[4:31] I call the meeting to order this meeting of the Haverhill

[4:35] this meeting of the Haverhill City Council will be held in

[4:36] City Council will be held in person at the location provided

[4:38] person at the location provided on this notice, as its official

[4:40] on this notice, as its official meeting location, pursuant to

[4:42] meeting location, pursuant to the Open Meeting Law. As the

[4:43] the Open Meeting Law. As the meeting is held in person at a

[4:45] meeting is held in person at a physical location that is open

[4:46] physical location that is open and accessible to the public.

[4:48] and accessible to the public. The City Council is not

[4:49] The City Council is not required to provide remote

[4:51] required to provide remote access to the meeting. Members

[4:52] access to the meeting. Members of the public are welcome to

[4:53] of the public are welcome to attend this in-person meeting.

[4:55] attend this in-person meeting. Please note that a livestream

[4:57] Please note that a livestream of the meeting is being

[4:58] of the meeting is being provided only as a courtesy to

[5:00] provided only as a courtesy to the public, and the meeting

[5:01] the public, and the meeting will not be suspended or

[5:03] will not be suspended or terminated if technological

[5:04] terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual

[5:06] problems interrupt the virtual broadcast, unless otherwise

[5:08] broadcast, unless otherwise required by law. Members of the

[5:10] required by law. Members of the public with a particular

[5:11] public with a particular interest in any specific item

[5:12] interest in any specific item on this agenda should make

[5:14] on this agenda should make plans for in-person versus

[5:16] plans for in-person versus virtual attendance accordingly.

[5:18] virtual attendance accordingly. Those attending tonight's

[5:19] Those attending tonight's meeting should be aware that

[5:20] meeting should be aware that the meeting is being audio and

[5:22] the meeting is being audio and video recorded by ABC media.

[5:24] video recorded by ABC media. Have the Eagle Tribune and Al

[5:26] Have the Eagle Tribune and Al Pereira. Any members who wish

[5:29] Pereira. Any members who wish to record any part of this

[5:30] to record any part of this meeting must inform the Council

[5:32] meeting must inform the Council President, who will announce

[5:33] President, who will announce the recording. This is to

[5:35] the recording. This is to comply with the Massachusetts

[5:36] comply with the Massachusetts wiretap statute. Thank you. May

[5:40] wiretap statute. Thank you. May the Supreme legislator grant

[5:42] the Supreme legislator grant that we be worthy of our power

[5:43] that we be worthy of our power and responsibility. That we

[5:46] and responsibility. That we deliberate and achieve with

[5:47] deliberate and achieve with wisdom and understanding,

[5:50] wisdom and understanding, recognizing the rights of all

[5:51] recognizing the rights of all our citizens with full regard

[5:53] our citizens with full regard for the dignity and justness of

[5:55] for the dignity and justness of the individual. For those who

[5:57] the individual. For those who can, please join me in rising

[5:58] can, please join me in rising for the Pledge of Allegiance.

[6:01] for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag

[6:03] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

[6:05] of the United States of America and to the Republic for which

[6:07] and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under

[6:09] it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty

[6:12] God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[6:16] and justice for all. Uh, Counselor Lewandowski had

[6:18] Uh, Counselor Lewandowski had the minutes from last meeting.

[6:19] the minutes from last meeting. She's absent tonight, so we'll

[6:20] She's absent tonight, so we'll accept them next week. Uh,

[6:22] accept them next week. Uh, Counselor Tuohy, would you do

[6:23] Counselor Tuohy, would you do the honors for tonight's

[6:24] the honors for tonight's meeting?

[6:24] meeting? Yes, sir.

[6:25] Yes, sir. Thank you very much, Madam

[6:26] Thank you very much, Madam clerk. First item, please.

[6:28] clerk. First item, please. Mayor Barrett and Councilor

[6:30] Mayor Barrett and Councilor Sullivan wish to introduce

[6:31] Sullivan wish to introduce Tammy Jo Brzozowski from the

[6:33] Tammy Jo Brzozowski from the Hilldale Cemetery Association

[6:34] Hilldale Cemetery Association to speak about this year's

[6:36] to speak about this year's Wreaths Across America program

[6:37] Wreaths Across America program at Hilldale Cemetery, which

[6:39] at Hilldale Cemetery, which will be held on Saturday,

[6:41] will be held on Saturday, December 19th.

[6:42] December 19th. Mayor Barrett.

[6:42] Mayor Barrett. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank

[6:43] Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Councilors. I know many of

[6:45] you. Councilors. I know many of you have participated in the

[6:47] you have participated in the Wreaths Across America

[6:48] Wreaths Across America ceremony, and you have

[6:49] ceremony, and you have contributed yearly to this

[6:51] contributed yearly to this great cause and organization.

[6:54] great cause and organization. Um, I, I've been going to the

[6:58] Um, I, I've been going to the Hilldale Cemetery for many

[7:00] Hilldale Cemetery for many moons now. I don't go like I

[7:01] moons now. I don't go like I did at one time. I used to be a

[7:03] did at one time. I used to be a prime mower. I tried to mow as

[7:05] prime mower. I tried to mow as much as, uh, Mr. Herman Ocasio,

[7:09] much as, uh, Mr. Herman Ocasio, uh, but I couldn't. But, um,

[7:14] uh, but I couldn't. But, um, uh, the Hilldale Cemetery has

[7:16] uh, the Hilldale Cemetery has been reclaimed from a forested,

[7:18] been reclaimed from a forested, uh, piece of property to, uh,

[7:21] uh, piece of property to, uh, you see, semblance of what it

[7:24] you see, semblance of what it was when it was a garden, uh,

[7:25] was when it was a garden, uh, cemetery. And it's thanks to

[7:27] cemetery. And it's thanks to Tammy. Uh, and the crew there,

[7:30] Tammy. Uh, and the crew there, um, for doing hard work. Uh,

[7:35] um, for doing hard work. Uh, all the time to try to reclaim

[7:37] all the time to try to reclaim it. And, you know, I do want to

[7:39] it. And, you know, I do want to salute them for their their

[7:40] salute them for their their efforts. Um, but they're cross.

[7:43] efforts. Um, but they're cross. America is a great opportunity

[7:45] America is a great opportunity there. I think over 400, uh,

[7:47] there. I think over 400, uh, veterans in the cemetery, many

[7:50] veterans in the cemetery, many of them from the Civil War era,

[7:52] of them from the Civil War era, who would otherwise be

[7:53] who would otherwise be forgotten. And as they say, um,

[7:56] forgotten. And as they say, um, when you participate in the

[7:58] when you participate in the ceremony, nobody has ever truly

[8:00] ceremony, nobody has ever truly forgotten. As long as somebody

[8:01] forgotten. As long as somebody speaks their name. And that's

[8:03] speaks their name. And that's an important part of of the

[8:05] an important part of of the ceremony and of of just

[8:07] ceremony and of of just remembering the sacrifice in

[8:09] remembering the sacrifice in the time that these folks gave

[8:11] the time that these folks gave to the nation. But I'll have

[8:14] to the nation. But I'll have Tammy come up and. And I don't

[8:20] Tammy come up and. And I don't know if if Tom wants to speak

[8:22] know if if Tom wants to speak or speak afterwards.

[8:23] or speak afterwards. I'll speak after. Go ahead.

[8:25] I'll speak after. Go ahead. So, Tammy, just name an address

[8:26] So, Tammy, just name an address to the record, please.

[8:27] to the record, please. Tammy Dover, 66 Shawmut Avenue,

[8:29] Tammy Dover, 66 Shawmut Avenue, Bradford.

[8:29] Bradford. Thank you.

[8:32] Thank you. Good evening. Thank you once

[8:33] Good evening. Thank you once again. Councillor Sullivan and

[8:34] again. Councillor Sullivan and Mayor Barrett for having us

[8:35] Mayor Barrett for having us this evening. The Hilldale

[8:37] this evening. The Hilldale Cemetery Association is once

[8:39] Cemetery Association is once again holding the Race Across

[8:41] again holding the Race Across America annual event at the

[8:42] America annual event at the cemetery on Saturday, December

[8:44] cemetery on Saturday, December 19th, 2026 at noon. This will

[8:46] 19th, 2026 at noon. This will be our ninth year hosting this

[8:48] be our ninth year hosting this event to honor and remember our

[8:50] event to honor and remember our veterans. Most of you are

[8:51] veterans. Most of you are familiar with Race Across

[8:52] familiar with Race Across America from our prior events.

[8:54] America from our prior events. The Race Across America

[8:55] The Race Across America organization is a 501 C3

[8:57] organization is a 501 C3 federally recognized nonprofit.

[8:59] federally recognized nonprofit. Their mission statement is

[9:00] Their mission statement is comprised of three tenants.

[9:02] comprised of three tenants. First, remember to remember our

[9:04] First, remember to remember our fallen veterans. Second, honor

[9:06] fallen veterans. Second, honor to honor living service members

[9:07] to honor living service members in all branches of the

[9:08] in all branches of the military. And third, teach to

[9:11] military. And third, teach to teach the next generation the

[9:12] teach the next generation the cost and the value of our

[9:13] cost and the value of our freedoms. Each December across

[9:15] freedoms. Each December across this country and at American

[9:17] this country and at American military cemeteries across the

[9:18] military cemeteries across the globe, volunteers lay symbolic

[9:20] globe, volunteers lay symbolic wreaths comprised of ten

[9:21] wreaths comprised of ten bundles of Maine balsam fir and

[9:23] bundles of Maine balsam fir and a red velveteen bow on the

[9:24] a red velveteen bow on the graves of veterans. Each bundle

[9:26] graves of veterans. Each bundle of balsam has a specific

[9:27] of balsam has a specific meaning, and the red bow

[9:29] meaning, and the red bow signifies sacrifice. They are

[9:31] signifies sacrifice. They are not Christmas wreaths. Service

[9:32] not Christmas wreaths. Service members come from all walks of

[9:34] members come from all walks of life and all religions. The

[9:35] life and all religions. The wreath is designed to honor

[9:36] wreath is designed to honor their service and sacrifice,

[9:38] their service and sacrifice, and is not a religious symbol.

[9:41] and is not a religious symbol. Last year, 3.1 million wreaths

[9:44] Last year, 3.1 million wreaths related 5598 locations here in

[9:47] related 5598 locations here in the US and abroad. We are proud

[9:49] the US and abroad. We are proud to be one of those locations.

[9:50] to be one of those locations. This year's theme is Remember

[9:51] This year's theme is Remember Me. Veterans are often viewed

[9:53] Me. Veterans are often viewed and treated as a collective

[9:54] and treated as a collective group. Yet within that group

[9:56] group. Yet within that group are countless individuals with

[9:57] are countless individuals with their own names, stories, and

[9:59] their own names, stories, and sacrifices. This year's theme

[10:01] sacrifices. This year's theme is meant to remember individual

[10:03] is meant to remember individual veterans and their stories. The

[10:05] veterans and their stories. The parent who never got to see a

[10:06] parent who never got to see a child or grandchild. The young

[10:08] child or grandchild. The young recruit asked to shoulder

[10:09] recruit asked to shoulder unimaginable responsibility as

[10:10] unimaginable responsibility as a teenager. The service member

[10:12] a teenager. The service member who comes home carrying stories

[10:13] who comes home carrying stories too difficult to tell, stories

[10:15] too difficult to tell, stories and sacrifices that may

[10:17] and sacrifices that may unintentionally be overlooked.

[10:19] unintentionally be overlooked. When we honor our veterans

[10:20] When we honor our veterans collectively. Hilldale Cemetery

[10:22] collectively. Hilldale Cemetery is full of those stories. Sons

[10:24] is full of those stories. Sons who went to war and did not

[10:25] who went to war and did not return. A young Navy sailor who

[10:27] return. A young Navy sailor who was lost in a submarine

[10:28] was lost in a submarine disaster during peacetime. Two

[10:30] disaster during peacetime. Two Colored Regiment Civil War

[10:32] Colored Regiment Civil War soldiers who battled for

[10:33] soldiers who battled for freedom and came home to battle

[10:34] freedom and came home to battle for equal treatment. A young

[10:36] for equal treatment. A young woman who followed her brothers

[10:37] woman who followed her brothers to war disguised as a man. A

[10:39] to war disguised as a man. A Civil War cavalry member who

[10:40] Civil War cavalry member who enlisted at the tender age of

[10:42] enlisted at the tender age of 12 and rose through the ranks.

[10:44] 12 and rose through the ranks. Haverhill itself is also full

[10:45] Haverhill itself is also full of those individual stories,

[10:47] of those individual stories, stories that are recognized in

[10:49] stories that are recognized in the banners hung in town on the

[10:50] the banners hung in town on the bridge. Many of us drive daily

[10:52] bridge. Many of us drive daily dedicated to PFC Ralph T

[10:54] dedicated to PFC Ralph T Basler, the first Vietnam

[10:55] Basler, the first Vietnam casualty from Haverhill, who

[10:57] casualty from Haverhill, who lost his life in a jungle far

[10:58] lost his life in a jungle far away at the age of 19. PFC Evan

[11:02] away at the age of 19. PFC Evan O'Neill, another 19 year old

[11:03] O'Neill, another 19 year old who lost his life in

[11:04] who lost his life in Afghanistan in 2003. Donny

[11:08] Afghanistan in 2003. Donny Jarvis, a Purple Heart

[11:09] Jarvis, a Purple Heart recipient and my neighbor and

[11:10] recipient and my neighbor and friend, rushed to put who was

[11:11] friend, rushed to put who was instrumental in bringing Korean

[11:13] instrumental in bringing Korean War memorial to Haverhill. And

[11:14] War memorial to Haverhill. And there are many more. All of our

[11:16] there are many more. All of our individual veterans have their

[11:17] individual veterans have their own names, stories, families

[11:19] own names, stories, families and for some, their supreme

[11:20] and for some, their supreme sacrifice in the defense of the

[11:22] sacrifice in the defense of the freedoms we enjoy today. On

[11:24] freedoms we enjoy today. On December 19th, at noon, we will

[11:26] December 19th, at noon, we will hold our wreaths Across America

[11:28] hold our wreaths Across America ceremony. We will not only

[11:29] ceremony. We will not only collectively recognize our

[11:31] collectively recognize our veterans, we will honor them as

[11:32] veterans, we will honor them as individuals with their own

[11:33] individuals with their own stories and histories. Each

[11:35] stories and histories. Each name will be read aloud as a

[11:36] name will be read aloud as a wreath is laid on a grave. They

[11:38] wreath is laid on a grave. They will not be forgotten. To

[11:40] will not be forgotten. To further honor this year's

[11:42] further honor this year's theme, we invite community

[11:43] theme, we invite community members to visit our Facebook

[11:44] members to visit our Facebook page, Hope for Hilldale, and

[11:46] page, Hope for Hilldale, and share their own stories of the

[11:47] share their own stories of the veterans and their lives. Post

[11:48] veterans and their lives. Post pictures and be part of the

[11:49] pictures and be part of the remembrance and honor, and to

[11:50] remembrance and honor, and to teach that these are the

[11:52] teach that these are the sacrifices that maintain our

[11:53] sacrifices that maintain our freedoms. We further invite

[11:55] freedoms. We further invite community members, including

[11:56] community members, including Mayor Barrett and yourselves,

[11:57] Mayor Barrett and yourselves, counselors, to our and to our

[11:59] counselors, to our and to our veterans, to join us on

[12:01] veterans, to join us on December the 19th, in order to

[12:03] December the 19th, in order to ensure that all graves receive

[12:04] ensure that all graves receive a wreath and each name is read.

