City Council, September 23, 1998
A regular session of the City Council is held Wednesday, September 23, 1998, at eight five o’clock p.m. All the members are present and President Barry presides.
The Council recesses immediately to reconvene as the Pawtucket Board of License Commissioners.
The Council reconvenes at eight ten o’clock p.m.
The reading of the records of September 9, 1998, is dispensed with and the records are APPROVED as prepared by the Clerk.
Upon motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, the *Consent Agenda is approved on a unanimous voice vote.
Margaret M. Lynch, 500 Buchanan Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860, is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
The following nomination submitted by His Honor, Mayor James E. Doyle for confirmation is CONFIRMED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Grebien, Hodge, Hoyas, Moran, Vieira, and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
CITY SOLICITOR
Margaret M. Lynch, 500 Buchanan Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860
*THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATIONS ARE READ AND ORDERED FILED:
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MORAN.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Hoyas, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Michael Burns, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, regarding the Council’s proposal for closing a portion of Branch Street.
The Council is asking that Mr. Burns conduct a traffic count over the next two weeks on Branch Street, as well as, providing information regarding the number of accidents that have occurred on Branch Street. Based on these findings, the Council is seeking his recommendation on its proposal to close this section of Branch Street.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MORAN.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Hoyas, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Richard E. DeLyon, Chief of Police, regarding complaints of speeding on Branch Street.
The Council is asking that during the next two weeks, a radar patrol be placed on Branch Street, and that a report be submitted.
The Council is further requesting Chief DeLyon’s recommendation on the proposal to close a portion of Branch Street, beginning at the Pawtucket Water Supply Board Building and extending to the Cumberland line.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MORAN.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Thomas F. Doucette, P.E., Acting Chief Engineer, Pawtucket Water Supply Board, requesting his opinion regarding the Council’s proposal to close Branch Street.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HODGE.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilor Grebien, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Thomas F. Doucette, P.E., Acting Chief Engineer, Pawtucket Water Supply Board, and Mary Tetzner, Chair, Pawtucket Water Supply Board, asking that they provide a report on whether the $655,817 of unexpended revenue is accurate. The Council is asking that they explain why this money is not being spent, when $177,000 of this amount was to be used for the water transmission distribution mains.
The Council is further requesting an explanation from Mr. Doucette on the procedure used for notifying residents when water service will be interrupted. Basically, the Council is asking for the procedure used by the Water Supply Board, or any of its contractors, for getting into people’s homes. How are homeowners notified? Is proper identification required for employees of the Water Supply Board or any of its contractors, when entering a home?
THE COUNCIL RECESSES AT 8:25 P.M. TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FOLLOWING:
PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE RIDOLFI & HAGAN MINOR LEAGUE FIELDS AND TO BUILD A MAJOR LEAGUE FIELD AT SLATER PARK.
THE COUNCIL RECONVENES AT 8:50 P.M.
THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATION IS TAKEN UP:
Communication from John E. Carney, Director of Public Works, to the Pawtucket City Council, requesting permission to eliminate Ridolfi Minor League Field and Hagan Little League Field to build a major league field at Slater Park, to replace the Ted McConnon Field that was lost with the McCoy Stadium Expansion.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HOYAS.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Hoyas, seconded by Councilor Moran, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
Based on the testimony and information given at the Public Hearing held earlier this evening, the plan to build a major league ball field at Slater Park is APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote, and the Clerk is instructed to notify John E. Carney, Director of Public Works, to proceed with the renovations to build the ball field.
THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATION IS READ AND ORDERED FILED.
Communication from Joel P. Moss, General Manager, Narragansett Coated Paper Corp., to Janice M. LaPorte, CMC, City Clerk, requesting the abandonment of a portion of Boyce Avenue, is READ AND ORDERED FILED, and is REFERRED TO THE CITY PROPERTY COMMITTEE, CITY PLANNING COMMISSION, AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
THE CLERK IS INSTRUCTED TO ADVERTISE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1998, AT 8:00 P.M.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MORAN.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Thomas F. Doucette, P.E., Acting Chief Engineer, Pawtucket Water Supply Board, regarding the condition of the curb in front of the property at 71 Archer Street in Pawtucket.
Councilor Moran states that work, which was conducted by employees of the Pawtucket Water Supply Board, in front of that address, destroyed part of the curb.
