Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Take a Breath . . . Part 2

Okay . . . we're a week away from the election, and clearly emotions are running high as they were a week before the Primary. The comments over the past few days reflect the strong feelings on both sides, and once again, some of the more zealous among you are getting carried away.

Let's try to keep the accusations and spreading of rumor & innuendo down as much as possible for the next week. Let's try, for these seven days, to focus on issues and where we want the city go be headed for the next two years. Each side thinks their guy is the answer to the city's prayers, and that's fine. Let's each side try to make the case more FOR their guy than AGAINST the other one.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Go Sox!


It's the fourth game of the World Series...it's 1-0 in at the bottom of the third. You have to love these guys; it's the "never say die" mentality that has served them well. How many national sportcasters had the Sox down for the count when they were 3-1 in the ALCS, despite the fact that this was the very team that battled back from 3-0 deficit to take the series in 2004? Even now, we've witnessed real team work in action...with Youk willing to take the bench for Ortiz; and when the the old-timers lag, the rookies are picking up the slack. How about that Ellsbury kid, huh? And Pedroia? Teamwork. It's a beautiful thing. No matter what the outcome tonight - these guys are the best.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Board of Alderman, 10/22/07

(6PM-License Committee Meeting, 6:45PM-Presentation to 2007 Babe Ruth League Champs)

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2007, 7:00 PM, PETER J. MCCARREN MEMORIAL CHAMBERS, EVERETT, MA

PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. A0318-07
To all parties interested in the petition of National Grid for the installation of one (1) new 35' Class 4 J.O. Pole #44-84 and appurtenances in the sidewalk of Lynn Street.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM HIS HONOR THE MAYOR
2. A0325-07 Order/s/Alderman Joseph McGonagle, as President
To accept the donation to the City Council Celebration Committee of an American Flag from RF Walsh Project Management, Inc., HMFH Architects, Inc. and Suffolk Construction Company.

3. A0326-07 /s/Communication and Reappointment
Subject to confirmation by the Honorable Board of Aldermen, and pursuant to Chapter Two, Section 2-31 (5) c. of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett, I hereby reappoint John Juliano to the Everett Historical Commission for a term ending September 2010.

4. A0327-07 Order/s/Communication and Reappointment
Subject to confirmation by the Honorable Board of Aldermen, and pursuant to Chapter Two, Section 2-31 (5) c. of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett, I hereby reappoint Rosemary Catterson to the Everett Historical Commission for a term ending September 2010.

PAPERS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL
5. C0232-07 Ordinance/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello
To amend the service zone at 72 Ferry Street, from 24 hours to Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with favorable recommendation from Traffic Commission. (Ordained, sent down for ordainment)

6. A0037-07 Ordinance/s/Aldermen Joseph McGonagle and L. Charles DiPerri
To increase lot size and frontage for residential properties; with a recommendation from the Rules & Ordinances Committee that residential lots and frontage requirements in existence prior to the passage of this ordinance shall be exempt for a period of five (5) years from the date of passage of this ordinance, but shall conform to the requirements in effect prior to passage of this ordinance. (Enrolled as amended, in concurrence, sent up for ordainment, as amended.)

7. C0298-07 Order/s/Councilor James Keane
That the City of Everett form a Charter Review Committee to be placed on the ballot for the November 2009 Election. (Passed sent up for concurrence)

PETITIONS AND LICENSES
8. A0321-07 Petition
Petition for Lodging House License from Robert H. Laquidara (Trustee) for 11-13 Ellsworth Street.

9. A0322-07 Petition
Petition for Lodging House License from 51 Cottage Realty Trust-Robert H. Laquidara-Trustee at 51 Cottage Street.

10. A0323-07 Petition
Petition from Elm Street Scrap Iron for Junk Dealer License at #88 and #91 East Elm Street.

COMMUNICATIONS
11. A0298-07 Communication
Response from School Building Commission relative to Resolution offered by Alderman Stephen Smith-That the School Building Commission correct the mistakes on the dedication plaque at the new High School.

12. A0328-07 /s/Communication and Order
That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to begin the revocation process for the following two Second Class Motor Dealer Licenses, as both have closed.

