “General Fund Balance – Reserved for Free
Cash” account to the following special revenue funds. The amount of free cash to be transferred is
20% of the certified free cash per the City’s Financial Policies and in accordance with the
recommendation of Her Honor the Mayor.
Stabilization Fund $252,240.00
Capital Improvement Fund $252,240.00
$504,480.00
#621 – APPR. TO BE EXPENDED FOR THE RETIREMENT OF POLICE CHIEF ST. PIERRE
The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was adopted under suspension of the
rules.
ORDERED: That the sum of Sixty-Seven Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty-Seven
Dollars and Eighty two Cents ($67,887.82) is hereby appropriated within the “Retirement
Stabilization Fund-Vacation/Sick Leave Buyback” account to be expended for the retirement
buyback for Police Chief Robert M. St. Pierre in accordance with the recommendation of Her Honor
the Mayor.
#622 – APPR. TO BE EXPENDED FOR MASONRY REPAIRS TO BATES SCHOOL
The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was adopted under suspension of the
rules.
ORDERED: That the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) is hereby appropriated to
the “Capital Outlay – Renovations & Repairs” account to be expended for Masonry repair work at
the Bates School in accordance with the recommendation of Her Honor the Mayor.
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CITY OF SALEM
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REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
#623 – APPR. TO PARKING DEPARTMENT – FULL TIME & PART TIME SALARIES
The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was referred to the Committee on
Administration and Finance under the rules.
ORDERED: That the sum of Forty-Six Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty-Four Dollars
($46,424.00) is hereby appropriated from the “Fund Balance – Free Cash” account to the accounts
listed below in accordance with the recommendation of Her Honor the Mayor.
Parking Dept. – Salaries Full Time $26,000.00
Parking Dept. – Salaries Part Time $20,424.00
$46,424.00
#624 – APPR. TO BE EXPENDED FOR WATER HEATER AT SALEM HIGH SCHOOL
The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was adopted under suspension of the
rules.
ORDERED: That the sum of Thirty-three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($33,500.00) is
hereby appropriated to the “Capital Outlay – Equipment” account to be expended for the purchase
and installation to replace damaged Water Heater at the Salem High School in accordance with the
recommendation of Her Honor the Mayor.
#625 – APPR. TO BE EXPENDED FOR SIDEWALKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF SALEM
The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was adopted under suspension of the
rules.
ORDERED: That the sum of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) is herby
appropriated to the “Capital Outlay – Renovations & Repairs” account to be expended for the
installation of sidewalks throughout the city in accordance with the recommendation of Her Honor
the Mayor.
#626 – APPR. TO BE EXPENDED FOR PAINTING OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS
The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was adopted under suspension of the
rules.
ORDERED: That the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) is hereby appropriated
to the “Capital Outlay – Renovations & Repairs” account to be expended for painting of traffic
signals throughout the City in accordance with the recommendation of Her Honor the Mayor.
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CITY OF SALEM
NOVEMBER 12, 2009
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
#627 – APPR. FOR THE RETIREMENT OF POLICE SGT. PETER SHAFFAVAL
The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was adopted under suspension of the
rules.
ORDERED: That the sum of Seventeen Thousand Four Hundred and Fifty-Four Dollars and
One Cent ($17,454.01) is hereby appropriated within the “Retirement Stabilization Fund-
Vacation/Sick Leave Buyback” account to be expended for the retirement of Police Sergeant Peter
Shaffaval in accordance with the recommendation of Her Honor the Mayor.
#628 – APPR. TO BE EXPENDED FOR THE PURCHASE OF SPEED LIMIT RADAR SIGNS
The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was adopted under suspension of the
rules.
ORDERED: That the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) is hereby appropriated to
the “Capital Outlay – Equipment” account to be expended for the purchase of speed limit radar
signs for Engineering and Police Department in accordance with the recommendation of Her Honor
the Mayor.
#629 – REVOLVING FUND FOR THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT WINTER ISLAND STORE
The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was adopted.
ORDERED: That the City of Salem hereby approves the adoption of a Recreation
Department Winter Island Store Revolving Fund in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section
53E ½ which authorizes special purpose revolving accounts.
#630 – DESIGNATE CITY SOLICITOR AS LIAISON TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF
MASSACHUSETTS STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
Received after the deadline of Tuesday noon under suspension of the rules.
The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was referred to the Committee on
Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs.
ORDERED: That the City Solicitor Elizabeth Rennard is hereby designated as the City of
Salem’s liaison to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ State Ethics Commission, pursuant to
Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2009.
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CITY OF SALEM
NOVEMBER 12, 2009
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
#631 – SALEM BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ESSEX NORTH SHORE AGRICULTURAL AND
TECHNICAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Received after the deadline of Tuesday noon under suspension of the rules.
The following Order, recommended by the Mayor, was referred to the Committee on
Administration and Finance co-posted with the Committee of the Whole and that the
Superintendent of Schools and School Committee be invited.