The Council is requesting that Mr. Doucette look into this situation and take the necessary steps to correct this problem.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR MORAN.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Moran, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Thomas F. Doucette, P.E., Acting Chief Engineer, Pawtucket Water Supply Board, regarding work being conducted by the Pawtucket Water Supply Board, on Cottage Street, from the Attleboro line to Newport Avenue.
The Council is asking for the following information:
1. What type of work is being conducted?
2. When will the project be completed?
3. When the project is completed, will the Cottage Street be resurfaced?
4. How much is this project costing, and where is the money coming from?
A copy of this communication is to be sent to the Public Buildings Authority.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Grebien, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Thomas F. Doucette, P.E., Acting Chief Engineer, Pawtucket Water Supply Board, regarding work being conducted by the Pawtucket Water Supply Board, at the intersection of Weeden Street and Lonsdale Avenue.
The Council is asking for the following information:
1. What type of work is being conducted?
2. When will the project be completed?
3. When the project is completed, will the street be resurfaced?
4. How much is this project costing, and where is the money coming from?
A copy of this communication is to be sent to the Public Buildings Authority.
Memorandum from Ronald L. Wunschel, Director of Finance, to the Honorable John J. Barry III, President, Pawtucket City Council, and Members of the Pawtucket City Council regarding School Department Funding/Charge Back Expenditures, is READ AND ORDERED FILED, and is REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
COUNCILOR BRAY LEAVES THE CHAMBER AT 8:57 P.M.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS READ AND PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Barry, Councilors Carr, Grebien, Hodge, Hoyas, Moran, Vieira, and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
COUNCILOR BRAY RETURNS TO THE CHAMBER AT 8:58 P.M.
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS TAKEN UP:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PURGE UNCOLLECTED AUTO RECEIVABLES.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HODGE.
With majority consent of the Council, upon motion made by Councilor Hodge, seconded by Councilor Carr, to change the word “UNCOLLECTED” to “UNCOLLECTABLE” in the resolution title “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO PURGE UNCOLLECTED AUTO RECEIVABLES”, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote.
UPON RECOMMENDATION OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION IS PASSED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE, AS FOLLOWS:
AYES – President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Grebien, Hodge, Hoyas, Moran, Vieira, and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
The following ordinance is read for the second time and PASSED on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Barry, Councilors Bray, Grebien, Hodge, Hoyas, Moran, Vieira, and Wildenhain.
NOES – Councilor Carr.
330 ORDINANCE IN AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 991 OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET ENTITLED “THE TRAFFIC ORDINANCE” (Multi-Way Stop Signs – Oakdale Avenue & Acorn Street)
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CARR.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilor Carr introduces the following entitled communication:
Communication from Bill Mulholland, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, to all Youth and High School Sports Directors.
Upon motion made by Councilor Carr, seconded by Councilor Hodge, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED:
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CARR.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Carr, seconded by Councilor Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Bill Mulholland, Superintendent, Division of Parks and Recreation, requesting a report on the possibility of putting lights in the Pine View Little League field.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CARR.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilor Carr introduces the following entitled communication:
Communication from Mayor James E. Doyle, to the Members of the Pawtucket City Council, attaching a communication from Daniel L Beardsley, Jr., Executive Director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, regarding the Report entitled “An Act – Legislative Enactments of 1998 of Interest to Cities and Towns”.
Upon motion made by Councilor Carr, seconded by councilor Hodge, the following communication is READ AND ORDERED FILED.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CARR.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilor Carr introduces the following:
Communication from Mayor James E. Doyle, to the Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the three-year contract with the Pawtucket Firefighters Independent Union.
RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE THREE (3) YEAR CONTRACT BETWEEN THE PAWTUCKET FIREFIGHTERS INDEPENDENT UNION AND THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET FOR A TERM COMMENCING RETROACTIVELY ON JULY 1, 1998, AND EXPIRING ON JUNE 30, 2001.
Upon motion made by Councilor Carr, seconded by Councilor Hodge, the following is REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE:
Communication from Mayor James E. Doyle, to the Members of the Pawtucket City Council, submitting the three-year contract with the Pawtucket Firefighters Independent Union.
RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE THREE (3) YEAR CONTRACT BETWEEN THE PAWTUCKET FIREFIGHTERS INDEPENDENT UNION AND THE CITY OF PAWTUCKET FOR A TERM COMMENCING RETROACTIVELY ON JULY 1, 1998, AND EXPIRING ON JUNE 30, 2001.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CARR.
With majority consent of the Council, Councilor Carr introduces the following entitled memorandum:
Memorandum from Ronald L. Wunschel, Director of Finance, to Councilman Robert Carr, regarding City of Pawtucket Code # 363-29, allowing the Finance Director to waive interest on past due taxes.
