[Paul Camuso]: Regular meeting of the Medford City Council will be called to order. The clerk will call the roll.
[Clerk]: Vice President Caraviello. Present. Councilor Dello Russo. Present. Councilor Knight. Present. Councilor Kern. Present. Councilor Marks.
[Paul Camuso]: Councilor Penta. Present. President Camuso. Present. By a vote of six in the affirmative, one absent, please rise to salute our flag.
[SPEAKER_05]: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[Paul Camuso]: Just for the viewing public, Councilor Marks was here at a meeting, and he had to leave for a flooding emergency at his house. But he was here, and that is why he is not here right now. He's dealing with a serious flooding situation at his house. Chair recognizes Councilor Dello Russo.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Mr. President, motion to suspend rule 33 to take paper 14756 out of order.
[Paul Camuso]: On the motion, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The ayes have it. Item 14-756, notice of a public hearing. A public hearing will be held at the Medford City Council in the Hallward F. Alden Memorial Chambers, City Hall, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, Massachusetts, on Tuesday evening, December 9, 2014, at 7 p.m., on a petition by Fellsway Property, LLC. For a special permit persuading to Chapter 94 Zoning Ordinances of the City of Medford, Section 94-192, Use No. 56A-2, Table of Use Regulation, to operate a drive-thru to take-out establishment at 499 Riverside Avenue, Medford, Mass., said site being located in the Commercial 1 Zoning District, Petition and plans may be seen in the office of the City Clerk, City Hall, Medford, Massachusetts. For further information, accommodations or aids, contact the City Clerk, 781-393-2425, TDD 781-393-2516. The City of Medford is an EEO-AA-504 employer. By order of the City Council, Edward P. Finn, City Clerk. This was advertised in the Medford Mercury on November 21st, in December 1st, 2014. At this time, I will declare the public hearing open. All those in favor of the project and of the drive-thru, all those in favor, please come forward. Name and address for the record. Why don't you just take it away, Larry? It's something else. It's giving us feedback. Stand by, please, while the people out back. There we go. Is that a little better? I apologize. They're working on this out back. All right. Name and address for the record, please. This is the public hearing for those in favor of the drive-thru.
[Elizabeth Bayle]: Good evening. My name is Karen Johnson. I'm a resident of Arlington, Mass. I'm here tonight on behalf of Fellsway Property, which is located on Riverside Avenue. Address, please. 88 Woodside Lane in Arlington, Mass.
[Paul Camuso]: Thank you.
[Elizabeth Bayle]: Thank you. Good evening, members of the Council. We first appeared before you approximately a year ago, pretty close to a year ago this evening, when the Nor'easter that evening was a snowstorm. We met before the Committee of the Whole to introduce ourselves to you as the new owners of Fellsway Plaza. And at the time, we reviewed our proposals for improvements to the plaza, including facade renovations and the exciting news for new tenants. And we briefly discussed at the time our proposal for a restaurant pad along Riverside. During our introduction, we We wanted to assure you that when we represented something to a community that we followed through. And I hope that you certainly and the residents of Medford are very pleased with the results of our facade renovations and see the investments that we've so far made in a very outdated and underutilized property. We are very excited about the progress that we have made so far. There's a lot happening out there that you don't see and it results in significant investment in the infrastructure for Fellsway Plaza. And so the continuation of that is the proposed restaurant pad along Riverside. We presented our application for special permit for site plan review to the Community Development Board in August and received approval from them at the time. We're here before you this evening for the application for the drive-through for the Panera use, which of course is a special permit before the city council. The Panera, and shown on the plan and in your application materials, is tenant A, and we're very excited to have Panera and Smashburger, which recently received Common Vic and I believe also a liquor license from the council, and then Noodles as Tenant C. Through the process of our approvals before the Community Development Board, we also had an opportunity to meet with several of the neighbors along the 4th Street neighborhood. They had raised some concerns about the general overall condition of the property, and specifically, they had concerns related to odor control. We're very pleased that so far our tenants have agreed through the process of receiving the Common Vic license from the city council to employ additional odor control mechanisms and our other tenants are also amenable to that as well. So we think that we've presented a great plan for Fells Lake Plaza, a great plan for this property and we have opened a line of communication with the neighbors in the area, which I believe really was not existent before we took title to the property. So we hope that you find this along the same lines as the balance of our work that we've done in Medford. Joining me this evening in the event you have any questions are Ken Staffia, our civil engineer from VHB, and also Pat Dunford, who is our traffic engineer, also from VHB. I am sorry to report that our attorney, Bob Abruzzi, has had a medical issue, and he is not able to be present this evening. So we will try to answer as many questions as you can, but think that we may have to continue some portion of this matter until Bob can be present. Is there any questions?
[Paul Camuso]: Okay. The public hearing is still open. Anyone else in favour?
[Jeanne Martin]: I promised her I'd get up here and just say I'm in favour. Thank you.
[Paul Camuso]: Anyone else in favour? Hearing and seeing none, I now close that portion of the hearing and open it up to anybody in opposition.
[QuIJp-vSiqo_SPEAKER_00]: Good evening. My name is Kristen Bartlett. I currently reside at 488 Riverside Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts. So I live right across the street from the project. I'm a little bit concerned about a few different aspects. Of course, with the stop and shop being there and a few other, you know, real retail, excuse me, spaces. It does get quite noisy, and we do encounter a lot of traffic getting in and out of our driveway, parking on the street. My house is usually blocked off. I'm usually asking someone at least once or twice a week, and I keep normal business hours for work to move their vehicle so that I can park in front of my house and not have to walk a block or so with my four-year-old. I really oppose having an exit for this establishment on Riverside Avenue just due to the traffic that we do encounter with the exit just about a block or so up from our home. It's very difficult to turn in and out, very difficult to get onto the street. The infrastructure I don't think really supports making a drive-through establishment right there. people aren't paying attention when they come in and out, so it's a little bit difficult. Also, and I guess, again, I don't know whether this has been established or not, the hours for this, with the Dunkin' Donuts being at that set of lights, it's hard enough to get past the McGlynn School to get to the highway on a daily basis.
[Paul Camuso]: So you are not in favor?
[QuIJp-vSiqo_SPEAKER_00]: No.
[Paul Camuso]: Thank you very much. Anybody else not in favor of this project? Not in favor of this project? Seeing and hearing none, I now close that portion of the public hearing. And are we waiting for the attorney or are you proceeding? I know your attorney wanted to wait until the 23rd.
[Elizabeth Bayle]: We would like to wait for the 23rd. Thank you.
[Paul Camuso]: Mr. President. Well, the attorney wants to be here to answer the questions. Mr. President. It's the will of the council, whatever the council wants. Councilor Dello Russo.
[Fred Dello Russo]: I'd recommend that in the absence of their legal counsel and representation that we defer this till that time in which it can be. So I motion to table.
[Paul Camuso]: On the motion for table, which is undebatable, All those in favor? Well, the attorney asked, and they have legal representation. There's a motion to table on the floor. The clerk will call the roll. And till end, the motion is till the 23rd. Is that correct or not?
[Fred Dello Russo]: Was that the data indicated by council? I received a message from him today. Yes. He asked that consideration be made and I don't see any, I know there was a very interesting group of neighbors.
[Paul Camuso]: There's a motion to table, so I don't want to cut you off, councilor, but there's a motion to table.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Thank you, Mr. President. On my motion.
[Paul Camuso]: On Councilor Dello Russo's motion. Yes. Clerk, we'll call the roll.
[Clerk]: Vice President Caraviello. Yes. Councilor Dello Russo. Yes. Councilor Knight. Yes. Councilor McCurry. No. Councilor Marks.
[Paul Camuso]: Yes. By a motion of four in the affirmative, two in the negative and one absent. The motion is tabled in father viewing public in the neighbors. Uh, this will be back before the Medford city council on December 23rd to, uh, take action or, um, discuss it in depth at that point. And, uh, we wish that your attorney is feeling better.
[Elizabeth Bayle]: Thank you.
[Paul Camuso]: In the motion, I revert back to the regular order of business. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Item 14-732. Tax hearing. Legal notice. Notice of public hearing. City of Medford. A public hearing will be held by the Medford City Council in the Hawwood F. Alden Memorial Chambers City Hall Medford Mass on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 7 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to hear the Board of Assessors on the following items for the purpose of allocation of the fiscal year 2015 property tax. To determine, number one, to determine the residential factor to be used for fiscal year 2015. Number two, select an open space discount. Number three, select a residential exemption. Number four, select a small commercial exemption. Call 781-393-2501 for any aids slash accommodations. TDD 781-393-2516. The city of Medford is an EEO AA504 employer. By order of the Medford City Council, signed Edward P. Finn, City Clerk, the public hearing is now open. Name and address for the record.
