February 7, 2001 - Claims Committee Meeting

2. Norman Menard for damages to his vehicle while being parked, unattended on Liberty St. by a Fire Truck.

3. Luis Taveira for damages to his vehicle by Police vehicle on 9/16/2000.    

The committee give unanimous consent to change the order of action relative to the above claims.   

2. Norman Menard for damages to vehicle parked unattended.

Motion to pay the claim in the amount of $739.67 was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilwoman Canavan.    

Councilman Lazieh suggested that for the future the Committee should recommend that a claim be settled by the Solicitor not to exceed a certain amount.    

The City Clerk reminded the Committee that there is a procedure followed in which the Claimant must submit 3 estimates then the Solicitor reviews the claims and recommends the lowest estimate to the committee if the liability lies with the City.   

Roll Call on motion to approve the payment of the Claim to Norman Menard in the amount of $739.67.    

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.    

3. Luis  Taveria for damages to vehicle on 9/16/2000.

Motion to table the claim pending the receipt of two additional estimates was made by Councilman Noury and seconded by Councilman Leger.    

Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.    

1. Anthony Harraka  re: 5 weeks unused vacation weeks.         

Mr. Harraka was present to answer the question of the committee. He states that the time in question was from the Lazieh Administration when at the time the new Administration took office he had 7 weeks vacation on the books.    

Councilwoman Canavan asked what the other department head receive.

Councilman Robichaud asked if Mr. Harraka had been paid two weeks vacation. 

Mr. Harraka stated that he had been paid 2 weeks and that is why he is seeking only 5 weeks.    

Councilman Leger asked what other Department Heads are were from the Lazieh Administration.    

Mr. Harraka stated he thought it was Tom Shannahan, Librarian-Merrick Cook, Planning Director-Elaine Partridge, Planning Department and Gertrude Chartier, Bd. Of Canvassers.    

Councilman Lazieh asked Mr. Harraka if when he was hired by the City of Central Falls he was given 4 weeks vacation per year. Mr. Harraka stated that he was hired with four weeks vacation under Mr. Lazieh’s Administration but when the new mayor took over the policy was changed to 3 weeks.    

Discussion continued.    

Councilman Robichaud asked the Solicitor if there is a conflict with Councilman Lazieh participating on this issue.

City Solicitor Jim Briden stated that Councilman Lazieh could testify to what existed at the time.     

Council President Noury stated that out of a sense of fairness at the very least Mr. Harraka is entitled to the weeks due him for his honorable service.    

Councilwoman Canavan stated that the New Administration could from this point on set a policy but asked how could it enforce or take away what had been the policy from a previous administration.    

Councilman Leger stated that he was concerned about how the issue was handled and that the new Administration when instituting a new policy should have had the persons being held over sign a waiver. He said he is curious how each was handled. He said he is not comfortable to pay this claim without input from the other department heads.     @#@#K#@#I#@#A&0$#

Councilman Lazieh commented on the change in vacation policy from 3 weeks to 4 weeks and asked the Clerk for a copy of this policy change.     

Council President Noury stated that each case should be dealt with individually.         

Mr. Harraka stated that he believed John Kuzmiski was paid for his vacation time.

Discussion continued.    

Motion to was made by Councilman Harraka 5 weeks vacation.

Councilwoman Canavan seconded.    

Motion carried 4 yes 0 no 1 abstension