2005-05-31
6:50 PM Rinus Oosthoek
7:00 PM Public Hearing # 137 Appropriations and Transfers
Refer to Finance and Property
7:10 PM Public Hearing #137A Appropriations and Transfers
Refer to Finance and Property
7:30 PM Public Hearing #134 Ordinance Trash Removal and Disposal Service Fee
Refer to Legal Affairs
Special Meeting of Beverly City Council 8:00 PM May 31, 2005
Roll Call
: Councilors Present: John J. Burke, Ronald Costa, William Coughlin, Timothy Flaherty, Patricia Grimes,
Kevin Hobin, Donald Martin, Maureen Troubetaris, Paul Guanci .
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
: Led by Councilor Grimes
Call for Special Meeting:
#144
Call for Special Meeting Of May 31, 2005
Appointments:
Acceptance of Minutes of Previous Meeting:
Communications from His Honor the Mayor
:
#145
May 31, 2005
Honorable City Council
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
As you commence your review of the FY 2006 Budget submitted tonight, I wish to impart to you a sense of
cautious optimism. To be sure, Beverly’s financial situation remains somewhat fragile, and this budget will surely not
satisfy everyone. Yet we have overcome several significant hurdles in recent months. Beverly is currently in better
financial condition than it has been in some years and this budget has been balanced without resorting to asset sales.
To understand our situation better it helps to look back to FY 2002-2003 when the State first cut Local Aid to
Beverly dramatically, by more than $3,000,000 per year. Beverly perhaps at the time had little choice but to let its
employee contracts expire thus postponing any wage and salary increases and further, by resorting to selling assets to
fund operating expenses so as to balance the budget.
That approach exercised over a lengthy period of time unfortunately led to discontent and morale problems
with the entire workforce, many of whose members went nearly three years without current contracts.
As we approach FY 2006, that situation has been corrected. Nearly all our contracts have been renegotiated
and are current. The first increases for non-union, non –contract employees since July 1, 2001 are contained in this
budget. Beyond that a 50% increase in the employee contribution rate to medical insurance has been achieved for
virtually every employee for FY 2006 and that percentage increase will have doubled by FY 2008.
Another important positive was the passage by the City Council of mandatory enrollment in Medicare B
medical insurance coverage for municipal retirees effective July 1, 2006. Passage of this legislation mitigated a huge
liability for the City.
The principal problem facing all communities in Massachusetts is the fact that expenses are rising at a faster
rate than revenues. Our primary source of revenue, real estate taxes, is limited to 2 ½% per year growth on existing
real estate. Our second largest source of revenue is Local Aid, which remains well below the amount provided us by
the State in FY 2001-2002. For each one percent difference in the growth rates of costs versus revenues, we have a
problem of nearly $900,000. In other words if revenues rise 3% and expenses rise 4% we have a budget out of balance
by $900,000.
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At the same time our school system makes up well over half our budget when all things are considered, as
well it should. Thus, we cannot solve major budget problems without looking to the school system for part of the
answer.
Also the School Committee clearly realizes the crucial need to upgrade our High School which is on probation
for physical facility deficiencies which, if uncorrected, could lead to loss of accreditation. Beyond that the School
Committee has observed the very real drop in Beverly’s birthrate and the drop in our school enrollment. The School
Committee has thus decided to combine the two Middle Schools at the Briscoe Middle School site for the FY 2006
school year. This action will save over $500,000 in FY 2006 and nearly $1,000,000 in FY 2007 as one time costs
associated with the consolidation disappear. Briscoe, which is larger than Memorial can house the entire 6, 7 and 8
ththth
grade populations. But very importantly, and I don’t think this fact has been reported on, the move to Briscoe is
temporary. We fully expect to improve the Memorial site after the High School project is complete and make Memorial
the permanent Middle School. The Memorial building is newer and the 18-acre landmass is much larger.
No one is happy to have decided to close a Middle School, but the alternative was to lay off a great many
valued teachers. It is encouraging to observe that the School Committee has been willing to look broadly at the
situation throughout the entire City in making its decision.
Within the budget there are several elements worthy of comment. First, you will notice that we have
employed $1,450,000 of free cash (the City’s savings account). Fortunately in FY 2005, the year soon to close, we
have experienced new growth beyond expectations and building permit fees above budget resulting in a favorable
variance which makes certain the restoration of at least $1,000,000 of free cash early in the new fiscal year thus leaving
a net balance of $450,000 of free cash in the budget.