[12:06] a wreath and each name is read. We need 474 wreaths to be

[12:08] We need 474 wreaths to be sponsored. We currently stand

[12:10] sponsored. We currently stand at 169. Wreaths can be

[12:12] at 169. Wreaths can be sponsored for 17 each, $17 each

[12:14] sponsored for 17 each, $17 each through our dedicated

[12:15] through our dedicated sponsorship page at Hilldale

[12:17] sponsorship page at Hilldale Wreaths. We recognize that

[12:20] Wreaths. We recognize that times are tough and the economy

[12:21] times are tough and the economy is not great, and we fear that

[12:22] is not great, and we fear that we will not be able to meet our

[12:23] we will not be able to meet our goal this year. We hope that

[12:25] goal this year. We hope that people will consider donating a

[12:27] people will consider donating a wreath or two, so that we can

[12:28] wreath or two, so that we can recognize all of our veterans,

[12:30] recognize all of our veterans, individuals and businesses, or

[12:32] individuals and businesses, or service groups may consider

[12:33] service groups may consider sponsorship of ten wreaths or

[12:34] sponsorship of ten wreaths or more to be listed in our event

[12:36] more to be listed in our event program, which is generously

[12:37] program, which is generously prepared, printed and donated

[12:39] prepared, printed and donated by Pat Driscoll of Driscoll

[12:40] by Pat Driscoll of Driscoll Funeral Homes in Bradford each

[12:41] Funeral Homes in Bradford each year. Pat has been with us

[12:43] year. Pat has been with us since the beginning in 2017,

[12:44] since the beginning in 2017, and we so appreciate his

[12:45] and we so appreciate his longtime support. In order to

[12:48] longtime support. In order to hold this event, it takes the

[12:49] hold this event, it takes the effort of all of our all

[12:51] effort of all of our all volunteer board of directors

[12:53] volunteer board of directors and local volunteers to keep

[12:54] and local volunteers to keep the cemetery looking good as we

[12:56] the cemetery looking good as we can, as good as we can, and to

[12:57] can, as good as we can, and to continue the recovery efforts

[12:58] continue the recovery efforts of portions of the cemetery

[13:00] of portions of the cemetery that remain overgrown from

[13:01] that remain overgrown from decades of past neglect. We

[13:03] decades of past neglect. We need in military boots on the

[13:05] need in military boots on the ground to continue those

[13:07] ground to continue those efforts and ensure that the

[13:08] efforts and ensure that the cemetery is shipshape for

[13:10] cemetery is shipshape for December 19th. We currently

[13:11] December 19th. We currently have three more cleanups

[13:12] have three more cleanups formerly scheduled for October

[13:14] formerly scheduled for October the 10th, at one 30, October,

[13:15] the 10th, at one 30, October, 24th at 130, and November 1st

[13:17] 24th at 130, and November 1st at 130. More will likely be

[13:19] at 130. More will likely be added as long as the weather

[13:20] added as long as the weather holds. For more information,

[13:22] holds. For more information, please see our Facebook page.

[13:23] please see our Facebook page. Hope for Hilldale local service

[13:25] Hope for Hilldale local service groups who might wish to assist

[13:26] groups who might wish to assist can contact us directly through

[13:27] can contact us directly through the Facebook page or via any of

[13:29] the Facebook page or via any of the city councilors or Mayor

[13:30] the city councilors or Mayor Barrett, who have our contact

[13:32] Barrett, who have our contact information. For those of you

[13:33] information. For those of you who have been to event in the

[13:34] who have been to event in the past. You will know and

[13:36] past. You will know and understand the feeling of

[13:37] understand the feeling of standing surrounded by the

[13:38] standing surrounded by the aroma of balsam fir in the

[13:40] aroma of balsam fir in the crisp winter air before a

[13:42] crisp winter air before a marble or granite marker,

[13:43] marble or granite marker, wreath in hand, and reading the

[13:45] wreath in hand, and reading the name of veteran out loud,

[13:46] name of veteran out loud, thanking them for their

[13:47] thanking them for their service. It can't be adequately

[13:49] service. It can't be adequately described. It must be

[13:50] described. It must be experienced. On each wreath is

[13:52] experienced. On each wreath is a small tag that reads. Today I

[13:54] a small tag that reads. Today I laid a wreath on the grave of

[13:55] laid a wreath on the grave of an American hero, which each

[13:57] an American hero, which each participant is welcome to take

[13:58] participant is welcome to take as a memento. We hope to have a

[14:00] as a memento. We hope to have a great turnout of community

[14:01] great turnout of community members on December 19th, and

[14:03] members on December 19th, and once again to sponsor a wreath.

[14:05] once again to sponsor a wreath. Please go to Hilldale Wreaths,

[14:07] Please go to Hilldale Wreaths, which is our dedicated

[14:08] which is our dedicated sponsorship page. You will be

[14:10] sponsorship page. You will be ensuring that your sponsorship

[14:11] ensuring that your sponsorship is properly credited to

[14:12] is properly credited to Hilldale Cemetery. The cutoff

[14:14] Hilldale Cemetery. The cutoff date for sponsorship for our

[14:15] date for sponsorship for our region is December the 1st.

[14:17] region is December the 1st. Thank you all for your time and

[14:18] Thank you all for your time and opportunity to speak here this

[14:20] opportunity to speak here this evening.

[14:20] evening. Thank you. Tammy. Uh, go to

[14:22] Thank you. Tammy. Uh, go to Counselor Sullivan.

[14:23] Counselor Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank

[14:24] Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Tammy and Kim, for coming

[14:25] you, Tammy and Kim, for coming tonight. Um, it's been a

[14:27] tonight. Um, it's been a pleasure to work with you all

[14:28] pleasure to work with you all these years. Um, I help them

[14:30] these years. Um, I help them raise the money for the

[14:31] raise the money for the wreaths. We do seriously need a

[14:33] wreaths. We do seriously need a boost this year. We're behind

[14:35] boost this year. We're behind where we should be at this

[14:36] where we should be at this point. Um, I always do the ten

[14:38] point. Um, I always do the ten wreaths myself. I would urge

[14:40] wreaths myself. I would urge everyone who can to try to do

[14:42] everyone who can to try to do ten wreaths. They do add up.

[14:44] ten wreaths. They do add up. And this is probably one of the

[14:45] And this is probably one of the most meaningful and significant

[14:46] most meaningful and significant events we can do for veterans

[14:48] events we can do for veterans here in the city. Um, like you

[14:49] here in the city. Um, like you said, remembering and honoring

[14:51] said, remembering and honoring and teaching. The most

[14:53] and teaching. The most important part of that is

[14:54] important part of that is teaching the children, um, the

[14:56] teaching the children, um, the young adults, how important

[14:57] young adults, how important traditions are and how

[14:58] traditions are and how important it is that they

[15:00] important it is that they continue to honor the veterans,

[15:01] continue to honor the veterans, because without the veterans,

[15:02] because without the veterans, we wouldn't be here today. So

[15:04] we wouldn't be here today. So thank you for coming. We'll

[15:05] thank you for coming. We'll step up our efforts over the

[15:06] step up our efforts over the next month and a half, and

[15:08] next month and a half, and we'll try to get you over the

[15:10] we'll try to get you over the goalpost.

[15:10] goalpost. Appreciate your help.

[15:11] Appreciate your help. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.

[15:12] Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President.

[15:13] President. Thank you, Councillor Sullivan.

[15:14] Thank you, Councillor Sullivan. Vice president Richardson.

[15:15] Vice president Richardson. Thank you, Mr. President.

[15:16] Thank you, Mr. President. Tammy, I love your dedication.

[15:19] Tammy, I love your dedication. That's all I want to say. Thank

[15:21] That's all I want to say. Thank you, Mr. President.

[15:21] you, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

[15:23] Thank you, Mr. Vice President. And thank you, Tammy, again for

[15:24] And thank you, Tammy, again for all your efforts and for coming

[15:26] all your efforts and for coming before us tonight. And I again,

[15:28] before us tonight. And I again, having participated in the past

[15:29] having participated in the past again, you do a tremendous job.

[15:30] again, you do a tremendous job. It really is a powerful

[15:32] It really is a powerful experience. So I wish you all

[15:34] experience. So I wish you all the best with this year's

[15:34] the best with this year's event. Thank you. Thank you,

[15:37] event. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Next item.

[15:38] Madam Clerk. Next item. Uh, Caitlin M Wright. Esposito.

[15:40] Uh, Caitlin M Wright. Esposito. City clerk request to announce

[15:42] City clerk request to announce early voting schedule and

[15:43] early voting schedule and pertinent election related

[15:44] pertinent election related deadlines for the upcoming

[15:46] deadlines for the upcoming state election to be held on

[15:47] state election to be held on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026,

[15:50] Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m..

[15:52] from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Madam clerk.

[15:53] Madam clerk. Um.

[15:53] Um. So election season is in full

[15:55] So election season is in full swing, if you can believe that.

[15:57] swing, if you can believe that. Uh, over the last week, our

[15:58] Uh, over the last week, our office has been very busy

[16:00] office has been very busy getting out our vote by mail

[16:01] getting out our vote by mail ballots. Uh, we got our

[16:02] ballots. Uh, we got our delivery of ballots last week.

[16:04] delivery of ballots last week. And as of today, our first

[16:06] And as of today, our first round of ballots, which for

[16:08] round of ballots, which for requests right now are about

[16:09] requests right now are about 8000, have been mailed out to

[16:11] 8000, have been mailed out to voters daily. We continue to

[16:13] voters daily. We continue to receive applications. So as

[16:14] receive applications. So as those applications are come in

[16:16] those applications are come in and are processed, we will

[16:17] and are processed, we will continue to mail those out to

[16:19] continue to mail those out to voters. Um, the deadline to

[16:20] voters. Um, the deadline to request a vote by mail ballot

[16:22] request a vote by mail ballot is October, October 27th at 5

[16:26] is October, October 27th at 5 p.m., and voters are encouraged

[16:28] p.m., and voters are encouraged to, once they receive their

[16:29] to, once they receive their ballot, be sure to return that

[16:31] ballot, be sure to return that via the Dropbox. That is a

[16:33] via the Dropbox. That is a surefire way that it gets to us

[16:35] surefire way that it gets to us or hand deliver in our office.

[16:36] or hand deliver in our office. The Dropbox is located on the

[16:38] The Dropbox is located on the Main Street side of the

[16:39] Main Street side of the building of City Hall. Um, this

[16:41] building of City Hall. Um, this year our ballot is unique. Uh,

[16:43] year our ballot is unique. Uh, it's unprecedented. We have ten

[16:45] it's unprecedented. We have ten ballot questions, which, per

[16:46] ballot questions, which, per the Secretary of State's

[16:47] the Secretary of State's office, hasn't happened since

[16:49] office, hasn't happened since 1918. So whether you're voting

[16:51] 1918. So whether you're voting by mail or voting in person on

[16:53] by mail or voting in person on Election Day, your ballot here

[16:55] Election Day, your ballot here in Haverhill is going to have

[16:56] in Haverhill is going to have two cards. So that means if if

[16:58] two cards. So that means if if this was a ballot, it's going

[16:59] this was a ballot, it's going to be front one page with

[17:01] to be front one page with questions, candidates and

[17:03] questions, candidates and questions, a back side with

[17:04] questions, a back side with candidates and then a whole

[17:06] candidates and then a whole other page. Uh, and that must

[17:08] other page. Uh, and that must be returned to our office.

[17:09] be returned to our office. Whether you're voting by mail

[17:10] Whether you're voting by mail or at the precinct on Election

[17:12] or at the precinct on Election day or early voting. So just be

[17:14] day or early voting. So just be mindful of that on our vote by

[17:16] mindful of that on our vote by mail envelopes, we've left

[17:18] mail envelopes, we've left little reminders for people

[17:19] little reminders for people that says, please return both

[17:20] that says, please return both cards. But it's very important

[17:22] cards. But it's very important that both of those get back to

[17:24] that both of those get back to us. So if you're voting by

[17:25] us. So if you're voting by mail, a ballot must be returned

[17:27] mail, a ballot must be returned to our office. If it's

[17:28] to our office. If it's hand-delivered by 8 p.m. on

[17:30] hand-delivered by 8 p.m. on election night, that's Tuesday,

[17:32] election night, that's Tuesday, November 3rd, or if it's going

[17:34] November 3rd, or if it's going in the mail, it must be

[17:35] in the mail, it must be postmarked by November 3rd and

[17:37] postmarked by November 3rd and received in our office no later

[17:38] received in our office no later than November 6th. We will be

[17:40] than November 6th. We will be offering two weeks of in-person

[17:41] offering two weeks of in-person early voting here at City Hall.

[17:43] early voting here at City Hall. That's going to begin on

[17:45] That's going to begin on Saturday, October 17th, and run

[17:48] Saturday, October 17th, and run through October 30th, which is

[17:50] through October 30th, which is a Friday. Um, all dates and

[17:52] a Friday. Um, all dates and times are posted on our

[17:53] times are posted on our website, but it will be every

[17:54] website, but it will be every day. So 14 days straight, the

[17:56] day. So 14 days straight, the weekends 9 to 3 and Monday

[17:58] weekends 9 to 3 and Monday through Friday 8 to 4. The last

[18:00] through Friday 8 to 4. The last day to register to vote is

[18:01] day to register to vote is going to be Tuesday, October

[18:04] going to be Tuesday, October 24th at I'm sorry, not Tuesday,

[18:06] 24th at I'm sorry, not Tuesday, Saturday, October 24th at 5

[18:08] Saturday, October 24th at 5 p.m. and our office will be

[18:10] p.m. and our office will be open that Saturday to

[18:11] open that Saturday to accommodate that registration

[18:12] accommodate that registration deadline. So if you're

[18:13] deadline. So if you're concerned about your

[18:14] concerned about your registration, you can go online

[18:16] registration, you can go online directly and check the status

[18:17] directly and check the status of that, or come to our office

[18:19] of that, or come to our office or call us for inquiries on

[18:21] or call us for inquiries on that. And then my final, uh,

[18:24] that. And then my final, uh, plea to all of you here today,

[18:25] plea to all of you here today, or anybody that's watching

[18:27] or anybody that's watching online, is that we're always in

[18:28] online, is that we're always in need of election workers. Um,

[18:30] need of election workers. Um, specifically this election

[18:32] specifically this election cycle, just with how lengthy

[18:34] cycle, just with how lengthy the ballot is and the turnout

[18:35] the ballot is and the turnout that we think are going to be

[18:36] that we think are going to be getting. Um, so to have more

[18:38] getting. Um, so to have more people at the polls will really

[18:39] people at the polls will really help us move lines along

[18:41] help us move lines along quickly. Um, so if you are

[18:43] quickly. Um, so if you are somebody that's passionate

[18:44] somebody that's passionate about your community,

[18:45] about your community, interested in meeting new

[18:46] interested in meeting new people, passionate about

[18:47] people, passionate about elections, maybe good at math,

[18:49] elections, maybe good at math, we'd love to have you as part

[18:51] we'd love to have you as part of our team. Um, it is a

[18:53] of our team. Um, it is a volunteer opportunity, but you

[18:54] volunteer opportunity, but you are paid for the day, so. 245

[18:57] are paid for the day, so. 245 if you work the full day as an

[18:58] if you work the full day as an inspector, if you're interested

[19:00] inspector, if you're interested in joining as a warden or

[19:01] in joining as a warden or clerk, that is 275 for the day.

