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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
 Posted - 09/15/2009 : 12:27:07 PM
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I am totally confused on the ISD department. I understand consolidating all into one department and all on one system, but to have to hire someone with those qualifications and that salary seems a bit absurd at this time. Can’t they all just go on a new system with new software and skip the ISD director?
Why can’t they create a database like a Filemaker database, and have it on a secure server for all departments involved to login to one database.
An example would be if someone comes in for a building permit…….there can be a comment left on there from the health department stating that they had a health violation, and the permit would be denied until the health issue was cleared. The building department would send them to the next desk (all in one room) and be done with it. Then no one gets away with anything either.
We already have directors in Health, Code Enforcement, Building and so on, so why would an ISD Director even be needed?
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charm
Senior Member
264 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2009 : 6:36:01 PM
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| cause he has to hire new people from somerville to keep his promise, I never saw so many city of somerville trucks in everett, where are they working I don't know but you see them every morning going up broadway |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2009 : 6:40:37 PM
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I wonder who Carlo owes this job to? The BOA & CC can prevent this new consolidation plan, can't they? It's another salary and it hasn't been budgeted........
Tails is right, create a database (or buy a program) that all the necessary departments can utilize. The city should have people with the necessary skills to set it up & maintain it. We don't need another high paid position and we certainly can't afford it! |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2009 : 12:58:52 PM
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REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2009, 7:00 PM, PETER J. MCCARREN MEMORIAL CHAMBERS, EVERETT, MA
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. A0226-09
To all parties interested in the petition for an Open Air Parking License for Mario's Service Center, Inc. at 380 Second Street.
2. A0233-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
To all parties interested in the public hearing to revoke the following licenses:
Non-renewal:
Family Auto Body, 88 East Elm Street
Gamma Auto Repair, 86 East Elm Street
Mystic Properties LLP, 24 Mystic Street
Violations of Massachusetts General Laws:
RIO USA Auto Sales, Inc., 365 Third Street
Change of ownership:
New Deal Truck & Auto Inc., 41 Garden Street
COMMUNICATIONS FROM HIS HONOR THE MAYOR
3. A0221-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
Subject to confirmation by the Honorable Board of Aldermen, and in conformity with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 10, Section 58, and Section 29 of the Everett City Charter, I hereby appoint Donald Chiavelli to the Library Board of Trustees for a term of three (3) years ending on September 28, 2012.
4. A0222-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
Subject to confirmation by the Honorable Board of Aldermen, and in conformity with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 10, Section 58, and Section 29 of the Everett City Charter, I hereby appoint Josephine Rivers to the Library Board of Trustees for a term of three (3) years ending on September 28, 2012.
5. A0228-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
Subject to confirmation by the Honorable Board of Aldermen, and in conformity with M.G.L., C. 10, Section 58 and Section 29 of the Everett City Charter, I hereby appoint Luisa Dello Iacono to the Board of Health for a term of three (3) years ending on September 28, 2012.
6. A0223-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
Subject to confirmation by the Honorable Board of Aldermen, and in conformity with the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 10, Section 58, and Section 29 of the Everett City Charter, I hereby appoint Marjorie Baldassarre to the Library Board of Trustees for a term of three (3) years ending on September 28, 2012.
7. A0224-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
Subject to confirmation by the Honorable Board of Aldermen, and in conformity with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 10, Section 58, and Section 29 of the Everett City Charter, I hereby appoint Charles Loycano to the Board of Appeals for a term of three (3) years ending on September 28, 2012.
8. A0225-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
Subject to confirmation by the Honorable Board of Aldermen, and in conformity with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 10, Section 58, and Section 29 of the Everett City Charter, I hereby appoint Ralph Dumas to the Board of Appeals for a term of two (2) years ending on September 28, 2011.
9. A0235-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
Subject to confirmation by the Honorable Board of Aldermen, and in conformity with M.G.L., C. 10, S58 and Section 29 of the Everett City Charter, I hereby appoint Karen T. Collins, of Everett, to the Recreation Commission for a five (5) year term ending September 29, 2014.
10. A0236-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
To appropriate the amount of $20,680.00 from the Budgetary Fund Balance to the Purchasing Department Equipment Maintenance Account for the yearly lease of photocopier machines, including maintenance, toner cartridges and staples for 11 copiers within the City.
