City Council — 2016-05-02

City Council Regular Meeting

This meeting starts at 35:32 in a recording that covers several meetings.

Attendance

Robert A. Boisselle present · Ward 4 Alderman; Donald L. Conn Jr. present · President, Alderman at Large; Scott M. Forbes present · Ward 7 Alderman; Gail Infurna absent · Ward 5 Alderman; Jennifer L. Lemmerman present · Ward 2 Alderman; Mary Beth McAteer-Margolis absent · Alderman at Large; Monica C. Medeiros present · Alderman at Large; Peter D. Mortimer present · Ward 6 Alderman; John N. Tramontozzi present · Ward 1 Alderman; Francis X. Wright Jr. present · Ward 3 Alderman; Michael P. Zwirko present · Alderman at Large

Agenda

Minutes

CITY OF MELROSE BOARD OF ALDERMEN BULLETIN● MAY 2, 2016 Aldermanic Chamber Regular Meeting 7:45 PM

ORDER-2016-157 Opening Statement Regular Meeting of the Board of Aldermen to be held on Monday, May 2, 2016 at 7:45 P.M. in the Aldermanic Chamber, City Hall, Melrose, MA Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Robert A. Boisselle Ward 4 Alderman Present Scott M. Forbes Ward 7 Alderman Present Gail M. Infurna Ward 5 Alderman Absent Jennifer L. Lemmerman Ward 2 Alderman Present Mary Beth McAteer-Margolis Alderman at Large Absent Monica C. Medeiros Alderman at Large Present Peter D. Mortimer Ward 6 Alderman Present John N. Tramontozzi Ward 1 Alderman Present Francis X. Wright Jr. Ward 3 Alderman Present Michael P. Zwirko Alderman at Large Present Donald L. Conn Jr. President, Alderman at Large Present Alderman Wright departed at 8:05 p.m.

ORDER-2016-158 Operating Budgets (City, School, Regional School) City of Melrose Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 in the amount of 75,328,574.79 (Seventy-Five Million, Three Hundred Twenty-Eight Thousand, Five Hundred Seventy-Four Dollars and Seventy-Nine Cents) Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-159 Enterprise Fund Water Enterprise Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 in the amount of $5,337,495.08 (Five Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Ninety Five Dollars and Eight Cents). Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-160 Enterprise Fund City of Melrose Page 1 6/3/2016 7:39 PM Minutes Board of Aldermen May 2, 2016 Sewer Enterprise Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 in the amount of $7,718,419.09 (Seven Million, Seven Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Four Hundred and Nineteen Dollars and Nine Cents). Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-161 Enterprise Fund FY17 Ambulance Enterprise Fund Budget in the amount $904,565.70 (Nine Hundred Four Thousand, Five Hundred Sixty Five Dollars and Seventy Cents). Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-162 Enterprise Fund FY17 Mt Hood Enterprise Fund Budget in the amount of $1,544,832.37 (One Million, Five Hundred Forty Four Thousand, Eight Hundred Thirty Two Dollars and Thirty Seven Cents) Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-163 Amending Revised Ordinances Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Chapter 228, Article II, Section 228-15 (Water Rates Established), as set forth herein. Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-164 Amending Revised Ordinances Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Chapter 228, Article IV, Section 228-30 (Sewer Rates Established) as set forth herein Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-165 Amending Revised Ordinances Amend Melrose Revised Ordinances, Chapter 24, Article II - Fire Department, Sec. 24-32(E) - Emergency Rescue Vehicle, to set fees for FY 17 Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-166 Amending Revised Ordinances Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Chapter 228, Article IV, Section 228-20 (Elderly Discount) as set forth herein Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-167 Revolving Fund/Reauthorization City of Melrose Page 2 6/3/2016 7:39 PM Minutes Board of Aldermen May 2, 2016 Reauthorization of the Beebe Estate Revolving Account # 2750 for FY2017 Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-168 Revolving Fund/Reauthorization Reauthorization of the Council on Aging Donation Revolving Account # 2811 for FY2017 Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-169 Revolving Fund/Reauthorization Reauthorization of Health Department Revolving Fund #2659 for FY17 Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-170 Revolving Fund/Reauthorization Reauthorization of Inspection Services Revolving Account #2658 for FY2017 Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-171 Revolving Fund/Reauthorization Reauthorization of Police Department False Alarm Revolving Fund # 2665 for FY17 Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-172 Revolving Fund/Reauthorization Reauthorization of Recreation Revolving Fund #2652 for FY17 Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-173 Revolving Fund/Reauthorization Reauthorization of the Melrose Veterans Events Revolving Fund #2607 for FY 2017 Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-174 Revolving Fund/Reauthorization Reauthorization of Revolving Fund #2657 Waste Collection & Recycling for FY17 Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-175 Transfer City of Melrose Page 3 6/3/2016 7:39 PM Minutes Board of Aldermen May 2, 2016 Transfer of $l,632.00 From: Health Insurance, Group Health, A/C #019142- 549201 To: City Clerk - Professional Services, A/C #011612-529000 as set forth herein. Assigned to Committee Finance Committee

ORDER-2016-176 Acceptance Acceptance of MGL Chapter 60, Sec. 15B, as amended by Chapter 390 of the Acts of 2014 allowing for the establishment of Tax Title Collection Revolving Fund. Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-177 Revolving Fund/Reauthorization Establishment of Tax Title Collection Revolving Fund (fund number 2668) upon acceptance of MGL Chapter 60, Sec. 15B, as amended by Chapter 390 of the Acts of 2014. Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-120 Presentation Presentation by Raftelis Financial Consulting & Woodcock & Associates regarding water and sewer utility rate setting. Tabled Board of Aldermen

