1998-05-187:45 PM #163
A Public Hearing relative to School Dept. Finances
A. Appropriation of Funds (5246,475.00)
B. Interim appropriation ($1,663,033.00)
C. Loan Order (7,340,000.00)
Regular Meeting of Beverly City Council, May 18, 1998
Roll Call: Council Members were present
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: Led by Councilor McMahon
Acceptance of Minutes of Previous Meeting:
Meeting of May 4, 1998 9-0 Vote
Appointments:
Communications from His Honor the Mayor
#178
Honorable City Council
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you tonight.
I thought it would be useful to review briefly the status of the current fiscal year and to comment on a
few issues.
First, the School Committee voted earlier tonight to re-instate the two elementary schools, North
Beverly and Centerville, which had earlier been removed from the list. No action is required by the
Council. The resubmission will occur tomorrow.
For the current fiscal year soon to end I am pleased to advise you that the picture is a generally
positive one. You may recall that when the current year's budget was built, we ran two major risks
and indeed anticipated a possible shortfall in revenues vs expenditures.
That shortfall will not occur. Sewer rate relief from the State on the one hand and our increase in
excise tax revenues beyond expectations have been of great assistance to us. The $500,000 of new
teacher salaries at the High School has been largely offset by the increased excise taxes. We all
understand, of course, that the excise tax increase is the product of an excellent economy tied directly
to the purchase of new cars and cannot be counted on to continue.
On balance I can tell you that we expect the current fiscal year to end up slightly in the black.
On the water and sewer front, we actually will receive a slight reduction in costs from SESD for next
year while we face a large increase from the Beverly-Salem Water Supply Board. The water issue
traces significantly to unaccounted for consumption and will be addressed with the new meter
program. I am counting on the Council's approval this Fall to go forward with bonding for the new
meters. In the meanwhile, I confirm that I am recommending no increase in water and sewer rates
for the upcoming year.
Our City is moving forward on many fronts and we have a huge accumulated backlog of issues which
were never resolved. These include the dump cap, the lands near the airport, Police and Fire
facilities, drainage, water and sewer, as well as new meters, new schools, new roads, etc., etc. More
capital expenditures are underway or soon will be underway than at any time in recent history. We
are moving from a reactive, hold on and try to maintain the status quo position to a pro active get
things done mentality and we are not sufficiently staffed for such an approach.
In the one year plan there will be some boldness, not huge but some, as we grow to be able to handle
these issues. I hope you will provide me these human resources which are necessary.
I have already stated that we will provide the resources required for the schools to meet the level
program budget and some additional funds for certain top priorities in the schools. I am pleased to
tell you that working with the school administration we are convinced that we can meet these
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objectives with slightly less money than has been requested by the School Committee. That is very
important because we must on balance find a way to meet all the City's needs, be they school related
or storm drainage related. The people on Chase Street, near Lawrence Brook, or near Chubbs Brook
need real action, not paper or promises and with your continued help I believe we can get the job
done.
The major solution continues to be new money from new sources. New growth in Beverly has
increased and continues to do so. The really large increases are expected to come from the new
airport connector road which should go out to bid this summer and from Cummings Center.
Cummings Center in now about 2/3 full. We are entering the third year of the TIF arrangement. If
the economy holds strong, the fillup of the site and the expiration of the first phase of the TIF should
occur at about the same time and the City should see significant new revenues. By that time, of
course, annual debt service will have risen significantly and the new funds will be needed to service
that debt.
Tonight we are requesting $$ to keep certain school improvements moving. We will present for your
approval very early in the new fiscal year a series of bonding requests necessary to permit the capital
expenditure plan to move forward on schedule.
Councilors, let me urge you over the next few days to come forward with any ideas or issues you wish
to see covered in the One-Year Plan and which we may have overlooked.
You can anticipate having a full One Year Budget package for your review prior to your next
meeting.
Very truly yours,
William F. Scanlon, Jr., Mayor
Receive and Place on File 9-0 Vote
#179
Honorable City Council
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
I hereby appoint, subject to your review and recommendation, the following to serve as members of
the Beverly Youth Collaboration Advisory Board:
James M. Muse
7 Cross Street
Beverly
Effective until December 31, 2000
Gary F. Cowles
10 Dearborn Avenue
Beverly
Effective until December 21, 1999
Marylou Young
22 Lincoln Street
Beverly
Effective until December 31, 2000
Kim McCabe
273 Hale Street
Beverly
Effective until December 31, 1999
Very truly yours,
William F. Scanlon, Jr., Mayor
Referred to Public Service and Aid
#180
Honorable City Council
City Hall
101
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
I hereby appoint, subject to your review and recommendation, the following to serve as Constables in
the City of Beverly for the express purpose of serving Civil Process:
Timothy Creamer
36 Appleton Avenue
Beverly, MA 01915
Philip R. Cleversey
535 Essex Street
Beverly, MA 01915
Paul Polonsky
14 Montserrat Road
Beverly, MA 01915
Attached are applications and letters of request which have been approved by Chief William Terry.
