← Taunton Municipal Council

Taunton Municipal Council · 2018–2019 Council · Regular meeting

December 17, 2019

47 recorded votes, 0 with disagreement.

Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page

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Attendance

Present: John McCaul, Jeffrey Postell, Jeanne Quinn, Estele Borges, Deborah Carr, David Pottier, Daniel Dermody, Barry Sanders, Gerald Croteau

Absent: None

Every vote, in order

A Grade 1 (4-6 dogs) kennel license for a personal use/dogs, not business use, at 95 Lydia Lane, Taunton.

Minutes, page 1

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To open the hearing and invite the parties into the enclosure

From the minutes

“Motion was made to open the hearing and invite the parties into the enclosure. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

The City Clerk read a Com. from Animal Control Officer submitting a Kennel Inspection Report. Map of Lot.

Minutes, page 1

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To make part of the record

From the minutes

“Motion was made to make part of the record. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

A Marijuana Cultivation Facility to be located at 30 Sherwood Dr. Taunton, MA in an Industrial District.

Minutes, page 2

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To open the hearing and invite the parties into the enclosure

From the minutes

“Motion was made to open the hearing and invite the parties into the enclosure. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Com. from Animal Control Officer submitting a Kennel Inspection Report

Minutes, page 2

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To make part of the record

From the minutes

“Motion was made to make part of the record. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To make part of the record

From the minutes

“Motion was made to make part of the record. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

The Assistant City Clerk read a Com. from TMLP stating that regarding 30 Sherwood Drive, Marijuana Cultivation Facility since electric utilities are not shown on these plans, they will reserve comments until such time as they receive a plan indicating proposed locations.

Minutes, page 2

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To make part of the record

From the minutes

“Motion was made to make part of the record. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Com. from Animal Control Officer submitting a Kennel Inspection Report

Minutes, page 2

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To make part of the record

From the minutes

“Motion was made to make part of the record. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

The Assistant City Clerk read a Com. from Board of Health stating that regarding the Special Permit on 30 Sherwood Drive if approved the business would need to apply for and obtain any and all applicable Board of Health Permits prior to operation.

Minutes, page 2

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To make part of the record

From the minutes

“Motion was made to make part of the record. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

There was nobody present to speak in favor or opposition of the petition.

Minutes, page 2

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To close public input, close the hearing, approve the petition and excuse the parties

From the minutes

“Motion was made to close public input, close the hearing, approve the petition and excuse the parties. Councilor Pottier added to the motion for the license to be reviewed in one (1) year. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Trench, City Licensed Contractor, and Road Opening, as well as relevant utility approval; As the existing water service(s) are not shown on the plan, DPW Water reserves the right to make further comment when that information is provided.

Minutes, page 2

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To make : : : 3 part of the record

From the minutes

“Motion was made to make : : : 3 part of the record. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

The Assistant City Clerk read a Com. from Veolia Water stating that the proposed plan does not show proposed sanitary sewer layout. They do not : : Sys : have a sanitary sewer as built for this building on file. Request a proposed plan with the sanitary sewer layout.

Minutes, page 3

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To make part of the record

From the minutes

“Motion was made to make part of the record. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Attorney Gay stated that they will pass out a printed copy of their Power Point presentation because there are some technical issues with the projector.

Minutes, page 4

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To make the presentation part of the record

From the minutes

“Councilor McCaul made a motion to make the presentation part of the record. So Voted..” (Motion: McCaul)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Edward Cabral, Taunton; and Taylor Torres, 5 Sumner Street spoke in opposition of the petition, Taylor Torres submitted a packet to the Council.

Minutes, page 11

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To make the packet part of the record

From the minutes

“Councilor McCaul made a motion to make the packet part of the record. So Voted..” (Motion: McCaul)

Read it in the official minutes, page 11 (PDF)

So Voted.

Minutes, page 11

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To close the hearing and grant the petition

From the minutes

“Councilor McCaul made a motion to close the hearing and grant the petition. Councilor Pottier added to the motion to add the noted conditions from the different departments. Councilor Sanders stated that it has been the custom to grant the petitions for a year so he would like to add : that to the motion. So Voted..” (Motion: McCaul)

Read it in the official minutes, page 11 (PDF)

Councilor Carr voting in opposition.

