Board of Aldermen |
Protection and License; Health, Education and Welfare; Public Works |
Thursday, 10 January 2008 |
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Protection and License Committee |
Chairman Infurna, Boisselle, McAteer-Margolis, Brodeur, Forbes Attending: Medeiros, Mortimer, Seaboyer, Tramontozzi, Wright, Conn In attendance: Police Chief Mike Lyle
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Protection and License called to order by Chairman Infurna at 7:32 p.m. Alderman McAteer-Margolis motions to open Public Participation, 2nd by Alderman Boisselle. All in favor. No one comes forward. Alderman McAteer-Margolis motions to close Public Participation, 2nd by Alderman Boisselle. All in favor. Order No. 08-096, GRANT Amount: $7,000.00 From: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety & Security To: Fund #2528, Traffic Enforcement Chief Lyle says the City has received this grant since 2000. It originated with MassHighways and was taken over by EOPS. The "Click it or Ticket" television ads signal that the grants have been dispersed and the campaign will begin. The funds are also used for impaired driving and speed/aggressive driving high visibility mobilizations. Alderman Boisselle asks what kind of results Melrose has had with these campaigns. Chief Lyle says there has been very good success with it but the drunken driving campaign can be hit or miss. Alderman Boisselle asks how parents react when their vehicle is stopped for a seatbelt violation. Chief Lyle says he has not personally made stops in some years, but some parents are not aware that seat belts are necessary. Alderman Forbes asks if this money is used to set up drunken driving roadblocks. Chief Lyle says that is something different for which he doesn't have funds. Roadblocks require a number of officers and participation of several state agencies. Alderman Boisselle moves to recommend, 2nd by Alderman McAteer-Margolis. All in favor. Order No. 08-105, Application for a Common Victualler License to Christopher Calisi d/b/a Theo’s Pizzeria & Deli located at 59 West Wyoming Avenue, Melrose, MA Mr. Calisi says he plans to purchase Theo's Pizza and he doesn't plan to make any immediate changes. The current owner serves quality food at a good price, and he will continue to do that. Chairman Infurna says the Health Department report indicates approval upon receipt of the food management certification. Mr. Calisi says it should be received by January 22. Chairman Infurna says the Fire Department report indicates that the fire suppression system needs inspecting. Mr. Calisi says the current owner is going to have it inspected. Chairman Infurna says that proof of Worker's Compensation is needed. Mr. Calisi says it is a Catch-22; he can't close on the business without the license, he can't get worker's compensation because it is not his business, and he can't get the license without worker's compensation. Chairman Infurna says she believes the committee could recommend the license to the full board and that the license may be approved but not issued until Mr. Calisi has purchased the worker's compensation insurance. Chairman Infurna says the name of the business needs amending. Alderman Brodeur asks Mr. Calisi when he plans to close on the business. Mr. Calisi says before February 1. Alderman Brodeur motions to amend by substituting the business name with Calisi Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a Theo's Pizzeria and Deli, 2nd by Alderman McAteer-Margolis. All in favor. Alderman Brodeur further amends the order so the address is corrected to 55 W Wyoming Ave, 2nd by Alderman McAteer-Margolis. All in favor. Alderman Boisselle moves to recommend pending the Health and Fire Department reports and worker's compensation authorization, 2nd by Alderman McAteer-Margolis. All in favor. Alderman Forbes asks Mr. Calisi if he has taken the food management certification test. Mr. Calisi says yes. Alderman Forbes asks when he'll receive the results. Mr. Calisi says within four weeks. Alderman Forbes says Captain Collina did not approve the Fire Department report because the fire suppression system has expired and asks if the current owner is responsible for that. Mr. Calisi says yes; the owner will have it inspected and he will bring the report to the Clerk of Committees. Alderman Wright introduces himself as the Ward 3 Alderman, where Theo's is located. He asks if Mr. Calisi is buying just the Melrose Theo's. Mr. Calisi says yes. Alderman Wright says Theo's does offer a quality product and asks if that is Mr. Calisi's focus. Mr. Calisi says yes. Alderman Boisselle motions to adjourn, 2nd by Alderman McAteer-Margolis. All in favor. Protection and License adjourns at 7:50 p.m.