Their terms will be effective until May 31,2001.
Very truly yours,
William F. Scanlon, Jr., Mayor
Referred to Legal Affairs and Accounts
Communications from Other City Officers and Boards
#181
Honorable City Council
191 Cabot St.
Beverly, MA O191S
Dear Honorable Council:
As you know, the Secretary of State revoked the use of Punch Card Voting Machines.
Because of this decision the City is in the process of purchasing Electronic Voting
Machines (Accu-Vote). The machines are being purchased from LHS Associates.
According to MGL S4, Chapter 34 the City Council must approve the decision to change
voting machines. I am therefore asking for your decision this evening as the
Secretary of State must be notified immediately.
Thanking you in advance,
Sincerely,
Frances A. Macdonald, CMC
for the Board of Registrars
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
#182
Honorable City Council
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Council:
RE: City of Beverly Master Plan, Truck Exclusion, Lothrop St. from Water Street to Hale
St.
On May 13, 1998 Councilors Rollins and McGlynn hosted a informational meeting,
concerning Lothrop Street, at city hall. The meeting was attended by several other
city councilors, Councilors Gilmore, McMahon and Flaherty, as well as many
residents of Lothrop Street/Dane Street area, Commissioner Pelonzi and myself.
One of the issues discussed was a truck exclusion, trucks over 2 1A tons, being
excluded from Lothrop Street, between Water Street and Hale Street. In order to do
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this exclusion, we would also have to include Stone Street and Dane Street, as well
as looking at other feeder streets onto Lothrop Street.
It was recommended to send this truck exclusion idea to the City of Beverly Master
Plan Review Committee, and let them look at this idea as part of the overall scheme
for the waterfront and City of Beverly.
Please forward this request to the Master Plan Review committee for their
Very truly yours,
Dennis O. Tarsook, Traffic Sergeant
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
#183
To: Finance and Property committee
Beverly City Council
From: George Whitney
Subject: BHMA FY98 Budget Authorization
The "approved" BHMA FY-98 Budget which was provided to me has a revenue line
item of $18000 to be transferred from the Waterways Improvement Fund. Assets of
this Fund are derived form 50% of the boat excise tax in accordance with MGL
Chapter 60B. They can be spent by the BHMA only for specific tasks as defined in
MGL C. 40, S.f, CL. (72) as approved by the City Council.
I have been unable to identify the approved use of this $18000. Please provide me
with a copy of the applicable Council Order which authorizes the BHMA YF 98
budget and which indicates the approved allowed usage of this account line item.
This information is needed so that I can confirm appropriate accounting procedures
are followed in establishing the FY-99 budget and in closing out the FY 98
expenditure records.
Referred to Finance and Property
COMMUNICATIONS, APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
#184
Comm. from Comm. of Mass. Dept. of Public Utilities relative to a request for
comments from Municipalities . Investigation by the Dept. of Telecommunications
and Energy upon its own motion, pursuant to G.L. c.164, c. 165 and c. 166A to review
standards employed by public utility operators when restoring municipal street
surfaces after performing excavations.
Referred to Public Service and Aid
#185
Copy of the Ward Two Whaler Spring 1998
Receive and place on file
#186
Communication from Herb Hemenway relative to Standley Street Compost Facility
Refer to Public Service and Aid
#187
103
Comm. from Comm. of Mass. Division of Capital Planning and Operations relative to
the Lease of 1.51 +- acres of State-Owned Property, Route 128 North, in Beverly
Referred to Legal Affairs and Accounts
#188
Petition of Mass Electric for installation of 2-4" pvc conduit in the shoulder of the
road, Hale Street.
Referred to Public Service and Aid
#189
Petition of Boston Gas for the installation of 170' plastic gas main in Lincoln Street
and 130' of 6" plastic gas main in Enon Street.
Referred to Public Service and Aid
#190
Comm. from Linda Zambouras, President BHS Softball Boosters relative to request for
permission to continue advertising campaign that was originally approved on July
2, 1994.
Referred to Public Service and Aid
#191
Comm. from Dan Coffey relative to Blue Line
Referred to Committee of the Whole
#192
Communication from Patrick and Jennifer Dailing relative to Water Bill.