ORDER-2015-192 Amending Revised Ordinances Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Chapter 228-14 by adding paragraph C relative to Water Meters as set forth herein. Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2015-193 Amending Revised Ordinances Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Chapter 228-15 by adding paragraph A (3) relative to Unit Averaging as set forth herein. Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2015-194 Amending Revised Ordinances Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Chapter 228-15 by adding paragraph C relative to Water Proration as set forth herein Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2015-195 Amending Revised Ordinances City of Melrose Page 4 6/3/2016 7:39 PM Minutes Board of Aldermen May 2, 2016 Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Chapter 228-30 by adding paragraph F relative to Sewer Proration as set forth herein Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-33 Request BE IT ORDERED that the City shall cause all water meters in the City to be read between June 15th and June 30th of each year for the purpose of issuing water and sewer bills for the quarter ending June 30th. Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2016-142 Appropriation Appropriation in the amount of $210,000.00 to Fire Overtime (012211-511000) from Available Free Cash (01-324001) Passed

ORDER-2016-143 Transfer Transfer of $14,000 from account 650052 - 528003 (Ambulance ALS Fees) to account 650052 - 529000 (Ambulance Professional Service). Passed

ORDER-2016-144 Appropriation Appropriation from account 6500-319000 (Ambulance, Retained Earning) in the amount of $16,000.00; to A/C #650052-530514 (EMS Supplies) $10,000.00 and to A/C #650052-529000 (Professional Services) $6,000.00. This is to cover anticipated expenses. Passed

ORDER-2016-145 Appropriation Appropriation of $547,246.05 From Available Free Cash To: A/C #84044-490000 - Contract Stabilization Fund, Transfer In - $349,746.05; A/C #84054-490000, Capital Stabilization Fund - $197,500.00 as set forth herein. Passed

ORDER-2016-146 Appropriation Appropriation of $120,000.00 from Available Free Cash to account 012111- 513000 (Police Salaries Overtime) Passed

ORDER-2016-147 Grant City of Melrose Page 5 6/3/2016 7:39 PM Minutes Board of Aldermen May 2, 2016 Acceptance of $3,497Police EMD Grant for the Police Evidence Inventory Project - Fund 4024 Passed

ORDER-2016-155 License - Common Victualler Application of Joseph A. Dinarello, John A. Taglieri and Richard A. Talieri and for a Common Victualler License: Bananaland, Inc. d/b/a Giacomo’s Restaurant Melrose, 454 Main Street, Melrose, MA Passed

ORDER-2016-154 Transfer Transfer of 98,329.79 from group health providers to various accounts as set forth within. Passed

ORDER-2016-153 Appropriation Appropriation of $58,500 from available Free Cash to various Wyoming Cemetery Accounts as set forth herein. Passed

ORDER-2016-149 Transfer Transfer of $20,800 from various Public Works Salary & Wages Accounts to various Public Works Accounts, as set forth herein, for Lebanon Corridor Improvements Passed

ORDER-2016-150 Transfer Transfer of $12,500.00 from account 014011-511000 (PW Adm Sal Salary & Wages) to account 014012-529000 (PW Admin Professional Services). Passed

ORDER-2016-151 Transfer Transfer of $16,250.00 from account 614511-511000 (Water, Salary & Wages) to account 614512-529000 (Water Professional Services) Passed

ORDER-2016-152 Acceptance City of Melrose Page 6 6/3/2016 7:39 PM Minutes Board of Aldermen May 2, 2016 Acceptance of Easements at the properties set forth herein within the Essex Street Project Passed

ORDER-2016-148 Transfer A Transfer of $333,620.00 From Group Health account 019142-549201 and Workers Comp account 019122-543102 to various accounts as set forth within. Passed as Amended

ORDER-2016-178 Divided Order - Transfer Transfer of $5,000.00 from Workers Comp. Acct. #019122-543102 to Municipal Building Repair, Acct. #014022-527700 Tabled Board of Aldermen City of Melrose Page 7 6/3/2016 7:39 PM

Transcript

▶ 35:37 this is the regular meeting of the Melrose Board of Aldermen because O'Shea could you call the roll please Alderman Boisselle here Alderman Forbes here Here, Alderman Inferna, Alderman Lemmerman. Here. Here, Alderman McAteer-Margolis, Alderman Medeiros. Here. Here, Alderman Mortimer. Here. Here, Alderman Tramontozzi. Here. Here, Alderman Wright. Here. Here, Alderman Zwirko. Here. Here, President Conn. Here. Here. Nine present. Nine is a quorum. If everybody could please rise and join me in saluting the flag of the United States of America. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

▶ 36:30 Our meeting this evening will be recorded and videotaped and rebroadcast on local cable television in accordance with the provisions of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. Motion to open the floor for public participation, Mr. President. Second. moves that we commence public participation the motion is seconded by alderman boyce l on the motion to commence public participation all those in favor aye aye anyone opposed motion passes anyone who wishes to discuss any order that is on our agenda this evening please come forward to the table in the center of the room identify yourself and speak hi i'm phil taymor i live at 44 larksmont road it's a little unclear to me what your process is i have comments that relate

▶ 37:10 to both water and sewer budget but moreover the water rate setting process i'm not sure if this is the best meeting to talk or whether a subsequent meeting but i'll speak at this meeting yeah actually sir both of those issues are on the orders that are before us this evening so either one would be or both are in order to speak i've previously presented a list of water and sewer related questions to the water and sewer committee and this board to which i've received a few answers so far i've attended the last two water and sewer committee meetings as well water and sewer committee meetings as well so i will recap briefly two of my outstanding underlying criticisms today and expand on one most pressing question first i repeat my criticism of the city's recently