[L7QFU4RDE4Q_SPEAKER_01]: Thank you, Mr. President. Ed O'Neill, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, Chief Assessor, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford. As Chairman of the Board of Assessors, I am respectfully appearing before your honorable body tonight for the purpose of holding a public hearing to discuss the following items concerning the allocation of the fiscal year 2015 property tax. One, to determine the residential factor to be used for fiscal year 2015. by selecting the minimum residential factor, a percentage of the total tax levy from the residential taxpayer to the commercial, industrial, and personal property taxpayers. This results in a lower tax rate for residential properties and a higher tax rate for commercial, industrial, and personal property taxpayers. Historically, the council has chosen the minimum residential factor. If this is once again the council choice, the minimum residential factor is decimal point 899216. Two, to adopt an open space discount. This does not apply in the city of Medford, but a no vote is required. Number three, to adopt a residential exemption. If adopted, owner-occupied residential properties may receive an exemption of up to 20% of the average residential value. This is accomplished by shifting a portion of the tax levy from the owner-occupied residential properties to non-owner-occupied properties. Since this shift causes a higher residential tax rate, a number of owner-occupied properties would also see an increase in their tax bills. Four, to adopt a small commercial exemption. If adopted, commercial properties housing a business employing 10 or less people and valued at less than a million dollars may receive an exemption of up to 10% of assessed value. This is accomplished by shifting a portion of the commercial industrial tax levy from these eligible properties to another commercial and or industrial properties. Since this shift causes a higher commercial industrial tax rate, all commercial industrial not receiving the exemption would see an increase in their tax bills. As part of this hearing, it is the duty of the board of assessors to notify the council of any excess levy capacity. Fiscal year 2015, excess levy capacity is $57,657.67. Table of contents. Page one is the classification hearing and the residential factor. In accordance with the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 369 of the Acts of 1982, Chapter 797 of the Acts of 1979 Classification Amendment, The city council will hold a public hearing to receive public input relative to the determination of the residential factor for fiscal year 2015. Under Massachusetts general laws, cities and towns are allowed to allocate or shift the tax burden between the various classes of property. The residential factor determines the allocation of the real and personal property burden to shift between various classes of property. By selecting a residential factor, you will also be deciding the respective tax rates for the real and personal property classes. The Department of Revenue has authorized the adoption of two rates, one for residential and open space classes, and one for commercial, industrial, and personal property classes. Page two is the tax levy limitation. Last year, fiscal 2014, the levy limit was 93,175,009. This year, that's a starting point for fiscal year 2015. The addition of 2.5% is $2,329,375. Fiscal 2015 new growth is $999,941 for a total of $96,504,325 is the 2015 levy limit. Page three is the minimum residential factor computation. It shows the breakdown of the Percentage by class, residential class comprises of 88%, 1539% of the city, and the commercial industrial personal property is 11%, 11.8461%. Go through the calculations, you come up with a minimum residential factor of 93.281. Page four is the calculation of the lowest possible residential factor. The last year's chosen residential percentage was 78.1091%. Using a 150 shift would be 93.2810 with the minimum residential share, but the 150 shift is 82.2308%. To calculate the residential factor using a 175% shift to CIP, it's 89.9215%. Multiply that by the residential factor, of the full and fair cash value residential percentage is 79.2693%, the lowest historical residential percentage since its first ratification, I believe it was 1980, 72.1010%. Page five is the classification options, starting with the single, A single tax rate based on the values in the levy of $13 and one cent. That will be a factor of 1.00 and that will be for all classes of property going all the way down the matrix to the max at 175% which would give it projected as $11 and 70 cents for residential and 22.77 for CIP. Page six. is the LA-4, which is the valuation. Department of Revenue LA-4 form, breaking down by class of property on the left-hand side, number of parcels, and the total value for this fiscal year. Page seven is the valuation summary. Fiscal year 2005, the total value of the city from last year to this year went up 9.36%. Next page is the breakdown by class. Single families went up 8%, condominiums went up 10%, two families went up 13%, three families went up 14%. The twos and threes went up the most of this fiscal year. It reflects the mirror of 2004 values when the market went through the roof. Apartments, small apartments, 48% and the larger complexes went up 18%. Commercial, 3% and industrial at 4%. Page eight is a new growth. New growth is part of the levy limit. New growth was certified today at 999,941. Page nine is the scenario. If you use the minimum residential factor, what the average increase in value would be. Average increase for a single family would be $394,500. The average condominium is $294,600. The average two family is $458,000. The average three family is $545,900. The average commercial industrial is $1,098,400. So if the council adopted the minimum residential factor, The average increase for a single family would be $128.47. The average for a condominium would be $105.02. And the average of a two-family would be $3.74.08. Two-family. Average three-family would be $5.13.16. And the average commercial industrial would only see an increase of $2.90 to $2.27. So again, the increase would be in the twos and three-families based on the valuation increases. Page 9-1 is the scenario for a single tax rate and the possible increases to the residential class versus the commercial class. Page 10 is the fiscal year 2015 tax rates from surrounding cities and towns. There aren't many in yet. It's probably two-thirds. Once again, Bedford, as proposed, would be around the third or fourth lowest residential tax rate. If the council adopts that page 11 is page one, two, three, four of the recap and page 12 would be the residential exemption applies to all residential owner occupied properties, non owner occupy occupied properties would be excluded. This means any real property used for residential purposes, um, including apartment buildings in which the owner does not have a permanent residency address. Lots adjacent to and owned by owner-occupied real property would also be excluded. The residential exemption is a class exemption to the residential portion of the tax base only. It does not have anything to do with various social economic status of a taxpayer. It's based on the fair cash value of real property in the city. Fiscal year 2015 assessments based on January 1, 2014 assessment date. With this information in mind, We must be aware that all, uh, all owner occupied properties with the total assessed value of four, four, five, 46, 400 and above will be the recipient of the exemption if it's owner occupied, but because of the higher tax rate involved will actually pay more in taxes than they would without the exemption. The local option in the residential exemption must either be approved or disapproved by a council vote. The percentage allowable by law is anywhere up to 10 to 20%. Communities that receive special legislation can exceed the 20% maximum. If the resident owner for any reason is not granted the exemption and can prove honor occupancy on January 1, 2014, an application must be timely filed and an approved exemption will be granted. These funds are deducted from the overlay reserves. Affiliates who file it properly and timely will result in the denial of any and all exemptions. Next page is the Department of Revenue breakdown. for the residential, to explain the residential exemption. A municipality can grant a residential exemption of a dollar amount that cannot exceed 20% of the average assessed value on our residential class properties. Communities that receive special legislation can exceed the 20% maximum. The exemption reduces by the adopted percentage, the taxable valuation of each residential parcel that is a taxpayer's principal residence. Granting the exemption raises the residential tax rate and shifts the residential burden from moderately or lower valued homes to apartments, summer homes and higher valued homes. A residential exemption is one way resort areas, Cape Cod and the Berkshires can provide some tax relief for permanent residents. Next page is the number of communities that have adopted it. 13 communities. We have adopted it so far. The next page is the impact. If it was adopted at 20%, 15%, and 10%, the valuation reduction for 20% would be 80,379. For 15% would be 60,284. For 10% would be 40,189. And the important part to note here, as I stated earlier, was the 546, 400, 543, 800, 546, 300 would be the cutoff. So anybody paying more than that would, assessed more than that would be paying more in taxes if owner-occupied. There would be 1,278 parcels that would pay more as owner-occupied for 20%, for 15% would be 13, 18, for 10% would be 12, 79 would pay more in taxes. Next page is the breakdown, uh, the actual formula and calculation to see what a number of owner occupied properties to date that we have on file is 12,032 and the various scenarios, um, the dollar and tax dollar amounts by 20, 15, and 10%. Next page is the residential exemption breakdown. Uh, we have 15,259 residential properties. 74%, 12,032 are owner occupied. We have a number of trusts that we could not ascertain ownership, 882. We have 268 unknown owner occupied. We have 2,309 non-owner occupied, and that's an estimated number. And then residential land and accessory parcels are not included, 768. for a total of 16 to 59 in the residential class. Next page is a small commercial exemption. The various scenarios adopting yet with no exemption, 1%, 5%, 10%.
[Paul Camuso]: Chair recognizes Councilor Lungo-Koehn and then Councilor Knight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I do have some questions, thanks. Thank you.
[Paul Camuso]: Do you want to wait, Councilor? Your light was on. Do you want to wait?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, no. I can ask a few questions.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Thank you for the— Point of information, Councilor Dela Ruccio. Just in the interest of public safety, the ceiling on the west side of this room is leaking, and I'd urge people not to stand on that side of the room, as it appears from this angle that a patched portion of the ceiling is beginning to sag and may give way.
[Paul Camuso]: Can you step away from that, sir? Sorry to disturb, Councilor. Thank you, Councilor. Councilor Longo-Kerr, as everyone looks up for the sale of the book.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Just checking it out, OK. Thank you, President Camuso. Thank you, Ed, for the brief summary. The local receipts not allocated, the recap, I'm not sure we went over this in detail in our subcommittee meeting. Can we just go over a few of the figures on that?
[L7QFU4RDE4Q_SPEAKER_01]: Sure. I'd probably have to defer to Finance Director Baker on that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: OK. The first would be the $300,000 difference from the penalties and interest on taxes and excises from fiscal 2014 to fiscal 2015. Anne, could you address that?
[SPEAKER_19]: Estimated receipts. Name and address for the record.
[Paul Camuso]: Can we just get your name and title?
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: Anne Baker, the finance director of the city of Medford.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I didn't hear what you said. What item were you questioning? The page before is marked as 11, so it would be like 11B, I guess.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: Yeah, what item? Penalties and interest on taxes and excises. Yes, that's because there was a particularly large tax title parcel came in last year. I think the interest on it was over $300,000. I don't remember the actual property address that it was, but that won't be repeated. So it was a large new build? It was a large tax title property, a large property that had been in tax title for a number of years that was redeemed.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then the next one, payment in lieu of taxes, how come that is increased?
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: Right. The MVDC payment that was supposed to come in that was a new payment for fiscal 14 did not come in until fiscal 15. So that will be budgeted for fiscal 15. That was $166,000. Then we will get that same amount that is due for fiscal 15, which is $166,000. And then there's a new payment due for fiscal 15 of another $107,000.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then number 10, fees. Another significant difference.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: Number 10, the fees. That has to do with the cable fees. We get about $400,000 a year from Comcast, and we get about $200,000 a year from Verizon. So that'll be the $600,000 budgeted for fiscal 15. And the last year, sometimes their payments go into the wrong year. If they're late, they go into the wrong year. So last year, one of the payments went into the wrong year, went into the previous year. So it was lower last year. So that's the fee that's supposed to be used for the three public TV stations? Yeah, right. No, no, no, these aren't the TV3. These are the fees that come into the city. The franchise fee, the 3% franchise fee.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: That's a separate fee from what we usually use for TV3? That's a separate fee?
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: Right, it's a separate fee, right. So 3%- That fee is now being kept in a separate fund when the TV3 issue is resolved, I guess.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So but that separate fee is coming out at three percent.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: It's just held separately No, that does it three as a three percent fee that we get for the franchise fee is a local receipt.
[Robert Penta]: It's always been a local receipt Point of information Councilor Penta and there's two separate accounts One that has a public access account that it has in excess of three hundred thousand dollars That's the that's the TV field TV three money, right? And there's another account where Verizon and Comcast pay a percentage.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: Right, and that's this account here. That's this account here. Verizon and Comcast.
[Robert Penta]: Okay, so they are two separate accounts. Right. They're not one.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Gotcha, okay, and then number 16, departmental revenue.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: That is, the excess on that is the guaranteed portion of the new parking fees. We're guaranteed to get at least six months worth of a $25,000 per month fee in this coming year. regardless of what else happens. So we've put in that guaranteed fee as an additional excess departmental revenue. And then number 23, miscellaneous, non-recurring. The 23, that was FEMA money from the prior year. That won't repeat. That was for potholes? I can't remember. FEMA? I think it was FEMA.