[19:04] clerk, that is 275 for the day. Um, we have trainings that are

[19:05] Um, we have trainings that are coming up. So I would ask that

[19:06] coming up. So I would ask that if you're interested, we would

[19:08] if you're interested, we would really need you to sign up no

[19:09] really need you to sign up no later than the end of next week

[19:11] later than the end of next week to ensure that you can be

[19:12] to ensure that you can be trained adequately before our

[19:14] trained adequately before our election. And if you're

[19:15] election. And if you're interested, you can call the

[19:16] interested, you can call the clerk's office at

[19:19] clerk's office at (978) 374-2312 or email me

[19:23] (978) 374-2312 or email me directly at City Clerk at

[19:25] directly at City Clerk at Haverhill, Ma. Gov. Thank you.

[19:27] Haverhill, Ma. Gov. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Next

[19:29] Thank you, Madam Clerk. Next item, please.

[19:30] item, please. Me again. Yeah.

[19:32] Me again. Yeah. Caitlin. Emery Esposito, city

[19:34] Caitlin. Emery Esposito, city clerk submits election warrant

[19:36] clerk submits election warrant for the 2026 state election to

[19:38] for the 2026 state election to be held on Tuesday, November

[19:39] be held on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 8

[19:42] 3rd, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m..

[19:42] p.m.. Madam clerk, do you want to say

[19:44] Madam clerk, do you want to say more about that?

[19:45] more about that? Uh, no.

[19:46] Uh, no. Just pretty well, actually.

[19:48] Just pretty well, actually. Yes. Sorry. Um, on the note,

[19:50] Yes. Sorry. Um, on the note, the election warrant. Um, so if

[19:52] the election warrant. Um, so if you look in the agenda packets,

[19:53] you look in the agenda packets, it does contain all of the ten

[19:55] it does contain all of the ten questions. And I just want to

[19:57] questions. And I just want to go back to you talking about

[19:58] go back to you talking about how large the ballot is.

[19:59] how large the ballot is. Because of that, every voter in

[20:01] Because of that, every voter in Massachusetts was email, um,

[20:03] Massachusetts was email, um, not emailed, I'm sorry, mailed

[20:05] not emailed, I'm sorry, mailed a red information booklet. And

[20:08] a red information booklet. And if you did not get that, it's

[20:09] if you did not get that, it's available online. We have extra

[20:10] available online. We have extra supplies in our office as well.

[20:12] supplies in our office as well. If you're looking for copies of

[20:13] If you're looking for copies of that, I would highly encourage

[20:15] that, I would highly encourage everybody to look at that.

[20:16] everybody to look at that. Review it carefully ahead of

[20:18] Review it carefully ahead of time. The final page of this

[20:20] time. The final page of this information booklet has a

[20:21] information booklet has a checklist that you can rip out

[20:23] checklist that you can rip out and bring with you to the

[20:24] and bring with you to the polls, so you can mark ahead of

[20:25] polls, so you can mark ahead of time how you're planning on

[20:27] time how you're planning on voting on these questions. And

[20:28] voting on these questions. And this will help us move the

[20:29] this will help us move the lines along quicker. As I said,

[20:31] lines along quicker. As I said, this is a very long ballot and

[20:33] this is a very long ballot and we want people to be able to go

[20:34] we want people to be able to go vote in person, but keep the

[20:35] vote in person, but keep the lines moving as quick as

[20:36] lines moving as quick as possible. So please do review

[20:38] possible. So please do review that booklet to get all your

[20:40] that booklet to get all your information. Uh, if you need an

[20:42] information. Uh, if you need an extra one. We have extras

[20:43] extra one. We have extras available in our office and

[20:45] available in our office and they are available a PDF

[20:46] they are available a PDF version and an audio version

[20:48] version and an audio version online on the Secretary of

[20:49] online on the Secretary of State's website, as well as our

[20:50] State's website, as well as our website. Um, but aside from

[20:52] website. Um, but aside from that, that's that's all I have

[20:53] that, that's that's all I have to say about the warrant.

[20:55] to say about the warrant. Thank you. Thank you. And do we

[20:56] Thank you. Thank you. And do we need a motion to in favor of

[20:58] need a motion to in favor of the.

[20:59] the. Yes. So moved.

[21:01] Yes. So moved. Second motion from Councillor

[21:02] Second motion from Councillor Sullivan, second from Councilor

[21:04] Sullivan, second from Councilor Ferreira. Uh, Madam Clerk,

[21:05] Ferreira. Uh, Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

[21:06] please call the roll. Vice president. Richardson.

[21:08] Vice president. Richardson. Yes. Councillor. Basler.

[21:09] Yes. Councillor. Basler. Yes.

[21:09] Yes. Councillor. Diodati. Yes.

[21:10] Councillor. Diodati. Yes. Councillor. Sullivan. Yes.

[21:12] Councillor. Sullivan. Yes. Councillor. Ferreira. Yes.

[21:13] Councillor. Ferreira. Yes. Councillor. Toohey. Yes.

[21:14] Councillor. Toohey. Yes. Councillor McGonigle. Yes.

[21:15] Councillor McGonigle. Yes. Councillor LePage. Yes.

[21:16] Councillor LePage. Yes. Councillor Rogers and President

[21:18] Councillor Rogers and President Jordan. Yes.

[21:18] Jordan. Yes. Ten years.

[21:19] Ten years. Zero. Nays one.

[21:20] Zero. Nays one. Absent that passes. Next item

[21:22] Absent that passes. Next item please.

[21:26] please. This is a hearing document. 21

[21:28] This is a hearing document. 21 J city Council special permit

[21:31] J city Council special permit 267 Matt Silver for Sterling.

[21:34] 267 Matt Silver for Sterling. Commonwealth builders request

[21:35] Commonwealth builders request approval to demolish existing

[21:37] approval to demolish existing single family residence and

[21:39] single family residence and construct three attached

[21:40] construct three attached townhouse condominium units on

[21:41] townhouse condominium units on a single parcel at 27 Marshland

[21:44] a single parcel at 27 Marshland Street in the residential High

[21:45] Street in the residential High Zone. Each unit is proposed to

[21:47] Zone. Each unit is proposed to contain three bedrooms, two one

[21:50] contain three bedrooms, two one and a half bathrooms, and one

[21:51] and a half bathrooms, and one and an attached two car garage.

[21:53] and an attached two car garage. This has been continued from

[21:54] This has been continued from September 15th of 2026. Um.

[21:57] September 15th of 2026. Um. Earlier this afternoon we did

[21:58] Earlier this afternoon we did receive a communication from

[21:59] receive a communication from the applicant's attorney

[22:01] the applicant's attorney requesting to continue this

[22:02] requesting to continue this hearing due to, uh, late

[22:04] hearing due to, uh, late comments that were received by

[22:05] comments that were received by the Conservation Department

[22:07] the Conservation Department over the weekend. And in order

[22:08] over the weekend. And in order for them to respond to them,

[22:10] for them to respond to them, they'd like a little bit of

[22:11] they'd like a little bit of extra time. They're asking for

[22:12] extra time. They're asking for a continuance until October

[22:14] a continuance until October 20th.

[22:14] 20th. So moved.

[22:15] So moved. Second.

[22:16] Second. Motion for Vice President.

[22:17] Motion for Vice President. Richardson. Second from was

[22:18] Richardson. Second from was Sullivan. Yes, from Councillor

[22:20] Sullivan. Yes, from Councillor Sullivan. Uh, all in favor?

[22:22] Sullivan. Uh, all in favor? Aye, aye.

[22:23] Aye, aye. That's continued until October

[22:25] That's continued until October 20th. Madam clerk, next item,

[22:27] 20th. Madam clerk, next item, please.

[22:29] please. Mayor Barrett submits an

[22:30] Mayor Barrett submits an ordinance relating to amending

[22:31] ordinance relating to amending chapter 222, article 11,

[22:34] chapter 222, article 11, recreational motorized vehicles

[22:36] recreational motorized vehicles of the Haverhill City Ordinance

[22:37] of the Haverhill City Ordinance restricting the use of

[22:38] restricting the use of motorized bicycles and

[22:39] motorized bicycles and scooters, filed September 23rd

[22:41] scooters, filed September 23rd of 2026.

[22:42] of 2026. Madam mayor, Mr. president,

[22:44] Madam mayor, Mr. president, councilors. Thank you. Uh,

[22:46] councilors. Thank you. Uh, obviously, uh, there has been a

[22:49] obviously, uh, there has been a huge influx of e-bikes in the

[22:51] huge influx of e-bikes in the community and, uh, huge issues

[22:54] community and, uh, huge issues with them. Um, we have had a

[22:57] with them. Um, we have had a tragedy and we've had a bunch

[22:59] tragedy and we've had a bunch of near tragedies and injuries

[23:02] of near tragedies and injuries and, um, just it's it seems

[23:05] and, um, just it's it seems like it's a it blew up out of

[23:07] like it's a it blew up out of control. So you asked us to,

[23:12] control. So you asked us to, um, see what we could do. I

[23:14] um, see what we could do. I presented, uh, what the

[23:16] presented, uh, what the governor had proposed to the

[23:17] governor had proposed to the legislature that is still in

[23:18] legislature that is still in the legislature. That would

[23:20] the legislature. That would create different tiers on

[23:22] create different tiers on speed. That is still in the

[23:24] speed. That is still in the legislature. So we are not

[23:26] legislature. So we are not going to wait for that. We are

[23:27] going to wait for that. We are going to do, um, all the things

[23:29] going to do, um, all the things we can do within the current

[23:31] we can do within the current law. And if if that does see

[23:33] law. And if if that does see the light of day from the

[23:34] the light of day from the legislature, we can make

[23:36] legislature, we can make amendments to our ordinance

[23:38] amendments to our ordinance here. Um, this ordinance be sup

[23:42] here. Um, this ordinance be sup um, where these vehicles can be

[23:44] um, where these vehicles can be driven, how they can be driven

[23:46] driven, how they can be driven by whom they can be driven. Uh,

[23:48] by whom they can be driven. Uh, and uh, it prohibits them from

[23:52] and uh, it prohibits them from public spaces. Uh, it prohibits

[23:55] public spaces. Uh, it prohibits them from sidewalks. Um, you

[23:58] them from sidewalks. Um, you know, we, uh, on the school

[24:00] know, we, uh, on the school committee side, we have

[24:03] committee side, we have already, um, prohibited e-bikes

[24:07] already, um, prohibited e-bikes in school grounds. Um, and I

[24:09] in school grounds. Um, and I think that has made a slight

[24:11] think that has made a slight difference. Although people are

[24:13] difference. Although people are driving them and, you know,

[24:15] driving them and, you know, tying them to trees or posts

[24:17] tying them to trees or posts or, you know, it's still an

[24:19] or, you know, it's still an issue. Um, I don't think

[24:21] issue. Um, I don't think everybody has the message that

[24:22] everybody has the message that they are a danger, uh,

[24:24] they are a danger, uh, especially when they're driven

[24:26] especially when they're driven by, uh, people that do not

[24:27] by, uh, people that do not understand the rules of the

[24:29] understand the rules of the road. So, we have Lieutenant

[24:32] road. So, we have Lieutenant Lynch here from the police

[24:34] Lynch here from the police department. If you have any

[24:35] department. If you have any questions, as we also have, uh,

[24:38] questions, as we also have, uh, city Solicitor Mead here for

[24:39] city Solicitor Mead here for you, for you.

[24:41] you, for you. Thank you. Councillor Diodati.

[24:43] Thank you. Councillor Diodati. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh,

[24:44] Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, my questions are for Madam

[24:45] my questions are for Madam Solicitor. Um, so first

[24:55] Solicitor. Um, so first question is the, uh. And you're

[24:58] question is the, uh. And you're right up, it says driving under

[24:59] right up, it says driving under the influence and empowerment

[25:00] the influence and empowerment of vehicles cannot be addressed

[25:01] of vehicles cannot be addressed by this ordinance. But in the

[25:04] by this ordinance. But in the ordinance, uh, for the children

[25:06] ordinance, uh, for the children under 16 and it says there will

[25:07] under 16 and it says there will be immediately seized. Impound

[25:09] be immediately seized. Impound the recreational motor vehicle.

[25:11] the recreational motor vehicle. Is that in compliance with the

[25:12] Is that in compliance with the law?

[25:13] law? Right.

[25:13] Right. So so yes and no. It's on the

[25:16] So so yes and no. It's on the edge. Right. So, um, the law

[25:19] edge. Right. So, um, the law pertains to the statute,

[25:21] pertains to the statute, pertains to adults. And so the

[25:23] pertains to adults. And so the section in the ordinance that

[25:25] section in the ordinance that we provided pertains to people

[25:27] we provided pertains to people under 16.

[25:29] under 16. Okay. All right. And then, uh,

[25:31] Okay. All right. And then, uh, the my second question was in

[25:34] the my second question was in your right up, it says, uh, $50

[25:36] your right up, it says, uh, $50 for the first offense, but it

[25:37] for the first offense, but it looks like it's $250 in the

[25:39] looks like it's $250 in the actual ordinance.

[25:40] actual ordinance. Is that. No.

[25:40] Is that. No. That's a strikeout. You just

[25:41] That's a strikeout. You just it's it's 25 and then 50, 20.

[25:44] it's it's 25 and then 50, 20. Okay. Yeah.

[25:45] Okay. Yeah. All right. I'm just at that

[25:46] All right. I'm just at that paragraph. The 222665.

[25:50] paragraph. The 222665. Yeah. So, um, it's 25 and then

[25:53] Yeah. So, um, it's 25 and then 50 in the in the strike out.

[25:55] 50 in the in the strike out. Um, I don't have do you have

[25:56] Um, I don't have do you have are you looking at the final

[25:57] are you looking at the final ordinance?

[25:58] ordinance? Uh, yes.

[25:58] Uh, yes. So it should be 25 and 50. So I

[26:01] So it should be 25 and 50. So I think maybe the strike out got

[26:02] think maybe the strike out got messed up.

[26:02] messed up. Okay.

[26:03] Okay. That's it. That's all I got.

[26:04] That's it. That's all I got. Thank you. Thank you.