PAPERS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL
11. C0163-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
To accept the donation of $100.00 from the Vietnam Veterans Association to the Department of Veterans Services to supplement Veteran Services Gift Account.(Passed sent up for concurrence)
12. C0164-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
To Appropriate the amount of $73,555.00 from the Budgetary Fund Balance to the Personnel Department Salary Account. This will be for a new Personnel Director. (Amended to $50,000.00, passed as amended, sent up for concurrence, reconsideration failed)
13. C0161-09 Resolution/s/Councilor William L. Cardello and Alderman Michael Marchese
To remove the parking meter in front of 25 Webster Street because it is too close to the fire hydrant. (Passed sent up for concurrence to send to the traffic commission and Parking Clerk)
14. C0162-09 Resolution/s/Councilor William L. Cardello and Alderman Michael K. Marchese
To revisit the parking sticker program ordinance to change the hours to 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and Friday from 11pm to 7am for residential areas only. (Passed sent up for concurrence to send to the Traffic Commission)
15. C0166-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
To authorize the City of Everett to adopt the residential property exemption of 20% of the assessed value for owner occupied class one residential properties for Fiscal Year 2010. (Passed sent up for concurrence)
COMMUNICATIONS
16. A0234-09 Communication/s/From Marc Orlandella, Pres. D/B/A Sports Club Rio at 68 Vine Street.
From Marc Orlandella, Pres. D/B/A Sports Club Rio at 68 Vine Street. Requesting permission to open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
17. A0111-09 /s/Public Service Committee Report
Resolution offered by Alderman Michael Marchese-That the Everett City Council supports H2675 which will provide property tax relief for small businesses; with no recommendation.
18. A0218-09 /s/Public Safety Committee Report
Resolution/s/Alderman Robert J. Van Campen, Councilors Lorrie Bruno, William Cardello and Rosa DiFlorio-That a representative of the Everett Police Department appear at the next meeting of the Public Service Committee to discuss issues in the vicinity of Corey Street, including the area of the municipal parking lot; with a recommendation to lay over until the next meeting and invite all liquor license holders in the Everett Square area, as well as, a representative of the Traffic Commission and Licensing Commission in addition to Sergeant O'Malley and Ms. Stratis.
19. A0144-09 /s/License Committee Report
Resolution/s/Alderman Jason Marcus and Councilor Lou Sierra-To request that the Code Enforcement Task Force go down to Ferry Street Motors in regards to complaints of automobiles parking in the rear of the building, in light of a car fire in the rear a few years back, and also clean up the area; with recommendation to lay over until the next Committee meeting to determine the status of the periodic inspections the Committee requested be made by the City Clerk during the summer months.
20. A0215-09 /s/License Committee Report
Petition for awning at "Abundant Life Workshop Center" at 135 Hancock Street.
21. A0216-09 /s/License Committee Report
Relative to a communication from Mr. John Fraher, President of Mike's Roast Beef, 115 Broadway, requesting the extension of the hours of operation until 3:30 a.m.
22. A0112-09 /s/Rules & Ordinances Committee Report
Ordinance/s/Alderman Robert J. Van Campen-That the City of Everett enact an ordinance requiring owners and proprietors of all rooming houses, halfway houses, and other similar facilities, to conduct a CORI check on all tenants prior to renting a unit.
23. A0165-09 /s/Rules & Ordinances Committee Report
Resolution/s/Alderman Michael K. Marchese-That the City consider adopting Lynn, Massachusetts Law regarding pit bulls, rottweilers, and all breeds similar that pose threat to citizens of Everett.
24. A0152-09 /s/Rules & Ordinances Committee Report
Ordinance/s/Alderman Michael K. Marchese-To add new subsection to Section 21A. Adult Entertainment Land Use to include Tattoo Parlors and Gun Shops.
25. A0004-09 /s/Rules & Ordinances Committee Report
Ordinance/s/Aldermen L. Charles DiPerri, Alderman Robert J. Van Campen, Alderman Sal Sachetta, Councilor Millie Cardello, Councilor Lorrie Bruno, Councilor Sal DiDomenico-That the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett Chapter 13 Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions is hereby amended by adding Section 13-1.1 Public consumption or use of marihuana or tetrahydrocannabinol.
26. A0140-09 /s/Rules & Ordinances Committee Report
Ordinance/s/Aldermen Robert J. Van Campen and Michael K. Marchese-That Section 13 "Violations and Penalties" of the Zoning Ordinances of the City of Everett be amended by increasing fines from $20.00 to $300.00.
27. A0166-09 /s/Rules & Ordinances Committee Report
Resolution/s/Alderman Michael K. Marchese-That the City of Everett consider closing all 24 hour stores at 1:00 o'clock a. m., to be off premises at 1:30 a.m., and re-open at 6:00 a.m., excluding drive-thru.
28. A0190-09 /s/Rules & Ordinances Committee Report
Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President-Home Rule Petition to Place Liens on Properties for Unpaid Code Enforcement Tickets and Appoint Hearing Officer.
29. C0152-09 /s/Rules & Ordinances Committee Report
Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President- for a Home Rule Petition that would authorize the City of Everett to create an Inspectional Services Department.
30. C0130-09 /s/Rules & Ordinances Committee Report
Resolution/s/Councilors Rosa DiFlorio, Cynthia Sarnie and Alderman Sal Sachetta-To revisit the trash ordinance and the fees for trash.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
31. C0139-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
To accept the donation of $2,500.00 from United Road Towing Inc. to the Mayor's Office of Community Development #28-3590-WW. This donation will be used by the Community Development Office to support the Beautification Program.
32. C0141-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
To accept the donation of $15,000.00 from Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. to the Mayor's Office of Community Development #38-3590-WW. This donation will be used by the Community Development Office to support the Beautification Program.
