Chelsea, Massachusetts, November 8, 2010 A ... - Chelsea City Hall

Chelsea, Massachusetts, November 8, 2010 

A Regular meeting of the Chelsea City Council was held. The meeting was held at the 

Chelsea City Hall located at 500 Broadway. The following Councilors were present: 

Councilors Robinson, Hatleberg, Cortell, MeKonnen, Brown, Vega-Torres, Bongiovanni, 

and Maronski. Councillor Bishop arrived at 7:02 P.M., Councillor Washington arrived at 

7:02 P.M., and Councillor Barton arrived at 7:06 P.M. President Robinson presided over 

the meeting. The meeting opened at 7:00 P.M. 

Memoriums and celebratory resolutions: 

The following Resolution was introduced by Councillor MeKonnen and all members of 

the City Council. A motion from Councillor MeKonnen to adopt by roll call passed 

10-0-1-0. Voting yes were Councilors Robinson, Hatleberg, Cortell, Washington, Brown, 

Bishop, Vega-Torres, Bongiovanni, and Maronski. Councillor Barton was absent. 

RESOLUTION 

WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Donarumo who resides at 243 Washington Avenue 

and 

WHEREAS, all one needs to do is walk by this property and it is obvious that Mr. and 

Mrs. Donarumo have great pride in the maintaining of their property; and 

WHEREAS, Chelsea Pride is something that all of us wish to display in our homes and 

properties; now therefore be it 

RESOLVED, that this City Council wishes to go on record as commending Mr. and Mrs. 

Donarumo for the manner in which they maintain and beautify their 

property at 295 Washington Avenue and be it further, 

RESOLVED, that this City Council feels that Mr. and Mrs. Robert Donarumo are 

deserving for “Good Neighbor Award”. 

The following resolution was introduced by Councillor MeKonnen and all members of 

the City Council. A motion from Councillor MeKonnen to adopt by roll call passed 9-0- 

2-0. Voting yes were Councilors Robinson, Hatleberg, Cortell, MeKonnen, Brown, 

Bishop, Vega-Torres, Bongiovanni, and Maronski. Councilors Washington and Barton 

were absent. 

RESOLUTION 

WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Gary. Martel, who residents of 295 Washington Avenue, and

WHEREAS, all one needs to do is walk by this property and it is obvious that Mr. and 

Mrs. Martel have great pride in the maintaining of their property; and 

WHEREAS, Chelsea Pride is something that all of us wish to display in our homes and 

properties; now therefore be it, 

RESOLVED, that this City Council wishes to go on record as commending Mr. and Mrs. 

Martel for the manner in which they maintain and beautify their property 

at 295 Washington Avenue and be it further, 

RESOLVED, that this City Council feels that Mr. and Mrs. Gary Martel are deserving 

for a “Good Neighbor Award.” 

The scheduled public hearing on the City Manager’s Evaluation opened at 7:01 P.M. 

The following came forward to speak; 

Henry Lea, 105 Franklin Avenue, spoke in favor 

Bill Clark, 73 Warren Avenue, spoke in favor 

Gary Martell, 295 Washington Avenue, spoke in favor. 

Rosemarie Carlisle, 105 Sagamore Avenue, spoke in favor. 

The public hearing closed at 7:17 P.M. 

Public speaking portion of the meeting opened at 7:18 P.M. 

The following came forward to speak: 

Henry Lea, 105 Franklin Avenue, spoke about politics in general. 

Mike Sandoval, 86 Grove Street, spoke about problems at Grove Street and the newly 

created crime watch. 

The public speaking portion closed at 7:24 P.M.

The minutes of the City Council Meeting dated October 18, 2010 and the Sub-Committee 

meeting dated October 26, 2010 were approved at the request of Councillor MeKonnen 

under suspension. 

Communications from City Manager: 

The following communication was read from City Manager Jay Ash. A motion from 

Councillor Hatleberg to adopt under suspension was adopted. 