ORDERED: That the City of Salem become a member of the Essex North Shore Agricultural
and Technical School District (the “District”) in accordance with Chapter 463 of the Acts of 2004 (as
amended);
And that the proportioned share of the $133,770,000 estimated construction cost of the Essex
North Shore Agricultural Technical High School, will be based on the City of Salem’s projected
percentage of enrollment of the proposed Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High
School, which school facility shall have an anticipated useful life as an educational facility for the
instruction of school children for at least 50 years, said construction funds to be expended under
the direction of the Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District in accordance
with Chapter 463 of the Acts of 2004 (as amended and MGL Chapter 71);
And that City of Salem acknowledges that the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (“MSBA”)
grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the
MSBA, and any project costs the District incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received
from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the District; provided further that any grant that
the District may receive from the MSBA for the Project shall be based on a total project budget of
$125,000,000 and shall not exceed the lesser of (1) sixty-two percent (62.00%) of eligible,
approved project costs as determined by the MSBA, or (2) the total maximum grant amount as
determined by the MSBA; and that the amount of borrowing authorized for the District shall be
reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed
between the District and the MSBA;
And further provided that the MSBA’s grant is conditioned upon the election by cities and towns
representing at least 75 percent of the October 1, 2004 foundation enrollment of the North Shore
Vocational Regional School District to become a member municipality of the District.
#632 – MAYOR’S REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL
Received after the deadline of Tuesday noon under suspension of the rules.
The following request from the Mayor to address the City Council regarding the current fiscal
outlook was taken up.
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CITY OF SALEM
NOVEMBER 12, 2009
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
#633 – ORDINANCE TRAFFIC, PARKING TIME LIMITED, OCEAN AVENUE
Councillor Veno introduced the following Ordinance, which was adopted for first passage.
In the year two thousand and nine
An Ordinance to amend an Ordinance relative to Traffic, Chapter 42, Section 57A, “Parking
Time Limited, Unmetered Zones”
Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Salem, as follows:
Section 1. Ocean Avenue, Southerly side from Lafayette Street to the property line of #47
Ocean Avenue, two hour parking 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M., Tuesday through Saturday. “Parking
Time Limited, Unmetered Zones”
Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect as provided by City Charter.
#634 – MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORT
Councillor Veno introduced the following Order, which was adopted.
ORDERED: That the Monthly Financial Report dated September 30, 2009 be received and
placed on file.
#635 – YEAR TO DATE BUDGET REPORT
Councillor Veno introduced the following Order, which was adopted.
ORDERED: That the Year to Date Budget Report dated October 31, 2009, be received and
placed on file.
#636 – VETERANS’ MONUMENTS ON CORNER OF PROCTOR ST AND HIGHLAND AVE.
Councillor Veno introduced the following Order, which was adopted.
ORDERED: That the Committee on Government Services co-posted with the Committee of
the Whole meet to discuss the relocation of a Veterans Monument located at the corner of Proctor
Street and Highland Avenue. And that the following be invited: City Solicitor, Public Works Director,
Veterans’ Council, owners of the property, North Shore Medical Center and Thomas Mackey
Construction Company.
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CITY OF SALEM
NOVEMBER 12, 2009
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
#637 – AMENDING ORDINANCE FOR ANY MOTION, ORDER OR RESOLUTION THAT MAY
IMPACT THE CITY’S BUDGET
Councillor Veno introduced the following Order, which was adopted.
ORDERED: That the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with
the Committee of the Whole meet to discuss the possibility of amending City Ordinance to require
that any motion, order or resolution of the City Council that has the potential to impact the City
Budget first be reviewed and approved by the Committee on Administration and Finance.
#638 – REVIEW ALL STIMULUS FUNDS
Councillor Veno introduced the following Order, which was adopted.
ORDERED: That the Committee on Administration and Finance co-posted with the
Committee of the Whole meet to discuss the Federal Stimulus Funding, including a review of all
stimulus funds received and an accounting of all funds expended.
Be it further ordered that the City Finance Director, Mayor or her representative and the
School Business Manager be invited.
#639 – (#596) TRANSFER TO TREASURER-LONG TERM DEBT SERVICE SCHOOL DEFICIT
BOND PRINCIPAL
Councillor Veno offered the following report for the Committee on Administration and
Finance. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation.
The Committee on Administration and Finance to whom was referred the matter of a
Transfer of $710,000.00 from ”HR – Medical Insurance” to “Treasurer –Long Term Debt Service
School Deficit Bond Principal” has considered said matter and would recommend approval.
#640 – PETITION FROM PETER H. VALLIS FOR LICENSE FOR LOT 7 TINKERS ISLAND
The matter of a petition from Peter H. Vallis for a license for lot 7 on Tinkers Island was
referred to the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the
Committee of the Whole.
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CITY OF SALEM
NOVEMBER 12, 2009
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
#641 – PETITION FROM MANUEL SILVA TO RESUBMIT FOR LICENSE FOR LOT 11 TINKERS
ISLAND
The matter of a petition from Manuel Silva resubmitting a license for Lot 11 for Tinkers
Island to replace current license request on file was referred to the Committee on Ordinances,
Licenses and Legal Affairs co-posted with the Committee of the Whole.
#642 - #643 – LICENSE APPLICATIONS
The following license applications were referred to the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses
and Legal Affairs.
PUBLIC GUIDE Susan Metzger, 25 Shepard St., Marblehead
Michael Metzger, 25 Shepard St., Marblehead
Richard Metzger, 25 Shepard St., Marblehead
SECOND HAND
VALUABLE Treasures Over Time, 139 Washington St., Salem
Bernard’s Jewelers, 179 Essex St., Salem
RJ Coins, 172 Wharf St., Salem
#644 - #646 – CLAIMS
The following claims were referred to the Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal
Affairs.
Brooke Morrissey, 244 High St., Topsfield
Robert Moser, Jr., 35 ½ Lynn St., Peabody
SUBROGATED Attorney David Driscoll (for Stacey Pappas), 50 Grove St., Salem
On the motion of Councillor Veno the meeting adjourned at 9:07 P.M.
ATTEST: CHERYL A. LAPOINTE
CITY CLERK