Everett City Council
Monday February 12, 2024
Clickable Transcript Printable Transcript Agenda
The order of items in transcripts appear in the chronological order in which they were taken up. Some Agenda items may have been skipped.
Item 1.
During a public hearing concerning an ordinance amending the parking, use, and dimensional standards in the Lower Broadway Economic Development District of Everett, residents expressed strong opposition. They voiced concerns over the reduction of living space to 350 square feet, likening it to a transition towards boarding houses, and critiqued the reduction of parking requirements, fearing it would exacerbate existing parking issues. Residents highlighted how changes could detrimentally affect family housing and cater to transient populations such as casino workers, with examples of rising rents and insufficient affordable housing for local families. The hearing concluded with a decision to leave the matter open, pending further recommendations from the planning board.
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Item 2.
The public hearing involved a petition from National Grid, represented by Petray Cieca, requesting permission to install underground conduit on Mystic Street to provide temporary electric service. Concerns were raised about the impact on the sidewalk and the quality of repair work, with previous poor patching jobs by National Grid's contractors cited by city council members and residents. Several council members voiced their intention to vote against the petition, expressing broader dissatisfaction with National Grid over unrelated issues, such as delayed projects and poor communication. The council discussed postponing the decision to afford National Grid an opportunity to address these concerns. Ultimately, the motion was made and seconded to postpone the item to a future meeting, with the hope that National Grid would attend to discuss the matter further.
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Public Participation
The public hearing section began with a decision to follow the council's rules, prioritizing agenda item speakers first and postponing non-agenda item discussions to the end unless rules were suspended. Peggy Serino criticized the proposal to borrow $11.4 million for high school maintenance, questioning financial decisions and demanding accountability from the city's administration regarding occupancy permits and maintenance costs. Karen Gilbert from Friends of the Malden River and others spoke about National Grid's non-compliance with Chapter 91 obligations concerning public waterfront access, urging enforcement and support from the council. Conversations touched upon the old high school's controversial funding for renovation versus its demolition, suggested by several speakers as a fiscally responsible action. Wendy Post and others voiced concerns regarding the allocation of funds towards various city projects, questioning administrative decisions on school overcrowding, fire department funding, and community safety. There was notable pushback against spending on legal fees and demands for transparency. The discussion also included environmental and health concerns regarding artificial turf and critiques about the city's development, traffic, and overcrowding issues. Suggestions included improving senior services and better utilizing COVID recovery funds to benefit residents directly. The hearing ended with a motion to close public participation, which was unanimously agreed upon.
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Item 5.
The public hearing discussed an order proposed by Councilor Robert Van Campen requesting approval to accept and expend a $200,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, Green Communities Division. The fund is aimed at financing energy conservation measures, including an air source heat pump, weatherization, and infrared heaters at municipal facilities, specifically the DPW office area and garage. Matt Lattanzi, the director of planning and development for the city of Everett, assured there would be no additional costs for the city, providing detailed costs for each project and confirming recent pricing. The grant, which aims to reduce energy usage significantly in some of the highest energy-consuming buildings in the city, must be expended by September 30, 2025. Despite concerns about prioritizing a newer building like the DPW, Lattanzi explained that energy audits identified DPW as a top candidate for energy reduction due to its disproportionate energy usage. The improvements include replacing inefficient gas heaters with more energy-efficient systems, addressing issues like poor insulation and inefficient heating. The motion for the order was passed unanimously.
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Item 22.
During a public hearing, councilor Martins initiated a resolution for an update on selecting a new permanent fire chief in Everett, following the civil service process after irregularities in appointments since Chief Butler's retirement in 2016. HR Director Terri Ronco reported partnering with civil service for an assessment center, with a timeline aiming for a new chief by May. Martins and various councilors raised questions about the assessment center, eligibility, and the selection process, emphasizing the importance of choosing the top candidate. The Everett Firefighters Union confirmed their agreement with the assessment center approach, noting ongoing interest from deputy chiefs. Concerns were aired about past appointments and litigation, with officials underlining a commitment to a transparent, fair process. The discussion concluded with a motion to postpone the item, expecting an update later in the month.
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Item 24.
