Melrose Council Search

City Council — 2018-03-05

City Council Regular Meeting

This meeting starts at 25:30 in a recording that covers several meetings.

Attendance

Manisha Bewtra present · Alderman at Large; Robert A. Boisselle present · Ward 4 Alderman; Scott M. Forbes present · Ward 7 Alderman; Jennifer L. Lemmerman present · Ward 2 Alderman; Kate Lipper-Garabedian present · 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 absent · Alderman at Large

Agenda

  1. Call to Order (24:48)
  2. Public Participation (31:24)
  3. Communications from Her Honor, The Mayor And Other City Officials (32:12)
  4. ORDER-2018-147 : Appointment of Health Director Ruth Clay as Emergency Management Director, effective April 27, 2018 (32:25)
  5. PUBLIC HEARING: 8:00 P.M. (32:42)
  6. ORDER-2018-137 : Petition of National Grid to install underground conduits beginning at a point approximately 60 feet SE of the centerline of the intersection of Vinton and West Emerson Streets; install approximately 60' of 1-3"conduit SE from existing Pole #693 for service to 0 Vinton St. in accordance with Plan #25533988 (33:05)
  7. TABLED
  8. ORDER-2018-135 : Election to fill Ward 5 vacancy created by the incumbent Gail M. Infurna becoming Mayor on Feb. 5, 2018. Said Election shall be conducted pursuant to Section 2-11(c) of the City Charter and in accordance with Rule 52 of the Rules of Order of the Board of Aldermen. (1:11:12)
  9. New Business (1:13:25)
  10. Orders Out of Order (1:13:32)
  11. Orders from Committee (1:13:38)
  12. ORDER-2018-140 : Appointment of Karen Burke as Veterans Services District Director effective February 19, 2018 (1:13:52)
  13. ORDER-2018-127 : Reappointment of Steve W. Trulli, 33 Bancroft St., to the Board of Registrars of Voters for a three-year term; said term to expire on the last day of March 2021. (1:14:54)
  14. ORDER-2018-128 : Reappointment of Theodore Hunt, Jr., 241 Tremont St., Apt. 2, to the Board of Registrars of Voters for a three-year term; said term to expire on the last day of February 2019. (1:15:56)
  15. ORDER-2018-129 : Reappointment of Eric Wildman, 33 Norman Road, to the Board of Registrars of Voters for a three-year term; said term to expire on the last day of February 2019. (1:17:08)
  16. ORDER-2018-143 : A transfer in the amount of $44,000.00 from Veteran's Benefits (015432-544000) to various Police Expense accounts as set forth herein. (1:18:10)
  17. ORDER-2018-146 : Renewal of Surety Bond of City Clerk, City of Melrose in the amount of $15,000.00 for the year 2018. (1:19:40)
  18. REPORTS - RULE 53 (1:20:58)
  19. Calendar (1:24:18)
  20. Adjournment (1:24:30)

Minutes

CITY OF MELROSE BOARD OF ALDERMEN BULLETIN● MARCH 5, 2018 Aldermanic Chamber, Melrose City Hall Regular Meeting 7:45 PM 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Manisha Bewtra Alderman at Large Present Robert A. Boisselle Ward 4 Alderman Present Scott M. Forbes Ward 7 Alderman Present Jennifer L. Lemmerman Ward 2 Alderman Present Kate Lipper-Garabedian Alderman at Large Present 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 Absent In the absence of President Zwirko and in accordance with Rule 4 of the Rules of Order of the Board of Aldermen, Alderman Peter Mortimer, senior member of the Board of Aldermen was nominated and unanimously elected President Pro tempore of the Board of Aldermen.

ORDER-2018-147 Appointment Appointment of Health Director Ruth Clay as Emergency Management Director, effective April 27, 2018 Assigned to Committee Protection and License Committee

ORDER-2018-137 Utility Petition Petition of National Grid to install underground conduits beginning at a point approximately 60 feet SE of the centerline of the intersection of Vinton and West Emerson Streets; install approximately 60' of 1-3"conduit SE from existing Pole #693 for service to 0 Vinton St. in accordance with Plan #25533988 Passed as Amended

ORDER-2018-135 Election by the Board of Aldermen Election to fill Ward 5 vacancy created by the incumbent Gail M. Infurna becoming Mayor on Feb. 5, 2018. Said Election shall be conducted pursuant to Section 2-11(c) of the City Charter and in accordance with Rule 52 of the Rules of Order of the Board of Aldermen. Tabled Board of Aldermen

ORDER-2018-140 Appointment City of Melrose Page 1 3/25/2018 2:36 PM Minutes Board of Aldermen March 5, 2018 Appointment of Karen Burke as Veterans Services District Director effective February 19, 2018 Passed

ORDER-2018-127 Appointment Reappointment of Steve W. Trulli, 33 Bancroft St., to the Board of Registrars of Voters for a three-year term; said term to expire on the last day of March 2021. Passed

ORDER-2018-128 Appointment Reappointment of Theodore Hunt, Jr., 241 Tremont St., Apt. 2, to the Board of Registrars of Voters for a three-year term; said term to expire on the last day of February 2019. Passed as Amended Finance Committee

ORDER-2018-129 Appointment Reappointment of Eric Wildman, 33 Norman Road, to the Board of Registrars of Voters for a three-year term; said term to expire on the last day of February 2019. Passed as Amended

ORDER-2018-143 Transfer A transfer in the amount of $44,000.00 from Veteran's Benefits (015432-544000) to various Police Expense accounts as set forth herein. Passed

ORDER-2018-146 Surety Bond Renewal of Surety Bond of City Clerk, City of Melrose in the amount of $15,000.00 for the year 2018. Passed Finance Committee City of Melrose Page 2 3/25/2018 2:36 PM

Transcript

▶ 24:31 They probably did as soon as I hit that gavel there. I'm going to get that in. Somebody call DPW over here. We're not kids anymore, Bob. I know. He's going to, he presides. The hour is 7.55 in the evening on March 5th. I'm waiting for my computer to be repaired, but we can start with our business nevertheless. Thank you very much. In the absence of the President, which is the case this evening, in accordance with Rule 4 of the Rules of Order of the Melrose Board of Aldermen, the senior member of the Board of Aldermen, who is now this alderman before you, will commence the meeting and we'll proceed to the business of electing President Pro Tempore. Mayor Afton called President Pro Tempore. Alderman Tramontozzi, you have a motion, sir?

