[Fred Dello Russo]: The sixth regular meeting of the Medford City Council, February 9th, 2016, will come to order. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.
[Clerk]: Councilor Caraviello. Present. Councilor Falco. Present. Councilor Knight. Present. Vice President Leclerc. Present. Councilor Marks. Present. Councilor Scampelli. Present. President Del Russo.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Present. Seven members present, nine none absent. Please rise to salute the flag.
[Clerk]: She recognizes Councilor Knight for suspension of the rules.
[Adam Knight]: to take papers 1602, 16021, 16022, 16023. All papers are eligible for their third reading relative to the reorganization of the administrative offices.
[Fred Dello Russo]: On the motion for suspension of the rules to take the aforementioned papers off the table for approval, all those in favor? I'm sorry, 16-020, amendment of article four, officers and employees, division four, city solicitor, was tabled for its introduction on the 12th, past first reading, January 19th. and advertised its second reading January 28th eligible tonight for its third and final reading. This is on, uh, the reestablishment of the, uh, time tenure, uh, an appointment of the, uh, city solicitor chair weights motion.
[Adam Knight]: Um, Mr. President, I think this, uh, matter that the S the mayor's put forward is relatively cut and dry. What this matter does is, uh, it gives the city solicitor a two year appointment code terminus with the administration. The paper's been through its first two readings, Mr. President. If there's anybody in the audience that would like to speak, I think we should give them the opportunity. And if any of the councillors want to speak on it, so be it. But I'd move for approval.
[Fred Dello Russo]: A motion for approval by Councilor Knight. Seconded by Councilor Caraviello. Is it a matter for a roll call? Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Yes. Yes. Yes. With a vote of seven, the affirmative. None. The negative motion is ordered 16-zero to one amendment to vitals for officers and employees division for a chief of staff. This came before us pertinent to the creation of the position of chief of staff in the administration. It came before us on January 12th. It was tabled on January 19th. After explanation, it passed the first reading. On January 28th, it was advertised as its second reading. It is now tonight eligible for its third and final reading. Chair awaits a motion.
[Adam Knight]: Mr. President, again, this piece of legislation would create the position chief of staff and reorganize the administrative office. It's been through its first reading. We had some questions. If the questions were answered, I'd move for approval.
[Fred Dello Russo]: On the motion approved by Councilor Knight, Chair recognizes Vice-President Hunko Kern.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. With regards to this question, I believe we asked for just an update with regards to, I think a couple of us did some research on numbers for chief of staffs in the surrounding communities. And the 106,000 is kind of something that stuck out for me. That's almost as close to what the mayor's making. So we did ask for a communication back from the mayor with regards to, you know, why this, this position was being funded so high. And then you have a, you know, chief procurement officer slash budget budget director taken on two jobs that is making about the same, if not a little less than the chief of staff. So I just would like to get an answer on that.
[Fred Dello Russo]: I think we had a explanation of councilor Knight.
[Adam Knight]: Um, with all due respect to the Councilor, Mr. President, if she feels as though the position's overpaid, this is a piece of legislation. She can't amend the piece of legislation while it's on the floor. Um, we've discussed it. I think that it's a, It's a good position, it's a necessary position, it's a required position, Mr. President, and I support the matter wholeheartedly.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: No, I'm glad he does. Not that I don't support the position or the reorganization, I just think the 106,000, as do many people, believe that might be a little bit high for a position like this in a city like this. We're just looking for some explanation. Will this person be working more than 40 hours? We did get the job description. I think one of the job descriptions, was that that person would be in front of the city council. We have yet to see that person at a council meeting or even a committee of the whole meeting. So, you know, what exactly is the reasoning for the hundred? It's such an exorbitant amount of money. Again, when we have people taking on double jobs and making less than that, I just don't see, I just would like some clarification on that.