▶ 37:56 disclosed change to its billing practice for the cost of its internal water and store consumption several years back when it started billing rate payers instead of its own departments of property tax funded budget, as had been long standing past practice. The change was not mandated or even encouraged to discourage by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, to whom I've now talked. The city's choice shifted $270,000 of cost annually to rate payers, equivalent to 2% of the water and sewer budget and a 2% rate increase. If the city felt the change was best or better or equivalent practice, it could and should have reduced its property tax budget to offset the amount shifted in order to remain revenue

▶ 38:38 neutral to residents it did not i further find the city's decision to stop charging its own departments irreconcilable with its decision to start charging residents at tiered rates to encourage their attention to consumption in fiscal year 2014. second i repeat my criticism of the city's combined water and sewer spending increases of the past two years while complaining about mwra charges, which increased at an average of about 4.5% per year, the City increased the spending it controls by well over 10% annually, whether excluding or including allocated charges from the property tax budget, reserves, or debt service. In fact, I believe the City increased spending closer to 14% a year, spread across all areas.

▶ 39:26 These increases remain institutionalized in today's spending base, off of which 2017 will now simply grow third and finally I repeat strongly my pressing question and criticism of the city's current dramatic unsupported rate unsupported tiered rate structure Melrose top tier Melrose's top tier combined water and sewer rate among the highest of MWRA district cities is 36% higher than its lowest tier considering that MWRA charges represents 61% of total spending and unequivocally are constant per unit of consumption, the remaining city-controlled spending portion has to be proven 93% more costly per cubic foot for a top-tier user. No one has ever supported the contention that top-tier users are this 93% more costly.

▶ 40:18 The MWRA may or may not require increasing block rates. Interpretations and actual city practices vary, But the MWRA allows them only to the extent they fairly reflect the resource demand of high-volume users. The Water and Sewer Committee plans to present the Board with various 2017 rate options for its consideration, varying the number and size of consumption tiers, making small changes in the allocation of costs between base fee and variable rate components, and reducing sewer charges for residents who don't have second meters. These minor changes do not change the dramatic tiered rate structure. which is a big issue and source of inequity today. The Water and Soar Committee, whose meetings I've attended,

▶ 41:02 has focused primarily, if not solely, on the impact any potential changes might have on lowest tier users, who certainly do outnumber higher tier users. The committee has not considered collapsing tiered rates because that would require a significant increase in these lowest tier rates. However, the lowest tiered rates are low today only because of the huge insupportable subsidy they receive at the expense of higher tier users, including those people unfortunately trapped in commonly metered multi-unit housing situations. In contrast, no regulated public utility provider that I know of, electric or gas or other, would ever be allowed to charge one set of customers at dramatically high tiered rates

▶ 41:45 in order to merely and excessively subsidize others. And although conservation has its place, as some people on this board have also opined, It should not drive the rate structure since MWRA district water is not in scarce supply. This board should force the city to adopt a rate structure based on the proven unit cost of providing service to each consumption tier. For every cost element which is not constant per cubic foot across tiers, the city must calculate and explain in a straightforward fashion the percentage the element comprises of total water resource spending, the percent by which that element is more costly per cubic foot for a top-tier user, and the specific reasons for that cost differential.

▶ 42:29 The city needs to collapse its current rates by much more than any option that will be presented to this board. After all this time and repeating questioning, the Water and Store Committee still has not provided any explanations or support for its dramatic tiered rates. Either the city can't support them, or the city doesn't believe it has to support them in compliance with MWI regulations as described. Either way, I ask this committee, the Water and Sewer Committee, this one final multi-part question again today. One, how have you computed rates by tier? Two, can and will you provide cost element analysis supporting the rate differentials between tiers? Three, did you instead, the Water and Sewer Committee, merely and simply set the differentiated rates arbitrarily and you indeed have no support?

▶ 43:23 And four, what are both the logical and regulatory basis for your approach? I ask this Board of Aldermen to once and for all force the Water and Sewer Committee to answer this final, simple question and resolve the matter of insupportable rights. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you. anyone else who wishes to speak this evening hi I'm Jerry Moroz I would like to speak about some of the specific issues regarding the water and sewer items that are on the table tonight first you know I've come here a number of years through this process of the city budget and the water and sewer rate setting in the water and sewer budgets themselves every year I present some information I'm well grounded in my facts, I do my research, I'm good at analytical skills, and I come

▶ 44:24 here and I present to you what I see in the hopes that somebody else will look at it and take a look and try to figure out, you know, even if they don't agree completely with me, where I'm coming from and why what I'm saying is defensible and arguable. Every year, after I get done speaking at a public comment, I sit down and we have all the people from the city come up and say what essentially amounts to a political presentation about defending what the mayor says, what the mayor wants. That's their job. They work for the mayor. But when they come up here and read text from a very specific letter that we don't know what the question was that was asked and what the answer was, what somebody was framing

▶ 45:09 about it in isolation and somebody says that it's illegal if we do anything else. I take exception to that because I do my research. I think thoughtfully and carefully about all the issues and where they come from. One of the issues on the table here is the issue of city water use and city sewer use. The schools, the fire department, police station, city hall, the parks, everything. In the accounting procedures under the Uniform Massachusetts Accounting Standards, it's not appropriate for a department for accounting purposes to bill another department for a service done for one department. Departments aren't autonomous entities that can bill other departments. There's an informational guidance