An oddity within the budget is the presence of 53 Fridays which equate to paydays thus raising the city-side
payroll by nearly two percent for the year. This phenomenon which occurs rarely will not be repeated in FY 2007
effectively reducing that budget. The Council is reminded that interpretation of percentage increases in salary costs in
the FY 2006 budget must be tempered by the following: 1.) increases in FY 2005 were not included in the original
budget but funded from outside, 2.) FY 2006 budget amounts include the 53 week as well as FY 2005 increases.
rd
The FY 2006 budget contains a continuation of the Trash Fee at exactly the same $25 per quarter rate in
place since the fee was begun in October of 2004. For FY 2006 the City will pay an additional $40 per ton more to
dispose of trash than it did prior to January of 2005. This fee simply allows us to meet this additional disposal cost
without reducing essential City services. But for residents and business owners alike, there is a provision in the
Ordinance to waive the fee if individual trash disposal arrangements are made directly within a licensed disposal
contractor. Without the fee we would face major layoffs in essential service areas.
The new budget year sees no change in combined water and sewer rates, but we will bolster the strength of
the water and sewer workforce by adding three direct workers, and we will reconfigure the rates slightly without
changing the combined rate.
Early in the new budget year two Capital Expenditure Projects will be brought forward. One will improve
drainage in North Beverly, the other will complete work begun years ago but halted in 2002 to conduct environmental
assessment and remediation at the Beverly Airport.
There is a sum of $20,000 in the budget for Main Streets. You will note that the City plans to relocate those
municipal functions now located in leased quarters across from City Hall to the Memorial School site. These activities
include the Building Department, Community Development Office and some Police functions. Their removal from the
downtown will put some strain on Cabot Street and will add to the need to assist the successful Main Streets Program in
keeping the downtown viable.
Very truly yours,
William F. Scanlon, Jr., Mayor
Refer to Finance and Property
Refer to Committee of the Whole
#146
May 31, 2005
Honorable City Council
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
I hereby appoint, subject to your review and recommendation, Mr. John M. Kelley, 39 Williams Street, Beverly, MA
01915, to serve as a Trustee to the Beverly Public Library.
He will fill the position formerly held by John Young who has resigned and is moving out of Beverly. Mr. Kelley’s term
will be effective until January 31, 2006.
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Very truly yours,
William F. Scanlon, Jr., Mayor
Refer to Public Services
#147
May 31, 2005
Honorable City Council
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
I hereby appoint, subject to your review and recommendation, Mr. Jeffrey Klein, 36 James Street, Beverly, to serve as
a member of the Golf and Tennis Commission.
He will fill the position formerly held by Mr. Elliott Margolis. Mr. Klein’s term will be effective until February 1, 2008.
Very truly yours,
William F. Scanlon, Jr., Mayor
Refer to Legal Affairs
#148
May 31, 2005
Honorable City Council
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
I hereby appoint, subject to your review and recommendation, Mr. Shon Baldini, 4 Peabody Avenue, Danvers, MA
01923 to serve as a member of the Board of Directors to BevCam.
He will fill the position formerly held by Mr. Thomas Scully. Attached is a communication from Mr. Donald Berman,
President of the Board of Directors, concerning this appointment.
Because Mr. Baldini is a resident of Danvers, I hereby request a waiver of the residency requirement as he works in
Beverly and has an interest in BevCam.
Very truly yours,
William F. Scanlon, Jr., Mayor
Refer to Public Services and Legal Affairs
Communications from other City Officers and Boards
#149
May 31, 2005
Honorable City Council
C/o Mrs. Frances Macdonald
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Council:
RE Stop sign, Home St. at Rantoul St.
In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 89, Section 9, of the Massachusetts General Laws, and Chapter 14,
Section 86, of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Beverly, we request the following stop sign:
ADD: Home Street, westbound drivers on Home Street at Rantoul Street
Very truly yours,
Dennis O. Tarsook, Traffic Sergeant
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Safety Officer
Refer to Legal Affairs and Accounts
Communications, Applications and Petitions:
#150
Petition of Verizon-conduit in 28-32 Lothrop Street
Refer to Public Services
#151
Petition of Verizon-conduit in 40-44 Lothrop Street
Refer to Public Services
#152
Beverly Farms-Prides Crossing request hang banner across West Street for annual 4 of July Celebration in Beverly Farms
th
Refer to Legal Affairs
#153
Comm from P. Lucci relative to Audit
Receive and Place on File
CC to School Department and Mayor
#154
Petition-Mass Electric for conduit, manhole and miscellaneous UG equipment on Cherry Hill Drive.