[26:05] Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Diodati. Councillor

[26:07] Councillor Diodati. Councillor Ferreira.

[26:07] Ferreira. Thank you. Um, could you

[26:10] Thank you. Um, could you please, just for the record and

[26:12] please, just for the record and everyone watching at home, give

[26:14] everyone watching at home, give us an overview of what is

[26:15] us an overview of what is included in this version.

[26:17] included in this version. That's before us tonight.

[26:19] That's before us tonight. Yeah. I think the, the the

[26:20] Yeah. I think the, the the major, uh, the major part of

[26:22] major, uh, the major part of this is essentially the

[26:24] this is essentially the prohibitions of writing, you

[26:26] prohibitions of writing, you know, not writing on things

[26:27] know, not writing on things that you shouldn't write on. It

[26:28] that you shouldn't write on. It doesn't it does not address

[26:30] doesn't it does not address writing on a street because

[26:32] writing on a street because you're allowed to do that in

[26:33] you're allowed to do that in certain instances. So on public

[26:35] certain instances. So on public sidewalks, on public bike

[26:37] sidewalks, on public bike paths, bikeways, natural

[26:38] paths, bikeways, natural surface trails, public parks,

[26:40] surface trails, public parks, public conservation and

[26:42] public conservation and recreation areas, playgrounds,

[26:45] recreation areas, playgrounds, uh, private property without

[26:46] uh, private property without written permission to do so,

[26:48] written permission to do so, um, and um, up on away any time

[26:51] um, and um, up on away any time after sunset or before sunrise.

[26:54] after sunset or before sunrise. So those are the major issues.

[26:57] So those are the major issues. Um, and then in addition, as

[26:59] Um, and then in addition, as noted by the councillor before,

[27:01] noted by the councillor before, if you are under 16, you are

[27:03] if you are under 16, you are found to violate this

[27:04] found to violate this ordinance. Um, you can have

[27:06] ordinance. Um, you can have your the e-bike, um,

[27:10] your the e-bike, um, confiscated, but you can get it

[27:12] confiscated, but you can get it back in. There are certain

[27:13] back in. There are certain penalties depending on what it

[27:15] penalties depending on what it is, um, for how long it's held.

[27:17] is, um, for how long it's held. And then you have to show proof

[27:18] And then you have to show proof of ownership in order to get it

[27:19] of ownership in order to get it back. So that's in there as

[27:21] back. So that's in there as well.

[27:22] well. Great. And to clarify for the,

[27:25] Great. And to clarify for the, um, after dusk evening, our

[27:28] um, after dusk evening, our riding, is it just scooters or

[27:30] riding, is it just scooters or would this also cover e-bikes

[27:32] would this also cover e-bikes themselves.

[27:33] themselves. So it is. Uh, no person shall

[27:36] So it is. Uh, no person shall operate in a scooter upon any

[27:38] operate in a scooter upon any way at any time after sunset.

[27:40] way at any time after sunset. And my guess is because those

[27:41] And my guess is because those lack lights and fixtures that

[27:44] lack lights and fixtures that would make it safer to ride in

[27:45] would make it safer to ride in the evening. That's correct.

[27:46] the evening. That's correct. Okay. And then, um, one thing

[27:49] Okay. And then, um, one thing that jumped out at me, which I

[27:51] that jumped out at me, which I 100% agree, this is overdue and

[27:55] 100% agree, this is overdue and needed for sure. Um, is I have

[27:58] needed for sure. Um, is I have a concern about class one

[28:01] a concern about class one e-bikes not being allowed on

[28:04] e-bikes not being allowed on paved bike paths. Um, and I

[28:07] paved bike paths. Um, and I guess for me, using some blue

[28:10] guess for me, using some blue bikes, for example, in Boston

[28:12] bikes, for example, in Boston also has e-bikes. Those are

[28:13] also has e-bikes. Those are class one. They go to 18mph.

[28:16] class one. They go to 18mph. Those are allowed on bike

[28:17] Those are allowed on bike paths. I think just for me,

[28:19] paths. I think just for me, considering our urban setting

[28:22] considering our urban setting in the cheaper, more affordable

[28:25] in the cheaper, more affordable transportation route that these

[28:27] transportation route that these e-bikes, the class one version

[28:28] e-bikes, the class one version provides. Um, I, I would like

[28:32] provides. Um, I, I would like to see the class one e-bikes

[28:35] to see the class one e-bikes allowed on our paved bike

[28:37] allowed on our paved bike paths, not the natural

[28:39] paths, not the natural surfaces, which is what is

[28:41] surfaces, which is what is included in there already. And

[28:43] included in there already. And of course, no sidewalks, which

[28:44] of course, no sidewalks, which was also included in this

[28:45] was also included in this proposed ordinance. And I

[28:46] proposed ordinance. And I wanted to, um, present that to

[28:48] wanted to, um, present that to my fellow councilors as a

[28:50] my fellow councilors as a potential, um, change. If

[28:53] potential, um, change. If anyone would like to consider.

[28:57] anyone would like to consider. Uh, my only, uh, hesitation on

[29:01] Uh, my only, uh, hesitation on that is we have gotten

[29:03] that is we have gotten complaints from people on rail

[29:04] complaints from people on rail trails that are paved that

[29:07] trails that are paved that were, um, either hit or near

[29:10] were, um, either hit or near hits. Um, on those paths.

[29:13] hits. Um, on those paths. Um.

[29:14] Um. Yeah. I think, um,

[29:17] Yeah. I think, um, realistically speaking, whether

[29:19] realistically speaking, whether you're pedal assist or not,

[29:20] you're pedal assist or not, 18mph is very feasible to do on

[29:23] 18mph is very feasible to do on a regular bike on those paved

[29:25] a regular bike on those paved paths to. So I would hate to

[29:27] paths to. So I would hate to see us have to go back and

[29:29] see us have to go back and adjust an ordinance if we were

[29:30] adjust an ordinance if we were so lucky to have a bike share

[29:32] so lucky to have a bike share program in the city in the

[29:33] program in the city in the future, which is expanding to

[29:36] future, which is expanding to our area to, um, which would be

[29:38] our area to, um, which would be awesome. I think to have that

[29:40] awesome. I think to have that kind of program, um, here in

[29:42] kind of program, um, here in Haverhill. So, I mean, I think

[29:45] Haverhill. So, I mean, I think with signage and education,

[29:48] with signage and education, what's expected on a bike path,

[29:49] what's expected on a bike path, a paved bike path, I would

[29:50] a paved bike path, I would assume would go along with this

[29:52] assume would go along with this kind of ordinance change also

[29:54] kind of ordinance change also in the natural areas and in the

[29:55] in the natural areas and in the conservation area. So, um, I

[29:58] conservation area. So, um, I guess that would be my motion,

[30:00] guess that would be my motion, if that's a proper way to

[30:01] if that's a proper way to handle it.

[30:06] handle it. Anything else? Councilor? Thank

[30:08] Anything else? Councilor? Thank you. Thank you. Uh, Vice

[30:11] you. Thank you. Uh, Vice President Richardson.

[30:13] President Richardson. Thank you, Mr. President. Um,

[30:15] Thank you, Mr. President. Um, this is based on the Ride Safe

[30:18] this is based on the Ride Safe Act, which hasn't been proposed

[30:22] Act, which hasn't been proposed yet. It's not law, but I do

[30:25] yet. It's not law, but I do think this is consistent with

[30:27] think this is consistent with what my colleague was saying

[30:29] what my colleague was saying about class one and class two

[30:32] about class one and class two e-bikes. Maybe being in a

[30:34] e-bikes. Maybe being in a different category. Uh, for

[30:37] different category. Uh, for some things, uh, such as she

[30:41] some things, uh, such as she mentioned, um, the T zero in

[30:45] mentioned, um, the T zero in the ride Safe act, that tier

[30:47] the ride Safe act, that tier zero includes class one and

[30:49] zero includes class one and class two e-bikes up to 20mph.

[30:55] class two e-bikes up to 20mph. So there's just a little more,

[30:57] So there's just a little more, um, opportunity for the, um,

[31:03] um, opportunity for the, um, the e-bikes. Then by grouping

[31:05] the e-bikes. Then by grouping everything together. And, yeah.

[31:15] everything together. And, yeah. So this is a policy issue for

[31:18] So this is a policy issue for the council and the mayor,

[31:19] the council and the mayor, right?

[31:20] right? Yeah. That's why we're bringing

[31:22] Yeah. That's why we're bringing it up. Right? Yeah. Oh, I'm

[31:27] it up. Right? Yeah. Oh, I'm sorry. Um, I can't really see

[31:29] sorry. Um, I can't really see you that good.

[31:30] you that good. Though. Let's wait for that.

[31:33] Though. Let's wait for that. Mic drop.

[31:38] Mic drop. Councilors. Um, as far as the

[31:40] Councilors. Um, as far as the different tiers, um, that is

[31:42] different tiers, um, that is why the school committee banned

[31:45] why the school committee banned all e-bikes from school

[31:47] all e-bikes from school grounds. Because, uh, otherwise,

[31:49] grounds. Because, uh, otherwise, you're putting a in the schools

[31:53] you're putting a in the schools in particular, you are putting

[31:54] in particular, you are putting a burden on either the SRO or

[31:56] a burden on either the SRO or the principal to make a

[31:58] the principal to make a determination how fast an

[32:00] determination how fast an e-bike goes. And you can't it's

[32:02] e-bike goes. And you can't it's not emblazoned on the side of a

[32:04] not emblazoned on the side of a bike. So I think that's why we

[32:06] bike. So I think that's why we included it. Uh, they are at 18

[32:09] included it. Uh, they are at 18 miles an hour. If a five a

[32:11] miles an hour. If a five a fifth grader is driving it, it

[32:13] fifth grader is driving it, it is still 18 miles an hour. It

[32:15] is still 18 miles an hour. It is still a dangerous vehicle

[32:17] is still a dangerous vehicle ridden by somebody that does

[32:18] ridden by somebody that does not understand the rules of the

[32:19] not understand the rules of the road.

[32:23] road. Uh, thank you very much on

[32:25] Uh, thank you very much on that. And I do have another

[32:28] that. And I do have another policy type. Um, question, but

[32:31] policy type. Um, question, but it's not, um, you know, it's

[32:33] it's not, um, you know, it's it's not a big hitter, but, uh,

[32:36] it's not a big hitter, but, uh, should the 30 to 90 day

[32:40] should the 30 to 90 day impoundment apply to every

[32:42] impoundment apply to every listed repeat offense or only

[32:45] listed repeat offense or only repeated serious and dangerous

[32:48] repeated serious and dangerous conduct?

[32:57] conduct? Amenable to a different number

[32:59] Amenable to a different number or different? You know, if you

[33:03] or different? You know, if you want to suggest something.

[33:05] want to suggest something. Okay, what do you think? Well,

[33:09] Okay, what do you think? Well, maybe some of my colleagues

[33:10] maybe some of my colleagues will respond to that. Thank

[33:13] will respond to that. Thank you, Mr. President.

[33:13] you, Mr. President. You're welcome. Vice President

[33:15] You're welcome. Vice President Richardson, just to be clear,

[33:17] Richardson, just to be clear, so Councilor Ferreira made a

[33:19] so Councilor Ferreira made a motion. And if I understood

[33:20] motion. And if I understood correctly, your motion was to

[33:22] correctly, your motion was to allow, uh, scooters or.

[33:25] allow, uh, scooters or. To allow.

[33:27] To allow. Class one.

[33:28] Class one. To allow class.

[33:28] To allow class. One on paved bike paths within

[33:31] One on paved bike paths within the city. And I just wanted to

[33:33] the city. And I just wanted to clarify that in the ordinance,

[33:35] clarify that in the ordinance, as before, us under operating

[33:37] as before, us under operating restrictions. So that's section

[33:41] restrictions. So that's section 222-63 letter I recreational

[33:45] 222-63 letter I recreational motorized vehicles, excluding

[33:47] motorized vehicles, excluding e-bikes, shall not be operated

[33:48] e-bikes, shall not be operated on any way by a person under 16

[33:50] on any way by a person under 16 years of age. So that's already

[33:51] years of age. So that's already in the ordinance. The age

[33:52] in the ordinance. The age restrictions are already there.

[33:54] restrictions are already there. This would be for adult riders

[33:56] This would be for adult riders over the age of 16. Young

[33:58] over the age of 16. Young writers, however you say it,

[34:00] writers, however you say it, um, to be allowed to operate

[34:02] um, to be allowed to operate e-bikes, which are class one,

[34:04] e-bikes, which are class one, which can go up to 20 miles an

[34:06] which can go up to 20 miles an hour on our paved, um, bike

[34:08] hour on our paved, um, bike paths. So that would be my.

[34:10] paths. So that would be my. motion to make that change.

[34:12] motion to make that change. Thank you. Are you seconding

[34:13] Thank you. Are you seconding it? Yes.

[34:14] it? Yes. Yes.

[34:17] Yes. Okay. We have other councilors

[34:18] Okay. We have other councilors that want to weigh in.

[34:19] that want to weigh in. Councilor Sullivan.

[34:20] Councilor Sullivan. Yes.

[34:20] Yes. Um.

[34:21] Um. On that subject, I would say I

[34:23] On that subject, I would say I would leave it alone and let's

[34:24] would leave it alone and let's see how it works. But I'm more

[34:26] see how it works. But I'm more concerned about how we're going

[34:27] concerned about how we're going to enforce this new ordinance.

[34:28] to enforce this new ordinance. Lieutenant Lynch, could you

[34:29] Lieutenant Lynch, could you come up, just tell us if the

[34:31] come up, just tell us if the department is prepared to

[34:33] department is prepared to launch any kind of an effort to

[34:35] launch any kind of an effort to not only, uh, enforce, but and

[34:38] not only, uh, enforce, but and others educate, educate the

[34:39] others educate, educate the public? I know we've done a lot

[34:40] public? I know we've done a lot of educating in the schools,

[34:42] of educating in the schools, uh, you know, getting that

[34:43] uh, you know, getting that straight straightened out. But

[34:44] straight straightened out. But now, how are we going to

[34:45] now, how are we going to educate the community and how

[34:46] educate the community and how are we going to enforce this?

[34:47] are we going to enforce this? Lieutenant Lynch well.

[34:48] Lieutenant Lynch well. We're going to use social

[34:49] We're going to use social media. We're going to partner

[34:50] media. We're going to partner with the schools to teach the

[34:52] with the schools to teach the children, you know, that they

[34:55] children, you know, that they have to follow this. You know,

[34:57] have to follow this. You know, additionally, an issue that's

[34:58] additionally, an issue that's come up recently is kids are

[35:01] come up recently is kids are riding these bikes, chaining

[35:02] riding these bikes, chaining them to trees, poles, signs. So

[35:06] them to trees, poles, signs. So what's going to happen now is

[35:08] what's going to happen now is if they continue to do this,

[35:09] if they continue to do this, we're going to cut the locks.