33. C0142-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
To accept the donation of $100.00 from Paul Joseph DiPierro to the Mayor's Office of Community Development #28-3590-WW. This donation will be used by the Community Development Office to support the Beautification Program.
34. C0131-09 Ordinance/s/Councilor Millie Cardello, as President
Ordinance updating the list of fees in the City Clerks Office. (Enrolled sent up for enrollment.)
35. A0201-09 Resolution/s/Alderman Sal Sachetta
To have the Mayor's Office or the Community Development Director, inform the Developer of the vacant property at the bottom of Waters Ave, Baldwin Ave, and Winslow Street, and running parallel to Valley Street, that the said property is in bad shape and the tarp which is used to cover the fence hiding this mess has been removed and is very unsightly for the property owners in that location. Also there has been gangs drinking on said property breaking bottles, et cetera.
36. A0214-09 Resolution/s/Alderman Jason Marcus
That the Personnel Director appear this meeting relative to working with the Chamber of Commerce and it's Companies regarding the possibility of any job openings being listed with the City for City of Everett Residents.
NEW BUSINESS
37. A0229-09 Resolution/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
That, at the request of the City Clerk, the License Committee consider raising the application fee and licensing fee for repair shop and auto dealer licenses due to the inordinate amount of time and effort that the City spends policing these establishments.
38. A0230-09 Resolution/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
That, at the request of the City Clerk, the License Committee consider the advisability of removing the exclusion from repair shop licensing requirements for service stations with full repair facilities.
39. A0231-09 Resolution/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
That, at the request of the Everett Square Businesses, the License Committee consider the advisability of moving a taxi cab stand.
Adjournment
Respectfully submitted:
Caroline McCorry,
Adm. Assist./Ofc. Mgr.,
Everett City Council Office
council@ci.everett.ma.us
Scheduled Meetings:
9/30 6pm Public Safety Committee Meeting (Single Item-Corey/Norwood Street Parking Lots)
10/5 7pm Common Council Meeting
10/13 6pm License Committee Meeting
10/13 6:30pm Presentations from Board – National Night Out Recipients
10/13 7pm Board of Aldermen Meeting
10/15 6pm Bills & Accounts Committee Meeting
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charm
Senior Member
264 Posts |
Posted - 09/28/2009 : 7:03:04 PM
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| hey it's after 7 get fat boy off t.v. |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 09/28/2009 : 8:26:32 PM
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| Why do you waste our time with your stupid comments? |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2009 : 08:56:34 AM
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As far as the Personnel Director’s salary goes, it’s a known fact and public knowledge that the Mayor himself stated we do not need a personnel director and he has qualified capable staff to handle this.
During the budget hearings, it was part of the consolidation plan/ salary increase justification for the solicitor, Colleen Mejia. This is on tape and not disputable. Since we heard this publicly, we should also be told publicly how he’s going to rectify this. After all, we are the taxpayers and we would not even be discussing these high salaries if it was not for us taxpayers.
Someone needs to direct Mr. Buckley to the budget hearing tapes, since he repeatedly claims this is not true, and it certainly is. The Board of Alderman knew it, but as usual, everyone zips their lip.
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Edited by - Tails on 09/30/2009 6:45:05 PM |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2009 : 12:33:57 PM
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(6pm-License Committee Meeting, 6:30pm-Presentations to NNO Recipients)
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009, 7:00 PM, PETER J. MCCARREN MEMORIAL CHAMBERS, EVERETT, MA
PUBLIC HEARING
1.
A0240-09
To all parties interested in the petition for an Open Air Parking License for Mario's Service Center, 45-47 Mystic Street, Everett, MA.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM HIS HONOR THE MAYOR
2.
A0241-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
To accept the donation of $117.00 from the Crime Prevention Members to the Everett Police Department Donation Account to supplement their donation account.
3.
A0249-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
Subject to confirmation by the Honorable Board of Aldermen, in conformity with M.G.L., Chapter 10, Section 58 and Section 29 of the City Charter of the City of Everett, I hereby appoint Dr. Sean Connolly to the Board of Health for a term of three (3) years ending on October 13, 2012.
4.
A0250-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
Subject to confirmation by the Honorable City Council, and in accordance with M.G.L., Chapter 10, Section 58 and Chapter 18, Section 18-41 of the Everett City Charter, I hereby appoint Tom Hughes to the Traffic Commission for a term of three (3) years ending on October 7, 2012.
PAPERS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL
5.
C0173-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
Subject to confirmation by the Honorable City Council, and in accordance with Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2009, which made changes to Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 268A and 268B, I hereby appoint Melissa A. Murphy as the City of Everett's liaison to the State Ethics Commission. (Passed sent up for concurrence)
6.
C0174-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
To accept the donation of $65.00 from The Carpenter Family in honor of Wesley Carpenter to the Vietnam Veterans Association to the Department of Veterans Services Gift Account. (Passed sent up for concurrence)
7.