▶ 27:06 Peter D. Mortimer: Yes, sir. Yes, motion to open the floor for nominations. Alderman Tramontozzi has made a motion to open the floor for nominations for President Pro Tempore. It was duly seconded by Alderman Boisselle. Did I hear you, Alderman Boisselle? Yes. on discussion seeing no discussion all in favor of opening the floor for nominations please say aye aye any opposed hearing none nominations are now open floor is now open for nominations for a president pro temp alderman Tramontozzi ozi I nominate alderman Peter Mortimer to be president pro temp for this meeting alderman Tramontozzi ozi has nominated alderman Peter Mortimer to be president pro temp for this evening's meeting duly seconded by alderman forbes are there any further nominations at this time seeing none is there a motion to close

▶ 28:01 Peter D. Mortimer: nominations nominations second alderman forbes has made a motion to close nominations duly seconded by alderman boycelle all in favor of the motion to close nominations please say aye Aye. Any opposed, hearing none, nominations are now closed. The one candidate who has been nominated to be president pro temp in the absence of the regular president is Alderman Peter Mortimer. All in favor of electing Peter Mortimer as president pro temp in the regular president's absence, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, Peter Mortimer is hereby elected president pro temp. in the absence of President's work-o until he returns. Which should not be long. Not tonight, but soon. Point of order, Alderman Medeiros?

▶ 28:53 Peter D. Mortimer: Is that a viva voce vote? That was a viva voce vote. It's not a roll call vote. What we just had was a viva voce vote. Am I correct in that? Each person should state. You think we should have a roll call vote? I do. Very well, then. Roll call. You're tired of hearing my name, but- Would you please conduct a roll call vote, Madam Clerk? Alderman Bewtra. Alderman Mortimer. Alderman Mortimer. Alderman Boisselle. Alderman Peter Mortimer. Alderman Peter Mortimer. Alderman Forbes. Alderman Mortimer. Alderman Mortimer. Alderman Lemmerman. Alderman Mortimer. Alderman Mortimer. Alderman Lipper-Garabedian. Alderman Peter Mortimer. Alderman Peter Mortimer. Alderman Dearest. Alderman Peter Mortimer. Alderman Peter Mortimer.

▶ 29:38 Peter D. Mortimer: Alderman Dearest. Alderman Peter Mortimer. Alderman Peter Mortimer. Alderman Mortimer. Alderman Peter Mortimer. Alderman Peter Mortimer. Alderman Tramontozzi. Alderman Peter Mortimer. Alderman Peter Mortimer. Alderman Wright. Alderman Mortimer. Alderman Mortimer. Nine votes for Alderman Mortimer. Alderman Peter Mortimer has been unanimously elected as President Pro Tem. So we can now proceed with the city's business. We'll have to check on that for the future though. I think it says viva voce, which is what we did, but it's a distinction without a difference at this point. So we can just proceed. Roll call. Roll call. Yes, that's the next step. And then we're going to salute the flag of the United States of America and do our regular business.

▶ 30:29 Please call the roll, Madame Clerk. Arvind Bhutra. Here. Here. Arvind Vazel. Here. Here. Arvind Forbes. Here. Here. Arvind Lemerman. Here. Here. Alderman Ripper-Garabedian. Here. Here. Alderman Dearest. Here. Here. Alderman Tramontozzi. Here. Here. Alderman Wright. Here. Here. President Pro Tem Mortimer. Here. Here. Nine present. Nine present and having the necessary quorum to conduct a meeting, we will now proceed to salute the flag of the United States of America. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. This meeting of the full Board of Aldermen, regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen,

▶ 31:20 Peter D. Mortimer: is being broadcast on MMTV and is available for future viewing on their website, as well as the website of the City of Melrose. Is there a motion to open- Motion to open the floor for public participation. Second. Alderman Forbes has made a motion to open the floor for public participation, duly seconded by Alderman Boisselle. We are now open for public participation for any item on our agenda tonight. On tonight's agenda, is there anybody who wishes to come forward and address the board on any item or order on tonight's agenda? Seeing no, are you willing to come forward motion to close public participation? Second. Alderman Forbes has made a motion to close public participation, duly seconded by Alderman Boycelle.

▶ 32:06 Peter D. Mortimer: All in favor of said motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, public participation is hereby closed. We will start with communications from the mayor and other city officials. The first order before us is order 2018-147. It is the appointment of Health Director Ruth Clay as Emergency Management Director, effective April 2017, 2018. This order will be sent to the Committee on Protection and License. The next order, please, is a public hearing. Public hearing scheduled for 8 p.m. My understanding is that National Grid has arrived. Correct. There was some question of whether or not they may not have showed up because of the terrible conditions we suffered from the Northeaster storm Riley,

▶ 33:12 Peter D. Mortimer: but it looks like they were able to send a representative. It is Order 2018-137. It is the petition of National Grid to install underground conduits beginning at a point approximately 60 feet southeast of the center line of the intersection of Vinton and West Emerson Streets. Install approximately 60 feet of 1 to 3-inch conduit southeast from existing pole number 693 for service to Vinton Street in accordance with plan number 25533988. Alderman Boycelle, please. Just a question. This order has been tabled. Do you wish to have an order or recommendation to remove from table? That's the next order that will be in order. And if you are making that motion. Yes, I am. Thank you. Alderman Boycella has made a motion to remove this order from the table after hearing it be read, which is required.