Minutes, page 11

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To excuse the parties

From the minutes

“Motion was made to excuse the parties. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 11 (PDF)

So Voted.

Minutes, page 11

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To take a five minute recess at 9:03PM

From the minutes

“Motion was made to take a five minute recess at 9:03PM. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 11 (PDF)

Enos stated that it is all submitted electronically.

Minutes, page 16

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To approve the Supplemental Budget as presented

From the minutes

“Motion was made to approve the Supplemental Budget as presented. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 16 (PDF)

Councilors McCaul, Postell and Carr voting in opposition.

Minutes, page 16

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To approve the transfer of $1,284,855.85 from the Stabilization Fund into the budget

From the minutes

“Motion was made to approve the transfer of $1,284,855.85 from the Stabilization Fund into the budget. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 16 (PDF)

Com. from the Budget Director which says that with the changes and transfers the new Final Budget for FY20 is $241,971,767

Minutes, page 16

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To approve the FY2020 Budget

From the minutes

“Motion was made to approve the FY2020 Budget. Mr. Enos stated that it needs to be advertised and he will give the City Clerk the number broken down for the ad. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 16 (PDF)

Councilors McCaul, Postell, Carr and Croteau voting in opposition.

Minutes, page 16

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

For the Budget Director to provide the Council with a breakdown of the $7.2M removed from Stabilization and exactly what it was used for

From the minutes

“Councilor Carr made a motion for the Budget Director to provide the Council with a breakdown of the $7.2M removed from Stabilization and exactly what it was used for. So Voted..” (Motion: Carr)

Read it in the official minutes, page 16 (PDF)

Com. from the Budget Director which says that with the changes and transfers the new Final Budget for FY20 is $241,971,767

Minutes, page 16

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

For the Human Resource Director to be invited to a meeting of the Committee on Finance and Salaries to talk about some of the extra asks on the budget

From the minutes

“Councilor Pottier made a motion for the Human Resource Director to be invited to a meeting of the Committee on Finance and Salaries to talk about some of the extra asks on the budget. So Voted..” (Motion: Pottier)

Read it in the official minutes, page 16 (PDF)

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To excuse and thank Mr

From the minutes

“Councilor Quinn made a motion to excuse and thank Mr. Enos. So Voted..” (Motion: Quinn)

Read it in the official minutes, page 16 (PDF)

Com. from Treasurer Collector stating that in anticipation of the department's relocation to the newly renovated City Hall, the Treasurer Collector's Office has embarked on a review of records stored at Cube Smart Storage Facilit

Minutes, page 17

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To move approval

From the minutes

“Motion was made to move approval. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 17 (PDF)

Com. from Ass't Superintendent of Public Buildings stating that with approval, these are his plans on clearing out the Taunton Nursing Home of the contents

Minutes, page 17

Accept and place on filePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To receive and : place on file

From the minutes

“Councilor Quinn made a motion to receive and : place on file. So Voted..” (Motion: Quinn)

Read it in the official minutes, page 17 (PDF)

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

For a copy of the official : inventory for the Taunton Nursing Home at the time the last residents left and : Michelle Mercado was the supervisor to be given to each Councilor

From the minutes

“Councilor Croteau made a motion for a copy of the official : inventory for the Taunton Nursing Home at the time the last residents left and : Michelle Mercado was the supervisor to be given to each Councilor. So Voted..” (Motion: Croteau)

Read it in the official minutes, page 17 (PDF)

Mayor Cleary asked if he is sure that Ms. Mercado made an inventory sheet. Councilor Croteau stated that his understanding is there was one (1) prepared at that time and perhaps there were ones that were prepared later. He would like the one (1) that was prepared at that time.