The Honorable Chelsea City Council 

City Hall 

Chelsea, MA 02150 

Dear Honorable Council: 

As you will recall, our agreement for the rental of the property of Marginal Street 

requires Council to take a vote to place excess excise tax revenues into a fund to provide 

for the repairs and general maintenance of the facilities we own there. With the recent 

certification of Free Cash, we have determined that substantial excise tax revenues above 

the desired $500,000 requirement do exist. Therefore, per our agreement, I write to 

request your appropriation of $500,000 from Free Cash to the 324 Marginal Street 

Overage Fund Account Council established for such purposes earlier this year. As an 

appropriation, this request will require two readings. 

Our Marginal Street success is a substantial contributor to the fiscal stability we are now 

experiencing. Your continued support of the agreement we have for the rental of the 

property, therefore, is both critical and much appreciated. 

Thank you for your continuing efforts on this matter. 

Sincerely, 

Jay Ash 

City Manager 

The following three communications, two for appointments to the Chelsea Housing 

Authority and one for the appointment to the Tree Board were acted upon by one roll call 

for adoption at the request of Councillor Hatleberg. All three appointments passed by an 

11-0-0-0. vote. Voting yes were Councilors Robinson, Hatleberg, Cortell, Washington, 

MeKonnen, Barton, Brown, Bishop, Vega-Torres, Bongiovanni, and Maronski. 

The Honorable City Council 



Dear Honorable Council:

It is a great pleasure for me to recommend Maria Rivera of 180 Central Avenue to you 

for re-appointment to the Chelsea Housing Authority Board. 

Maria is a resident of the CHA and a member of the CHA Board since 2005. She is quite 

active in CHA affaires, helping to administer her development’s playground, food 

distribution and crime watch committees. In fact, safety and welfare of all the CHA 

tenants have been her top priority. She is recognized as a dedicated advocate for local 

residents and demonstrates a great deal of determination to make their living experience a 

better one. Thus, I believe she will continue to be a tremendous advocate on the Board for 

residents and a valued leader in helping to maintain CHA’s outstanding operation. 

Maria is exactly the type of individual we need to keep involved in boards and 

commissions. It is my pleasure to recommend her for re-appointment to the Housing 

Authority Board. Thank you for your consideration of her appointment. 

Very truly yours, 

Jay Ash 






It is my pleasure to recommend Robert Donovan of 77 Harvard Street for appointment to 

the Chelsea Housing Authority Board Commissioners. 

As you know, Bob is a lifelong resident of the City who has served the community with 

distinction in public service, private enterprise and charitable effort. Most recently, he has 

served as the volunteer member and chairman of the Chelsea Housing Authority 

Grievance Panel. In that role, he has learned a great deal about important issues involving 

CHA and its residents. That, augmented by his understanding of facilities management 

gained as a past Commandant of the Chelsea Soldiers Home, along with his business 

experience as an insurance agency owner, should combine to provide continued 

outstanding oversight and advice to an agency that is consistently recognized as one of 

the best run housing authorities in the country. 

I appreciate Robert Donavan’s willingness to continue to serve his community and to 

continue to have an impact on the lives of those within it. I hope you will provide him 

with that opportunity by confirming his appointment to the CHA Board of 

Commissioners. Thank you for your consideration of this request. 

Sincerely,

Jay Ash 




Chelsea MA 02150 

Dear Honorable City Council: 

It is my great pleasure to recommend D’Nelle Martel of 295 Washington Avenue for 

appointment to the Tree Board. 

D’Nelle has been very active in numerous civic and charitable activities. Her level of 

commitment to the community is admirable and appreciated. I have enjoyed my many 

conversations with her and have always come away hoping to find a way to get her more 

involved in our work in promoting our neighborhoods and city. She has a particular 

fondness for the work of the Tree Board. I am convinced that she will be a tremendous 

addition to that board and City government in general. 

Thank you for your consideration of D’Nelle Martel for appointment. 

Sincerely, 

Jay Ash 



Councillor Hatleberg to accept and file was adopted under suspension. 





We have often referenced how our planning and financial management has put the City in 

a position to see the need for action well before its time and have the financial 

wherewithal to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves. In writing to 

request that you amend the current Capital Improvement Program to include borrowing 

on a new project entitled: Washington Avenue Infrastructure Improvement Project, I do 

so with the aforementioned in mind. Given the current environment of both low interest 

rates and reduced bids on projects, along with a general sense that spending today helps 

the economy tomorrow, I believe it would be wise of us to accelerate the Washington 

Avenue project by putting it into action this year, instead of waiting until next year. To do 

so, I have requested the authorization to borrow $5,434,923 to finance the $6,247,123 

project. As a loan authorization, two readings of Council are required.

