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COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS, RULES, ORDINANCES, ORDERS AND CLAIMS

Councilor David A. Murphy, Chair

Councilor Jesse M. Adams

Councilor Maureen T. Carney

Meeting Minutes

Monday, April 9, 20126:00 pm 8:00 pm

City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street

Wallace J. Puchalski Municipal Building, Northampton, MA

1. Members present/absent: Councilor Murphy, Councilor Adams, Councilor Carney, City Solicitor Alan

Seewald

2. Meeting Called to Order

Councilor Murphy called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

3. Announcement of Audio/Video Recording of MeetingThe meeting is audio-recorded.

4. Approval of Minutes of March 12, 2012

Councilor Carney moved approval of the minutes; Councilor Adams seconded. The motion passed

unanimously (3-0).

5. Public Comment

None

6. CLAIMS

Adams Claim of October 29, 2011 (Continued from March 12, 2012)

A second review by the DPW contends that the damage was part of the October snowstorm, and that the Citywas not negligent in care of the City tree.

Councilor Carney moved to deny the claim; Councilor Adams seconded. The motion passed unanimously

(3-0).

Matus Claim of October 30, 2011 (Continued from March 12, 2012)

Mr. Matus was present for the claim. Mr. Matus stated that the DPW letter was an admission of negligence. His

tenant had warned the plow driver that the downed wire was connected to the house, but the plow driver was not a

prudent and reasonable individual, and the plow driver should have acted differently. Mr. Matus stated that theplow driver laughed and continued plowing, which caused the wire to rip off part of the house.

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Councilor Murphy questioned if there was any insurance settlement. Mr. Matus stated that his deductible is high

and that he received no settlement; all expenses for repair were paid by Mr. Matus.

Councilor Carney moved to approve the claim in the amount of $897.49, pending proof of insurance and

deductible in excess of the damage; Councilor Adams seconded. The motion passed unanimously (3-0),

Bible Baptist Church Claim of January 12, 2012Pastor Gustine was present for the claim. City Solicitor recommended approval of the claim, with conditions of

the sign must be moved out of the City layout and no further claims would be honored on this sign.

Councilor Carney moved approval of the claim in the amount of $716.77, with conditions to move the sign;

Councilor Adams seconded. The motion passed unanimously (3-0).

Hotel Northampton Claim of January 12, 2012

Councilor Adams moved to deny the claim; Councilor Carney seconded. The motion passed

unanimously (3-0).

7. ORDINANCES

Ordinance: Amend 312-117 Schedule XVI Handicapped Parking (Referred by City

Council on January 5, 2012 to Transportation & Parking Commission (recommend as ofJanuary 17, 2012), Committee on Disabilities (recommend as of March 20, 2012), and

Committee on Elections, Rules, Ordinances, Orders and Claims)

Councilor Carney moved to forward the Ordinance to full City Council, as recommended; Councilor

Adams seconded. The motion passed unanimously (3-0).

8. NEW BUSINESSReserved for topics that the Chair did not reasonably anticipate would be discussed.

No new business.

At 6:32 p.m., Councilor Carney moved to adjourn and was seconded by Councilor Adams. The motion

passed unanimously (3-0).

The next meeting is May 14, 2012 at 6:00 pm.Respectfully Submitted,

Mary L. Midura

Executive Secretary

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