Melrose Council Search

City Council — 2019-12-16

City Council Regular Meeting

This meeting starts at 59:15 in a recording that covers several meetings.

Attendance

Manisha Bewtra present · At-Large

Agenda

  1. Call to Order (59:00)
  2. Public Comment (1:00:20)
  3. Communications from His Honor, The Mayor And Other City Officials (1:05:00)
  4. ORDER-2020-47 : An Appropriation in the amount of $65,000 from Free cash (account 01-324001) to various accounts as set forth herein to cover the costs related to upcoming elections in February and March. (1:05:10)
  5. ORDER-2020-48 : An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $7,000 to Fire-Emergency Service Vehicle (012212-534700). (1:05:25)
  6. New Business (1:05:45)
  7. ORDER-2020-49 : An order honoring the departing city council members for their more than 100 years of combined service to the City of Melrose (1:05:55)
  8. Orders Out of Order (1:38:20)
  9. Orders from Committee (1:38:35)
  10. ORDER-2020-45 : An Appropriation from the Peg Access Cable Fund (#2922) in the amount of $241,140.22 to MMTV and Melrose Public Schools. (1:38:45)
  11. ORDER-2020-40 : An Order Requesting the City of Melrose to adopt Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 33 ,Section 59 (effect of military service on salary, seniority, and leave allowances of public employees) (1:42:58)
  12. ORDER-2020-20 : Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances Chapter 198-2 refuse receptacle(s) as set forth herein. (1:41:40)
  13. ORDER-2020-19 : Expanding the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program by amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Chapter 6, Section 6-1 as set forth herein (1:40:15)
  14. REPORTS - RULE 53 (1:44:22)
  15. Calendar (1:48:58)
  16. Adjournment (1:49:08)