We have identified Washington Avenue as our next project, and Council has approved 

past engineering money for us to conduct the necessary planning around its completion. 

While we had once held out hope that the project could secure federal stimulas money, 

that proved to not be the case. We had considered placing it on the state list for projects, 

but that list is long and could likely take five or more years to secure funding. Given the 

poor condition of the roadway surface and the aging infrastructure under it, waiting five 

years is too long in our estimation. Instead, we recommend going forward on this project, 

and will line up Broadway, which could carry a price tag of $10 million, in the queue for 

future state funding. 

Going forward on Washington Avenue is not as easy as it may sound. The $6.2m cost is 

substantially more than we typically spend on our entire annual CIP. Thus, by making a 

commitment to Washington Avenue, we should all be aware that numerous smaller 

projects will not find way onto the CIP during the next several CIPs, unless other funding 

becomes available. 

The borrowing requested would be comprised of the following: 

General Obligation Bond of $2,423,246 

Sewer Enterprise Bond of $1,406,252 

MWRA Bond of $1,205,365 which is repaid for the Water Enterprise Fund 

MWRA Bond of $399,850, which is repaid from the Sewer Enterprise Fund. 

Additionally, the City would utilize the following grants to pay the remaining project 

costs: 

MWRA Grant of $327,150 

Chapter 90 Grant of $485,050 

Rates for the GO and Sewer Bonds are presently under 3%. The MWRA Bond to be paid 

through the Water fund carries with it a 0% interest charge. The other MWRA Bond is 

currently around 2%. The financing strategy takes advantage of all that we are entitled to 

receive from the MWRA and adds to the attractiveness of financing the project today. In 

the alternative, if we were to wait for the traditional process of including the project in an 

upcoming CIP, we would be pushing the financing piece for the project off be a year. 

Given that we are at historically low interest rates now, it is hard to imagine that the rates 

would drop further, but easier to speculate that rates are only going to go up. Thus, by 

accelerating the project, we could save hundreds of thousands of dollars in future interest 

charges. 

Regarding the cost of construction, we are seeing lower bids on most construction 

projects and believe by bidding the project out soon we can assure ourselves of getting a 

more competitive bid. Again, bids are low now, so it is hard to imagine them getting 

lower if we wait a year. It is easier to imagine construction rising.

This is a major commitment by City government towards a capital improvement that is 

most necessary, but also the most costly we have undertaken here in recent memory. 

Your support of this effort would again demonstrate your commitment to local residents 

to provide functioning infrastructure, and again reflect your success in putting the City in 

the property financial and administrative position to do so. I commend you for those 

efforts and do appreciate your consideration of this extraordinary request. 

Sincerely 

Jay Ash 








Since the adoption of the City budget in June, the School Department has reduced its 

budget based upon reductions in revenue from the State. The original budget adopted for 

the Schools was $64,127,173. The School Board approved an updated budget in 

September, 2010 for $63,024,341, for a net reduction of $1,102,832. I hereby recommend 

that you amend the previously adopted amount be reducing the School appropriation to 

$63,024,341. 

By reducing the amount authorized for expenditure, you will help ensure that an amount 

in excess of available funding is not expended. Additionally, in order to coordinate end of 

year reporting and accurate financial records, it will be especially desirable to have the 

reduced amount recorded as the maximum amount that can be spent by the School 

Department for the year. 

Thank you for your consideration of what I believe is a “housekeeping” matter. The 

School Department has noted that the reduced funding will be addressed by a $98,166 

budget reduction, but that the balance of $1,004,666 will be transferred or “replaced” by 

new grant funds received from the State. 

Sincerely, 

Jay Ash 



Councillor Barton to accept and file was adopted under suspension. 