1. Boston Auto Sales, 26 Garvey Street, and
2. The Car Store, 383 Second Street.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
13. A0290-07 Committee Report
Committee on Licenses Report on the Petition from NextG Networks East to install, locate and attach conduit, fiber optic cables and telecommunications network equipment to and on existing utility poles and/or streetlights in, across, and over certain public streets, lanes, highways, and places of the City of Everett as described in exhibits and plans.

14. A0292-07 Committee Report
Committee on Licenses Report on the Petition from National Grid for the installation of +/-35' of 1-2" conduit encased in concrete from bus shelter to manhole 454 at Broadway and Cameron Street, 888 Broadway, Everett, MA.

15. A0293-07 Committee Report
Committee on Licenses Report on the Petition from Paris Autobody, Inc. for Auto Body Shop and General Spray Painting at 101 Paris Street, Unit #5.

16. A0295-07 Committee Report
Committee on Licenses Report on the Petition for Awning License from Ideal Gift at 645 Broadway.

17. A0280-07 Committee Report
Committee on Licenses Report on the Petition for security grates at Ultimate Pizza at 176 Chelsea Street.

18. C0287-07 Resolution
Committee on License Report on Resolution offered by Councilor Wayne Matewsky - That the Board of Aldermen consider notifying the car mechanic business between Cabot and Revere Street to keep their vehicles within boundaries of their building.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
19. A0248-07 Resolution/s/Alderman Frank Nuzzo
That the Manager of the Super Stop & Shop, 1690 Revere Beach Parkway, Everett, appear this meeting to discuss issues with the shopping carts.

20. A0299-07 Resolution/s/Alderman Robert J. Van Campen
That the Department of City Services immediately inspect and repair/replace the lights at Swan Street Park, and trim all trees located in the Park which are blocking the lights in the interest of public safety. (Referred to Wire Inspector and Park Director to appear this meeting)

NEW BUSINESS
21. A0319-07 Order/s/Alderman Joseph W. McGonagle, as President
That in accordance with the provisions of the General Law of Massachusetts, the City Clerk be and is hereby authorized and directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the City of Everett, qualified to vote as the law requires, to assemble at the several polling places, for and within the several precincts, where they are duly registered voters on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2007 for the MUNICIPAL ELECTION, then and there to give in their votes for the election of the candidates of political parties for the following offices: MAYOR, ALDERMAN AT LARGE, ALDERMAN, SCHOOL COMMITTEE AT LARGE, SCHOOL COMMITTEE, COMMON COUNCIL.

22. A0320-07 Order/s/Alderman Joseph W. McGonagle, as President
That the polls be opened from 7 o’clock in the morning to 8 o’clock in the evening and the City Clerk to cause all voting places to be properly fitted up for the MUNICIPAL ELECTION, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2007.

Ordered
Further: That the following places be designated as polling places for the above mentioned
MUNICIPAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 6, 2007:

Ward 1 Prec. 1 Armory, 90 Chelsea Street
Ward 1 Prec. 2 Armory, 90 Chelsea Street
Ward 1 Prec. 3 Sumner Whittier School, 337 Broadway

Ward 2 Prec. 1 Keverian School, 20 Nichols Street
Ward 2 Prec. 2 Parlin School, 587 Broadway, entrance on Derne Street
Ward 2 Prec. 3 Keverian School, 20 Nichols Street

Ward 3 Prec. 1 Community Center, 21 Whittier Drive
Ward 3 Prec. 2 Recreation Center Building, 47 Elm Street
Ward 3 Prec. 3 Recreation Center Building, 47 Elm Street

Ward 4 Prec. 1 Lafayette School, Edith Street, enter from Bryant Street
Ward 4 Prec. 2 Glendale Towers, Ferry Street
Ward 4 Prec. 3 Lafayette School, Edith Street, enter from Bryant Street

Ward 5 Prec. 1 English School, 105 Woodville Street
Ward 5 Prec. 2 City Hall, Keverian Room, Third Floor, 484 Broadway
Ward 5 Prec. 3 City Hall, Room 25, Second Floor, 484 Broadway

Ward 6 Prec. 1 English School, 105 Woodville Street
Ward 6 Prec. 2 Adams School, 78 Tileston Street, enter easterly side
Ward 6 Prec. 3 Adams School, 78 Tileston Street, enter westerly side

23. A0324-07 Resolution/s/Alderman Carlo DeMaria
That the City of Everett consider placing a pedestrian walk light on Lower Broadway near the Energy North Gas Station, at the request of residents in the area.