Minutes

CITY OF MELROSE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES● DECEMBER 16, 2019 Council Chamber, First Floor, Melrose City Hall Regular Meeting 7:45 PM 562 Main Street, Melrose, MA 02176 I. CALL TO ORDER Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Manisha Bewtra At-Large Present Robert A. Boisselle Ward 4 Present Scott M. Forbes President/Ex Oficio Present Kate Lipper-Garabedian At-Large Present Shawn M. MacMaster Ward 5 Present Monica C. Medeiros At-Large Present Peter D. Mortimer Ward 6 Present John N. Tramontozzi Ward 1 Present Francis X. Wright Jr. Ward 3 Present Michael P. Zwirko At-Large Present Jeff McNaught Ward 2 Present II. PUBLIC COMMENT Motion: Open Public Comment By: Councilor Mortimer, Second: Councilor Boisselle - motion carried. Jeana McNeil from the ZeroWaste Melrose Committee came forward to express thanks to the departing city council members--particularly thanking Frank Wright and highlighting Mike Zwirko for his support shaping legislation and offering procedural information. Gerry Mroz of Mt. Vernon St. came forward to thank the council-- specifically departing council members. Noting that "we all want to make Melrose the best it can be." He went on to express appreciation for the time and effort the councilors put into their roles. Paul Grover came forward to thank the departing councilors, specifically highlighting Monica Medeiros' commitment to senior citizens. Motion: Close Public Comment By: Councilor Mortimer, Second: Councilor Boisselle - motion carried. City of Melrose Page 1 1/6/2020 9:39 AM Minutes City Council December 16, 2019 III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS 1. ORDER-2020-47 : An Appropriation in the amount of $65,000 from Free cash (account 01-324001) to various accounts as set forth herein to cover the costs related to upcoming elections in February and March. RESULT: ASSIGNED TO COMMITTEE TO: Appropriations Committee 2. ORDER-2020-48 : An Appropriation from Free Cash (account 01-324001) in the amount of $7,000 to Fire-Emergency Service Vehicle (012212-534700). RESULT: ASSIGNED TO COMMITTEE TO: Appropriations Committee IV. NEW BUSINESS 1. ORDER-2020-49 : An order honoring the departing city council members for their more than 100 years of combined service to the City of Melrose Sponsored by: Ward 1 John N. Tramontozzi Councilor Tramontozzi called for immediate consideration of the order-- no objections. Tramontozzi also motioned to suspend the rules; second by Lipper- Garabedian, so that the resolutions honoring the departing city council members could be read. Tramontozzi read resolutions for: Manisha Bewtra (Bewtra spoke following the resolution- noting that it was an honor and a privilege to have served in the role) Scott Forbes (Forbes was also presented with the president's gavel.) Forbes spoke briefly to thank the other councilors, esp. Lemmerman and Mortimer for the opportunity to finish out 2019 as president of the council. Monica Medeiros-- Medeiros thanked both present and past colleagues of the council, she also thanked the city hall staff, MMTV, and members of the public-- especially those who took the time to come to meetings or watch meetings on television City of Melrose Page 2 1/6/2020 9:39 AM Minutes City Council December 16, 2019 Robert Boiselle-- Boisselle spoke to give advice to the in-coming councilors, He emphasized the importance of getting out in the neighborhood and listening to constituents. Mike Zwirko specifically requested not to have a resolution created, but Tramontozzi gave him the floor to briefly say a few words: Zwirko expressed gratitude to the members of the community for their support and engagement. President Forbes then read the resolution for Frank Wright-- Wright remarked that his experience was an honor and a privilege. He extended his thanks to everybody who works for the City of Melrose. Mayor Brodeur came forward to read the resolution honoring Peter Mortimer per Mortimer's request. Mortimer remarked that he was confident that the new city councilors will continue Melrose on the successful path it has been on over the last several years. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: John N. Tramontozzi, Ward 1 SECONDER: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, At-Large AYES: Migliorelli, Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright Jr., Zwirko, McNaught V. ORDERS OUT OF ORDER VI. ORDERS FROM COMMITTEE 1. ORDER-2020-45 : An Appropriation from the Peg Access Cable Fund (#2922) in the amount of $241,140.22 to MMTV and Melrose Public Schools. From: City Council PASSED Motion to remove from committee made by Lipper-Garabedian, second by Mortimer. Councilor Boisselle recused himself from the vote on this order due to his employment and affiliation with MMTV. City of Melrose Page 3 1/6/2020 9:39 AM Minutes City Council December 16, 2019 RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, At-Large SECONDER: Peter D. Mortimer, Ward 6 AYES: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright Jr., Zwirko, McNaught 2. ORDER-2020-40 : An Order Requesting the City of Melrose to adopt Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 33 ,Section 59 (effect of military service on salary, seniority, and leave allowances of public employees) Sponsored by: President/Ex Oficio Scott M. Forbes From: City Council PLACED ON FILE Motion to remove from committee: Wright; second: Medeiros RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: John N. Tramontozzi, Ward 1 SECONDER: Monica C. Medeiros, At-Large AYES: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, Tramontozzi, Wright Jr., Zwirko, McNaught 3. ORDER-2020-20 : Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances Chapter 198-2 refuse receptacle(s) as set forth herein. Sponsored by: At-Large Michael P. Zwirko, Ward 5 Shawn M. MacMaster From: City Council DEFEATED Motion to remove from committee: Wright; second: Zwirko RESULT: DEFEATED [7 TO 4] MOVER: Shawn M. MacMaster, Michael P. Zwirko AYES: Bewtra, Boisselle, Forbes, MacMaster, Tramontozzi, Zwirko, McNaught NAYS: Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Monica C. Medeiros, Peter D. Mortimer, Francis X. Wright Jr. 4. ORDER-2020-19 : Expanding the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program by amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Chapter 6, Section 6-1 as set forth herein Sponsored by: At-Large Monica C. Medeiros From: City Council DEFEATED City of Melrose Page 4 1/6/2020 9:39 AM Minutes City Council December 16, 2019 Motion to remove from committee: Wright; second: Medeiros RESULT: DEFEATED [7 TO 4] MOVER: Monica C. Medeiros, At-Large SECONDER: Shawn M. MacMaster, Ward 5 AYES: Boisselle, Forbes, Lipper-Garabedian, MacMaster, Medeiros, Mortimer, Tramontozzi NAYS: Manisha Bewtra, Francis X. Wright Jr., Michael P. Zwirko, Jeff McNaught VII. REPORTS - RULE 53 Councilor Boisselle announced the upcoming Traffic Commission meeting will be held at 5:30 pm on Wednesday Dec. 18 Councilor Medeiros provided an update on the school committee's deliberation about the Beebe school-- a decision about its use was not made at the last meeting. More discussion is needed. Medeiros also noted that the school committee will begin work to find a replacement for retiring superintendent Taymore. Councilor MacMaster announced that the next Veteran's Services Advisory Board meeting will be Tuesday December17 at 6:30. VIII. CALENDAR IX. ADJOURNMENT Councilor Forbes provided departing remarks highlighting his pride in the fact that all councilors remained respectful of one another and respectful for the institution of government, even when they disagreed and/or were passionate about a topic. Motion: Adjourn By: Councilor Mortimer, Second: Councilor Boisselle- motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. City of Melrose Page 5 1/6/2020 9:39 AM 4.1.a A Resolution in Recognition of Scott Forbe’s Six Years of Service as a City Councilor Whereas Scott Forbes has served the residents of Melrose with dedication, for six years as Ward 7 City Councilor, culminating his service as the first President of the City Council after its name change from Board of Aldermen, and Whereas Scott Forbes followed in the footsteps of his father, William Forbes in this elected position, Whereas Scott Forbes served as chair of the finance committee for multiple terms and council representative to the water & sewer rate committee, and Whereas Scott Forbes is a decorated 22-year veteran of the U.S. Airforce serving through two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Whereas, Scott Forbes has continued his dedication to the armed forces through his tireless advocacy work for veterans in the Melrose community and beyond, in particular through his job as Support Services Director for the Veteran’s Northeast Outreach Center, and Whereas Scott Forbes also has demonstrated this commitment to veterans through his legislative work on the city council, as the council representative to the Veteran’s Services Advisory Board, and through his involvement in many local veteran’s charities, therefore Be it Resolved, that this resolution recognizing Scott Forbes for his years of honorable and distinguished service to the City of Melrose be spread across the records of the Melrose City Council this 16th day of December, 2019. Attachment: forbes-resolution (ORDER-2020-49 : An order honoring departing city council members for their years of service to the City Packet Pg. 6 4.1.b A Resolution in Recognition of Manisha Bewtra’s TwoYears of Service as A City Councilor Whereas Manisha Bewtra has ably served the City of Melrose as an Alderman and City Councilor for two years, and Whereas during her time on the City Council, Manisha Bewtra served as the Chair of the Finance Committee, Vice Chair of the Legal and Legislative Committee, and council representative to the Water and Sewer Rate Committee and the Library Strategic Planning Committee, and Whereas Manisha Bewtra has drawn extensively on her professional experience in city planning to bring an informed vote on issues such as affordable housing recreational marijuana zoning, capital improvements, and transportation, and Whereas Manisha Bewtra was invited to represent Melrose at the Urban Land Institute’s UrbanPlan Public Leadership Institute in 2019 and as a panelist at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies’ inaugural Women’s Collective Summit in 2019, and Whereas prior to her service as an elected official, Manisha Bewtra was a member and Vice Chair of the Melrose Human Rights commission, where she championed the principle that Melrose will be One Community Open to All by advocating against discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression, and organizing Cultural Proficiency Workshops for the public, and Whereas Manisha Bewtra was an active participant in the creation of the Melrose Master Plan and, as a staff member of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, served as a consultant to the Melrose Office of Planning and Community Development as they developed transit-oriented zoning provisions, and Whereas in throughout her career, Manisha Bewtra has consistently used her planning and political expertise to further the cause of social justice, whether in housing, transportation, or human rights, Be it Resolved, that this resolution recognizing Manisha Bewtra for her years of honorable and distinguished service to the City of Melrose be spread across the records of the Melrose City Council this 16th day of December, 2019. Attachment: Resolution -Manisha Bewtra (ORDER-2020-49 : An order