City Hall



You may recall that earlier this year you endorsed an application for Massachusetts 

Parkland Acquisition and Renovation for Communities (PARC) funds for the 

development of a park, designed both for active and passive recreation, on soon-to-be 

City owned land located along Highland Street between Library Street and Gerrish 

Avenue, I am pleased to inform you that as a result of your endorsement and the efforts 

of the our City staff and especially our legislature delegation, the City was awarded a 

PARC grant in the amount of $500,000 by the Patrick Administration. This grant will 

cover seventy percent of the total budget for the design and construction of the park. In 

accordance with the terms of the grant, the City is expected to complete the design of the 

park by June 30, 2011. Actual construction of the park will be allowed to begin 

construction on July 1, 2011 and will be required to be completed by June 30, 2012. 

As the PARC grant is a reimbursement grant-the City must first expend the funds and 

then request reimbursement from the Commonwealth. The City is required to vote the 

full amount of the cost of development prior to the signing of the grant agreement with 

the State. The full approved development cost is $720,149.43. With a seventy percent 

reimbursement the final cost to the City will be $220,149.43. An order to appropriate the 

funds, the full $720,149.43, has been submitted for your consideration and approval. 

As always, the Council plays an important role in support of the City’s open space 

projects and grant funding. It is important, even more now than ever given the severe 

economic constraints under which we operate, to take advantage of the grant 

opportunities to develop our infrastructure and to meet the open space needs of our 

community. 

Sincerely, 

Jay Ash 

City Manger 







The City has encountered several situations requiring outside legal services that will 

cause the FY11 Law Department-Legal Services line of $25,000 to be fully committed 

this quarter.

In general, the City budget for legal services is conservatively estimated for budget 

purposes, as it is difficult to estimate the progression of ongoing legal cases and any new 

legal and personnel matters that may arise during the fiscal year. 

Based upon ongoing and new case loads reviewed with the Law Department and the 

respective outside legal services costs, I hereby recommend that $120,000 be 

appropriated for Free Cash to the FY11 Legal Department Legal Services Account 

0115152-530100. 

Your consideration of this request is appreciated as it will allow the City through the Law 

Department to responsible defend and protect its best interests. 

Sincerely, 

Jay Ash 


. 






Dear Honorable Council 

Last month, you gave your support to a motion to fund future police expenditures should 

Free Cash be certified at a level which could support the additional appropriation. With 

Free Cash having been so certified, I write to request your appropriation of $96,000 to 

support those policing initiatives. As appropriation orders, two Council readings are 

required for adoption. 

As you know and contributed your ideas, Police Chief Kyes devised a policing strategy 

which was augmented by request spending as follows: 

$12,000 to extend summertime anti-gang activities in targeted hot spots through October 

31 st . Those anti-gang efforts take place during the hours of 8:30p and 4:30a and are 

critical towards our overall efforts to suppress and eliminate violence and drug activities 

throughout the community, especially in heavily impacted neighborhoods. This unit is 

also responsible for zero tolerance and FIOs (Field Interrogation Observations ), and has 

made over 100 arrests since implemented in the late spring. 

$20,000 for the addition of another two officers to perform zero tolerance efforts, 

including a major focus on prostitution, and FIOs. These officers will also work through 

October 31 st , and will be in service from 3:30a to 7:30p. The timing of these officers 

coincides with the end of the Impact Shift that adds four officers to our patrol. 

$8,000 will allow for either of the above two initiatives to continue on past October 31 st , 

albeit at reduced intervals. Should protracted criminal activity demand more regular,

extra enforcement, I will approach Council to discuss this further.$56,000 for the hiring 

of a new staff person in the IT Department to work primarily, but not exclusively, on 

Police Department needs. The amount represents a prorated annual cost of $75,000, 

which is inclusive of benefits. The hiring of an IT professional to man CPD technical 

issues will allow for CPD to redirect at least one superior officer to the effort of analyzing 

and disseminating crime data. This will be particularly important as CPD seeks to 

develop an action agenda for major “players” and places that are suspected of causing or 

contributing to a high proportion of criminal activity, both locally and in the region. 

Your leadership continues to be critical and valued as we act to address the violence and 

related criminal activity that is impacting our community. Council action, to date, to 

support additional police hires and the potential of this additional spending is contributing 

positively to our public safety initiatives. Furthermore, your efforts in providing advice 

and guidance on CPD’s overall priorities, as well as the individual work you do in your 

respective neighborhoods and districts, also makes a difference. We remain fortunate for 

your leadership and support. 