[George Scarpelli]: Well, maybe a point of information, Councilor Scarpelli. Just so I'm clearing up a question myself, but I believe it was Chief of Staff slash Personnel Director. Correct. So it's two jobs. Correct. Okay, that's all.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Thank you. Thank you, Councilor. Maybe some light can be shed on this matter by the Director of Budget and Personnel, Director of Budget, Pro Tempore, who's with us right now. Ms. Miller, bonsoir. The question from the councilor was an inquiry. I don't know if it was answered or even formally requested by way of resolution, but regarding the level of salary for the chief of staff, which encompasses chief of staff and policy for the mayor, as well as, uh, matters of personnel management. Um, uh, question the Councilor had was that, uh, she felt that, uh, the salary was high.
[X_nYXZZ4ChY_SPEAKER_04]: Um, the position is director of personnel and director of policy. And, um, I did not get a resolution regarding a salary comparison. I do not know if the mayor's office, receive that. We answered the questions that we did receive, and I do not know what the comparison would be standing right here right now.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Thank you. Well, we have a motion for approval that has been seconded by Councilor Caraviello. Did Councilor Falco wish to speak on this matter?
[John Falco]: No, actually Mr. Scarpelli made the point that I was going to make basically that it is two positions. I think that probably justifies the salary, just like the, uh, the new, um, procurement position. That's two positions as well that one person is taking off. So that's why I think that's the justification for the higher cell. Thank you.
[Fred Dello Russo]: On the motion for approval, Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Yes, with a vote of 6 in the affirmative, 1 in the negative, the matter is ordered. 16-022, amendment to Article 5, Finance Division 2, Chief Procurement Officer. The matter appeared before us on January 12th and was tabled. On January 19th, it passed its first reading. It was advertised on the 28th for a second reading. and is before us for a third and final reading tonight. Chair awaits motion.
[Adam Knight]: Again, Mr. President, this was a reorganization of the administrative office. I would establish a chief procurement officer and also allow the chief procurement officer to continue in her role as a budget director. I move for approval, Mr. President. Support the paper.
[Fred Dello Russo]: On the motion for approval by Councilor Knight, seconded by Councilor Falco. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Yes, with a vote of seven in the affirmative, none in the negative, the motion is ordered. 16-023, Amendment of Chapter 66, Personnel, Article 2, Non-Union Compensation, appeared before us on January 12th, tabled January 19th, past first reading, January 28th, as advertised for second reading, now before us for action. This was on... Establishing the personnel classifications, I believe in the position. That's what it was, the classifications.
[Adam Knight]: The other one regarding the vacation time was already passed. So the chair awaits a motion. Mr. President, this was a paper that would assign employee payment classifications for the positions that we just created. Mr. President move for approval.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Motion for approval by Councilor Knight, uh, seconded by Councilor Caraviello. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.
[Clerk]: Yes.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Yes.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Yes. With a vote of 70 affirmative, none in the negative. Uh, the motion is ordered. Congratulations, Mr. Solicitor.
[Mark Rumley]: Uh, yes, Mr. President, members of the council. I just wanted to thank you. I'm very happy that it went through all of its three readings. I thought that that was good government and, uh, just wanted to say thank you to the council.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Thank you. Thank you.
[X_nYXZZ4ChY_SPEAKER_04]: Thank you as well.
[Adam Knight]: Motion to revert to regular order of business.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Mr. President on the motion of council night to revert back to the regular order of business. All those in favor, all those opposed carry 16-zero 62 offered by vice president Lungo-Koehn be resolved that the administration provide this metric city council with the minutes from each of the public meetings being held. Madam Vice President.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President Dello Russo. I would like to see if we could get the minutes, if minutes are being taken for all the public meetings. I know there's been meetings with regards to recreation. I know there's been meetings with regards to Haines Square that was held at the Roberts Elementary School last week. I also know that you're chairing a bunch of meetings yourself, Mr. President. It seems like this, three or four meetings going on per week, which I want to commend the mayor for doing. I think it's great to get community input. I think it's something that the councils always ask for more community input or business input. I know in the past we've asked for more public input before the parking meters and before waste management contract was signed. So it's definitely something that I think is a positive step. It's just something that obviously we can't all make, all seven of us councillors can't make every single meeting. I myself, it is tough, you know, so I would like to see what's going on, what our constituents are asking for, the concerns, interests of, you know, everybody that's attending those meetings and see how detailed the minutes are. Either way, whether they're detailed or not, it still would be very helpful for us making our votes going forward and, you know, figuring out Tonight we had a meeting with regards to goals at 6 p.m. So it would help us to further that discussion on goals. And, you know, it's always good to get public input. So, you know, the e-mails and phone calls we do get are very helpful. But if there's, you know, a number of people going to each of these meetings making a number of recommendations, I would love to be able to digest it all, have it in Friday's packet, you know, after each week so that we can, you know, keep them together and figure out how we're going to move forward. So I request that if there is minutes, if they could be forwarded to us on a weekly or biweekly basis so that we can gather that information and move accordingly.