▶ 45:56 released by the Department of Revenue from 2008 and it's 08-101. Item number 17 in the questions at the end talk about this specific issue and they say that under the accounting procedures you wouldn't characterize a charge from the enterprise fund to the schools or to the police station or the fire station but they say right in that document that it's it's appropriate to take those charges into account in the budget process the mayor's people have come here year after year after year and said no you can't do that you know they the city charges have to be in the water and sewer enterprise fund but I just asked you, under basic element of common sense and fairness, why would an expense of $270,000,

▶ 46:46 more than a quarter million dollars, be charged to the rate payers of a water and sewer enterprise fund, which the purpose of separating an enterprise fund is to make it autonomous so that the costs and charges are commensurate with a separate entity? The city is a consumer of that enterprise fund the enterprise fund ought to be receiving revenues from the city we all know that the that the city does a whole lot of work to try to identify any kind of you know obscure indirect cost that the city might be paying for and we charge that to the enterprise fund so we do all this work to find more charges to give the enterprise fund from the city side but the thing staring us in the face the two hundred and seventy thousand dollars

▶ 47:34 that the enterprise fund is in deficit for because the city's not paying its bill that just passed along to the ratepayers I find that as as an as a tax on the rate payers of the enterprise fund which they are city expenses that aren't being the revenues for those aren't being raised through the appropriate channels of what cities are allowed to raise revenue for I would say contrary to what's been said here before is that it's not illegal for the city to pay its fair share of its expenses and to pay for those with revenues that the city drives according to the typical revenue sources of the city that's one thing that the city has claimed that would be illegal if they followed my reasoning the next thing is what mr. Tamar just talked about is the

▶ 48:26 increasing block rates the key element there is about the for people who are very, very high volume of users, if we had a strain on our system because of them, if we had to go out and we had wells, we had to drill a new well to accommodate this person's million gallons a day, that is a real cost that we would incur that would be a resource demand because of that high volume user. We don't have that. As much water as we ever need, MWRA is glad to give it to us, they're glad to give it to us at about $2.50 per 100 cubic feet. It's not illegal to have a flat rate in Melrose with our users and our use history. Even if you wanted to have an increasing rate, and Mr. Taymor has been very excellent about

▶ 49:11 highlighting I think it's 48% to 49% higher in the third tier than the first tier. Even if you wanted to technically have an increasing block rate, there is nothing that would prevent you from having an increasing block rate where the tier two is one penny higher than tier one and tier three is one penny higher than tier two. As absurd as it sounds, if that's really your concern, you could do that. At the same time, this arbitrary 2,000 cubic feet per quarter, some people make you think that it's very thoughtful. And where it comes from is this considered an average use of a person of using 65 gallons per day per person. 65 gallons per day per person of water and sewer, or of water, just say, is over the

▶ 49:57 course of 90 days times two and a half people about equal to 2,000 cubic feet. So what we've just done here in this process is we've conflated a per person average with a certain number of people on average and we're applying that to a water meter that could have one person behind it, could have a family of five or six behind it, it could have a condominium of 150 behind it. Again, common sense, basic fairness, on the face of it, it doesn't flow. The logic doesn't flow, that you're taking, you know, if you want to really say we need to have people use 65 gallons per day, well, tell the person who has a medical issue they have to use a lot more than that, well, sorry, you've got to pay more money, which is what

▶ 50:45 you're doing. Tell the people who hire you, you know, who associate with more people, they live with more people, that, you know, we're going to tax you because of that. None of those things are fair. The first element about the municipal water use and not billing that to the Enterprise Fund harms the Enterprise Fund's financial stability, and it harms us improving our status with the MWRA in terms of what we use and what we're charged for. Every bit of money that the Enterprise Fund doesn't have, that we're not putting into inflow and infiltration is an investment that we're not making which that investment has substantial returns on the investment I want to address another issue the issue of reserves they're in your budget in the water and sewer

▶ 51:39 budget everybody's saying that we have to have these huge reserve amounts well if we were an ordinarily water utility in Nevada and we had to drill wells and protect an aquifer, and have pumps in those wells, and have transmission lines, and have a treatment plant, and have storage towers. There's a lot of reserves we need in case those things go bad. What do we have in Melrose? For infrastructure, we have a few pipes. We don't need that level of reserves that the consultant prior in this one here, he claimed at your meeting a few weeks ago, 25% he thought, you know, they're acknowledging maybe we'll go to 10 this year or something like that, we're trying to get to 10. but the truth is every bit of excess funds we have in reserves given that

▶ 52:24 we're not going to have a catastrophic failure of that magnitude unless we have an earthquake every bit of money that's locked in reserves is not working for us as an investment in our enterprise fund for inflow and infiltration issues on the sewer side and we still have leakage of pumpage on the water side as well so please in this budget process ask the questions why ask for the reasoning behind it I would certainly love an opportunity for this board to have enough to give the public an opportunity who cares to come forward and rebut some of the things that you will hear five or ten minutes at the beginning meeting is not sufficient and I do want to say that the water and sewer committee as is this

▶ 53:09 goes to the budget as well the water sewer committee as is currently composed I don't believe serves the city well and the reason I say that is is that most of people in that room are talking about water and sewer issues all the time anyway technical violation of open meeting law but that's not my biggest concern my biggest concern is that that committee really doesn't have a complete and thorough discussion of the underlying issues that i'm talking here about that mr taymor is talking here about they hear a number they hear somebody say something they vote to approve it there's not a whole lot in that room of the water and sewer committee doing some really deep work in figuring out what is you know teasing out what are the