honoring departing city council members for their years of service to the Packet Pg. 7 4.1.c CITY OF MELROSE IN CITY COUNCIL A Resolution in Recognition of Robert Boisselle’s Nineteen Years of Service as A City Councilor WHEREAS, Robert Boisselle has ably served the City of Melrose as an Alderman and City Councilor for 19 years, including service as President, Chair of the Health Education and Welfare and Finance Committees and representative of the Traffic Commission, and WHEREAS, Robert Boisselle also served as a member of the Conservation Commission for eight years and its chair for five years, and WHEREAS, Robert Boisselle has a longtime presence at MMTV, not only hosting his own gardening show but also filming many civic events, making him truly the documentarian of Melrose, and WHEREAS, Robert Boisselle also worked for many decades at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and shared his knowledge and skills with the Council, and WHEREAS, Robert Boisselle was a strong proponent of the Ell Pond drainage study, which allowed residents of the area to realize considerable savings on flood insurance, and WHEREAS, Robert Boisselle attended to all matters brought before him with an intense attention to detail as well as a thoroughness and insistence on factual accuracy; BE IT Be it Resolved, that this resolution recognizing Robert Boisselle for his years of RESOLVED, honorable and distinguished service to the City of Melrose be spread across the records of the Melrose City Council this 16th day of December, 2019 ATTEST: Members of the City Council _______________________________ _________________________________ _______________________________ _________________________________ Attachment: Resolution - Bob Boisselle-final (ORDER-2020-49 : An order honoring departing city council members for their years of service to Packet Pg. 8 4.1.c Attachment: Resolution - Bob Boisselle-final (ORDER-2020-49 : An order honoring departing city council members for their years of service to Packet Pg. 9 4.1.d CITY OF MELROSE IN CITY COUNCIL A Resolution in Recognition of Frank Wright’s 14 Years of Service as A City Councilor WHEREAS, Frank Wright has ably served the City of Melrose as an Alderman and City Councilor for 14 years, including service as President of the Board in 2010 and many years of service as Chair of the Legal and Legislative Committee, and WHEREAS, Whereas while serving as president, Frank Wright initiated the renovation of the Aldermanic Chamber including painting, new flags and new window treatments, and WHEREAS, Whereas Frank Wright worked with the Park Commission and Mayor’s Office to assure the successful transition of the Melrose Farmers Market to Bowden Park, and WHEREAS, Whereas during his tenure as an elected official, Frank Wright has at all times kept a strong focus on the roads, infrastructure, and quality of life in Ward 3 and has authored more orders than any other member of the City Council, and WHEREAS, Whereas in his professional life, Frank Wright is the City Solicitor for the City of Somerville and brings his many years of experience with municipal legal affairs to the Council, and WHEREAS, Whereas Frank Wright served as a member of the Board of Editors of the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association and is an active member of the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association, and WHEREAS, Whereas Frank Wright served as a member of the Board of Editors of the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association and is an active member of the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association, and WHEREAS, Whereas before serving on the City Council, Frank Wright was a member of the Melrose Board of Appeals, and WHEREAS, Whereas in addition to his governmental service, Frank Wright has been active in civic affairs in many other ways, including as co-chair of the Gooch Park Restoration Committee and as a member and past president and director of the Somerville Kiwanis Club; BE IT RESOLVED, Be it Resolved, that this resolution recognizing Robert Boisselle for his years of honorable and distinguished service to the City of Melrose be spread across the records of the Melrose City Council this 16th day of December, 2019 ATTEST: Members of the City Council _______________________________ _________________________________ _______________________________ _________________________________ Attachment: Resolution - Wright-final (ORDER-2020-49 : An order honoring departing city council members for their years of service to the Packet Pg. 10 4.1.d Attachment: Resolution - Wright-final (ORDER-2020-49 : An order honoring departing city council members for their years of service to the Packet Pg. 11 4.1.e A Resolution in Recognition of Monica Medeiros’ Twelve Years of Service as a City Councilor Whereas Monica Medeiros has served the residents of Melrose with dedication, for fourteen years; first as a member of the school committee; as Ward 2 Alderman, and finally as Councilor-at-large, and Whereas her work in public service extended to multiple leadership roles with the Massachusetts Municipal Association, including most recently as the Mass Councilor’s Association President, and Whereas, Monica Medeiros has been widely recognized for her professionalism, and preparedness, when participating in City Council deliberation, and Whereas Monica Medeiros has been a long-time supporter of programs that support hunger awareness and food pantries in the Melrose area, and Whereas Monica Medeiros has been a tireless advocate for government transparency; with a particular focus on providing the public with direct access to information and data, and Whereas Monica Medeiros is a life-long Melrosian and devoted daughter who has kep elderly affairs and quality of life issues in the forefront of her efforts, therefore Be it Resolved, that this resolution recognizing Monica Medeiros for her years of honorable and distinguished service to the City of Melrose be spread across the records of the Melrose City Council this 16th day of December, 2019. Attachment: medeiros-resolution (ORDER-2020-49 : An order honoring departing city council members for their years of service to the City Packet Pg. 12 4.1.f A Resolution in Recognition of Peter Mortimer’s Nineteen Years of Service as A City Councilor Whereas Peter Mortimer has ably served the City of Melrose as a City Councilor for 19 years, served as President of the Council, served as Chair of the Appropriations Committee, the Legal and Legislative Committee, and various other Committees, and Whereas, Peter Mortimer was an integral part of the financing and building of the Veteran’s Memorial Middle School, and where in the lobby entrance of the Middle School hangs a plaque commemorating the opening of that school with Peter Mortimer’s name listed as President of the City Council, and Whereas, Peter Mortimer has been civically active outside the Council, as a member of the Melrose Rotary Club, the Melrose Chamber of Commerce, the Melrose Fish and Game Club, and a former member of the Board of the Melrose YMCA, and the Board of Melrose Youth Soccer, coaching or assistant coaching for 13 seasons, and a player for 10 seasons on the Melrose Men’s Soccer Team, and Whereas, Peter Mortimer served as a member of the Conservation Commission for five years before joining the City Council, and Whereas, Peter Mortimer facilitated numerous initiatives for the betterment of Melrose including but not limited to the improvement of the Common Playing Fields, the construction of the Common Playground, the reopening of the East Side fire station, the construction of Fred Green field and the Pine Banks fields, and the dog park at the Knoll, and Whereas, Peter Mortimer has assisted a great many individual constituents and neighborhoods with their problems, issues, and concerns, therefore Be it hereby resolved that this resolution recognizing Peter Mortimer for his over two decades of honorable and distinguished service to the City of Melrose be Attachment: mortimer (ORDER-2020-49 : An order honoring departing city council members for their years of service to the City Melrose) Packet Pg. 13 4.1.f spread across the records of the Melrose City Council, this 16th day of December, 2019 Attachment: mortimer (ORDER-2020-49 : An order honoring departing city council members for their years of service to the City Melrose) Packet Pg. 14 6.2.a Attachment: 10.16.19 VAB letter and MGL ch 33 sec 59 Order 2020-32 (ORDER-2020-40 : Mass Gen Law Ch Section - military Packet Pg. 16 6.2.b CITY OF MELROSE Human Resources Department City Hall, 562 Main Street Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 Marianne Long (P) 781-979-4146 Director (F) 781-979-4246 mlong@city ofmelrose.org To: President Scott Forbes, Melrose City Council From: Marianne Long, Director of Human Resources Re: Order 2020-40 Date: October 25, 2019 This memo serves to confirm that the City of Melrose adopted Chapter 33, Section 59, of the Massachusetts General Laws on April 18, 2000. Recently, the Legislature adopted several provisions amending Section 59. Senator Rush, the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs has communicated that Municipalities are not required to “re-adopt” the amended law since the changes are not substantial. The City of Melrose has Military Leave Policies and Procedures in place governing Military Leave taken by our Employees who are Reservists/Members of the Guard. The City updates/edits its policies annually as laws change. If sections of our policies have not yet been edited, that does not in fact deny a military reservist their entitlements under Chapter 33, Section 59. We’ll update these policies (as well as others) by the end of 2019. In the meantime, the City will comply, as it always does, with MA General Laws. It is worth mentioning that the City’s policies have been reviewed and acknowledged by USSERRA and ESGR as more generous than the law requires, and we’ve been recognized for being in compliance. Both agencies refer municipalities to the City’s HR Department so that they may use ours as a template. Please do not hesitate to contact me, in the event you may have additional questions. Attachment: 10.25.19 HR memo 2020-40 (ORDER-2020-40 : Mass Gen Law Ch 33 Section 59 - military service/public employees salary) Packet Pg. 17 6.2.c CITY OF MELROSE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR City Hall, 562 Main Street Melrose, Massachusetts 02176 PAUL BRODEUR Telephone - (781) 979-4440 Mayor To: President Scott Forbes, Melrose City Council From: Mayor Paul Brodeur Re: Order 2020-40 Date: December 4, 2019 As you are aware, the amendments of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 33, Section 59, is the result of legislative action. As State Representative, I was proud to advocate for these amendments because they underscored both the Commonwealth’s and Melrose’s commitment to the men and women of our uniformed services. With that in mind, as requested, attached please find a copy of Order 00-309 as passed by the Melrose Board of Aldermen on April 18, 2000. This Order, offered by former Alderman John Dunne, confirms and establishes that the City of Melrose formally adopted Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 33, Section 59 “Effect of military service on salary or vacation allowance of public employees.” As some members may be aware, this section of the law governs leave for reservists for the purposes of annual training, drills and parades. Please know – and I can make this statement with a great deal of certainty – that the