▶ 34:10 Peter D. Mortimer: And it's seconded by Alderman Medeiros. All in favor of removing this order from the table, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, this order is removed from the table. and we will now commence the public hearing we will hear from National Grid first then members of the public will be invited to come forward and express their opinions and make comments very good it's open already but we have a motion to open the public hearing duly seconded by Alderman Boycelle all in favor please say aye any opposed hearing none sir please proceed good evening councillors my name is Michael Cordima National Grid Electric 170 Medford Street in Malden the petition is for this conduit as you said to provide

▶ 34:56 electric power to national grid gas they have an underground rectifier in the area they're doing a bunch of main relays replacing a lot of old pipe at the request of the city of Melrose and this is one of the things they want a permanent power to their rectifier and that's the reason for this conduit thank Thank you very much, Mr. Cordima. Alderman Wright, this public hearing regards Alderman Wright ward, ward three. So Alderman Wright is about to take the floor. Please proceed, Alderman Wright. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for being here. What is a rectifier? Actually it's like, what it is is it keeps a charge from building up on the pipes. It just keeps constant watch on any kind of a stray voltage that could get into it

▶ 35:49 okay and where is it kept how big is it is it stored on the ground did you have a station somewhere is it on the curb some it's actually a vault it's in the sidewalk and I wish I brought a Google thing you could I could have showed you what it is but it's right off there right in the sidewalk it's got those pull open doors you may have walked by one or two in your time but so you'll be creating a vault that doesn't exist now no it does exist but this is permanent power i think before they had a um a little solar thing set up in the sidewalk which was non-reliable so they're going to hook it up to permanent power i believe they're going to get a communications conduit over there too okay and we're talking about 60 feet um can you describe because i don't i don't see it unless

▶ 36:39 Francis X. Wright Jr.: i'm missing it and that's possible uh any type of plot plan or any type of plan this is our petition it's a diagonal you know you you need to be over there because of the television and um okay so it's basically running across the street across vinton street oh i know where the vault is yes it's right by the park all right um all right and you will restore the sidewalk and the street yeah i i question them on that the gas company has contractors they're going to do all that okay i mean they've got that they've got basically my florence street from west wyoming torn up across west foster and up vinton street it's all torn up for the gas main that's being replaced yeah so you're going to do this in conjunction with that project

▶ 37:38 Francis X. Wright Jr.: correct this will all go in before they actually do any any street restoration okay that's what I'll make sure all right any type of disturbance that will require people to pass into the street you know pedestrians not for this particular pipe counselor okay one thing I would like to see is this is a main route to the middle school and the high school for people who live west south of this I guess it is southeast of this so I would like to make sure that there is a there'll be a police officer there detail officer I just want to make sure they can pass through the park at this point but I just want to make sure that that isn't in any way um blocked or prevent them from staying out of traffic it's a very busy

▶ 38:39 Francis X. Wright Jr.: street it's a cut through and i want to make sure that the pedestrians are safe both in the morning and in the afternoon the school the students um when do you anticipate doing this work well i haven't asked them that question i think it's an ongoing project actually this is just one little part of it yeah they're just getting that conduit over from the pole to the to the vote you know that okay i mean you're talking april may july this conduit yeah well as soon as i the petition gets passed then they'll get notified and they'll just they'll just have that conduit installed okay um the reason i ask is uh the farmers market does take place at that park and that will probably start up again in june i believe so um i would like to see this all completed not you know

▶ 39:33 Francis X. Wright Jr.: you're not the gas end of the national grid but the project can be completed along with the gas work i understand the street may not be paved by then but i just hate to see the heavy equipment this heavy equipment on the other side of the park that's their staging area and this this will be potentially heavy equipment on this side of the park i'll make a note of that i'll try to talk to him in the morning great okay all right thank you thank you mr president thank you alderman wright um next in queue we have alderman forbes please thank you um i'm looking here that Thorp a a memorandum that's dated today with about 13 conditions did you receive that letter by any chance that probably would have gone to the gas company counselor I'm not sure

▶ 40:25 Scott M. Forbes: you can give me a copy I take it our city clerk will deliver a copy to you presently the reason why I asked is that Thorp about 13 different conditions that are here I don't expect you to be able to know them all right now since I'm gonna ask you these questions in like 10 30 seconds but a I guess the first question this is considered typical normal type of work for National Grid am I correct in saying that it's yeah for the National Grid gas people this is yeah they do this work okay how long does a project like this usually lasts in terms of days that's that's a question I could take back okay because I know that I traveled through Melrose and I've noticed it for a couple of months now so yeah is the question I really have would be would there be any

▶ 41:14 Scott M. Forbes: public service disruption with a job like this and we don't know how long going to take are the people the surrounding residents how are they going to be affected is that something that you know when you start the work are you going to notify the the public anticipation i know you don't have a target date now but it would be helpful for the people especially the people who live in that area to know the work is being done in a certain target time frame how long it's going to last and if there is any service disruption potentially i know those are normal things but i just want to make sure since we are in a public hearing environment that those things are going to be followed um i know you just got that as well so i

▶ 41:52 Scott M. Forbes: i hope that you would be able to meet all the conditions uh in this letter uh i assume since these were written there was probably some dialogue between the city and national grid and some agreement uh actually the the guy that i talked to on the gas side he has talked to you not your city manager but maybe the department of public works man they work closely together i guess okay all right well again it's really all about the residents and the disruption potentially so we just want to make sure that this is a seamless transition for them as well as the work is being done thank you alderman forbes are you making a motion that those 13 conditions be included in the jacket yes mr president for attempt alderman forbes has made a motion that

▶ 42:31 Peter D. Mortimer: those 13 items be included in the jacket duly seconded by was that a second oh duly seconded by alderman boycelle on discussion of that motion point of order is it appropriate to make a motion during the public hearing portion of this after all right if uh if we'd rather wait we'll uh we'll hold up on that but we'll hold that motion in abeyance um at this point and um alderman boy cell had been next in queue mr alderman forbes asked the question seeing that uh alderman forbes asked his questions he graciously withdrew his turn in the queue for the first time now you almost made it in but Alderman Lipper-Garabedian got her hand up before you go for the second time Alderman Lipper-Garabedian will go for

