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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2009 : 10:27:11 AM
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Socks,
I think that you are correct that this has been brought up in the recent past. I think that it was by Councilor Cornellio. Can't remember the exact outcome but I thought that it also required state approval. In doing some research, it appears to have something to do with crediting more money to a employee's retirement benefit. Still need to do more research though. As I said, taxpayers shouldn't be overburdened just to make sure that no one gets laid off. |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2009 : 11:42:51 AM
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From the December 15, 2008 agenda:
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.
From the March 2, 2009 agenda
11.
C0248-08
Committee on Administrative Affairs Report on Resolution offered by Councilor Sergio Cornelio the 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; with a recommendation that the matter be referred back to Sponsor. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2009 : 10:14:31 PM
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Am I wrong? I always thought the proper procedure for anyone to be at the podium they needed to be invited up by the city council. Both the mayor and Ms Murphy just went up without being invited. That meeting tonight was a horror show.
You have McKinnon taking swipes at Cornelio. The mayor complaining that a couple of the councilors don't pronounce his name properly. They all appeared to be a bunch of immature imbeciles.
It looked like there were many fire and police in the audience.
"Deb" |
Edited by - massdee on 04/06/2009 10:32:23 PM |
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Ellen
Senior Member
173 Posts |
Posted - 04/06/2009 : 10:30:36 PM
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| Did anyone notice when Mazzie, Antonelli and McCarthy were speaking about being against letting the bars open til 2AM, the mayor goes up and whispers something to Antonelli and Antonelli changes his opinion? Can you say puppet? |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 12:49:52 AM
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I haven't had such a headache since the Lorrie Bruno era. I realize that the Common Council is using a sign-in list now but there's no reason for the remainder of the agenda to be taken out of order. If they want to do that, why don't they just pick numbers out of a hat. I agree with the majority of Massdee's comments; imbeciles might be a little strong for me but immature is pretty dead on. And what's up with Stephanie Smith? She shows up late and can't be bothered to stay out on the floor between votes. Must have been distracting for those people in the chamber. Obviously, nothing ever came out of the charges brought against her; but, she been doing a pretty good job on her own lately to show that she's not focused on her responsibilities as a councilor. On to some comments on specific items.
1.
Sounds like the councilors received a pretty complete package describing this change. But to only receive this information just before the meeting and expect them to vote on it is unreasonable. I realize that it wasn't the mayor's intention to do that. But why does every administration in this city make the same mistake over and over again of introducing legislation that backs the city council into a corner where they have to approve something immediately. The mayor has admitted in the past that he didn't appreciate the practice when he sat on the city council. I can understand the desire to have this completed in time for budget season but why shouldn't the city council have been given adequate time to do their job? I'm glad to hear that there is supposed to be a $200,000 savings from these consolidations; but, given the past track record of consolidations, I'd like to see it before I'll believe it. Glad to hear that most of the people whose jobs will be eliminated by it took the incentive package.
2.
No questions? No surprise. I realize that the other unions that were up for raises this year received raises but they got their negotiations completed before things went so far south financially. Whose fault was that? Who knows? I'm not totally against this but it certainly deserved some type of explanation so that we'd better understand the administration's thinking. I guess (hope?) there's always the BOA.
10.
Why didn't Councilor Di Florio call Alderman Van Campen in the first place? I complained about the administration not being fair with the council but the council is no friend to itself either.
11.
The parking sticker program may not be nickel and diming residents as badly as I thought it may be but it's still nickel and diming.
12.
I was flabbergasted by this item. Wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it with my own two eyes. From dead against to "send in your applications" in the blink of an eye. And it wasn't, in the least, subtle. Pretty unbelievable.
13.
Looks like I was wrong about there being a state law that dealt with where sex offenders could live. There probably should be.
15.
Favorable action or refer to traffic? Too bad the sponsor couldn't stick around so that we'd really know.
16.
I could be wrong but doesn't one of the councilors own a business in this block?
17.
Logging potholes with Councilor Simonelli or cleaning up the city with the Mayor? What a choice!
19.
There been a lot a chatter about this issue. I haven't discounted any of it as I have felt that there was probably some grain of truth to every bit of it even if it was near impossible to make all of the pieces fit together cohesively. But as I said in my pre-meeting comments, I thought some of it might be a worst case scenario. My real feeling though has been that was a lot of it has been a negotiating tactic. And I think that tonight's meeting proved that. The show of police and fire department support was impressive but how many residents that didn't have an actual stake in the issue attend to show their support?
20.
Was it appropriate to take up this item? I'm not sure. The same item is not supposed to be introduced twice in the same calendar year. Councilor Cornelio actually introduced it last year but it was never disposed of until this year. So who knows if it was correct but that was part of the problem with the hard feelings on the item. And as much as Councilor McKinnion claims it will save money, here's a link an audit done the last time Everett tried this (You must be logged in to see this link.). It's tough reading but I'm pretty sure that it shows that the city lost money the last time it was tried and it didn't even appear that it took into account the expenses associated with refilling any of these positions.