City of Melrose has historically been in compliance with MGL c. 33, § 59 since 2000, including all amendments made to this statute since that time. I can also confirm with certainty that the City of Melrose has regularly reviewed and amended its policies with labor counsel, as well as the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) whose purpose is to promote cooperation and understanding between civilian employers and their National Guard and Reserve employees. The City of Melrose has worked closely with Rick Bedell, Consultant, Employer Support of Guard and Reserve and Christopher Brown, Assistant Director, Veterans’ Employment & Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor, as to its administration of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, the federal statute that protects service members' and veterans' civilian employment rights and Chapter 33, Section 59. Both of these professionals specifically acknowledged that Melrose is in compliance and provides benefits and pay that are much more generous than the law requires. Attachment: 12.4.19 Mayor re C33 S59 memo 2020-40 (ORDER-2020-40 : Mass Gen Law Ch 33 Section 59 - military service/public employees Packet Pg. 18 6.2.d Attachment: 12.4.19 copy Order # 00-309. HR 2020-40 (ORDER-2020-40 : Mass Gen Law Ch 33 Section 59 - military service/public employees Packet Pg. 19 6.2.d Attachment: 12.4.19 copy Order # 00-309. HR 2020-40 (ORDER-2020-40 : Mass Gen Law Ch 33 Section 59 - military service/public employees Packet Pg. 20 6.2.d Attachment: 12.4.19 copy Order # 00-309. HR 2020-40 (ORDER-2020-40 : Mass Gen Law Ch 33 Section 59 - military service/public employees Packet Pg. 21 6.2.d Attachment: 12.4.19 copy Order # 00-309. HR 2020-40 (ORDER-2020-40 : Mass Gen Law Ch 33 Section 59 - military service/public employees Packet Pg. 22 6.3.a Article II Collection and Disposal [Adopted as Rev. Ords. 1976, §§ 13-3, 13-6, 20-5 and 20-6 (Rev. Ords. 1989, §§ 8-1, 15-26 and 15-27)] § 198-2 Dumping; obstructing sidewalks; placement of refuse containers. [Amended 6-18-1984 by Ord. No. 785A; 6-18-1984 by Ord. No. 785B; 2-20-2007 by Ord. No. 07-107A] A. No person shall put or place, or cause to be put or placed, in any street, lane, alley or any other place, public or private, where it may be offensive or objectionable, any ashes, dirt or refuse, nor shall any piece of metal or wood or any plastic in any form or other material injurious to feet or to tires of vehicles or any other rubbish be put, placed or thrown into or on any street, lane, alley or public place. No person shall throw or place on any vacant land or in any brook or pool rubbish, limbs, brush, barrels, boxes, etc. B. No person shall place or cause to be placed on any sidewalk, footwalk or crosswalk any object whatsoever so as to interfere with the convenient use of the same by any person traveling thereon. This shall not apply to building materials so placed by permission of the City Engineer. [Amended 5-21-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-158] C. Residential rubbish receptacles will be watertight containers with tight fitting covers of metal or other durable rodent-proof material. Sufficient numbers of containers will be provided by the owner and/or residents of properties so as to adequately contain the amount of refuse produced at each location. Containers which are to be manually emptied during curbside pickup will be no larger than 35 gallons, able to be lifted, when full, by one person, and have two intact handles. D. Each container must be securely covered at all times during collection days until the container(s) are picked up and emptied. Containers must not be overloaded so that the lid will not fit securely. Refuse shall be stored in receptacles as described in this section except for material which may be placed at curbside under city sponsored source reduction and/or source separation collection programs according to the directions established by these programs. CE. Refuse may not be left on sidewalks for collection except after 5:00 p.m. of the day before scheduled pickup. Refuse containers and receptacles shall be placed at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day and shall be removed from the sidewalk within 12 hours after refuse collection. F. The following shall apply to subsections (A) through (C) of this section: a.) The board of health, the department of public works, and any police officer through their authorized agents and employees, is hereby empowered to enforce the provisions of this section pursuant to MGL c. 40, § 21D, or MGL c. 270, § 16 (disposal of rubbish, etc.), as applicable. b.) Whoever violates any provision of subsections (A) through (C) of this section shall be penalized by noncriminal fines in accordance with MGL c. 40, § 21D, , or MGL c. 270, § 16 (disposal of rubbish, etc.), as applicable, not to exceed $100.00 for each violation, provided that each and every day of the violation shall constitute a distinct and separate offense. c.) In addition to any fine which may be imposed, the entity noted will be responsible for the timely and proper cleaning of any and all site(s) affected by the violation. The timeliness of the clean-up will be determined by the board of health and/or the department of public works in keeping with the individual Attachment: 08.14.19 Zwirko.Trash in Container Ordinance (ORDER-2020-20 : Amend Chap 198-2 refuse receptacle) situation. The time frame for initiation of the clean-up will be clearly indicated on the notice of violation. No property owner shall be prosecuted for violation until a written notice of warning is first served. Packet Pg. 23 6.3.a D. The Public Health Department enforcing officers shall prosecute violations under the provisions of MGL c. 270, § 16 (disposal of rubbish, etc.). [Amended 8-21-2017 by Ord. No. 2018-4] G. Any party fined hereunder shall have a right of appeal in accordance with General Laws Chapter 40, Section 21D. Attachment: 08.14.19 Zwirko.Trash in Container Ordinance (ORDER-2020-20 : Amend Chap 198-2 refuse receptacle) Packet Pg. 24 6.3.b Attachment: 2020-20 picture1 (ORDER-2020-20 : Amend Chap 198-2 refuse receptacle) Packet Pg. 25 6.3.c Attachment: 2020-20 picture 2 (ORDER-2020-20 : Amend Chap 198-2 refuse receptacle) Packet Pg. 26 6.3.d Attachment: 2020-20 picture Packet Pg. 27 6.4.a Part I ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT Title IX TAXATION Chapter ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES 59 Section PROPERTY TAX LIABILITY 5K REDUCED IN EXCHANGE FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICES; PERSONS OVER AGE 60 Section 5K. In any city or town which accepts the provisions of this section, the board of selectmen of a town or in a municipality having a town council form of government, the town council or the mayor with the approval of the city council in a city may establish a program to allow persons over the age of 60 to volunteer to provide services to such city or town. In exchange for such volunteer services, the city or town shall reduce the real property tax obligations of such person over the age of 60 on his tax bills and any reduction so provided shall be in addition to any exemption or abatement to which any such person is otherwise entitled and no such person shall receive a rate of, or be credited with, more than the current minimum wage of the commonwealth per hour for services provided pursuant to such reduction nor shall the reduction of the real property tax bill exceed $1,500 in a given tax year. It shall be the responsibility of the city or town to maintain a record for each taxpayer including, but not limited to, the number of hours of service and the total amount by which the real property tax has been reduced and to provide a copy of such record to the assessor in order that the actual tax bill reflect the reduced rate. A copy of such record shall also be provided to the taxpayer prior to the issuance of the actual tax bill. Such cities and towns shall have the power to create local rules and procedures for implementing this section in any way consistent with the intent of this section. Attachment: General Law - Part I, Title IX, Chapter 59, Section 5K (ORDER-2020-19 : Expanding the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Packet Pg. 28 6.4.a In no instance shall the amount by which a person's property tax liability is reduced in exchange for the provision of services be considered income, wages, or employment for purposes of taxation as provided in chapter 62, for the purposes of withholding taxes as provided in chapter 62B, for the purposes of workers' compensation as provided in chapter 152 or any other applicable provisions of the General Laws, but such person while providing such services shall be considered a public employee for the purposes of chapter 258, but such services shall be deemed employment for the purposes of unemployment insurance as provided in chapter 151A. A city or town, by vote of its legislative body, subject to its charter, may adjust the exemption in this clause by: (1) allowing an approved representative, for persons physically unable, to provide such services to the city or town; or (2) allowing the maximum reduction of the real property tax bill to be based on 125 volunteer service hours in a given tax year, rather than $1,500. Attachment: General Law - Part I, Title IX, Chapter 59, Section 5K (ORDER-2020-19 : Expanding the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Packet Pg. 29 6.4.b Chapter 6. Aging, Council on § 6-1. Senior citizen property tax work-off abatement program. A. Individuals who are 60 years old or older , disabled individuals , or an approved representative for Deleted: and persons physically unable to provide such services to the City, shall be eligible to participate in this program. Only one tax abatement per property per year shall be allowed. B. City departments are required to identify their specific needs and the Council on Aging (COA) will review each application to match an applicant's interest and skill set with a department's specific needs. Placement in the program cannot be guaranteed and is based on qualifications and availability of relevant work. C. The participants in the program shall perform work for the City and shall receive a rate that shall not exceed the commonwealth's minimum wage for said service. The maximum amount which can be earned by any participant in the program is $ 1,500 during any calendar year. Deleted: 1,000 D. Upon completion of work by the participants, the Board of Assessors shall abate their property taxes for an amount no greater than $ 1,500 . Deleted: 1,000 E. In each calendar year, individuals shall be allowed to participate in this program based on one's specific qualifications to perform the work and the available positions needed to perform said work Citywide. F. In the event there are more qualified applicants than available positions, participants for the program may be selected from a lottery of equally qualified individuals. G. The Director of the City of Melrose Council on Aging shall be responsible for determining eligibility for the program. Attachment: Order - Expand tax work off REDLINE VERSION (ORDER-2020-19 : Expanding the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Packet Pg. 30 6.4.c Attachment: 12.16.19 Mayoral letter 2020-19 (ORDER-2020-19 : Expanding the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program) Packet Pg. 31 6.4.c Attachment: 12.16.19 Mayoral letter 2020-19 (ORDER-2020-19 : Expanding the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program) Packet Pg. 32