In a public hearing, Councilors Katy Rogers and Peter Pietrantonio introduced a resolution urging National Grid to honor their commitment to provide a public walkway along the Rivergreen pathway as mandated by Chapter 91. Despite a previous request for National Grid to discuss the issue, they declined communication. Assistant City Solicitor Keith Slattery and Conservation Agent Tom Philbin were invited to provide insight into the unresolved situation and the legal obligations under Chapter 91 that National Grid has failed to meet. Slattery detailed the history of National Grid’s obligations, stemming from a 2011 license to improve their land, which included public access provisions that remain unfulfilled. Despite the Department of Environmental Protection's efforts to enforce these provisions, National Grid appealed, leading to a prolonged legal battle. Tom Philbin highlighted the importance of Chapter 91 in preserving public access to waterways and the compliance of other Everett waterfront property owners, contrasting with National Grid's inaction. The council discussed the complications caused by COVID-19 and potential unauthorized constructions by National Grid. In response to the lack of progress, Councilor Rogers proposed drafting a letter urging National Grid to comply with their obligations, which was unanimously supported by the council.
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Item 15.
The council discussed a proposal, presented by Councilor Robert Van Campen, to enter a five-year lease agreement with Exxon Enterprise Inc for tasers. Councilor DiPierro endorsed the proposal, highlighting the financial and practical benefits of leasing. He mentioned a conversation with Captain Strong, who indicated that leasing tasers is more cost-effective and that malfunctioning units could be easily replaced at no additional cost. DiPierro praised the police chief for his fiscal responsibility and moved for favorable action on the proposal. Following a motion that was made and seconded, the council voted unanimously (9 ayes, 0 nays) to approve the contract.
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Items 6. & 12.
Councilor Robert Van Campen, serving as president, proposed two orders: the first, to confirm Millie Cardillo as a member of the Board of Assessors, and the second, to confirm DeAnne Mullett to the Board of Health, both for three-year terms expiring on February 1, 2027. Councilor DiPierro suggested referring both items to the Committee on Legislative Affairs and inviting the appointees to participate in the committee meetings. The motion to refer the items and invite the appointees was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. Van Campen expressed gratitude towards Millie Cardillo, acknowledging her attendance at the meeting.
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Items 4. & 7.
Council members discussed items number four and seven related to donations for the Fire Victims Fund, both proposed by Council President Robert Van Campen. Item four involved accepting and expending a $1,000 donation from Mayor Carlo and Stacy De Maria through the Honeydew Families Foundation Inc, and item seven involved accepting and expending $195 donated by city of Everett employees. A motion to take these items collectively and send a letter of thanks to the donors was approved with a unanimous vote of 9 yays, leading to the approval of both orders.
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Item 8., 9., 10., & 11.
Council President Robert Van Campen presented four orders concerning grants for the Everett Fire Department, aiming to improve various aspects of emergency management and fire department operations. The requests included acceptance and expenditure of a Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency grant of $20,150 for emergency management preparedness, a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services to enhance fire alarm dispatch operations, a $37,500 grant also from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services to improve hazardous waste management capabilities, and a $10,153.33 grant for the replacement of hoses, nozzles, and valves. After a motion was made and seconded, the council unanimously approved all four orders.
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Item 3.
During the public hearing, Councilor Robert Van Campen presented an order for the declaration of the Everett Fire Department's 1995 spare reserve ladder truck as surplus property for disposal. Questions emerged from the council members concerning the replacement of the truck and the allocation of funds arising from its disposal. Van Campen clarified that the truck had likely been out of service for a while and had probably been replaced several times already. The order was approved with a unanimous vote of 9 ayes and 0 nays, after which the meeting proceeded to the next item on the agenda.
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Item 13.
Councilor Robert Van Campen, acting as president, submitted an order (item number 13) to appropriate $115,000 from the budgetary fund's free cash into two accounts: $50,000 for the Fire Department's equipment maintenance and $65,000 for BLS 1 operating funds. There was a mention of typographical errors in the figures, but the amounts were clarified. The motion to refer this item to the committee on ways and means was made, seconded, and required inviting Mr. Dimas and a representative from the Everett Fire Department for discussion. The motion passed unanimously with all members present voting in favor.
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ITem 14.
The discussion centered around a request introduced by Councilor Robert Van Campen for the appropriation of 11.4 million dollars through borrowing for improvements at the old Everett High School located at 548 Broadway. The council motioned to refer the matter to the committee on ways and means and decided to invite various administration members for further discussion, including but not limited to the CFO and the facility maintenance director. The motion was put to a vote, and with majority support, the resolution to move the discussion to the committee was approved.
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Items 16., 17., 18., & 19.