[Fred Dello Russo]: For your information, Madam Vice President, they are all smartly posted on the city's webpage.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Already?
[Fred Dello Russo]: Progress.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: About how long does it take to post? I don't know. Oh, I haven't seen them. There. They're on there. Nice.
[George Scarpelli]: Councilor Scott. Thank you. It's my question, Mr. President.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Thank you. So on the motion for approval by vice president, all those in favor. I'm just all those opposed. I'd love a coffee. Congratulations. 16-zero 63 offered by vice president Lungo-Koehn. Whereas, In light of the recent bomb threat at Medford High School and the numerous complaints from parents who were not notified until after the school day ended, be it resolved that the Medford School Committee look into their policies and procedures, and if it happens in the future, that the school department alert parents immediately, even if it's deemed to be no slash low threat, so that each parent may decide whether or not they want their child to complete the day Chair recognizes Vice President Mungo Kern.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you, President.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Councilor Falco.
[John Falco]: I know this is a very emotional issue as a parent, but tomorrow night there's going to be a meeting at Medford High School regarding this here with the superintendent, the chief of police, the Medford School Committee, who are the people that are responsible for all the policies and procedures regarding the school security. And I think it's, I would like to make a motion at table because I think it's important that they have their meeting first before we go down the road of speculating and debating about what happened, how it should happen. There are protocols in place. And I think that we should hear from the school administration before we go down the road of debating this. I'd like to hear them first and hear exactly what happened.
[Fred Dello Russo]: I am motioning to table. Motion to table is undebatable.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I would ask him to withdraw so that I could speak on the resolution. There's a lot of people that have been complaining to me. And I think it does need to be discussed publicly. It's being thrown out that, you know, no discussion hasn't made. I'm very happy that there's a meeting tomorrow, but there are people here to speak on it tonight. And people have asked me. I think it's a disservice to the city to not publicly broadcast.
[Fred Dello Russo]: All those in favor, say aye. Mr. President. Councilor Falco.
[John Falco]: If we could reverse the tape. I'll reverse the table to hear from the resident, but I firmly believe that this here should be addressed by the school system before we address, this is not our jurisdiction, really. I mean, the way I look at it.
[Fred Dello Russo]: You're withdrawing your motion, Councilor. I'm withdrawing my motion. Point of information, Vice President-Elect O'Connor.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: I think, as one Councilor, I was getting the complaints two weeks ago, the day after this happened, and I went a whole week without saying a word because I agree. should have been brought up by the school committee. It was not, and people were on me to bring it up, and I don't disagree with them. I think people need to be able to hear what we have to say about it, what the school committee has to say about it. We're the ones that decide on the budget in June and decide whether or not the safety budget is enough. There's a reason why we should be able to talk about it. People are here tonight, and I just feel like it's definitely needed.
[Fred Dello Russo]: To take point of clarification, Councilor Knight.
[Adam Knight]: Has there been any communication between the administration of the school department and the council to date, prior to the filing of the resolution? I'm not in possession of anything.
[Fred Dello Russo]: The motion for tabling has been withdrawn. The chair recognizes the presenter of the motion, Vice President Lungo-Koehn.