[Paul Camuso]: That was the floods.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: The floods, yeah. We got money back from FEMA a few years ago. Yeah, I can't remember what that was. It was from FEMA.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And then we had mentioned in subcommittee that free cash for 2000, the last fiscal year,
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: was about, we put a million dollars into free cash. Slightly less than a million. But that was almost all attributable, a large portion of that was attributable to the excess amount collected from motor vehicle excise in excess of what was budgeted. I think 700,000 of that was because of that one item. Motor vehicle excise number one. What was budgeted for 14 and what was collected in 14.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: You don't have that in front of you? Well, we have number one, motor vehicle excise for $5,682,440. Right.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: So what was collected in 14 was significantly over what was budgeted in 14, which is what attributed that a large portion of that increase in free cash was attributable to that. So we don't expect that increase in 2015? No, I think it's stable. Well, we can't tell. We really can only budget what we collected in the previous year unless we have evidence that it's going to be repeated. That was kind of. And what was the figure again that it went over budget? I think it was more than half, like $600,000 maybe. I'd have to go back and get that last year's recap.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: If I may put a motion through the chair, could we get figures by next week on how much was put into free cash in 2012, 2013, and how much has been put into free cash so far in 2000? Oh, I guess you wouldn't do that until the end of 2000. You don't do that until the end of the year.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: So just the last certification of free cash was as of June 30, 2014. So it would have been the results of operations.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So can you give me the last three, 2011, 2012, 2013, June figures for what was put into free cash? Can we get a copy of that?
[Unidentified]: Sure.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Do you have that, Mr. Clerk? And so the last year, the majority, I guess, came from motor vehicle excise. A large portion of it, yeah. And where did the additional? Do you have any idea?
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: There was only a couple of hundred thousand dollars in unspent budgets. to the best of my recollection, that's right. The rest of it was all, the rest of it was, you know, minor items and other line items of local receipts, but those were the two major items.
[Robert Penta]: It doesn't make me too much, because the excise revenue.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I'm good for questions right now. Thank you.
[Adam Knight]: I have nothing to add, Councilor. The microphone was on, but.
[Paul Camuso]: Councilor Penta.
[Robert Penta]: Maybe I missed it. Can we go back to number 10? Where's Anne? Number 10. under fees, it went from 398 to 609? Right.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: Because something in the previous year, one of the items was posted in the wrong year, it was posted, it was like, sometimes they send in one check, and it's for two payments, and it went into the previous year. So the 609 is what we would normally get every year. We get about 400,000 from Comcast, and about 200,000 from Verizon.
[Robert Penta]: So let me get that straight. If in fiscal 2014, you had 398. Right.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: Because something from Comcast got paid early. They paid us with one check right at the end of the year, and it got posted into the prior year.
[Robert Penta]: So then that got posted, what, in 2013? Yeah. On the same train of thought, can we get, for the years 11, 12, and 13, Comcast what they paid and what Verizon paid. Do you have that, Eddie? 11, 12, and 13 fiscal years.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: They tend to pay them right smack at the end of the year, so sometimes they get into the line, yeah.
[Robert Penta]: Now, it looks like, and this is like, these numbers are really tight. When you talk about Medicaid reimbursement, you're talking about less than $60,000? You go from 446, 628 to 447.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: That's just rounding. We're assuming the same number. We have no reason to suspect that it's going to be any higher. We work with Shore Collaborative. And Shore Collaborative generally gives us an estimate if they think there's something, if the federal government has changed their formula, or if they think we're going to get more money for some reason. Generally, it's because the federal government changed their formula, or something's timing has changed. But we've had no information from Shore to indicate that. anything extraordinary is gonna come in at 15, over and above what came in at 14.
[Robert Penta]: And also under 23, which is miscellaneous. What number? Number 23.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: Yeah, that was FEMA. That was FEMA money that came in at 14 that won't come in at 15.
[Robert Penta]: So all our prior debt for last year's snowstorms and everything have been paid?
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: That's right, yeah.
[Robert Penta]: Okay. Can we just go back? Go back to that number 10, where you have Comcast and Verizon, and you have fees. We're going to get them for 11, 12, and 13. And can you also give us the amount of money that was paid by the city of Medford to Channel 3 during those years, too? Because I believe they have all the checks.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: What was paid to them?
[Robert Penta]: Yeah, to the Medford Community Cable Access.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: Well, we've been holding all those checks.
[Robert Penta]: No, no, you're holding it, I believe, December of 2012. So all of 11 and mostly all of 12, you wrote checks, the city wrote checks.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: So you want to know what we paid to them during fiscal 11?
[Robert Penta]: 11 and 12. Fiscal 11 and 12, okay. And then it stopped.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: I think, didn't we go over this one time before?
[Robert Penta]: No, we never got that. No, you gave us how much is sitting in the account, but I want to know what was paid.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: Okay.
[Robert Penta]: In other words, during the month of 2011,
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: Fiscal 2011, fiscal 12, how much was given to TV3, or whatever they were called at that time.
[Robert Penta]: All right. You have that, Eddie? Yeah, we got it.
[Paul Camuso]: Any other councilors? Any questions?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Camuso. The new growth, the 999,941, What was the dollar amount on that new development, the Lumiere apartments? I mean, that had to be a large chunk of that?
[L7QFU4RDE4Q_SPEAKER_01]: Well, for you, Mr. President, the property is under construction. So we pick up a part of the value this year. We get to pick up most of it for next year. I know they were occupied as of, I guess, August 2014. So that would be in the apartment growth. That would be the fourth, one, two, three, fourth line down on the second page. That's part of that.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: What page are you on?
[L7QFU4RDE4Q_SPEAKER_01]: New growth form. Page eight.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Eight.
[L7QFU4RDE4Q_SPEAKER_01]: The back page of it.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So that would be... Which section would that be, Ed?
[L7QFU4RDE4Q_SPEAKER_01]: That would be captured under multi-families. That would be the last column.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: New growth valuation?
[L7QFU4RDE4Q_SPEAKER_01]: Yeah. It's part of that $7 million. Oh, gotcha. We'll capture most of that next year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And will we capture the new development at Station Landing Hotel? Will that be next year?
[L7QFU4RDE4Q_SPEAKER_01]: That's the front parcel, that's for the hotel, yeah, we will. There's nothing done yet on that, just a change in the... No, I think it was actually commercial land before, so no, nothing yet. Not until they put the shovel in the ground. So it'll be next year.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Next year, yeah. Are there any other large developments?
[L7QFU4RDE4Q_SPEAKER_01]: Yep, there's Middlesex Avenue, the apartment complex behind Wendy's, they're in the ground on that one. Is Rivers Edge going to put another apartment building on the front parcel there? Is it two now? Is it two? Okay. So there's a lot of activity in the apartment sector of real estate, not just in Medford, but all over. Rents have gone up, especially in those higher end apartment complexes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you.
[Robert Penta]: Also on Locust Street, Lumineer, they should be coming on board too.
[L7QFU4RDE4Q_SPEAKER_01]: That's the one we were just talking about, yeah. Locust and Middlesex, 3780 Mystic Valley Parkway.
[Robert Penta]: Right. Yeah. So you get Lumineer, and then you're going to have the one at opposite station, standing where Mellon Bank is, and then you're going to have one further down in front of where the medical building is, and then, where's the fourth one? River's Edge, Middlesex Ave. No, that's what I'm talking about. River's Edge will have River's edge. We'll have one. And then on the front in front of where Mellon bank is on the baseball field, there's another 230 units going to be in the back at one cab at road, right? So you can have two 30, three 30, four, you can have almost 550 more new units. More than that.
[L7QFU4RDE4Q_SPEAKER_01]: When they come online, right. And higher end rents as well. Right. So there seems to be an incentive to build in Medford proximity location amenities.
[Robert Penta]: We'll see how long that lasts once the casino goes in, and what that does to the traffic, and to the Wellington area. Mr. President, I'd just like to get back and, are we gonna stay on that page, or are we going on another? Okay. We'll all wait until we get to the very end. There might be other issues, I don't know.
[Paul Camuso]: Any other questions, motions? Councilor Dello Russo.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Motion to approve Mr. President.
[Paul Camuso]: This is a four part process. Name and address for the record on the motion of approval by Councilor Dello Russo. If you could step aside and let the gentleman up here please.
[Sorrell]: Thank you. Uh, my name is John Sorrello. I reside at 20 Metcalfe Street, Medford and uh, I want to say that the way this is presented here, this is an open hearing. And the people have to have input. And this should be thoroughly debated. Now, what happens here is that this paper put forth by the administration says, historically, the council has chosen a minimum residential factor. If this is, once again, the council choice, the minimum residential factor is almost 90%. The administration shouldn't be telling you how to vote on this. I mean, I think you should debate this and then decide. There are a whole range of factors here, beginning with the single factor, which is approximately 13 percent. I mean, yes, it's 13 percent. With the new factor put in, the rate will rise. Now, the point I want to make is there is a difference between a rate and a levy. I mean, the rate may be lower, but the levy is higher. And you should not confuse those two. Now, I want to ask the auditor, if we had had, over the last 28 years, if we had had a single factor, would the tax levy itself be higher or lower than it is now? I wish one of them would answer that question.
[L9vF4yM-fUc_SPEAKER_20]: As we've discussed in the past, the way the formula is constructed, when you do the residential factor shift, to shift the burden of the taxes from the residential payers to the commercial payers, it does result in a higher levy. However, it results in a lower tax bill for the residential owners as opposed to the commercial tax bill. And we went back last year, or the year before, we went back six years and determined that if we had had a single rate every year for those six years, at the end of that six year period, even though the levy was higher, in other words, the amount of taxes brought into the city from all sources, the levy is higher, the residents, not the single family, but the residents, as opposed to the commercial, the residential class, still would pay less. And he's trying to say, if we went back to 1988 and did it every year from 1988, would it still be lower? I haven't done that exercise, but I would be willing to bet that because we do a full 175% shift from the residential class to the commercial class, I don't believe that the residential taxpayer would ever recoup what they've saved over the years by having their residential shift. And that is what this council has approved every year, since 1988, they've approved it every year, because that's true. And we didn't go back to do it until 1988, but we went back six years, and it proved out true then. And even in some of the years when the values were down, we were doing a 200% shift. We did a 200% shift. So I don't believe that the residential taxpayer would ever have recouped the savings that were granted through this shift in all those years.
[Sorrell]: I'd like to respond to that. The tax levy last year was $93 million. Now, this year it's going to be $96.5 million. There's an increase there of $3.5 million. On the other hand, if we had had the single tax rate from the beginning, well, we'd be paying $6 million less. The tax levy now would be $89 million. What happens is really that the people pay the tax levy. I mean, that's what they are actually paying. So what would happen really is that the payments would be less. I mean, taxes would still go up. Don't misunderstand. But they would go up much less if we had a single rate. Now, Oregon has a single rate. Belmont has a single rate. They love it. And they're prosperous.