C0178-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
To transfer $100,000.00 from Budgetary Fund Balance into the City Services Construction/Repairs Account for the wall/fencing to be repaired/replaced at Florence Street Park (Luke Road side). (Passed sent up for concurrence)
8.
A0236-09 Order/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President
To appropriate the amount of $20,680.00 from the Budgetary Fund Balance to the Purchasing Department Equipment Maintenance Account for the yearly lease of photocopier machines, including maintenance, toner cartridges and staples for 11 copiers within the City. (Amended by deleting "11" and inserting "10" copiers.) (Passed as amended, sent up for concurrence on the amendment.)
9.
A0237-09 Ordinance/s/Alderman Michael Marchese and Alderman Robert Van Campen
To amend Chapter 12, Section 12-9 "Special Licenses for Extended Hours of Operation" of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett by deleting "within two hundred and fifty feet of a residential zone" in paragraph A and that paragraph B of Section 12-9 be amended by adding "and at the discretion of the Board of Aldermen a Police detail may be required" at the end of the sentence. (Enrolled as amended in concurrence, sent up for ordainment, as amended.)
10.
C0131-09 Ordinance/s/Councilor Millie Cardello, as President
Ordinance updating the list of fees in the City Clerks Office. (Ordained sent up for concurrence)
11.
C0153-09 Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President
That the City of Everett by and through its Mayor and City Council, vote to petition the General Court to enable legislation to impose linkage fees on certain commercial and multi-dwelling properties; with a recommendation for favorable action from the Rules & Ordinances Committee. (Passed sent up for concurrence)
12.
C0048-09 Ordinance/s/Councilors Millie Cardello, Peter Napolitano and Sergio Cornelio
To amend Chapter 13, "Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions" of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett by adding new Section, as follows: “Section 13-23 Sex Offender Residency Restrictions." This Ordinance would regulate the distance a Level 3 sex offender can live from a school, park, or day care center; with a recommendation from the Rules & Ordinances Committee for favorable action on the proposed ordinance by amending all references to 1,500 feet and replacing it to read 1,000 feet. (Enrolled as amended sent up for enrollment, as amended.)
PETITIONS AND LICENSES
13.
A0242-09 Petition
Petition for Awning Permit from Jorge Aguirre at 458 Broadway.
14.
A0243-09 Petition
Petition for Open Air Parking Permit from Mario's Service Center, Inc. at 45-47 Mystic Street.
15.
A0245-09 Petition
Petition for projecting sign for EXTRA SPACE STORAGE at 329 Second Street.
16.
A0246-09 Petition
Petition from Imelda Posada for an Awning Permit at 69 Hancock Street.
17.
A0247-09 Petition
Petition for Permit to sell Flowering Plants from James Chiarello at Rite Aid Pharmacy, 405 Broadway to sell Christmas Trees and Flowers from November 25th through December 26th, 2009.
18.
A0248-09 Petition
Petition for Auto Body Repair Shop License from Andy Ortiz D/B/A Family Auto Body, 88 East Elm Street
COMMUNICATIONS
19.
A0098-09 /s/From Mr. John Burley, Clerk of Committees
Relative to the Return of Papers from the Rules & Ordinances Committee which has failed to act on Resolution offered by Alderman Robert Van Campen-That the City of Everett consider amending the Resident Parking Sticker Ordinance by allowing one visitor pass for each dwelling unit in the City of Everett. However, it should be noted that these types of matters now need to be referred to the Traffic Commission.
20.
A0244-09 Communication
From Attorney Joseph J. Sasso, Jr. relative to Majestic Motors, Inc., 69 Norman Street-21A, Everett, MA (Copy in Mailboxes).
COMMITTEE REPORTS
21.
A0218-09 /s/Public Safety Committee Report
Resolution/s/Alderman Robert J. Van Campen, Councilors Lorrie Bruno, William Cardello and Rosa DiFlorio-That a representative of the Everett Police Department appear at the next meeting of the Public Service Committee to discuss issues in the vicinity of Corey Street, including the area of the municipal parking lot; with a recommendation to refer to the Mayor and Traffic Commission to implement the installation of jersey barriers, installation of temporary speed bumps, installation of speed limit signs, installation of direct lighting, explore installation of surveillance cameras, commence cultural dialogue with business owners and increase police activity on weekend nights.
22.
A0229-09 /s/License Committee Report
On Resolution/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President-That, at the request of the City Clerk, the License Committee consider raising the application fee and licensing fee for repair shop and auto dealer licenses due to the inordinate amount of time and effort that the City spends policing these establishments.
23.
A0230-09 /s/License Committee Report
On Resolution/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President-That, at the request of the City Clerk, the License Committee consider the advisability of removing the exclusion from repair shop licensing requirements for service stations with full repair facilities.
24.
A0231-09 /s/License Committee Report
On Resolution/s/Alderman L. Charles DiPerri, as President-That, at the request of the Everett Square Businesses, the License Committee consider the advisability of moving a taxicab stand.
25.