▶ 53:50 tough things here there's a few good questions don't get me wrong but there's not a process there that's working and i believe for the the citizens one other quick thing this idea of throwing out a bone of a senior discount for water and sewer to people arbitrarily and that's what it is arbitrarily at some level you'd be much better off charging a fair flat rate to people no matter where they live in the city then way over charging somebody by hundreds and hundreds of dollars and giving them 132 senior discount in the end you know that that's center it's to me it's cynical to approach it in the way that it's being approached so i'm sure we'll talk again thank you for your time i appreciate it as always for those who stay to listen to me and um and we'll

▶ 54:35 Peter D. Mortimer: see you at another meeting thank you thank you sir anybody else who wishes to speak this evening Motion to close public participation, Mr. President. Second. Alderman Mortimer moves to close public participation. The motion is seconded by Alderman Boycelle. On the motion, all those in favor? Aye. Anyone opposed? Motion passes. Public participation is hereby concluded for this evening. Mr. President, I have in my hands the minutes of our meeting from March 7th, 2016. And I make a motion that they be accepted into the record without reading. Second. Alderman Mortimer moves that we accept the minutes of our March 7th meeting without reading them into the record. The motion is seconded by Alderman Boyce-Hill.

▶ 55:17 Is there any discussion? On the motion, all those in favor? Aye. Anyone opposed? Motion passes. Order 2016-158, City of Melrose Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 in the amount of $75,328,574.79. Mr. President, I rise to request immediate consideration for this order. Alderman Mortimer moves for immediate consideration of Order 2016-158, I believe for the purpose of scheduling a public hearing. Is there any objection to immediate consideration of the order? There is not. Mr. President, I move to suspend the rules. Alderman Mortimer moves to suspend the rules in order to discuss the order. Second. Motion is seconded by Alderman Forbes on the motion, all those in favor? Aye. Aye. Anyone opposed?

▶ 56:10 Motion passes, the order is before you. You have the floor, Alderman Mortimer. Mr. President, I make a motion that we set a public hearing on this order for June 6th, 2016 at 8 PM. Alderman Mortimer moves that we schedule a budget hearing on June 6th, 2016 at 8 PM. Second the motion. Motion is seconded by Alderman Forbes on the motion, all those in favor? Aye. Aye. opposed motion passes the balance of the order will go to the committee on appropriations where we will just start budget meetings this Thursday May 5th order 2016 159 water enterprise operating budget for fiscal year 2017 in the amount of five million three hundred thirty seven thousand four hundred ninety five dollars eight cents that order will go to the committee on appropriations

▶ 57:04 Order 2016-160, Sewer Enterprise Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2017, in the amount of $7,718,419.09. That order will also go to the Committee on Appropriations. Order 2016-161, Fiscal Year 2017, Ambulance Enterprise Fund Budget in the amount of $904,565.70. that order will also go to the committee on appropriations order 2016-162 fiscal year 17 mount hood enterprise fund budget in the amount of 1,544,832 dollars and 37 cents committee on appropriations for that order as well order 2016-163 amending melrose revised ordinances chapter 228 article 2 section 228-15 water rates established as set forth herein mr president i rise to request immediate consideration for order 2016-163 baldwin mortimer is requesting immediate consideration of that order i believe for

▶ 58:20 the purpose of setting a date for a public hearing is there an objection to immediate consideration there is not mr president as we are already under suspension i will move directly to set that public hearing for may 16th 2016 at 8 p.m alderman mortimer moves to schedule a public hearing at that date and time for the water rate order second second by alderman medeiros is there any discussion relative to that motion all those in favor of scheduling the public hearing on that rate for may 16 2016 at 8 p.m indicate by saying aye aye aye anyone opposed motion passes the order will be referred to the committee on appropriations order 2016-164 amending mellaro's revised ordinances chapter 228 article 4 section 228-30

▶ 59:15 sewer rates established as set forth herein alderman mortimer mr president i again rise to request immediate consideration and again for the purpose of setting a public hearing alderman mortimer asks for immediate consideration relative to order 2016-164 is there an objection to immediate consideration there is not mr president i make a motion to set the public hearing for may 16 2016 at 8 pm alderman mortimer moves to schedule a public hearing on that date and at that time second motion motion seconded by alderman forbes is their discussion on the motion all those in favor of scheduling the public hearing for that evening please indicate by saying aye aye aye anyone opposed motion passes the public hearing will be set and the balance

▶ 1:00:02 of the order will be referred to the committee on appropriations and also for members of the audience or the viewing public who are interested water and sewer budget issues will also be discussed at the may 12th meeting order 2016-165 amend melrose revised ordinances chapter 24 article 2 fire department section 24-32e emergency rescue vehicle to set fees for fiscal year 17. mr president i rise once again and presumably for the last time this evening to request immediate consideration for order two zero one six dash one six five government mortimer asks for immediate consideration of two sixteen one two thousand sixteen one six five is there an objection to immediate consideration there is not the orders before you mr president i make a motion to set

▶ 1:00:57 the public hearing for this order on ambulance fees for may 23rd 2016 at 8 pm second mortimer moves to schedule a public hearing for may 23rd at 8 p.m is there a second second seconded by alderman medeiros on the on the motion is there any discussion all those in favor of the motion please indicate by saying aye aye aye anyone opposed motion passes the public hearing will be scheduled for that date and time balance of the order will go to the committee on appropriations Order 2016-166, amending Melrose revised ordinances, Chapter 228, Article 4, Section 228-20, elderly discount as set forth herein. That order will go to the Committee on Appropriations. Order 2016-167, reauthorization of the Beebe Estate Revolving Account No. 2750 for fiscal year 2017.

