Board of Aldermen |
Appropriations Committee Meeting Minutes |
Monday, 20 August 2007 |
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Appropriations Committee |
Chairman Brodeur, Boisselle, Buonopane, Conn,
Forbes, Heavey, Infurna, Seaboyer, Wright, Mortimer Absent: Tramontozzi In attendance: City Planner Denise Gaffey; Mayor Dolan
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Appropriations Committee called to order by Chairman Brodeur at 7:20 p.m. Alderman Infurna motions to open Public Participation, 2nd by Alderman Buonopane. All in favor. No one comes forward. Alderman Infurna motions to close Public Participation, 2nd by Alderman Boisselle. All in favor. President Mortimer motions to conjoin the first three orders, 2nd by Alderman Boisselle. All in favor. Order No. 07-227, APPOINTMENT OF: Joan Cassidy, 61 Clifton Park, Melrose TO: Redevelopment Authority Expiration: first Monday in March, 2009 Order No. 07-228, APPOINTMENT OF: Philip Kukura, 79 Mount Vernon St. TO: Redevelopment Authority Expiration: first Monday in March, 2011 Order No. 07-229, APPOINTMENT OF: James Oosterman, 4 Fairmount St., Melrose TO: Redevelopment Authority Expiration: first Monday in March, 2012 City Planner Denise Gaffey says the planning office has staffed the Melrose Redevelopment Authority since its creation in 1959. It has not been active in recent years but was very active in the 1970s. One reason to reconstitute it is that the most recent members, members since the 1970s, have expressed a strong interest to be replaced and have actually resigned. In recent years they have met annually to keep the Redevelopment Authority charter active and have submitted a report to the Department of Redevelopment. There is funding remaining in the account that was held over from the 1970s and 1980s. There is about $39,000 that may be useful to tap into for various opportunities. One project matches the Redevelopment Authority's mission – the notion of expanding the downtown historic district. Funds could be used to hire a preservation consultant to identify the boundaries of the expanded district and get the business community on board. The three appointees before the committee tonight have been temporary members since January 2007. Alderman Infurna says she is delighted to see that the Redevelopment Authority has been revitalized. She knows that Mr. Kukura and Mrs. Cassidy have been active with the Master Plan, and that Mr. Oosterman has been active within the community as well. Alderman Conn asks if there are set times when the new group will meet. Ms. Gaffey says that once the appointments are approved a committee will be formed to get involved with defining the expanded boundaries of the historic district. Alderman Conn asks if the meetings will be open to the public, and Ms. Gaffey says yes. President Mortimer moves to recommend, 2nd by Alderman Heavey. All in favor. Order No. 07-044A, Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Chapter 235 – Zoning: Article II Section 235-5. Definitions (Adding new definitions for Building Front Yard and Impervious Surfaces and amending the definition of Open Space); Article VIII Section 235-38. Location of Parking Spaces; Article VIII Section 235-41. Parking and Loading Space Standards As set forth herein. Chairman Brodeur says there is a report from the Planning Board dated 3 August 2007 containing one amendment to the original proposal. He asks Ms. Gaffey to inform the committee on the Planning Board's findings. Ms. Gaffey says there were several issues discussed at the joint public hearing with the Planning Board. The board agreed with the suggested change to clarify whether "Building Front Yard" pertains to commercial property: "residential properties with three of fewer dwelling units" was added to distinguish that it pertains only to residential properties. That is the only change that was made to the original proposal. Alderman Conn says his concern about this prospective amendment is that is will have no impact on something that is already in place. Ms. Gaffey says that is correct. Alderman Conn motions to amend by substituting the Amended Article II to the proposal, 2nd by Alderman Buonopane. All in favor. Alderman Conn moves to recommend as amended, 2nd by Alderman Infurna. All in favor. Order No. 08-008, APPROPRIATION Amount: $556,031.85 From: Contract Stabilization Fund, Transfers Out – A/C #84042-590000 To: Fire, FY08 Salaries – A/C #012211-511000, $227,829.00 To: Fire, Retro Salaries – A/C #012211-511000, $328,202.85 This appropriation is necessary to fund the settlement agreed upon from the arbitration. President Mortimer moves to recommend, 2nd by Alderman Boisselle. Mayor Dolan says this settlement is the result of the Joint Labor Management Commission's arbitration. He fully supports the decision and can fully fund this from the Contract Stabilization Fund with no loss of staff and no lay-offs. Alderman Conn says this is the result of arbitration hearings by the JLMC and that this is characterized as a settlement but in fact it is an award. Mayor Dolan says that is correct. Alderman Conn says it is for the past three year contract. Mayor Dolan says yes. Alderman Conn compliments the administration for having the foresight to fund this; in the past the funds had to be taken from other budgets from other departments. He asks if there is any money remaining in the fund. Mayor Dolan says there is, and his administration will continue to fund it at 2% per contract group. On the motion to recommend, All in favor. Alderman Buonopane motions to adjourn, 2nd by President Mortimer. All in favor. Appropriations adjourns at 7:38 p.m.
Maribeth
Harrington
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