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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2008 : 09:39:54 AM
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1. + 2.
Let see if Councilor Sierra is able to stop these changes from being implemented. They have been on the agenda for a long time; I don't get why no one stands up on them until they are in their final readings.
5.
It'll be interested to see if the state will do anything about this.
6.
So the city spends the time and effort to do a traffic study to determine if the entire length of the street should be made one way, they get a favorable recommendation and now they want to change it to only a portion of the street. What was the point of doing the study in the first place? I'm not familiar with the portion of Bradford Street that runs from Hancock to Ferry but I was recently on the portion that runs from Hancock to Main Street. Even though I'm far from an expert on such matters, I couldn't see a need for that portion of the street being one way. How do these matters get so out of control?
7.
Whether or not the City Council gets reduced to one body is a one issue, but, if you've ever taken the time to read it, you know that the city charter is in need of a major overhaul. This bill is currently awaiting a third reading in the House. This is the same place as the city's last home rule petition got stuck for a long time. It's a joke that cities and towns can't decide on issues like this on their own.
I read about a proposal recently that would streamline the home rule petition process in the State Legislature. Lawmakers use the home rule petitions as bargaining chips to win passage of other legislation. Under this proposal, the Legislature would have 90 days to act on a petition or it becomes law. Let's see if at least that much happens.
8.
Two and half months ago, Councilor Hicks had a piece on the agenda to determine the feasibility of converting the light at Bellingham Street to a mast arm, now there's a request to place an additional light only one block away. I know that both pieces are most likely aimed at improving the safety of the children that cross Main Street to get to and from the Maddie English School and I have no problem with that; enough probably wasn't done with that when the school first opened. But, might it not make some sense to reposition the existing light to this new location since Woodville Street leads directly to the school?
9.
I'm sorry but I'm having a problem with believing that Councilor Cornelio came up with this one on his own. Who's looking to retire early? Maybe this isn't the best of ideas given the shape that the pension fund is in; the economics of this need to be fully explained to determine how this would be in the best interest of the tax payers. Good luck getting a home rule petition approved quickly.
10.
I can't say that I frequent that portion of Broadway at that time of the day. Anybody know what the actual problem is? I could only guess. |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2008 : 11:29:45 AM
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9. C0248-08 Resolution/s/Councilor Sergio Cornelio
Due to economic downturn expected from the State, that the Mayor consider implementing a home rule petition for a five-year early retirement incentive, so we can have people let go through attrition instead of layoffs.
No way do I believe he came up with this on his own. Lets see who else will speak on it and be in complete favor. It is my understanding that many people can not afford to retire right now. Anyone that contributes to any type of pension fund has lost money, I am sure. This is not in the best interest for the retiree, or anyone that is five years away..... and I heard of people taking "buy outs" to retire. Those were later proven to cost more in the long run, and NOT be a cost savings. I'll listen to what he has to say and exactly who he refers this piece to. |
Edited by - Tails on 12/14/2008 11:55:56 AM |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2008 : 8:27:36 PM
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I'm glad item 9 went to administrative affairs. What happens if they do all this, and no one takes the early retirement? I'm 50/50 on this issue and I thought it was a little odd, being brought up by a city employee.
Anyway....the meeting was over early and I put on the school committee. F. Foresteire says that the Mayor will be giving a mid-term address on January 5, 2009, and they are all going to be there, then resume the school committee meeting after that. |
Edited by - Tails on 12/15/2008 8:28:26 PM |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2008 : 10:48:50 PM
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1. + 2.
How could these items make it so far only to be killed soundly on their last reading? I know that these items originated in the Board of Aldermen but don't the members of the Common Council have some responsibility to follow what goes on at the other board? If not, it's just another reason for charter reform. The history of these two items is a mess if you follow them thru the agendas. A trial period was supposed to have occurred but it had to be granted further time on three different occasions. Who knows if it ever really did occur. If it did, how could the residents not know about it? It appears that the ball was dropped on this one. Who's responsible for that? What a waste of time.
5.
Wasn't much of an update and it was from early November to boot. Waste of time. Am I sensing a theme tonight?
6.
Wanna take a guess?
9.
Somebody's still going to need to explain how early retirements are going to benefit the tax payers, especially if they may not result in permanent reductions in staff.
10.
A no left turn sign (with or without an hours restriction) is not a bad idea. The problem is that it will probably be ignored just like a lot of traffic laws in the city are. Maybe some things can be done to improve the traffic flow around this Dunkin' Donuts but a police detail isn't going to solve the real problem, too much volume.
So now Councilor Ranieri is somewhat satisfied with some temporary signage at Best Buy. Wonder what changed his tune? But since he's now looking for some lighting on these signs, this issue seems to be far from over.
But the Laurie Bruno era is over. Thankfully. She's seems to be a nice person and seem to care about the city but she just never got the hang of running an effective meeting.
And next year's president has already been decided upon? Actually, I've heard that rumor before so I'm pretty sure that it has decided for quite a while. I don't think that Millie Cardello is the worst choice that they could have made but I hate pre-arranged agreements like this. Shouldn't the presidency go to someone who has distinguished themselves in the prior year? Maybe that's the reason that hardly anyone has distinguished themselves this year on the Common Council. OK, Councilor Simonelli has stood out this year but I just don't see him as CC president material.
Hopefully, one of the first things that the new president will do is to put a muzzle on Billy Cardello. His schtick of trying to control the meetings from the floor is getting old, even though it was sometimes necessary under Bruno's presidency. Time for that to stop and, hopefully, it can. |
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COMMON COUNCIL 2008