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| Health, Education and Welfare Committee | Chairman McAteer-Margolis,
Forbes, Boisselle, Brodeur, Infurna
Attending: Medeiros, Mortimer, Seaboyer, Tramontozzi, Wright, Conn
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Health, Education and Welfare called to order by Chairman McAteer-Margolis at 7:51 p.m. Order No. 08-099, REAPPOINTMENT OF: Joan H. Cassidy, 61 Clifton Park TO: Melrose Housing Authority Expiration: first Monday in March, 2012. Chairman McAteer-Margolis says she spoke with Ms. Cassidy and she is unable to attend the meeting this evening. Alderman Boisselle moves to recommend, 2nd by Alderman Forbes. All in favor. Order No. 08-100, REAPPOINTMENT Of: Charles Harak, 14 Country Club Road To: Tri-Cap Board Term to expire on the first Monday in January, 2009 Mr. Harak says he has not been before the committee in a few years and is grateful to have the opportunity to speak with them. Tri-Cap is an anti-poverty agency with its office located in Malden. He says there are real energy problems today. The cost of oil is 44% more expensive than it was a year ago and Tri-Cap's funding has been cut by 30%. The board estimates that the funding allotment to households dependant on fuel assistance will be used up by January 31. The board is asking for an additional $15 million so that people don't freeze. Mr. Harak says that a family of four earning $40,000 qualifies for assistance, and a family of six earning $60,000 qualifies. Renters are eligible as well as home owners. In addition to a maximum of $865 toward paying for fuel, Tri-Cap can pay for cleaning and tuning furnaces or replacing older ones. There is also a weatherization program to insulate attics, side walls and plug leaks throughout the house. Other programs include a pro bono legal program for mostly housing, family and bankruptcy issues. There is also highly subsidized day care and employment training. The main telephone number for information is 781-322-4125 and more information may be found at www.tri-cap.org/ Alderman Boisselle asks if there has been an increase in service in the energy area between 2005 and 2007. Mr. Harak says service jumped 5% after Hurricane Katrina and that this past November Tri-Cap had to hire temporary help to answer the telephones. Alderman Boisselle asks if the pro bono work relative to housing deals with foreclosures. Mr. Harak says Tri-Cap used to handle evictions but now has a referral service. Alderman Boisselle says heating oil is up 44% and asks if natural gas is also subsidized. Mr. Harak says they assist paying for whatever type of fuel people use for heating. Alderman Boisselle asks if age factors in to qualifying for assistance. Mr. Harak says assistance is offered regardless of age, but that seniors are more reluctant to apply for it because they think someone else needs it more than they do. Alderman Forbes asks if the home program replaces windows. Mr. Harak says that window replacement is a lower priority. Alderman Forbes asks if a lien is put on a senior's home if they need a hot water heater and attic insulation. Mr. Harak says he believes it is funded by a grant. Alderman Forbes asks who chooses the contractor in the event a HUD loan is applied. Mr. Harak says Tri-Cap selects the contractor and the house is inspected before and after every job. Weatherization work is an odd mix of construction, so Tri-Cap sends qualified contractors. Alderman Seaboyer asks how many households in Melrose take advantage of the program. Mr. Harak says it is around 600. Alderman Seaboyer asks if federal funds are down by 30%. Mr. Harak says yes, that three years ago funding was $137 million. This year funding is $107 million. Alderman Brodeur moves to recommend with the inquiry to the administration to see if the term may be longer than one year, 2nd by Alderman Infurna. All in favor. Alderman Brodeur motions to adjourn, 2nd by Alderman Boisselle. All in favor. Health, Education and Welfare adjourns at 8:22 p.m. |
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| Public Works Committee | Chairman Forbes, Infurna,
Boisselle, Brodeur, McAteer-Margolis
Attending: Medeiros, Mortimer, Seaboyer, Tramontozzi, Wright, Conn In attendance: City Engineer Bob Beshara
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Public Works called to order by Chairman Forbes at 8:22 p.m. Order No. 08-101, APPROPRIATION Amount $28,000.00 From: Capital Stabilization, Transfer Out - A/C #84052-590000 To: Capital Outlay, PW Vehicle and Equipment – A/C #019313-551002 The appropriation is necessary to fund the Superintendent’s vehicle. Alderman Boisselle asks Mr. Beshara if he looked at an alternative energy vehicle. Mr. Beshara says they are more expensive. He tried to keep the cost down by choosing a vehicle that fits his needs and no more. He says the hybrids are about $52,000.00/. Alderman Boisselle asks if the vehicle will be used within the city. Mr. Beshara says yes, and to get back and forth to work. Alderman Brodeur moves to recommend, 2nd by Alderman Boisselle. On discussion Chairman Forbes asks if it is a diesel engine. Mr. Beshara says no, diesel fuel is very expensive. On the motion to recommend, All in favor. Alderman Brodeur motions to adjourn, 2nd by Alderman Boisselle. All in favor. Public Works adjourns at 8:55 p.m. Maribeth Harrington |
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