Welcome to the April 13, 226 meeting of the Reier City Council. All rise and salute the flag, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Madame clerk, >> roll club the members. Councelor Aenzio >> here. >> Here. Councelor Cogleandro >> here. >> Here. Council Janino >> here. >> Here. Councelor Goaya >> here. >> Here. Councelor H
>> here. >> Here. Councelor Kelly >> here. >> Here. Council McKenna >> here. >> Here. Council Mccurio >> here. >> Here. Council Novaski >> here. >> Here. Councelor Sylvestri >> here. >> Here. And council president Zambudo >> here. >> Here. Quorum is present. >> Approval of the journal of the regular
meeting of March 23rd. >> So move. >> All in favor? All opposed? I >> calendar item number three. motion presented by councelor Kelly that the mayor request uh fire chief James Cullen and Captain Kevin O'Hara to appear before the city council on Monday, April
13th to provide a public safety briefing regarding the proposed battery energy storage system facility at Zero Muzzy Street. The briefing should address emergency response considerations associated with a facility of this scale, including fire suppression strategies, hazardous materials
considerations, potential evacuation procedures, coordination with public safety agencies, and any training equipment or operational planning necessary for the city of REI to respond effectively to an incident involving a battery energy storage facility. The purpose of this presentation is to
ensure that the city council and the public have a clear understanding of the public safety preparedness and emergency response planning associated with a project of this magnitude. >> Okay. So, we're going to uh you want to say something, Mr. Mayor?
>> Mr. President, thank you, honorable council. >> Welcome. >> I just wanted to make sure that we've got your motion. Uh I wanted to uh offer the insight from the fire department regarding these best facilities. as you know that they are starting to happen throughout the Commonwealth and likely
throughout the country. Um this is something that has come to our attention over the last two few years. More recently, this one proposal company has been um checking to see if they have viability in the city of River. Uh we have not entertained any
formal agreements. We have not signed any formal agreements. They are very much still in the planning stages and uh we wanted to make sure that before anything is documented uh that the fire department is uh fully on board and that they are uh going to give everyone
assurances that they can protect the residents of Rivier add to uh reliable energy sources in the city and in the region and uh protect the visitors of Rivier. So, uh, I feel confident that our fire department, as we always are,
are equipped, uh, with the best knowledge, with the most, uh, updated equipment and training that they would be able to learn more about these over the last year. And they have done just that. And they're going to present to you what they what they know and what are their findings so that they can continue through the process of making
sure that they um, add asurances to the public, addurances to the council, addurances to myself. I'm not in the battery storage business, but if it is going to be happening in the area, there's a large site proposed in Everett. There's a large site in Chelsea. There's a large site in other neighboring towns, including I believe
there's going to be a proposal in the city or town of Saras. We want to make sure that if it's happening in the city of Rivier, that we're mitigating all risk to the residents, to the visitors, to the homes, and the businesses of our community. So, without further ado, I offer you our talented River Fire
Department. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, so I just want to make a couple of things clear. This battery storage facility is not before this city council tonight. This is a public information safety
meeting uh not meeting but safety uh presentation. It's not a public hearing and therefore people are not allowed to speak as if it was a public hearing. We're just simply going to get the presentation from the uh fire chief and
the captain uh and the deputy chief perhaps. I don't I'm not sure who's speaking on their behalf, but this is just anformational meeting, not a public hearing. And we're going to this is the way it's going to uh go. And the city councils are going to have two minutes a
piece uh to ask questions or speak or whatever you want to do with your two minutes. And uh then we'll get into the public comment uh deal later. Unfortunately, there some information went out. Um and uh in my opinion was erroneous
leading the people of Sargas to believe they could come up here and speak tonight. That's not the case. Uh we don't allow that, especially on a matter that's not before the council. Um so that's that's where we're at with that. But we do have some dignitaries from the
uh town of Saras. We have uh selectment and my friend Anthony Coglaniano and uh selectment uh Frank Federico. Hope I didn't blow that. Um
and Tom meeting members uh Liz Maresy and Bob Kamuso. Thank you for coming and sorry you won't be able to share your thoughts with us tonight. Um, Chief Cullen, thank you for coming and start your presentation, please.
>> Thank you. Good evening, counselors. Um, I I read u councelor Kelly's motion and if I may, I'm going to just start with a little narrative that I have here to start off positive. Uh, with the increased demand on power on the power
grid, solutions are being proposed. One of them being battery energy storage systems. These facilities are being proposed in the state of Massachusetts and are already in the plane and stage or under construction in nearby cities and towns.
In October 2025, the mayor asked that I meet with Flat Iron Energy to discuss any fire safety concerns that I had. Several members of my command staff and I had an initial meeting with the company to discuss our personnel, equipment, and training needs to ensure
that our members and the public would be protected in the event of a fire or other emergency incident at the facility at the proposed facility. We also discussed needed improvements to the city infrastructure that would be required to operate a facility of this
type, namely water supply upgrades and site access. On April 8th, we had a follow-up meeting with Flat Iron representatives and discuss progress on the plans and our needs to ensure that any incident that does take place can be dealt with
safely. I'm here to address your concerns regarding fire safety at this proposed facility. My number one concern is the safety of my members and that of the residents. I believe that Flat Iron Energy is planning to meet with you with this council uh at a future date to to
put on a presentation regarding their project. And uh if you'd like, I could I including in the motion was um some specific questions about uh hazardous materials and different things. If if you'd like, I'll just open it up to questions or if you'd like me to go
further. >> Well, sorry about that. I'm I'd like you to give us as much information as you can and then after yourself and and the captain and whoever else is going to speak then some of the counselors might
have a question. >> Sure. >> But uh I you know the the stuff in this motion is is obvious. I mean these are concerns we all have. Uh so if you want to address them in any way, you can go ahead and do that. and then if there's
something's left out that some counselors might have other questions about, we can go down that road. >> Sure. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, so under the fire suppression strategies, I mean, number one, of course, on our list is water supply and
we've addressed this with the company that that um upgraded water manes will be needed up in that area. You know, it's kind of sparse right now. So, they're taking a look at that with their engineers and their fire protection engineers and what they would need to do to uh to upgrade that that
infrastructure. Uh apparatus. Uh we'll need a um high-capacity pumper apparatus to uh replace older apparatus up in that area. So, we're also discussing possible mitigation and we're hoping to have some mitigation in an agreement in a future
agreement about that. And um the site access we talked to them about we need complete access 360 degree access to this site in the event that there was an emergency and and they're looking at the uh site and and ways to uh address that.
We also uh spoke to them about putting in a a fixed fire protection system, which is um monitors that we would be able to pump into if we needed to if there was a fire at the facility and um direct water onto any any of the uh the
units that are up there. And they're also looking at that with their engineers how to design that for us. As far as hazardous materials, uh the smoke and gases that are produced by these fires are the same as any other fire that we handle. And and many people
don't realize that when there's just a a building fire or or a house fire, all kinds of hazardous materials come out of those fires these days. Everything's plastic, everything's chemicals. So, we're we're used to dealing with this. We've been dealing with this for a long time. And uh it's going to we're going to treat this just like any other
hazardous uh smoke condition or or any kind of regular fire. We would we would handle that as we do. We have a robust hazardous materials response system with our regional partners, Boston Fire and the state department of fire services. And we we can call out u numerous teams
if need be if any kind of hazmat incidents. Uh we've done that many years. We have we have uh that all those procedures are are down. We have gas monitoring equipment to to monitor the air in case there was any kind of fire in that area uh to check
the um surrounding air and the air quality for the residents. Um also in the uh motion was potential evacuation procedures. I mean due to the required setbacks from the facility, we do not anticipate any direct fire
exposure to any residents homes up there. It's over 300 feet to the nearest structure to the nearest battery structure from any homes. So, we do not anticipate any direct fire exposure. And if if there was ever to be a need to evacuate, we have resources with Red
Cross, with the MBTA, our mutual aid partners, other city resources, and private contract partners. And as far as the training, we're proactive in this training. We've already started sending some of our members to uh battery storage fires and um I'll let the captain speak in a few
minutes on that. Uh some of several of our members went out to uh the state of Nevada and did some uh battery training. I've had some battery training myself as well as uh a lot of my command staff has already had training on this and and we're we're going to continue to do
that. And if I'll open it up to questions for any councils once we wish to uh >> I I' I'd rather go through the whole presentation and then then let them the council >> Well, that was basically it council. Um
that that was pretty much covers all the all the topics that were in the uh the request. >> So So we'll hear from the captain now and then we then we'll have you both up to answer questions that uh any of the uh council might have. >> Sure. Absolutely. >> Thank you. Thank you for your
presentation. Captain. >> Hey, how you doing? All right. All right. >> Captain O'Hara. Okay. >> Yeah. Captain Kevin O'Hara, president re firefighters local 926. Also, I serve as a trustee on the PFFM board as well.