A0234-09 /s/License Committee Report
Relative to communication received from Marc Orlandella, Pres. D/B/A Sports Club Rio at 68 Vine Street. Requesting permission to open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
26.
A0113-09 /s/Finance Committee Report
On Resolution offered by Alderman Robert J. Van Campen -That the City of Everett establish a Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund in accordance with General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 53F 1/2; with a recommendation to refer to the Mayor.
27.
C0164-09 /s/Finance Committee Report
On Order/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello, as President-To Appropriate the amount of $73,555.00 from the Budgetary Fund Balance to the Personnel Department Salary Account. This will be for a new Personnel Director. (Amended to $50,000.00, passed as amended, sent up for concurrence, reconsideration failed); with a recommendation to lay the matter on the table.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
28.
A0205-09 Resolution/s/Alderman Jason Marcus
To set a speeding trap on upper Malden Street. (9/14-Referred to Police Traffic with request for response 10/13 meeting)
29.
A0214-09 Resolution/s/Alderman Jason Marcus
That the Personnel Director appear this meeting relative to working with the Chamber of Commerce and it's Companies regarding the possibility of any job openings being listed with the City for City of Everett Residents.
30.
A0201-09 Resolution/s/Alderman Sal Sachetta
To have the Mayor's Office or the Community Development Director, inform the Developer of the vacant property at the bottom of Waters Ave, Baldwin Ave, and Winslow Street, and running parallel to Valley Street, that the said property is in bad shape and the tarp which is used to cover the fence hiding this mess has been removed and is very unsightly for the property owners in that location. Also there has been gangs drinking on said property breaking bottles, et cetera.
NEW BUSINESS
31.
A0251-09 Resolution/s/Alderman Wayne A. Matewsky
That the City Clerk explain why certain candidates are allowed to run for two seats, charter reform and other offices.
32.
A0252-09
BOA Worksheet October 13, 2009
1.Sponsor: Alderman Michael K. Marchese-To place handicapped ramp at the corner of Oakland and Broadway, across from Angelina’s Sub Shop.
Referred to: City Services Director and Operations Manager and Mayor.
2. Sponsor: Alderman Wayne A. Matewsky-Correct/replace the two beat-up no parking signs at 17 Bradford Terrace.
Referred to: City Services Director and Operations Manager and Sign Division.
3. Sponsor: Alderman Wayne A. Matewsky-To replace the street sign for Estes Court, which must have been hit by a truck.
Referred to: City Services Director and Operations Manager and Sign Division.
4. Sponsor: Alderman Wayne A. Matewsky-To repair the big pothole on Estes Court, at Bradford Terrace, needs repair, it is dangerous.
Referred to: City Services Director and Operations Manager.
5. Sponsor: Alderman Wayne A. Matewsky-To repair the dangerous and uplifted sidewalk in front of 44 Cross Street.
Referred to: City Services Director and Operations Manager.
6. Sponsor: Alderman Wayne A. Matewsky-That the Code Enforcement Task Force investigate 11a Oakland Ave for violations, at request of neighborhood, as house appears vacant with newspapers strewn about.
Referred to: Code Enforcement Task Force.
7. Sponsor: Alderman Wayne A. Matewsky-To repair the unsafe sidewalk at the corner of Oakes Terrace and Fuller Street, at homeowners request.
Referred to: City Services Director and Operations Manager.
8. Sponsor: Alderman Jason Marcus-That a street sign is put up for Orchard Street.
Referred to: City Services Director, Operations Manager and Sign Shop.
Adjournment
Respectfully submitted:
Caroline McCorry, Adm. Assist. / Ofc. Mgr.
Everett City Council Office
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2009 : 8:17:42 PM
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I’ve been a little bit remiss in my “duties” lately of commenting on the City Council agendas. This has a lot to do with my old computer crashing hard and me spending a lot of time addressing compatibility issues with my new machine (software and technology moves forward in leaps and bounds) and rebuilding/restoring files on my new machine (can’t stress good back-ups enough folks) including some of those files that I use for the research that I do for my posts.
But it also had something to do with the fact that I got a little bored with the practice. It seems like the same items appear on these agendas over and over again and little really gets accomplished or changes from week to week. As such, I’m not really sure that I really missed the chance to comment on a lot of items.
I’ve been trying to get back into the groove for a few weeks now but I haven’t been able to finish one of these pre-meeting posts before the meetings start. And after watching some of these meetings lately, I have been too busy pulling out what’s left of my hair to do a post-meeting post. Let’s see if I can break that streak this week and get both done. I have the feeling that I might be back with a vengeance.
3.
On the surface, this seems to be a simple, straight-forward piece. But, if you do a little digging, the piece has some flaws.
First off, let me say though that none of this about Dr. Connolly. I don’t know him or anything about him. I can only assume that the administration has done its homework and has chosen a worthy appointee.