Refer to Public Services
Reports from Committees:
#74
The Committee on Finance and Property to whom was referred the matter of request for relief from Water/Sewer-River
House 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 honor the request of the Mayor for an in kind contribution to support the operation of
River House with relief from the Water/Sewer Bill.
This order was reported out of Committee on a one to one vote with Councilor Coughlin voting for and Councilor Martin voting
against.
Amend to read Receive and Place on File 9-0 vote
Amended Order read once and Adopted 9-0 Vote
#97
The Committee on Finance and Property to whom was referred the matter of 2006 Capital Expenditure Plan have
considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Receive and Place on File
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
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#142
The Committee on Finance and Property to whom was referred the matter of Request to change Street Name have
considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying order and recommend its adoption
Ordered; That the name of Scott Street in North Beverly be changed to Henry’s Way in honor of Henry Swanson.
Amend to read Receive and Place on File
Amended Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#137
The Committee on Finance and Property to whom was referred the matter of Appropriations and transfers for sale of
Real Estate 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 an appropriation in the sum of seven hundred forty-seven
thousand nine hundred seventy-three dollars an twenty Five cents ($747,973.25) from the Sale of Real Estate Fund to
the Reserve for Unforeseen Account, as per the request of Mayor Scanlon.
First Passage: May 16, 2005
Public Hearing: May 31, 2005
Final Passage: May 31, 2005
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#137A
The Committee on Finance and Property to whom as referred the matter of Appropriations and transfers for sale of Real
Estate 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 appropriations of the following sums from:
General Fund Reserve for Unforeseen $746,600
Airport Enterprise Fund Free Cash 18,500
Water Enterprise Fund Free Cash 35,000
Sewer Enterprise Fund Free Cash 15,000
To be appropriated to various salary lines in the above noted funds.
First Passage: May 16, 2005
Public Hearing: May 31, 2005
Final Passage: May 31,2005
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#103A
The Committee on Legal Affairs to whom was referred the matter of Communication re land off Brimbal Ave. have
considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Receive and Place on File
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#105A
The Committee on Legal Affairs to whom was referred the matter of recommendations from Planning re OSRD have
considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Receive and Place on File
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
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#120
The Committee on Legal Affairs to whom was referred the matter of Rules and Orders for City Council 2005 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 adopt the enclosed Rules and Orders for the City Council, 2005. These changes will be
effective September 6, 2005
Amended Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#135
The Committee on Legal Affairs to whom was referred the matter of Appointments as Constables James Damato and
Timothy Migneault have considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Recommend the Council approve the Appointments
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#136
The Committee on Legal Affairs to whom was referred the matter of reappointment as Constable of Oliver Fitts have
considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Recommend the Council approve the appointment
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#143
The Committee on Legal Affairs to whom was referred the matter of Parks and Recreation attend meeting to discuss
Dog Park have considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit;
Refer to Committee of the Whole
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#126
The Committee on Public Services to whom was referred the matter of Petition of Verizon for conduit in Roundy Street
have considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Receive and Place on File
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#152
The Committee on Legal Affairs to whom was referred the matter of request to hang banner over West Street have
considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying order and recommend its adoption
Ordered: That the Farms-Prides 4 of July Committee be allowed to hang a banner over West Street for an occasion
th
in July provided that it is hung by a licensed rigger and that the organization is property insured. And a copy of the
insurance be on file in the Clerks Office
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#150/151
The Committee on Public Services to whom was referred the matter of petitions of Verizon 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 of the City of Beverly will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 20, 2005 at 7:54 PM
in Council Chambers, 191 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA relative to a petition of Verizon for a Hand hole and 20 ft of
underground conduit at 28-32 Lothrop St.
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And at 7:56 PM for a Petition for 70 ft of underground conduit at 40-44 Lothrop St.
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#154
The Committee on Public Services to whom was referred the matter of petition of Mass Electric 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 of the City of Beverly hold a public hearing on Monday, June 20, 2005 at 7:58 PM in
Council Chambers, at 191 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA relative to a petition of Massachusetts Electric for the installation
of 6 5” PVC conduits, one manhole and miscellaneous underground equipment at Cherry Hill Drive
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
Unfinished Business:
Resolutions:
Motions and Orders:
#155
By Councilor Coughlin:
Ordered: Be it Resolved that the City Council give full endorsement to the Bill Filed by State Rep Mary Grant asking for
the creation of a Regional State Scenic By-way along the coastline of Essex County extending from Lynn to Rockport.
Refer to Committee of the Whole
Meeting adjourned: 11:00PM Frances A. Macdonald, CMC
City Clerk
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