[35:12] we're going to cut the locks. We're going to keep them for

[35:13] We're going to keep them for safe. Keep. If it's on a city

[35:16] safe. Keep. If it's on a city tree, a city sign, a city pole,

[35:18] tree, a city sign, a city pole, anything on city property,

[35:20] anything on city property, we're going to let the schools

[35:22] we're going to let the schools know so they can educate the

[35:23] know so they can educate the kids and the parents to say, if

[35:25] kids and the parents to say, if this happens, this is what's

[35:26] this happens, this is what's going to happen. It's going to

[35:28] going to happen. It's going to be taken by us for safekeeping,

[35:31] be taken by us for safekeeping, and they can show proof of

[35:32] and they can show proof of ownership and it'll be

[35:33] ownership and it'll be returned. But we see them all

[35:35] returned. But we see them all around the school grounds, all

[35:37] around the school grounds, all around neighborhoods change the

[35:39] around neighborhoods change the trees, and we're just not going

[35:41] trees, and we're just not going to allow it.

[35:42] to allow it. And what can we do to increase

[35:44] And what can we do to increase awareness and and control the

[35:46] awareness and and control the situation in the inner city

[35:47] situation in the inner city streets, Winter Street and

[35:49] streets, Winter Street and Primrose Street and all the

[35:50] Primrose Street and all the tight streets in the inner

[35:51] tight streets in the inner city? The way we've all heard

[35:53] city? The way we've all heard or seen potential horror shows

[35:55] or seen potential horror shows or tragedies when kids are

[35:57] or tragedies when kids are whipping through the

[35:57] whipping through the intersections, not stopping at

[35:59] intersections, not stopping at red lights and such.

[36:00] red lights and such. And that goes back to

[36:02] And that goes back to education. And a big component

[36:04] education. And a big component is we're going to have to

[36:05] is we're going to have to educate parents. Parents need

[36:06] educate parents. Parents need to take responsibility for

[36:08] to take responsibility for their children and not buy the

[36:10] their children and not buy the three $400 scooters and let

[36:13] three $400 scooters and let them go out on the street. And

[36:15] them go out on the street. And if they're we do confiscate it.

[36:18] if they're we do confiscate it. We educate the parents and

[36:21] We educate the parents and we'll just continue to do that.

[36:22] we'll just continue to do that. That's that's all we can do. We

[36:24] That's that's all we can do. We don't need another tragedy.

[36:26] don't need another tragedy. Right.

[36:27] Right. Thank you. Thank you, Mr.

[36:28] Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President.

[36:28] President. Thank you, Councillor Sullivan.

[36:30] Thank you, Councillor Sullivan. Councilor Ferreira, did you

[36:31] Councilor Ferreira, did you have more? Thank you. Okay. Um,

[36:34] have more? Thank you. Okay. Um, yeah, I have a couple of

[36:35] yeah, I have a couple of questions. Follow up, I think,

[36:36] questions. Follow up, I think, for you, Lieutenant Lynch. So,

[36:38] for you, Lieutenant Lynch. So, um, do you feel like with these

[36:41] um, do you feel like with these changes, you have what you

[36:43] changes, you have what you need? I know this came up at

[36:44] need? I know this came up at the subcommittee meeting I

[36:45] the subcommittee meeting I attended was at that time, you

[36:46] attended was at that time, you guys felt somewhat powerless. I

[36:49] guys felt somewhat powerless. I don't wanna put words in your

[36:49] don't wanna put words in your mouth, but, like, as far as

[36:50] mouth, but, like, as far as being able to. When enforce.

[36:52] being able to. When enforce. Now, what if this passes

[36:53] Now, what if this passes tonight? Do you feel like you

[36:55] tonight? Do you feel like you have the tools you need? I know

[36:56] have the tools you need? I know one of the things you mentioned

[36:57] one of the things you mentioned was then was the, which is a

[36:59] was then was the, which is a question mark about being able

[37:00] question mark about being able to confiscate the bikes. Now,

[37:02] to confiscate the bikes. Now, if we approve this, you'll have

[37:03] if we approve this, you'll have that authority. Does this give

[37:05] that authority. Does this give you what you feel like you need

[37:06] you what you feel like you need to make a meaningful

[37:07] to make a meaningful difference?

[37:08] difference? Yes. It's definitely a stock.

[37:10] Yes. It's definitely a stock. We have to start somewhere.

[37:11] We have to start somewhere. Yeah.

[37:11] Yeah. So.

[37:13] So. And, um, just for the public

[37:15] And, um, just for the public and everybody watching, paying

[37:16] and everybody watching, paying attention. Among the complaints

[37:18] attention. Among the complaints I hear a lot and just see is

[37:20] I hear a lot and just see is people riding these without

[37:21] people riding these without helmets on. Is that reason

[37:23] helmets on. Is that reason enough? Whether they're over

[37:25] enough? Whether they're over the age of 16 under the age of

[37:26] the age of 16 under the age of 16, can you stop them for

[37:28] 16, can you stop them for riding without a helmet.

[37:31] riding without a helmet. Under 16? It's a law. You're

[37:32] Under 16? It's a law. You're supposed to wear a helmet.

[37:33] supposed to wear a helmet. Okay.

[37:34] Okay. So it's under 16.

[37:35] So it's under 16. Okay.

[37:36] Okay. Thank you, Councillor Diodati.

[37:38] Thank you, Councillor Diodati. Thank you, Mr. President.

[37:40] Thank you, Mr. President. I'm just curious to know, like

[37:41] I'm just curious to know, like the levels of these bikes, how

[37:43] the levels of these bikes, how do you actually tell which

[37:44] do you actually tell which one's a level one or a level

[37:45] one's a level one or a level two?

[37:46] two? Like do.

[37:47] Like do. A lot of it goes by the voltage

[37:50] A lot of it goes by the voltage of motors, which does create a

[37:53] of motors, which does create a problem because there's you can

[37:56] problem because there's you can take a motor out, open it up,

[37:58] take a motor out, open it up, put a semiconductor in, do

[38:00] put a semiconductor in, do things, put it back together

[38:02] things, put it back together and it can go 40 miles an hour.

[38:03] and it can go 40 miles an hour. But it's going to say it's

[38:04] But it's going to say it's going to go 20.

[38:05] going to go 20. So that the tier one could

[38:07] So that the tier one could ultimately be manipulated to be

[38:09] ultimately be manipulated to be faster than 20 miles an hour.

[38:11] faster than 20 miles an hour. Yes.

[38:12] Yes. And then I guess my other

[38:13] And then I guess my other concern with, uh, Councilor

[38:14] concern with, uh, Councilor Ferreira's motion is it's like

[38:16] Ferreira's motion is it's like from a policing perspective,

[38:19] from a policing perspective, it's someone's on one of these

[38:20] it's someone's on one of these things. Maybe they don't even

[38:21] things. Maybe they don't even know what they have. Um, and if

[38:23] know what they have. Um, and if something were to whiz by me at

[38:24] something were to whiz by me at 20 miles an hour, I'm just

[38:25] 20 miles an hour, I'm just going to assume it's the

[38:26] going to assume it's the fastest one on the market,

[38:27] fastest one on the market, because that's pretty fast for

[38:28] because that's pretty fast for someone to be coming by you at

[38:30] someone to be coming by you at a standstill. I think it would

[38:31] a standstill. I think it would be. Would you agree it would be

[38:33] be. Would you agree it would be hard to police? Um, if we did

[38:35] hard to police? Um, if we did decide to kind of tear how

[38:37] decide to kind of tear how these things went on the

[38:38] these things went on the public.

[38:38] public. Trails.

[38:39] Trails. It'll be difficult.

[38:41] It'll be difficult. Okay. All right. That's all I

[38:43] Okay. All right. That's all I got.

[38:43] got. Thank you.

[38:44] Thank you. Thank you, councillor Diodati.

[38:45] Thank you, councillor Diodati. Councillor McGonigle.

[38:46] Councillor McGonigle. Thank you, Mr. President.

[38:47] Thank you, Mr. President. And just following up on

[38:49] And just following up on Councillor Dodds, I think it

[38:50] Councillor Dodds, I think it would be very hard to police by

[38:53] would be very hard to police by seeing it or there's no labels

[38:55] seeing it or there's no labels on them. As the mayor pointed

[38:56] on them. As the mayor pointed out saying I'm this or I'm

[38:58] out saying I'm this or I'm that. The model number. So I

[39:00] that. The model number. So I would rather err on the side of

[39:02] would rather err on the side of caution so I won't support that

[39:05] caution so I won't support that motion because I think it's too

[39:07] motion because I think it's too hard to regulate that. It'd be

[39:10] hard to regulate that. It'd be easy to just say, hey, get on a

[39:11] easy to just say, hey, get on a bike, or find another way of

[39:13] bike, or find another way of transportation, not something

[39:15] transportation, not something that's electric. So thank you,

[39:17] that's electric. So thank you, Mr. President.

[39:17] Mr. President. Thank you. Councillor

[39:18] Thank you. Councillor McGonigle. Councillor Rogers.

[39:19] McGonigle. Councillor Rogers. A quick, quick question. The

[39:21] A quick, quick question. The rail trails, are they bike

[39:22] rail trails, are they bike paths called bike paths two. Is

[39:24] paths called bike paths two. Is that what we're when we're

[39:25] that what we're when we're talking about a bike path. What

[39:26] talking about a bike path. What are we, a paved bike. Are you.

[39:28] are we, a paved bike. Are you. Talking about.

[39:28] Talking about. Just a real I would say the

[39:29] Just a real I would say the rail trail would be considered.

[39:30] rail trail would be considered. That. But not the wooden bridge

[39:32] That. But not the wooden bridge or the wooden rail trail. So, I

[39:34] or the wooden rail trail. So, I mean, I think it's I'm

[39:35] mean, I think it's I'm struggling with that one the

[39:37] struggling with that one the other day because I don't think

[39:39] other day because I don't think we have set bike paths in

[39:40] we have set bike paths in Haverhill, do we? Other than

[39:41] Haverhill, do we? Other than the street. And then the other

[39:43] the street. And then the other day I was going down the main

[39:45] day I was going down the main street and there was a bike

[39:47] street and there was a bike coming. Bikes was supposed to

[39:48] coming. Bikes was supposed to go with traffic. Is that

[39:49] go with traffic. Is that correct?

[39:50] correct? Bikes are supposed to follow

[39:51] Bikes are supposed to follow all rules of the road and

[39:52] all rules of the road and supposed to stop at red lights,

[39:54] supposed to stop at red lights, stop signs, just like just like

[39:56] stop signs, just like just like a car does.

[39:57] a car does. Well. So this e-bike was

[39:58] Well. So this e-bike was driving against was on our

[39:59] driving against was on our side. I'm going this way. It's

[40:00] side. I'm going this way. It's coming back this way.

[40:01] coming back this way. Completely opposite of what

[40:02] Completely opposite of what you're supposed to be doing.

[40:03] you're supposed to be doing. And then it swerves off to the

[40:05] And then it swerves off to the sidewalk, in and out. I didn't

[40:06] sidewalk, in and out. I didn't have a helmet. I don't know if

[40:07] have a helmet. I don't know if she was 16 or not, but, um, I'd

[40:10] she was 16 or not, but, um, I'd struggle with the bike path one

[40:12] struggle with the bike path one or the, you know. So. Okay, so

[40:13] or the, you know. So. Okay, so I'm not sure I support the

[40:15] I'm not sure I support the motion. Thank you.

[40:16] motion. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Rogers. I

[40:18] Thank you, Councillor Rogers. I don't see any of the lights on,

[40:19] don't see any of the lights on, so, um, we have the motion.

[40:21] so, um, we have the motion. Well, the initial motion, uh,

[40:24] Well, the initial motion, uh, to by Councillor Ferreira to

[40:26] to by Councillor Ferreira to allow the class one e-bikes on

[40:28] allow the class one e-bikes on paved rail trails, seconded by

[40:30] paved rail trails, seconded by Vice President Mitchinson.

[40:31] Vice President Mitchinson. Madam clerk, would you please

[40:32] Madam clerk, would you please call the roll on that?

[40:33] call the roll on that? Vice President Richardson? Yes,

[40:35] Vice President Richardson? Yes, councillor. Brasilia. Yes.

[40:37] councillor. Brasilia. Yes. Councillor. Diodati?

[40:38] Councillor. Diodati? No. Councillor.

[40:39] No. Councillor. Sullivan. No. Councillor.

[40:40] Sullivan. No. Councillor. Ferreira.

[40:41] Ferreira. Yes.

[40:41] Yes. Councillor. Toohey. No.

[40:43] Councillor. Toohey. No. Councillor McGonigle.

[40:44] Councillor McGonigle. No.

[40:45] No. Councillor LePage.

[40:46] Councillor LePage. No.

[40:47] No. Councillor. Rogers. No. And

[40:49] Councillor. Rogers. No. And President Jordan.

[40:49] President Jordan. No.

[40:52] No. Threes nine. I don't like.

[40:54] Threes nine. I don't like. Math.

[40:55] Math. Seven.

[40:55] Seven. Seven. Seven. Nays one. Absent.

[40:58] Seven. Seven. Nays one. Absent. That fails. Uh, do we have a

[41:01] That fails. Uh, do we have a motion for the ordinance?

[41:03] motion for the ordinance? So moved. Second.

[41:04] So moved. Second. I missed. Who did the first

[41:06] I missed. Who did the first one? Sorry.

[41:06] one? Sorry. Uh, Councillor Sullivan.

[41:08] Uh, Councillor Sullivan. Sullivan.

[41:09] Sullivan. And the second was Joey Toohey.

[41:12] And the second was Joey Toohey. Madam clerk, please call the

[41:13] Madam clerk, please call the roll.

[41:14] roll. Vice president. Mitchinson.

[41:15] Vice president. Mitchinson. Yes. Councillor. Basler. Yes.

[41:17] Yes. Councillor. Basler. Yes. Councillor. Diodati. Yes.

[41:18] Councillor. Diodati. Yes. Councillor. Sullivan. Yes.

[41:19] Councillor. Sullivan. Yes. Councillor. Ferreira. Yes.

[41:20] Councillor. Ferreira. Yes. Councillor. Toohey. Yes.

[41:21] Councillor. Toohey. Yes. Councillor McGonagall. Yes.

[41:22] Councillor McGonagall. Yes. Councillor LePage. Yes.

[41:23] Councillor LePage. Yes. Councillor Rogers and President

[41:25] Councillor Rogers and President Jordan. Yes. And yeas and nays.

[41:27] Jordan. Yes. And yeas and nays. One.

[41:28] One. Absent that passes. Uh, Madam

[41:30] Absent that passes. Uh, Madam Clerk, next item.

[41:31] Clerk, next item. Mayor Barrett submits an order

[41:33] Mayor Barrett submits an order relating to the water Use

[41:34] relating to the water Use Restriction Ordinance, chapter

[41:36] Restriction Ordinance, chapter 250, article six of the code of

[41:38] 250, article six of the code of the City of Haverhill. Order

[41:39] the City of Haverhill. Order that the City Council hereby

[41:41] that the City Council hereby votes to repeal and replace

[41:42] votes to repeal and replace chapter 250, article six of the

[41:44] chapter 250, article six of the code of the City of Haverhill,

[41:45] code of the City of Haverhill, entitled Water Restriction in

[41:47] entitled Water Restriction in its entirety with the following

[41:48] its entirety with the following arrives. Revised ordinance

[41:50] arrives. Revised ordinance filed on September 23rd of

[41:52] filed on September 23rd of 2026.