The first problem that I have with the piece is with the section of MGL that it uses for its authority. MGL Chapter 10, Section 58 (You must be logged in to see this link.) concerns appointments to local and regional cultural councils, not Boards of Health. I believe the correct MGL authority that should have been cited for this piece might be Chapter 111, Section 26 (You must be logged in to see this link.). The only reason that I say “might” is because of the last sentence of the section. With Everett’s unique form of city government, it’s hard sometimes for a civilian to understand which portions of MGL apply to the city and which don’t. The one thing that I am sure of though is that the MGL authority cited in the piece just doesn’t apply to this item.
The next problem that I have with the piece is an issue that I have noticed lately with a number of recent appointments. City Ordinances, most notably in Chapter 2, Section 2-31, spell out when a number of the various city appointments are supposed to begin, how long they last and if they are to multiple seat boards, how many appointments on the board are supposed to expire each year. In the past, as far as I’m aware, when a seat became vacant for some reason during the term of an appointment, that position would be filled with an appointment to “fill an unexpired term” that would run to the end of the original term.
For example, the Board of Health has three members. Each member is appointed to a three year term that is supposed to begin on the first Monday in February and only one term on the board should expire each year. If this appointment passes, and I expect it will, it will be the third three year appointment made to the Board of Health in the last eight months (Judith Murphy - 02/23/2009, Luisa DelloIacono - 09//28/2009) and only one (Murphy’s) expires as specified at the time specified in the ordinance.
Is this a big deal? In some ways, no. But does the fact that the administration and the City Council are not following the laws of the city send the right message? I don’t think so. If the administration or the council do not agree with the way that the ordinance are written, they have it within their powers to change them, at least in some cases (more on that later). I’m not trying to lay all of this at the feet of the current administration though. If you go back and review all of the appointments that have been made since beginning of 2007 (the time period for which agendas existing on the city web site), it seems like the city have been veering slightly off course for some time now. But now, it is at a point where they are just blatantly ignoring the laws of the city. Citizens of the city are expected to obey its laws; why doesn’t its government also need to play by its own rules?
Lastly, if MGL Chapter 111, Section 26 does apply to the city, they are not only breaking city law in this case by making these appointments outside the parameters described above, they are breaking state law as well since it contains the same parameters. If this section of MGL does apply to Everett, this would be a case where modifying the ordinance would not resolve the issue.
4.
I also have issues with this piece. Again though, it has nothing to do with the person being appointed, just with the way that the piece is constructed. Since it also uses the same MGL authority as the last piece, it’s clear that error needs to be addressed with this piece as well.
In this case, I couldn’t find a piece of MGL that could be used as a state authority for this appointment. It appears that it takes a special act of the State Legislature, initiated by a home rule petition, to allow a city or town to create a traffic commission. It appears that Everett’s traffic commission was created sometime before 1997, which is as far back as the state’s web site has online records of these special acts. So I can’t easily get my hands on any further information on this issue.
Other than that, my issues with the piece are fairly minor. The rules for appointments to the Traffic Commission in Chapter 18, Section 18-41 of the city ordinances (not the charter as stated in the piece) aren’t as structured and rigid as some of the other boards (a discussion of consistency in city ordinances is a subject for another day). So, in this case, city government is somewhat freer to do as they please.
There is one other question that I have with the piece which I think that is a little more important especially since the traffic commission has now been fully empowered. The six “civilian” members of the traffic commission are supposed to include “one qualified elector from each of the wards of the city.” I’d like to know what ward Mr. Hughes lives in and if that ward already has representation on the commission.
5.
From reading the law, it seemed to make sense that the city’s liaison to the State Ethics Commission either come from the City Solicitor’s office or the City Clerk’s. I’d be pretty sure that Clerk’s glad not to pick up the extra work. One thing kinda bugs me about the law though. When a special municipal employee designation is made under ethics law, it’s the position, not the person that is designated. I can’t see why this wouldn’t be the same thing with this piece. Then again, maybe expecting consistency from the state is a little more than I should be asking for.
7.
One of the things that I have missed commenting on while I was AWOL has been the usage of the Budgetary Fund Balance (Free Cash). As far as I am able to determine (and the state posts the amount after it is certified on the following web page: You must be logged in to see this link.), Everett’s Free Cash for this fiscal year has not yet been certified.
The city shouldn’t be transferring money from Free Cash until it is certified. They got their hands slapped by the state back in 2007 for doing this and were forced to re-do transfers after the certification was received. Last year, the administration knew enough to submit these requests as transfers from the Stabilization Fund, which was later replenished from Free Cash after it was certified. Why isn’t the same practice being followed this year? Not one member of the City Council, most of who were also in office in 2007, has said one word about this. Nor have any of them asked, publicly anyways, how much Free Cash might be available this year since last spring. There’s just too much “going along to get along” happening in city government right now. There is nothing wrong with asking appropriate questions.
This transfer itself is somewhat troubling was well. This is a project that has been on the radar for over a year now. We were told last Monday night that this project has gone out to bid before; even if all the bids were rejected, where was the appropriation for that?
Why wasn’t the project on some sort of capital improvement plan for FY2010? I disagree with the mayor. The city doesn’t have a capital improvement plan. A list of projects and necessary acquisitions with possible sources of funding does not constitute a plan unless the plan is to pick away at them piecemeal with little to no input from the City Council.
