Town Council Meeting Minutes – September 6, 2006
Meeting opened at 7:00 PM by Barbara Barry, Council President.
Roll Call – Barbara Barry, present; Robert Haveles, present; John Sasur, Jr., present; Keith Parent, present; John Dinuovo, present; Matthew Lovell, present; Peter Pappas, present; Mike Magiera, present, George Backus, present. Also present were Richard L. Fitzgerald, Town Manager and Patricia Kennedy, Executive Assistant.
Pledge of Allegiance – All
Consent of the Agenda Order – Moved and seconded to approve. Vote was 9-0 in favor.
Visitors Comments (for items not on the agenda) – Brian McNally, President of the Palmer Grange, was present to announce that this organization was sponsoring the dunk tank at Nostalgia Day on November 16 and he asked for volunteers to sit in the tank. Proceeds will go to the Christmas For Kids program.
Minutes of Preceding Town Council Meeting – August 2, 2006 – Moved and seconded to approve these minutes with amendments. Vote was Yes, 7; Abstain 2.
7:05 PM – Public Hearing – Palmer Cultural Council – Public Hearing opened at 7:05 PM. Councilor Matt Lovell represented the Palmer Cultural Council and announced that it was time to apply for grants from the Western Mass. Cultural Council. There is $5,530.00 available to fund projects in the community. Anyone interested in applying for these grants should apply on-line or send their requests or comments to Erin Pincince C/O the Palmer Senior Center. Hearing closed at 7:12 PM.
Old Business:
Resolution #2007-007 – Sewer Fees – This is an item that was tabled at the last meeting for lack of information. Town Manager Richard Fitzgerald stated that funds that would be forthcoming from sewer fees assessed to the fire and water districts are a wash considering the services that the town receives from these organizations. Mr. Parent stated that he believes that schools should not be charged for sewer use and that funds otherwise earmarked for sewer charges should be spent on education. Mr. Haveles stated that the information provided to the Council by Manager Fitzgerald proved to be very helpful and informational. Mr. Magiera stated that originally he was in favor of charging the schools for sewer use but after studying the information and statistics provided by Mr.
Fitzgerald he felt that if the schools were to be charged for sewer use, it should not exceed 30% of the total share. Mr. Backus was not in favor of charging the schools for sewer use. Mr. Haveles also stated that if the schools were charged, he believed that the Library should also be charged, however, Mr. Fitzgerald explained that the Library was a town department. Mr. Pappas was not in favor of charging the schools as their budget was already stressed and in all probability would be more stressed next year. Mr. Lovell stated that this issue was brought up in the spirit of equality between the schools and the people who are not on sewer service. Moved and seconded to approve charging the school for sewer use. Vote was Yes, 1; No 8. Motion failed.
New Business:
Sign Warrant for State Primary – Moved and seconded to sign the warrant for the State Primary to be held on September 19, 2006. Vote was 9-0 in favor.
Appointments: Quaboag Valley Business Assistance Corp. – The Town Council sub-committee for appointments met to review the Town Manager’s appointments to the following committees and recommended to the full Council the appointment of Anthony J. Matejczyk to the Palmer Redevelopment Authority, Ronald Christensen to the Quaboag Valley Business Assistance Corporation and Sabine Prather to the Pioneer Valley Planning Committee. Moved and seconded to approve these appointments. Vote was 9-0 in favor.
Discussion of Town Council Meeting Time & Day – At the request of John Dinuovo, Council discussed the changing of the regularly scheduled monthly meetings to Monday evening . Mr. Dinuovo has a conflict on Wednesday evening due to his commitment to his business that includes extensive traveling. Several councilors stated that they had prior commitments on Monday, several councilors had no preference and some councilors stated their preference for changing the time to 6:30 PM instead of 7:00 PM. Mr. Dinuovo withdrew his request to change the meeting day to Wednesday; however, the full Council will vote on the time change at the next meeting.
Discussion - Political Signage – Town Manager Richard Fitzgerald drafted a policy for political signage to regulate the signs posted in town. This policy was presented to Town Council for their review.
Discussion - Petition for Parking -Main St. – A 92-signature petition was received by the Town Manager requesting that parking on Main St., Palmer, be changed from 2-hour parking to unlimited parking. The Manager has researched this issue and has determined that after reviewing over 200 parking tickets, none were issued for exceeding this two-hour limit. This limit was originally imposed to provide parking spaces for downtown shoppers and to discourage all day parking. Therefore, the Manager is recommending that the parking limitation stay as is. Moved and seconded to acknowledge receipt of the petition and to request that the Town Manager notify the petitioner that the parking will remain at a 2-hour limit. Vote was 9-0 in favor.