Okay. So, first before I start, I'd like to uh commend Council Kelly. Excellent motion. You know, there's a lot of stuff being set out in this city about what's going on, how we're going to fight it. Is it hazardous? um is it dangerous to you know the to the the house around the facility and you know back in August and
there's a couple things I want to address too that we've seen online there is a lot of misleading information out there about how this all started how it came to rever and everything first I want to start off with um you know Mayor Keith he did approach me last year and the chief as well in August of 2025 and
he came up to me and he specifically said he goes listen he goes these battery storage companies they're coming here all right so what are we up against? Is it dangerous? Do we have to worry about anything going forward? And I said, "All right, let me get on it." And I started doing research. First thing I typed in, battery storage
dangers, bang, surprise, Arizona. Now, now technology has evolved since then. So, two 2019 is the first incident these batteries started out in Arizona. And what happened was it's a, you know, they were walk-in storage facilities. And I'm
sure you guys all looked at online, you know, the fire report doesn't specifically actually explain what took place out there because when I went out for training two weeks ago, I did a weekl long training out in Nevada and I sat down with um Hunter Chief Hunter Clare Hunter Chief Hunter Clare who was
a captain then and he was a he was in he was the one who got um when the explosion took place, he was the one that was thrown back and he still serves on the fire department today. So what took place was you know what what happened out there was it was a storage
facility with the batteries inside and when they got there they were there for three and a half hours. All right. And there was a CO call. They went there originally and then there was hydrogen gas coming out and there was white smoke coming out from the from the units. Now when you get CO, you don't go in. They
didn't go in. They kept the workers out. It went on for three and a half hours. part of their protocol was someone from that engine company supposed to respond right away and they were 6 hours out. So what happened was as this was going on the white smoke disappeared and when he went over they had the kick tick cameras
they were you know testing the the um the heat on the the units and when he opened the door boom that's how the explosion happened. That was four hours into the event. All right and this is something we've never trained for. The units are made differently now. And I know there we talked about toxic smoke.
If these things ever catch fire, it's just like a house fire. It's the same smoke you're breathing. All right? You ever have a house fire in Re? We just had one a couple years out right side of city hall. Everybody comes to watch. You should be home with your windows closed. That smoke causes cancer. All right? So,
you don't need an evacuation plan because we don't evacuate the area. We have a house that catches fire. Thermal runaway. We're f when we fight these fires, these batteries c catch fire. You know, you know, you ever see a fire, you put the water on the fire, correct? We all know that. Not this way. When you
get these batteries catch fire, we start protecting exposures and trying to bank the smoke down. That smoke is toxic just like a house fire. Just like a house fire. The metals, not the the metals that they say are in there, not on these lithium ion batteries. The only time we
hit fire, we put the water on the battery units itself is if the if if we start to notice that the battery starting to take off. Like so you got each unit. So this say say this is a unit, you're going to have four units inside, four batteries inside a unit. If this starts catching fire, you got to
worry about the next one. All right, you put water on it. You could potentially cause that. Our tactics are not that. We're going to surround the areas, protect exposures, make sure smoke does not go to the neighbor. We're going to bank it down as much as possible until it burns out. And that's the cleanest
way of doing it. Okay. Now, as as these storage catch fires, there's also they have ventilation roofs that automatically open up. They didn't have that in 2019. They um they had they had uh the the walls in the storage units. They were they never came out in 2019.
They stayed intact. Now, those those come out. They pop off if any type of explosion happens. Um it's always going to be vented. We have a cooling system inside the units now as well. Now, I'm telling you right now, in August of 2025, when I started researching right away, I was against
it. I said, "These are dangerous. We don't want them here." I I I met with the I met with the engineers. I met with the firefighters that were on scene at the explosion. And and the kid Hunter Clear, the chief out there, he does it all in Arizona. It started out in Arizona. These facilities, he did he did
a lot of research and they go to him. He's got the setup. He advised us how to set up if it ever came here. We need monitors. We need water. Water is a big issue up in North Rapia. We're going to have to tap into SUS if we don't we we don't get get the mains up there. And Sus has the you know they have all the
water on the other side contaminated land. Now if we end up hitting these units, if we have to put water on these battery units, we're going to do what we always do. We're going to kick into our tactics change. Hazmat has its materials. Like if you have a roll over
at Copen Circle or Brown Circle and the fuel comes out, what do you think we do right away? We go to the sewers. We dyke, we divert, we c use catch basins to stop that gasoline from going into the waters. You know, the the marsh marsh land over there. And now when you
talk about contamination, that land up there, I'm so glad everybody's very concerned right now. But for the last 60 years, when we had car fires, because that was the main spot, you stole a car, it went right down Muzzy and you dropped it there. I we all know that and we all did as kids. So, I mean, I'm not saying
I did, but I but anyway, so um you know, but we had car fires back there and they were the last car I believe we had, I think, chief was 07, I think. And um we had we had I had two car fires when I got on the job over there 22 years ago, you
know, and we came from engine five, you know, Northshore Road. That was our response. We didn't have engine three back there in there back then. So, that and has anybody walked back there? I've been going back there the last four months. It's it's it's not the greatest site. There's a lot of pollution back there. I mean, it's contaminated land.
The company will come in and they will uh clean up the land back there. Now, I I I did talk to councelor Kelly before, you know, before she made this motion about our concerns and why the mitigation was going on. We did sit with
Downward Flat Iron in October and we gave we we voiced our concerns. We didn't hear anything back then until Kelly made the motion and they sat down with us. Now, I don't know if you see in the crowd over here, we got uh Chief Hickeyi and um President Tommy Ross from
Everett. They're getting one. They haven't even sat down with them yet. So, reveal, you know, in this city, we are the first city that's actually stepping up and speaking up about this. And this is how this is how we get things done. This is what we're supposed to do because I don't know if you're aware of
right now in progress. Medway, Chelsea, Oxbridge, Cava, West Springfield, those are being built right now. Planning, developing Riviera, Somerset, Tukesberry, Tingsboro, Everett and Oak being those are being planned for 2027.
Landfield and Saga is the next. All right. So, you know, Re is going to set the, you know, we're gonna we're going to set the standard how things are going to be done in this in this state. We need the resources. We sat down with them. Flat Iron has has sat down with us. We heard they heard everything we
said. And um, you know, they it seems like they're going to give us what we want because that's what we need. And I understand, you know, the Dover amendment, come June, you're not going to have a say. And I also want to mention too, I talked to Hunter Clear out in Arizona and he, you know, he
talked to Senator Mark Kelly out there out in Arizona and just to let you know, at the end of this year, there'll be 15 to 20% of the country will have these storage systems. At the end of next year, 40 50% will have these storage systems. And then at the at the at the
start of next year, you're going to have these portable storage systems that are going to connect to your house. Bye bye bye bye bye bye bye bye bye bye bye generators these are coming in and my concern along with the chief here is you don't put those generators connected to your house those best portable units because if they catch fire your house is
gone you'll get flashover within a minute and a half with that with those units so that you know in my personal opinion the fight is we know it's coming we got to protect the residents the chief's doing his job my job is to look over my membership and working together that's how we're going to get things
done so you know that's all I got to Thank you, Captain. >> Is that it or is any >> is the deputy speaking? No. Okay. >> Okay. So, we're going to we're going to have two minutes a piece uh from the
counselors. No rebuttal. I think we'll just go right down the road. We'll start with the We'll start with Paulio. No, you're good. >> Well, okay. I'm sorry. Yeah, Council Kelly. >> Thank you, Mr. President, for the recognition. Um, I've got a lot of
questions and very little time, so maybe we can have I'm hoping we can have a public meeting in the future. Um, are they classifying this as a self-contained or a containerized system? Do you know? I I know that it's
modular. Whether whether that's containerized, I'm I'm not 100% sure. >> Okay. Um do you know or have the have you when you sat down with Flat Iron, did they give you any test results that they have
um showing exactly if a thermal runway event were to occur, how it takes place? >> Well, uh what they're doing is they're using the latest code that's not hasn't even been adopted. So, the 2026 code of
NFPA 855 is already um is already released and has been released but not adopted. They've already been going off of that. So, >> so the the the test that I'm talking about is a UL954A and that that's the test that needs to
be performed to basically tell you if if an event were to happen, if it's going to be contained or not. So, people can say it's a self-contained unit, but those are the test results that actually prove whether or not it is. So, I'm just wondering if those have been >> Yeah. >> given to you. You have those test results?
>> We don't have results yet on paper, but they're in the process of that. But also, uh I referenced the code and and some one of the new codes is that there's um between the modular units, there's there's physical uh barriers that were absent in the earlier codes. >> So, do you do you know if this is
similar to the system that was used in Moss Landing, California that had an event in January 2025, I believe? >> I'm not sure if it's exactly the same. >> Okay. So, I'm not going to argue the need for these things. I know there's a need. I know that we need to support the
grid. Um, but my issue is even in the states that are have these the California and Texas that have the most, they don't have them in densely populated areas. They don't have them so close to residential homes, even 300 feet. They're further away. They don't
have them situated near protected wetlands and marsh area, the legally protected that we have here. um it's close proximity to a major route, a major highway that I worry about evacuation measures um and things
like that. So again, it's just to make sure that for public safety, it's not arguing the need for these, but it's this specific location in my opinion doesn't seem to be a good fit. >> Thank you, councelor.
>> Thank you. >> Go ahead. Uh, council Kelly, I just want to me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me mention um evacuation. There will be no evacuation. We're going to treat it just like a house fire. We're not evacuating areas the smoke isn't toxic. >> It would it be Saras or Riviera that would control um first response?