[Breanna Lungo-Koehn]: Thank you and I appreciate Councilor, I understand where Councilor Falco is coming from and I appreciate the withdrawal of the motion. I learned about this bomb threat through Patch. I read it online and as a parent, I didn't even think of it as a parent, I actually called my mother who works for the school system and said, did you know there was a bomb threat three days ago? Yeah, I found out after the end of the day. So I had my mother in the building with a potential bomb threat, whether or not it was low or no threat, you know, I was concerned. And then I thought, after I started getting the complaints, I thought, you know, I have one child in the school system, soon going to have two, and then eventually have three. And whether or not it was a threat or no threat, I truly believe, and I think it's where a lot of people are coming from, I think that as a parent, I think I should be given the choice And I think a lot of parents do believe the same thing. They should be given the choice because it's not something that happens every day. This is actually the first threat of something like this that I've heard of happening ever in the Medford Public Schools. So I think parents are looking for me to come out and say they should have been notified whether that was through a phone call or some type of communication rather than after the children left school. And I think that's important to say. I think it's important. I have the right to voice my opinion. And that is my opinion. Parents should have been notified in a non-emergency fashion, but a phone call should have went out and said, this is the situation, this is what we're dealing with, and we just want to let you know, there's nothing to be concerned about. But, and parents, I have a number of parents that have called me upset, saying they would have, even though it was low threat or no threat, parents would have went and picked up their children. I know it's happening all over the state. It's unfortunate. It's something that was completely out of control, out of Medford's control. I don't think Medford did any, you know, there's nothing Medford, City of Medford could have done except probably better communication. So I'm very glad it's being addressed tomorrow night. And maybe one of the reasons it is being addressed tomorrow night and not last week is because we did put the resolution on. You know, we are going to talk about it tonight. So I think that it needed to be put on and I think people need and avenues to be able to speak and give their opinions on it. And obviously, that's going to be in a lengthy meeting tomorrow night. But if people want to voice their opinions now, or people looking to other politicians, not just the school committee, to speak out on it, then that's our prerogative. And I think it was wrong the way it was handled. And I hope that new policies are put in place after tomorrow night.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Thank you, Madam Vice President. On the motion, you wish to present yourself, welcome. Please state your name and address for the record.
[2pAQFYhyG5g_SPEAKER_24]: Robert Candy, 128 Grant Avenue, Medford.
[SPEAKER_04]: Monique DeVos, 128 Grant Avenue, Medford.
[2pAQFYhyG5g_SPEAKER_24]: Thank you. You may speak one at a time. Thank you. Well, Councilor, thank you for the motion. And Councilor Falco, thank you for withdrawing it for the time being. I don't think either of us is in any way opposed to the meeting itself or to working things out. There's been zero information other than what was in the transcript. To our knowledge, the bomb threat occurred somewhere around 9 a.m. when kids were in school. Neither the kids nor the teachers knew about it, to our knowledge as well. We don't know if any sweep was done or conducted, and in that regard, we trust the police and we trust that the school has our children's best interests in mind. That said, how dare they not call us? How dare they not give us the option of deciding what to do? And loco parentis, from a legal perspective, does not mean they get to make that decision. And they could be challenged on that, and we're thinking about that. It's very distressing to know we've had three children in the school system, currently one in high school. to know that he's sitting there hoping they got it right. If we wanted to take him home, that should be our option. Let us tell you a little story. We came in to have a meeting with one of the personnel on the third floor. There's an elderly gentleman who sits at the front desk of the high school. Very nice gentleman. He gives you a pass, and you walk up. Doesn't ask for ID. You could be anybody. Off you go. We've seen him before, so he knows us. On our way out, this gentleman was traversing down toward Mr. Belson's area, I guess to go to the men's room. There was nobody there. Anyone could have walked in that high school, and anyone could have done damage. That needs to change. So when they tell us they looked at the videos, really? That's the extent of determining whether or not somebody was doing some harm in a school that size? It's unconscionable. And I think it is your jurisdiction, because one, you approved the budget. Two, as Ms. Cain pointed out, the school committee did nothing. They didn't even raise the issue, and it is something they should be talking about. So I'm just going to say I think it's unconscionable we weren't called. I think we should be given that opportunity. And I think it would be a sad day if you folks did not act on this, if you determine after that meeting. that proper steps have not been taken. Remember, the resolution itself says parents may decide. That's what we're here about. We're not here to question the police or to question Mr. Belson or Dr. Perrella, whom we have trust in. We're here to say we wrote a call. Do you have anything else to add?