Referred to Public Service and Aid
#193
Communication from George Leahy relative to water bills
Referred to Public Service and Aid
#194
Massachusetts Electric Financial Statement
Receive and Place on file 9-0 Vote
#195
New England Power Financial Statement
Receive and Place on File 9-0 Vote
#196
Claim-Marion Russell-Pothole at 720 Cabot Street
Referred to Legal Affairs and Accounts
104
#197
Claim-Jennifer F. Marcus-Pothole at Hannah School
Referred to Legal Affairs and Accounts
#198
Claim-Jonathan Magoon Pothole on Cross Lane
Referred to Legal Affairs and Accounts
#199
Invitation to march in Ryal Side Civic Association, Inc. parade on July 4, 1998
Receive and Place on File 9-0 Vote
#200
Invitation to march in Beverly Farms-Prides Crossing 4th of July, 1998 Parade
Receive and Place on File 9-0 Vote
Reports from Committees:
#133
The Committee on Finance and Property to whom was referred the matter of
Communication from BHMA relative to Ordinance Revision have considered said
matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Return back to Committee on Finance and Property
#163A
The Committee on Finance and Property to whom was referred the matter of
Transfer of Funds-School Dept. ($246,475) have considered said matter and beg
leave to report as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying order and recommend its adoption
ORDERED: That the City Council approve a transfer of Two Hundred forty six
thousand four hundred seventy five ($246,475) dollars to the School Capital Projects
Funds from Proceeds of Sale of Briscoe School.
First Passage: May 4, 1998
Public Hearing Held: May 18, 1998
Final Passage: May 18, 1998
Order read once and adopted on a Roll Call Vote:
Roll Call:
Yea: Flaherty, Martin, McGlynn, McMahon, Murray, Rollins, Troubetaris, Van Liere, Gilmore
Nay: None
Absent: None
#163B
105
The Committee on Finance and Property to whom was referred the matter of Interim
Appropriation School Dept. ($1,663,033) have considered said matter and beg
leave to report as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying order and recommend its adoption
ORDERED: That the City Council approve an interim appropriation from the general
fund in the amount of one million six hundred sixty three thousand thirty three
($1,663,033) dollars to the School Capital Projects Fund. The appropriation will come
from the transfer of funds back to the City from the South Essex Sewage District.
First Passage: May 4, 1998
Public Hearing Held: May 18, 1998
Final Passage: May 18, 1998
Order read once and adopted on a Roll Call Vote
Roll Call:
Yea: Flaherty, martin, McGlynn, McMahon, Murray, Rollins, Troubetaris, Van Liere, Gilmore
Nay: None
Absent: None
#163C
The Committee on Finance and Property to whom was referred the matter of Loan
Order $7,340,000 have considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows,
to wit:
Ordered: That the City Council approve a Loan Order in the amount of Seven
million three hundred forty thousand dollars for necessary to renovate and enlarge
the Ayers School.
ORDERED: that seven million three hundred forty thousand ($7,340,000) is appropriated for
constructing additions to and remodeling, reconstructing and making extraordinary repairs to
the Ayers/Ryal Side Elementary School, including original equipment and furnishings and
related site improvements; that to meet this appropriation the treasurer, with the approval of
the Mayor and the Director of Municipal Finance and under the direction of the Committee on
Finance and Property, is authorized to borrow $7,340,000 under G. L. c.44 7 or Chapter 645 of
the Acts of 1948 as amended, and to file an application with the Emergency Finance Board to
qualify the bonds under Chapter 44A of Massachusetts General Laws; that the borrowing
authorized by this order, as well as the Two million one hundred thirty thousand ($2,130,000)
borrowing authorized by the order approved by the Mayor on January 2, 1996 for the cost of
architectural services for plans and specifications for school projects and the Six million, six
hundred fifty nine thousand one hundred dollars ($6,659,100) borrowing authorized by the
order approved by the Mayor on January 24, 1997 for constructing, originally equipping and
furnishing a new elementary school on Balch Street, shall be incurred pursuant to both this
order and those orders, respectively, and the order approved by the Mayor on May 13, 1996
which authorized a borrowing of Thirty seven million dollars ($37,000,000) for various
elementary school construction and remodeling projects; that the City Treasurer is further
authorized to file a certified copy of this order and provide such other information and execute
such other information and execute such other documents as the Board may require; and that
all bonds or notes issued hereunder shall be certified to in writing as to their genuineness by
Fleet National Bank of its successor.
