Town Council Meeting Minutes - October 4, 2006
Meeting opened at 6:30 PM by Barbara Barry, Council President.
Roll Call – Barbara Barry, present; Robert Haveles, present; John Sasur, Jr., present; Keith Parent, present; John Dinuovo, present; Michael Magiera, present; Matt Lovell, present; George Backus, present; Peter Pappas, present. Also present were Richard Fitzgerald, Town Manager and Patricia Kennedy, Executive Assistant.
Pledge of Allegiance – All
Consent of the Agenda Order – Moved and seconded to approve the agenda order. Vote was 9-0 in favor.
Visitors Comments (for items not on the agenda) – Mr. Donald Reim of Quaboag St., Three Rivers presented a petition from the residents of Quaboag St. asking the town to correct sewer problems and the rats in the area. Mr. Fitzgerald stated he would look into the situation and that some measures had already been taken to address the problem. The town has scheduled Mohawk Co. to camera the line tomorrow morning in hopes of determining what it causing the rodent problem. Mr. Fitzgerald will be in touch with Mr. Reim to keep him apprised of the progress made toward resolving this problem.
Minutes of Preceding Town Council Meeting – Sept. 6, 2006 – Moved and seconded to approve these minutes with amendments and corrections. Vote was 9-0 in favor. Sept. 20, 2006 – Moved and seconded to approve these minutes. Vote was 7 in favor and 2 abstentions.
Old Business: none
New Business:
Discussion – Expedited Permitting (MGL Ch. 43D)- April Anderson from the Office of Economic Development was present to bring the Council up to date on the new Expedited Local Permitting process under Massachusetts General Laws Ch.43D. She outlined the benefits of the Town of Palmer opting into this program and the criteria and responsibilities attached to the program. Council moved and seconded to have the Planning Board and Attorney Michael Ciota present at the November Council meeting to discuss this process and the feasibility of having the Town adopt this procedure.
Planning Board Request for Zone Change (table of uses): The Planning Board has voted to request the Town Council consider changes to the Palmer Zoning By-law to add definitions and modify the table of uses. Council moved and seconded to accept this request and to return this request back to the Planning Board for hearing and recommendations to the Council. Vote was 9-0 in favor.
Appointments: Conservation Commission (2) – Manager Richard Fitzgerald submitted the names of Matthew Christy and Vincent Yurkunas for appointment to the Conservation Commission to fill recent vacancies. The Council sub-committee reviewed the appointments and recommended approval by the full Council. It was moved and seconded to approve Matthew Christy as a permanent member of the Conservation Commission and to approve Vincent Yurkunas as an associate member of the Conservation Commission.
Union Contract – Moved and seconded to table this agenda item until the November meeting. Vote was 9-0 in favor.
Resolution 2007-08 – (Mutual Aid Agreement) – Moved and seconded in accordance with Mass General Laws, Chapter 40 §4A to authorize the Town Manager and the Board of Health to enter into an Inter-Municipal agreement with one or more other governmental units to provide public health, public works and general government administration services that the Board of Health, Department of Public Works and other administrative bodies in town are authorized to perform, in accordance with an Inter-Municipal Mutual Aid Agreement to be entered into between the Town and various governmental units. Vote was 9-0 in favor.
Discussion – Junk Car Ordinance – Town Council discussed the present junk car by-law. Police Chief Robert Frydryk was present and stated that the problem of junk cars was widespread and this by-law is in need of updating. Bruce Charwick, presenter of a petition for removal of junk cars on Jim Ash Rd. was also present and stated that he is still having a problem with junk cars belonging to his neighbor that are kept on property abutting his. Some of the issues to be worked on are registrations, inspections, restructuring fines and compliance with orders. Richard Fitzgerald, town manager and Robert Frydryk, police chief will work to draft an acceptable by-law addressing all these concerns and bring this issue back to the full Council for discussion and first reading by the November
1 meeting.
Discussion – Code of Palmer – Richard Fitzgerald, town manager, has been going through the Palmer Code to add new ordinances and zoning chapters along with charter changes. So far, he has approximately 250 pages to be reviewed by the Council. He expects it will be ready by the October 18 meeting for Councilors review.
Mr. Pappas requested Council permission to have the Band of Liberty back to perform in Palmer on February 11, 2007. Moved and seconded to approve. Vote was 9-0 in favor.
Sub-Committee Report –
John Sasur reported for the By-law/Ordinance sub-committee. The Public Works division of this committee will be meeting with the Department of Public Works, Planning Department and the Conservation Committee to check for compliance with State laws and to go through the rules and regulations to prepare new ordinances for each department.
Mike Magiera reported for the Non-Tax revenue sub-committee. This committee is looking into writing a letter to businesses for advertising at sporting events and a pamphlet explaining the purchase of pavers to honor graduates.
Keith Parent reported for the By-Law/Ordinance sub-committee. The Public Safety division of this committee is reviewing ordinances with regard to Public Safety and will continue to go through these with the rest of the committee and the Chief of Police.
Matt Lovell reported for the By-Law/Ordinance sub-committee. The Public Service division of this committee is working with the Council on Aging and will be making recommendations and updates to that portion of the code and will go over the regulations for the Board of Health in the near future.
Robert Haveles reported for the Events Planning Committee. This committee will go over events being planned for 2007 and 2008. Residents are urged to contact Mr. Haveles on any events happening in town.
Town Manager’s Report – Town Manager Richard Fitzgerald reported on agenda items as well as giving an update on economic development, the petition for a sidewalk and one-way on High St., Thorndike, the update of the Code of Palmer, Nostalgia Day, Union contracts, the Web site and the collection of delinquent taxes.
Councilor’s Round Table –
Peter Pappas notified the Council that the Veterans’ Day Parade will be held on November 11 at 10:30 AM at the Bondsville Park. He thanked Michael Magiera for attending the American Legion installation of officers. He voiced a concern for the parking on both sides of Shaw St. during activities at Chase Memorial Park stating it posed a safety concern due to the narrow street.
John Sasur stated he would like to see bus schedules for the PVTA buses in town other than the one posted on the bus stop signs. Also, he reported according to a recent water testing, Three Rivers rated as the best water quality in Massachusetts.
Michael Magiera ceded his time to Chief Frydryk who announced the search for a missing Palmer man by the name of Raymond Vachon. The public was asked to call the Police Department with any information concerning this matter.
George Backus invited the Council to the American Legion parade to be held on October 31 at 6:30 PM.
Adjournment of Formal Session – It was moved and seconded to adjourn at 8:50 PM. Vote was 9-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia A. Kennedy,
Executive Assistant
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