[SPEAKER_04]: Just the fact that I support everything you said and that absolutely People need to be informed. You can't make any decision without being informed, period.
[2pAQFYhyG5g_SPEAKER_24]: Thank you for hearing us. Thank you for being here tonight.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Chair recognizes Councilor Falco.
[John Falco]: I can wait. I can wait.
[Fred Dello Russo]: The chair recognizes the citizen at the podium. Please state your name and address for the record. Welcome.
[acqgxK4yhEM_SPEAKER_28]: Thank you, good evening. Jay Spaulding, 3610 Mystic Valley Parkway. As a former teacher in a public school district where we had bomb threats and active weapon reuse and a student was shot on property, I know that this issue is terrifying to both teachers, staff, students, parents, administration. And I understand the desire to have this resolution. However, School policy regarding safety and security is something that we cannot address here at City Council because the people who have the, in my opinion, the expertise, the knowledge on creating safety plans and security plans are not in this room tonight. In this room are parents who are scared. in this room are citizens who work in various areas of both city involvement and private industry. But the chief of police, the superintendent of the school, the principal of the high school, they're not here. Tomorrow night, as Councilor Falco said, a serious conversation where things can be addressed will happen. I will state as a former teacher that the worst thing, in my opinion, one can do during an active, whether it be an active weaponry incident, an injured student, or a bomb threat, is to have Parents show up on site and try to remove their child. That is a great way to cause chaos, to increase injury, and to cause further damage. Whether the bomb, whether the threat is real or not, the rush of parents to remove students from a building because they're making a decision based on emotion, and I understand that emotion. I've worked in those buildings. at those times, and I would like to leave myself. That's chaos. That further endangers everyone in the building. And in my opinion, again, having lived through this, the reason that staff, students, teachers are not informed right away or even that day is, again, chaos theory. We don't want people running through the hallways. We don't want teachers saying, screw this, you guys, I'm out. Good luck, kids. I don't wanna die. That's the reality of the situation. So I am disappointed that this has to come before city council tonight when the issue is coming tomorrow. I think it honestly is a waste of time when we can address this tomorrow with the actual stakeholders. Thank you.
[Robert Cappucci]: Good evening. Welcome. Please state your name and address for the record. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm Bob Capucci, 71 Evans street. Uh, I too am a former educator in, in, in Massachusetts and, uh, there are definite ways and orderly in, in, constructive way for parents to come in and retrieve their kids can happen without it breaking down into chaos. Uh, you know, school could be put on lockdown. Everybody stays in their room. And as parents showed up, you know, they're notified where their kids, uh, they communicate and they get them out in an orderly fashion. Now I went to, uh, chief Sacco of the method. Police holds a informational town hall meeting every first Wednesday of the month. And this was the main topic. The police got this threat and the threat was an automated robotic threat to the school. So that was one of the things that they used to determine the legitimacy of the threat. It came at a very inopportune time around 10 in the morning. The police did go through the school and make a search. But some of the things that they brought up that I think makes it pertinent for this council to talk about was that something like half of the cameras in the school don't work, not every single door is locked and being looked at. Another thing to consider is that it wasn't the police department's decision to put out the information about this bomb threat at six 30 at night, uh, hours after it happened. Uh, uh, I believe that was on, uh, the superintendent of schools, his decision, uh, and, uh, going forward. I, as you do consider the budget budget in, in June in, in the police department that we have, I mean, there's Metro police officer, that was up there on duty that day also has two kids in the school. So they did sweep the school. They did do a search. I don't know the full extent of that. And they did pass on the information of the call to the state police to try to track where this robotic call came from. But in considering the budget in June with our police department, I think it would be pertinent to do what you can to get uh, uh, enough police officers on, on the method police force. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. Capucci.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Good evening. Welcome. Please state your name and address for the record.
