A Special Meeting of the City Council was held in City Council Chambers on
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 6:30 P.M. for the purpose of taking up Committee Reports relative to a Purchase and Sale agreement for the new Senior/Community Life Center , Community Development Block Grant Loan application and declaring 5 Broad Street as surplus property and Motions, Orders and Resolutions. Notice of this meeting was posted on March 13, 2009 at 10:35 A.M.
All Councillors were present.
Council President Paul Prevey presided.
#169 – (#75) PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT FOR THE NEW SENIOR / COMMUNITY LIFE CENTER ON BOSTON & BRIDGE STS.
Councillor O’Keefe assumed the Chair.
Councillor Prevey offered the following report for the Committee of the Whole.
The Committee of the Whole to whom was referred the matter of authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the new Senior/Community Life Center, has considered said matter and would recommend that it be adopted by a roll call vote.
Councillor Prevey discussed the procedures, a public hearing was held, and now this Committee meeting is being held to vote. He stated that there were various issues that came up in the public hearing relative to contamination. The GZA professional gave his opinion and some could dispute it. His knowledge was that this was a safe site. There was discussion relative to should we go with another developer? All avenues have been explored. This is something that can work. This partnership will help us to spend only what we have and make it work. This is a new trend. This is something the whole city should rally around. We need to move forward. If this fails it will go on for many, many years. He asked that we give the support to the Mayor.
Councillor Furey concurred with Councillor Prevey. He stated that we need to move on to a reasonable partnership. This will be a catalyst to develop this area.
Councillor Pinto thanked the people of Salem for their opinions and the site Committee. He stated that he kept an open mind through this and said right now we have a vacant lot and 5 Broad Street is in disrepair. He stated that he supports the Senior Center proposal.
Councillor Ryan stated that to build a Senior Center will cost 5 million which we don’t have and sell Broad Street for 1 million. The Bridge Street site is contaminated and we take a chance for someone to get sick. He stated that he prefers the Willows sites even though it is off the beaten path. We should refurbish the Broad Street at 3 million and expand on the programs. He is not in favor of the proposal.
Councillor Sargent stated that he is not in favor of this site. The seniors that he knows are not in favor of this site. Some prefer the Willows site, some prefer to wait, some just don’t like this site. He stated that he received a phone call from a woman who was being instructed in the background as to what to say.
Councillor Lovely stated this process for her began at the St. Joseph’s site. She was against it due to the parking. We have depleting revenue sources so we need to partner up with private to make it work. The Site Committee was formed and extensive surveys were done. We had 3 site recommendations, Bridge Street was the 3rd on the list and I thought we had one doable before us. We picked 3 but this is the site. I will support this, and I am also concerned about the health issues on this site. She stated that she placed a call to the DEP but got call back after our meeting.
Councillor Lovely stated that she questioned DEP that if the site went from 13,000 square feet to 75,000 square feet it is significant. DEP was asked what if there are children on the site. DEP responded that their concern was with children and the soil.
Councillor Lovely stated that the Hot Spot will be underneath the building. At what point if the developer updates the AUL can you audit it? DEP responded it’s random. Councillor Lovely asked are you concerned about it? DEP’s response was no.
Councillor Lovely went on to say we have a new document before us from Patricia Donahue from DEP that was e-mailed, it talks about restrictions relative to children. Mr. Viteri should do new AUL if there are significant changes. She stated that she received numerous letters, phone calls and emails. She stated that she is in support of this site. The development agreement needs to be signed tomorrow. Broad Street gave us many years of wonderful service but it’s time to move on.
Councillor Pelletier requested and received unanimous consent to suspend the rules to allow the Mayor to speak.
Mayor Kimberley Driscoll stated that all we have to have per statute is a Purchase and Salem Agreement which is a standard purchase and sale agreement.
Councillor Pelletier stated that he got a call today from a constituent who lives on First Street. She asked if the Senior Center will get built. She just lost her friend and she is now sick and is afraid it won’t be built in her lifetime.
Councillor McCarthy thanked Councillor Veno and Councillor Lovely on their hard work on the site committee. He stated that he understands the passion regarding the AUL, Mr. Viteri said the site is safe for my father and my 5 year old son. He’s the environmentalist, I’m not. I’m in favor of this site and let’s give Doug Bollen a new facility.
Councillor Veno stated that this is not an easy vote to go forward without unanimous support of the community. Each site proposal had different characteristics. This will be the most consequential vote I will make on this Council. This was the best process we’re going to have. This is as close as we will get to building a new Senior Center. If this doesn’t pass it will become a toxic issue that no one in the future will want to touch.
