 |
Monday evening, February 7, 2011. Regular Meeting of the City Council held in the Council Chambers, City Hall.~ Meeting called to order by President Neil Janssens at 7:30 o’clock p.m.
Roll call taken – Eleven (11) members present, President Neil Janssens and Councillors Alice Anderson, Henry Ares, David Boudreau, Joshua Cormier, Ronald Cormier, Patrick Gerry, Edward Gravel, Scott Graves, James Minns and James Robinson, Jr.
The Opening Prayer was recited in unison.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.
President Janssens read aloud the following:
Any person may make a video or audio recording of the open session of this meeting so long as it does not interfere with the conduct of the meeting.~ All documents and exhibits used or referenced at this meeting shall be submitted in duplicate to the City Clerk, as they become part of the minutes of the meeting. Is there anyone present who will be recording this meeting?
Sam Bonacci, Reporter for The Gardner News, announced plans to audio record the meeting. President Janssens informed the Council, where no objections were raised as to the manner and/or location of recording.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
On a motion by Councillor Joshua Cormier, seconded by Councillor Alice Anderson, it was voted on voice vote, eleven (11) yeas, President Neil Janssens and Councillors Alice Anderson, Henry Ares, David Boudreau, Joshua Cormier, Ronald Cormier, Patrick Gerry, Edward Gravel, Scott Graves, James Minns and James Robinson, Jr. to accept the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 18, 2011, as written.
APPOINTMENTS
#8532
On a motion by Councillor Ronald Cormier, seconded by Councillor James Robinson, it was voted on voice vote, eleven (11) yeas, President Neil Janssens and Councillors Alice Anderson, Henry Ares, David Boudreau, Joshua Cormier, Ronald Cormier, Patrick Gerry, Edward Gravel, Scott Graves, James Minns and James Robinson, Jr. to place on file the Mayor’s Appointment of Attorney John Flick to the position of City Solicitor for term expiring January 3, 2012.
#8533
On a motion by Councillor Henry Ares, seconded by Councillor James Minns, it was voted on voice vote, eleven (11) yeas, President Neil Janssens and Councillors Alice Anderson, Henry Ares, David Boudreau, Joshua Cormier, Ronald Cormier, Patrick Gerry, Edward Gravel, Scott Graves, James Minns and James Robinson, Jr. to confirm the following appointment received from the Mayor:
ATTorney JILL ROMER to the position of Assistant City Solicitor for term expiring January 3, 2012.
PETITIONS, APPLICATIONS, REMONSTRANCES, ETC.
#8534
On a motion by Councillor Joshua Cormier, seconded by Councillor Scott Graves, it was voted on voice vote, eleven (11) yeas, President Neil Janssens and Councillors Alice Anderson, Henry Ares, David Boudreau, Joshua Cormier, Ronald Cormier, Patrick Gerry, Edward Gravel, Scott Graves, James Minns and James Robinson, Jr. to approve the application of JPJ Automotive LLC, 78 East Broadway for a Class 2 Motor Vehicle Dealers License for period ending January 1, 2012.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMITTEES
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
#8520
There being no objection, the Public Safety Committee was granted more time to report on AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING FEES FOR BUILDING PERMITS AND INSPECTION OF ELEVATORS (First Printing 2/1/2011).
PUBLIC WELFARE COMMITTEE
#8530
There being no objection, the Public Welfare Committee was granted more time to report on an amendment to Zoning Ordinance Subsection 1110 “Enforcement” as submitted by the Planning Board (Referred to the Public Welfare Committee on 1/18/2011; Public Hearing scheduled for February 22, 2011 at 6:45 p.m.)
#8531
Leading to a motion, Councillor Patrick Gerry, Chairman of the Public Welfare Committee, reported the Committee recommends favorable action on the Planning Board’s proposed two (2) amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, the first amending Subsection 520 “Groundwater Protection Overlay District” and the second by adding new Subsection 560 “Surface Water Protection Overlay District”
President Janssens reminded the Council that the Joint Public Hearing on the amendments is scheduled for February 22, 2011 at 6:45 p.m.; therefore, no action could be taken by the City Council until after the hearing.