▶ 1:01:54 That order will also be referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Order 2016-168, reauthorization of the Council on Aging Donation Revolving Account, number 2811, for fiscal year 2017. That order is going to the Committee on Appropriations as well. Order 2016-169, reauthorization of Health Department Revolving Fund, number 2659, for fiscal year 2017. That order is also going to be referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Order 2016-170, reauthorization of inspection services revolving account number 2658 for fiscal year 2017. Committee on Appropriations for that order. Order 2016-171, reauthorization of police department false alarm revolving fund number 2665 for fiscal year 2017. That order will go to Committee on Appropriations.

▶ 1:02:55 Order 2016-172, reauthorization of Recreation Revolving Fund No. 2652 for Fiscal Year 2017. Committee on Appropriations for that order as well. Order 2016-173, reauthorization of the Melrose Veterans Events Revolving Fund No. 2607 for Fiscal Year 2017. Committee on Appropriations for that order. Order 26-174, reauthorization of revolving fund number 2657, waste collection and recycling for fiscal year 17. That order will be referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Order 2016-175, transfer of $1,632 from health insurance, group health, account number 019142-549201 to city clerk, professional services, account number 011612-529000 as set forth herein. That order will not go to the Committee on Appropriation.

▶ 1:04:02 It will go to the Committee on Finance. Order 2016-176, acceptance of Mass General Laws, Chapter 60, Section 15B, as amended by Chapter 390 of the Acts of 2014, allowing for the establishment of tax title collection revolving fund. Committee on Appropriations for that order. Order 2016-177, Establishment of Tax Title Collection Revolving Fund, number 2668, upon acceptance of Mass General Laws, Chapter 60, Section 15B, as amended by Chapter 390 of the Acts of 2014. That order will go to the Committee on Appropriations as well. Tabled, Order No. 2016-120, presentation by Raftelis Financial Consulting and Woodcock & Associates, regarding water and sewer utility rate setting. Alderman Forbes. Yes, Mr. President, I'd like to remove Order No. 2016-120 from the table.

▶ 1:05:03 Second the motion. Alderman Forbes moves to remove that order from the table. The motion is seconded by Alderman Mortimer. Is there any discussion on the motion? All those in favor of the motion, please indicate by saying aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? And I usually do this snippet every few months. People, I think, are confused when we take orders from the table and frequently return them to the table. And under our rules, we have to take action on an order which is on the table, otherwise it will expire and not be a viable order for future meetings. So, for any people who are puzzled by our doing that, that's the rationale for it. That being said, I would like to lay order number 2016-120 back on the table for the purpose of Ralph Tellis Financial Consulting to present before the board at its corresponding scheduled budget date and time.

▶ 1:05:57 Second the motion to lay the order on the table, Mr. President. There's a motion to lay the order on the table, which has been made and seconded. as members of the board know motions for table tabling are non-debatable all those in favor of the motion please indicate by saying aye aye anyone opposed motion passes that order will return to the table do we have any orders out of order this evening are there any orders from committee okay if we do we have could we proceed to unfinished business please order 2015-192 amending melrose revised ordinances chapter 228-14 by adding paragraph c relative to water meters as set forth herein thank you mr president i'd like to move to take concurrent action on order 2015-192

▶ 1:06:55 2015-193 2015-194 2015-195 and 2016-33 alden alderman medeiros moves for concurrent action relative to the five orders named in the motion motion for concurrent action is seconded by alderman forbes is there any discussion on the motion all those in favor concurrent action please indicate by saying aye aye aye anyone opposed motion act motion passes the orders have been combined motion to um sorry uh motion to send these orders to the committee on appropriations alderman medeiros moves to return these orders to send these orders to the committee on appropriations second section is seconded by alderman mortimer is there discussion relative to the motions all those in favor of the motion please indicate by saying aye aye anyone opposed motion passes those orders

▶ 1:07:53 Scott M. Forbes: which relate to water and sewer will go to the appropriations committee and be discussed at the appropriate budget hearing do we have any reports from any member of the alderman who's been named to an outside committee in accordance with rule 53. thank you mr president as a member of the water and sewer committee we did have two meetings since our last board of alderman meeting the topics that were discussed were fiscal year 17 rates that will take effect on october 1st 2016 eliminating the problem of prorating rates we voted and approved to send fiscal year 2017 water and sewer operating budgets to the appropriations committee we also voted to continue the practice of not billing individual departments city auditor provided a letter from

▶ 1:08:47 Scott M. Forbes: powers and sullivan llc a letter drafted on 42816 stating that our current system of accounting for city water and sewer usage is considered appropriate and in good practice now i know further debate and discussion will be had i encourage this conversation at our upcoming appropriations meeting with our city auditor patrick delarusso and rob van camp in our city solicitor we also made an amendment to the current senior discount for water and sewer that would reflect all senior property owners throughout the city including those residing in individually condo units the last thing is the rate plans that would be presented before this board i know that the mayor said that there were 10 that would be presented there are in fact 11. there is going to

▶ 1:09:36 Scott M. Forbes: be a fixed rate option which was option number two that is something that we've all talked about the city solicitor will be here i assume that night to discuss the legality of it my goal on this commission was to accomplish two things to be as transparent as possible in the process and get as much information as i can and also to present the best possible plans for the city i wanted to have a i wanted to look at numbers that had one rate for all i wanted to have numbers that reflected two rates if in fact that's what's required under mass general laws so you have a one tier a two tier and the best possible three tier those are the those are the things i wanted to accomplish and i think we did all 11 plans are going to be presented before

▶ 1:10:23 Scott M. Forbes: the board we may have recommended what we feel like was the best plans for the city but it is up for discussion for everybody to take a look at absorb the information and come up with the best plan it was the only right thing to do instead of presenting one or two we want to give you everything so we can have that discussion in good faith thank you very much thank you You're welcome, and thank you for your service on that committee. Thank you. Do we have any other reports from anyone else? Could you call the calendar, please? Order 2016-142, appropriation in the amount of $210,000 to Fire Department Overtime, account 012-211-51100 from available free cash. This order was discussed in the Appropriations Committee