▶ 43:16 Kate Lipper-Garabedian: the first time please proceed Alderman Lipper-Garabedian like you I have just been looking at the conditions for the first time tonight so one thing I would be interested in knowing is whether when the work like this is done and a street is maybe impacted I see that the conduit goes across Vinton and I expect that you have to tear up some of the street itself but to the degree that there is a crosswalk there or that there should be one I'd be interested in ensuring that it gets redone I know that this is a section that I've talked to a lot of people who live in this area where Thorp a lot of foot traffic and the train goes nearby and both streets are fairly well trafficked as well with cars

▶ 43:54 Francis X. Wright Jr.: so I think it's really important on that the street when it's Put back into its original form is even improved if possible with clear markings for the crosswalk if there is one there Would that typically be done that you would when you're repaving you would include sort of the painting of a crosswalk if there was a crosswalk Yeah, I'm sure there would be yeah Thank you. Thank you. Alderman look for garabedian Alderman Rita, please just as a point of information mr. President They've been, the gas company, National Grid, has been out there since August, and I live right there, and I communicate with them almost daily, so if anyone has any questions, anyone has any problems, they certainly can contact me.

▶ 44:45 Francis X. Wright Jr.: They've, by and large, done a good job and accommodated the neighborhood. there hasn't been any interruption in gas service and I'm aware of other than when they've had to connect our individual homes to the new gas line that they're putting down so it's my expectation that that will continue the crews been good so just so everyone's aware both on this board and in the public that you know we are monitoring it and to the extent there are issues and there are issues right now that been the street in that area has been blocked every day to some degree for traffic but that's so they can get the work done so they're working on Florence they're working on Stanford they're working a little bit on heard they're working on North and South High and they're working

▶ 45:39 Peter D. Mortimer: on Vinton so it's a major project thank you Thank You alderman Rita seeing no further Alderman wishing to have a call acquit at this point Mr. Cordima we will ask you to step back so we may hear from members of the public and we will call you forward again in a moment are there any members of the public who would like to come forward and make any comments regarding this order and the project please come forward and state your name and address for the record please write your name on that sheet of paper on the table and address please hi my name is AND I LIVE AT 64 VENTON STREET. I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROJECT PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THE POLE AT WHICH THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT IS AT THE BASE OF OUR DRIVEWAY.

▶ 46:49 AND OUR DRIVEWAY IS THE DRIVEWAY THAT IS FOR FOUR UNITS LOCATED AT 64 VENTON, FOUR UNITS AT 60 VENTON, AND FOUR UNITS AT 62 VENTON. SO ANY PROJECT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO IS GOING TO DISRUPT VEHICLES FOR AT LEAST FOUR of property in a very significant way additionally we've been tolerating the project that seems to be lasting forever in the sense of the amount of noise that's going on in our neighborhood so one of my questions is really about the timeline of how long this project would last because it would significantly disrupt our day-to-day of being able to get in and out of our homes and I don't KNOW IF THE CITY WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE US ALTERNATIVE PARKING IF FOR SOME REASON WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET

▶ 47:40 INTO OUR DRIVEWAY SINCE AS IT IS Rita NOW, THERE ISN'T REALLY STREET PARKING IN THAT AREA, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT IS LINING THE PARK. SO MY BIG CONCERN IS JUST REALLY UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE TIMELINE IS AND WHAT OPPORTUNITIES THERE ARE TO TRY TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT IT'S GOING TO HAVE ON THOSE OF US WHO live right at that property thank you very much um any other concerns at this point those were my biggest ones is really you know considering the safety of being able to get an out for first responders if Thorp ever you know an emergency but also just kind of day-to-day how are we going to get in out and how long is it going to last because like i said that is our only driveway for vehicles that are for 12 units very good alderman wright would you like to

▶ 48:32 Francis X. Wright Jr.: respond please please stay the chair usually we hear from everyone in the public but uh this is a working committee actually uh excuse me it is the full board but it's a table to order so we'll uh allow some leniency and allow alderman Rita to address your concerns and make sure uh they're well addressed which i'm sure they will be by uh alderman Rita please proceed alderman right Thank You mr. president the project that's ongoing should the gas portion of it should be completed as I understand it in the first half of this year then after that portion prior to doing any repaving it's my understanding that they will inspect the water and sewer lines and that thereafter they'll be doing some repaving it completion date as far as I

▶ 49:26 Francis X. Wright Jr.: know is still scheduled to be next year 2019 but certainly those target dates can move a little bit here or there as far as the parking goes and access to your driveway we certainly can make that a condition but I'm sure that if it became difficult for you and your fellow residents to get in and out of your driveway that we could find alternate parking we've got the parking lot right over at the t-stop there I'm sure we could work out something I don't anticipate that this will be that the portion of the project would take undertaking tonight's public hearing for is not good disrupt your your driveway for a very long I don't think so but we certainly can make it a condition that they provide access or other accommodations for the residents they

▶ 50:27 Peter D. Mortimer: use that driveway that was my biggest concern is trying to understand what the timeline is for that very specific stretch that's literally right there at the base of our property so we're happy to make that a condition thank you thank Thank you. Are those all your concerns? Thank you, Mr. President. Yes. Thank you. And Alderman Wright has yielded the floor. The next constituent, please come forward, sir. Oh, not coming forward to speak. Are there any other members of the public who would like to come forward and speak at the public hearing on this order, this project? Mr. Cordima, will you please return? you might address the concern stated and there may be some other questions from the alderman but probably not sounds like they were all addressed previously

▶ 51:15 Peter D. Mortimer: thank you sir um the lady's concerned for the conduit that's not a large scale thing they'll just get a you know a bucket and they'll just dig across the road and I've seen them done in like a day or a day and a half but I can go down and make sure that the timeline could be closer to a day or so because it's not a deep thing and it's not complicated thank you very much sir are there any aldermen who wish to make further comments or ask questions at this point if not I would entertain a motion to close the public hearing on this second alderman Forbes has made a motion to close the public hearing on this order please please stay sir just in case till we know you can you could sit back in the gallery if you like or stay there if you're comfortable but