On a motion by Councillor Patrick Gerry, seconded by Councillor Gravel, it was voted on voice vote, eleven (11) yeas, President Neil Janssens and Councillors Alice Anderson, Henry Ares, David Boudreau, Joshua Cormier, Ronald Cormier, Patrick Gerry, Edward Gravel, Scott Graves, James Minns and James Robinson, Jr. to remove from the Welfare Committee’s charge, further consideration of the matter.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND MATTERS FOR RECONSIDERATION
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
#8521
On a motion by Councillor Ronald Cormier, seconded by Councillor James Robinson, it was voted on voice vote, eleven (11) yeas, President Neil Janssens and Councillors Alice Anderson, Henry Ares, David Boudreau, Joshua Cormier, Ronald Cormier, Patrick Gerry, Edward Gravel, Scott Graves, James Minns and James Robinson, Jr. to rescind the City of Gardner Urban Renewal Plan Resolution, as adopted on November 15, 2010 under Calendar Item 8495.
Councillor Ronald Cormier moved to adopt the City of Gardner Urban Renewal plan, as approved on November 15, 2010 under Calendar Item 8495, amended by inserting new Resolve 6 “Authorizing the Mayor to approve minor changes to the Urban Renewal Plan if such changes are recommended by the Department of Housing and Community Development. Councillor James Robinson seconded the motion.
Councillor Scott Graves recommended that Resolve 6 be amended to replace “minor changes” with “minor, non-substantive language changes”.
Councillor Ronald Cormier agreed to amend his motion to include this language change. Councillor Robinson, who seconded the motion, concurred.
Councillor Alice Anderson recommended Resolve 5 be amended to replace “Mayor Mark Hawke” with “the Mayor”, in order to maintain uniformity within the Resolution. Councillor Ronald Cormier agreed to Councillor Anderson’s recommended change and further amended his motion. Councillor Robinson concurred.
There being no further discussion, President Janssens called for a vote.
On the main motion, it was voted on voice vote, eleven (11) yeas, President Neil Janssens and Councillors Alice Anderson, Henry Ares, David Boudreau, Joshua Cormier, Ronald Cormier, Patrick Gerry, Edward Gravel, Scott Graves, James Minns and James Robinson, Jr. to adopt the following:
CITY OF GARDNER URBAN RENEWAL PLAN
WHEREAS, the City of Gardner has been investigating the use of urban renewal to revitalize its downtown, the former Nichols and Stone manufacturing area, and connecting areas that have suffered from plant closures; lack of investment; and foreclosures exacerbated by the recessionary economy;
WHEREAS, the City of Gardner has undertaken a multi-phase planning process with public informational meetings and a business survey, providing citizens and property owners an opportunity to comment since November 2005;
WHEREAS, a draft Urban Renewal Plan was presented to the City Council at joint meeting with the Gardner Redevelopment Authority on November 16, 2009;
WHEREAS, the City Council supported the goals and objects of the draft Urban Renewal Plan and approved the boundaries of the Urban Renewal Area contained in the draft Urban Renewal Plan;
WHEREAS, the Urban Renewal Plan dated October 2010 was approved by the Gardner Redevelopment Authority on October 26, 2010;
WHEREAS, the Gardner Planning Board determined the Urban Renewal Plan is based on a local survey and is consistent with Gardner’s Community Development Plans, and approved said Urban Renewal Plan on November 9, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the City Council seeks to further the goals and objectives contained in the Urban Renewal Plan dated October 2010 to promote revitalization opportunities within the Urban Renewal Area as defined in the October 2010 plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Gardner
- Finds that there is a clear need and necessity for an urban renewal plan for Gardner;
- Approves the boundaries of the Gardner Urban Renewal Plan, as depicted in the map, titled Map 12.02 (1) (A-1): Project Boundary & Topography, attached hereto;
- Finds that the area contained within the Gardner Urban Renewal Plan Project Boundary is decadent as defined by M.G.L. c. 121B, and is in need of revitalization and redevelopment;
- Approves the Urban Renewal Plan dated October 2010, prepared by BSC Group and McCabe Enterprises;
- Requests the Mayor to submit the Urban Renewal Plan dated October 2010 to the Department of Housing and Community Development for final approval; and
- Authorizes the Mayor to approve minor, non-substantive language changes to the Urban Renewal Plan if such changes are recommended by the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Presented to Mayor for Approval – February 9, 2011
Approved – February 9, 2011
MARK P. HAWKE, Mayor
#8523
President Janssens announced the City Council and Planning Board will hold a Joint Public Hearing on Monday, February 28, 2011 at 6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, to consider the registered voter petition seeking to amend the Zoning Ordinance by requiring that a special permit from the City Council be necessary for a Medical Office use within the Central Business District and Neighborhood Business District.