>> First response would be Revier because the the facilities in Riviera now as a chief >> council corandro I want let me finish answer this question. I think this is very important. You have to understand the chief is going the chief is going to speak with the chief of Saras, the chief
of Everett, the chief of Chelsea. We have a mutual aid response. Well, there'll be, you know, it'll be a block response for them. >> Thank you, councelor Cogland. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Training and equipment, uh, are is the company providing funding for training and
equipment to be able to combat any issues that might arise from this? So we have asked for those things a specialized gas meters and u paying for training and um you know that that's part of uh the negotiations on on the uh the host agreement.
>> Thank you chief >> councelor Janino. >> Thank you guys. Um, training again. As far as the academy, guys in the academy, office, firefighters academy, are they been up trained with the current battery storage systems or
basically the guys on the job right now that'll be going to train them for it? >> It's it's mostly more senior members. I mean, I I think they probably touch on it a little bit at the academy, but they they wouldn't have a lot of time. The academy is pretty tight on their schedule. So I I think that's that's for more the advanced training. When they
come out, they join our department and then, you know, we we go to the classes at that. These are these are more advanced skills. So then the training involved would be basically the guys in the job right now going to get trained on it and then teaching younger
firefighters what they're learning and then go from there with it basically on a um hands-on basis. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. Council Council Gorino SA. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I just have three questions. Do you know if
there's any noise associated with this? >> Uh, there is um they did do some studies on the uh and it's u low-level noise. We do actually have that chart. Captain has the chart and uh it shows that um that it's it is very low decibel with the the
running uh the running system >> and it won't affect the homes that are 300 ft away. Is that >> No. >> Okay. >> They they compared the noise to um >> an empty uh movie theater basically. And they gave another um
another example here. But then it's it's very minimal the noise. It'll be like a a buzzing noise if you might hear if you go up to the units >> and at night it's even quieter. >> Are there any emissions coming from it? >> Emissions? >> Absolutely not. No. >> Okay. And um what happens when there's a
runoff going into the marsh? Would there be a runoff? >> Um I'm sorry, a runoff from from a fire. >> Yeah. >> Well, we try to minimize that as much as we could. And and if >> concerns about the March, >> of course, and and that would be part of our hazmat response that would take into
consideration. If if there was to be any kind of hazmat response, we would address that with uh you know, stopping that. Okay. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you, councelor. Councelor Hash. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Guys, thanks so much for keeping the residents in
mind and the membership in mind. Uh, councelor Cogandro touched a little bit on a few things I wanted to touch on, such as the training that will go into this. um if that will be provided by the company and um any improvements to the equipment that we would need. What type
of equipment would we need necessarily for the I'm hearing things like a foam truck? Uh certain kind of sprays, anything like that. >> So, we wouldn't necessarily use foam on a fire like this, but we some of the equipment we would need would be um
thermal imaging cameras and some uh five gas meters for air monitoring. And as as far as the apparatus would be a higher capacity where we could pump a lot more water if we needed to and and we do that with specialized nozzles. >> And I may have missed the answer on
this, but training for the for the department. Will that be strictly a certain number of firefighters that will be trained in in combating these is these fires? Oh well, they'll have to provide training, yearly training at at a minimum on the facility and and we
would follow up with our own hazmat training um inhouse and we would try to get the entire department trained and it's it's uh it's a long process, you know, over several years, we we'll get everybody trained to that level. >> Great. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you, councelor Councelor McKenna.
>> I just have one question. Um uh the experience that I've heard is that um [clears throat] water ignites these lithium batteries. Is that true? So why would you use water? Why wouldn't you use foam? They just had a uh I know
during the hurricane um someone had a uh electric car and the water came up and it ignited the the uh battery and uh the house caught on fire because the battery the car was on fire
the um because of the lithium battery. So can you just explain what's the difference between the foam and the water? >> Well well the foam >> Thank you. >> Sure. So, so the foam is actually about 97% water anyway. So, the foam basically
is is a smothering agent and it does different it has different properties, but it stops the chemical chain reaction and um so we we don't really use that for these type of fires that what's prescribed for these fires is to let them burn out and just protect the
exposures. If need be to put water on it, it it's for cooling when when something does start to run away. So the there's no better cooling agent than water. There's there's uh much better than form for cooling. >> Thank you, councelor. Councelor Mccurial.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh thank you for being here, Chief. Uh it's always a pleasure. Uh just two questions. Um we have to upgrade the water line going up to that area. Correct. >> That's correct. And do we know what size water line that's going to be upgraded to that you need up there to uh
>> Well, they're looking at different options to do that. I I don't have a hard number on the size main, but that would be in conjunction with our water department and and with us to to decide what what the correct uh we would need good flow up there. >> Okay. Uh second question, does SUS uh
provide mutual aid for the city of Rivier? >> Yes. >> And vice versa? >> Yes. Would it be adv advantageous for this company to train the fire department in SAS along with the Revier fire department? >> I I would uh I would welcome uh joint
training of course >> because since it's so proximity pretty much on the border of Saras I think it would be advantageous for both towns to uh take advantage of this. >> Yes, I agree. >> Thank you very much. >> Great question.
>> Thank you councelor. Council Sylvestri. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, thank you, gentlemen, for coming up here tonight. Uh, event, uh, originally I was a no on this as well, and then I started to do some research on my own. I sat with the company. Um, they gave me all the the
testing results. They they showed me that it was self um containing compartments. Um and in the batteries in in uh cars that we see burning on the roads that they use in form are a little bit different than the batteries inside
these storage containers. Um so I in my research I found out that since 2019 uh the catastrophic um incidents that have happened with these are dropped 98%. Um and they're coming
out with a new uh system that as the chief said will be put in the city of Rivier. My questions um for the chief and uh Captain O'Hara um most have already been answered. Um but would
there be uh in in case uh of a fire of such um they said they they let their systems burn out as you said everyone has fear of of water runoff and whatnot. I did some research and they showed some systems that actually have uh water
basins around the systems where the water runs to the if the water was used it would be caught in these storage areas and then the water's taken out not just let to run in the ground. So maybe that's something else we could look at. Um, but I I do think that the uh
comments that councelor Mccurio made in in the uh cross department training with the city of Saris and Everett mutual aid is is very important and uh I appreciate you guys coming up tonight. Thanks. >> Thank you counselor. Um
I suppose I'll ask for permission to speak from the chair. >> Make sure you time me. I'm only allowed two minutes. I want to thank you for your presentation. What you've done here tonight is I think you've alleviated some of the fears of some of the
citizens, including myself. I've always been deathly afraid of electric car fires. I've been trying to pass an ordinance that we don't park uh electric cars without protection in in in our new apartment buildings because um I I was telling the story that most people know
I work for the Department of Transportation and uh we had a car fire on the bridge a month or so ago and the bridge was shut down. So I asked my colleagues and I asked the chief engineer and I asked the people in the
business when was the last time we had the bridge shut down for a car fire with gasoline. You know what the answer is? Never. So there there is an issue, but I'm glad my colleague to my left talked about the batteries are different and
that helps me a little bit. And I haven't done enough research on this yet, but if I were king, I would stop this and but we I'm not and we can't. And uh the do amendment is the do amendment and we got to live with what we got. And like you said, they're
coming. They're coming everywhere. And you know with AI we're going to need all the power we can get and uh this is one source of it. So uh again thank you for helping the citizens understand this a little better and it it's an opportunity
for us to say we have nothing to do with this. We have no say in this matter and uh unfortunately but uh we do have people like you that are going to protect us and keep us safe. God forbid there is a fire up there. So, thank you very much and am I two minutes?
>> Minute and 42 seconds, Mr. President. >> Uh, thank you very much for your presentation and, uh, that concludes this section. >> So, Madame Clerk, we'll go into the public comment period. Public comment pursuant to chapter 402
of the acts of 1965. Rever residents or business owners only. Complete name and address for the record. Please indicate which council order you will be speaking on. Two minutes per person. And the public comment period is capped at 30 minutes total. Do we have anybody uh that wants to
speak under this section? Any Reier residents or business owners? >> Mr. President, >> Council Sylvestri, >> I know it's a little bit out of order, but we do have colleagues from SAS here. If if one would like to come up and speak for two minutes where we have no
one else, I I don't I think we could uh let that happen. Uh well um are you offering a suspension of the rules? >> I am. >> Okay. On the suspension, all in favor, all opposed. >> Okay. Uh
the vice chairman of the selectman. >> Thank you, Council Sylvester. Thank you um to the city council for letting us be here tonight and speak. Um we I'm just here to listen. I wanted to hear what uh the captain and the chief had to say because as as you know it is coming this August too. I think ours is going to be
a little bit bigger than yours. So I think some of the comments by the council about mutual training is a great idea and you know we'll follow your lead on this from here. But uh I want to thank you for letting me speak tonight. Nice to see you all. Thank you. >> Just come up and speak. We're under
suspension here so we're doing it. I I pressed the button or sorry [clears throat] all set. We don't have this fancy stuff in Sus. I'm Elizabeth Maresy on behalf of Sus and town meeting member. I had one question with regards
to this project in general. Is this under the EFSB? Um or is this a private project coming in? meeting. Is it controlled by environmental um the invent uh excuse me, let me the is it state environmental review or are we
just doing it straight or are you just doing it straight through the town whereas the conservation matters and everything would come under mass state. >> Oh, it's just public. Oh, well that's right. It's public. So I cannot ask you the question. If you would just if you could then how's this for a comment? If
you could find out whether or not that is through one or the other, that would be wonderful. Thank you for the opportunity and thank you for the >> We'll get you the answer. Thank you, >> Mr. Uh Mr. President. I believe Tom Mr. Scorowski has the answer to that. >> Oh, there we go. See that? We got all kinds of educated people here.