In the public hearing, a motion was made and seconded by Van Campen to collectively address items 16 through 19, following confirmation that all necessary paperwork was in order, which was agreed upon unanimously. Cornelio outlined that these items were all petitions by Council President Robert Van Campen for the renewal of lodging house licenses for four locations: 450 Ferry Street, 11-13 Ellsworth, 51 Cottage Street, and Feno's at 336 Broadway. It was noted that police reports had been resent to accommodate new council members. The council then unanimously voted, with 9 ayes and 0 nays, to renew the licenses for these locations, and proceeded to the next order of business.
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Item 20.
Council President Robert Van Campen requested the approval of a $150,000 appropriation from the free cash of the general fund to the litigation professional services account to cover additional legal services regarding an EEOC inquiry. There were concerns about the details of the committee report which had been sealed due to executive session content. Questions were directed to City Solicitor Colleen Mejia, who informed the council that the city retained Greenberg Traurig law firm and executed a joint defense agreement with the school department's attorney in response to complaints filed to the EEOC by the superintendent and deputy superintendent. Despite the EEOC dismissing the complaints, the council discussed the financial aspects and justifications for the legal expenses, with assurances that the amount requested should suffice unless unforeseen needs arise. The council was reminded of a previous agreement with Mejia regarding budget adjustments for legal costs, leading to a motion for favorable action on the funding request.
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Item 21.
The Everett City Council discussed appropriating $270,000 from the general fund to cover increased insurance costs for the old Everett High School and a new fire boat. Concerns were raised about insuring a deteriorating building, but it was explained that insurance coverage had been dropped due to the building's condition, necessitating a policy with a different carrier at a higher cost. An upcoming agenda item will seek extra funds for roof repairs on the high school. The building, while not fully utilized, houses certain activities, prompting discussions on ensuring it remains insured to protect against liabilities. Questions were raised about the wisdom of investing in the building versus the costs of potential demolition. It was suggested that councilors tour the high school and the Pope John to better understand what they were investing in. The motion to appropriate the funds for insurance passed with a vote of 8 yays to 2 nays, despite concerns about the building's state and the financial wisdom of continued investment in it.
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Item 23.
The discussion revolves around the ongoing negotiations between the city and Wynn regarding the Encore host agreement, specifically focusing on a potential expansion east of Broadway. Despite multiple meetings and information exchanges, no agreement has been reached yet. Concerns were raised about public safety, given the high frequency of emergency responses to the casino area, leading to suggestions that Wynn should fund a public safety building in the vicinity. Legal considerations about the city's leverage in negotiations and the involvement of council and community in the process were also discussed. The city is in a position to renegotiate due to new developments proposed by Wynn, which include relocating the poker area. The ownership of the land and buildings involved in these developments was clarified, noting that Wynn doesn’t own the Encore building but does own the land across the street. The council expressed a desire for transparency and involvement in the negotiation process to ensure community interests are represented, particularly in enhancing public safety infrastructure funded by Wynn. A motion was made to ensure the city council's strong desire for a public safety component to be included in the negotiations, with an update expected by the first meeting in April.
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Item 25.
The discussion centered around a resolution proposed by Councilors Katy Rogers, Anthony DiPierro, and Stephanie Martins, requesting the installation of coyote warning signage in Ward Three and other affected areas. Administrators, however, suggested exploring alternative communication methods beyond signage, citing constraints such as multilingual translation and the prior rejection of mailings due to costs. They noted that while the city's animal control officer lacks authority over coyotes, falling under the State Department of Fish and Wildlife, they recommended residents secure food sources and protect pets to avoid attracting wildlife. Rogers highlighted the importance of making any signage visually accessible and supplementing it with comprehensive online information. Devaney proposed translating state resources into multiple languages for broader accessibility. Martins emphasized the issue of trash management as a significant factor in attracting coyotes, suggesting more stringent enforcement and public education on secure trash disposal. Devaney mentioned existing translated materials on rodent control, proposing to add coyote information as a companion piece. The discussion concluded with a motion to refer the matter to the administration for further action, which was unanimously approved.
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Item 26.