▶ 1:11:12 and comes to you with a recommendation for passage motion for passage mr. president second alderman Mortimer moves for passage of the order the motion is seconded by Alderman Boisselle is there discussion so Shay could you call the roll please Alderman Boisselle yes yes Alderman Forbes yes yes Alderman Lemmerman yes yes Alderman McAteer-Margolis Alderman Medeiros yes yes alderman mortimer yes yes alderman Tramontozzi yes yes alderman wright alderman Zwirko yes yes president khan yes yes eight years that order passes order 2016-143 transfer 14 000 from account six five zero zero five two dash five two eight zero zero three ambulance als fees to account six five zero zero five two dash five two nine zero zero

▶ 1:12:07 zero ambulance professional service after discussion this order was sent forward from the appropriations committee with a recommendation for passage motion for passage mr president second alderman warner removed for passage the motion is seconded by alderman Boisselle is their discussion relative to this order so shake could you call the role alderman Boisselle yes yes alderman forbes yes yes alderman lemmerman yes he is alderman mecca team no father medeiros yes yes alderman mortimer yes he is alderman Tramontozzi yes yes alderman Zwirko yes yes president khan yes yes eight years that order passes order 2016-144 appropriation from account six five zero zero dash ambulance retained earnings in the amount of $16,000, to account 650052-530514 EMS supplies

▶ 1:13:06 in the amount of $10,000, and to account 650052-529000 professional services in the amount of $6,000 to cover anticipated expenses. Appropriations Committee recommended this order for passage. Motion for passage. Second. Ms. Werko moves for passage. Motion is seconded by Alderman Mortimer. Is there discussion? Did you call the roll? Alderman Boisselle. Yes. Yes. Alderman Forbes. Yes. Yes. Alderman Lemmerman. Yes. Yes. Alderman Medeiros. Yes. Yes. Alderman Mortimer. Yes. Yes. Alderman Tramontozzi. Yes. Yes. Alderman Zwirko. Yes. Yes. President Kahn. Yes. Yes. Yes. That order passes. Order 2016-145, appropriation of $547,246.05 from available free cash to account 84044-490000, contract stabilization fund, transfer in in the amount of $349,746.05

▶ 1:14:18 to account 84054-49000 Capital Stabilization Fund and the amount of $197,500 as set forth herein. This order comes before you from Appropriations Committee with a recommendation for passage. Motion for passage, Mr. President. Second. Alderman Mortimer moves to passage. The motion is seconded by Alderman Forbes. Is there discussion on this order? Could you call the roll, please? Alderman Boisselle? Yes. Yes. Alderman Forbes? Yes. Yes, Alderman Lemmerman. Yes. Yes, Alderman Medeiros. Yes. Yes, Alderman Mortimer. Yes. Yes, Alderman Tramontozzi. Yes. Yes, Alderman Zwirko. Yes. Yes, President Kahn. Yes. Yes, it is. That order passes. Order 2016-146, appropriation of $120,000 from available free cash to account 012-111-513-000, police salaries over time.

▶ 1:15:17 this order comes also from the appropriations committee with a recommendation for passage motion for passage mr president second alderman mortimer moves for passage the motion is seconded by alderman boyce is their discussion would you call the role alderman Boisselle yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes president Yes. Yes. Yes. That order passes. Order 2016-147, acceptance of $3,497 police EMD grant for the Police Evidence Inventory Project, fund number 4024. This order comes from the Finance Committee with a recommendation for passage. Motion for passage, Mr. President. Second. Alderman Vorbz moves to passage, seconded by Alderman Boycelle. there a discussion relative to the order yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes president

▶ 1:16:28 corn yes yes yes order passes order 2016-1 55 application of Joseph a dinner John A. Taglieri and Richard A. Taglieri for a common victualer license, Banana Land Incorporated, doing business as Giacomo's Restaurant Melrose, 545 Main Street, Melrose, Mass. The Protection and License Committee recommended passage of this order. Motion for passage. Second. Alderman Medeiros moves for passage. The motion is seconded by Alderman Zwirko. Is there discussion relative to this order? All those in favor of passage of the order, please indicate by saying aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? That order passes. Order 2016-154, transfer of $98,329.79 from group health providers to various accounts as set forth within.

▶ 1:17:27 This order was recommended for passage in the Appropriations Committee. Motion for passage, Mr. President. Second. Alderman Mortimer moves for passage. the motion is seconded by alderman Boisselle it's the discussion relative to the motion please call the role alderman brazil yes he is solomon forbes yes yes solomon lemmerman yes he is solomon medeiros yes he is solomon mortimer yes yes yes yes yes he is president yes yes eight years that order passes order 2016-153 appropriation of fifty eight thousand five hundred dollars from available free cash to various Wyoming cemetery accounts as set forth herein this order was also recommended in the Appropriations Committee motion for passage mr. president second Alderman

▶ 1:18:16 Mortimer moves for passage the motion is seconded by Alderman Forbes is there discussion relative to the order would you call the roll please Alderman Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Order 2016-149, transfer of $20,000, excuse me, $20,800 from various public work salary and wages accounts to various public works accounts as set forth herein for the Lebanon Corridor Improvements. This order was recommended for passage by the Finance Committee. Motion for passage, Mr. President. Second. Alderman Forbes moves to passage. The motion is seconded by Alderman Boisselle. Is there anybody who wishes to comment or discuss this order? Ms. O'Shea, could you call the roll, please? Alderman Boisselle. Yes. Yes, Alderman Forbes. Yes. Yes, Alderman