[41:53] 2026. Mayor Barrett.

[41:53] Mayor Barrett. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank

[41:55] Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Councillors. Uh, obviously

[41:56] you. Councillors. Uh, obviously we are in a critical drought

[41:59] we are in a critical drought situation right now. And, um,

[42:01] situation right now. And, um, this, uh, change in the

[42:03] this, uh, change in the ordinance has been through, um,

[42:05] ordinance has been through, um, I think two committees, maybe

[42:07] I think two committees, maybe three committee meetings. Um,

[42:10] three committee meetings. Um, and, uh, the planning and

[42:12] and, uh, the planning and development, I believe, might

[42:13] development, I believe, might have had it last. And these are

[42:16] have had it last. And these are based, uh, this ordinance is

[42:17] based, uh, this ordinance is based on the suggestions of the

[42:19] based on the suggestions of the Planning and Development

[42:20] Planning and Development Committee. Uh, no, it wasn't

[42:22] Committee. Uh, no, it wasn't planning.

[42:23] planning. Development that was given to

[42:24] Development that was given to you, but we didn't agree on it.

[42:25] you, but we didn't agree on it. Oh.

[42:25] Oh. It was.

[42:26] It was. A split vote. I'm sorry. I know

[42:28] A split vote. I'm sorry. I know you're correct. Um, there was

[42:30] you're correct. Um, there was some disagreement on a few of

[42:33] some disagreement on a few of the issues before you. Uh, we

[42:35] the issues before you. Uh, we we present this to you, and,

[42:38] we present this to you, and, you know, you can hash out

[42:39] you know, you can hash out exactly how you want to proceed

[42:42] exactly how you want to proceed here. Um, you know, there are

[42:44] here. Um, you know, there are aspects of this that are are,

[42:46] aspects of this that are are, you know, are clean up, you

[42:49] you know, are clean up, you know, what we call critical,

[42:50] know, what we call critical, what we call warnings. It gives

[42:53] what we call warnings. It gives some, um, color colorization to

[42:57] some, um, color colorization to the warnings, which I think are

[42:59] the warnings, which I think are good. Um, there are some things

[43:00] good. Um, there are some things that I don't know if it's

[43:02] that I don't know if it's necessary, um, to pursue. Um,

[43:05] necessary, um, to pursue. Um, you know, the, the, the

[43:07] you know, the, the, the private. Well, I think would be

[43:09] private. Well, I think would be a little hard to enforce, but,

[43:11] a little hard to enforce, but, uh, uh, we can acquiesce to

[43:16] uh, uh, we can acquiesce to your, uh, judgment there. Um,

[43:18] your, uh, judgment there. Um, but Bob Ward is here. Uh, if

[43:21] but Bob Ward is here. Uh, if you have any technical

[43:22] you have any technical questions regarding this, um,

[43:26] questions regarding this, um, and, um, I leave the final

[43:30] and, um, I leave the final decisions to you on this, and

[43:32] decisions to you on this, and I'm here to weigh in. Also, if

[43:33] I'm here to weigh in. Also, if you need me.

[43:34] you need me. Thank you. Bob, you have things

[43:36] Thank you. Bob, you have things you want to say before

[43:37] you want to say before councillors start asking

[43:38] councillors start asking questions or..

[43:41] questions or.. Sure. Um, for the record,

[43:43] Sure. Um, for the record, Robert Ward, DPW director,

[43:45] Robert Ward, DPW director, water Wastewater City,

[43:46] water Wastewater City, Haverhill. Um, I can kind of

[43:50] Haverhill. Um, I can kind of quickly summarize the the major

[43:53] quickly summarize the the major changes. I'll try to do it

[43:55] changes. I'll try to do it quickly.

[43:55] quickly. Thank you.

[43:56] Thank you. I can't promise anything on

[43:58] I can't promise anything on that.

[43:58] that. One.

[44:00] One. So as the mayor said, some of

[44:02] So as the mayor said, some of these, uh, or at least a couple

[44:03] these, uh, or at least a couple of them are recommendations

[44:05] of them are recommendations that came out of the Planning

[44:07] that came out of the Planning and Development Committee

[44:08] and Development Committee meeting that we had some time

[44:10] meeting that we had some time back. Um, so just going through

[44:13] back. Um, so just going through quickly, um, there's a couple

[44:15] quickly, um, there's a couple of those recommendations.

[44:17] of those recommendations. There's also the mayor

[44:18] There's also the mayor mentioned some things, sort of

[44:20] mentioned some things, sort of like clean up items, and those

[44:22] like clean up items, and those are, um, items that we work

[44:26] are, um, items that we work with. The City Solicitor's

[44:27] with. The City Solicitor's office to. Some of it is to

[44:29] office to. Some of it is to more closely align our

[44:31] more closely align our ordinance with the state

[44:34] ordinance with the state regulations as well as our

[44:36] regulations as well as our Water Management Act permit. So,

[44:38] Water Management Act permit. So, um, in particular, the, uh, the

[44:43] um, in particular, the, uh, the drought triggers and the, uh,

[44:46] drought triggers and the, uh, action levels, they're actually

[44:48] action levels, they're actually a little bit tightened up. Um,

[44:51] a little bit tightened up. Um, they align more with the

[44:53] they align more with the state's level one, two, three,

[44:56] state's level one, two, three, four. We changed our names a

[44:57] four. We changed our names a little bit. Um, but it's still

[44:59] little bit. Um, but it's still the same number of levels. The

[45:02] the same number of levels. The 10%, 35%, and so on are the

[45:05] 10%, 35%, and so on are the same actual lake levels. We

[45:08] same actual lake levels. We just changed the names to align

[45:10] just changed the names to align with the state. Um, a few, some

[45:12] with the state. Um, a few, some of the trigger levels. We, we

[45:14] of the trigger levels. We, we tighten them up a little bit.

[45:17] tighten them up a little bit. They're a little more defined.

[45:20] They're a little more defined. Um, and one in particular, I

[45:22] Um, and one in particular, I want to say it's the I don't

[45:26] want to say it's the I don't want us to tell you

[45:27] want us to tell you incorrectly. So I'll take a

[45:29] incorrectly. So I'll take a look. I think it's level two.

[45:33] look. I think it's level two. Uh, for example, level two, I

[45:35] Uh, for example, level two, I think in the current ordinance,

[45:37] think in the current ordinance, might is a little looser. It's

[45:39] might is a little looser. It's it might even be voluntary type

[45:42] it might even be voluntary type conservation, whereas the new

[45:44] conservation, whereas the new one, uh, it's it's a little bit

[45:47] one, uh, it's it's a little bit more restrictive. And that's at

[45:49] more restrictive. And that's at the 20% reduction in the lake

[45:50] the 20% reduction in the lake level. So some things like

[45:53] level. So some things like that, it's a little better.

[45:55] that, it's a little better. It's a little better defined

[45:57] It's a little better defined too. And like I said, that

[46:00] too. And like I said, that comes out of matching up with

[46:02] comes out of matching up with the state regulations.

[46:09] the state regulations. Clarified authority and

[46:12] Clarified authority and applicability. This is where

[46:15] applicability. This is where the mayor mentioned private

[46:19] the mayor mentioned private wells. So this if you look in

[46:21] wells. So this if you look in the applicability section, this

[46:24] the applicability section, this ordinance would apply to

[46:27] ordinance would apply to private wells as well as, uh,

[46:31] private wells as well as, uh, public water system customers.

[46:33] public water system customers. So that covers all of them. It

[46:36] So that covers all of them. It wasn't my recommendation, but

[46:39] wasn't my recommendation, but um, so that's what that's all.

[46:42] um, so that's what that's all. About. That's what.

[46:43] About. That's what. You said. You said that's not.

[46:44] You said. You said that's not. Your recommendation.

[46:45] Your recommendation. Yeah.

[46:46] Yeah. That came from that was a

[46:48] That came from that was a recommendation with the

[46:49] recommendation with the Planning and Development

[46:50] Planning and Development Committee, not the committee,

[46:51] Committee, not the committee, but some individuals.

[46:53] but some individuals. Not me.

[46:53] Not me. It was mine.

[46:54] It was mine. I think.

[46:54] I think. It was one of.

[46:55] It was one of. Those districts. Certainly

[46:56] Those districts. Certainly won't be made.

[46:56] won't be made. It was one of those.

[46:57] It was one of those. District council.

[46:58] District council. Agreed upon items.

[47:00] Agreed upon items. So go back. to Mr..

[47:02] So go back. to Mr.. Ward, back to this. So there's

[47:06] Ward, back to this. So there's a definition or two that we're

[47:08] a definition or two that we're updated. Uh, it says expanded

[47:11] updated. Uh, it says expanded exemptions. That's a little

[47:12] exemptions. That's a little misleading. So we already had

[47:15] misleading. So we already had exemptions in the current ah

[47:17] exemptions in the current ah have exemptions. And the

[47:19] have exemptions. And the current ordinance, the

[47:22] current ordinance, the exemptions listed here are I

[47:26] exemptions listed here are I think it's a little better

[47:27] think it's a little better defined. It's very similar.

[47:29] defined. It's very similar. It's pretty much the same as

[47:30] It's pretty much the same as what we had. But it's a little

[47:32] what we had. But it's a little better spelled out here in this

[47:34] better spelled out here in this ordinance. Uh, for example, you

[47:37] ordinance. Uh, for example, you have the businesses where the

[47:39] have the businesses where the water outdoor water use is

[47:41] water outdoor water use is really core to their business.

[47:42] really core to their business. So that's still an exemption.

[47:44] So that's still an exemption. Those types of things, uh,

[47:46] Those types of things, uh, livestock, agriculture, things

[47:49] livestock, agriculture, things like that. So those are all

[47:50] like that. So those are all still there? I think it's a

[47:53] still there? I think it's a little better defined and that

[47:55] little better defined and that it's modeled after the the

[47:57] it's modeled after the the state regulation language. It's

[48:02] state regulation language. It's a little bit on the automatic

[48:04] a little bit on the automatic irrigation systems, a little

[48:05] irrigation systems, a little bit of cleanup. There. We

[48:10] bit of cleanup. There. We added, uh, there is an add

[48:12] added, uh, there is an add regarding irrigation system

[48:14] regarding irrigation system requirements and it's to it

[48:18] requirements and it's to it requires on lawn, automatic

[48:21] requires on lawn, automatic lawn irrigation systems. It

[48:23] lawn irrigation systems. It requires soil moisture sensors,

[48:25] requires soil moisture sensors, rain sensors and flow sensors.

[48:28] rain sensors and flow sensors. And that's on newly installed

[48:32] And that's on newly installed systems, as well as systems

[48:34] systems, as well as systems that are being going to be

[48:36] that are being going to be repaired. We actually do get

[48:38] repaired. We actually do get applications for abatements at

[48:40] applications for abatements at the water wastewater abatement

[48:42] the water wastewater abatement board for leaks and irrigation

[48:44] board for leaks and irrigation systems. So I think. To have a

[48:48] systems. So I think. To have a flow sensor on those systems, I

[48:50] flow sensor on those systems, I think is very important because

[48:52] think is very important because when they leak to a lot of

[48:53] when they leak to a lot of water. So the other thing we

[48:56] water. So the other thing we would probably end up doing is

[48:57] would probably end up doing is we would we would make an

[49:00] we would we would make an abatement if the abatement

[49:02] abatement if the abatement board was going to abate.

[49:03] board was going to abate. Somebody that had a leak in the

[49:04] Somebody that had a leak in the irrigation system to make the

[49:06] irrigation system to make the abatement contingent upon

[49:08] abatement contingent upon installing all this stuff. So

[49:11] installing all this stuff. So I, I kind of like that new

[49:15] I, I kind of like that new section. New baseline, seasonal

[49:20] section. New baseline, seasonal conservation standards. So that

[49:23] conservation standards. So that establishes a seasonal outdoor

[49:25] establishes a seasonal outdoor water use limitations

[49:29] water use limitations From.

[49:30] From. May 15th.

[49:30] May 15th. Through September 30th, and

[49:35] Through September 30th, and that's section 2250 25. And it

[49:40] that's section 2250 25. And it says from May 15th through

[49:43] says from May 15th through September 30th. Non-essential

[49:45] September 30th. Non-essential outdoor water use shall be

[49:46] outdoor water use shall be limited to before 9 a.m. and

[49:48] limited to before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m., unless otherwise

[49:50] after 5 p.m., unless otherwise modified by the city. And a

[49:53] modified by the city. And a further says the city may

[49:55] further says the city may further restrict such use in

[49:57] further restrict such use in accordance with 250, 25.1 and

[50:00] accordance with 250, 25.1 and 250 25.2, which those are just

[50:04] 250 25.2, which those are just those typical action and

[50:06] those typical action and trigger levels that I just

[50:07] trigger levels that I just talked about a minute ago. So

[50:10] talked about a minute ago. So that's a new one. A revised

[50:16] that's a new one. A revised drought trigger levels and

[50:19] drought trigger levels and response actions. We we talked

[50:20] response actions. We we talked about that already. Suspension

[50:25] about that already. Suspension of deduct meter credits. So

[50:28] of deduct meter credits. So right now the people with

[50:31] right now the people with irrigation systems can have a

[50:33] irrigation systems can have a deduct meter. And basically any

[50:37] deduct meter. And basically any water goes through the water

[50:39] water goes through the water meter goes out to the lawn,

[50:41] meter goes out to the lawn, goes through the deduct meter.

[50:43] goes through the deduct meter. And whatever water goes through

[50:44] And whatever water goes through that deduct meter, they get a

[50:45] that deduct meter, they get a credit off their wastewater

[50:47] credit off their wastewater bill. So this says under a

[50:51] bill. So this says under a level three or a level four

[50:53] level three or a level four drought condition, which you're

[50:56] drought condition, which you're not supposed to be using your

[50:57] not supposed to be using your irrigation systems anyway. It

[51:00] irrigation systems anyway. It says that they will not. Their

[51:04] says that they will not. Their deduct credits will be

[51:05] deduct credits will be suspended during that the

[51:07] suspended during that the period when during a level

[51:09] period when during a level three and a level four drought

[51:11] three and a level four drought condition. So it sort of I

[51:14] condition. So it sort of I think gets a bad word, but it

[51:17] think gets a bad word, but it we do have people this summer

[51:19] we do have people this summer that we're running the

[51:20] that we're running the irrigation systems and those

[51:22] irrigation systems and those credits are on the deduct

[51:24] credits are on the deduct meters. And this will allow us

[51:25] meters. And this will allow us a mechanism to not give them a

[51:28] a mechanism to not give them a deduct on, on that water used

[51:31] deduct on, on that water used on their lawns. So and then

[51:35] on their lawns. So and then this is strengthened

[51:36] this is strengthened enforcement provisions. That's

[51:38] enforcement provisions. That's basically um increasing the

[51:41] basically um increasing the fines. So the fines are now

[51:44] fines. So the fines are now there are 5100. And I don't

[51:49] there are 5100. And I don't know if it's 150 or 200. The

[51:52] know if it's 150 or 200. The new ones are 100, 203 hundred.