During a public hearing, councilors discussed the need for repaving a street requested by members of the Sikh temple community, emphasizing the issue had been temporarily addressed by filling potholes but required more permanent solutions. The administration highlighted ongoing challenges with prioritizing such projects due to limited resources and a long list of similar requests across the city. They pointed out that the area in question was targeted for redevelopment, which could potentially incorporate improvements funded by private developers. Moves were made to keep the request on the administration's list for future consideration. Additionally, concern was raised about the condition of the surroundings of the Encore Entertainment District, noting poor maintenance and a lack of cleanliness on the streets and sidewalks adjacent to the Encore property, urging for action to address these issues, including the removal of a long-standing portable bathroom. The council discussed following up to ensure that private construction does not encroach on public spaces and to encourage the Encore to better maintain its property as a good neighbor.
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Item 27.
Councilor Stephanie Smith, supported by Anthony DiPierro, proposed a resolution for a temporary 30-day study to restrict parking on Clarence Street between Birch and Woodlawn, particularly on the outside bend where parking on both sides currently renders the street practically a one-way. Smith highlighted the public safety concern due to the impossibility for two cars to pass each other without one having to back up, a frequent issue especially during school hours. She noted the recurring problem of mirrors being found on the ground as evidence of the tight squeeze. The proposal aimed to have the traffic commission assess the situation by potentially removing parking on the odd side of the street where the bend is most problematic. The motion to refer the proposal to the traffic commission was made, seconded by Van Campen, and unanimously approved by voice vote.
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Item 28.
The discussion focused on the setup for the 2024 presidential preference primary elections, addressing Councilor Martins' questions about voter confusion regarding ballot requests and party declaration. Cornelio clarified that the confusion stemmed from a state requirement to send out notification cards to voters, explaining that unenrolled or independent voters have the flexibility to choose their party preference for each election. He emphasized the state's responsibility for these notifications and the due diligence process in correcting any mistakes made by voters on their forms. The primary election date was confirmed for March 5th, with early voting from February 24th to March 1st. The motion for the order was made, seconded, and passed without opposition.
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Item 29.
Cornelio introduces Item number 29, a resolution proposed by Councilor Anthony DiPierro to revive the school finance review commission in collaboration with the mayor's office, school department, and city council. DiPierro amends the resolution to include the school committee and emphasizes that the commission's purpose is collaboration, not oversight. He mentions the commission's tasks extend beyond budgeting to include managing enrollment and the need for new space. Rogers suggests expanding the commission's scope to explicitly include spatial considerations, but DiPierro and Van Campen note that facility development and use are already within the commission's remit. Garcia inquires about the selection process for the commission's members, with Van Campen confirming city council president's role in appointments. Following the clarification and no further questions, Van Campen moves for a voice vote, which results in unanimous approval of the resolution.
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Item 30.
Councilors Anthony DiPierro and the entire city council proposed a resolution to petition the Department of Public Utilities to mandate that towing companies accept credit cards as payment. DiPierro suggested referring the matter to legislative affairs for further discussion and potentially drafting a letter, acknowledging previous concerns raised by Councilor Martins and issues highlighted by the towing industry, including financial losses due to cancelled charges. He expressed interest in maintaining a balanced approach without inviting Sergeant Gaff to discuss this specific resolution, but showed openness to hearing from towing company representatives to understand their concerns. The council agreed without opposition.
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Item 31.
The council discussed a resolution introduced by Councilor Anthony DiPierro and supported by the entire city council to work with the traffic commission on updating the street sweeping policy to include a tiered fine structure, aiming to avoid towing vehicles on the first or second offense. DiPierro emphasized the importance of collective input from all council members, reflecting their diverse perspectives and constituencies, and proposed that as many members as possible participate in the next traffic commission meeting to explore options, including looking at policies from other cities. The motion to refer the matter to the traffic commission was made, seconded, and unanimously approved by the council.
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Item 32.
Item number 32, offered by Michael Marchese, involves a resolution requesting that the city's fire department provides the city council with all operational statistics regarding the performance of the city-owned ambulance. The item was initially referred to Mr. Demas for a report, with a motion made by Van Campen to defer the request to the chief financial officer for a report at the February 26th meeting. Smith suggested including the fire department in the request to ensure both financial and operational statistics are covered. The motion was then modified to receive information from both the chief financial officer and the fire chief, with a unanimous vote in favor.
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Item 33.
The resolution, designated as item 33 and proposed by Councilor Michael Marchese, aimed to request information about the revenues and expenses associated with the city-owned ambulance from the city's chief financial officer. During the hearing, a motion was made and seconded to refer item 33 back to its sponsor, which was subsequently put to a vote. With no opposition, the motion passed, and item 33 was officially referred back to its sponsor.
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Item 34.