>> I'll be quick. Um Tom Skowski, chief of plan and community development. Um this is a local permitting process only. We're not availing ourselves of the EFSB state permitting process. Anybody else from Saras want to speak? Here's the newest selectment.
>> I just wanted to take a second and thank you all for having us here and uh allowing us to talk. Um my concern with this whole issue and that's kind of been alleviated at this point in and juncture is the cooperation between both fight
sus fire and rea fire and you as well. So I do thank um Mr. Mccario for asking for the joint training. I think that would be mutually beneficial for both um town and city. Um I look forward to communicating with all of you going
forward and again you know this is something that affects much of Saras um equally as it does rea so I I do look forward to your cooperation. Thank you very much. >> Thank you for your comments >> and thank you for suspending the rules.
Back to the regular order of business. Oh go right ahead. I'm sorry. Uh Bobby Kimuso. Uh I'm I'm precinct man of uh two. I apologize. Little pissed up. First, thank you for letting us talk. Greatly appreciate it. Um I live
on Eusta Street, which is Muzzy Street. Um very concerned because my neighbors are very concerned. I'm very concerned. We have a financial interest which are our homes there. So we we the education tonight from [snorts] the firefighters fantastic. This is what I think more and
more people are going to have to see to understand. I don't know very much about these. All my information is coming off of Google like everybody else. Fear tactics. As soon as you Google them, the worst case scenarios come up. Um I might be a little bit responsible for the fear because I have a page in town, but it
gets most information to the residents in town, but this is great and I'm hoping Sargas piggybacks off this and learns from what happens here can can bring it back to us. I just ask you when this starts rolling uh because where I am that because the residents are kind
of want to know how come the situation a lot of them still don't even know what's happening because people like to hear things and they they they're interested but they don't act upon them. They don't show up. They don't respond. But that seems to be the problem here. You know it's a tight tight quarters and
everything down that way. I just I'd like to see more involvement of back and forth between rever and sus because they're going to come to you and ask the questions. How's that working out when when when we get it? And I understand what the state's doing and you guys have no choice. I just I'm very concerned
about this and I'm glad everything's going the way it's going for the protection of the town and the community. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. And we're certainly going to keep in touch with you and this will be so public when this thing is off the ground. You'll uh you'll know about it.
it won't be uh we won't be able to hide it. >> So, thanks for coming. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> So, does that end the uh public comment period here? I believe it does. Unfinished business. Calendar item
number four, a zoning ordinance further amending title 17 of the revised ordinances of the city of River relative to special permits. This is for engrossment and ordainment. >> Roll call. >> Shall the city council approve a zoning ordinance further amending title 17 of
the revised ordinances of the city of River relative to special permits? Councelor Aenzio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Cogleandro. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Janino. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Go SA. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor H. Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor McKenna.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Council Mccurio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Novaski. >> No. >> No. Councelor Sylvestri. >> Yes. >> Yes. And council president Zambudo? >> Yes. >> Yes. The ordinance is engrossed and ordained. >> Thank you.
>> Next up is the zoning subcommittee report. >> Chairman Sylvestri. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, we had two items on tonight's agenda in the zoning subcommittee. First item on tonight's agenda was um 500 a unit on um
Elwood Street uh rea to construct and alter and extend the pre-existing non-conforming structure a garage by construction of 2 and a half story one family dwelling on lot A of Elwood Street and that was uh voted on favorably
and I would you like a roll call reason on the uh special permit. >> Shall the city council grant the relief requested for a special permit to reconstruct a pre-existing non-conforming garage structure into a single family dwelling on lot a Elmwood
Street subject to the conditions of site plan review. Councelor Aenzio, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Cogleandro, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Gino, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Go SA. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Hass, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Kelly, >> no. >> No. Councelor McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Mccurio,
>> yes. >> Yes. Council Vasilki, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Sylvestri, >> yes. >> Yes. And Council President Samuto, >> yes. >> Yes. The special permit has been granted. >> And then our second item on tonight's agenda was for um the request of 661
Washington Avenue. So, four town houses to be allowed in the RB district by special permit. We also voted favorably. Um, there was a letter of objection by a resident, Robert Damia. Um, and we placed that on file. So, if we could get
a roll call. Thank you, >> madame clerk. >> Shall the city council grant a special permit to allow for a townhouse use at 661 Washington A? Councelor Aenzio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Cogandro, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Gino, >> yes.
>> Yes. Councelor Gino SA, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor H. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. Councelor Kelly, >> no. >> No. Councelor McKenna, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Mccurio, >> yes. >> Yes. Council Novaski, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Sylvestri, >> yes. >> Yes. And council president Sambudo, >> yes. >> Yes. The special permit has been
granted. >> And that was it for zoning subcommittee, Mr. President. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Next up is the Ways and Means Subcommittee report. >> Chairman Cargleandro. >> Thank you, Mr. President. We had two items before the subcommittee today. The first was a communication from the chief
of planning and community development relative to lowincome solar program. Also, we had a motion by councelor McKenna and councelor Garina SA uh in regarding uh having a police detail uh and the chambers during council meetings. Both were voted out favorably
and I'd ask for a roll call. >> I do have questions. >> Absolutely. Oh, sorry, Mr. President. Councelor Kelly. Um the I have question for Tom. Um on this solar proposal, Tom, um
are there three solar projects that are ready to be constructed? >> Are there three will be three? >> I don't believe >> three locations. >> So the and this actually answers a question council curio asked in the subcommittee. Um they've been
operational for eight years by the way. They have facilities in New Bedford, Taton, Bourne, Picasset, uh, New Bedford High School, Middleton, Rhode Island, and Dartmouth. And so they have sites throughout the Commonwealth. And then they get receive credits from the state that they then attach to different
projects. So I can't speak to exactly it. It's a bit opaque. I don't know what projects this attaches to. They just have a set amount of credits on utility bills that they will be effectively donating to um the municipal aggregation
program in Rafier. >> Okay. So, it it is a 20-year agreement though. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> Is there are there termination rights in there for the city? >> There are termination rights. We have 120 days to terminate >> for any grounds or do we need specific? >> Um for any grounds.
>> Okay. Thank you. You're welcome, >> Councelor Sylvestri. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh Tom, this might be for you real quick. Um so, just to clear up uh for for the people viewing at home, there is no commitment by the lowincome to to join in any
program. There's no commitment for them to get solar panels. There's no commitment for the city to put a project within our city limits. This is just a company that's operating within the the in Massachusetts and to do so they were granted some some relief from the state
and now this is their giving back to to that relief they got. Correct. >> Correct. Of the 1600 roughly households that participate in River Power Choice about 2300 are income eligible and have been cleared as income eligible by our service provider. So those 2,300
households, give or take, um will receive a a credit to their bill every month. Thank you, >> Councelor Gino SA. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Tom, is there going to be um any visual impact from it? >> No visual impact. The sites are in
located in the Southshore. >> Um is there any extra cost to the city that we may encounter? Is there a set rate? The is the rate locked in and then What will happen after um the 20 is up? Is it locked in at that
rate? What if the price goes down? Is it is the city going to be able to renegotiate? >> So, the the benefit received $800,000 in year one decreases by a small amount every year because it's basically tied to the amount of power that the solar
facility produces. So, um solar panels over time they degrade. So, it'll lose 0.05% 05% of its value over time about $4,000 a year. So the first year we'll have $800,000 of savings. It'll go down by $4,000 every year. So at the 20-year
term, we're looking at like 80 to $100,000 less. So $700,000, but there will be no cost to the city um to participate in this. Our service provider for our municipal aggregator is positioned to perform this work. >> Will the city be responsible for buying
in the long run um electricity or credits? um only as we normally would by participating in a municipal aggregation program. So every three years roughly we our current term is 30 months of a contract term. Then we go back out for a
new supplier and you know we it'll always be between two years to three years of a term. But but that's something we would do with or without this. >> Anyone else? >> Roll call. Mr. President >> on on the motion. Roll call.
>> Shall the city council approve the agreement between the city of River and Parallel Products Solar Energy LLC to provide energy savings to lowincome rateayers? Councelor Aenzio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Cogniandro. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Janino. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Go SA.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Hass. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Mccario. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Novaski. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Sylvestri. >> Yes. >> Yes. and Council President Samuto. >> Yes. >> Yes. The agreement has been approved.
>> Thank you. Uh, madame vice president, if we could take a roll call on the second ways and means subcommittee motion. >> Council Aenzio. >> Oh, roll call, please.
Shall the city council approve the motion presented by councilors McKenna and go SA that the mayor request the Rivier police department to assign an officer to be present during city council meetings. Given the increasingly hostile climate and heightened concerns regarding public safety, having an officer in attendance would provide
reassurance to counselors, staff, and members of the public. The presence of law enforcement would help ensure that meetings are conducted in a safe, orderly, and secure environment. On the motion, councelor Argenzio, >> no. >> No. No. Councelor Cogleandro. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Gino. >> No.