[Paul Camuso]: Name and address for the record.
[Joe Viglione]: Good evening. Joseph Villione, 59 Garfield Ave., Medford, Mass., and I want to thank Dr. Stirella. There should be debate about a city budget. It shouldn't just come in here, go through the other, and then be rubber-stamped. Especially, I'm concerned about the $600,000 from the franchise fee. Now, the listening, viewing public needs to know In most cities and towns, the entire peg money, all 5%, goes to public access television, governmental television in high school. Where's the high school money? 200 grand goes to TV3, the old TV3. 200 grand's supposed to go to the government channel, but it's used for three salaries at the high school. And then the 600 grand goes into a general fund, which the mayor does this, no one discusses it, And his own community access TV committee said, we need 500 grand to start a new station. Yet, if he's taken 600K, and we've lost access, that 600K this year should go to building a new station. This is a second tier tax. I think that's the term they use. Let's just call it a second tax on the cable TV subscribers, who already pay the real estate tax. Now they're getting to pay another tax. This is another tax, and it's wrong. It's unfair. And this council really needs to do something about it, because year after year after year, the mayor just takes that money, throws it in the general fund, and no one knows where it's coming from. Well, that's where it's coming from, your cable TV bill.
[Paul Camuso]: On the motion of Councilor Dello Russo. May I? Oh, sure. Name and address for the record, sir.
[Andrew Castagnetti]: Andrew Castagnetti, 23 Cushing Street, Medford, Mass. Excuse my hat, I'm a bit out of the weather. I'll make this very brief, even though I forgot my glasses. Thank you, Councilor Dela Ruzzo. First off, season greetings, and if I may, I wish you all a peaceful Christmas. We feel like this is deja vu all over again, will you please give the local owner-occupied homeowner at least a 20% real estate tax exemption, only if they live in their house, which can be verified by their income tax filing address. As you know, this real real estate tax savings is being done in Malden, Everett, Somerville, and it's at 35 percent in Somerville. Why not us? At least give us the 20 percent, which is automatic from the state of Massachusetts, if we adopt it. Especially when 12 of 13, over 90% of Medford homeowners would receive a lower real estate tax bill than last year's, versus historically a two to 4% yearly increase in real estate tax bill dollars. I, we the people, are not politicians at this time, however, You, our elected city councilors, do have the power tonight to vote for a 20% real estate tax exemption and vote to send this request to Mayor McGlynn because I believe only he, the mayor, has the authority slash option to select and adopt this real estate tax exemption. along with U.S. City Council approval. Under Commonwealth of Massachusetts, General Laws, Chapter 59, Section 5C. We the people, the working class hero, needs real estate tax relief. Please vote yes, help save our middle class neighbors, before it's too late. Thank you kindly for listening and hopefully getting this done for its 10 years overdue. Thanks again.
[Sorrell]: Thank you, Mr. President. I want to make one more very, very important point. What would you think if I asked this city council to assess the residents of Medford, a $24 tax rate. It's now $12, right? But when you go for the minimum factor, what you're doing really is putting that $24 tax rate that you think that you're assigning to the CIPs, the commercial, industrial, and personal property taxes, you're putting that on the budget. And who pays 80% of the budget but the residents? Now, here you are. charging the residents $24 per 1,000 on that particular category, which is new growth. I think the people ought to know that. They are paying a $24 tax rate with this minimum factor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Camuso. Considering that Councilor Marks isn't present tonight, this is one of the two most important issues this council votes on. Not only that, but we have a whole host of information, so another week would not hurt. I also want to get the figures on the free cash for 2011, what was put into free cash, 2011, 2012, 2013, because I will have a motion to reduce the levy by that figure, or an average of that figure. I move to table this matter until next week.
[Paul Camuso]: Motion for table has been request, which ends all debate. Would you withdraw it so we can at least read the two resolutions that we're asking for so we can take an official vote on it and then move it right again? All right, it's two resolutions we're asking for. Council Lungo-Koehn, 2011, 2012, and 2013, how much certified free cash was signed off on by the Department of Revenue and certified. And by Councilor Penta, 2011, 2012, and 2013, Comcast and Verizon paid to Channel 3.
[Clerk]: They paid into the city.
[Paul Camuso]: They paid into the city. And then the other one is how much was paid to Channel 3 for fiscal years 2011 and 2012. On those two motions, one further motion.
[Robert Penta]: One further correction, I think Councilor Longo's current motion is basically for the years 11, 12, and 13, how much did that represent a surplus in those years of city's budgets? All of it. The free cash.
[Paul Camuso]: That's why it gets certified.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yeah, I want the actual documents showing how much was certified too.
[Paul Camuso]: That's what you asked for. Thank you, Councilor Penta. On the motion, these two resolutions, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed, the ayes have it. Once again, Councilor Lungo-Koehn, motion to table, which is undebatable. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed, the ayes have it. It is tabled until next week. Councilor Dello Russo. Councilor Dello Russo, your light was blinking.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Yes, we want to take, Mr. President, there's a paper from the mayor requesting a transfer of funds from one account to another, if we could address that. I believe it's item number 14776. The paper was presented to us in packet with detail.
[Paul Camuso]: Item 14-776. On the motion of Councilor Dello Russo, do you take this paper? All those in favor? All those opposed? The ayes have it. Item 14-776. To the Honorable President and members of the Medford City Council, dear Mr. President and city councilors, I respectfully request and recommend that your honorable body approve the transfers from overlay surplus to revaluation account 0101415310 totaling $200,000 as outlined in the attached memo from the city assessor and the board of assessors. These amounts will fund two year, year two of the cyclical inspection program as required by the Bureau of Local Assessment of the Department of Revenue and to defend the pending appellate tax board cases. City Assessor Ed O'Neill and the City Auditor Anne Baker are present this evening to answer any questions you may have. On the motion of Councilor Dello Russo for approval.
[Adam Knight]: All those in favor. Councilor Knight. Point of information, Mr. President. Um, last week we discussed the cyclical reevaluation process that's in place and um, Assessor O'Neill did have, get back to us and I was hoping that he'd be able to provide the general public with an update as to where we are in the revaluation cycle in terms of the DOI mandated process that needs to take place.
[L7QFU4RDE4Q_SPEAKER_01]: For you, Mr. President, that was Council Resolve 14770. The real property inspect re-inspection program is nearing the year of end one as of October 6,279 residential and 545 commercial industrial exempt exterior inspections have been completed. We are in the process of putting a letter together to mail out to the people that have not had the interior inspection. The owner can schedule this with the appraisal vendor directly. Um, This is a mandate every nine years. We are in year one of the project. Before you is a overlay reserve transfer to overlay surplus to fund year two and also to fund, I believe it was about eight or nine appellate tax board case to be able to defend those. The estimated number of outstanding inspections is about 7,160 residential and about 775 commercial industrial exempt.
[Adam Knight]: Um, Mr. O'Neill, thank you very much for getting back to the council in such a timely fashion. Um, in terms of the appellate tax book cases that are out there, pending is, uh, those cases handled internally or as outside council hired, uh, uh, the board of assessors, uh, tries to handle and negotiate those internally.
[L7QFU4RDE4Q_SPEAKER_01]: And sometimes, uh, when a push comes to shove, we need expert assistance, uh, whether it be an appraiser or an attorney. that deals with those cases on a daily basis. So it's a case-by-case? Case-by-case.
[Adam Knight]: Excellent. Thank you very much, Mr. O'Neill. I appreciate it. You're welcome.
[Paul Camuso]: On the motion of approval, Councilor Dello Russo. All those in favor?
[Adam Knight]: Aye.
[Paul Camuso]: All those opposed? The ayes have it. Roll call on this paper.
[Clerk]: Vice President Caraviello. Councilor Dello Russo. Yes. Councilor Knight. Yes. Councilor Kern.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Yes.
[Clerk]: Councilor Martz. Yes. Councilor Panda.
[Paul Camuso]: Yes, 16 affirmative, one absent. The paper passes. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Item 14-769, location of poles, attachments of fixtures, and underground conduits. You are hereby notified that by order of the city council, a public hearing will be given at the Howard F. Alder Memorial Auditorium, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, Massachusetts at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9th, 2014 on a petition of National Grid and Verizon New England for permission to locate poles and fixtures, including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, along and across the following public way. Winthrop Street, National Grid to install one J-O pole in relocating one J-O pole beginning at point approximately 275 feet southeast of the center line of the intersection of Burbank Road and Winthrop Street, National Grid to install mid-span pole 244-1, 60 feet north of pole 244. Wherefore it prays that under due notice and hearing as provided by law, it may be granted a location for and permission to erect and maintain poles and wires together, with sustaining and protecting fixtures as it may find necessary. Said poles to be erected substantially in accordance with the plan filed herewith, marked Winthrop Street, Medford, Massachusetts, number 17749481-October 2nd, 2014. Also for permission to lay and maintain underground laterals, cables, and wires in the above are interesting public ways for the purpose of making connections with such poles and buildings as each of said petitioners may desire for distributing purposes. The petitioner agrees to reserve space for one cross arm at suitable point on each of said poles for the fire police telephone and telegraph signal wires belonging to the municipality and used by it exclusively for municipal purposes. This has been approved by the Chief Engineer. No city-owned or private utilities or other structures are adversely impacted. National Grid shall ensure that all sewer, water, and drain lines are marked prior to any excavation. Concrete sidewalk panels damaged by the work must be immediately replaced or, if during the winter season, replaced the following spring. Before beginning work, the contractor shall notify DIGSAFE and shall obtain applicable permits from the Engineering Division. The contractor shall utilize city of Medford regulation and standards for restoration as well as remove all debris related to its work. This was also approved by the superintendent of wires. Call 7 8 1 3 9 3 2 4 2 5 for any accommodation slash aids signed Edward P Finn city clerk plans can be viewed in the city clerk's office 7 8 1 3 9 3 2 4 2 5. At this point, I'm going to open up the public hearing for those in favor of this proposal. in favor. Name and address for the record.