Why this project? Why now? Anybody who has been by that wall can clearly see that there are (were (?); haven’t been by there for a while) portions of the wall that are public safety hazards and need immediate attention. But the timing of this project seems rather suspect. Is it really reasonable to assume that this project could be completed by the beginning of December if it goes out to bid after Tuesday’s vote? Last year, they received approval to buy new trucks earlier than this so that they would be available by the first snow fall; that didn’t happen. How long did it take to get the Parlin Library stairs project started and finished? I just don’t see this happening in that time frame we’ve been told.
I think that we all know the rumors that are going around about this project so I don’t think that they need to be repeated here. However, we won’t know if they will happen until the bid is awarded. This certainly seems like a project that deserves to have at least one eye kept on it by all of us.
8.
I think most of you realize that I’m a stickler for details but even I didn’t really see the need to amend this piece to get the actual number of copiers right. I believe the BOA was aware of the correct number as I’m pretty sure it was mentioned at their meeting as well. All this seemed to accomplish was to slow down the piece by a week or so.
That said, exactly how many large, heavy duty copiers with stapling capabilities does the city really need? I don’t really know the answer to that. What I do know is that, right or wrong, when things were tight under the Ragucci administration, copiers were being rolled out of City Hall. Now, the city is committing to a three year lease for new copiers. I just have a hard time wrapping my head around that dichotomy.
9.
I think that it’s a pretty good compromise to give the city a tool to deal with problem businesses that are opened overnight rather than just trying to shut all of them, even the good ones, down.
10.
I’d really love to see this list of fees.
11.
I think it is a good idea to actually codify the linkage fees that the city will be looking for when a new business is considering moving to the city. The businesses will know exactly what will be required from the city and it should help to keep the process above board.
12.
I think that Peter Napolitano got it exactly right last week. Regulating where Level 3 sex offender can live is a “damned if you do and damned if you don’t” issue. It makes sense that these people should be kept away from the largest concentrations of children in the city but this could have the unintended consequence of driving a higher concentration of them to other parts of the city. There’s no perfect solution to the problem; I think that you have to go with the one that seems to do the most people the most good. Probably not the last we’ll see of this issue though; I recall reading of another community this week where a similar ordinance is being challenged.
21.
I can’t really say that I’ve seen what goes on in the area of Corey Street and the municipal parking lot late at night but it doesn’t sound good. It appears if they are planning on giving the business and their customers a chance to clean up their act. Let’s hope that everyone involved takes that chance seriously. I don’t think they’ll like the alternative.
22.
I don’t know what the fees are for repair shop and auto dealer licenses but it does seem like the city spends a lot of time policing them. I’d go with the City Clerk’s opinion on this one.
23.
If I’m reading this correctly, I don’t understand why the licensing requirements for service stations with full repair facilities would be any less restrictive than a repair shop. Again, I’d go with the City Clerk.
25.
I just don’t see the need for a health club opened 24 hours a day. I’m not sure that the city can even stop them though.
26.
Not sure exactly where I stand on the creation of a Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund. I doubt that I’ll hear anything Tuesday night that will change that. I think that I should have gone to the Finance Committee meeting to help me figure that out. I don’t think that the council could take this much further without the administration’s help. My guess would be that the administration doesn’t have a lot of interest in this piece.
27.
Not really sure how to interpret the Finance Committee’s recommendation on this piece. I’d guess that they are saying to the administration go out and find a new personnel director and come back to us afterward that to get a salary approved. I’m not sure that I agree with that decision; it’s a little too much meddling in a hiring decision for my tastes, which the city charter excludes the City Council from getting involved with. A better idea might have been to approve a salary range for the position with an agreement to fund the position with a pro-rated appropriation based on date of hire. This would have been equivalent to what happens in the budget process and it would have allowed the administration to make a firm offer to a prospective candidate without further council involvement.
The other interpretation of it could be that they feel don’t need the city needs a personnel director. I don’t think that this is the case since a lot of the members of the City Council argued to keep the position when it was first cut. It’s hard to argue against the need for a personnel director after that. Subsequent events seemed to bear out that eliminating the position was a bad decision too, i.e., the weakly worded Separation Incentive memo that led to at least one lawsuit against the city for one example.
Wasn’t there supposed to be an initiative to start posting committee reports on the city web site? Whatever happened to that? If those reports were available, we probably wouldn’t have to guess how to interpret these pieces.
29.
I usually bag on Jason Marcus for some of his wacky ideas. This one isn’t so bad in my opinion though. However, I don’t think that the city should be so directly involved with in employment in this private sector though. Perhaps they can find someone else to act as sort of a clearing house for this activity.
31.