▶ 1:19:14 Lemmerman. Yes. Yes, Alderman Medeiros. Yes. Yes, Alderman Mortimer. Yes. Yes. Alderman Tramontozzi. Yes. Yes. Alderman Zwirko. Yes. Yes. President Kahn. Yes. Yes. That order passes. Order 2016-150, transfer of $12,500 from Account 014011-511000, Public Works, Administration, Salary and Wages, to Account 014012-529000, Public Works, Administration, Professional services this order was discussed in finance committee which recommended passage of the order well for passage mr president alderman forbes moves for passage motion is seconded by alderman Boisselle is their discussion would you call the role please alderman Boisselle yes yes solomon forbes yes yes solomon lemmerman yes yes solomon vadiris yes yes solomon mortimer yes yes solomon twimatosi

▶ 1:20:13 Yes. Yes. Alderman Zwirko? Yes. Yes. President Kahn? Yes. Yes. Yes. That order passes. Order 2016-151, transfer of $16,250 from account 614511-511000, water, salary, and wages, to account 614512-52900, water, professional services. This order comes with a recommendation for passage from the Finance Committee. Motion for passage Mr. President. Second. Alderman Forbes moves for passage of the order. The motion is seconded by Alderman Mortimer. Is there discussion relative to the order? Alderman Boisselle. Yes. Yes. Alderman Forbes. Yes. Yes. Alderman Lemmerman. Yes. Yes. Alderman Medeiros. Yes. Yes. Alderman Mortimer. Yes. Yes. Alderman Tramontozzi. Yes. Yes. Alderman Zircon. Yes. Yes. President Conn. Yes. Yes. That order passes.

▶ 1:21:08 order 2016 dash 152 acceptance of easements at the property set forth here in within the Essex Street project this order comes from the Appropriations Committee with a recommendation for passage motion for passage mr. president Alderman Mortimer moves for passage the motion is seconded by Alderman Boisselle is there anybody who wishes to discuss this order would you call the roll please Alderman Boisselle yes yes Alderman Forbes yes yes Alderman Yes. Yes. Alderman Medeiros. Yes. Yes. Alderman Mortimer. Yes. Yes. Alderman Tramontozzi. Yes. Yes. Alderman Zircon. Yes. Yes. President Kahn. Yes. Yes. It is. Order 2016-148, a transfer of $338,620 from group health account number 019142-549201 workers comp account 0 1 9 1 2 2 dash 5 4 3 1 0 2 to various accounts as set

▶ 1:22:10 Scott M. Forbes: forth within yes I'd like to divide the order and remove the transfer of $5,000 from workers comp account number 0 1 9 1 2 2 dash 5 4 3 1 0 2 to municipal building repair account number zero one four zero two two dash five two seven seven zero zero okay alderman forbes is seeking to divide the order to remove uh the five thousand dollar appropriation from the order that is a privilege motion which is passed upon being made and does not call for a vote the orders are divided the order the appropriation that was carved out will be assigned order number 2016-178 most of the passage mr president second you're moving for passage of two 2016 148 or 2016. uh a motion for passage on order number 2016-178 mr president no no okay all right one four i'm sorry well that's fine if that's the

▶ 1:23:17 motion that the alderman has made is there a second Is there a second to the motion for passage? Second. Motion is seconded by Alderman Tramontozzi. The Order 2016-178 is before you. Alderman Medeiros. Based upon our rules, Mr. President, since this is a new order as a transfer and appropriation, I don't believe we can act on it tonight. It would have to go to a subsequent — It's not a new order. It's now a divided order. Divided order. divided order is not a new order so it would be the ruling of the chair that this order does not have to be referred to committee okay great and then do we need eight votes mr. president we do need eight votes for passage of that or at that order so at this time I might suggest that we table this because I

▶ 1:24:11 don't think we have eight Alderman present are you making a motion to table the order I think there's already a motion for passage on the floor but if If it would be in order to table the motion, then I would make that motion. Well, that would have to be contingent upon the makers of the motion to withdraw the motion and the second. Is there, I'm looking before the room, and I understand the eight aldermen that need to be present, so I'll withdraw my motion. I withdraw the second. Motion and second, I withdraw, and the order is before you. I believe Alderman Medeiros is making a motion to lay this order on the table. Second. Motion is seconded by Alderman Mortimer. Motion to table is non-debatable.

▶ 1:24:50 All those in favor of the motion to table, please indicate by saying aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? That order will be laid on the table. So we are back to order 2016-148. I'll make a motion to passage for order number 2016-148. Second. Second. Okay, Alderman Forbes is moving for passage of that order. I think Alderman Boisselle nudged you out by a millisecond. Alderman Mortimer on the motion. Very good, sir. On the second. Is there discussion relative to order 2016-148? Could you call the roll, please? Alderman Boisselle? Yes. Yes. Alderman Forbes? Yes. Yes. Alderman Lemmerman? Yes. Yes. Alderman Medeiros? Yes. Yes. Alderman Mortimer? Yes. Yes. Alderman Tramontozzi? Yes. Yes. Alderman Zwirko? Yes. Yes.

▶ 1:25:46 President Conn? Yes. Yes. Eight yes. that would have passed this. Motion to adjourn, Mr. President. Second. Alderman Mortimer moves to adjourn. The motion is seconded by Alderman Forbes. All those in favor of adjourning the meeting indicate by saying aye. Aye. Is there anybody who does not want to adjourn? Motion passes, the meeting will stand adjourned.

City Council — 2016-05-02

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