The Methuen City Council met on October 2, 2006. The following are the Council Meeting Minutes.
METHUEN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETINGGREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING, October 2, 2006 - 7:00 p.m. Chairman Zanni called the regular meeting of the Methuen City Council, scheduled for Monday October 2, 2006 to order at 7:00 p.m. with all members present. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA MOTION BY: Councilor Andrew, seconded by Councilor Willette to accept the agenda as posted. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS Fr. Waters of Our Lady of Good Council church gave the Invocation for the evening. Everyone remained standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES MOTION BY: Councilor Cronin seconded by Councilor Leone to waive the reading and accept the minutes of regular meetings September 5, 2006 (remove from the table). September 18,2006 MOTION BY: Councilor Leone seconded by Councilor Cronin to remove September 5,2006 minutes from the table. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS
MOTION BY: Councilor Cronin seconded by Councilor Leone to approve both sets of minutes. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS CORRESPONDENCE/PROCLAMATIONS None PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: None PUBLIC SERVICE:
Grants: None Contracts: None
Licenses: None
OTHER OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilor Lahey reported on the second meeting of the proposed dog ordinance committee,
September 22nd at 10:00 am. In attendance was Councilor Lahey, Councilor Zanni, along with
representatives from the MSPCA, animal control and the police department. At the next meeting
they will review ordinances from other cities and towns to decide the best course of action in
strengthening the proposed ordinance for the city. The next meeting will be on Friday October
6,2006 at 10:00am. Councilor Leone reported on the Task Force Committee meeting September 28th for the Master
Plan Consultant at the Marsh School. It was a successful meeting and a lot of ideas came out of it with a lot of feedback. This is the first of four sessions and the next meeting will be Thursday
night October 4th at the Tenney School.
OLD BUSINESS Resolutions 1.TR-06- 57 Resolution declaring two parcels of land in the City of Methuen as Surplus Property and Authorizing the Same for sale. (remove from the table) MOTION BY: (to remove from table) Councilor Willette, seconded by Councilor Leone. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS MOTION BY: Councilor Leone seconded by Councilor Willette to adopt. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS 2. TR-06-62 Resolution Amending Traffic Rules and Regulations of the City of Methuen Aegean Drive – No Parking MOTION BY: Councilor Corey Rahme seconded by Councilor Willette to adopt with an EPA for the good and welfare of the community.Councilor Lahey requested the Mayor and DPW director look into the issue of widening the street (Danton Drive) in order to park the trucks.Councilor Cronin asked if this is a town owned street?Councilor Lahey stated it is and we would have to speak to the director regarding that issue. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS Ordinances: None Consideration of Appointments None NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions
1.TR-06- 63 Resolution Accepting Mass Casualty Incident Force Grant from MA Department of Health MOTION BY: Councilor Willette seconded by Councilor Cronin to adopt for first read. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS 2. TR-06- 64 Resolution Authorizing Expenditure from the Castle Fund. MOTION BY: Councilor Cronin seconded by Councilor Willette to adopt for first read.Councilor Corey Rahme commented on the receiver of this award David Francescone, a 2006 graduate of Methuen High School, a credit to the community and worthy recipient. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS 3. TR-06- 65 Resolution Accepting Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2006 – An Act Further Regulating Meetings of Municipal Boards MOTION BY: Councilor Willette seconded by Councilor Andrew to adopt for first read. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS 4. TR-06-66 Resolution Authorizing Acceptance And Expenditure of FY’06 Massachusetts Community Block Grant Mini-Entitlement Funds.Councilor Giordano recuse himself from the vote. MOTION BY: Councilor Willette seconded by Councilor Leone to adopt for first read.Councilor Quinn asked a question regarding the Social Services -$128,000.00 Project Cost, specifically Community Teamwork, Inc $10,000 provided for first-time home buyers and what does that involve.
Carolyn Finlay from the Community development department stated these proposals are evaluated in terms of how well they address the RFP Statement of Goals. The proposals describe programs that are eligible for CDBG funding and are designed to serve low and moderate-income persons. The city has received eight proposals for a variety of social services designed to address the needs of low and moderate-income households. Community Teamwork involves sending them to counseling classes. If they complete the class, the committee will evaluate and based on the evaluation criteria they are eligible for the funding. All of the programs go hand in hand.
Councilor Cronin stated that in order to get the funding it is mandatory to take the courses.Carolyn Finlay stated that our program does require the course and also a second State loan requires the course and this does open the door for other subsidized financing programs they otherwise would not be eligible for.Councilor Zanni referenced a variety of social services proposals and also noted that half of the Community Development staff is funded in part through this grant. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS EIGHT (8)VOTE.
Ordinances None ANY OTHER BUSINESS FOR THE GOOD AND WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY REQUEST OF COUNCIL: Councilor Corey Rahme stated she had met with new superintendent Judy DeLucia, at the Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical School. Superintendent DeLucia expressed thanks to the Methuen City Council for the work done regarding the outstanding issues there. The Superintendent is looking forward to a productive term, is planning a forensic audit while revamping their travel policy. She has not come before council because she does not think, at this time; she could weigh in on any productive form. ADJOURN MOTION BY: Councilor Cronin seconded by Councilor Willette to adjourn. UPON VOTE: UNANIMOUS Meeting was adjourned at: 8:25pm. Diane Lasonde, Council Secretary
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