NEW BUSINESS
On a motion by Councillor Joshua Cormier, seconded by Councillor Alice Anderson, it was voted on voice vote,
eleven (11) yeas, President Neil Janssens and Councillors Alice Anderson, Henry Ares, David Boudreau, Joshua Cormier, Ronald Cormier, Patrick Gerry, Edward Gravel, Scott Graves, James Minns and James Robinson, Jr. to consider NEW BUSINESS.
STATE CORRECTIONS MITIGATION FUNDS
Councillor Edward Gravel “thanked” the State for taking away the State (prison) mitigation money, that was promised [to] the City of Gardner.
Councillor Scott Graves added he supports the Mayor [in pursuing the money from the State] and commented “it is a travesty at what the State does to communities like Gardner… just another way to slap it to us”. He offered his full support to the Mayor and would contact the State Representative for support.
SNOW REMOVAL
Councillor Edward Gravel commented on the unprecedented snowfall, having received a lot of complaints from angry constituents. The Downtown area is a concern for him because patrons [attempt] to get into stores; [however] some businesses “feel it is okay to throw snow back on the sidewalk and into the road”. He asked [the businesses] for common courtesy and asked if we [the City] could get the Downtown “cleaned up quicker”, advantageous [to us] because “we can’t give tickets if people can’t get to the meters”.
Councillor David Boudreau stated he, too, received many calls from angry constituents that the roads haven’t been plowed adequately. He praised the DPW for doing a fantastic job keeping up with snow removal and preparing for the next storm. He added the [snow removal] crews need to rest after 15 to 16 hours of constant plowing, so residents need to be patient.
Councillor James Minns, Service Committee Chairman, added the Committee met this week and was informed that every DPW employee, including the Director, has been plowing snow and clearing snow banks.
Councillor Joshua Cormier added the City owes a great deal of gratitude to the [School] crossing guards, out [on duty] on the coldest days, shoveling snow and clearing fire hydrants, adding “they’re not making a lot of money and doing a lot of work”.
CRYSTAL LAKE ICE MELT CONTEST
Councillor Henry Ares announced the Crystal Lake Ice Melt Contest began on February 1st and will run until the end of the month, with Contest Application forms available at the Mayor’s Office, the Tax Collectors Office, the Water & Sewer Department Office, and John’s Sport Shop. He stated the grand prize is an AM/FM Radio Alarm clock, which he donated. There are also other prizes for the persons who come closest [to the date the ice melts].
JOHN GARDELLA’S HIGH SCHOOL CLASS
Councillor Joshua Cormier informed the Council he recently addressed Mr. John Gardella’s class at Gardner High School about City Council affairs, which is relevant as they [students] are now studying local politics. He urged others to get involved.ifgHighwa
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councillor Joshua Cormier, seconded by Councillor Alice Anderson, it was voted on voice vote,
eleven (11) yeas, President Neil Janssens and Councillors Alice Anderson, Henry Ares, David Boudreau, Joshua Cormier, Ronald Cormier, Patrick Gerry, Edward Gravel, Scott Graves, James Minns and James Robinson, Jr. to adjourn at 7:53 o’clock p.m. after recitation of the Closing Prayer.
Accepted by the City Council:
| |