▶ 52:04 Peter D. Mortimer: just in case something comes up in the course of the discussion alderman Forbes has made a motion to close the public hearing portion of this order duly seconded by alderman Boycelle all in favor of closing the public hearing portion of this order please say aye any opposed hearing none and the order is now before the board for further disposition the order is before you was a motion before about amending those conditions we can take that now or we can alderman wright please i will now make alderman Forbes motion uh to incorporate the conditions uh set forth in the march 5th memorandum to this board uh from elena proekis ellis the city engineer with the addition of a 14th condition which shall read as follows the petitioner shall

▶ 53:00 Peter D. Mortimer: allow for ready access to and from the adjacent driveway thank you alderman Rita alderman Rita has made a motion that we include the city engineer elena proactis's 13 conditions and one additional condition to address the concerns of the resident who came forward regarding the driveway for four dwelling units i want to make sure our clerk of committees got all that okay we got all that has been stenographed so that's all set that's been taken down is there a second on the motion yes it's a second of the motion but also discussion yeah just just one quick point for the people that are here it does say that all businesses in the butters in this letter that are impacted by the work shall be notified in writing 48 hours prior to the

▶ 53:49 Peter D. Mortimer: commencement of work to be performed so you will get a two-day heads up I guess well if we should call that but just a good point of information for the residents that are there so you should be notified if you were not notified please contact the city thank you all right is is there a motion to suspend the rules I see the resident wishes to speak she seems a little anxious we have a motion to suspend the rules duly seconded by Alderman Lippa Garabedian sir would you step back ma'am this is uh this is a little bit unusual but we'll suspend the rules to allow you to uh respond sure sorry i just wanted to make sure that the notice included the building at 60 venton street the last notice did not include those residents and again they're all on the same

▶ 54:38 Peter D. Mortimer: driveway very good thank you very much we have the motion to amend it has been seconded are we satisfied that the motion to amend is adequate at this point okay so no we're gonna get you on discussion a second off a point of order please proceed to further amend oh okay now wait a second I would just want let me finish what I'm saying so if anybody is satisfied with that we'll proceed but we have a motion to amend on the floor at this point so the motion to further amend would not be order at this point but it looks like there may be a desire and i'm sensing that you want to further amend to somehow incorporate the subsequent commentary that we just heard but to do that we'd have to withdraw this uh the motion to amend and the second that's on the floor presently

▶ 55:37 Francis X. Wright Jr.: we can't have another motion while Thorp a motion uh pending we've got a little hang fire Got a little hand fire here. So, the motion's on the floor. Alderman Medeiros, I think, wants to tweak it up a little more, but we have to follow procedure. Seeing no desire of the previous alderman to change the motion as it stands now, Alderman Wright? No, I was just gonna, you know, anticipating what Alderman Medeiros motion might be. As Alderman Forbes pointed out, it does say all businesses and butlers that are impacted by the work shall be notified writing 48 hours prior since the resident indicated that 60 Vinton will be so impacted I believe it covers it I think the important thing here is to

▶ 56:24 Francis X. Wright Jr.: make sure that the engineering department works with National Grid to make sure that happens I'm a little reluctant to put one address in here because I'm just afraid that someone else is going to get missed and I think we can do this just by a communication but so I'm not inclined to withdraw my motion although I appreciate all of them and Madaris's concern understood and the second stands too so the motion is before us you can on discussion at this point all the member Darrow sir opine and I don't think that's on discussion right now so let it continue and make my motion after okay the motion before is to amend it to include the 13 conditions from the city engineer and the 14th condition put forward by alderman Rita on discussion I just thought for the

▶ 57:22 Manisha Bewtra: public's again since we just got this and I'm looking at it in real time it might be helpful for the public to know that Thorp also two alderman Rita point about the importance of the farmers market a condition here that the work cannot take place during the farmers market so I think that's worth knowing all right very good Alderman Butcher please I'm looking at the map here was it 60 Vinton Street that was mentioned as the additional property because it sort of fits numerically so I don't think adding 60 Vinton Street would results necessarily in additional properties being added it goes from 56 to 62 to 64 on the map so it just seems like there was an omission there potentially of in a butter all right thank you thank you alderman future any

▶ 58:20 Peter D. Mortimer: further alderman wishing to be heard on the motion to amend seeing none all in favor of the motion to amend made by Alderman Wright and seconded by Alderman Forbes please say aye aye and the order is amended to include those 14 conditions Alderman Medeiros please thank you I'd like to move to further amend this to include the owner and residents at 60 Vinton Street to the abutter list very good Alderman Medeiros has made a motion to include the owner and abutters to the list number 60 at this time is there a second to alderman Medeiros motion second alderman Bewtra has made a motion to second the motion to include number 60 vinton on discussion uh seeing none all in favor please say aye aye sorry excuse me i didn't catch your hand

▶ 59:11 Francis X. Wright Jr.: soon enough i just want to really express my concern i understand and appreciate the desire to include one particular address but i am concerned that adding one address and not pointing out the rest and the fact that this project may not happen for months may be confusing and I've worked well with the people from National Grid if there was an oversight once I don't want to overplay this and I am therefore opposed to citing one specific address but rather would prefer to work with National Grid and with the city engineer and the administration to make sure that all the neighbors in this area both residential and businesses are covered understood that expressing one may possibly be inferred to exclude others

▶ 59:58 Kate Lipper-Garabedian: your point is well taken on further discussion Alderman Lippa Garabedian could I ask a question about this proposed motion is it to amend the conditions or is it simply in the packet that was provided by national grid we do have a list of some 16 residences with owners and and 60 Vinton is it not included in it and I'm wondering if it's simply to ensure that national grid adds this parcel to their list so through the chair you have made a point of information to the maker of this motion and you heard the point of information alderman Darius please respond and that's that's my intention we have a two-page list here of butters that were included and have been notified as far as we're aware for this public hearing and would therefore be