First Reading: May 4, 1998
Public Hearing Held: May 18, 1998
Final Passage: May 18, 1998
Order read once and adopted on a roll call vote:
Roll Call:
Yea: Flaherty, Martin, McGlynn, McMahon, Murray, Rollins, Troubetaris, Van Liere, Gilmore
Nay: None
Absent: None
#133
106
The Committee on Legal Affairs and Accounts to whom was referred the matter of
Ordinance-Administration relative to mooring, slip and permit fees have considered
said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
In the year one thousand nine hundred and Ninety-eight
An Ordinance amending an ordinance entitled "Administration" relative to
Mooring and slop and 10A permit fees; permit applications
Be it ordained by the City Council of the city of Beverly as follows:
That Chapter 1, Section 269, of the revised ordinances of the City of Beverly,
1989, be, and the same is hereby amended as follows:
Delete:
Entire Section
Add:
a. All boats or vessels moored in city waters or tied at slips
in waters or seasonally rack stored in waterfront property with
launching capacity in Beverly's waters shall be assessed an
annual fee at the rate of four dollars ($4.00) per foot of length
with a minimum charge of thirty-two dollars ($32.00), but all
boat tenders belonging to or attached to another fee-paying
boat shall be exempt. The purpose of such mooring and slip
fees is to reimburse the city for the costs and services provided
to boats and vessels in city waters by the harbormasters office.
b. The harbormaster shall mail out permit applications to boat
owners commencing the first day of February, in duplicate.
These shall be returned to the harbormaster for approval,
the original copy being returned to the boat owner. Carbon
copies of all applications shall be kept on file by the
harbormaster, and he shall give an account of all
applications and turn over to the city all fees each year.
c. The harbormaster shall annually mail out 10A permit
applications to owners of bottom-anchored floats or rafts
min accordance with M.G.L. Chapped. 91, Section IOA
d. All bottom-anchored floats or rafts occupying the water
sheet in the designated port area of the Beverly Harbor,
including occupied sections of the federal channel, which do
not have valid chapter 91 licenses from the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, shall be assessed an annual fee as shall
be recommended by the Beverly harbor Management
Authority and approved by the Beverly City council.
This ordinance to take effect according to Charter Provisions.
First Passage: May 18, 1998
Final Passage: June 1, 1998
Ordinance read once and held for final passage 9-0 Vote
#170
The Committee on Legal Affairs and Accounts to whom was referred the matter of
Communication from American Diabetes Association re Bike ride have considered
said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying order and recommend its adoption
ORDERED: That the City Council approve the request from the American Diabetes
Association to travel through the City of Beverly on May 31, 1998 Subject to the
approval of the Commissioner of Public Safety
Copy of order sent to Chief Pelonzi
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
107
#180
The Committee on Legal Affairs and Accounts to whom was referred the matter of
Appointments Constable Timothy Creamer, Philip Cleversey, Paul Polonsky have
considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Recommend that the Council approve the appointments
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#160
The Committee on Legal Affairs and Accounts to whom was referred the matter of
Lighting Study-Washington St. have considered said matter and beg leave to report
as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying order and recommend its adoption
ORDERED: That the City Council approve the request for a lighting study to be done regarding the
public way on Washington Street at the end near the water, and be it further ordered that:
1. a copy of the request be sent to the director of Municipal Services to do the study.
2. a report be filed with the Committee on Public Service and Aid on May 28, 1998
3. the study shall include the cost of lighting
4. a copy of the lighting study be sent to the Mayor for an appropriation of funds to cover
the cost of the lighting.
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#181
The Committee of the Whole to whom was referred the matter of Change of Voting
Machines have considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying Order and recommend its adoption
ORDERED: That the City Council approve the request by the City Clerk, for the
Board of Registrars, to discontinue use of Punch Card Voting System and pursue the
purchase of Accu-Vote systems (MGL 54 - 43)
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#182
The Committee of the Whole to whom was referred the matter of Communication
from Police Dept. re master Plan have considered said matter and beg leave to
report as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying order and recommend its adoption
Ordered: That the City council approve the request from the Police Dept. to
forward Sgt. Tarsook's letter to Planning with a request that this study be included in
the Master Plan Review.
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
The following ordinances were read into Council minutes on March 20, 1998 First
Passage: May 4, 1998 Held by Charter Provisions , Advertised and held for Final
Passage May 18, 1998
# 132 Ordinance MV & T re Obedience to isolated stop signs Briscoe St. at Essex St.
108
# 152 Ordinance MV & T re Stop Sign-Hardy St. at Pleasant St.
# 153 Ordinance MV & T re Parking in Railroad Station Area
Resolutions:
Motions and Orders
Meeting Adjourned at 10:00 PM
Attest: Frances A. Macdonald C.M.C
City Clerk
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