IN CITY COUNCIL

TUESDAY MARCH 28, 2006

TIME 6:34PM

Roll call showed 8 present, 1 absent (C. Milinazzo).

Mayor Martin presiding.

Prior to the beginning of the meeting a Moment of Silence in a darkened chamber was observed for Joan Bouley, Wilfred Christman, Robert LeMay, Steve Ronan and Philip Pender, all of who passed away recently.

CITY CLERK

Minutes of March 21st for acceptance. In Council, Read, accepted and placed on file by motion of C. Broderick, seconded by C. Ramirez. So voted.

CITY MANAGER

Communication-From City Manager requesting approval of Out of State Travel. In Council, Read and approved on roll call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Milinazzo). So voted.

Re-Appointments-Bruce Lucier and Catherine Maynard to the Commission on Disability. In Council, read and approved on roll call 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Milinazzo). So voted.

Re-Appointments-Richard Lockhart and Thomas Linnehan to the Planning Board. In Council, Read and approved on roll call vote 8 yeas, 1 absent (C. Milinazzo). So voted.

Communication-From City Manager accepting the resignation of George Zaharoolis from the Planning Board. In Council, Read accepted and placed on file. So voted.

Re-Appointments-James Armstrong and Louisa Varnum to the Conservation Commission. In Council, Read and approved and communication placed on file. So voted.

Ordinance-Chapter 13, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Quarterly Ordinance. In Council, Given 1st reading and hearing ordered for 7PM on April 18th. So voted.

Ordinance-Amending the Zoning Regulations, Various Sections. In Council, Given 1st reading and hearing ordered for 7PM on April 18th. So voted.

REPORTS

C. Broderick, Chairman of the Zoning Sub/Committee said they met this evening relative to proposed changes to the existing Zoning Code, which have been submitted in Ordinance Form. C. Broderick said after several meetings, the Committee recommends the Council forward the proposed changes to Public Hearing at which time the Committee will make a formal recommendation.

C. Donoghue, Chairperson of the Public Safety Sub/Committee said the met this evening with the Administration and the Police Department relative to staffing levels and police coverage of the city. C. Donoghue said the Committee was informed that staffing levels have been reduced as a result of officers out on injury and on personal leave, however, significant headway has been made in both areas and a large percentage of those officers out injured have returned and others will be returning soon. C. Donoghue said the officers on personal leave would either terminate their positions or return to the workforce by June. C. Donoghue was the meeting was very informative and the Committee agreed to recommend and the City Manager agreed to move forward with the training process of ten new police officers, with no guarantees of permanent employment by the city. C. Donoghue said this would allow the city to be in a more favorable position, should the city be in a financial position to hire the officers. C. Donoghue said the Committee recessed the meeting and would meet on April 4th . Adopted as a report of progress on motion of C. Elliott, seconded by C. Broderick. So voted.

PETITIONS

Claims-There was 1 claim for property damage, which was read and referred to the Law Department. So voted.

MOTIONS

BY C. RAMIREZ, seconded by C. Donoghue

“Request the City Manager have the Solicitor provide copies of the specific section(s) of Massachusetts General Laws, the Plan E Charter and or any City Ordinance which provides the City Manager with unilateral authority to enter into settlement agreements and to appropriate funds for those agreements without the approval of the City Council as it relates to the Settlement Payment of $290,000 for the construction of the Stoklosa School”. In Council, Read and after considerable debate, referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. RAMIREZ, seconded by C. Broderick

“Request the City Manager inform the City Council as to what the City is doing to market the Media Coverage for the upcoming World Mens Curling Championships at the Tsongas Arena”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. R. MERCIER, seconded by C. A. Mercier

“Request the City Manager provide a report on the impact residential development has over new business growth”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. BRODERICK, seconded by C. Caulfield

“Request the City Manager have the Division of Planning & Development and O'Sullivan Communications develop a marketing strategy for commercial recruitment as part of an expanded marketing campaign”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

BY C. CAULFIELD, seconded by C. R. Mercier

“Request the City Council thank the City Manager, his Administration, the Public Works Department, Parks & Recreation Department, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Jerry Beck from the Revolving Museum for their efforts in beautifying the city for the upcoming World Mens Curling Championships”. In Council, adopted favorably. So voted.

UNANSWERED NON-RESPONSIVE MOTIONS

BY C. ELLIOTT

“Request the City Manager have the Board of Assessors place an assessed value of $18 to $20 Million Dollars on the Lichoulas Property in the Hamilton Canal District”. In Council, Referred to the City Manager. So voted.

At 8:47 PM. C. Broderick moved, seconded by C. Caulfield “To Adjourn”. So voted.

Adjourned

Richard C. Johnson

City Clerk