Adjournment


Respectfully submitted: C. McCorry, Admin. Assist. Office of the Everett City Council
Council@ci.everett.ma.us
SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS TO NOTE:
10/22 6PM LICENSE COMMITTEE MEETING
10/23 6PM PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE MEETING
10/30 6PM RULES & ORDINANCES COMMITTEE MEETING
http://cityofeverett.com

Friday, October 05, 2007

Board of Alderman, 10/10/07 (Wednesday)

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007, 7:00 PM, PETER J. MCCARREN MEMORIAL CHAMBERS, EVERETT, MA

COMMUNICATIONS FROM HIS HONOR THE MAYOR
1. A0304-07 Order/s/Councilor Sal DiDomenico, as President
To accept donation of $100.00 from Vietnam Veterans Association & Iron Workers Local #7 to the Veterans Services Gift Account.



PAPERS FROM THE COMMON COUNCIL
2. C0278-07 Order/s/Councilor Sal DiDomenico, as President
To transfer $2,000.00 from Mayor's Reserve Account to the Registrars of Voters Recount Account., due to the recount that was performed September 29, 2007. (Passed sent up for concurrence)

3. C0279-07 Order/s/Councilor Sal DiDomenico, as President
To Accept $600.00 donation from Dunkin Donuts to the Parks Department Tree and Seed Account to be used to purchase the 2007 Everett Christmas Tree. (Passed sent up for concurrence)

4. C0280-07 Order/s/Councilor Sal DiDomenico, as President
To accept the $500.00 donation from Ciro's Foreign Car Repair Inc. to the Everett Police K-9 Account. (Passed sent up for concurrence)

5. C0232-07 Ordinance/s/Councilor Millie J. Cardello
To amend the service zone at 72 Ferry Street, from 24 hours to Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with favorable recommendation from Traffic Commission. (Enrolled sent up for enrollment)



6. C0276-07 Resolution/s/Councilor James A. Keane
That the City of Everett calls for the abolishment of Homeland Security Funds distributed to the Cities of Chelsea and Cambridge with those funds to be evenly distributed to the cities and towns directly abutting the Cities of Chelsea and Cambridge. (Passed sent up for concurrence to send to our State Representatives.)

7. C0287-07 Resolution/s/Councilor Wayne A. Matewsky
Board of Aldermen consider notifying the car mechanic business between Cabot and Revere Street to keep their vehicles within boundaries of their building instead of jockeying their vehicles all over that neighborhood, at the request of area residents. (Referred to the Board of Aldermen).



PETITIONS AND LICENSES
8. A0303-07 Petition
Petition from Paul Mattuchio to transfer his existing junk dealers license at 282 Second Street to 366 Second Street, Everett, a distance of about 150 yards.



COMMITTEE REPORTS
9. A0037-07 Committee Report
Rules & Ordinances Committee Report on Ordinance offered by Aldermen Joseph McGonagle and L. Charles DiPerri to increase lot size and frontage for residential properties; with a recommendation that residential lots and frontage requirements in existence prior to the passage of this ordinance shall be exempt for a period of five (5) years from the date of passage of this ordinance, but shall conform to the requirements in effect prior to passage of this ordinance.

10. A0127-07 Committee Report
Rules & Ordinances Committee Report on Resolution offered by Alderman Jason Marcus relative to the disrepair or improper display of the American Flag; with a recommendation to grant further time and invite the Director of Veterans Services to appear with copies of ordinances from other communities addressing this matter.

11. A0255-07 Committee Report
Committee on License Report on Petition for Junk Dealer License from American Scrap Metal Inc. at 357 Third Street.

12. A0290-07 Committee Report
Committee on Licenses Report on the Petition from NextG Networks East to install, locate and attach conduit, fiber optic cables and telecommunications network equipment to and on existing utility poles and/or streetlights in, across, and over certain public streets, lanes, highways, and places of the City of Everett as described in exhibits and plans (MPC1016MAEVEGEN) attached to petition and to kept on file in the City Clerk's Office.

13. A0292-07 Committee Report
Committee on Licenses Report on the Petition from National Grid for the installation of +/-35' of 1-2" conduit encased in concrete from bus shelter to manhole 454 at Broadway and Cameron Street, 888 Broadway, Everett, MA.

