Tuesday evening, April 20, 2010. Regular Meeting of the City Council held in the Council Chambers, City Hall.~ Meeting called to order by Council President Neil Janssens at 7:30 o’clock p.m.
Roll call taken – Eight (8) members present, Councillors Henry Ares, Joshua Cormier, Ronald Cormier, Patrick Gerry, Edward Gravel, Scott Graves, James Minns, and President Neil Janssens; two (2) absent, Councillors Alice Anderson and David Boudreau; and, one (1) unsworn, Councillor-Elect James Robinson, Jr.
The Opening Prayer was recited in unison.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
On a motion by Councillor Joshua Cormier, seconded by Councillor Scott Graves, it was voted on voice vote, eight (8) yeas, two (2) absent, Councillors Alice Anderson and David Boudreau; and, one (1) unsworn, Councillor-Elect James Robinson, Jr. to accept the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 5, 2010, as written.
ORDINANCES
#8365
On a motion by Councillor Ronald Cormier, seconded by Councillor James Minns, on recommendation of the Finance Committee, it was voted on voice vote, eight (8) yeas, two (2) absent, Councillors Alice Anderson and David Boudreau, one (1) unsworn, Councillor-Elect James Robinson, Jr., to order to First Printing the following Ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND PERSONNEL OF THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GARDNER AS FOLLOWS:
That “An Ordinance Relating to the Classification and Compensation of Officers, Employees and Personnel of the Police and Fire Departments (Compilation of Ordinances No. 41) and amended several times thereafter be further amended by striking from SECTION VA – DEPARTMENT HEADS, the following:
SECTION VA - DEPARTMENT HEADS
POSITION 01/01/2008
Assessor $65,000.00
And inserting in place thereof the following:
POSITION 04/30/2010
Assessor $70,000.00
#8366
On a motion by Councillor Ronald Cormier, seconded by Councillor Joshua Cormier, on recommendation of the Finance Committee, it was voted on voice vote, eight (8) yeas, two (2) absent, Councillors Alice Anderson and David Boudreau, one (1) unsworn, Councillor-Elect James Robinson, Jr., to order to First Printing the following Ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE RELATIVE TO THE GRANTING OF LONGEVITY PAY.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GARDNER AS FOLLOWS:
That “An Ordinance Relative to the Granting of Longevity Pay (Compilation of Ordinances No. 61) adopted by the City Council and several times amended be further amended by striking Section 5 in its entirety.
#8367
On a motion by Councillor Ronald Cormier, seconded by Councillor Henry Ares, on recommendation of the Finance Committee, it was voted on voice vote, eight (8) yeas, two (2) absent, Councillors Alice Anderson and David Boudreau, one (1) unsworn, Councillor-Elect James Robinson, Jr., to order to First Printing the following Ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE RELATIVE TO DEPARTMENT HEAD BENEFIT TIME AND LONGEVITY.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GARDNER AS FOLLOWS:
That “An Ordinance Relative to Department Head Benefit Time and Longevity (Compilation of Ordinances No. 166) adopted by the City Council and several times amended be further amended by striking Section 10-D in its entirety.
APPLICATIONS, PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES, ETC.
#8349
Leading to a motion, Councillor Joshua Cormier informed the Council the Public Safety Committee and Police Officials met with Mark H. Scherrer, the Applicant, concerning his Junk Dealer License application. He added that since the location of the proposed business is in a Residential zone, the Applicant would first have to obtain a Variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
On a motion by Councillor Joshua Cormier, seconded by Councillor Scott Graves, on recommendation of the Public Safety Committee and Police Chief, it was voted on voice vote, eight (8) yeas, two (2) absent, Councillors Alice Anderson and David Boudreau, one (1) unsworn, Councillor-Elect James Robinson, Jr., to grant Mark H. Scherrer leave to withdraw his application for a Junk Dealer license and to remove Item #8349 from the Calendar.
#8362
On a motion by Councillor Joshua Cormier, seconded by Councillor Scott Graves, on recommendation of the Public Safety Committee and Police Chief, it was voted on voice vote, eight (8) yeas, two (2) absent, Councillors Alice Anderson and David Boudreau, one (1) unsworn, Councillor-Elect James Robinson, Jr., to deny the Application of Nevin M. Dustin for a Junk Dealers License.
#8369
On a motion by Councillor Joshua Cormier, seconded by Councillor Scott Graves, on recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, it was voted on voice vote, eight (8) yeas, two (2) absent, Councillors Alice Anderson and David Boudreau, one (1) unsworn, Councillor-Elect James Robinson, Jr., to refer to the Public Safety Committee for Study and Report the Application of Philip Kinzer for a Junk Collector License.
NEW BUSINESS
On a motion by Councillor Joshua Cormier, seconded by Councillor Edward Gravel, it was voted on voice vote, eight (8) yeas, two (2) absent, Councillors Alice Anderson and David Boudreau, one (1) unsworn, Councillor-Elect James Robinson, Jr., to consider New Business.
GREATER GARDNER NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
President Janssens read aloud a letter from Higher Ground Ministries, 186 Central Street, inviting the Council to attend the Greater Gardner National Day of Prayer to be held on Thursday, May 6, 2010 from Noon to 1:00 P.M. at Monument Park.
SCHOOL VACATION WEEK
Councillor Patrick Gerry reminded the Council and [GETV] viewers that it is school vacation week and to be especially cautious when driving in the City.
GREENWOOD MEMORIAL POOL/CITY HALL AUDITORIUM
Councillor Edward Gravel stated he read an article in The Gardner News about the City asking for a [Proposition 2½] debt exclusion to rehabilitate Greenwood [Memorial] Pool and City Hall’s Perry Auditorium and asked, “where the City is getting all this money, in [view of] $49 million needed in overall capital improvements”.
Councillor Ronald Cormier remarked a Debt Exclusion would be the only way to pursue funding for these capital projects and the voters would have the final say [whether to finance the capital improvements].
GARDNER HOUSING AUTHORITY/BIRCH & CYPRESS ROAD CONDITIONS
Councillor Henry Ares commented on a letter individual Councillors received from the Gardner Housing Authority concerning roadway conditions on Birch and Cypress Streets. He stated the DPW is doing its best with limited financial resources to maintain and improve many streets in the City in need of repairs. Councillor Scott Graves and Councillor Joshua Cormier concurred with his remarks.
CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE “PURPLE LIGHT” CAMPAIGN
Councillor Joshua Cormier referenced an article in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette concerning [event coordinator] Mrs. Carla Roy’s “Purple Light Campaign” to raise cancer awareness. He suggested showing Relay spirit by purchasing purple lights.~ Persons interested in obtaining purple lights should contact him by e-mail. He added the lighting ceremony at City Hall will be held prior to the May 17th Council meeting.
JUNK DEALER/COLLECTOR LICENSING
Councillor Joshua Cormier announced the Public Safety Committee continues its work on revamping Junk Dealer/Collector Licensing procedures and that notices of licensing requirements will be mailed to local businesses this week.
On a motion by Councillor Joshua Cormier, seconded by Councillor Scott Graves, it was voted on voice vote, eight (8) yeas, two (2) absent, Councillors Alice Anderson and David Boudreau, one (1) unsworn, Councillor-Elect James Robinson, Jr., to adjourn at 7:49 o’clock p.m. after recitation of the Closing Prayer.
Accepted by the City Council: May 3, 2010
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