▶ 1:00:49 Monica C. Medeiros: you know if we have any kind of requirements to notify the butters as we do in the memorandum of conditions that they be included in the butters list the owner and residents at 60 Vinton Street so Thank You Alderman Medeiros may not be full proof, but at least to try to further notify as many people as possible. Thank you, Alderman Medeiros. Is there any further discussion on that second motion to amend? Alderman Wright, please. Could you just reread the further amendment? Would you restate the further amendment, or are you confident enough in your record keeping at this point to read it? Why don't we let them make it, since it's happening in real time. Why don't you ... Thank you. amend the order the abutters list to include the owner and residents at 60

▶ 1:01:44 Francis X. Wright Jr.: Vinton Street in Melrose Massachusetts thank you that that's it if please proceed alderman Rita you sell the law with the maker of the motion I don't believe the abutters list as part of the conditions so this is not not to amend the conditions all right let's order no but it's not a chair please it's not part of this document so i'm wondering if rather than state it the way it's stated right now do we want to include it the abouters list to the conditions the document and at and at that point add 60 to that list or am i missing it if that if you think that that works best all of them right i would be happy to to do that my concern you know my only concern is if we just state one address and it's may be or june before they get to this there may be some confusion i just would

▶ 1:02:43 Peter D. Mortimer: prefer that they have a full list so if it if it would if that would satisfy the residents and you i think that's maybe the best way let's add the list ask them to add 60 to the list and that that would i think make us all happy i'll restate if i may uh my motion my motion i'd like to withdraw and restate if so uh to add a further condition wait wait one first things first if you want to withdraw the motion let's do that then we'll then we'll restate it it's for the benefit of our clerk of committees and for the listening audience of everyone and and procedurally for you to do that alderman butcher has to withdraw her second to withdraw my second okay so the second withdrawn you withdraw your motion you withdraw your motion you okay you

▶ 1:03:37 Peter D. Mortimer: withdraw your original motion so the order is now before us as amended with the first amendment um alderman boy cell for the first time which amendment are we talking about now Thorp only one amendment which has been made and passed to include the 14 conditions the second amendment has been withdrawn by alderman medeiros and she's about to make another amendment okay this is a point of information here looking at this map 60 venton street doesn't exist according to the map here it says 56 57 62 64 and Thorp a zero venton street which i believe is the park itself so where is 60 Benton Street according to the city maps unless Thorp I mean you're trying to put an address in and the address doesn't show on the map it's

▶ 1:04:43 Francis X. Wright Jr.: we'll take that as a point of information and through the chair alderman right being the ward alderman the ward alderman I believe if maybe the the resident can confirm is this the property where Thorp a shared driveway yeah yeah so Thorp a shared driveway and Thorp Thorp different properties up in there different so they they split the property or in some way I just all I know is what I see when I drive over there Alderman Boisselle is if you get to where the park is kind of across the street from the park Thorp a driveway goes up Thorp a house to your left Thorp a house way in the back house to the right that's on the corner okay so that's really off this map then what what you're saying then and that shared driveway goes right up the hill into the rear into your

▶ 1:05:33 Francis X. Wright Jr.: area so i mean if it if it doesn't exist then Thorp no harm well i'm not saying it doesn't exist it doesn't exist i'm just saying if it doesn't exist on the map or whatever i just think that any what the goal here is to get them to to serve the notice on all three of those properties so that's what i think i can work with directly with national grid and mike lindstrom and the city ENGINEER BUT SINCE WE'RE MAKING THE MOTION I DON'T KNOW HOW ELSE TO TO REFERENCE THAT PROPERTY OTHER THAN OKAY I JUST WANTED CLEAR BECAUSE EVERYONE'S MENTIONING 60 VENTON STREET AND DOESN'T SHOW UP ANYWHERE ON THE ON THE MAP THAT'S BEING PRESENTED BY NATURAL GRID SO TECHNICALLY NATIONAL GRID IS REPRESENTING EVERYONE ACCORDING TO THIS MAP THEY ARE SENDING INFORMATION TO THESE

▶ 1:06:21 Francis X. Wright Jr.: people now if this particular 60 venton street is behind or sharing 62 and 56 i mean Thorp a square here unmarked uh they're not exactly in the project except maybe through the driveway assets so that's that's to you right point of information through the chair please proceed alderman wright no just that i guess is the point is there is this shared driveway that that uh okay a number of different residences share and um so uh yeah well they have separate numbers it may not show on that map but you know for purposes of them getting mail and public safety responding update it does exist okay thank you thank you for the response to the point of information alderman buter please for the first time um so we do not have a motion on the floor right now right correct

▶ 1:07:16 Manisha Bewtra: so my suggestion would be that we amend it to state something to the effect of the properties listed and any additional properties that have an entrance or egress onto vincent street or that would be sort of affected by that area because i can see the parcel at the parcel i'm looking on the city's um gis mapping website and it i can see how it got left off however i'm sure we can verify the city engineer can verify that Thorp an egress from um the shared driveway so would you um state a succinct motion please i'll be happy to if you want i don't know uh i will defer to alderman i will yield to alderman you have yielded the floor would you state a succinct motion please alderman Medeiros although i may not capture all of what alderman butcher wants to say but i for this purpose i

▶ 1:08:13 Peter D. Mortimer: would move that we amend the list of conditions and attach to the list of conditions uh the list of abutters as provided in order number 2018-137 and further include the owners and residents at 60 Vinton Street and I'm gonna leave it at good good all right second alderman Medeiros has made a motion to include that and add that to the abutters list as stated duly seconded by alderman Lippa Garabedian any further discussion seeing no further discussion all in favor of the second motion to amend any opposed seeing none the second motion to amend has passed and the order as twice amended is now before you is there a motion please motion Alderman Wright has made a motion to recommend this order for passage