14. A0293-07 Committee Report
Committee on Licenses Report on the Petition from Paris Autobody, Inc. for Auto Body Shop and General Spray Painting at 101 Paris Street, Unit #5.

15. A0295-07 Committee Report
Committee on Licenses Report on the Petition for Awning License from Ideal Gift at 645 Broadway.

16. A0280-07 Committee Report
Committee on Licenses Report on the Petition for security grates at Ultimate Pizza at 176 Chelsea Street. Owner states that since Labor Day of 2006, it has been broken into twice and insurance company will not renew policy.



UNFINISHED BUSINESS
17. A0248-07 Resolution/s/Alderman Frank Nuzzo
That the Manager of the Super Stop & Shop, 1690 Revere Beach Parkway, Everett, appear this meeting to discuss issues with the shopping carts.



18. A0299-07 Resolution/s/Alderman Robert J. Van Campen
That the Department of City Services immediately inspect and repair/replace the lights at Swan Street Park, and trim all trees located in the Park which are blocking the lights in the interest of public safety. (Referred to City Services and Park Dept with request for response for this meeting)

19. A0301-07 Resolution/s/Alderman Jason Marcus
That the Mayor's Office of Community Development inform the Board of Aldermen of how much city property that the city owns is for sale.(Referred to Mayor's Office of Community Development with a request for response this meeting)



NEW BUSINESS
20. A0302-07 Resolution/s/Alderman Frank Nuzzo
DCR representative appear this meeting relative to explaining why they are dumping street sweeping on Revere Beach Parkway, Everett.

Adjournment


Respectfully submitted,
Caroline McCorry
Administrative Assistant
Office of the Everett City Council
council@ci.everett.ma.us
SCHEDULED CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS:
10/10 6PM COMMITTEE ON LICENSES
10/15 7PM REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
10/17 6PM BILLS & ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE MEETING
10/22 7PM NEXT REGULAR BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING
http://cityofeverett.com

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Vindication for City Auditor, Larry DeCoste

If Monday night’s meeting wasn’t vindication for city auditor, Larry DeCoste, we don’t know what was. In a very under-the-radar move, Mayor Hanlon submitted a piece of business under suspension to cut the budget by nearly $1.2M to “bring the municipal budget under compliance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44.” The apologies and mea culpas to Mr. DeCoste, who endured the ridicule of the mayor, and the codependent Independent newspaper should start now. Anyone who questioned this man’s ability or his integrity should be hanging their collective heads in shame. Special applause to Council President Sal DiDomenco for his masterful handling of the meeting, and kudos to all the councilors and aldermen who stuck to their guns months ago when this budget was initially submitted. You know who you are and you were right all along.


UNDER SUSPENSION
C0284-07 Order/s/Councilor Sal DiDomenico, as President
BE IT ORDERED: That the Everett City Council approve the following Budgetary cuts therefore bringing the municipal budget under compliance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter
44. The proposed budget of $125,780,039 will be adjusted downward by $1,164,788.00. This will leave a budget of
$124,615,351.00.
Mayor:
Reserve Fund 01-121-11-132-5700
$ 200,000.00
Dues
(MA Municipal) 01-121-11-121-5730
$ 13,500.00
Dues
(US Conference) 01-121-11-121-5732-
$ 10,000.00
Official
Celebration 01-121-11-121-5796
$ 6,000.00
Meetings 01-121-11-121-5194
$10,000.00
Salaries 01-121-10-121-5111
$10,000.00
Stabilization 01-132-99-132-5800
$ 500,000.00
City Auditor:
Salaries 01-135-10-135-5111 $ 27,500.00

Personnel:
Professional Services 01-152-11-152-5301 20,000.00
Labor Attorneys 01-152-11-152-5303 20,000.00
Police:
Overtime 01-210-10-210-5130 40,000.00
Fire:
Overtime 01-220-10-220-5130 40,000.00
City Services:
Salaries 01-490-10-490-5111 47,788.00
Salt 01-490-18-490-5536 70,000.00
Equip Hire 01-490-18-490-5280 50,000.00
Const. Repairs 01-490-17-490-5241 50,000.00
Landscape 01-490-11-650-5255 15,000.00
Repairs &
Maintain. 01-490-11-650-5435 30,000.00
Line Markings 01-490-17-490-5541-$5,000.00