[Cheryl Rodriguez]: Hi, my name is Cheryl Rodriguez. I live at 281 Park street. Um, I heard about this bomb threat online as well. I have a student in the Roberts Elementary, but I pretty much get all of my information about the school online because my school doesn't notify. I know other schools call for snow days. So this call coming in at 630 for a bomb threat is no surprise. There's no clear policy in how schools are supposed to notify parents. I thought this was possibly the PR person's job to kind of unify us because at my school, we've had power outages, we've had heat being out, we've had issues where they can't clean things because there's no hot water, there's no parent notification. Somebody needs to unify this because everyone should know. We had the lockdown drill at my school and nobody notified. We had children having anxiety attacks because their parents couldn't prep them for this. This is just a larger issue that we need as parents. When I drop my child off at the school, I don't give up my parental rights. I found out about the power outage last year because I was volunteering in the school building and had to cancel a program for 100 children with less than two hours, walked in the school and found out they had no power. So something needs to be done on a systematic level of notifying parents. We're still the parent, and I need to know what's going on for my child. I don't want her to come home and give me this wild story of we had no heat and had to wear our winter coats, because I don't know to believe that. School didn't tell me that, so it's probably not true. So I think it's bigger than just bomb threat, and we really need to think about that. It's a bigger issue. Thank you.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Thank you. Chair recognizes Vice President Scarpelli. Vice President.
[George Scarpelli]: I'm sorry, I took over. Thank you. Again, I understand why this is put forth, but again, like my fellow colleague, as a former school committee member, these are issues we've vetted. And this is why it's important that we let the due diligence of our elected officials present what needs to be presented tomorrow evening, because it is important. These, as a school committee member, we can list out a litany of answers to all these questions, but it's the job of the school committee to inform everybody tomorrow at their meeting that then would be processed through us, and then we could have that next discussion. But I think right now, putting the cart ahead of the horse, I understand the questions that you have, the parents have. I got the same calls and one of the biggest questions was the notification issue. Well, there's a lot of security issues when and why notifications have to be given. So that's not for me to tell you that right now, that's for the chief of police and the superintendent to talk tomorrow because I have questions too. I have questions about the presentation of the PR. and PR person, and when that was done. But again, we want to make sure that we're not, you know, putting our school base in a frenzy right now until we really know what has transpired. So I think that's very important. So thank you.
[John Falco]: Thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank my consular colleague, Mr. Scarpelli, as well. The point that I was trying to make earlier was basically that we should hear from the school administration. They can give everyone the rundown as to what happened, what time it happened, why they made the decisions they made. If we're gonna comment on things tonight, it's purely speculation, and that is not safe for anything or anyone. So therefore, the important thing is, if you have questions, I think, please, I urge everyone, go to Medford High School tomorrow night, at the library, seven o'clock PM, the superintendent's going to be there. The chief of police is going to be there. All of the decision makers are going to be in the room and they will be able to go right through the timeline as to what happened and when and why they made the decisions they made. And that's what I was trying to put point, uh, put across. I mean, I am a parent of three children in the method public schools. I mean, I completely understand, um, you know, the notification issue. I mean, I have the same concerns, but I think that the administration should at least give us the information so we can, make decisions and ask good questions. So that's the point I was trying to get across. Uh, thank you.
[Fred Dello Russo]: Chair recognizes the citizen Councilor Marks.