Minutes, page 17

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

For Mr

From the minutes

“Councilor Carr made a motion for Mr. Cwiekowski to provide the Council with a detailed list of each item sold and what it was sold for or what was given away. So Voted..” (Motion: Carr)

Read it in the official minutes, page 17 (PDF)

Com. from Chairman, Taunton Planning Board stating at their regular scheduled meeting held on December 5, 2019 the Taunton Planning Board was in receipt of a correspondence dated 11/6/19 from Atty

Minutes, page 17

Send to committee or departmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To receive and place on file and refer the letter to the new administration so that if it happens they have to make the determination as to whether the City has any interest in purchasing the property and then to take the Planning Board's request into consideration

From the minutes

“Councilor Quinn made a motion to receive and place on file and refer the letter to the new administration so that if it happens they have to make the determination as to whether the City has any interest in purchasing the property and then to take the Planning Board's request into consideration. So Voted..” (Motion: Quinn)

Read it in the official minutes, page 17 (PDF)

Com. from Chairman, Taunton Planning Board stating that they have received a Modification of a Site Plan Review for property at 660 County Street to modify the curbing along the north end of the property adjacent to Hart Street t

Minutes, page 18

Accept and place on filePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To receive and place on file

From the minutes

“Motion was made to receive and place on file. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 18 (PDF)

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To approve a vote for a conditional offer of employment providing that Steven Alers passes the psychological and physical testing

From the minutes

“Motion was made to approve a vote for a conditional offer of employment providing that Steven Alers passes the psychological and physical testing. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 18 (PDF)

Committee reports

Minutes, page 19

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

For Committee reports to be read by Title and Approved

From the minutes

“Motion was made for Committee reports to be read by Title and Approved. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 19 (PDF)

Resolutions: NONE New Business:

Minutes, page 19

Send to committee or departmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To refer to the Safety Officer the signage on Middleboro Avenue and Precinct Street as there are a lot of accidents there

From the minutes

“Councilor Pottier made a motion to refer to the Safety Officer the signage on Middleboro Avenue and Precinct Street as there are a lot of accidents there. So Voted..” (Motion: Pottier)

Read it in the official minutes, page 19 (PDF)

Send to committee or departmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To refer to the Safety Officer the signage on Hart Street for some traffic and speeding concerns

From the minutes

“Councilor Pottier made a motion to refer to the Safety Officer the signage on Hart Street for some traffic and speeding concerns. … So Voted..” (Motion: Pottier)

Read it in the official minutes, page 19 (PDF)

Resolutions: NONE New Business: Councilor Pottier made a motion to refer to the Safety Officer the signage on Middleboro Avenue and Precinct Street as there are a lot of accidents there

Minutes, page 19

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

For the Law Department to provide the Council with an update as far as where we stand on that or their perception of where the State Legislature stands on that within a month to six (6) weeks

From the minutes

“Motion was made for the Law Department to provide the Council with an update as far as where we stand on that or their perception of where the State Legislature stands on that within a month to six (6) weeks. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 19 (PDF)

Send to committee or departmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To refer to the Law Department and the DPW to see if it would make sense and be in the City's best interest to fix the Railroad Crossing at Tremont Street and then go after CSX on the backend

From the minutes

“Motion was made to refer to the Law Department and the DPW to see if it would make sense and be in the City's best interest to fix the Railroad Crossing at Tremont Street and then go after CSX on the backend. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 19 (PDF)

Send to committee or departmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To refer to the Treasurer or the Human Resource Department

From the minutes

“Motion was made to refer to the Treasurer or the Human Resource Department. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 20 (PDF)

He stated that the Council has been hearing complaints about this.

Minutes, page 20

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To invite a representative from CSX to come in and talk to the full Council about what is going on with this situation because there have been multiple traffic jams due to the blocking of the railroad tracks

From the minutes

“Motion was made to invite a representative from CSX to come in and talk to the full Council about what is going on with this situation because there have been multiple traffic jams due to the blocking of the railroad tracks. … So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 20 (PDF)

He stated that if the Clerk's Office doesn't already have it he will send what he has over to them.

Minutes, page 20

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

For the Chief of Staff to post it on the City's website

From the minutes

“Motion was made for the Chief of Staff to post it on the City's website. So Voted..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 20 (PDF)

Alers did not serve n any branch of the military.

Minutes, page 22

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To send a positive recommendation to the full council for steven louis alers as a lateral transfer

From the minutes

“MOTION: TO SEND A POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL COUNCIL FOR STEVEN LOUIS ALERS AS A LATERAL TRANSFER. SO VOTED..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 22 (PDF)

COUNCILOR DEBORAH CARR, CHAIRMAN AND COUNCILORS CROTEAU AND DERMODY q MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:50 P.M. 4. MEET TO REVIEW THE WEEKLY VOUCHERS & PAYROLLS FOR CITY DEPARTMENTS

Minutes, page 23

ProceduralPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To move approval of the payroll warrant in the amount of $1,358,017.60

From the minutes

“MOTION: MOVE APPROVAL OF THE PAYROLL WARRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,358,017.60. SO VOTED..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 23 (PDF)

SO VOTED.