▶ 1:09:24 Monica C. Medeiros: duly seconded by Alderman Boycelle is there any discussion on the motion for passage Alderman Medeiros please and just I guess one question to mr. Cordino if he's available to answer this is requested from the city of Melrose has requested this to have more reliable access to electricity at that site is that something that would help the farmers market in the future is that possible what I was told was by the gas side the city wanted the gas mains and the infrastructure in the area upgraded in this project this piece is part of giving them a an act of rectifier in the ground so I think I don't want to guess at it but I can take that back if is this something that people can connect to while they're at the park or is this something just to help the the buildings

▶ 1:10:23 Peter D. Mortimer: nearby it's actually an infrastructure thing for the gas system yes that powers up everybody thank you all the residents thank you thank you alderman medeiros on uh further discussion on the motion to pass made by alderman wright alderman wright please thank you mr president no i just wanted to say my understanding is that this is strictly related to the ongoing gas project which is there is no access to the gas in the park it's strictly for the residents and the businesses in the area that use the gas service thank you alderman wright the motion is before us still is there further discussion seeing no further discussion all in favor of the motion for passage made by alderman Rita and seconded by alderman boyce l please say aye

▶ 1:11:10 Peter D. Mortimer: any opposed hearing none this order passes and you may proceed with the work thank you council thank you and of course in conjunction with our engineering department as required by the conditions thank you very much the next order we have before us is order 2018-135 it is an election to fill the ward 5 vacancy created by the incumbent gail n m inferna becoming mayor on february 5th 2018 said election shall be conducted pursuant to section 2-11c of city charter and in accordance with rule 52 of the rules of order of the board of aldermen motion to remove the order from the table alderman lemmerman has made a motion to remove this order from the table second duly seconded by alderman forbes all in favor please say aye aye any opposed

▶ 1:12:09 Peter D. Mortimer: hearing none the order is removed from the table motion to return the order to the table alderman lemmerman has made a motion to remove the order excuse me return the order to the table once again duly seconded by alderman forbes all in favor please say aye aye the motion is returned to the sorry on discussion uh just on discussion for the purposes of the public watching um i'm about to do that and actually actually motions to table uh non-debatable but i was about to do that anyway but um yeah just for the edification of people watching at home uh robert's rules of order and our rules require any order that's on the table to be taken from the table and either acted upon or returned to the table and that's what alderman lemmerman just did with her two motions duly

▶ 1:13:00 Peter D. Mortimer: seconded by alderman forbes we just followed procedure we're not going to act on this order until uh president's work out returns the regular permanent president i'm just uh substitute as the president pro temp tonight so um just for the edification of uh viewers at home and the few people left in the room uh that's what just happened but uh thank you all of them next we have uh no new business at this time item number six on our roman numeral number six on our agenda no um orders out of order from roman numeral number seven and next we have orders from committee these orders were acted on earlier this evening in committee and i anticipate that there will be motions to remove them from committee and bring them forward before the full board

▶ 1:13:52 Peter D. Mortimer: tonight and the first order that is in the section orders from committee is order two zero one eight dash one four zero it is the appointment of karen burke as veterans service director district director effective february 19th 2018 alderman Medeiros please motion to remove this from committee alderman Medeiros has made a motion to remove this order from committee duly seconded by alderman forbes on discussion seeing no discussion all in favor please say aye aye any opposed hearing none this order is removed from committee and is before us motion for passage second Medeiros has made a motion for passage of this order duly seconded by alderman forbes any discussion seeing none all in favor please say aye aye aye we need to work yeah uh yeah let's

▶ 1:14:46 Peter D. Mortimer: have a little call on that would you call the roll please for the appointment oh adam city clerk the appointments can be voice yeah you think it's vivo voce it can be boys vote all right um so i So I think we're satisfied, Alderman Tramontozzi, but thank you for your point of order. All right. The next order we have before us is order 2018-127. It is the reappointment of Steven W. Truly, 33 Bancroft Street to the Board of Registrars. A vote is for a three year term, said term to expire on the last day of March 2021. Motion to remove this from committee? Alderman Forbes has made a motion to remove this order from committee, duly seconded by Alderman Boisselle. All in favor of removing this order from committee,

▶ 1:15:37 Peter D. Mortimer: please say aye. Aye. Any opposed, hearing none, the order is removed from committee and is before us. Motion for passage. Alderman Forbes has made a motion for passage. Second. Duly seconded by Alderman Boisselle. On discussion, seeing none, all in favor of passage of this order, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed, hearing none, This order is passed and Mr. Trulli is reappointed to the Board of Registrar of Voters. The next order we have before us is order 2018-128. It is the reappointment of Theodore Hunt Jr. of 241 Tremont Street, Apartment 2 to the Board of Registrar's of Voters for a three year term, said term to expire on the last day of February 2019. Motion to remove this from committee.

▶ 1:16:24 Peter D. Mortimer: Second. Alderman Forbes has made a motion to remove this order from committee. Duly seconded by Alderman Lippa Garabedian. On discussion, seeing none, all in favor of removing this order from committee, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed, hearing none, this order is removed from committee and is before us. Motion for passage as amended. Alderman. Second. Forbes has made a motion to pass this order as amended. Duly seconded by Alderman Lippa Garabedian. On discussion, Alderman Lippa Garabedian. Just for this one and the previous one, I think in committee we did amend this to be the last day in March 2019. for this one and the next one. The one before was not amended. This one and the next one are the two that are amended.

▶ 1:17:04 Peter D. Mortimer: But that's correct. This one was amended in committee and Alderman Forbes motion was to make a motion for passage as amended. So that was the proper motion. Thank you. Properly seconded by you. And all in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, this order is passed and Mr. Hunt will be on the Board of Registrars of Voters for the remainder of that term. The next order we have before us is Order 2018-129. It is the reappointment of Eric Wildman of 33 Norman Road to the Board of Registrars of Voters for a three-year term, said term to expire on the last day of February 19. Alderman Forbes has made a motion to remove this order from committee. Second. Duly seconded by Alderman Boycelle.

