Town Council Special Meeting, October 18, 2006
Palmer High School Library
Meeting opened at 6:30 PM by Barbara Barry, Council President.
Roll Call – Barbara Barry, present; John Sasur, Jr. present; Matt Lovell, present; Keith Parent, present; George Backus, present; Peter Pappas, present; Michael Magiera, present. Robert Haveles and John Dinuovo were absent. Also present was Richard Fitzgerald, Town Manager and Patricia Kennedy, Executive Assistant.
Pledge of Allegiance – All
PUBLIC HEARING – 6:30 PM – Garage/Tag Sales Ordinance – Hearing opened at 6:30 PM by Barbara Barry, Council president. Several residents voiced their opposition to the Ordinance regulating tag sales stating their fear of losing their freedoms and rights to do as they please on their property. Some residents came forward in favor of these regulations. Mr. Parent explained that the purpose of this ordinance is to limit perpetual tag sales. The purpose of this forum is to determine how many sales per year are feasible and what the public is looking for and what ideas the public may propose to the Council. The discussion on this ordinance will continue at the November 1 meeting where there will be another first reading of the ordinance after changes have been made taking
into account the comments during the public hearing. Hearing closed at 7:30 PM.
PUBLIC HEARING – 7:00 PM - Nuisance Ordinance – Hearing opened at 7:30 PM by Barbara Barry, Council president. No public comment was received with regard to this ordinance. Hearing closed at 7:31 PM. Second reading and vote will be held on November 1 for this ordinance.
Introduction and Discussion – Ordinance 2007-04 (Loan Authorization) – Tony da Cruz and Mike Parsons from Tighe and Bond Engineers were present to answer questions regarding the capping of the State Street Landfill. This loan authorization is necessary to obtain funding for engineering for the capping of the State Street Landfill as mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection. The first reading for this ordinance will be at the November 1 meeting. Mr. Fitzgerald, Town Manager, will research whether funding is available from the state for this project.
Sign Warrant for November Election – Council moved and seconded to sign the warrant for the November state election to be held on November 7 2006. Vote was 7-0 in favor.
Union Contract – Council moved and seconded to approve the contract between the Town of Palmer and the Police Emergency Telecommunicators, UFCW#1459. Vote was 7-0 in favor.
Community Preservation Act Presentation – Sabine Prather, Town Planner, gave a power-point presentation on the Community Preservation Act that will be on the ballot for the November election. This presentation was to inform the Council and the public on the purpose of the Community Preservation Act which is a 3% surtax on real estate property taxes with a $100,000 exemption off the top of the assessed value. This amount is state matched and may be used for historic preservation, open space and affordable housing.
Adjournment of Formal Session – Moved and seconded to adjourn at 8:15 PM. Vote was 7-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia A. Kennedy,
Executive Assistant
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