[51:56] new ones are 100, 203 hundred. Uh, there's also a warning. And

[51:58] Uh, there's also a warning. And what we did this year, we we.

[52:04] what we did this year, we we. We worked into this outdoor

[52:07] We worked into this outdoor water use restriction very

[52:09] water use restriction very slowly. We we tried to get word

[52:12] slowly. We we tried to get word out through a lot of different

[52:14] out through a lot of different means media, all that stuff. So

[52:17] means media, all that stuff. So we tried to get the word out.

[52:18] we tried to get the word out. We tried to ease people into

[52:20] We tried to ease people into it. We gave a lot of warnings.

[52:23] it. We gave a lot of warnings. Um, and then we started to find

[52:27] Um, and then we started to find so I think people this was one

[52:32] so I think people this was one of the disagreement items at

[52:35] of the disagreement items at one of the committee meetings.

[52:36] one of the committee meetings. Um. I guess I'll leave it at

[52:43] Um. I guess I'll leave it at that, that we, we we do we do

[52:46] that, that we, we we do we do give out a lot of warnings. We

[52:48] give out a lot of warnings. We do try very hard to get the

[52:50] do try very hard to get the word out to people. We send

[52:53] word out to people. We send letters, we send emails. A lot

[52:56] letters, we send emails. A lot of notifications, a lot of

[52:57] of notifications, a lot of travel called public education,

[52:59] travel called public education, social media, all that stuff.

[53:01] social media, all that stuff. So, uh, when you think about

[53:03] So, uh, when you think about fines, you know, that that also

[53:05] fines, you know, that that also factors into that fining and

[53:08] factors into that fining and penalty process as well.

[53:10] penalty process as well. So.

[53:12] So. And I think that about sums it

[53:14] And I think that about sums it up.

[53:14] up. Thank you very much, Councillor

[53:16] Thank you very much, Councillor Sullivan.

[53:16] Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. President. I

[53:17] Thank you, Mr. President. I want to get right to it. I

[53:18] want to get right to it. I would like to make a motion

[53:20] would like to make a motion that we exclude private wells

[53:21] that we exclude private wells from within the city limits.

[53:23] from within the city limits. And here's why. Um, mayor

[53:26] And here's why. Um, mayor mentioned it. Bob mentioned it.

[53:27] mentioned it. Bob mentioned it. We we have no power to enforce

[53:28] We we have no power to enforce that. There are no meters at

[53:30] that. There are no meters at these homes. How are we really

[53:32] these homes. How are we really going to regulate that? Winter

[53:33] going to regulate that? Winter is coming. I don't think any

[53:35] is coming. I don't think any private well, users are going

[53:36] private well, users are going to be doing any irrigation over

[53:37] to be doing any irrigation over the winter. Hopefully by spring

[53:39] the winter. Hopefully by spring we'll be in a better spot

[53:40] we'll be in a better spot where, you know, we won't have

[53:42] where, you know, we won't have to do this. But I just think,

[53:45] to do this. But I just think, quite frankly, it's government

[53:47] quite frankly, it's government overreach. Uh, we have no

[53:48] overreach. Uh, we have no authority to do this if they're

[53:50] authority to do this if they're not paying for this service

[53:51] not paying for this service from us, then it's none of our

[53:53] from us, then it's none of our business. Like, uh, Adam, a

[53:55] business. Like, uh, Adam, a constituent, wrote today. Is he

[53:57] constituent, wrote today. Is he here?

[53:57] here? Satara is.

[53:58] Satara is. In the room.

[53:58] In the room. Right there. Smart man. Said it

[54:01] Right there. Smart man. Said it all. He said, don't you think

[54:02] all. He said, don't you think we're already concerned that

[54:04] we're already concerned that our wells could run dry? Uh,

[54:06] our wells could run dry? Uh, we're, you know, we have the

[54:07] we're, you know, we have the same. They have the same

[54:08] same. They have the same problem we do. Except they

[54:10] problem we do. Except they don't have the city to back

[54:11] don't have the city to back them up. So if they have a

[54:13] them up. So if they have a problem, they have to dig

[54:15] problem, they have to dig deeper. So it's going to cost

[54:16] deeper. So it's going to cost you money. So I mean, smart

[54:19] you money. So I mean, smart homeowners are going to do as

[54:22] homeowners are going to do as much conservation on their own

[54:23] much conservation on their own as they can because they don't

[54:26] as they can because they don't want to make the problem worse

[54:27] want to make the problem worse for themselves or for the city

[54:29] for themselves or for the city as a whole. So for those

[54:30] as a whole. So for those reasons, government overreach

[54:32] reasons, government overreach can't really enforce it. I

[54:34] can't really enforce it. I think it's, um, it's not a good

[54:35] think it's, um, it's not a good idea to keep them included. I

[54:37] idea to keep them included. I made a motion and.

[54:38] made a motion and. A second did it.

[54:40] A second did it. Okay.

[54:41] Okay. Lots of people want to jump in

[54:42] Lots of people want to jump in on that one, but I had Diodati

[54:43] on that one, but I had Diodati first, so there.

[54:44] first, so there. We go.

[54:45] We go. Thank you. I'll set Councillor

[54:46] Thank you. I'll set Councillor Sullivan.

[54:46] Sullivan. Yes.

[54:47] Yes. Thank you, councillor basileus.

[54:48] Thank you, councillor basileus. Next. Um, Mr..

[54:51] Next. Um, Mr.. Ward, am I correct to

[54:53] Ward, am I correct to understand that, um, a

[54:55] understand that, um, a residence, a home that is on a

[54:58] residence, a home that is on a lot, that requires their own.

[54:59] lot, that requires their own. Well, in their own septic, that

[55:02] Well, in their own septic, that that person is in fact the

[55:04] that person is in fact the water they're using is in fact

[55:06] water they're using is in fact being recharged to the

[55:08] being recharged to the groundwater. Is that correct?

[55:10] groundwater. Is that correct? If they have. Yeah. Private.

[55:12] If they have. Yeah. Private. Well.

[55:12] Well. They have a private well and

[55:13] They have a private well and septic combination. Okay. And

[55:16] septic combination. Okay. And that wouldn't be the case that

[55:17] that wouldn't be the case that they were on, um, a private.

[55:19] they were on, um, a private. Wells or a and had sewer. Then

[55:22] Wells or a and had sewer. Then it's, it goes to the for the

[55:24] it's, it goes to the for the people who have that

[55:25] people who have that circumstance. Correct. They're

[55:27] circumstance. Correct. They're paying for sewage service.

[55:28] paying for sewage service. From us. That's right.

[55:29] From us. That's right. Okay. All right. Um, that

[55:31] Okay. All right. Um, that that's that's the technical

[55:33] that's that's the technical question that I had. Thank you

[55:34] question that I had. Thank you sir.

[55:34] sir. Thank you. Councillor

[55:35] Thank you. Councillor Batchelor. Councillor Rogers.

[55:37] Batchelor. Councillor Rogers. Uh.

[55:38] Uh. I have a few things. Uh, one of

[55:39] I have a few things. Uh, one of them is the private wells. I'm

[55:40] them is the private wells. I'm not interested in putting that

[55:42] not interested in putting that in. Um, the other one. I have a

[55:43] in. Um, the other one. I have a couple here. Um, it says on,

[55:46] couple here. Um, it says on, um, uh, 252 for the, um, all

[55:51] um, uh, 252 for the, um, all ground. Your irrigation systems

[55:53] ground. Your irrigation systems should be plumbed. So that shut

[55:54] should be plumbed. So that shut off valve is located outside

[55:56] off valve is located outside the building and situated, so

[55:57] the building and situated, so it may be shut off if found to

[55:59] it may be shut off if found to be in violation of ordinance.

[56:00] be in violation of ordinance. For this purpose of this

[56:02] For this purpose of this section, police officers, city

[56:04] section, police officers, city or agents of the Board of Water

[56:05] or agents of the Board of Water Commissioners may enter a

[56:06] Commissioners may enter a property to just go on a

[56:07] property to just go on a property and just shut it off.

[56:09] property and just shut it off. Well, I mean, I don't agree

[56:10] Well, I mean, I don't agree with that. I mean, I just don't

[56:11] with that. I mean, I just don't even know if we have the right

[56:12] even know if we have the right to go on and just shut

[56:13] to go on and just shut somebody's water off at their

[56:14] somebody's water off at their house. That's that's one the

[56:17] house. That's that's one the other thing I have is baseline

[56:19] other thing I have is baseline seasonal conservation. That's

[56:21] seasonal conservation. That's when we have no problems. Is

[56:22] when we have no problems. Is that correct? When they.

[56:24] that correct? When they. When that would be any May 15th

[56:26] When that would be any May 15th through September 30th.

[56:27] through September 30th. So let's say we have rain every

[56:29] So let's say we have rain every day. They're still going to be

[56:31] day. They're still going to be in like I don't I don't like

[56:33] in like I don't I don't like this baseline here. Why why why

[56:35] this baseline here. Why why why do we need a baseline from May

[56:39] do we need a baseline from May 15th through September 30th for

[56:41] 15th through September 30th for non-essential outdoor watering?

[56:43] non-essential outdoor watering? Why should we worry about that?

[56:44] Why should we worry about that? Because you're not going to

[56:45] Because you're not going to oversee it anyways. If we have

[56:46] oversee it anyways. If we have a lot of rain, if we have

[56:46] a lot of rain, if we have plenty of water right.

[56:48] plenty of water right. Uh, that's not one of my

[56:50] Uh, that's not one of my recommendations here. This was

[56:52] recommendations here. This was one of the that came out of the

[56:53] one of the that came out of the planning and development.

[56:54] planning and development. It didn't come. Yeah. I did.

[56:56] It didn't come. Yeah. I did. One of the people, the members

[56:58] One of the people, the members of that committee. Okay. Let me

[56:59] of that committee. Okay. Let me just make that. Yeah, I'll make

[57:00] just make that. Yeah, I'll make that distinction.

[57:01] that distinction. So I don't agree with that

[57:02] So I don't agree with that because I if we have plenty of

[57:03] because I if we have plenty of I mean, if we're not going to

[57:05] I mean, if we're not going to enforce this, why have it in

[57:06] enforce this, why have it in here? That's what I, it's I

[57:07] here? That's what I, it's I don't agree with that. And then

[57:09] don't agree with that. And then who who would and who do you

[57:11] who who would and who do you have a separate person that's

[57:13] have a separate person that's going to I understand I got a

[57:15] going to I understand I got a letter. We just shut our

[57:17] letter. We just shut our irrigation on just for a second

[57:19] irrigation on just for a second to fill the hose for the for

[57:21] to fill the hose for the for the vegetables. But we got a

[57:22] the vegetables. But we got a letter stating we had turned it

[57:23] letter stating we had turned it on. So it's like you guys know

[57:24] on. So it's like you guys know that right away. By the by, um,

[57:28] that right away. By the by, um, the you must have a reader or

[57:30] the you must have a reader or something that tells you I got

[57:31] something that tells you I got a letter in the mail probably a

[57:32] a letter in the mail probably a week later saying we weren't

[57:34] week later saying we weren't even using our irrigation.

[57:35] even using our irrigation. But we're trying to keep an eye

[57:37] But we're trying to keep an eye on things.

[57:37] on things. Yeah, yeah.

[57:38] Yeah, yeah. So you have ways to to collect

[57:40] So you have ways to to collect it, but you're not going to. So

[57:42] it, but you're not going to. So and the other thing is who put

[57:44] and the other thing is who put the who is on the committee to

[57:46] the who is on the committee to put this final draft together.

[57:47] put this final draft together. Oh my gosh.

[57:49] Oh my gosh. We're going to get to.

[57:50] We're going to get to. You know it's okay. Yep. You

[57:52] You know it's okay. Yep. You were on that committee.

[57:53] were on that committee. No it doesn't come from the

[57:54] No it doesn't come from the planning board. So who put this

[57:55] planning board. So who put this final draft together? I wasn't

[57:56] final draft together? I wasn't on this.

[57:57] on this. We worked with the city

[57:59] We worked with the city solicitor's office to put the

[58:00] solicitor's office to put the the draft city ordinance

[58:03] the draft city ordinance together.

[58:03] together. Because you don't agree with a.

[58:04] Because you don't agree with a. Lot of questions from from

[58:06] Lot of questions from from people that were on that

[58:07] people that were on that planning and development

[58:08] planning and development committee. We did take we did

[58:10] committee. We did take we did put suggestions from that

[58:12] put suggestions from that meeting into this draft.

[58:14] meeting into this draft. , because what we.

[58:14] , because what we. Said is.

[58:15] Said is. We we gave you the list that

[58:18] We we gave you the list that majority of us voted against to

[58:19] majority of us voted against to say, if what if you guys think

[58:20] say, if what if you guys think any of this should be added,

[58:21] any of this should be added, you should add it. That was the

[58:23] you should add it. That was the line you can.

[58:25] line you can. This is the opportunity to make

[58:27] This is the opportunity to make these corrections. It's it's

[58:29] these corrections. It's it's you have to start somewhere

[58:30] you have to start somewhere counselor. So feel free to

[58:32] counselor. So feel free to strike.

[58:33] strike. You know those are the only

[58:34] You know those are the only things right now I have it.

[58:35] things right now I have it. It was just to get this moving,

[58:37] It was just to get this moving, you know, it had languished. So

[58:40] you know, it had languished. So we wanted to just move on. This

[58:42] we wanted to just move on. This strike. Whatever you're not

[58:44] strike. Whatever you're not comfortable with.

[58:45] comfortable with. Well, those three items I'm not

[58:46] Well, those three items I'm not comfortable.

[58:46] comfortable. With, uh, and and, you know,

[58:48] With, uh, and and, you know, this is what this body is for,

[58:49] this is what this body is for, to make these decisions, um,

[58:52] to make these decisions, um, based on. But at least you have

[58:54] based on. But at least you have a template to start from, and

[58:55] a template to start from, and you can strike what doesn't

[58:57] you can strike what doesn't work.

[58:57] work. Thank you. I'm all set.

[58:59] Thank you. I'm all set. You're all set. Thank you,

[59:00] You're all set. Thank you, Councillor Diodati.

[59:01] Councillor Diodati. Thank you, Mr. President. And

[59:02] Thank you, Mr. President. And I'd like to just. Yeah. Further

[59:03] I'd like to just. Yeah. Further clarify the mayor's statement.