[SPEAKER_21]: I'm Mary Ellen Murphy. I work for National Grid, 170 Medford Street, Malden. And what happened here was that there was already a poll line existing that fed the American Legion. Unfortunately, it goes across the property next door which that owner has decided to divide up into three sections and build some housing there. So what we're going to do is we already have an easement that the American Legion has agreed to, not signed yet, of putting a pole on their property and then this pole that's going in between the other two is going to feed that pole on their property. So everything will be taken off the property at 333 Winthrop Street. And that's all overhead. I'm not sure why it says underground, but I guess that would include putting the pole in the ground. And we're going to put transformers on that pole. All the utilities will come off that pole that feeds the American Legion. Like I said, we already have an easement started, which is not signed yet. OK.
[Paul Camuso]: Thank you. Anyone in favor? In favor? Seeing and hearing no one else, I now close that portion of the public hearing and open it up to anyone in opposition. Anyone in opposition? Seeing and hearing none, I now close that portion of the public hearing and call upon Vice President Caraviello, Chairperson of Licensing.
[Richard Caraviello]: Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, I reviewed the papers and they appear to be in order and a motion for approval on the motion for approval.
[Paul Camuso]: Councilor Knight and then Councilor Dello Russo.
[Adam Knight]: Thank you very much, Mr. President. Um, Ms. Murphy, if I can ask a couple of questions, um, if approved, do you know when the work will start? How long after approval?
[SPEAKER_21]: Um, well, like I said, we have to get the easement first. That should be shortly, because I think we applied for that back in October. And once that's signed, we can probably start.
[Adam Knight]: Once construction starts, do you know how long this project is going to take?
[SPEAKER_21]: A day or two, I think.
[Adam Knight]: And do you anticipate this project being done in the winter months or in the spring months?
[SPEAKER_21]: Probably next, this month or next month. Is that Councilor?
[Fred Dello Russo]: I am, Mr. President. Thank you.
[Paul Camuso]: Councilor Dello Russo, then Councilor Penta.
[Fred Dello Russo]: If I could just, Mr. President, mention that I saw in some of the items under suspension that we have coming up, there was concern about a utility Uh, I think it was a resolution by Councilor Knight, uh, by one of the utilities, uh, not returning things back to their proper order. And I want to, uh, take this opportunity to remind the representative of National Grid, uh, with all due kindness, but firmly, uh, to remind them that, uh, they are obliged to return, um, uh, any, uh, of the roadways, sidewalks, and, and abutting areas to their, uh, natural pristine state after the work is done so that the traffic and pedestrians and especially those with disabilities are unimpeded after that work.
[Paul Camuso]: Thank you. Councilor Henton.
[Robert Penta]: Two points. I think this is your first time here?
[Paul Camuso]: You've been here.
[Robert Penta]: You've been here before? Second. Second, okay. This council voted well over a year ago, and then again during this past summer on Terrace Road. Two light poles came down. And when National Grid went there, whoever they hired for contractor, what they did is they filled the holes and they never put the poles back up with the lights. It's a serious public safety issue. The council's on record on two separate times in voting for that. National Grid went up there, they marked the street, but they never put the poles back.
[SPEAKER_21]: I'm sorry, where is this?
[Robert Penta]: Terrace Road.
[Paul Camuso]: On the motion of, oh, okay, I'm sorry.
[Robert Penta]: This has been brought to whoever runs the show over there in Malden numerous times, and they keep saying we're gonna get to it, and nobody's gotten to it. There are many folks that walk their children up and down the street in baby carriages and what have you, and that gets pretty dark at nighttime.
[SPEAKER_21]: Two poles.
[Robert Penta]: Two poles.
[SPEAKER_21]: I'll look into it.
[Robert Penta]: Terrace Road. And also, do you have any control over this 36% increase in the electric rate to bring back to your bosses? I wish I did. You got million dollar bonuses?
[SPEAKER_21]: I wish I did.
[Robert Penta]: It's a shame, because you know.
[SPEAKER_21]: Because I live in the national grid territory, too, and my rates are going to go up.
[Robert Penta]: It's just really unfair, you know? One year, I mean, you people are conglomerate. You've got gas and electric. So I mean, we have no control over anything. And the poor ratepayers are going to pay another 27% to 36%. And as the story goes, and as it's been advertised, all your bonuses of a million dollars plus went to your higher executives. And I don't know how they can justify that. It's just wrong.
[SPEAKER_21]: I think they're justifying it by saying that the increase in fuel costs, but I'm not sure that.
[Paul Camuso]: You're the engineer, right? Yeah. From National Grid? Right. You want to send a separate resolution to the corporate office? You could do that. On the motion of Councilor Penta to send a resolution inquiring why the rates went up. All those in favor?
[Robert Penta]: No, no, no. We know the rates went up. Why? I just think, I think if they're going to have the rates, I just think it's unfair that they would take million dollar bonuses in their contracts.
[Paul Camuso]: All right. So we'll send that. On the motion of Councilor Penta, all those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? Councilor Knight.
[Adam Knight]: Thank you very much, Mr. President. I also want to take the opportunity to thank Ms. Murphy, because last time she appeared before the Council, I raised some concerns that I had relative to a sidewalk and a street repair between Smith Ave. and Hicks Ave., which is the subject of a resolution that I'm going to be bringing up this evening under suspension. And although Ms. Murphy works, from what I can tell, in the distribution of electricity, within a week, they were out there and they had fixed the street from Hicks Ave. to Smith Ave. and repaired it into its natural and pristine condition. So, Ms. Murphy, I want to thank you for your efforts on that. because it was two days later that I drove down the street and I saw the sawhorses out there and they were ready to get to work. So thank you very much for your efforts. And I trust that if you were able to do something with the 37% increase in the electrical bill, in the two or three days from now, we'd probably see it taken care of. So thank you very much for your past work on behalf of this council.
[Paul Camuso]: On the motion of the vice president. All those in favor?
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_04]: Aye.
[Paul Camuso]: All those opposed? Aye. Ayes have it. Thank you very much. And on the motion to revert back to the regular order of business. All those in favour? All those opposed, the ayes have it. Item 14-774, offered by Councilor Knight. Be it resolved that the MBTA take the proper steps to ensure that the route 96 bus makes all scheduled stops persuadent to the established and publicized bus stop locations. Be it further resolved that the MBTA give specific attention to the stop located at Medford Square and City Hall parking lot. As recent reports allege that the weekdays 6 a.m. and Saturday 6 a.m. bus frequently bypass this established and publicized location. Councilor Knight.
[Adam Knight]: Thank you very much, Mr. President. I was recently contacted by a number of members of the laborers union who are working on a project in Harvard square and they reside in Medford and they walk down to Medford square city hall and they get on the bus to take that bus to Harvard square. because parking is such a hassle over there. And it's been brought to my attention that usually on Thursdays and Saturdays, the 6 a.m. bus fails to make a stop at the City Hall stop, Mr. President, resulting in these individuals being late for work or having to take taxis to work. I think the reason that this happens is because of the way the route's structured. It has to go past, you know, the old Tony Lucci's, take a left down river, come back past City Hall Plaza, and then do the loop again. So maybe in the interest of time, some of these drivers are bypassing a certain stop that may or may not be busy all the time. However, it's had an impact on these hardworking individuals. So I'd like a letter to be sent out to the MVTA to be sure that their drivers are made aware of the fact that that is a stop and that that's a stop that means a lot to the residents here in the city of Medford. It's a publicized stop. It's on their schedule. It's on their route. So it's a stop that they should be making.
[Richard Caraviello]: Thank you. When I sit down, I wanted to add something to that.
[Adam Knight]: Absolutely.
[Paul Camuso]: The chair recognizes Vice President Cara Villalo.
[Richard Caraviello]: Thank you, Mr. President. While we're talking about that same route, on Riverside Avenue, right in front of the doctor's office with the benches, I don't know if any of you have driven by there, but the street has kind of been raised up by all the buses that go by there on Salem Street. I don't know if that's our responsibility to fix that, but the T's, As I say, if you drive by there, right at the stop, you'll see a huge lift in the road from the buses that always stop right directly across from River Street. And to the DPW? I don't know who's responsible for fixing that, but it's directly right at the bus stop in front of the little power plant and right there.
[Paul Camuso]: So on the motion to send that to the MBTA, all those in favor?
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: because you said Salem Street and Riverside Ave.
[Richard Caraviello]: That's right, right on Salem Street, right where the power station is, there's the bench there on the station. Oh, so on Salem Street. It's actually on Salem Street. Okay. Directly across from River Street.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Directly across, okay.
[Richard Caraviello]: Right there, you see there's a huge, it's probably up in the air, probably about seven or eight inches from all the buses pulling in there.
[Paul Camuso]: Okay On the motion of on the motion of Councilor Knight and amended by vice president care of yellow all those in favor Guys have it Item 14-775, petition for a reversal of a sign denial by Bowler Engineering for Wendy's, 330 Middlesex Avenue, Medford Mass, OCD application 2014A, excessive number of primary signs. In 2014B, excessive number of primary signs. 2014C, excessive number of primary signs.
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_04]: Name and address for the record. Um, thank you, uh, Mr. President. Uh, my name's Anthony Donato with Bowler engineering and, um, so we'd like to present this appeal, um, to this, to the Councilors. Uh, we have this proposed restaurant. In the audience with us tonight, we have Mr. Chad Adams, who works for Wendy's. I'd just like to present to you the proposed renderings of the new restaurant. And it depicts the signs on three sides, which is similar to other fast food establishments in the area. It's located in the industrial area. And currently, the building is set back about 30 feet further than adjacent buildings on either side of the property. And there is a six foot chain link fence on the property. So to maintain competitiveness with other fast food restaurants in the area, we are proposing to present this, uh, these, um, this signage on this proposed building. I don't have any questions with regards to the renderings.
[Paul Camuso]: Chair recognizes Councilor Dello Russo who has the papers.
[Fred Dello Russo]: If I could, Mr. President, this falls under the Business and Economics Development and Signs Committee, chaired by Councilor Marks, who's absent this evening for a personal emergency. If you could just explain, the restaurant's undergoing a renovation, and this sign brings it up to the franchise standard or the corporate standard of advertisement.
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_25]: Yeah, if I might, my name's Chad Adams. I'm the regional construction manager for Wendy's. The address is 40 General Warren Boulevard, Suite 260, Melbourne, Pennsylvania. Wendy's is currently undergoing a major rebranding of its image to bring it up to the market. more in line with contemporary standards and what the public is looking for in terms of not only interior modifications, Wi-Fi, more digital type of menus and formatting on the inside, but also on the outside to kind of give it a new look. You're moving into the new millennium and to get it away from the old-fashioned hamburgers to the you know, with the current product offering, which is more than just hamburgers, it's salads, it's chicken, it's a wide variety of different products. So we're kind of dropping the hamburger aspect off of our main tagline and just coming up with just Wendy's. So this is what the, this is what the image is that we're moving actively across the country. And the signage, re-signage is, is part of that, where you have the old Wendy's sign that's more of a, really like an 1890s type font that you might see in old time days, stuff to a more contemporary script, still maintaining the company logo image of the Wendy's.