Transcript

▶ 59:48 medeiros here councillor mortimer yeah councillor chaman tozi yeah councillor wright yeah councillor Search here president forbes here 11 present can y'all please rise and join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to a grateful nation 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 motion to open the floor for public comment mr president second council mortimer has made the motion to open the floor for public comment seconded by councillor Boisselle all those in favor any opposed this is the portion of our meeting where anybody can approach the table and speak on behalf of the orders that are before us tonight I just wanted to come

▶ 1:00:59 by one last time and for all of those of you who are leaving tonight express my sincere gratitude for all of the work that you've done with myself and others on the recycling committee now zero waste Melrose over the last three years years or so Francis Wright is my council person and you were you know very gracious and patient with your time over the years you know I don't know how many breakfast meetings we had with other residents of the ward so I very much think I know it's a hard job and you went above and beyond as did many of you in meeting with us over the years and I particularly wanted to thank Councilman Zwergo who just took an extraordinary amount of time I think over the last three years to really coach us around the plastic bag ordinance and help us

▶ 1:01:47 lay out a game plan and realize none of us knew what we were doing at all and really helped us make a success and really work successfully with the council over those years so thank you very much thank you thank you mr. rose for the final time I did want to come here and express a similar sentiment that um you know I know on issues that I want to help steer you another way I come here to challenge you sometimes I do it better than others sometimes I do it nicer than others very few times very successful but that's either here or there but I do want to thank all of you especially those of you who are leaving the committee we have our differences on different things I think that we all want to make Melrose as good as it can be for now and in the

▶ 1:02:46 future and I hope to see some of you who are leaving the committee to to join join us on the other side and let's push the City Council to do better for Melrose but anyway with all kidding aside I do want to offer my sincere thanks to each and every one of you who um who a lot of you have been here for a lot more years and I've been coming to to push a little bit and I appreciate all that time and all that effort and and I look forward to working with you in the future thank you thank you motion to close public comment yeah I'm kind of like the third person in this train that's coming through here I thought I might be the only one which I'm glad I wasn't there's seven of you leaving and I was told this is the final full board meeting for this year and I want to

▶ 1:03:45 thank you all I really do I don't mr. right when we had the meter situation going on with mr. Mortimer all you people have and been very active for Melrose which is very important to me and I just really want to say thank you to all and especially to this councilwoman that's leaving she has the dedication to the people that I always talked about and also the fact that being a senior citizen I truly appreciate all the efforts that she went through to make sure that the citizens of Melrose especially our seniors had some voice to be concerned about our situations so thank you very much and thank you for the board I really appreciate your time and you guys keep going good work I hope the new crowd will come it'll do the same thanks

▶ 1:04:48 so much thank you sir motion to close public comment mr. president second councillor Mortimer has made the motion to close public comments seconded by councilor Boisselle all those in favor aye opposed public comment is now closed now move from communications from his honor the mayor and other city officials order 2020 47 an appropriation in the amount of $65,000 from free cash account zero one dash three two four zero zero one to various accounts as set forth herein to cover the costs related to upcoming elections in February in March this order will go to the committee on appropriations order 2020-48 an appropriation from free cash account 0 1-3 2 4 0 0 1 in the amount of $7,000 to fire emergency service vehicle account 0 1 2 2 1 2-5 3 4 7 0 0 this also will go

▶ 1:05:46 Scott M. Forbes: to the committee on appropriations on to new business please order 2020-49 in an order honoring the departing city council members for their more than 100 years of combined service to the city of Melrose. Councillor Tramontozzi, please. Mr. President, I ask for immediate consideration of order number 2020-49. Councillor Tramontozzi has requested immediate consideration on this order. Does anybody have an objection to immediate consideration? Seeing no objection, I ask for the suspension of the rules that give me the opportunity to present the foregoing resolutions. Council Tramontozzi has requested suspension of the rules so you can come up and read the resolutions at the podium. Do I have a second?

▶ 1:06:27 John N. Tramontozzi: Second. Seconded by Council Lipper-Garabedian. All those in favor of suspension? Aye. Any opposed? The rules are suspended. Council? Thank you, Mr. President. Well, good evening, one and all. I appreciate this opportunity. I am indeed honored and privileged to present some resolutions to our departing members of the City Council. I was going to say Board of Aldermen, but we have served as a Board of Aldermen together and now we are serving as a city council. It is my honor and come the beginning of the year, I will be the longest serving member of this board and council. So it gives me great honor and privilege to do so. I thought the way I would do it is we have a number of resolutions to go through.

▶ 1:07:34 John N. Tramontozzi: is I'm going to read some resolutions. I'm going to ask the members to come forward to say a few words if they wish. And I'm going to do most of them, but I'm going to pass my thought is to also give President Scott Forbes an opportunity to do one. And as a special request for one of our members, I'm going to ask Mayor Paul Broder to come forward to read the last one. So with that in mind, we will begin the process of recognizing members who will be leaving us, and the first one I have here is a resolution in recognition of Manisha Bhutra, two years of service as a city councilor. Whereas Manisha Bhutra has ably served the city of Meadows as an alderman and city councilor for two years, and whereas during her time on the city council, Manisha Bhutra served as the chair of the finance

▶ 1:08:29 John N. Tramontozzi: committee vice chair of the legal and legislative committees and council representative to the water and sewer rate commission committee in the library strategic planning committee and whereas Manisha Bhutra was drawn extensively on her professional experience in city planning to bring an informed vote on issues such as affordable housing recreational marijuana zoning capital improvements and transportation and whereas throughout her career Manisha Bhutra has consistently used her planning and political expertise to further the cause of social justice, whether in housing, transportation, or human rights. And whereas, Manisha Bhutra was invited to represent Melrose at the Urban Land Institute's

▶ 1:09:13 John N. Tramontozzi: Urban Plan Public Leadership Institute in 2019, and as a panelist at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies Inaugural Women's Collective Summit in 2019. And whereas prior to her service as an elected official, Manisha Bhutra was a member and vice chair of the Melrose Human Rights Commission, where she championed the principles that Melrose will be one community open to all by advocating against discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression, and organizing cultural proficiency workshops for the public. And whereas Manisha Bhutra was an active participant in the creation of the Melrose Master Plan, And as a staff member of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, served as a consultant

▶ 1:09:57 John N. Tramontozzi: to the Murrow's Office of Planning and Community Development as they developed transit-oriented zoning provisions. And therefore, be it resolved that this resolution recognizing Minister Boutre for her years of honorable and distinguished service to the City of Murrow's be spread across the records of the Murrow City Council the 16th day of December 2019, signed and attested to by members, all the members of the City Council. congratulations and please it's you know I thought about preparing remarks tonight but I just found myself to be very I guess overcome with emotion this has been a tremendous privilege and honor to serve Melrose in this way and it won't be the last you see of me I'm already serving on the middle school

▶ 1:10:57 Manisha Bewtra: site council and finding other ways to get involved in the community I want to challenge the incoming counselors to continue thinking about representation and inclusion which i think is um you know when i uh have spoken with constituents the thing that i think people have felt really stood out about uh me serving on this council as the first person of color ever elected for the city um i love this community i i love all of you uh and thank you you very much for this great two years it's been quite a ride so it's my understanding that city council of Michael's work Oh chose not to have a resolution prepared in his honor but I think there's a reason for that because I think he is that is his way of saying to the public I am NOT leaving and I'm

▶ 1:12:01 Michael P. Zwirko: gonna still be around so watch out for me but I'd like to congratulate city councillor's workout for his his honorable service on the on the City Council and ask him to come forward if you could if you wish to say a few words thank you just a couple words thank you all like councillor Bewtra I didn't prepare any remarks this evening it's we'll hear this a lot tonight but I think anybody in this position is very grateful to the residents of the city for having bestowed upon them the ability to sit in this horseshoe and to make decisions that affect the very fabric of our community. Sometimes we're talking trash cans, other times we're talking plastic bags. It may seem small, but the reality is, is what we deal