[Michael Marks]: Uh, thank, thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank a council longer current for putting this on the agenda for tonight. Um, you know, it was mentioned, I think that this is the first time this has happened in the city and by far that's, this is not the first time there's been, a threat of this nature in the Medford Public Schools. But needless to say, I think Councilor Falco just mentioned about speculation. The reason why there's speculation is because there's no communication. And I think that's the main concern. I have two children in the public schools, and when I received the call that night, the first thing that came to my mind was, geez, I would have liked to have a little more information, and maybe I would have liked to have it a little sooner. And I realize it's a delicate balance because you don't want to create pandemonium. How do you release, you know, if the high school wants to release 800 kids, how do you release them? And how do you go on to do it in a safe manner? I understand that. And I think these are the issues that need to be discussed. But if there's a policy in place, why does it take eight days or tomorrow's nine days? Why does it take nine days to say this is our policy? This is what we implemented. This is what we found out. It shouldn't take that long. And I think that's the concern that I'm hearing. And then as a parent, when they tell me part of the reasoning why they consider this a low threat was they went through 18 hours of videotape. You know, anyone that goes up to the high school and the gentleman that spoke is right. If you had to go up and bring your student a book, say they forgot a book, they used to have you just sign a sheet of paper and you'd go bring the book to the main office. So they'd let you into the school. Just recently I was up there and now they are asking for ID. They've changed their policy. So the policy before was just sign a sheet. You could sign a John Lennon and walk in because really there's no check and balance. The second point I'd like to make too is that high school is open constantly Saturday and Sunday. Hundreds of people going in there. I go out myself, Saturday night, and watch my son play basketball. Every door up in the gymnasium is open. It's a free for all. There's not one security person up there. There's not one security person going on. So the public schools really have to take, you know, I'm not sure who's looking at 18 hours of videotape. But first of all, the back of the school, it's pitch dark out there. So I'm not sure what you're going to see with those cameras in the back. And secondly, the whole school's open. We have the Japanese program that's been up there for a number of years. And the city of Medford makes a fair amount of money for renting out almost the entire high school. But there's thousands of people that literally have been up and watched the program. They take over all the classrooms in the high school. They have other classrooms that are under lock and key. They come in with wheelers. And we don't know what they're bringing into the building. And these are the things. And I'm not saying that this program's a bad program. I'm just saying, how do you keep a sense of security when the building is open to everyone? There's really no security up there, especially after hours and on weekends, which is a real concern of mine. And I hope it's addressed tomorrow. But I think the issue that I've been hearing from parents is not whether or not they wanted to pull their children out was the lack of communication. Be open and upfront with people. And it shouldn't take eight days to figure out what's going on. And if there was a breach in policy or the policy wasn't followed, let us know. That's how we improve. This is how you improve upon policy and regulations when something like this happens. And to just brush it under the rug and then come up with a meeting. You know, I've been calling for two years. for a public safety summit, Mr. President, in this community. And it's not just on the city side, it's in general. It's to bring the police department, the fire chief in, the mayor, the council, and anyone else that wants to be part of it, Mr. President. And for two years, I just called for another one recently, that this council voted unanimously. We have got no response at all regarding a public safety summit. It's almost like people in this community don't want to discuss what's happening in the community. They don't want to discuss the robberies that are happening in our local drug stores almost daily, the bank robberies, an incident like this at the high school. And the list goes on and on and on, drug activity on our streets. And we've been asking, Mr. President, to get together, like any good community would, and discuss some of our shortfalls and maybe why we're seeing an increase in this particular activity in our community, and what we can do better to provide security. You know, so I'm glad that this was discussed tonight. We're not talking out of school now. We're not letting any secrets out about safety at the high school, you know, ways someone could breach the high school. We're saying that we believe there's a concern, and the concern has to be addressed in a much quicker fashion, so speculation doesn't get out there, and people start thinking, oh, my God, what's happening? So we hired a $90,000 PR person. I didn't see one communication from that PR person. Not one communication. If you can't address an issue of this nature, what are they addressing? Honestly, I don't know what's going on, Mr. President. This is a concern that parents should be upset about. And maybe this is not the best forum, but guess what? We're an open forum. People can come up to the podium and speak. And the day we start censoring what can be said at that podium, you might as well close the light and lock the door here at City Hall, Mr. President. I just want to thank Councilor Longo for bringing this important issue up.
[George Scarpelli]: Point of information, Councilor Scarpello. Just to clarify, I believe that this council, not to censor anybody, but the idea of systematically going through and understanding. Now tomorrow evening, I'll be there and I will ask those questions about communication and the protocol that my fellow councilmen and myself helped write and understand why that wasn't done. And then bring that forward in the following week. But what I think that at least this council's — this council's questioned issues are — Point of information, Mr. President.