>> No. Council Gino SA. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Hass. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Kelly. >> No. >> No. Councelor McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor McCario? >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Novaski. >> No. >> No. Councelor Sylvestri. >> No.
>> No. And councelor Zambudo is absent. >> Motion fails. Communications. Calendar item number eight. Communication from Dean Harris, executive director of the River Housing Authority, notifying the city council of RHA's upcoming master redevelopment plan
public hearing. >> Mr. Harris, >> thank you. Um, I'm Dean Harris, the executive director for the Rivier Housing Authority. Good evening, council president. Well, he's in disposal. and members of the city council. Thank you for the opportunity to be here tonight to invite you to the public meeting
which will be held at the re West complex cafeteria located 107 Newh Hall Street from 6:30 to 8:30 this Thursday. The meeting will provide an opportunity for residents, city councilors, and stakeholders to review the plan and offer feedback on the future of housing
in Rivier. The master redevelopment plan includes RHA properties at our 201 Goldstar Mother's Family Housing Development, which is Koolage and Constitution. Uh, Proctor Kushman State Elderly Housing Development, the Adams Court State Elderly Housing Development, and the Koolage Kushman Federal Housing
Development. All of those developments encompass approximately 40 acres of land. This plan represents a comprehensive effort to address the evolving housing needs of Revier residents. The benefits of this plan are far-reaching. For seniors, the
redevelopment will eliminate barriers such as stairs and provide accessible units along with community spaces designed to support services, improve quality of life. Currently, we have a number of elderly housing developments that have stairs within the building. And when people come in and it's, you
know, they're 60 or 70, they're able to take those stairs um and get up to that second floor. But then we're end up having to transfer them down years later, which is a a big cost burden to the housing authority. and in a disruption to their lives. Uh for residents with disabilities, the plan prioritizes true accessibility,
including features such as walk-in showers and fully ADA compliant units. For our veterans, the addition of new units with veteran preferences will significantly expand housing opportunities, effectively increasing access at a much greater rate than currently exists. For our schools, River
has been among the top communities in housing growth over the past decade. Yet, school enrollment has declined. The addition of new family units is expected to help stabilize housing and increase enrollment over time. For the city's financial health, new development will generate revenue through taxes and
permitting. Supporting essential services such as public safety and education and increase school enrollment will help the city secure necessary education funding. Most importantly, this plan allows the River Housing Authority to replace our outdated housing and provide residents with safe, modern, and dignified living
environments. Community members attending the meeting will have the opportunity to learn more about the proposed redevelopment, ask questions, and provide feedback that will help shape the next phase of the process. This is a collaborative and evolving plan. We are actively seeking input from
residents, city leadership, and community stakeholders. I encourage all members of the city council to attend the public meeting, and I would be happy to meet individually with any counselor who would like a more detailed discussion. Thank you for your time and continued partnership.
>> Thank you. Uh, >> Council Sylvestri Dean, thanks for coming up tonight. I appreciate it. I think this is a a great start. Um, since I've been on the council, um, since 2023, I have yet to had anyone come up and and talk to us or
meet with us. So, I think this is a great start for us to work together um with with the city, as you said, the the council, and really work out some some plans to to really redevelop and and bring some more uh low-income housing to the city. So, I appreciate your time
tonight, and thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Council McKenna. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, hi, Dean. Thanks for coming up. I just wanted to ask if we couldn't make it to the meeting, is there going to be uh the master plan on our something similar on
on uh our website, your website >> at some point? At this point, we're we're restricting access to the plan because it's mostly its pictures and the last thing we want is misinformation out there such as tenement style housing and things like that, which which isn't going to be. Um so I I can meet with
with counselors individually. Um, but as we go through the process and more people are aware of exactly what we're doing, we'll place the plan right online. And I anticipate when we get closer to to, you know, the actual development, we'll have a website up dedicated strictly for for the
development. We'll put up studies. We'll make it very transparent. I mean, this is the very beginning of a fluid process, and that's why I want to include as many people as possible. We had a meeting with the residents last week if they had any questions. Uh, meeting with you to invite you all in. uh meeting with the residents of the the
surrounding area uh on Thursday and we'll continue that collaborative effort to to get something that we're all happy with. >> Thank you. And because this is so uh gigantic, I was just wondering if you're having community meetings, is there any way that you could uh take the minutes
and just have them uh available so if people can't make the uh community meetings, they know what um what's going on. So for for for the meetings within the housing authority residents, you know, I'd have to check with the residents. It's kind of a private meeting. With the public meeting, I have
no problem in in having minutes taken. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, councelor. Councelor Aenzio. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. Harris, for coming. Uh I I did meet with Mr. Harris about a month ago. Uh he showed me the pictures that he's
referring to, and I think it's it's an excellent plan. I have been saying for years that that uh property there is so underutilized and all wasted space and we talk for years up here about affordable housing. I think this is the
project that's actually going to bring it here to revere. Uh we we talk about it and it just doesn't seem to get off the ground with these new buildings that we're building. Um and I look forward to this project and it it's a great project and I hope to attend the meeting on
Thursday night. So, thank you and I look forward to watching this come to its fruition. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Aenzio. Uh, Councelor Cleandro, >> thank you, Mr. President. Um, Councelor Arenzio kind of stole my thunder there. Um, I thank you for meeting with me and
and going through this plan. It it's it looks beautiful and I couldn't agree more that we haven't utilized that that all that space that we have over there. So, I'm really happy to see this and we're going to be able to help a lot more people. I did have a quick question because I I know you've been a lot of the residents uh are know about what's
going on and they have a lot of questions. The question I have on their behalf is about displacement. How are we going to work building and making sure that people that have to be removed from a property have a place to
go or within the city uh one of the families has children. they were worried about having being moved to a different city and having to sign up for a new school district and >> so that >> so it's it's it's going to be a phase out because we have so much open space
there um I think the way we're looking at it is to displace as few residents as possible in the initial stage so so when I spoke to the residents that was their main concern when does this happen first off we're talking you know four years from now by the time the engineering and the funding comes in place the second
part is everyone that lives there has the right to come back and have the unit in the same appropriate unit size. So if you have a family that needed two-bedroom unit, you're going to get that two-bedroom unit. And the initial um part is to to and you'll see in the plan to disrupt,
you know, the least possible way. So the one way would be to let's say take the the first part of Kulage Street um displace those units, keep some units vacated at the back end of the unit of the development, move those people there, build a a structure there, move
those people back in and then additional units and then kind of do that throughout. We inspect we we anticipate it being a phase out process, you know, t at least 10 years but from start to finish. That way, outside of the people that move the the very first time, the
people that live there will only have to move once after that. And that was important to us. >> And you'd be replacing one of those four unit buildings with how many units? So you you can move even more people in after the first. >> Correct. It it'll be denser. So, so one
of the things you'll see is in the plan is is that the the residents themselves move back into the family units will be more townhouse styles as you see done in like Orient Heights and some of those other places. And we'll have an elderly housing building that'll be elevated with community spaces, you know, like I
said, handicap accessible units and things like that. So, so the residents that live there now will be located in in townhouse style type units. and and you'll I don't want to spoil the plan, you know, so so when you come out and I'll sit down with you and we'll go over everything. I think there's a lot
of good amenities uh for not just the Riviera residents, but we're going to open up uh the the Riviera housing residents, but to those people that live in Riviera. >> Thank you, Councelor Councelor H. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Dean, thanks so much for being here. Thanks for all your hard work. You and the housing
authority do great job. I know you and I have spoken about this in the past. Um, I was fortunate enough in my old place of employment to sit in on one or two meetings. I got to attend the playgrounds, um, groundbreaking, which was incredible. So, I know this will bring a lot of people together. It'll
provide a lot of opportunities, housing opportunities for a lot of residents. Um, a lot of residents who struggle to find housing now, but great to hear about the elderly housing, the elevators, and things like that. But definitely looking forward to to seeing the project and and attending the forum Thursday. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Councel Mccurio. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, thank you, Mr. Harris, for being here. Um, approximately how many more uh more affordable housing will we will we uh in the development? How many more do you do
you anticipate? >> So, this is where we're unique and this is where people at uhc are very excited. this this opportunity is going to increase our affordable housing number from 431 units um to almost 800 units.
Uh so we're effectively doubling our affordable housing units. So we're making a a substantial impact on affordable housing. Um there will be some market rate there. Um but but not as much as nec not as much as other housing authorities have done before.
and and I and I you know the Bunker Hill development is located and for those that are the Charlestown development that they're putting 2,700 units on is actually um less acreage than what we have now. We're putting much much less density on our property.
>> Great. Thank you for all your hard work. I appreciate and look forward to working with this on this project. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh I think we're all set. Thank you so much for your presentation. Thank you all for your time. Appreciate it. >> Placed on five.
>> Calendar item number nine, communication from the city auditor relative to the certification of free cash and required corresponding stabilization fund transfers. >> Mr. CFO. >> Good evening, Mr. President, city
council. Um Rich Fiske, CFO, City Auto 281 Broadway. Um we have recently received our certification from the Department of Revenue [snorts] on our free cash and um as uh required by the ordinances of the city. We are looking
to make the appropriations into the appropriate uh [snorts] uh savings accounts that we have and um the detail is before you and I'm happy to answer any questions on that. But like I said, these are all ordained uh transfers that you've adopted that we're looking for
the vote to put them in the appropriate places. Thank you. >> Um >> so, uh we're going to do these one at a time or Okay. So, we're going to take the first roll call vote.