Councilor Michael Marchese proposed a resolution asking the city's chief assessing officer to provide information on expected major property value decreases, specifically mentioning power plants, LNG, and Exxon, in anticipation of potential fiscal impacts. The council discussed inviting the chief assessor to a future meeting to detail the financial implications, including tax revenue losses. The conversation touched upon the sale of the LNG facility to National Grid and strategies for leveraging this change to benefit the city, specifically concerning a walkway project. A motion was made and approved to have the chief assessor update the council at their February 26th meeting.
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Item 35.
The resolution introduced by Councilor Michael Marchese, item number 35, focuses on encouraging the city's planning department to foster the development of housing communities specifically designed for those aged 55 and older. Marchese highlighted Everett's potential for such developments, suggesting that instead of continually building apartments that often result in high turnover rates, the city should consider creating 55+ housing communities, particularly in scenic areas like the waterfront near the OG property. He pointed out the appeal of such locations, offering amenities like boating, walking, biking, and swimming, which could attract residents wishing to stay in Everett. The council decided to refer the resolution to the planning department for further consideration, with a unanimous vote in favor.
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Item 36.
Item number 36 on the agenda, presented by Robert Van Campen, aims to align the city council's public participation rules with a recent ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. The motion to refer this amendment to the Committee on Legislative Affairs was successfully made, seconded, and passed without opposition.
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Item 37.
Councilor Stephanie Martins presented resolution item number 37, focusing on the need for the CFO to provide an update regarding the formation of the municipal scholarship committee with the aim of activating it for the graduating class of 2024. The initiative is built on a 1976 effort commemorating the city of Everett's 75th anniversary, aimed at establishing a scholarship fund. Currently, efforts are underway to establish the committee, which is to consist of nine uncompensated members. The CFO is collaborating with the superintendent in this endeavor. Martins intends to refer this topic to the next meeting for final updates, emphasizing the beginning stages of this process to benefit the upcoming graduating class. Additionally, she noted the involvement of a donation option in homeowner tax bills to fund the scholarship, hoping to leverage this for support.
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Item 38.
Councilor Stephanie Martins presented a resolution requesting the administration to provide an update on the ARPA funding application process for local organizations, expressing concerns that these entities have not received updates or convened since September 2021. Jabouin suggested including small businesses in the request to know how they can apply for grants, and Martins agreed to amend the resolution accordingly. The council then unanimously approved to request the administration to furnish an update by the next meeting on February 26th, specifically on the application process and requirements for both local organizations and small businesses.
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Item 39.
Council Stephanie Martins presented an ordinance amending Section 32 of the zoning ordinances, focusing on inclusionary zoning alongside Councilor Smith, continuing efforts started with former Councilor Costa. Martins initiated a motion to add Councilor Smith as a co-sponsor, which was approved without opposition. The motion presented aims to work on rewriting the section to address affordability in housing, particularly aiming to adjust the Area Median Income (AMI) to make affordable housing more accessible. The ordinance has been referred to the director of planning, Mr. Lattanzi, for further development and eventual presentation to the planning board.
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Item 40.
The resolution, proposed by Councilor Stephanie Martins, to introduce two-hour parking spots on the first block of Lexington Street, emerged from requests made by business owners on Broadway/Lexington aiming to improve parking mobility during business hours. The area is currently affected by bus stops blocking access and an abundance of residential parking that permits all-day parking, limiting customer access to businesses. The motion to refer the matter to the traffic commission was unanimously approved, with an additional note that a business owner is interested in presenting the issue directly to the commission.
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Item 41.
Councilor Stephanie Martins proposed a resolution, supported by Councilor Rogers, to maintain the cleanliness of tree pits throughout the year. This proposal was prompted by complaints from residents, specifically about litter, including cigarette butts, around tree pits in ward Two, particularly in front of a restaurant and on Union Street. Pictures provided by residents highlighted the issue, emphasizing the need for council members to observe these problems firsthand rather than relying solely on reports from the public. The motion to address this issue by referring it to the Department of Public Works (DPW) for action was unanimously approved without further discussion.
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Item 42.
The discussion involved an ordinance proposal by Councilor Robert Van Campen to reduce the lead time for advertising a city council public hearing on a proposed zoning ordinance amendment from 30 days to 14 days before the hearing date. The motion to refer the item to the planning board was made, seconded, and unanimously approved by the council members present.
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Item 43.