Upon motion made by Councilor Carr, seconded by Councilor Wildenhain, the following memorandum is REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE:
Memorandum from Ronald L. Wunschel, Director of Finance, to Councilman Robert Carr, regarding City of Pawtucket Code # 363-29, allowing the Finance Director to waive interest on past due taxes.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CARR.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Carr, seconded by Councilor Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to John E. Carney, Director of Public Works, regarding the need to replace the decorative street light at the corner of Armistice Boulevard and Denver Street.
The Council requested, some time ago, that this matter be taken care of, and would like an explanation and an update as to when this matter will be taken care of
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR CARR.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Carr, seconded by Councilor Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Richard E. DeLyon, Chief of Police, requesting the enforcement of “No-Through Trucking” restriction on Rice Street.
The following license is APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote:
VICTUALLING HOUSE 1st Class –
Club Mardi Gras, Inc. (Transfer from LMB Associates d/b/a/ The Blackstone), 242 Middle Street, LIC# 506
*The following license is APPROVED on a unanimous voice vote:
VICTUALLING HOUSE 1st Class –
Joseph Sullivan d/b/a Joe's Place (Previously Todd C. McCrae d/b/a Magoo’s Deli & Wiener Joint), 574 Smithfield Avenue, LIC#00509
*THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES AGAINST THE CITY ARE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS:
Linda A. DeGraide - $843.67/$796.16
William & Doris Greenwood - $106.00
Germaine Laferriere - $209.00
James McCurry - $1170.00/$958.31
THE COMMITTEE ON CLAIMS AND PENDING SUITS RETURNS THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS WITH THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS:
Upon recommendation of the Committee on Claims and Pending Suits, the following claim for damages against the City is APPROVED FOR PAYMENT on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Grebien, Hodge, Hoyas, Moran, Vieira and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
Claim of Lino Barrreto - $2,744.36
Upon recommendation of the Committee on Claims and Pending Suits, the following claim for damages against the City is APPROVED FOR PAYMENT on a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES – President Barry, Councilors Bray, Carr, Grebien, Hodge, Hoyas Moran, Vieira, and Wildenhain.
NOES – 0.
Claim of Edward & Rose Marie Sabatini - $1285.17
Upon recommendation of the Committee on Claims and Pending Suits, the following claims for damages against the City are TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT AND REFERRED TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT:
Claim of Kevin D’Ambra – 462.57
Claim of Lynda Mattera - $3,234.93
Claim of Norman Scherza - $266.82/$281.00
Claim of Donna Senecal – NO AMOUNT SPECIFIED
Claim of Faena Simkin – NO AMOUNT SPECIFIED
Upon recommendation of the Committee on Claims and Pending Suits, the following claims for damages against the City are DENIED – CLAIMANT TO CONTACT THE WATER SUPPLY BOARD:
Claim of Wilfredo Jimenez - $170.26/$89.45/$61.10
Claim of Natalie Wilson – NO AMOUNT SPECIFIED
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR VIEIRA.
With majority consent of the Council, the following motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Hodge, is PASSED on a unanimous voice vote:
The Clerk is instructed to send a communication to Governor Lincoln Almond, regarding the Mineral Spring Avenue Bridge Project in Pawtucket.
Councilor Vieira refers to an article, which appeared in the Providence Journal on September 23, 1998, regarding spending an extra $35,000 in order to have an early completion of the bridge project. The Council feels that a more efficient use of this money would be to help those businesses that have been devastated by the closing of this bridge.
The Council is asking the Governor for a response as to whether there is grant money available to help these businesses recover from the loss of business caused by the closing of this bridge. The Council notes that the project is coming way under the $2.1 million originally bid for this work, and is hoping that there is a program that could be provided to help these businesses.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR BRAY.
COUNCILOR BRAY ASKS THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED IN MEMORY OF THE PASSING OF JOSEPH PALARDY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE WOODLAWN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES COUNCILOR HODGE.
COUNCILOR HODGE ASKS THAT THE MEETING ALSO BE ADJOURNED IN MEMORY OF THE PASSING OF JOHN POTRIS, WHO SERVED AS CITY SERGEANT FOR 16 YEARS.
Upon motion made by Councilor Vieira, seconded by Councilor Hodge, the meeting is adjourned in memory of Joseph Palardy and John Potris, at nine thirteen o’clock p.m.