▶ 1:12:50 Michael P. Zwirko: with is the quality of life here in this community, and it's very important. And I'm honored, and it was a life goal that has been achieved by myself to be here this evening. I will miss it dearly, and it's been a great, great experience of mine. And even when I would leave here sometimes a little terse sometimes when I leave here happy it's still something that I take with me and it was a profound experience that I will never forget thank you very much for the opportunity I greatly appreciate it resolution and recognition of Scott Forbes as six years of service as a city councillor whereas Scott Forbes has served the residents of Melrose with dedication for six years as Ward seven city councillor culminating his service as the first president of

▶ 1:13:47 John N. Tramontozzi: city council after its name changed from board of aldermen and whereas scott forbes followed in his footsteps of his father william forbes in this elected position and whereas scott forbes served as chair of the finance committee for multiple terms and council representative to the water and sewer right committee and whereas scott forbes is a decorated 22-year veteran of the u.s air force serving through two wars in iraq and afghanistan and whereas scott forbes has continued his dedication to the armed forces through his tireless advocacy work for veterans in the morrow's community and beyond in particular through his job as support services director for the veterans northeast outreach center and whereas scott forbes also has demonstrated his commitment

▶ 1:14:36 John N. Tramontozzi: to veterans through his legislative work on the city council as the council representative to the veterans service advisory board and through his involvement in many local veterans charities and therefore be it resolved that this resolution recognizing scott forbes for his years of honorable and distinguished service to the city of maros be spread across the records of the maro city council the 16th day of december 2019 attested to and signed by the members of the city council So congratulations, Scott Forbes, President. Also, with the resolution as outgoing president, he gets a special plaque. I'll let him, there he is, with the gala of the presidency. Very nice indeed. I'm going to be very, very short and brief with my words.

▶ 1:15:36 Scott M. Forbes: i want to thank uh councillor peter mortimer for giving me the chance to serve these last few months as city council president as many you can see i'm wearing the same tie as my father is worn in that picture here tonight this truly has been a fantastic run for me for the last few months and i really have lived a dream uh of forbes has served the city of melrose for 16 years it has been uh such a great ride and i do want to uh i see that you know councillor uh jennifer lemmerman former president was here this evening i want everyone to say thank you for being here tonight but also uh this has been such a great ride for all of us so i i reserve my comments until the end but thank you so much resolution and recognition of monica medeiros 12 years of

▶ 1:16:32 John N. Tramontozzi: service as a city councilor whereas monica medeiros has served the residents of morrow's with dedication for 14 years first as a member of the school committee as ward 2 alderman and finally as counselor at large and whereas her work in public service extended to multiple leadership roles with the Massachusetts Municipal Association including most recently as the mass counselors Association president and whereas Monica Medeiros has been widely recognized for her professionalism in preparedness when participating in City Council deliberations and whereas Monica Medeiros has been a longtime supporter of programs that support hunger awareness in food pantries in the Melrose area. And whereas Monica Medeiros has been a tireless advocate for government transparency with

▶ 1:17:22 John N. Tramontozzi: a particular focus on providing the public with direct access to information and data. And whereas Monica Medeiros is a lifelong Melrosean and devoted daughter who has kept elderly affairs and quality of life issues in the forefront of her efforts and therefore be it resolved that this resolution recognizing monica medeiros for her years of honorable and distinguished service to the city of melrose be spread across the records of the merrill city council the 16th day of december 2019 attested to members and signed by all the members of the city council monica medeiros thank you i don't know no thank you very much i want to thank everyone here all of my colleagues here on this board and and our past colleagues that have been serving with

▶ 1:18:19 Monica C. Medeiros: over the time it's been i think as as i want to say alderman Rita counselor his counselor putra said you know it's it's definitely it's an honor and a privilege to be able to have served in this position and i am so grateful to the voters for giving me this experience and boy has it been sort of an interesting experience over the years and you never know what um how many doors and experiences have been open to us and i've been thinking today about czechoslovakian dancing with counselor Boisselle many years back just all kinds of things and it's it's been a great ride you know i've tried as hard as i can to do the right thing for the citizens of melrose and tried to make sure that we do open things up and make everything more understandable and open for the

▶ 1:19:09 Monica C. Medeiros: the public and I'm looking forward to the new counselors coming in and I hope they they do that hopefully it's resulted in a more engaged and active and informed public and I hope that that's something that continues moving forward I just I want to thank you know so much of what happens here and in our jobs is not what happens in this room it's what happens outside this room so I I JUST PARTICULARLY WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR CITY HALL STAFF, OUR CLERK OF COMMITTEES AND CITY CLERK AND BASICALLY ALL THOSE WHO'VE BEEN WORKING HARD FOR YEARS, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT DO SO MUCH OF THE HARD WORK AND MAKE US LOOK GOOD AND MAKE THINGS TICK. AND I JUST APPRECIATE THAT SO MUCH. I WANT TO THANK ESPECIALLY MMTV AND THE CAMERA PEOPLE, Rita, FOR KEEPING THIS OPEN AND ALLOWING

▶ 1:20:03 Monica C. Medeiros: the public to to watch and in particular I want to thank the members of the public that come to our meetings and that watch and you know we go out and we campaign and you hear and it's it feels great when somebody says yeah you know I watched the meeting of the other night and they keep track of what goes on and I really appreciate that to know that it's not just the bubble that happens in this room and that people do pay attention and so I thank you very much and I really appreciate the opportunity to serve here a resolution and recognition of Robert Boisselle 19 years of service as a city councillor whereas Robert Boisselle has ably served the city of Melrose as an alderman and City Council for 19 years including service as president chair of the health

▶ 1:21:07 John N. Tramontozzi: education and welfare and finance committees and representative of the traffic Commission and whereas Robert Boisselle also served as a member of the conservation commission for eight years in its chair for five years and whereas robert Boisselle has a long time presence at mmtv not only hosting his own gardening show but also filming many civic events making him truly the documentarian of meadows and whereas robert Boisselle also served for many decades at the massachusetts department of environmental protection and shared his knowledge and skills with the council and whereas robert Boisselle was a strong proponent of the el pond drainage study which allowed residents of the area to realize considerable savings on flood

▶ 1:21:50 John N. Tramontozzi: insurance and whereas robert Boisselle attended to all matters brought before him with an intense attention to detail as well as a thoroughness and insistence on factual accuracy be it resolved that this resolution recognizing robert Boisselle for his years of honorable and distinguished service to the city of melrose be spread across the record of the merrill city council the 16th day of December 2019 attested to signed by all members of the City Council it's been a long run people there's newbies in the back listen to your constituents talk to them and get out into the ward it's been a long run I joined the my tour duty you might say on the board of Alderman a number of years ago 19 when we had

▶ 1:22:48 Robert A. Boisselle: floods almost on an annual basis at the middle school that El Pan was overflowing almost every year the 100 year flood they would call it which come which was coming every year after hard work many meetings and scrounging for money we put up a new middle school and from there we try to alleviate the flooding that occurred in war two every other year and many years where we had a a real disaster in one area so be attentive be aware what's going on in your ward and i would like to thank my colleagues who were with me during that time period the staff and also the city workers now these people work very hard when you're home and they're out up to their hips and water trying to rescue people or trying to relieve problems in the ward and the

▶ 1:23:53 Robert A. Boisselle: legal staff where you have any problems you're going to be seeing the lawyers quite a bit and ask questions if it's legal to do that it should be done legally and from what I understand in the state level we're going to be getting money on for school education and for new roads to be done in the area but again I'd like to thank the voters who voted for me in the past and good luck everyone for the members who are leaving and those who are staying and for the newbies everyone work hard thank you very much I'm going to turn over the gavel to president forbes for the remainder thank you then there were two a resolution resident in recognition of frank wright's 14 years of service as a city councilor