21.
I think that it's wrong that ECTV stopped running the Level 3 sex offender information. I can't remember when it stopped but I am pretty sure that it had nothing to do with the new ECTV director, as big of a critic as I am of her.
25.
I didn't think that what happened with this item was what described by the language on the agenda. I thought that these types of presentations/recognitions had been moved so that they were done before the actual meeting. That said, I think it was pretty sad that Councilor Sierra had to go out on his own to get the sign made. The city should have taken care of this and it should have been done long ago. Let's see how long it takes to get it put up. |
Edited by - tetris on 04/07/2009 12:50:57 AM |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 09:36:15 AM
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I don't want to see any of our public safety people laid off. I personally would like to see their positions saved by attrition and other cuts. I do not want to see it placed on the backs of the taxpayers. I felt Simonelli was wrong last night saying people wouldn't mind paying higher taxes to save jobs. Where are the taxpayers going to get this extra money? All of us either have someone in our family or know someone who has already been laid off.
Most of us just can't afford to pay out any more than we are now.
"Deb" |
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turk182
Member
88 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 12:27:18 PM
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Hey Chris
Next time you say we want a tax increase make sure you ask us first.
Just so you will know "WE DO NOT WANT A TAX INCREASE"
All the Taxpayers of the City of Everett
''Life's tough......it's even tougher if you're stupid.''
-- John Wayne |
Edited by - turk182 on 04/07/2009 12:29:50 PM |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 10:27:56 PM
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I have to say, I get a real kick out of this new web site. Keep it coming!!!
"Deb" |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 3:27:25 PM
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Maybe the website should call the MMA and have someone explain to them how this press release is possible when Mayor DeMaria was not in attendance.
You must be logged in to see this link. |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 12:40:39 PM
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REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL, TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2009, 7:00 PM, CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 3RD FL., EVERETT, MASS
PAPERS FROM THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
1.
A0124-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
To accept the donation of $100.00 from the Vietnam Veterans Association to the Department of Veterans Services Gift Account, to supplement their gift account. (Passed sent down for concurrence)
2.
A0125-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
To accept the donation of $50.00 from Rita Hurley to the Mayor's Office of Community Development to support the Beautification Program. (Passed sent down for concurrence.)
3.
A0088-09 Ordinance/s/Alderman Wayne Matewsky and Councilor Millie Cardello
That the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett Chapter 18, Section 18-138 Service zones in Metered and Non-Metered Areas is hereby amended by adding to the list kept on file in the City Clerk's Office, the following: No person shall park a vehicle longer than fifteen minutes at 42 Clinton Street, from Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Amended to read Wednesday through Saturday-store is closed Monday and Tuesday). (Ordained as amended, sent down for concurrence)
4.
A0108-09 Resolution/s/Alderman Wayne Matewsky and Councilor Leo McKinnon
That the Mayor, due to recent incident of the scam water meter readers, inform all Everett residents via mail in every water bill, in the interest of public safety. (Passed sent down for concurrence to send to Mayor.)
COMMUNICATIONS
5.
C0054-09 Order/s/Councilor Stephanie Smith
Favorable recommendation from the Director of Veterans Services, Commissioner Joseph Hickey-To dedicate the intersection of Elm Street and Birch Street in honor of Mr. William M. Condon. Mr. Condon was a Veteran of World War II and former Everett Police Officer.
6.
C0056-09 Resolution/s/Councilor John Leo McKinnon
Response received from Representative Smith's Office that he will be meeting with the Mayor shortly regarding this item-that the Mayor look into effecting 5% or 5-year buy back that would avoid layoffs for all city employees including public safety with the total numbers of employees throughout the City.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
7.
C0018-09 Resolution/s/Councilor John Leo McKinnon
Public Safety Committee Report -To have the Director of City Services come up to explain who calls a snow emergency; with a recommendation to refer back to Sponsor.
8.
C0055-09 Resolution/s/Councilor John Leo McKinnon
Public Safety Committee Report-To have a plan put into effect that would be fiscally feasible to the City to help save Police and Fire Department jobs from said cuts or layoffs for this fiscal year; with a recommendation that the matter be referred to the Mayor with a request that in order to avoid any cuts or layoffs he fund the Police and Fire Department budgets with monies available in the Reserve funds and that he report back his decision on the funding at the Common Council meeting scheduled for May 4th.
9.
C0047-09 Resolution/s/Councilor Leo McKinnon
Public Safety Committee Report-That the Police Chief and the Licensing Board appear this meeting to discuss establishments within the City of Everett that have Police details to be able to be opened and granted a 2 a.m. license to operate; with a recommendation that the matter be referred to the Licensing Commission and that they report back their decision at the next Common Council meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
10.
