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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. 81 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. 82 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 83 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 84 #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 85 #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. 86 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 87