Minutes, page 23

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To move approval of the invoice warrant in the amount of $2,313,637.06

From the minutes

“MOTION: MOVE APPROVAL OF THE INVOICE WARRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,313,637.06. SO VOTED..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 23 (PDF)

In order to implement this Property Exemption, the Council needs to adopt MGL c 59, Clause H22.

Minutes, page 24

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To letter to be part of the record

From the minutes

“MOTION: LETTER TO BE PART OF THE RECORD. SO VOTED..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 24 (PDF)

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To letter to be part of the record

From the minutes

“MOTION: LETTER TO BE PART OF THE RECORD. SO VOTED..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 25 (PDF)

She does not begrudge these people, there is no amount of money that could replace your child, but she would like to hear from the citizens as to what they think about this law, then perhaps they could meet again in a month, get their questions answered and get some feedback from

Minutes, page 26

Send to committee or departmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To refer to the law department to determine whether the city can add any of its own restrictions to this

From the minutes

“Councilor Carr made the following motion: MOTION: TO REFER TO THE LAW DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CITY CAN ADD ANY OF ITS OWN RESTRICTIONS TO THIS. SO VOTED..” (Motion: Carr)

Read it in the official minutes, page 26 (PDF)

Councilor Carr said she does not think they have the option to adopt just one clause, so she made the following motion:

Minutes, page 27

Send to committee or departmentPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To refer to the law department for an opinion as to whether the city can adopt only chapter 59 clause h22 of the brave act without adopting the rest of it

From the minutes

“MOTION: TO REFER TO THE LAW DEPARTMENT FOR AN OPINION AS TO WHETHER THE CITY CAN ADOPT ONLY CHAPTER 59 CLAUSE H22 OF THE BRAVE ACT WITHOUT ADOPTING THE REST OF IT. SO VOTED..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 27 (PDF)

Councilor Pottier noted that this is an unfunded mandate and asked if there was any thought to making it a funded mandate by the State.

Minutes, page 27

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To send a letter to the state delegation asking if they would consider submitting a section to that law so that the state provide reimbursment for those tax exemptions

From the minutes

“MOTION: TO SEND A LETTER TO THE STATE DELEGATION ASKING IF THEY WOULD CONSIDER SUBMITTING A SECTION TO THAT LAW SO THAT THE STATE PROVIDE REIMBURSMENT FOR THOSE TAX EXEMPTIONS. SO VOTED..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 27 (PDF)

In order to implement this Property Exemption, the Council needs to adopt MGL c 59, Clause H22.

Minutes, page 31

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To letter to be part of the record

From the minutes

“MOTION: LETTER TO BE PART OF THE RECORD. SO VOTED..”

Read it in the official minutes, page 31 (PDF)

The only thing changing is the address. ] 35 PAGE TWO DECEMBER 17, 2019 THE COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL AS A WHOLE - CONTINUED

Minutes, page 35

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

To approve this request and the law department to prepare and execute the required documents. councilors mccaul, quinn, borges, pottier, dermody, sanders and croteau voting in favor, councilor carr voting in opposition

From the minutes

“MOTION: TO APPROVE THIS REQUEST AND THE LAW DEPARTMENT TO PREPARE AND EXECUTE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. COUNCILORS MCCAUL, QUINN, BORGES, POTTIER, DERMODY, SANDERS AND CROTEAU VOTING IN FAVOR, COUNCILOR CARR VOTING IN OPPOSITION. MOTION CARRIES.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 35 (PDF)

From the official minutes kept by the Taunton City Clerk (agendas and minutes). From the Taunton Municipal Council’s official minutes, posted in the city’s Agenda Center. Most items pass by voice (“So voted”), and the minutes record only the result for those; how each councilor voted is shown for roll calls. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. MassVoter never grades officials; votes and attendance are shown exactly as the minutes record them. Councilor photos: City of Taunton Municipal Council page (taunton-ma.gov). Former councilors show initials.

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