I recommend adoption of the necessary appropriations to implement the above 

recommendations. Thank you for consideration of this matter and your continued priority 

of such public safety initiatives. 

Sincerely, 

Jay Ash 


Communications and petitions to the Council 

A copy of a communication was received from City Solicitor Cheryl Watson regarding 

the Charter Review Committee .A motion from Councillor MeKonnen to accept and file 

was adopted under suspension. 

A copy of a communication was received from Chief Fothergill regarding the unpaid 

invoice from Underwriters Laboratories, Inc, for ladder testing done on MAY 18,2010. A 

motion from Councillor Hatleberg to accept and file was adopted under suspension. 

Committee Reports: 

A copy of the Sub-Committee’s report for the City Manager’s Evaluation was received 

from Councillor Brown Chairman of the Sub-Committee. A motion from Councillor 

Brown to accept the Evaluation report and refer it to the Sub-Committee on Conference 

by roll call passed 11-0-0-0. Voting yes were Councilors Robinson, Hatleberg, Cortell,

Washington, MeKonnen, Barton, Brown, Bishop, Vega-Torres, Bongiovanni, and 

Maronski. 

New Business: 

The following Order was introduced by Councillor Hatleberg. Councillor Bongiovanni 

referred the Loan Order to the Sub-Committee on Conference under suspension. 

City of Chelsea, Massachusetts 

Loan Order 

(Washington Avenue Reconstruction Project) 

BE IT ORDERED: That the sum of $ 6,247,123 is hereby appropriated to pay costs of the 

Washington Street Reconstruction Project as more fully described in the Schedule attached hereto, 

and for the payment of all other costs incidental and related thereto, and that to meet this 

appropriation, the following amounts are to be raised as follows: 

1. The City Treasurer, with the approval of the City Manager, is authorized, under 

and pursuant to Chapter 44, Sections 7 and 8 of the General Laws, or pursuant to any 

other enabling authority, to borrow $3,829,708, to pay costs described in the attached 

Schedule under the headings General Fund Borrowing ($2,423,456) and Sewer Fund 

Borrowing ($1,406,252), including the payment of any and all design, engineering, 

construction and installation costs associated therewith, and for the payment of all other 

costs incidental and related thereto, and to issue bonds or notes of the City therefor; 



other enabling authority, to borrow $399,850, to pay costs of sewer system improvements 

eligible for financial assistance through the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s 

Infiltration and Inflow Program, including the payment of any and all other costs 

incidental and related, and to issue bonds or notes of the City therefor; 



other enabling authority, to borrow $1,205,365, to pay costs of sewer system 

improvements eligible for financial assistance through the Massachusetts Water 

Resources Authority’s Local Pipeline Assistance Program, including the payment of any 

and all other costs incidental and related, and to issue bonds or notes of the City therefor; 

and 

4. To complete the funding of the projects described above, the Massachusetts Water 

Resources Authority Grant ($327,150) and Chapter 90 Grants ($485,050), for a total of 

$812,200 as set forth on the attached schedule, are hereby accepted for expenditure on the 

foregoing projects, such expenditure to be under the direction of the City Manager. The 

City Manager or his designee is hereby authorized to apply for, accept and expend any 

state or federal grants that are or may become available to pay costs of the projects 

described herein.


moved the Order to the Sub-Committee on Conference under suspension. 

ORDERED, that $120,000.00 be appropriated from Free Cash to the FY2011 Law 

Department Legal Services Account 0115152-530100. 


moved the Order to the Sub-Committee on Conference under suspension. 

ORDERED, That $500,000.00 be appropriated from Free Cash to the 324 Marginal 

Street Overage Fund Account #553110, consistent with the lease agreement for that 

property dated March 23, 2009. 

The following Order was introduced by Councillor Hatleberg. A motion from Councillor 

Hatleberg moved the order to a second reading under suspension. 

ORDERED, by the Chelsea City Council as follows: 

That $56,000.00 be appropriated from Free Cash to the FY2011 

Management Information Systems (MIS) Department Regular Salary Account 011551- 

510200 to fund the City Administration’s technology support for the Chelsea Police 

Department and general city operations. 

The following Order was introduced by Councillor MeKonnen. A motion from 

Councillor MeKonnen to adopt under suspension was adopted. 