Councilors Peter Pietrantonio and Robert Van Campen submitted a resolution for an update on hiring a new chief of police. The council decided to defer this item to the next meeting, requesting the presence of both the Human Resources Director and a representative from the mayor's office for a detailed briefing. Councilor Marchese suggested including Human Resources in the discussion, which led to clarification that the chief of police position is distinct in its appointment process, not being part of the civil service but rather a mayoral decision. The motion to postpone and gather more information at the next meeting was unanimously approved.
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Item 44.
The discussion focused on a resolution proposed by Councilor Peter Pietrantonio regarding the replacement of the turf field at Everett Stadium, prompted by concerns from the EHS football coach about the field's condition and warranty status. It was revealed that Everett is eligible for a $250,000 donation from the NFL for field replacement, and steps are being taken to budget and set up the replacement. The resolution was ultimately referred back to the sponsor.
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Item 45.
Councilor Peter Pietrantonio introduced a resolution to have the transportation director provide an update regarding the frequency of trucks getting stuck at the roundabout on Ferry Street and Chelsea Street. Pietrantonio mentioned receiving information from Jay Monty about ongoing collaborations with the state to redesign the problematic rotary, emphasizing the need for intervention. He suggested transferring the issue to the traffic commission for further action. The council voted in favor of referring the item to the traffic commission for closer examination and resolution.
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Item 46.
Councilor Robert J. Van Campen proposed a resolution for the city clerk to provide a detailed summary of positions within the city of Everett and the Everett Public Schools labeled as special municipal employees under the General Laws Chapter 268A. The resolution also calls for recommendations on which designations should be rescinded as they are deemed unnecessary. The motion for the resolution was made, seconded, and referred to the legislative committee, with an expectation for the city clerk to provide a comprehensive list of such positions. The motion was passed unanimously.
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Item 47.
Councilor Holly Garcia raised concerns regarding the overdue renovations of Smith Playground, also known as Central Ave Park, noting that it's been almost three years since community meetings were held to discuss its reconstruction, yet no progress has been made. The motion she presented requests the administration and engineer's office, along with the parks director Mr. Martinelli, to provide a written update on the renovation status. Intrigued by the feasibility of the renovation, Pietrantonio queried if the park had been allocated funds in previous budgets, to which Marchese confirmed it had not. The council decided to request further information on the park's budget history for the next meeting, all in agreement to refer the item for a comprehensive written response regarding both the renovation updates and the budget inquiries.
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Item 48.
Councilor Guerline Alcy Jabouin proposed a resolution (Item 48) to address residents' concerns about the city's infrastructure's ability to support the construction of thousands of new apartments, as well as the implications for water, wastewater, and sewage systems amid a population increase of over 30%. Jabouin suggested sending the resolution to the committee on community business and public utility and inviting representatives from the planning board, the engineering department, the Department of Public Works (DPW), and the planning director to discuss these issues. Jabouin also requested that these representatives submit documentation on approved, processed, and recently completed water and sewer permits for developments larger than 50 units. However, Councilor Van Campen clarified that adding this request to the motion would require reconsidering the item, but ultimately noted it could be addressed within the scope of the committee meeting based on the resolution already passed.
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Item 49.
At the public hearing, Councilor Guerline Alcy Jabouin proposed a resolution requesting the administration to detail all costs associated with the maintenance of the old Everett High School, including utilities, insurance, etc. The discussion shifted towards the logistics of reviewing these costs effectively, with a suggestion from Smith to have the CFO provide all relevant financial information at least a week before the scheduled committee meeting to allow for thorough examination and preparation of questions. It was noted that the Ways and Means Committee meeting was already scheduled for the 22nd, leading to concerns about the feasibility of the CFO providing the requested information within the suggested timeframe. Despite these concerns, the motion was opposed, and the decision was affirmed with the ayes prevailing.
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MAINTENANCE REQUESTS
Cornelio announced that maintenance requests are considered final orders and are automatically referred to the relevant departments. These included requests for a new trash barrel on Broadway to combat littering by bus passengers, the replacement of an inadequate water main and fire hydrant on Belmont Park for public safety, the placement of a no parking sign near a fire hydrant on Union Street, the installation of a speed bump near Lafayette School on Enid Street for safety, and the adjustment or replacement of a fence at Lafayette School Park that is damaging neighboring properties. These requests were made by Councilors Stephanie Martins, Robert Van Campen, Wayne Matewski, and Holly Garcia, highlighting their commitment to addressing local infrastructure and safety concerns.
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