▶ 1:17:53 Peter D. Mortimer: All in favor, please say aye. Aye. is removed from committee and is now before us motion to recommend as amended Alderman Forbes has made a motion excuse me motion for passage as amended Alderman Forbes has made a motion for passage of this order as amended duly seconded by Alderman Boycelle on discussion uh seeing none all in favor please say aye aye any opposed hearing none Eric Wildman will continue as a registrar a voter for the remainder of that term the next order before us is order two zero one eight dash one four three it is a transfer in the amount of forty four thousand dollars from veterans benefits account number zero one five four three two five four zero zero zero to various police expense accounts as set forth

▶ 1:18:39 Peter D. Mortimer: herein alderman Forbes has made a motion to remove this order from committee duly seconded by alderman Boycelle all in favor of said motion please say aye any Any opposed? Hearing none, the order is removed from committee and is before us. Motion for passage. Alderman Forbes has made a motion for passage, duly seconded by Alderman Boycelle. On discussion? Seeing none, all in favor, please say aye. Aye. This is a roll call. Thank you very much. Got that the train was really flying there. Thanks for slowing me down. A roll call vote, please call the roll, Madam Clerk. Alderman Bewtra. Yes. Yes, Alderman Boycelle. Yes. Yes, Alderman Forbes. Yes. Yes, Alderman Lemmerman. Yes. Alderman Lemmerman.

▶ 1:19:20 Peter D. Mortimer: Yes. Excuse me. Yes. Alderman Lipper-Garabedian. Yes. Yes. Alderman Medeiros. Yes. Yes. Alderman Tramontozzi. Yes. Yes. Alderman Wright. Yes. Yes. And President Pro Tem Mortimer. Yes. Yes. Nine yes. Nine yes. That was a roll call vote requiring eight. So that motion for passage passes and the transfer will be made. The next order in this category that we have before us is order 2018-146. It is a renewal of a surety bond of the City Clerk, City of Melrose, in the amount of $15,000 for the year 2018. Alderman Forbes has made a motion to remove this order from committee, duly seconded by Alderman Boycelle. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed, hearing none, the order is removed from committee and is now before us.

▶ 1:20:10 Peter D. Mortimer: Motion for passage. Second. We have a motion for passage from Alderman Forbes, duly seconded by Alderman Boycelle. This is a roll call vote requiring six votes. Madam City Clerk, would you call the roll please? Alderman Bewtra? Yes. Yes, Alderman Boisselle? Yes. Yes, Alderman Forbes? Yes. Yes, Alderman Lemmerman? Yes. Yes, Alderman Lipper-Garabedian? Yes. Yes, Alderman Medeiros? Yes. Yes, Alderman Tramontozzi? Yes. Yes, Alderman Wright? Yes. Yes, and President Pro Tem Mortimer? Yes. Yes, nine yes. The motion for passage by Alderman Forbes carries with a roll call vote of six, and the renewal of the surety bond will be effected. $15,000, that sounds like it came from the last millennia. That's a pretty low bond for a city clerk.

▶ 1:21:01 Scott M. Forbes: All right, the next category is Roman numeral nine. It is reports from outside committees on which aldermen serve. And Alderman Forbes from the Water and Sewer Committee will now give us his report. Thank you. The Water and Sewer Committee met on February 27th upstairs in the Cassidy Conference Room. We did receive the preliminary assessment from the MWRA. Rita now, the preliminary assessment is a 2.2 increase in water, 2.7 increase in sewer. We do have a meeting on 327 that is gonna fine tune everything because as of 227, there were still other pieces of the puzzle to still be negotiated, such as direct costs, salaries and wages need to be finalized through the direct bargaining between the city.

▶ 1:21:51 Scott M. Forbes: Those things should be aligned for our meeting on 3-27. And if they are aligned, we'll be able to try to finally work in some of these rate models that we've been working on. And there'll be another meeting immediately a week after on April 3rd. Other things that were discussed in the committee, LEAD SERVICES WERE GOING TO HAPPEN STARTING IN APRIL FOR 58 RESIDENTS. THIS IS FROM THE MAIN TO THE CURB. THAT REPRESENTS 7% OF THE TOTAL HOMES, WHICH EQUALS 58 RESIDENTS. TWO YEARS AGO WE EXCEEDED THE THRESHOLD, SO NOW WE PUT OURSELVES IN A RATE MODEL TO FIX THE AMOUNT OF LEAD SERVICES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE. SO THAT'S WHERE WE GET THE 58. FROM MARCH TO SEPTEMBER, OTHER TESTS WILL BE CONDUCTED. forgive me let's see Warwick Road is still four to six weeks worth of work

▶ 1:22:47 Scott M. Forbes: which is the water service main there almost all 33,000 linear feet of lining has been completed post lining inspections will be done as the weather gets warmer we'll be able to indicate how much an impact the lining is made monthly billing four out of the six areas have been completed for monthly billing was still only getting a response rate of about 6% but this is still in the rollout phase we still have two more areas of the city that are left to go but as a total we only have 385 accounts on monthly billing as of the last meeting and then for our I&I project fiscal year 2019 the funds that were available from our last round of funding main replacements and new meter cuts that project is going to be going out to bid in the spring and that will

▶ 1:23:39 Scott M. Forbes: basically use up all the funds from the last round of funding that we receive from the city and then finally it looks like that we are 9% lower as far as consumption was concerned I know Thorp a lot of factors that are involved due to geographics weather and things like that like I said the end of the month we should have a better indication from the MWRA on the assessment and then as that happens we'll be able to get the cost from the city and plug them into the associated rate models thank you thank you very much for that report alderman Forbes and thank you for your service on that committee in item 10 are there and no other alderman on outside committees having a report and move on to Roman

▶ 1:24:22 Peter D. Mortimer: numeral 10 which is the calendar there are no items on the calendar this evening so we are ready for a motion to adjourn made by alderman lippert garabedian duly seconded by alderman boycelle all in favor please say aye aye any opposed hearing none the board of alderman meeting for march 5th is hereby adjourned thank you one and all

Original documents