>> Oh, I'm sorry, Councelor Kelly. >> Mr. Visque. So, the um the transfers here, is this leaving the capital improvement stabilization fund with a balance after these transfers? What would the >> Well, there's account whatever's before
you to transfer in will increase the balance that's in the account. We have $820,000 in that account right now. Um you'll hear in about five minutes we're looking to vote out 800,000 of that right >> to comply with the capital improvement plan. So basically the balance that
you'll transfer in plus about 20,000 will be the remaining balance if the transfer goes through for all the capital that we're requesting for part of 2026 capital. >> Okay. And I'm assuming we're not blonding any of this out because of the bonding for the high school. Is that why? >> I'm sorry. Say that again. We wouldn't We're not blinding any of this and we're
leaving the balance with 20,000. >> What? What? Yeah. Well, I'm I'm really trying to pay as we go on on anything I think we can afford to do. Um obviously the um three big projects right now, the high school, the McMack, and the McKinley are the lion share of our
general fund debt service that we'd be um looking to bond for. We, you know, we may have bonding um things come up in the future, but to the extent that we can pay as we go with cash and not incur debt or interest charges would be the goal, at least in this particular case. >> Thank you.
>> You're welcome. >> Okay. Anybody else? Councelor Aenzio. >> Thank you. Uh Mr. President, I just have a couple of questions. Uh Mr. Viske, um the what is the postmployment benefit fund?
other post-employment benefits are basically um a fund that we are u putting money aside for to uh effectively pay for retirees um insurance needs. Um you are probably very familiar with our p pension
obligation and and we fund that and we're required to have that fully funded by 2040 and we've we've got some good news on that coming up as well. But um the OPED liability isn't something that's required by law yet, but it's certainly something that the bond [snorts] rating agencies and the
financial institutions look at when we um go out to borrow money. Um a lot of people suspect that once the pension obligation is done in 2040, there'll be some new laws requiring municipalities to put money away for the health insurance of said retirees. It's
probably around the same amount of money. You know, our unfunded liability and OPED is around 300 million. We pay as we go. So, it's a scary number. It doesn't look good on the books, but [snorts] as far as trying to fund it, we have some policies in place. We try to follow those policies and and and get
goodwill from the bond rating agents and such when we go to borrow money. But we have a quite a long ways to go with the OPED, but effectively that money can be used to pay for retirees health insurance. Although, you probably won't see me up here trying to withdraw from it. We're just trying to build some momentum and and uh start to fund that
accordingly. >> Oh, excellent. Okay. Thank you. >> Sure. >> And uh the general fund stabilization that was like 12 million is that's what's referred to as the rainy day. >> That's our rainy day savings account. Yeah. If things go ary and we need to tap into it, but uh luckily we haven't had to do anything with that. I think
except for one time we might had to use it for some health insurance costs, but otherwise uh yeah, we try to keep that as a sacred cow. >> Okay. Thank you very much. And just one of the uh appropriations that you're making uh DPW tree planting for 25,000.
I want to thank the mayor and yourself for putting that in there. That was a request from the U city council and that was quick uh quick. >> Thank me when you approve it, but I appreciate it. >> Thank you. [laughter] Anybody else? Okay. Uh roll call on the first.
As required by ordinance, shall the city council approve the following transfers from free cash. $418,125 to the general fund stabilization fund. $418,125 to the capital improvement stabilization
fund. $139,375 to the other postemployment benefit trust fund. $278,750 to the high school stabilization fund. $139,375 to the affordable housing trust fund and
$278,750 to the drainage storm water and culvert stabilization fund. Councelor Jenzio, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Cogleandro, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Jino, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Gino Sua. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Hass. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Councelor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor McCario. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Waski. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Sylvestri. >> Yes. Yes. And council president Zambudo. >> Yes. >> Yes. The transfers have been approved.
>> Okay. >> We're going to take the second roll call vote. Yeah. >> As required by ordinance, shall the city council approve the following transfer from water and sore free cash $41,048 to the water and sore stabilization fund. Councelor Aenzio. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Councelor Kogleandro. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Gino. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Gino Slaya. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor H. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council mccurio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Novaski. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Sylvestri. >> Yes.
>> Yes. And council president Zambudo. >> Yes. >> Yes. The transfer has been approved. >> Calendar item number 10. communication from the city auditor relative to various capital improvement expenditures from the capital improvement stabilization fund. >> Thank you. Um like I just um told
councelor Kelly [snorts] um once we get our free cash certified and all our do um certifications out of the way, we typically come before this council to um start to fund our capital plan for 2026. And before you are um many of the items
that we have uh indicated on the capital plan that we'd like to pay with uh one-time funds. Uh there's a breakdown there about nine or 10 of them and I'm happy [snorts] to answer any questions on each any one of them. Otherwise um open for favorable approval. Thank you.
>> Any counselors any questions? >> Hearing and seeing none let's have a roll call. Shall the city council approve the following expenditures from the capital improvement stabilization fund? $50,000 for IT equipment, $75,000 for police
vehicles, $100,000 for police equipment, $100,000 for fire equipment, $40,000 for parking vehicles, $35,000 for parking equipment, $100,000 for DPW equipment,
$50,000 for DPW equipment, $25,000 for DPW maintenance, $25,000 for DPW maintenance, and $200,000 for DPW maintenance repairs. >> Councelor Arenzio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Kogleandro.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Council Janino. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Gino SA. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Hass. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Mccurio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Novaski. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Sylvestri. >> Yes.
>> Yes. And council president Zambudo? >> Yes. >> Yes. The transfers have been approved. Calendar item number 11, communication from the city auditor notifying the city council of the retire retirement board's vote to increase the cost of living
adjustment for retirees by 3%. >> Thank you councel. This is a notification. It doesn't require any action of the council but um per the mass general law um once the retirement board which I am the chairman of >> [snorts]
>> um makes a vote to give a coat to the retirees we are required to put the council on notice. I believe uh uh social security announced a 2.8% cost of living adjustment. We're allowed by law to go up to 3% and we've typically done
that every year since I've been here. And uh like I said, we wanted just to put the council on notice that we will be issuing a 3% COLA to our retirees on the first $14,000 of their pension, hopefully 15,000 after the next vote.
And um again, I think this is just for your information, but happy to answer any questions on that. >> Any questions? placed on file. >> Calendar item number 12, communication from the city auditor requesting an increase in the cost of living base for
members of the River Retirement System from $14,000 to $15,000. >> Any questions? >> Uh go ahead. You want to talk on it? No. Well, I just um you know, of a lot of things I come up here and talk about, I
think this is a good thing because um um [snorts] why this is good is because we um have an unfunded liability in the pension system. I think when I started we were at 52% funded. Uh last year we were uh able to reach 70% funded. So we raised
that cola base for all entire uh retirees from 13,000 to 14,000. We as a retirement board have set a policy that says every 5% more funded. We want to propose a $1,000 increase to the cola base until we get to that 18,000 which we hear an awful lot from the retirees
out there. Hello retirees. Um our last actual evaluation we got good news. We are 76% funded in our pension and uh as such we took a vote at the retirement board to raise that [snorts] um to 15,000 for 14,000. This one, however,
does require a vote from the city council. I know there's a creative ordinances that that requests us to tell you what the financial impact is. Uh there will be a $1.7 impact on the overall liability. However, because of the size of the uh fund and and the
amount of money that we're still unfunded, it'll raise it from 91 thou $91 million to 93 million approximately, but that does not affect our funding schedule and we still are um on pace to have this fully funded by 2034. So, um I
think it's a bit of good news and I'm happy to report it for the retirees listening and uh I request favorable approval. So, thank you. >> Congratulations. Roll call. Shall the city council approve an increase in the cola base for members of the River Retirement System from $14,000
to $15,000? Councelor Aenzio, >> recused. Myself, >> recused. Councelor Cogleandro. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Janino. >> Recused. >> You got him. >> Recused. Councelor Gino SA. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Hass. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Kelly. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Council McKenna. >> Recused. >> Recused. Councelor Mccario. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. Council Novaski. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Sylvestri. >> Yes. >> Yes. And Council President Samuto. >> Yes. >> Yes. The cola base has been increased from 14,000 to 15,000.
>> Thank you, council. That will take effect on Jan uh July 1st for all those listening. Thank you. >> We got another one. >> Calendar item number 13. communication from the city auditor requesting a bond authorization in the
amount of $3.6 million for storm water improvements. >> Thank you. Sorry about that. Um, I know that's going to go to public meeting, but um, yes, we did. Um, um, what I've been doing recently, just to give a little insight, is on some of these
larger projects, uh, I'm trying to wait for the bids to come in before I come before you and ask for bonding because we've been recusing amounts that if it's off and everything else, but it's [snorts] been working out pretty well. When we put out our our capital projects to bid, we'll get real numbers. And then
I come before you with a a better number. And uh, this $3.6 6 million does represent an actual bid from the winning bidder as well as some money for contract management and um it's for the drainage project at SU and Library and Harris Street area. I'm sure everybody
knows about the drainage issues down there. So hopefully this uh will remediate all that damage and uh I'm hoping that we get favor approval once it comes up next meeting. >> That's a great change in strategy. I like that.
