COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS, RULES, ORDINANCES, ORDERS AND CLAIMS Councilor David A. Murphy, Chair Councilor Jesse M.

Adams Councilor Maureen T. Carney

Meeting Minutes Monday, April 9, 2012 6:00 pm 8:00 pm City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street Wallace J. Puchalski Municipal Building, Northampton, MA 1. Members present/absent: Councilor Murphy, Councilor Adams, Councilor Carney, City Solicitor Alan Seewald 2. Meeting Called to Order Councilor Murphy called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 3. Announcement of Audio/Video Recording of Meeting The meeting is audio-recorded. 4. Approval of Minutes of March 12, 2012 Councilor Carney moved approval of the minutes; Councilor Adams seconded. The motion passed unanimously (3-0). 5. Public Comment None 6. CLAIMS Adams Claim of October 29, 2011 (Continued from March 12, 2012) A second review by the DPW contends that the damage was part of the October snowstorm, and that the City was not negligent in care of the City tree. Councilor Carney moved to deny the claim; Councilor Adams seconded. The motion passed unanimously (3-0). Matus Claim of October 30, 2011 (Continued from March 12, 2012) Mr. Matus was present for the claim. Mr. Matus stated that the DPW letter was an admission of negligence. His tenant had warned the plow driver that the downed wire was connected to the house, but the plow driver was not a prudent and reasonable individual, and the plow driver should have acted differently. Mr. Matus stated that the plow driver laughed and continued plowing, which caused the wire to rip off part of the house.

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Councilor Murphy questioned if there was any insurance settlement. Mr. Matus stated that his deductible is high and that he received no settlement; all expenses for repair were paid by Mr. Matus. Councilor Carney moved to approve the claim in the amount of $897.49, pending proof of insurance and deductible in excess of the damage; Councilor Adams seconded. The motion passed unanimously (3-0), Bible Baptist Church Claim of January 12, 2012 Pastor Gustine was present for the claim. City Solicitor recommended approval of the claim, with conditions of the sign must be moved out of the City layout and no further claims would be honored on this sign. Councilor Carney moved approval of the claim in the amount of $716.77, with conditions to move the sign; Councilor Adams seconded. The motion passed unanimously (3-0). Hotel Northampton Claim of January 12, 2012 Councilor Adams moved to deny the claim; Councilor Carney seconded. The motion passed unanimously (3-0). 7. ORDINANCES Ordinance: Amend 312-117 Schedule XVI Handicapped Parking (Referred by City Council on January 5, 2012 to Transportation & Parking Commission (recommend as of January 17, 2012), Committee on Disabilities (recommend as of March 20, 2012), and Committee on Elections, Rules, Ordinances, Orders and Claims) Councilor Carney moved to forward the Ordinance to full City Council, as recommended; Councilor Adams seconded. The motion passed unanimously (3-0). 8. NEW BUSINESS Reserved for topics that the Chair did not reasonably anticipate would be discussed. No new business. At 6:32 p.m., Councilor Carney moved to adjourn and was seconded by Councilor Adams. The motion passed unanimously (3-0). The next meeting is May 14, 2012 at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully Submitted, Mary L. Midura Executive Secretary

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