Board of Aldermen

Vice-Chairman Brodeur, Mortimer, President Conn (for the quorum)

Absent: Chairman Lavender, Hitchman

Attending: Doyle, Heavey, Infurna

In attendance: City Planner Denise Gaffey

Finance Committee called to order by Vice-Chairman Brodeur at 7:50 p.m.  Order No. 05-296, Establish a Donation Account Name: Affordable Housing and Mitigation -(post-construction Pembroke)  Acct. No. 2913  Amount: $149,250.00 and subsequent contributions as set forth herein.  This order was recommitted as amended to "Require approval of the Board of Aldermen prior to any disbursement of funds from the Donation Account"

City Planner Denise Gaffey says she does not want to be redundant.  She understands the City Auditor has already addressed this and the board has received a copy of the decision.

Alderman Mortimer says the concern is that this money would be expendable only by the Mayor's office and this board would lose its control.  Ms. Gaffey says she understands an amendment has been made to require the Board of Aldermen's approval, and she thinks that is a good idea.  The mayor also supports the amendment.  The reason it was set up this way is that it is likely that any concerns by residents that arise regarding the Pembroke project will be begin with the mayor's office to substantiate the validity of the issue and begin mitigation.

President Conn asks if the account will be under the auspices of the Planning Department.  Ms. Gaffey says she thinks that was envisioned by the Mayor but she sees this as a process.  President Conn asks if this is a one-time donation.  Ms. Gaffey says she hopes there will be two disbursements of funds.  President Conn says this can only be expended for mitigation purposes of the project.  Ms. Gaffey says that is correct.  President Conn says there is no prospect of these funds being spent for any other purpose.  Ms. Gaffey says that is correct.

Alderman Heavey asks where any left over money will go.  Ms. Gaffey says it is hard to anticipate how much money is needed in the context of mitigation, so what is not used toward the mitigation of traffic concerns will be put toward affordable housing.  Alderman Heavey asks if the money will stay with the city and not go back to the project.  Ms. Gaffey says it definitely stays with the city.

President Conn moves to recommend as amended at the full board meeting, 2^nd by Alderman Mortimer.  Vice-Chairman Brodeur says this money can not be used for anything else in the city, but the project itself is generating money for the city in terms of building permits, which is General Fund revenue.  Ms. Gaffey says that is correct.

On the motion to recommend, All in favor.

Order No. 06-046, Requesting that the City Solicitor review the city's legal grounds for appeal of the recent decision of the Stoneham Zoning Board of Appeals decision to grant a comprehensive permit for the Langwood Commons development.           (AL-1)

Vice-Chairman Brodeur says that development is at the site of the former Boston Regional Medical Center, just over the border in Stoneham.  He reads the City Solicitor's response to his request to attend the committee meeting to discuss the order:

Dear Alderman Brodeur,

I write in response to your invitation to me to attend the Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, October 6, 2005, specifically to discuss the legal grounds for appeal of the decision of the Stoneham Zoning Board of Appeals with respect to the Langwood Commons development at the former Boston Regional Medical Center site.

I highly suggest to you and the other aldermen that any discussion of legal grounds for appeal should be done strictly in executive session, for obvious purposes.

Having said that, please be advised that I am scheduled to meet with the Mayor, Office of Community Planning and Development, Department of Public Works and possibly other city officials on Friday morning, October 7, to discuss the same.  I will be happy to report to the Board of Aldermen after that time.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at this office.

Sincerely yours,
David R. Lucas

Vice-Chairman Brodeur says it is holding discussion in executive session is a reasonable recommendation, and is well taken.

Alderman Mortimer motions to place the matter on hold, 2^nd by President Conn.

Alderman Mortimer motions to suspend the rules to allow Mr. Wright to address the body, 2^nd by President Conn.  All in favor.

Frank Wright, 191 Florence Street, says that as a resident of Ward 3 he is submitting a letter to the Board of Aldermen to recommend to the City Solicitor that this decision be appealed.  Time is of the essence since there is a 20 day right of appeal.

On the motion, All in favor.

Alderman Mortimer motions to adjourn, 2^nd by President Conn.  All in favor.

The Finance Committee adjourns at 8:04 p.m.

There are no orders to be acted on in Public Service or Legal and Legislative Matters.

There was no public participation.


Maribeth Harrington
Clerk of Committees