Union Contract(s)- Moved and seconded to approve, with the Manager’s recommendation, the contract between the town administrative, wastewater treatment plant, cemetery, parks and COA van drivers (UFCW #1459) and the Town of Palmer for 2005-2008. Vote was 9-0 in favor. Moved and seconded to approve, with the Manager’s recommendation, the contract between the police (IBPO #424) and the Town of Palmer for 2005-2008. Vote was 9-0 in favor.
Budget Resolution 2007-06 (Group Health to Computer Upgrades) – This resolution is a transfer to fund the cost of having MUNIS personnel transfer data from the old MUNIS server to the new hardware. As a result of the new co-pays for municipal employees, there are additional funds available in the Group Health Account to accommodate this additional expense of $5,000.00. Moved and seconded to approve this transfer. Vote was 9-0 in favor.
Introduction to Garage/Tag Sale Ordinance – Council discussed the proposed ordinance introduced by Mrs. Barry to regulate garage/tag sales. Chief Robert Frydryk was present to discuss the by-law enforcement, both criminal and non–criminal. Mrs. Barry will reword the ordinance taking into consideration all suggestions and recommendations and present it at the next meeting as a first reading.
Introduction to Nuisance Ordinance – Council discussed the proposed ordinance introduced by Mrs. Barry to regulate the keeping and storing of junk and debris thereby creating a nuisance. Chief Frydryk recommended that Town Counsel review the language for violations and enforcement of this ordinance. Mrs. Barry will reword the ordinance taking into consideration all suggestions and recommendations and present it at the next meeting as a first reading.
Sub-Committee Report –
By-Law Ordinance Sub-Committee - Matt Lovell, Mike Magiera and John Dinuovo met to go through the Code to review sections and to refer them to various departments and committees. Keith Parent stated that he wants to start with the Charter as reviewed by the original By-Law Review Committee. John Sasur, Jr. discussed the by-laws pertaining to the DPW with Richard Kaczmarczyk. Barbara Barry requested that changes or revisions be sent to the town manager by September 14. Manager Fitzgerald is going through the Code to come up with a changed document by November 1. Council will discuss how the charter will be reviewed to go over changes.
Non-Tax Revenue Sub-Committee – Michael Magiera reported that the sub-committee went to look at Legion Field and identified twelve poles available to place public ads for profit. The committee will be meeting next week to discuss fees. Mrs. Barry stated that the sub-committee, along with the School Committee, is looking into a project to sell brick blocks to the members of the Senior Class at the high School to be engraved with the graduates name as a memento to the graduate. These bricks would eventually be placed in a park. No fees have yet been discussed. Details are being worked out and should be finalized by January. The Council and School Committee will discuss the use of profits.
Town Manager’s Report – Town Manager Richard L. Fitzgerald reported to the Council on agenda items, economic development in town as well as an update on the various town departments and committees.
Councilor’s Round Table –
George Backus asked the Council to recognize the efforts and contributions that were made by several individuals who are retiring from public service: Thomas Haley and Frank Real from the PRA and Jane Golas from the Conservation Commission.
John Sasur also wanted the Council to recognize the service and commitment that the above-mentioned individuals made to the Town of Palmer for the last several years.
Robert Haveles also recognized these individuals for their service to the town and wanted to invite the public to
Nostalgia Day taking place on September 16 on Main St., in Palmer.
Keith Parent stated he would like to have April Anderson from the Economic Development Office present at the October 4 meeting to explain the newly enacted law with regard to Chapter 40 permitting process. He has also been contacted by several residents interested in having High St., Thorndike changed to a one-way street and to have sidewalks constructed along High Street from the High School to the top of High Street. Mr. Fitzgerald stated that he would forward this request along to the Safety Committee for their review and recommendations.
He mentioned that he was disappointed in the Planning Board for their refusal to permit the Knox Pond development.
Peter Pappas announced that there would be a September 11 Remembrance ceremony at Town Hall on Monday, September 11 at 10:30 AM. He also presented to the Council three town flags in memory of his wife and his mother and father. He inquired whether there will be food on Nostalgia Day and thought it would be a good way for parents and teens to bring in revenue by running concession stands at different events and games.
Adjournment of Formal Session – Moved and seconded to adjourn at 10:00 P. M.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Kennedy,
Executive Assistant
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