I guess that Alderman Matewsky didn’t see the explanation that was given earlier this year by the City Clerk and Assistant City Solicitor Murphy earlier this year of why someone can run for the Charter Commission and another seat. In my opinion, as abusers of another (and fairly new) loophole in the charter, the two people who are attempting to take advantage of the situation don’t understand the will of the people and therefore don’t deserve any consideration for either seat that they are running for. However, not living in either of their wards, I can only not vote for either of them for the Charter Review Commission.
32.
It’s good to see that the Board has gone to a worksheet for some of the more self-serving items. It’s even better to see that all of the items that should be on the worksheet made it there this week instead of being on the agenda itself; that’s a problem with its usage by the Common Council. This is likely something that can be used at the president’s discretion under existing City Council rules since there wasn’t any previous discussion of it. Should we start a pool on when these types of items will start creeping back on to the regular agenda or who’ll be the first alderman who wants to speak on a worksheet item? Or are those things too obvious?
It felt good to get a lot of that off my chest, even though it took me a pretty good chunk of time to do so. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2009 : 9:26:29 PM
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Tetris, glad to see you back with your pre-meeting post. As usual, you were very informative. I can't wait for your post meeting remarks.
#21:
I know that the residents of Corey Street have been having a huge problem with that end of the parking lot. There has been prostitution, drugs and alcohol. It seems a good deal of the activities are customers frequenting some of the establishments on Norwood Street. Something really needs to be done to give those residents some relief.
"Deb" |
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socks
Member
39 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2009 : 11:49:01 PM
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| Tetris - I agree with Massdee - welcome back. You really have the knack of putting some of the pieces on the agenda in a whole new light. I copied and printed your post so that I can compare it with the actual agenda. So, free cash has not been certified - I actually thought it was. I am very uncomfortable with the manner in which the Common Council handled the matter of the 100K. Hopefully our reps on the BOA have done some research into this. |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2009 : 10:13:03 AM
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I also want to welcome you back. I've missed your analysis of the agenda.
I have a couple of things........ Since there's been a lot of problems at the Norwood St parking lot & the Corey St residents are complaining, why on earth did they add a beer & wine license to the mix? Adding more alcohol can't possibly do
On the issue of the salary for the personnel director........ There have been rumors of Carlo putting an(other) unqualified person in that position. I'm thinking this may be a stalling tactic to perhaps keep her out of the position.
The BOA & CC aren't supposed to be involved in hiring decisions but their approval is required for all department heads. Maybe they're working on trying to convince him to look elsewhere to avoid the potential embarrassment to him & her of them not approving the appointment? Or stalling because of the potential harm to their re-election bid if they did cast an affirmative vote? (I know they'd lose my vote and I'm not alone in my thinking!) |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2009 : 11:19:55 AM
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Justme, rumor has it that a former candidate for Alderman at Large was promised a job if she would give up a run for that seat. Is that who you are talking about?
"Deb" |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2009 : 12:25:56 PM
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Thanks for the support folks. It can be a lot of work, so I’m glad to know it is appreciated.
A couple of clarifications/further thoughts.
I want to stress that we don’t know if Free Cash has been certified; maybe it has been and we haven’t been told. The issue is that no one from either branch of the City Council has asked the question, for the public’s edification anyways, since these transfers have started and the State website has not been updated to reflect it either. I remembered since my last post that there a couple of other places on the state web site where you can find Free Cash data. I have also checked those and have found no updates. To be fair though, those other spots are spreadsheets that contain data for the entire state and there isn’t any current data for any city or town. So again, may be Free Cash has been certified, may be it hasn’t; we just don’t know.
I’d forgotten all about this and take it for whatever you will. The three-member Board of Health are the ones that review and approve or disapprove the site assignments for solid waste disposal facilities.
Not all department heads require approval of the City Council. I believe that the only ones that require approval are the ones that receive appointments under city (charter/ordinance) or state law. The heads of such departments as Code Enforcement, Recreation and Personnel don’t receive appointments and aren’t approved by either body of the City Council. Then, there are positions like the VSO that appear to require an appointment under state law but that wasn’t done here, at least the last time.
What’s the real difference between hiring and appointing? Just the approval I guess. Doesn’t that mean that the city council is implicitly involved in the hiring process in some instances? It’s just another issue that needed to be looked at by the Charter Review Commission, for clarification purposes at least.
When I was thinking about the personnel director position, I had forgotten that I had heard the rumor that someone else has been promised a job in the city. I have no idea how true the rumor may be. All that I’m going to say is that I hope that whoever is hired for that job has a background in human resources and the civil service aspects of the job that Mr. Buckley mentioned as being the tipping point for needing to reinstate the position in the first place.
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2009 : 3:12:42 PM
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Looks like we're all on the same page but I do have a question. I didn't realize the job had anything to do with her not running. Does that mean Carlo is backing Puleo?
I thought all department heads were appointed but I don't see that there's much difference. They all seem to change based on who's in the corner office regardless of how good they may be at their job. Personally, I'd like to see all department heads hired and their employment terminated based on performance, not political affiliation.
I wonder if that could be part of the charter change? It sure would make a dent in the political patronage problem and could help eliminate the gross incompetence we've seen too much of recently. |
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BOA 2009