▶ 1:25:04 Scott M. Forbes: frank wright has ably served the city of melrose as an alderman and city councilor for 14 years including service as president of the board in 2010 in many years of service as the chair of the legal and legislative committee and whereas while serving as president Francis wright initiated the renovation of the aldermanic chamber including new painting new flags and new window treatments and whereas frank wright worked with the park commission in the mayor's office to ensure the successful transition of the melrose farmers market to bowden park and whereas during his tenure as an elected official frank wright has at all times kept a strong focus on the roads infrastructure and quality of life in ward three and has authored

▶ 1:25:50 Scott M. Forbes: more orders than any other member of the city council here here on that and whereas in his professional life frank wright is the city solicitor for the city of somerville and brings his many years of experience with municipal legal affairs to the council and whereas frank wright has served as a member of the board of editors for the city solicitors and town council association and is an active member of the massachusetts municipal lawyers association and whereas frank wright has served as a member of the board of editors for the city solicitors and town council i already said that one i am sorry and whereas before serving on the city council frank wright was a member of the melrose board of appeals and whereas in addition

▶ 1:26:30 Scott M. Forbes: to his government service frank wright has been active in civic affairs in many other ways including as co-chair of the gooch park restoration committee and as a member of the past president and director of the somerville kiwanis club and be it resolved that this resolution recognizing frank wright for all of his years of honorable and distinguished service to the city of melrose be spread across the records for this melrose city council on this 16th day of december 2019. councillor Francis wright thank you um it's been an honor and a privilege privilege to serve the city and serve ward 3 for the last 14 years um much like council maderos i want to as someone who works in a city hall i want to extend my

▶ 1:27:28 Francis X. Wright Jr.: thanks and appreciation to all the people who work for the city of melrose who make what we do in this room happen or allow us to know whether or not it can happen um they're the ones as my as some of my predecessors up here have said um who do the hard work um beyond that i just want to tell the one story that i think i've probably told the most outside this chamber regarding my 14 years on the city council and board of aldermen before we became a city council so as often i do i leave here and i go across the street to shaw's and i get the bread and milk one night i was over there it was 9 45 10 o'clock and um there's nobody in the store i'm starting to walk down the aisle and this nice little old lady is coming towards me

▶ 1:28:25 Francis X. Wright Jr.: And we get about halfway down and we're about to pass one another and she looks at me and she says, excuse me, aren't you my representative? And I said, well, I'm an alderman, where do you live? And she told me and I said, yes, as a matter of fact, I am. I said, thank you for recognizing me. Is there anything I can do for you? And she said, no. But when I saw you coming at me in that nice suit, I thought, boy, he looks a lot like the time my sister and I were in that park in East Boston where she grew up, and these two men were coming at her. And as they approached, they stopped and said hello, and she said, and one of those men was Jack Kennedy. And when you came at me, I thought, he looks just like Jack Kennedy.

▶ 1:29:19 Paul Brodeur: And I said, wow, I said, I am flabbergasted. I said that you would say that I look like Jack Kennedy, and she looked at me very innocently and sincerely and she said, oh, not you, your suit. So I guess the lesson there is, no matter how important we may think we get in this chamber always have humility thank you and now i'd like to have mayor broder come up and read this last resolution so i do the short straw just kidding and i will i'm not going to use this one hopefully it says the same things but with my eyesight i'm a little bit a little bit limited even though i have the glasses on i would want to say so i want to congratulate everyone those those that are going to continue to serve, those that have already served and moved on,

▶ 1:30:29 Paul Brodeur: and those in particular that were my classmates, if you will, then Alderman Boisselle and Alderman Mortimer. And I was thinking really as I was sitting there about what it means to serve in local government and of, you know, the prominent folks that I think of in state and federal government, Congresswoman Clark, Governor Baker, Lieutenant Governor Polito, the Speaker and the Senate President, all whenever they talk about their role in government and their representation, always come back to that first role, not in Governor Baker's case, but their role as member of a select board or school committee or a town council, board of aldermen or selectmen. so that is you know that's where your roots are and that's where the service

▶ 1:31:22 Paul Brodeur: really immediately translates into the public good in a very tangible way so I want to thank all of you and the folks that are coming in for that service but we're here I'm here in particular to give some remarks and read the resolution for council Mortimer whereas Peter Mortimer served the city of Melrose as city councillor for a little bit more than 19 years served as president of the council served as chair of the Appropriations Committee the Legal and Legislative Committee and various other committees and whereas Peter Mortimer was an integral part of the financing the building of the Veterans Memorial Middle School and where in the lobby of the middle school hangs a plaque commemorating the opening of that school with Peter Mortimer's

▶ 1:32:04 Paul Brodeur: name listed as the president of the City Council and whereas excuse me Peter Mortimer has been civically active outside the council as a member of the Melrose Rotary Club, the Melrose Chamber of Commerce, the Melrose Fish and Game Club in Saugus and a former member of the board of directors at the Melrose YMCA and the board of Melrose Youth Soccer coaching or assistant coaching for 13 years and as a player for a 10 season on the Melrose men's soccer team and whereas Peter Mortimer served as a member of the Conservation Commission for five years before joining the City Council and whereas Peter Mortimer facilitated numerous initiatives for the betterment of Melrose including but not limited to the improvement of the common playing fields the construction of the

▶ 1:32:50 Paul Brodeur: common playground and the reopening of the Eastside fire station the construction of Fred Greenfield of the reconstruction thereof you're not that old and the pine banks fields and the dog park at the knoll and whereas Peter Mortimer has assisted many a great many individual constituents in neighborhoods with their problems issues and concerns therefore be it resolved that this resolution recognizing Peter Mortimer for his over two decades of honorable and distinguished service to the city of Melrose be spread across the records of the Melrose City Council this 16th day of December 2019 council morning thank you very much mayor Broda Thank You president Forbes Thank You ladies and gentlemen in attendance and thank you to the people of Melrose Melrose is a great

▶ 1:33:55 Peter D. Mortimer: city it didn't happen by accident there's been a lot of hard work and creative thinking put in to what Melrose is today I have every confidence that the new supermajority board that's coming on board will continue the success that Melrose has enjoyed for the last two decades it's going to be a challenge it's hard to keep going up property values are soaring quality of life is fantastic in Melrose I love Melrose I love Melrose I moved here when I was 12 years old almost 13 my parents moved out here to get me and my brothers away from what Boston was becoming and I fell in love with the place I was just overwhelmed coming from the city to see in all the woods and forests that we have around here and we have that green belt that surrounds Melrose when I

▶ 1:35:04 Peter D. Mortimer: started two decades ago downtown was in tough shape and it's the envy of many other cities now and i'm only a small part of that but i'm very happy to be a small part of that because i love melrose so much i want to see it keep going but there's a time when it's time to step aside and pass the torch to abled followers and i have every confidence talking to and listening to the new city council coming on board and i know mayor brodo is going to do a great job he's going to be a wonderful mayor and we're going to keep melrose going melrose has been a great place for my family my kids had great experiences growing up here my daughter is a junior at melrose high school she went to the winthrop She went to the middle school and she's at Melrose High School now getting a

▶ 1:36:07 Peter D. Mortimer: fantastic education. Couldn't be happier. It's a great place. My wife lived in Baltimore and she got a job at Mass General so she needed to move to the Boston area and she was wondering where to live and she was looking around Malden and one day she just decided to take a ride north up Main Street and it just so happened to be the day that the Victorian Fair was taking place. And she fell in love with the place, too. She just looked at it and said, these people are wonderful. This is fantastic. And in as much as no local ladies would marry me, I met her and began to court her. And we wanted to live in Melrose. we have ever since and it's just it's just been tremendous this is a great city I couldn't think of a better place to live maybe later a couple of months

▶ 1:37:17 Peter D. Mortimer: in the winter in Florida but other than that and and it's it has been you know the word honor and privilege has been used a few times tonight but it truly is and I'm very grateful to the people of Melrose to the workers of Melrose to all the constituents to the hundreds of volunteers on boards and commissions we have here and I just ask you humbly please keep Melrose on the right track keep making it and let it continue to be the fantastic city it is today thank you very much motion to place on file I have a motion by council tram and toes you to place this order on file seconded by council of the per Garabedian all those in favor all right any opposed this order will be placed on file do we have any orders out of order

▶ 1:38:31 Scott M. Forbes: no do we have any orders from committee we do order 2020-45 an appropriation from the peg access cable fund number 2922 in the amount of 241 140.22 to mmtv and melrose public schools this came to us from the Appropriations Committee from this order yep council boys I'll be recusing myself from this vote council the pre-caribbean please yes thank you president Forbes this comes to us with a recommendation for passage from the Appropriations Committee and I wouldn't make that motion that we approve this council the pre-caribbean has made a motion for order 2020 dash 45 for passage seconded by councillor Mortimer this is a roll call vote requiring a two-thirds majority. Madam Clerk, can you please call the roll?