[Fred Dello Russo]: A little Wendy.
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_25]: A little Wendy. But it is, and the way we're trying to set it up, it's not necessarily more is better, but strategically placing the signage where it gets the biggest bang for the buck. The average sign is, I think it's 32 square feet. including the cameo, and we've placed it strategically on the front blade element, which is this element here. We have another accent element in the drive-thru window, or the other side of the building. And then on the non-drive-thru side, or the main vestibule, we have just the accent that kind of delineates, helps delineate the entry point into the building on the non-drive-thru side. And that's the basic signage elements. Now, there are some other non-illuminated signs that we're requesting as well. They're more, I would call them, classify them more as like artwork, in that they don't say Wendy's, they don't convey the product. They're basically trying to convey Quality so quality is our Difficulty service that doesn't have corners is our recipe. And basically, the only people that can see that are people that are in the drive-thru lane, because it's protected by the two outcrops there. And the last sign is just basically one that says, thank you, then we hang off there. It's two square feet, mainly just informational, and really serves no purpose other than that. Part of the package that people are, you know, pick up your order, you see the thank you, and you get a thank you from the service rep at the window.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Thank you very much. Mr. President, because of the location of this restaurant and that it's not In a dense residential area, it's a standalone store that's removed, drawn back from the main avenue there quite a bit. I see no problem with allowing these requests, so I move approval.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: On the motion of approval, Councilor Lungo-Koehn. Thank you, President Camuso. It looks like there's 10 specific requests, and that does include your exit and enter signs. Can you just describe to us or explain which the illumination portion of signs that possibly will be illuminated?
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_25]: Yeah. With respect to the exit and entry said directional signs and the main, you know, pylon sign, the only changes we're doing is the faces. So the script matches the building. Those will be illuminated internally. The Wendy's signs, the Wendy's, Those will be internally illuminated as well. And that's it. The other signs, the sign that's in the little cubby here, and the thank you sign, and then this quality of the recipe sign that's over the entry, those are not illuminated.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So you have about, so six out of 10 are illuminated?
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_25]: Yes.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: And what hours do you plan on illuminating them?
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_25]: Right now, we would illuminate them during the hours of operation. And right now, I believe we have permission to operate till 1 o'clock in the morning.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: By ordinance, does the illumination have to cease at 11 or 10?
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_25]: I think it ceases at 1 hour after it closes. That's what I said. I think the signs go off when you close, but the light lot can remain illuminated for one hour for safety purposes, allow the workers to get to their cars.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: So right now the current signs are illuminated until one o'clock?
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_25]: That's correct.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, and you've got no complaints about that from residents?
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_25]: Not that I'm aware of.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Okay, and we were told tonight there was a development going behind Wendy's, which is gonna be apartments. Will any of these signs be facing the exterior of your building?
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_25]: None of them will be facing the rear of the building, which is where that development's going to take place. OK.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think, yeah, that's it. That's it, Councilor? Thank you.
[Robert Penta]: Just one quick question. Councilor Penta. Councilor, Alango brings up a good point. Even though you're open, would you say to 1 o'clock?
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_25]: That's correct.
[Robert Penta]: We have a situation on the parkway at Stations Landing, and because Kelly's Roast Beef is opposite the residential homes over there, she's right, they have to shut their sign down at 11 o'clock. That's their big sign, not the sign that's on the building. So I'm assuming that Wendy sign right there on the red brick facade, that's your biggest sign? No, on the facade, the red.
[Paul Camuso]: Point of information, Councilor Dello Russo. Are the present signs illuminated?
[SPEAKER_05]: Yes.
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_25]: Thank you.
[Robert Penta]: As long as those signs aren't facing the residential homes, correct?
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_25]: No, they're not. Okay. Which residential homes? Apartments.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you just one more question about your pylon sign that's That is gonna be changed by hand. That's not gonna be a rotating sign.
[pkk5OxKuY6w_SPEAKER_25]: Yeah, that's my hand. Okay? Unless you want to see a digital one.
[Paul Camuso]: Nope second the approval The way it is on the motion of the council of Dela Rousseau seconded by council Lungo-Koehn all those in favor All those opposed the ayes have it On the motion of Vice President Caraviello to take the papers in the hands of the clerk under suspension. All those in favor? All those opposed? Offered by Councilor Knight. Be it resolved the Office of Disability looked into the National Grid sidewalk repairs between Smith Ave and Hicks Ave to ensure ADA compliance. Be it further resolved the findings of the Office of Disability to the council and the school department. Councilor Knight. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
[Adam Knight]: As I alluded to earlier in the meeting, National Grid is doing some gas line repairs along the stretch of Main Street between Smith Ave and Hicks Ave. And over the last couple of days, they've ripped up several sidewalk slabs. However, they've ripped up sidewalk slabs on either side of the street from Smith down to Hicks. which would make it very difficult for a person in a wheelchair, a person with a cane, to walk down the street, Mr. President. Also, whereas Hicks Ave is the entrance to the Columbus School, I feel as though this may pose a risk to the students that are looking to walk to school, Mr. President. So I'm asking that our office of disability take a look and make sure that the project specifications meet ADA compliance for an accessible pathway for individuals. who might have to traverse that road, Mr. President. I'd also ask that her findings be reported to the school department to ensure that Mr. Belson's well aware of this safety situation down there. I would leave it to the Office of Disability to determine whether or not they feel as though a police detail is going to be needed down there during the construction project. At this point in time, I don't have any inkling of understanding as to how long this project's gonna take. I do know that I personally saw at least 12 sidewalk slabs on either side of the street torn up, so I don't think this is a one-day project. And based upon the weather that we're going to receive and have been receiving, I don't think this is going to be something that's going to be done in a fashion that's going to be suitable for a longterm solution. If in fact they do get out there to plug these holes. Um, so I'm asking that, um, miss McLeod and our office of disability take a look and, uh, make sure that, you know, the, the contractor out there is in compliance with the federal law on the motion.
[Paul Camuso]: Uh, have the office of disability report back to the council and the school department. All those in favor, all those opposed, the ayes have it. offered by Councilor Knight. Be it resolved that the Medford City Council congratulate Medford High School standout girls soccer player, Corey O'Rourke, on being named Boston Herald All-Scholastic and GBL MVP. Be it further resolved, Corey O'Rourke be invited to appear before the Medford City Council to accept council commendation. On the motion of approval, Councilor Knight.
[Adam Knight]: Thank you very much, Mr. President. I think that, uh, this fine scholar athletes accolades speak for themselves. Uh, she was the MVP of the greater Boston league this year. She led her team to the GBL championship title for the girls soccer team here at Medford high school. And she was also, um, asking Boston Herald Oskalastic, which is one of the highest accolades that, uh, a high school athlete can achieve. I think that she joins the ranks of some other great Medford athletes like Sean Bates, Jake Perrazzo, and Brittany Lanzilli to be named Boston Herald All Scholastic. So I think it would be fitting to invite her down here to receive a council accommodation and to offer her our congratulations on her great effort and great representation of the student athletes in Medford High School.
[Paul Camuso]: Absolutely. On the motion of Councilor Knight, all those in favor? All those opposed, the ayes have it. Offered by Councilor Knight and Councilor Camuso. Be it resolved that the Medford City Council congratulate the GBL Championship Team, Medford High School Girls Volleyball Team on their successful season. Be it further resolved the team be invited to appear before the Medford City Council to accept council commendation. Councilor Knight.
[Adam Knight]: Thank you very much, Mr. President. This falls in line with what we did over the spring when we had the rowing team up here who was GBL champions for both the boys and the girls teams. I think that it's nice to see our scholar athletes being so successful on the field and in the classroom, and I think it's only fitting that we bring them down here and recognize their achievement.
[Paul Camuso]: On the motion of approval, all those in favor? All those opposed? The ayes have it. Offered by Councilor Knight and Councilor Camuso, be it resolved that the Medford City Council congratulate the GBL Champion MHS Girls Soccer Team on their successful season. Be it further resolved, the team be invited to appear before the Medford City Council to accept City Council commendations. Councilor Knight.
[Adam Knight]: Again, Mr. President, as I just stated before, I think it's great to see such success on the field and also in the classroom. These student athletes are a great representation of the city of Medford and our public school system. and I think that it would be fitting to bring them down here and recognize their achievement.
[Paul Camuso]: On the motion of approval, all those in favor, those opposed, the ayes have it. Item 14 dash seven, seven, seven offered by Councilor Knight. Be it resolved that an audit be performed on all taxi cab companies licensed to operate in the city of Medford to verify and ensure compliance with the ordinances of the city of Medford that govern such operation. Councilor Knight.
[Adam Knight]: Mr. President, uh, In recent months past, we've had a licensing committee meeting to discuss the rates for taxicabs. We've had a number of license requests come by before this council. I think that it's important, Mr. President, that if in fact we are going to be issuing these licenses, that we make sure that these operators are in compliance with our rules and regulations. There's been a lot of discussion about the implementation of a taxicab ordinance, Mr. President. But at this point in time, I'm going to withdraw this matter. I'd like Councilor Marks to be here because he's expressed a number of issues of concern that he has. So I'd like to withdraw the matter, and I'll refile it at a later date.
[Paul Camuso]: On the motion to withdraw, all those in favor? All those opposed? The ayes have it. Item 14-778, offered by Councilor Penta. Be it resolved that the mayor's new parking slash revenue meter slash kiosk program be discussed. Councilor Penta.
[Robert Penta]: Mr. President, as an update to the proposed parking by Republic, which now appears like it's not going to take place until January of this forthcoming year, There was something, and I have already responded to the chamber on this, there was something that was put out by the chamber basically talking about business parking implementation meetings. And they sent a memo out to their members, and it basically is saying that the chamber at 1 Shipyard Way in room 302 will hold four meetings, one for Hain Square, which is tomorrow night, one for the Medford Hillside in South Medford, which will be on Thursday, the 11th, and then next Wednesday, West Medford on the 17th, and then on the 18th, Medford Square. And then it says, next week, and this was issued out this past Friday, a representative from Republic Parking will be visiting the business areas to distribute flyers regarding the meetings. Please be sure to email or call the chamber to reserve a seat. Seating will be limited to 25 people, per meeting. Well, first of all, the Chamber of Commerce has nothing to do with Republic. This is a city of Medford undertaking, and this was the mayor's contract with Republic. If the Chamber of Commerce now be the linchpin, so to speak, between the city and Republic, I just don't think that's right. That's number one. Number two, to walk around and pass out a flyer
[Richard Caraviello]: Point of information, Vice President Caraviello. This was requested by Republic through the Chamber of Commerce to do this, not the Chamber of Commerce asking Republicans. The other way around, Republic has been trying to get out in front of this, and they're asking to do it through the Chamber of Commerce, not the opposite way around. Good idea.