ORDERED, that the Traffic and Parking Commission post a “Do Not Park” sign in 

front of 320 Washington Avenue. 

The following Order was introduced by Councillor Robinson. A motion from Councillor 

Hatleberg to adopt under suspension was adopted. 

ORDERED, that an organizational meeting be held on Monday, November 22,2010 at 

6:00 P.M. in the City Council Conference Room for the Charter Review Committee 

newly appointed members. 


Hatleberg to adopt under suspension was adopted. 

ORDERED, that a Sub-Committee on Conference be held on Novemebr 23,2010 at 

6:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers regarding the Minimum Residential Factor, 

Classification and the Residential Exemption. 

The following Order was introduced by Councilors MeKonnen and Hatleberg. A motion 

from Councillor Hatleberg to adopt under suspension was adopted. 

ORDERED, that the City Manager instruct the Department of Public Works to patch 

potholes on Cherry Street and at the intersection of Cherry and Everett Avnue. 


Hatleberg moved the Order to a second reading under suspension.

ORDERED, that a reduction of the Fiscal Year 2011 School Department original 

appropriation from $64,127,173.00 to $63,024,341.00 for a net reduction of 

$1,102,832.00 attributed to a reduction in Fiscal Year 2011 Chapter 70 State Aid. 


Hatleberg moved the Order to a second reading under suspension. 

ORDERED, by the Chelsea City Council as follows: 

That $40,000.00 be appropriated from Free Cash to the FY2011 Police 

Department Regular Salary Account 0121051-510200 to fund the City 

Administration and the Chelsea Police Department’s current initiatives to 

combat violence and other crimes in the following manner: 

1. $12,000.00 to extend summertime anti-gang activities; 

2. $20,000.00 for the addition of another two police officers to perform 

and enforce the Chelsea Police Department’s zero tolerance efforts; 

and 

3. $8,000.00 to allow the zero tolerance through October 31,2010. 

The following Order was introduced by Councillor Barton. A motion from Councillor 

Barton referred the Resolution to a second reading under suspension. 

RESOLUTION 

Whereas, 

Whereas, 

Whereas, 

Whereas, 

Whereas, 

the City has an agreement with Chelsea Neighborhood Developers 

(CND) to purchase 13,300 square feet of a 54,048 square foot parcel 

located along Highland Street between Library Street and Gerrish 

Avenue, and 

the 13,300 square feet is the unimproved portion of an existing 

industrial parcel, and represents an opportunity to develop a 

community park in the Gerrish Avenue/Bellingham Street 

neighborhood in accord with the North Bellingham Hill Neighborhood 

Plan; and 

CND have been approved by the City’s land use boards to construct 

thirty-two units of affordable rental units on the remaining 40,748 

square feet of the 54,048 square foot parcel; and 

the City applied for and received a Parkland Acquisitions and 

Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant in the amount of 

$500,000, which covers seventy percent (70%) of the $720,149.43 cost 

of design and construction; and 

the PARC grant reimburses the City for design and construction up to 

the amount of the grant, and the City is required by (PARC) grant

guidelines to set aside the full amount of the project and certify that 

full funding, including the State share, is available for the project prior 

to reimbursement; be it therefore 

Ordered, 

Ordered. 

by this vote that the City Council endorses the project for the PARC 

funds prepared by the Department of Planning and Development, certifies the 

City Manager’s authority to enter into an agreement for receipt of these funds, and 

directs the City Manager to take any and all action necessary to accomplish the 

project; and further be it 

by this vote, the City Council sets aside the amount of $720,149.43 for 

completion of the project. 


Robinson to adopt by roll call passed 11-0-0-0. Voting yes were Councilors Robinson, 

Hatleberg, Cortell, Washington, Barton, Brown, Bishop, Vega-Torres, Bongiovanni, and 

Maronski. 

ORDERED, that Stanley Troisi and Richard Pantano be added to the members of the 

Charter Review Committee. 

A moment of silence was conducted for the passing of Fido Ramerez a Chelsea Business 

man, at the request of Councillor Robinson. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:05 P.M. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Paul G. Casino 

Clerk of the Chelsea City Council

Chelsea, Massachusetts, November 8, 2010 A ... - Chelsea City Hall

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