▶ 1:39:31 Yes. Councillor Boisselle. Oh, sorry. Councillor Lipa Garabedian. Yes. Councillor McMaster. Yes. Councillor McNaught. Yes. Councillor Medeiros. Yes. Councillor Mortimer. Yes. Councillor Tramontozzi. Yes. Councillor Wright. Yes. Councillor Zerrico. Yes. President Forbes. Yes. The order passes. yes order passes someone please go get Councillor Boisselle that would be sure there is do we have any others from committee please yes Councillor Wright Thank You mr. president from the legislative committee order 2020-19 expanding the senior citizen property tax work off abatement program. Councilor Wright has made a motion to pull number 2020-19 from committee. Seconded by Councilor Medeiros. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The order is before you without a

▶ 1:40:48 recommendation. Motion for passage. Second. Councilor Medeiros has made a motion for passage of order 2020-19, seconded by Councillor McMaster. This is a two-thirds roll call vote requiring a two-thirds majority. Madam Clerk, can you please call the roll? Councillor Bewtra? No. Councillor Boisselle? Yes. Councillor Lipper-Garabedian? Yes. Councillor McMaster? Yes. Councillor McNaught? No. Councillor Medeiros yes councillor Mortimer yes councillor Tramontozzi yes councillor Wright no councillors Werko no president Forbes yes seven yes seven yes the order fails councillor Wright please yes thank you mr. president for 2020-20 amending Melrose revised ordinances chapter 198-2 refuse receptacles set forth here and it

▶ 1:41:57 Scott M. Forbes: comes to the uh full board uh with a recommendation for passage council right has made a motion to pull order 2020-20 from committee second second and by council's worker all those in favor any opposed the order is before you motion recommend for passage second council right has made a motion for passage worker has made a motion for passage of order 2020-20 seconded by councillor mcmaster again this is a roll call vote requiring a two-thirds majority madam clerk can you please call the role councillor Bewtra yes councillor Boisselle yes councillor Letter garabedian no councillor mcmaster yes councillor mcnaught yes councillor medeiros no councillor mortimer no councillor Tramontozzi yes councillor wright no councillors werco yes

▶ 1:42:58 president forbes yes seven of four that order also does not pass council right please sorry mr president my computer is shut down uh order 2020-40 sorry there we go thank you i know that people of a certain age have issues with teamwork requesting the city of melrose to adopt the massachusetts general laws chapter 33 section 59 this order comes from committee uh recommending that it be tabled council right has made a motion to take order number 2020-40 from committee do i have a second second seconded by council madero so all those in favor pulling it from committee all those in favor to pull it from committee any opposed order is before you council writers made a motion to place this order on file or table the order motion to um table the order no uh the original motion

▶ 1:44:12 Robert A. Boisselle: was to place the order on file a motion to place on file all right we have a motion by council Tramontozzi to place this order on file do i have a second second seconded by council madera this is a voice vote all those in favor of placing this order on file please say aye aye aye any opposed order uh will be placed on file do we have any reports from rule 53b council Boisselle please The Traffic Commission will have its final calendar meeting December 18th which is this Wednesday at 5 30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. The agenda is on the meeting portal on the cityofmelrose.org website. We have a seven item agenda and it's explained on the website. very good counselor council medeiros please thank you uh yes i have an update as liaison to the

▶ 1:45:15 Monica C. Medeiros: school committee i just want to update everyone on the some of the happenings at the last school committee meeting they had the school spotlight was on the hoover school so principal christina de coligero and was there along with members of the student council who presented the impact of personalized learning at their school but the big news um is is again on the bb school at their last meeting december 10th it had been expected that they were going to take a vote on how to proceed with that school they did not do so and they're going to hold off for a number of reasons including that the seam collaborative is going to have their own vote tomorrow night december 17th for some options for them to transition out of the building we heard from

▶ 1:46:04 Monica C. Medeiros: some members of our kindergarten staff who weighed in with some of the concerns over one of the options which is a pre-k kindergarten and early childhood model and among those concerns was the number of transitions that students would have to make there's a lengthy discussion by the school committee members on some of their concerns not only over the two proposals that have been made which again just in case anybody hasn't caught on to that there's going to be one proposal for a model that is just pre-k and kindergarten at the school and another model that is k-5 but also with some other options including possibly moving the fifth grade to the middle school or possibly moving the administrative offices to the bb school

▶ 1:46:51 Monica C. Medeiros: superintendent taymor warned that although you know the long view is important that we are going to face some immediate space needs next year so next fall in what's next is in january they're expecting a meeting or forum led by school committee member jen mcandrew that will focus on the financial impacts of the options related to the bb school so i think there is still some time for the public to weigh in and this may go on a little bit longer and into the new year watch for those meetings to be determined in january and also this as you many know superintendent taymor is expected to leave melrose at june 30th and so chairman o'connell announced that the search process for the new superintendent will begin in the new year and among the first

▶ 1:47:43 Shawn M. MacMaster: decisions will be whether or not to hire a consultant to lead that search thank you very good council maderas council mcmaster please thank you mr president um tomorrow is the final meeting of the year for the veteran services advisory board that meeting will occur tomorrow at 6 30 p.m in the basement level of city hall one item on the agenda is a veteran parking spot if you recall a few months ago this council passed an order that i filed which would establish a designated parking spot pursuant to the brave act in the municipal lot here in city at city hall i do want to thank and acknowledge mayor broder who's present it's my understanding that mayor broder's administration has since made a determination that that can move forward as a

▶ 1:48:32 Shawn M. MacMaster: matter of policy we had erred on the side of caution and recommended rather than enacted as an ordinance that it be something that go before the traffic commission so i appreciate how the mayor's recognition that that can happen as a matter of policy which i think is is the right move and is a way for us to expedite this and i know that the veterans advisory board not only supports that but is thankful and appreciative of your efforts mayor so thank you thank you mr president thank you counselor i don't see any items on the calendar does anybody want to speak for the last time motion to adjourn before we entertain that motion as we end our last city council meeting of the year and for many of us it'll end our terms in

▶ 1:49:25 Scott M. Forbes: public service I would like to acknowledge our departing councillors councillor Manisha Bewtra councillor and former president Robert Boisselle councillor Monica Medeiros councillor and former president Peter Mortimer councillor Francis Wright councillor and former president Michael Zwirko and in the audience, Councillor and former President Jennifer Lemmerman. Why are we here? We all ran for public service because we want to be part of something that was bigger than ourselves. As Councillors, we want to be part of that decision-making process that helps move the community forward. And yes, we have disagreed from time to time, and we were passionate about our positions on the issues. However, at the end of the day, we always remain

▶ 1:50:09 Scott M. Forbes: respectful for the institution of government and each other i am truly honored to have been taking this journey with each and every one of you we wish our 2020 city council that are with us this evening the best of luck and we hope that you continue the pathway forward and with that i will entertain a motion to adjourn second made by councillor mortimer seconded by Councillor Boisselle. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? We are adjourned.

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