>> A public hearing on the 27th of April. Calendar item number 14, communication from the transportation coordinator requesting approval of a 5-year agreement between the city of Rivier and Lift Bikes and Scooters LLC for the city's bike share program, Blue Bikes,
>> Miss Transportation uh coordinator. >> Good evening, Julie Dearo, Department of Planning and Community Development. Um tonight I am presenting you a request or uh for your approval for the city of Rivier to enter into a contract with
Lyft's bike and scooter company for the next 5 years. Um this contract it was brokered be on behalf of the city and other communities within the Boston bike share system um by MAPC. Um, currently all of the communities
have agreed to the planned um, draft contract that you have in your packet. Uh, the city rea is allowed to make changes as they see fit. Um, but much like what's different in this year's
contract versus last year's is that lift bikes will be doing away with operation and maintenance fees and the city will just have to pay a subsidy for uh pedal assist bikes. Um, so it's actually going to work out to be cheaper overall for
the city. Um, currently we pay a per dock per bike fee which ranges anywhere from 15 to $55 per month and that's based on ridership throughout the whole system. So all of the rides are counted and then that number is added into a
whole divided by two and it falls into this scale sliding scale of fee per docs. Um, in the packet I had listed on the well on the back side of my page, it's um, Re's share of the new
agreement. Um, what we would be paying per year would be 9,186 per year, but we are also entitled to the Blue Cross Blue Shield funds that actually help subsidize the system. Um,
so we'd get $11,000 from that per year. So we will be actually operating with the credit for the next five years. In addition to that, we have um funding from different grants that we've received and also the transportation network funds and we also have a surplus
from that that should carry us over for the next five years as well. So I'm happy to take any questions that anybody might have. Um but I respectfully ask that you approve this order.
Okay, Council Sylvestri. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Julie, thank you for coming up tonight. Um, I in fully support the project. I think it's great. Uh, but in Washington DC, they they have these all over the place, but they're very strict on their rules and
regulations where where you can ride them. They even have certain spots where um the the scooter will shut down if you take it on to like and I know that in DC they have the the park and whatnot. So, um, but do we have any type of system
that that would be able to happen if they were driving them on school properties or through grass areas or >> So, so this contract is just for bikes. There would be no scooters allowed. Um, so we are not I want to make that very very clear. We are not entertaining
scooters. This is just for for bicycles. Um but like that if you don't dock your bike the rider gets charged with a late fee um and then they also after a certain time like 24 hours the bike is
considered stolen and then you get cut off from using the system altogether. So um they strongly encourage riders to make sure that they're docking the bikes. They're sending stuff through their portal saying don't forget to dock your bike. But this would strictly be for bicycles. No scooters.
>> Thank you, >> Councelor Kelly. >> Thank you. Thank you for being here. Um, just a question if I know that you said that there are some um procedures in place or policies in place that would dissuade someone from leaving
a bike. But in case someone did abandon a bike or take it out of city limits and abandon a bike, um, these are ebikes with lithium batteries. Correct. >> Say that last path. They Are they they're ebikes with lithium batteries? >> Well, they're they're there are, but
this one would only be through lift. Is that what you're >> No, I'm just concerned if a bike were to be abandoned and there were an incident or there was some kind of um um injury to the bike. So, the bike sustained some kind of damage and if
something were to happen with the battery, do are we fully indemnified if any damages occur from that? >> So, yes. Yes, we would be. Um, so they assume the risk because they are assuming the maintenance of this um under the current contract. No. Um, so
if they if there are going to be fully responsible for managing and maintaining the bike, making sure everything's checked. They do this, I think it's twice a week here in Reier. Um, they come around, they check the stations, they check the bikes, they do maintenance checks. Um, but they would
be fully responsible for that. >> Okay. Thank >> anybody else. Council Murio. >> Thank you, Julie, for being here this evening. Um, the city would be required to pay for aging, damaged, or new
equipment. Can you specify what that means a little? >> So, any new equipment that comes into the system in the city of Rivier would be at the cost of the city of Rivier. Um, we do have five stations coming into the city of River this spring and this
summer. Those bike stations are going to be paid for through a community connections grant that we got back in 2024. Um, the total grant was for 165,000. Um, we put in for four to five bike
stations with up to 60 bikes and the we had to provide a match for that and that match is coming through transportation network funds which is all of your Uber and lift ride funds that you um for rides that originate and end here in the
city of Rivier. Last year we received 147,000. We're using, we only use a portion of that for any blue bike um projects that we do here. Um we're also using a portion of that money to do um
all of our traffic calming. So there's for any type of studies or design work. So we're trying to find us a balance between the two components. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Anybody else? Councelor Aensio.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, uh, Mr. Mar. So, none of the funds being spent on this blue bike program are appropriated money. It's all grant money, Uber Lift money. So, it's it's no direct cost to the city other than grant money.
>> That is correct, except for the initial 100,000 that was appropriated to the bike share system back in 20120. I want to make that clear because there was some money appropriated to this program and that was to buy into the system six
stations uh 66 bikes um and that was back in 2020. So we that initial investment was actually kind of like a a halfoff deal if you want to say but um and that was one of the reasons why the funds were appropriated because if we
were to buy into the system at the full price it would have been 300,000. Anybody else? Okay. U roll call. Shall the city council approve a 5-year agreement between the city of Rivier and
Lift Bikes and Scooters LLC for the city's bike share program, Blue Bikes? Councelor Aenzio, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Cogandro. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Jino. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Gino SA. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Hass. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council McKenna.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Mccurio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Nazilski. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Sylvestri. >> Yes. >> Yes. And council president Zamutoo? >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes, the agreement has been approved. >> Thank you everybody for your support.
Calendar item number 15, communication from the mayor relative to the appointment of Juan Hermo to the affordable housing trust fund board. >> Appointments. >> Calendar item number 16, communication from the mayor relative to the reappoint of Daniel Osenna to the license
commission. >> Appointments. Calendar item number 17, communication from the mayor relative to the reappoint of Thomas Carlton to the conservation commission. >> Appointments. >> Calendar item number 18, communication from the mayor relative to the reappoint
of Robert Celovich to the license commission. >> Appointments. >> Calendar item number 19, communication from the mayor relative to the reappoint of Steven Rearen to the election commission. >> Appointments. Calendar item number 20, communication from the mayor relative to the reappoint
of Bernardo Subda to the conservation commission. >> Appointments. >> Motions. Calendar item number 21. Motion presented by councilors Argenzio and Sylvester that the city council award certificates of merit to the River High School ROC Robo Robo Nerds Robotic Club
for winning a national title at the National Robot Drone League held at Eastern Tennessee State University. The team traveled to Tennessee to compete on March 27th and then 28th. >> Councelor Aenzio. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, I think
they they should be recognized. Uh, they did a great job and Major Baler took her ROTC uh robotics uh crew down there and they won. And they also won an engineering notebook award. And what makes it more extraordinary, this is the
first year of the of the club's existence. So, in their inaugural year, they went down and won. So, um, I look forward to seeing them next council meeting and giving them their awards. >> Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Sylvestri. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. I want to
thank uh councelor Jenzio for inviting me to join this motion. Um I'll keep most of my comments for for the night of, but what makes this really remarkable is uh the whole project was based off of the um recent moon uh
project that NASA just did. And they had to have a a simulation lunar base with a a a floating drone at the same time as a robot working on the ground and and the the amazing accomplishments to go on national level with thousands of other
students, hundreds of other schools and to to bring back a national title is pretty amazing. So I want to thank you councelor Aenzio and shout out to Major Barker for another amazing performance by JRTC. Thanks. >> Thank you councelor. Anybody else? I
just say that uh Oh, I'm sorry, Council Mccurio. >> I think they should bring the uh uh presentation up here in front of the council and and show the citizens of Ree of what they uh what a national title it is. >> You can put it in a separate motion for that. Uh
but I let me just say, I mean, this was the inaugural uh this is amazing. I mean, this is it's more than just a you know, kudos. These this is an accomplishment that extraordinary wonderful looking forward
to seeing them up here. All in the motion. All in favor? All >> oppose. Challenge item number 22. Motion presented by councelor Novaski that the mayor request the DCR commissioner to authorize his staff to install to order and install LED flashing crosswalk
lights on Ocean Avenue from Shirley A to Re Street for the safety of all using Ocean Avenue in River Beach. Councelor Novasowski. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I put this in two years ago and uh the commissioner at the time never acted
upon it. So, I'm putting it again since we have a a new commissioner in there and hopefully that she'll be able to, you know, give us some protection of our people in a resident crossing uh Ocean A. Thank you. >> Anybody else?
I just uh was that Commissioner Rigo that didn't honor your request? No comment [laughter] >> on the motion. All in favor, all opposed. So audited. [laughter] >> Calendar item number 23. Motion presented by counselors McKenna and Gino
SA that the may request the parks and recck department to investigate the feasibility of establishing a swim program at the Garfield school swimming pool for children with autism through grants or scholarship opportunities. Councelor McKenna. >> Thank you very much. Uh Mr. President,
uh nine out of ten times when autistic kids go missing, the outcome is not good when found. They most always gravitate to water and drown because of the lack of skills needed to survive.