[Robert Penta]: Well, as a point of further information, and I think you're aware of it, not everybody in the chamber was for this and agreed to this. So let's be honest about it. This is a City of Medford undertaking, not a Chamber of Commerce undertaking, number one. Number two, it's not an $18 million revenue enhancement for the City of Medford. The overall contract between expenditures and final payment to the city would be approximately $9 million at the end of the 10-year of the contract, not $18 million that everyone's touting and making people think that's what the city's going to get. But more importantly, if they were going to have these meetings and to identify the locations, number one, why would you squirrel 25 people into a room? just in case you've got an overflow of people, that's number one. Number two, why would you be having it at 5.30 at night when a lot of the business merchants, because I spoke to them, would rather have it early in the morning because at late at night they just can't pick up and leave, and the dock of night closes their shops down if they're single proprietors. Number two, and number three, and more importantly, and most importantly, if they're taking the time to walk to each one of these squares and pass out flyers, they could have had enough time to find a location in each one of these four squares to accommodate them in their own particular district, so they'd be able to understand firsthand what they're talking about. I just don't think it's right, Mr. President and members of the council. The chamber, they do a lot of wonderful things, but this is not their ballgame. This is the city of Medford's ballgame. This is the mayor's ballgame. It's his package with Republic. They should have figured this out. The chamber now would be the middleman. Cutting down whatever interferences for the mayor, I think it's wrong. And if this is Republic's way of doing it, they're going on the wrong foot. And more importantly, it would have been nice if the seven councils, if at least I, I'll speak for myself, got an invitation from Republic if we would like to participate, if you would like to be there, you have any questions or concerns. Once again, the council's just excluded.
[Paul Camuso]: Point of information, Councilor Knight.
[Adam Knight]: I received correspondence from the Chamber of Commerce inviting me to come, gave me a list of all the dates that it was coming, that it was going to be held and locations and times, emailed right to my inbox.
[SPEAKER_05]: I did the same, thank you.
[Robert Penta]: The Chamber of Commerce is not Republic. The Chamber of Commerce is not the City of Medford and they don't profess to be the City of Medford or profess to represent the City of Medford. The Chamber of Commerce is nothing more than a liaison that Republic is using for the purpose of selling their particular program. It's not their program. It's the City of Medford's program. It's the taxpayers program, and they're the ones that are gonna have to take the brunt of what all this is all about. It should be coming right here out of this city hall, out of this man, this is his program, and it should have been identified in all four sections of the city. Not in the Chamber of Commerce, and not to squirrel 25 people into a room, just in case more than 25 decided to come. What are they gonna do, tell them that they can't come?
[Richard Caraviello]: Point of information, Vice President. If there are more than 25 people attending one, they will plan to schedule another meeting to accommodate everyone.
[Robert Penta]: Well, there in itself is the crux of the matter, Councilor Caraviello. If more than 25 come, why would you even wait to have more than 25 come? Why wouldn't you have found a spot ahead of time that can accommodate up to 100, every one of the four locations?
[Richard Caraviello]: Again, this is the republic asking the chamber to
[Robert Penta]: Well, then the chamber, if they had any brains, they'd have been able to figure this out. And you're a member of the chamber. I'm a member of the chamber. You serve on the board. You've got a voice. You can speak up.
[Richard Caraviello]: I'm only one vote on that board. Well, you can speak up about it. I'm only one vote on that board. Well, maybe you should speak up a little louder. I speak up on multiple boards.
[Robert Penta]: Councilor De La Rosa, you're a member of the board. I just think...
[Fred Dello Russo]: should be placed under some sort of cross-examination by the consular. And I'm dreadfully sorry that the world doesn't revolve to his liking.
[Robert Penta]: Thank you. You don't have to be dreadfully sorry. You should just stand up and speak up and take a position and that's all. And the position is very clear. If you're a member of the chamber and you know that there are four sections of the city that are going to be affected, why would you want to put 25 people into a room and you had more than 25? We'll have to set the time for another time. Why would you just find the location and the area that they're going to be? Point of information.
[Adam Knight]: I believe, I believe consulate Dello Russo voted in favor of a resolution asking Republic to come to each individual business district here in the city to present an information session with the business owners and the residents thereof. He voted in support of this resolution. The resolution was brought forward maybe seven weeks ago and it passed six to one. Um, so I think that when you say have a voice, consulate Dello Russo did have a voice. He used his voice here as a councilor to speak about his position on that. What's going on in the Chamber of Commerce and this private organization and the private decisions that they make really has no effect on what we do here as a council.
[Robert Penta]: I disagree with you, Councilor.
[Paul Camuso]: This is over and above. It's a private entity.
[Robert Penta]: It might be a private entity, but it is not over and above. This is not the Chamber's issue. This is the City of Medford. This is the Mayor's position. This is the contract.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Maybe the Chamber members... So is this about the Chamber or about your feelings towards the Mayor?
[Robert Penta]: No, it's neither of that. It's the idea that this is a City of Medford contract, is it not? Is it not a City of Medford contract, Councilor Dello Russo?
[Fred Dello Russo]: It's a City of Medford contract, but Republic.
[Robert Penta]: I'm sorry things don't go the way you'd like them. Well, I'm sorry things don't go your way all the time as well, okay? And maybe if you were more active, you'd have an understanding, and if you walk the streets, and you listen to the people... Councilor, enough of the cheap shots.
[Paul Camuso]: That's a cheap shot saying... All of this.
[Robert Penta]: It is. It's in your mind. All right. Well, no, that's in your mind. It isn't in my mind. I've walked the streets and I talked to these business people and they would like to have had it in a particular area. Listen, who's taking the cheap shot? You and me right now.
[Paul Camuso]: No, some of them, some of them specifically said that they're happy about these meetings and they're glad.
[Robert Penta]: Yeah.
[Paul Camuso]: And there's some of them that don't. All right.
[Robert Penta]: And it goes both ways. Well, it's a private entity that's inviting them, not the city. Well, it's a private entity that's writing them. But unfortunately the private entity is doing business with the city as part of a public contract and public dollars are involved and it's just my, it's just my, Hey, listen. It's my opportunity, it's my personal opinion, and that's what I'm saying. I'm making my opinion, and Councilor De La Rosa doesn't like it. I'm not going to apologize for him not liking it. He doesn't like half the things I do, and I don't like half the things he does. So what difference does it make? That's our right, that's our freedom of speech. That's our way of saying what we want to say on a subject matter that means something, and this means something to me, because I hear the people talking. And now what are we going to do, Mr. President? When it snows out, we haven't even figured out who is going to plow the sidewalks where these meters are. Is it going to be the city's responsibility? Is it going to be republics? And what happens when a senior citizen or a handicapped person can't get to the meeting? These are issues that need to be discussed and be brought out publicly to have a discussion on. Still not to have it. And they still haven't been able to identify the 932 parking spaces. That's still up in the air. So what did we accomplish? And what has been accomplished by having republic come in when these haven't even been finalized?
[Paul Camuso]: This is, like Councilor Dello Russo said, and Vice President Caraviello, this is a meeting of a private entity known as the Chamber of Commerce, who is doing outreach for their members, and I applaud them. So, do you have a motion, Councilor?
[Robert Penta]: I just want to let the people know that this particular meeting, these particular meetings, I feel, should have been in the four particular areas rather than in the chamber's office. They could have still been the sponsor, but they could have had places where more than 25 people could have come. And if they had it early in the morning rather than later at night, that's what the calls were that I got from people. If they were going to go, they would have prefaced being there. I would encourage you to put them all together in a room.
[Richard Caraviello]: Most people that were asked by the chamber for the evening meeting versus the day meeting. Well, maybe that's the people you spoke to as compared to the people I spoke to.
[Robert Penta]: And we had this conversation Sunday.
[Richard Caraviello]: Through the chamber, most people had preferred the evening meeting after work hours.
[Robert Penta]: When you say through the chamber, you're talking about the chamber, I'm talking about the business people. There's a lot of business people, Rick, that aren't chamber members.
[Richard Caraviello]: Through the people that were contacted, they preferred the later hour when it was more convenient for them, because most of them open at eight o'clock in the morning, and they'd rather be there in the morning.
[Robert Penta]: Well, they can't be there at 530 at night either, so what do they do?
[Richard Caraviello]: Most of them are closed by that time.
[Robert Penta]: Well, I'm going to disagree with you. Mr. President.
[Richard Caraviello]: Again, listen, again, this is, this is Republic asking the chamber to help them out and help facilitate this to the business areas. This is not the chamber doing it on their own. This is, it's part of the work that the chamber does. This is outreach.
[Paul Camuso]: And I know there's a lot of businesses out there that are not members of the chamber that were also invited. So this isn't chamber only specific. Councilor Knight.
[Adam Knight]: Um, it seems like Republic's willing to do some outreach work, huh? If they're willing to come and meet.
[Richard Caraviello]: The Republicans, they're trying to do some type of, I've seen some of the things that the Republicans are looking to do with the businesses, with people that do get tickets. They're trying to work with the businesses on their website to do different things with people who do get tickets. And one more last thing, handicapped people don't pay the meters. They don't have to worry about putting money in by law.
[Adam Knight]: I mean, Mr. President, it's clear, I think, that republic's willing to do some outreach work. We've seen them at community day. We've seen them at a number of events that have gone on that the city sponsored. Now we're seeing them take the efforts to go and meet with the chamber of commerce, not on one night, not on two nights, not on three nights, but on four nights. So I think that, you know, I'd be remiss if I didn't say that maybe we should just call Republic and ask them to put something together. And if we have any constituents that have contacted us, we can have the same type of info session in room 201 or room 207.
[Richard Caraviello]: I think we'd be more than able to have a meeting with, I think Republic would be more than happy to come down to a council meeting. to answer any questions.
[Adam Knight]: I mean, they've been there, they've done that. I think they've answered our questions for the most part.
[Richard Caraviello]: I think there'd be more than anybody to come down here and answer any questions.