C0068-09 Resolution/s/Councilor Catherine Tomassi Hicks
To request City Engineer to attend this meeting to discuss the repairing or resurfacing of the asphalt on Wyllis Ave and Valley Street.
11.
C0069-09 Resolution/s/Councilor Peter A. Napolitano
That the Director of City Services and the Parking Clerk appear to discuss the reason for the street cleaning hours on Ferry Street are from 4am to 7am and consideration to change those hours to allow residents a more reasonable timeframe to move their cars.
Adjourn
Respectfully submitted:
C. McCorry,
council@ci.everett.ma.us,
www.You must be logged in to see this link. |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2009 : 09:06:28 AM
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4.
Maybe Councilor McKinnon will ask why this wasn't done in the last water bill even though the request had been made in February.
6.
If I'm reading item 8 correctly, it doesn't look like the council wants any of the cuts to police and fire to be permanent. Wasn't it mentioned at the last Common Council meeting that the auditor stated that the 5% buyback program would end up costing the city money if there were no permanent job reductions associated with it? Not to mention the PERAC report that shows it cost the city money last time it was tried here (You must be logged in to see this link.). I don't get it.
8.
Let me say two things. First, I'm all for the city having as much public safety personnel as possible. Secondly, as I said when the budget shortfall issue started heating up, it's also crucial to have reasonable expectations for this situation. Are negotiations between the city and the unions still on going? If so, is it advisable for the city council to get this involved in the process at this time? The city charter does not allow the council to be involved in contact negotiations. In the end, it's not that I'm totally against some money from the city's reserves being put towards preventing some layoffs. But, I'd want to be sure that every other possible alternative has been looked at before I think that it's appropriate to explore the possibility.
9.
I guess the point of this is to make the Licensing Board really decide what their opinion on 2 AM licenses is. Their last two "opinions" seemed to contradict one another. I'd hazard a guess as to which one really counted.
10.
I haven't asked this question in a while. Why isn't there a better process in place to decide which streets get done over?
11.
Ferry Street is swept in the 4 AM to 7 AM timeframe, just like every other major artery in the city. Why? Because they are main arteries. When else would they be able to get to them and not not have an impact on traffic, parking, etc. Admittedly, not a great situation if you live there but what's a better idea? |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2009 : 7:15:25 PM
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Councilor B. Cardello is a rude, arrogant, egotistical jerk. Just my opinion.
"Deb" |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2009 : 8:07:43 PM
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4.
No one wants to address why this didn't happen in the last water bill. OK, then don't be disappointed when it doesn't happen in the next water bill either.
6.
I really don't get it. Councilor McKinnon seems to be one of the driving forces behind no reductions in public safety; but, he also wants to offer early retirements incentives. Somebody tell me if I'm wrong but hasn't it already been discussed that scenario is a net loss for the taxpayers, no matter how you slice it?
8.
I'm not really sure what the purpose of referring this piece to the Finance Committee was. Everyone on the Common Council should have a good idea of how much money is in free cash, in the stabilization fund and whether or not they would like the mayor to consider using those funds for this purpose. Councilor Napolitano is a member of the Public Safety Committee and I heard that Councilor DiFlorio sat in on last week's committee meeting. From what I heard, no mention of sending this to the Finance Committee was made at that meeting. I wonder what changed?
9.
Not that I necessarily agree with it, but I'm not sure what's wrong with the last statement from the Licensing Commission two weeks ago that they would consider applications for 2 AM liquor licenses on a case by case basis. What more is Councilor McKinnon expecting?
11.
I feel bad for the people that live there. But, doesn't make sense that the main drags get cleaned early in the morning?
I've been wondering about this for a while, but where did ECTV get the music that they play while the agenda is scrolling? Certainly not my cup of tea. Doesn't seem to fit.
Councilor Simonelli sure knows how to dig a deeper hole for himself. If he's going to take on everyone that says something about him that he doesn't like, he's going to have a long, hot summer. Good thing he doesn't read the boards. But Councilor B. Cardello can't tell time either. |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2009 : 8:29:49 PM
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Your right, Billy Cardello cannot tell time because that certainly was not 5 minutes, and was less. While I agree he shouldn’t take everyone on….he gets no respect what so ever. I did not agree with the statement he made, but people took it too far. The council knows how to push his buttons, and that’s exactly what they were doing. They love it when he gets upset, and certain individuals do it on purpose.
You can hear and see the grumbling and complaining. Those pompous jerks that were grumbling and complaining have NO RESPECT. If that RAG, the Advocate, printed something about any one of them, they too would be the first to stand up. Council Simonelli had every right to defend himself, and defend his integrity. It was a short meeting, so what if he went over 5 minutes, which he did not. As for that write up, I question who and why it was printed.
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Com Council/2009
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 7:43:37 PM