This reference is from Angel's sensory. Autistic kids are often drawn to water due to its calming sensory experiences, including the visual, auditory, and tactile tactile tactile stimulation it
provides. It It's off It offers a soothing environment that can help with sensory regulations through it can also be overstimulating for some. However, this attraction poses a high danger as
children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than their neurotypical peers. Autistic children are drawn to water because the sights, the sounds, and the field, the feel of water such as light, reflection, waves,
and splashing provide intense sensor sensory feedbacks that can be calming and captivating. Water can help regulate sens sensory needs providing a soothing predictable environment. The fluid the
fluid and nature of water can be appealing helping the to calm a busy mind. For many autistic kids, water acts as a calming agent, decreasing anxiety and providing a sense of freedom. Many children with autism are prone to
wandering, often directed towards the nearby uh water sources. They may not understand the inherited risks of water leading to jumping into deep water without knowing how to swim. Difficult communications, difficulty communicating
can prevent them from asking for help or expressing danger. The number one safety safety measure for caregivers caregivers with autism children is swim lessons.
Uh enrolled or enrolling children in specialized adapting adaptive swim lessons. Since April is Autism Awareness Month, we are asking that the city of Rivier do a feasible study to see how
much it would cost to provide kids with autism swimming lessons. We have a beautiful pool in the city that can be utilized and Rever is surrounded by water. If we can save just one child that wanders off to a body of
water and has the needs to survive, then we as a city have done our job. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor Councelor Dino Slaya. >> Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Council McKenna. >> You're welcome.
>> Children with autism spectrum disorder face a significantly higher race um risk of wandering. And too often those incidents, like council McKenna said, end near bodies of water such as pools, ponds, and retention basins. These are not just statistics. They are real life
emergencies that can unfold quickly and end in tragedy. This motion is about prevention and preparedness. The goal is simple. to use what we already have in place to provide lifesaving skills in a way that meets
each child where they are. For example, we have the Garfield School Pool. Let's utilize it. Let's make it so autistic children can learn how to swim. There is a program called Swim Angel Fish that I
would like the city to look into. um they have instructors there that could actually come and maybe there is some type of grant that we can apply for so
we don't have to ensue a lot of of um cost but I think it's very very important that they're designed for adaptive instructions and it's very important and it's critical for the safety of these children. Thank you.
Thank you, councelor. On the motion, all in favor, all opposed. Oh, I'm sorry. Did I? >> Calendar item number 24, motion presented by councilors McKenna and Cogleandro that the city council order to a public hearing an ordinance further amending title 17 of the re of the rever
revised ordinances relative to outdoor lighting. Councelor McKenna. Okay. Um, thank you. Uh, Mr. President, Beachorn is a heavily dense neighborhood that has a light issue. Neighbors use
flood lights to guide their steps to their front door, not realizing that these flood lights are affecting neighboring houses. For me, I had to buy blackout shades for my bedroom because neighbors light sensors were going off at all hours of the night, affecting my
sleep. Solutions to these problems are practical, coste effective fixes such as a shield fixture around the light, directing the light downwards, lowering light wattage, and using warmer colored bulbs. During my tenure as a city
council, I have received dozens of calls about light affecting neighbors houses, but the city couldn't do anything because there was nothing on the books to resolve the issue. Co-writing this ordinance with the help of Madame Clerk will help the city address this. Thank
you. >> Thank you, Council Council Carleandro. >> Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you to uh Clerk Melnik for your all of your work on this as well. uh we you know I think we all know someone or or experience ourselves someone's light
pointed into your property or someone else's property. What this ordinance will do is change the lighting regulations for uh future developments, future builds, and also there's a section uh that homes that currently have lighting are grandfathered in.
However, if that light is considered a nuisance, uh, example, someone's pointing their light directly at you. Thank you, Councelor Sylvester. Um, someone's pointing their light directly at you, you can file a 311 ticket and have that issue rectified uh because of
this ordinance. So, just a quality of life ordinance and uh moving forward, you know, no more pollution of it and nuisances. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Anybody else? This will go to a public hearing on the
May 18th. >> Calendar item number 25. Motion presented by councelor Gino SA that the Reier City Council award a certificate of commendation to Mr. Jamie Russo in recognition of his continued support of the Rivier Fire Department through the voluntary donation of properties slated
for demolition for use in critical hands-on fire training exercises. >> Council Garino SA. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I'm going to hold my comments for the presentation, but I would also like to add that um, Chief Cullen would also
like to speak that day. Thank you. >> On the motion, all in favor, all opposed. So ordered. [clears throat] Uh calendar item number 26, motion presented by councelor Go Sua, that the mayor request the traffic commission to
order to a public hearing the following proposed regulation relative to a right-hand travel lane on River Street in the interest of public safety and traffic efficiency. Section one, schedule 8 parking restrictions generally the revised ordinances of the city of River is hereby amended by
inserting the following location. Rever Street Southerntherly from Sagamore Street to Northshore Road. No parking anytime. >> Councelor Garino SA. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, this motion addresses a longstanding and welldocumented traffic issue on River
Street between Sagamore and Northshore Road. The section of road roadway has become increasingly congested, particularly during peak travel times and during um busy beach season. multiple constituent complaints regarding delays, unsafe driving
conditions, and difficulty safely navigating this corridor. So, what happens is it becomes it goes from one lane into two because of the cars that are parked on the right on on the right side of the road. It stems from
it's a small stretch after the bus stop and there's about three cars parked there. It's designate that lane, that particular lane is designated for for um right-hand turns or to go straight and then there's a left lane that goes onto
Northshore Road. If those cars were not there, it would be a straight stretch and and the traffic would flow so much um smoother. So, however, um, street parking along the corridor significantly restricts the
right lane, effectively reducing the roadway to one single unusable lane when it's needed the most during peak hour traffic. This is further complicated by the bus stop that's right before it. So I think if we stop the parking from
and it wouldn't even be Sagamore, it would be across from Belleview because Sagamore is just the bus stop. Then we could eliminate the situation, the traffic situation that we see now for cars trying to go around those
vehicles. So if we can send this to traffic and I will discuss it with them more possible. Thank you. >> On the motion, all in favor, all opposed. So ordered. >> Calendar item number 27. Motion presented by councelor Gino SA that the
mayor request the chief of police to begin immediate enforcement of restrictions on commercial construction vehicles traveling along Re Street during peak traffic hours. further that commercial construction vehicles with a verified destination on River Street or on streets directly accessible only via
Re Street and with no reasonable alternate route shall be permitted access during restricted hours at the discretion of the enforcing police officer. further that the mayor in coordination with the police department and the solicitor's office review any existing ordinances or regulations relative to commercial and construction
vehicle travel on river street and report back to the city council with findings and recommendations for strengthening enforcement or implementing additional restrictions if necessary. >> Councelor Gino SA >> can you send it to traffic please? >> Thank you.
>> On the motion all in favor all opposed. >> So audited Council Novasowski has a point of personal privilege. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President,
today is a very u sorrow day in the Jewish faith and those that came from Germany. And it's considered Holocaust Remembrance Day, as we call it, Yomhasha.
and it commemorates the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and honors the heroism of survivors and rescuers. The Yankee Division who liberated Jews
still exists in Peody, Massachusetts. The Yankee Division, officially known as the 26th Infantry Division, was a unit of the United States Army formed in World War I. It primarily was composed of National Guard troops from
New England. It is notable for its extensive combat experience in both World Wars and is recognized for its contributions to the liberation of Jews in the concentration camps in Germany. [clears throat]
The 26th Infantry Division has had campaigns during World War II. It was formed in the summer of 1917. A few months after the United States entered World War I, the 26th Infantry
Division participated in several battles in France in September 1944. It landed in Normandy at several locations, including Utah Beach. The 26th moved quickly through northern France and
crossed the S liver into Ger Germany in early December. During the Battle of the Bulge, it was diverted to Luxembourg to thwart the German offense. In late March 1945, it crossed the Rin River, eventually
advancing to the Tigurora before turning south toward Austria. On May 4th, 45, the division participated in the capture of the city of Linds, Austria. The World Wars end. It moved eastward towards
Czech Czechoslovakia. The 26th Infantry Division and the liberation of Guzen. On May 5th, 45. The Yankee Division overran Gusen concentration camp. The SS authorities had established Gusen as a
separate concentration camp in May of 1940 to better exploit the near nearby stone quaries that with forced laborers. As Allied bombing raids on Germany increased in intensity, the Nazi
leadership decided to move industrial war production underground using concentration camp prisoners for labor. At Guzen, the SS deployed inmates to excavate out of nearly mountains, an elaborate system of tunnels that
connected to mammoth subterranean installations for aircraft production. In 1944, Gusen had become a sub camp of the Mtosen concentration camp. In May 45, US troops near the camp
complex. Some SS and Nazi party planned to demolish the tunnels with the prisoners inside. The advance of the 26th and the 11th armored division ensured that such plans would not be carried out. Thank you for listening.
Thank you for learning for those who didn't know. It's a momentous day for everybody and I thank you for your understanding and concentration. Thank you. >> Thank you counselor.
The city council stands adjourned to meet on April 27th.