Councillor Sosnowski stated that this has been a long road to where we are today. He stated that he wanted it to be known for the record that there were letters submitted by former Mayor Anthony Salvo, Frank Clocher Site Committee member, Teasie Riley Goggin Site Committee member and Patrick H. Curtin Chairman for the Park & Recreation Commission. Their details are important. The developer is the best that ever came into the city. We could have built something by now if we had enough parking. What bothers me is a license site professional interprets an AUL. The Activities Use Limitations are of an environmental concern, he then read the email from Patricia Donahue of DEP. He does not support this site for this use because the risk is just too great.
Councillor Prevey moved to adopt by roll call vote. The matter was adopted by a roll call vote of 8 yeas, 3 nays, 0 absent. Councillor Veno, Pinto, Pelletier, O’Keefe, McCarthy, Lovely, Furey and Prevey were recoded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors Sosnowski, Sargent and Ryan were recorded as voting in the negative.
Councillor Prevey moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
#170 – (#76) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT SECTION 108 LOAN APPLICATION
Councillor Prevey offered the following report for the Committee of the Whole.
The Committee of the Whole to whom was referred the matter of a Community Development Block Grant Section 108 Loan application, has considered said matter and would recommend that it be adopted by a roll call vote.
Councillor Prevey moved to adopt by roll call vote. The matter was adopted by a roll call vote of 8 yeas, 3 nays, 0 absent. Councillor Veno, Pinto, Pelletier, O’Keefe, McCarthy, Lovely, Furey and Prevey were recoded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors Sosnowski, Sargent and Ryan were recorded as voting in the negative.
Councillor Prevey moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
#171 – (#77) DECLARE 5 BROAD STREET AS SURPLUS PROPERTY
Councillor Prevey offered the following report for the Committee of the Whole.
The Committee of the Whole to whom was referred the matter of declaring city owned property 5 Broad Street as surplus, has considered said matter and would recommend that it be adopted by a roll call vote.
Councillor Prevey moved to adopt by roll call vote. The matter was adopted by a roll call vote of 8 yeas, 3 nays, 0 absent. Councillor Veno, Pinto, Pelletier, O’Keefe, McCarthy, Lovely, Furey and Prevey were recoded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors Sosnowski, Sargent and Ryan were recorded as voting in the negative.
Councillor Prevey moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
#172 – RESOLUTION: 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PALMER’S COVE YACHT CLUB
Councillor Lovely introduced the following Resolution, which was adopted.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS: In 1925, J. Wilfred LeBlanc, Alfred Dumas, and several fellow boaters began to gather and socialize in the office of the old Dumas Coal & Wood Yard on Palmer Street, and over the next several years met to plan the organization of a yacht club; and
WHEREAS: Between 1932 and 1934, the members built the first yacht club building at a cost of $597.90. The construction of a second building soon followed; and
WHEREAS: On March 1, 1934, the yacht club was officially formed and incorporated with charter members J. Wilfred LeBlanc, Arthur LeBlanc, Wilfred J. Gagnon, Arthur Cote, Leo Le Boeuf, Frances Nazaroff, and William Talbot; and
WHEREAS: In 1948, Mr. Dumas built a new building to house the Yacht Club known as Palmer’s Cove; and
WHEREAS: This year marks the 75th Diamond Anniversary of the Palmer’s Cove Yacht Club; and
WHEREAS: Over the past 75 years, the Palmer’s Cove Yacht Club has expanded its facilities and grown its membership to 350 members with a long waiting list for new members; and
WHEREAS: Palmer’s Cove Yacht Club promotes itself as a working man’s and woman’s yacht club, for safe power boating and sail boating, fishing and relaxation, with a family friendly atmosphere which includes many 3rd and 4th generation families. Palmer’s Cove Yacht Club maintains this proud heritage due to the hard work of its members, past and present; and
WHEREAS: This long record of accomplishment deserves public expression of appreciation and congratulations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the City Council of the City of Salem, on behalf of all our citizens, extends our highest commendation to the membership of the Palmer’s Cove Yacht Club, past and present, for your many accomplishments over the past 75 years.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOVLED: That a copy of this Resolution be entered into the record of these proceedings, and that a City Seal be presented.
On the motion of Councillor O’Keefe the meeting adjourned at 7:50 P.M.
ATTEST: CHERYL A. LAPOINTE
CITY CLERK
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