[Paul Camuso]: I'm already working, I'm putting my own meetings together.
[Adam Knight]: In terms of their track record and what they've shown us that they're willing to do, I don't think that there'd be any reason to think that they wouldn't be willing to continue to do such. I think that it might make sense if we can reach out to find out who the City of Medford liaison is, and then we can deal with these things on a case-by-case basis with that individual directly. If we needed to put them in a room with 10 or 11 or 13 people, then so be it. If business owners are calling you and they need answers, I don't think that this gentleman is going to be too afraid to come up here and give answers to the questions. The contract is signed. He is here. At the end of the day, He's here. We're going to have to live with him. So I don't think that they're going to want to start off on the wrong foot and create a relationship like that. I really think that based on what they've shown us already, that they're willing to be a part of the conversation, to come in and to talk and to answer the questions and to show us how they want to implement this. So with that being said, Mr. President, you know, I'd certainly be interested to find out what the contact information is for the liaison for Republic so that I can go and do some of that work. Um, I don't need an official action to this council to get that information. I can make the, make the full call and do it my own. Um, however, I think that that might make a little bit more sense than, than, you know, it'll get us some results. It'll bring us, it'll bring us to the end of the road yet.
[Paul Camuso]: And the mayor, um, we'll be doing outreach in several different ways. once all the information is readily available. City hasn't started the process yet. Councilor Pentzer and the gentleman at the podium.
[Robert Penta]: What we're talking about, Mr. President, is everything that was discussed back in October. October 1st. as reported, and it was a council meeting just prior to October 1st, where we had these discussions of having them come forward. And it was your comment. It was your comment at that meeting. And you said that this whole parking scenario is going to be a tough pill for the business people to swallow. That's what you said. Well, it's right here.
[Adam Knight]: I have it right here.
[Robert Penta]: No, he said it's a tough pill. It's going to be a tough pill to swallow. That's your quote. Okay. It's on the tape. It's on your quote. And with that being said, and recognizing then from October to now, from October to now, there's been nothing. And a lot of the people in the business districts don't know who's gonna be getting these meters, who's not gonna be getting them.
[Richard Caraviello]: That's the purpose of the meetings, to help to inform them. If the mayor wants to have private meetings and separate meetings, I'm sure he'll have them, or maybe that's in his plans. I can't speak for the mayor. The chamber's trying to do their part to help everyone
[Robert Penta]: Well, maybe it would have been nice if the council was advised and maybe we had an opportunity to see what was going on rather than have to get an invite or hear something that the chamber's sponsoring. And if you want to tag along, you can come along.
[Richard Caraviello]: Those meetings are open to everyone that wants to attend. There's no conspiracy here.
[Robert Penta]: This is public health. I didn't say that. Nobody said that.
[Richard Caraviello]: Again, it's here to stay. It's here and they're trying to make the best out of it.
[Paul Camuso]: Name and address for the record.
[Sorrell]: John Stirola, 20 Metcalf Street. Thank you, Mr. President. I have an opinion on this matter, too. I think the council should never, never have given the mayor permission to sign a 10-year contract. That's the one power they had. They gave it up easily, as usual. He already had the power to sign a three-year contract. And in that event, the damage would have been minimized. I don't have a crystal ball, but I do want to make a point. The administration and the people of this city are going to regret that paid parking was ever installed.
[Paul Camuso]: Name and address for the record, sir.
[SPEAKER_22]: John Byers, 22 Alston Street, Medford. Just a point of context here in this whole conversation. This was the mayor's veiled attempt at making brownie points after being called out on TV three times by the citizens and having Channel 5 and Channel 7 come down and their investigators do reports on how poor the city of Medford takes care of its parking problems. And the mayor did this because he got thoroughly embarrassed and he tried to throw this council under the proverbial bus saying that this council did not want to do anything to curb the parking problem. So this is his way of saying, screw you Medford. I'm doing this without your permission.
[Paul Camuso]: All right. Councilor Penta's motion receive a place on file.
[Robert Penta]: John. One last thing. I think you forgot to mention and that whole commentary that you just talked about when channel seven came. Yes. What was the comment that the mayor made when they were asked him about the public park?
[SPEAKER_22]: He said the city council will not allow us to do what we need to do to help the parking problem.
[Robert Penta]: I think he said, I think he said, John, that the council did not put the money in the budget for them. And that's absolutely not true. Which is totally not true. This council each and every year has been supportive of them.
[SPEAKER_22]: And just to make a further point, after seeing that report, I called Hank Philippi Ryan and I spoke to someone at Channel 7 and made the point to them that the mayor totally had lied to Hank Philippi Ryan in making And I pointed out that the mayor threw the council under the bus. I told him, Councilor Michael J. Marks has been asking for a number of years. about getting a comprehensive parking program in the city, and every time he is blocked by this mayor. Now, the mayor, as I said, was called out three times within less than a year's time by Channel 5. When Channel 5 was called down about the the inaccurate information being given about odd even parking during the winter. And then the parking program and the, oh God, I'm losing my train of thought here. The, oh.
[Paul Camuso]: Relax, take it, it'll come.
[SPEAKER_22]: Basically what I'm saying is what has to happen is this council as a whole has to proverbial grow a set, stand up to the smear and say no, we're not going to allow this. The last time we had parking meters in this city, there were problems and we ended up pulling them out. Now the smear wants to throw us back into the stone age again. with parking meters. That isn't the way to go. The way to go is to have a comprehensive parking program, and that's it. What I was trying to say is about the permitted parking, by the way. That's what I was going to mention, the fact that the permitted parking and people are being told after they have paid their permits to park.
[Paul Camuso]: Okay. All in the motion receive and place on file. All those opposed? The ayes have it. We have two sets of records. Councilor... Suspension of the rules.
[Joe Viglione]: Good evening, Joe Villione, 59 Garfield Ave. I wanted to inform the public that yesterday I attended a press conference the mayor had with a Comcast representative, Sheila Willett, very nice woman, speaking about a program, an old program that Comcast had. It's seven years old. They put it aside and now it's back. It's called Every Block. Now you can go on the city website and see Every Block and get the press release.
[Paul Camuso]: Excuse me. One second. Can you gentlemen take the conversation outside please so we can hear the The guy at the podium.
[Joe Viglione]: Thank you so much, sir. Council President, thank you. This Everyblock, you can do a web search on it. I think it's everyblock.com, but search it to make sure. And the city website does have information. No, it's intriguing. The woman from Comcast asked if there were any questions, and no one asked a question. So I said, well, we already pay Comcast for Peg Access, and we're not getting the product. So can you elaborate on that? And the mayor went up, and Councilor Caraviello was there, along with Tim Kelly from Comcast. And the mayor said, next week, there will be a press conference, and that he is going to give us an access TV station. So I want the council to hold the mayor at his word. It would have been nice if that press conference yesterday was held in Alden Chambers, and I would hope the city council can respectfully ask the mayor to start having more public hearings. That videotape I did of the parking meter video That was an important meeting with people out the door. It would have been great to have it here. These chambers are wonderful, hallowed halls, and I think that they would serve this city well. So anyway, that conference was about every block. Next week, we're going to have a preface conference, according to the mayor, on his new proposal for an access TV station. Please, City Council, hold him to his promise. I don't want to hear him go back on it.
[Paul Camuso]: There'll be an announcement on the forthcoming.
[SPEAKER_22]: I do have a comment on this again. John Byers, 22 Wall Street. This idea of the mayor saying there's going to be an access station, there has to be one thing made clear. We will not accept any of the mayor's cronies running the access station, that being a Mr. Jack Dempsey. We need to have someone that is not involved in the mayor's circle.
[Adam Knight]: Point of information. I don't think we need to name the gentleman by name over here, Mr. President. That's inappropriate.
[SPEAKER_22]: Well, I'm sorry you don't like that, but we can't have people like that running the access station, because basically what will end up happening- The same thing can be said about a number of people, you know what I mean, Mr. President?
[Adam Knight]: I just don't think it's conducive to a positive debate.
[Paul Camuso]: The mayor will be appointing people that he feels fit.
[SPEAKER_22]: We can't have any of that because if that happens, then he'll have control of the station. And people like me who have been outspoken against him will not be allowed on that station.
[Paul Camuso]: He'll keep people that have... Mr. Baez, you'll always be allowed at the access station if you're a member in good standing. What? You will always be allowed at the Medford access station. If you are a member in good standing, no one's going to keep you out.
[SPEAKER_22]: Well, I, I'm not saying, I'm not saying that I'm going to be kicked out, but there'll be stringent rules put against me because I've been outspoken against him. Thank you very much. Thank you, sir.
[Paul Camuso]: The records of November 25th were passed the council.
[Robert Penta]: Mr. President on page number two 12, under resolution 14754, amendment number C. It's by amendment, it says amended by Councilor Panter and Councilor Longo-Curran, that OCD report back on what has information they have. I don't know what that means, it doesn't make any sense. Well, let's go to page, go page 12, 14754, number C. And then we go to, you got it? Yeah. I don't know what the correction, I don't know what the term, the sentence doesn't make sense. No, I'm telling you that needs to be corrected. I'm reading section C here, it doesn't make sense, the second line. I don't know what you have, and you have to go back to the tape and look at it, I don't know. You take a look at it? It doesn't make any sense. And then we go to page 213, 14759, and under A, after the word but, that doesn't make sense. It says, vended by myself of a street, if your street was not swept, but were tagged, ticket and towed, I don't know if it's a resident or if it means your car. I don't know, I don't know what it's supposed to be. You're gonna have to go back and look at the tape.
[Clerk]: That's the one you said to go to the mayor and take care of the tickets.
[Robert Penta]: Yeah, but it doesn't say that. It says, if your street, if your street was not swept, but were tagged, ticketed, and towed, is it your car or a resident was tagged? I don't know, maybe it's a resident's car. Maybe those are the appropriate words that have to be put in there. I don't know what but were tagged means. What's, what's Eddie just, just go, just the sentence. It doesn't make sense to take a look at the tape and we can figure out exactly what it is. So we're going to table those still. No, I have no problem as long as he corrects them. That's all. It's just, it's grammar, but it doesn't, it's not making any sense on the motion with further clarification of approval.
[Paul Camuso]: All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The ayes have it. The records of December 2nd were passed to Vice President Caraviello. How did you find them? On the motion of approval. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The ayes have it. On the motion of Council Appendix for adjournment. All those in favor? Aye. All those opposed? The ayes have it.
[Andrew Castagnetti]: Yes, thank you, Larry.
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