[59:05] clarify the mayor's statement. Like the planning and

[59:05] Like the planning and development Committee, we had a

[59:06] development Committee, we had a list of ideas. Not all of us

[59:08] list of ideas. Not all of us agreed on set ideas. We sent

[59:10] agreed on set ideas. We sent them to the administration to

[59:12] them to the administration to come up with this. And this is

[59:13] come up with this. And this is the debate time. This is why

[59:14] the debate time. This is why we're here. So that's what

[59:16] we're here. So that's what we're doing now. Um, I do have

[59:17] we're doing now. Um, I do have a question about the, uh, the

[59:19] a question about the, uh, the basically the exemptions for

[59:20] basically the exemptions for non-essential use. Why is

[59:22] non-essential use. Why is irrigation of public parks

[59:23] irrigation of public parks before 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. still

[59:26] before 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. still allowed?

[59:30] allowed? I that would be a policy

[59:32] I that would be a policy question for you. If you wanted

[59:33] question for you. If you wanted to take it out of there, you

[59:34] to take it out of there, you could do that. I mean, it's.

[59:38] could do that. I mean, it's. Um, councilor, I, I think it is

[59:42] Um, councilor, I, I think it is allowed because in some

[59:44] allowed because in some instances, like I think at

[59:46] instances, like I think at Silver Hill, they put in sod

[59:48] Silver Hill, they put in sod and to make the sod catch, you

[59:50] and to make the sod catch, you have to water it. So, um, you

[59:52] have to water it. So, um, you know, I don't think all the

[59:55] know, I don't think all the sprinklers are on everywhere,

[59:56] sprinklers are on everywhere, but in certain circumstance,

[59:58] but in certain circumstance, um, I think that also happened

[1:00:00] um, I think that also happened at the common this year. They

[1:00:01] at the common this year. They they did a lot of work at the

[1:00:04] they did a lot of work at the common, not the city so much.

[1:00:06] common, not the city so much. Team Haverhill paid for a

[1:00:07] Team Haverhill paid for a specialist to come in because

[1:00:09] specialist to come in because of the the extreme use over the

[1:00:13] of the the extreme use over the last few years and the drought.

[1:00:15] last few years and the drought. Uh, the, the grass at the

[1:00:17] Uh, the, the grass at the common was, was suffering. Um,

[1:00:19] common was, was suffering. Um, so they were allowed to water.

[1:00:21] so they were allowed to water. They wanted really early and it

[1:00:24] They wanted really early and it was over. Um, but just to, to

[1:00:26] was over. Um, but just to, to give that seed a chance.

[1:00:29] give that seed a chance. Okay.

[1:00:29] Okay. I guess it's just kind of a,

[1:00:30] I guess it's just kind of a, it's a debate I'm having with

[1:00:32] it's a debate I'm having with myself right now for. So I'm

[1:00:33] myself right now for. So I'm talking about section two 5026.

[1:00:37] talking about section two 5026. Um, G is for irrigation of

[1:00:38] Um, G is for irrigation of public parks before 9 a.m. and

[1:00:40] public parks before 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., H is for irrigation of

[1:00:42] 5 p.m., H is for irrigation of public and public and private

[1:00:44] public and public and private recreational fields, which I

[1:00:46] recreational fields, which I would, and those operated by

[1:00:47] would, and those operated by schools. So I think that would

[1:00:48] schools. So I think that would be where the Silver Hill would,

[1:00:49] be where the Silver Hill would, you know, more or less fall

[1:00:50] you know, more or less fall under. But for irrigation of

[1:00:52] under. But for irrigation of public parks before and after

[1:00:54] public parks before and after five, you know, if we're

[1:00:55] five, you know, if we're worried about the damage and

[1:00:56] worried about the damage and the and the cost of repairing

[1:00:58] the and the cost of repairing it, like we're putting

[1:00:58] it, like we're putting homeowners through the same

[1:00:59] homeowners through the same exact thing, you know, so we we

[1:01:01] exact thing, you know, so we we have lawns that are dying and

[1:01:03] have lawns that are dying and people that don't want their

[1:01:04] people that don't want their grass to die. Um, you know, I'm

[1:01:06] grass to die. Um, you know, I'm just I guess I'm having a hard

[1:01:07] just I guess I'm having a hard time actually having that on

[1:01:09] time actually having that on this list. And then at, uh,

[1:01:11] this list. And then at, uh, Councilor Rogers Point, uh, for

[1:01:14] Councilor Rogers Point, uh, for the purpose of this, I'm

[1:01:15] the purpose of this, I'm skipping along here and going

[1:01:17] skipping along here and going back to, um, section that we

[1:01:20] back to, um, section that we add here. This is the, uh, the

[1:01:22] add here. This is the, uh, the irrigation system requirements.

[1:01:24] irrigation system requirements. Um, I don't necessarily feel

[1:01:25] Um, I don't necessarily feel comfortable with police

[1:01:26] comfortable with police officers and or city agents. So

[1:01:28] officers and or city agents. So the Board of Water

[1:01:28] the Board of Water Commissioners being able to

[1:01:29] Commissioners being able to enter a property to enforce

[1:01:31] enter a property to enforce that section for turning off

[1:01:32] that section for turning off sprinklers. I think if there's

[1:01:34] sprinklers. I think if there's an issue with permitting,

[1:01:35] an issue with permitting, there's an appointment that

[1:01:35] there's an appointment that should be made and every

[1:01:36] should be made and every attempt should be made to work

[1:01:38] attempt should be made to work diligently with a homeowner to

[1:01:40] diligently with a homeowner to to have a discussion with them,

[1:01:41] to have a discussion with them, or if they are using the water,

[1:01:43] or if they are using the water, then we already have a fining

[1:01:44] then we already have a fining schedule in place for that. So,

[1:01:47] schedule in place for that. So, um, I would like to see that at

[1:01:49] um, I would like to see that at least stricken from this. And

[1:01:50] least stricken from this. And then as far as the private

[1:01:52] then as far as the private wells are concerned, we've

[1:01:53] wells are concerned, we've talked about that are probably

[1:01:55] talked about that are probably too much already tonight, but I

[1:01:56] too much already tonight, but I do not agree with it. If you

[1:01:58] do not agree with it. If you own your property, you should

[1:01:58] own your property, you should own everything right down to

[1:01:59] own everything right down to the earth. And if you're paying

[1:02:00] the earth. And if you're paying for your own infrastructure to

[1:02:01] for your own infrastructure to put water into your house, and

[1:02:03] put water into your house, and you're also putting it back in

[1:02:04] you're also putting it back in with a septic system, it just

[1:02:05] with a septic system, it just seems seems pointless. Um, and

[1:02:08] seems seems pointless. Um, and I know that this needed to be

[1:02:09] I know that this needed to be revised, and I'm happy that it

[1:02:11] revised, and I'm happy that it is being revised, but I also

[1:02:12] is being revised, but I also want to remind everyone to. We

[1:02:13] want to remind everyone to. We have a solution to the water on

[1:02:15] have a solution to the water on the way. It's just going to

[1:02:16] the way. It's just going to take some time to do it, and

[1:02:18] take some time to do it, and we're doing everything we can.

[1:02:19] we're doing everything we can. And I appreciate everybody's

[1:02:20] And I appreciate everybody's efforts to, uh, do better with

[1:02:22] efforts to, uh, do better with water conservation. Those that

[1:02:23] water conservation. Those that are using our city water,

[1:02:25] are using our city water, because those efforts are

[1:02:26] because those efforts are definitely paying off and they

[1:02:27] definitely paying off and they are buying us time. And I do

[1:02:29] are buying us time. And I do have one more question for Mr.

[1:02:30] have one more question for Mr. Ward. You know, if we continue

[1:02:32] Ward. You know, if we continue to do what we are doing as far

[1:02:33] to do what we are doing as far as water conservation is

[1:02:34] as water conservation is concerned and the city does

[1:02:37] concerned and the city does continue to have an effort

[1:02:38] continue to have an effort there, do we have a fear of

[1:02:40] there, do we have a fear of running out of water?

[1:02:43] running out of water? The drought continues long

[1:02:45] The drought continues long term? Yeah, absolutely.

[1:02:48] term? Yeah, absolutely. Okay.

[1:02:53] Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Councilor

[1:02:55] Thank you. Thank you. Councilor Diodati. Councilor Ferreira.

[1:02:57] Diodati. Councilor Ferreira. Thank you. Um, just to remind

[1:03:00] Thank you. Um, just to remind everybody back in March is when

[1:03:02] everybody back in March is when we asked for an update for this

[1:03:04] we asked for an update for this as we had drought conditions

[1:03:06] as we had drought conditions changing at that time. And we

[1:03:07] changing at that time. And we are changing to more serious

[1:03:09] are changing to more serious levels. So it went to planning

[1:03:10] levels. So it went to planning and development twice. Um, and

[1:03:13] and development twice. Um, and the draft that our committee

[1:03:15] the draft that our committee moved to your administration

[1:03:17] moved to your administration office was to bring this back

[1:03:19] office was to bring this back to us. The overview of this

[1:03:22] to us. The overview of this section is based on

[1:03:24] section is based on conservation primarily. So

[1:03:26] conservation primarily. So we're looking at all of these

[1:03:28] we're looking at all of these items as ways to help move

[1:03:31] items as ways to help move conservation in a positive

[1:03:33] conservation in a positive manner to protect our overall

[1:03:34] manner to protect our overall water supply. So for me, when

[1:03:38] water supply. So for me, when we talk about water users, this

[1:03:40] we talk about water users, this was something that was unclear

[1:03:42] was something that was unclear and what I heard quite often,

[1:03:43] and what I heard quite often, and I'm sure many of you have

[1:03:44] and I'm sure many of you have heard the same thing. They have

[1:03:46] heard the same thing. They have wells, they're watering their

[1:03:47] wells, they're watering their lawns. This person has their

[1:03:49] lawns. This person has their irrigation going all day. This

[1:03:50] irrigation going all day. This business has their lawn

[1:03:52] business has their lawn sprinklers going all day. The

[1:03:53] sprinklers going all day. The number of times I have heard

[1:03:55] number of times I have heard about Market Basket Plaza at

[1:03:58] about Market Basket Plaza at Westgate, watering their lawn

[1:03:59] Westgate, watering their lawn all day long. I'm sure you have

[1:04:01] all day long. I'm sure you have all heard it. And if you

[1:04:01] all heard it. And if you haven't, I don't know how

[1:04:03] haven't, I don't know how people are getting in touch

[1:04:04] people are getting in touch with you, but they they're on a

[1:04:06] with you, but they they're on a well, they're right. So right

[1:04:09] well, they're right. So right now, commercial properties with

[1:04:12] now, commercial properties with wells are allowed to use those

[1:04:15] wells are allowed to use those wells however they want as

[1:04:16] wells however they want as well. And those larger

[1:04:18] well. And those larger properties are more than likely

[1:04:19] properties are more than likely using more water to cover their

[1:04:21] using more water to cover their grass than you. Well owner near

[1:04:24] grass than you. Well owner near Crystal Lake are using to water

[1:04:26] Crystal Lake are using to water your lawn. That's my guess,

[1:04:27] your lawn. That's my guess, right? So when we're talking

[1:04:30] right? So when we're talking about where this water is

[1:04:31] about where this water is coming from, we also talked

[1:04:33] coming from, we also talked about at our subcommittee

[1:04:34] about at our subcommittee meeting that if you have a

[1:04:37] meeting that if you have a well, you're not just dipping a

[1:04:38] well, you're not just dipping a straw into an unending pool

[1:04:40] straw into an unending pool that's only below your house.

[1:04:41] that's only below your house. It is tied in and connected and

[1:04:44] It is tied in and connected and recharges and flows up and down

[1:04:46] recharges and flows up and down with everybody else's water. In

[1:04:48] with everybody else's water. In our watershed area, you have a

[1:04:50] our watershed area, you have a well, because you had a flow

[1:04:51] well, because you had a flow rate that made it valuable for

[1:04:53] rate that made it valuable for you to dig a well at your

[1:04:54] you to dig a well at your house. That means you're in a

[1:04:56] house. That means you're in a watershed area where there's

[1:04:57] watershed area where there's water to tap into my house. I'm

[1:05:00] water to tap into my house. I'm not digging a well, I probably

[1:05:02] not digging a well, I probably maybe could, but I live up the

[1:05:03] maybe could, but I live up the hill here. We don't do that

[1:05:04] hill here. We don't do that here. However, we're asking

[1:05:07] here. However, we're asking everyone to conserve no matter

[1:05:09] everyone to conserve no matter where your water is coming

[1:05:11] where your water is coming from, because from a

[1:05:12] from, because from a sustainability and a

[1:05:13] sustainability and a conservation practice, it is

[1:05:15] conservation practice, it is all connected. And if we have

[1:05:17] all connected. And if we have to make changes to our

[1:05:20] to make changes to our practices as a community to

[1:05:22] practices as a community to take care of each other and to

[1:05:24] take care of each other and to take care of our community,

[1:05:25] take care of our community, this is a way to make sure that

[1:05:27] this is a way to make sure that community wide, we're all being

[1:05:29] community wide, we're all being held to the same standards.

[1:05:30] held to the same standards. Water is not an infinite

[1:05:31] Water is not an infinite resource, and I think we've

[1:05:32] resource, and I think we've witnessed this with Kenosha

[1:05:34] witnessed this with Kenosha Lake drying down to what looks

[1:05:36] Lake drying down to what looks like a mud puddle. Right? So

[1:05:38] like a mud puddle. Right? So it's going to take a long time

[1:05:39] it's going to take a long time for that to recharge. Maybe

[1:05:41] for that to recharge. Maybe it'll take two years when the

[1:05:43] it'll take two years when the radial collector comes on. My

[1:05:45] radial collector comes on. My guess is it's still going to be

[1:05:47] guess is it's still going to be low at that point. It takes a

[1:05:48] low at that point. It takes a long, long time to get that

[1:05:50] long, long time to get that back. And in the meantime, if

[1:05:52] back. And in the meantime, if we can adjust our conservation

[1:05:55] we can adjust our conservation measures by asking everybody

[1:05:58] measures by asking everybody who uses water at all to abide

[1:06:01] who uses water at all to abide by the same rules, in the same

[1:06:04] by the same rules, in the same enforcement, I don't really

[1:06:06] enforcement, I don't really think that's too much to ask of

[1:06:07] think that's too much to ask of us as a community. No matter

[1:06:09] us as a community. No matter where your water comes from. So

[1:06:10] where your water comes from. So we're not talking about taxing

[1:06:13] we're not talking about taxing or metering wells. We're not

[1:06:15] or metering wells. We're not talking about charging a fee

[1:06:17] talking about charging a fee because you have a well to the

[1:06:19] because you have a well to the water department or it's not

[1:06:21] water department or it's not that we're asking you to

[1:06:23] that we're asking you to conserve the same way. And the

[1:06:25] conserve the same way. And the enforcement is the same, as I

[1:06:27] enforcement is the same, as I would assume it is for everyone

[1:06:28] would assume it is for everyone else. You can drive by and see

[1:06:29] else. You can drive by and see your lawn sprinklers going, or

[1:06:31] your lawn sprinklers going, or somebody calls and says they're

[1:06:33] somebody calls and says they're watering their lawn 24 hours a

[1:06:35] watering their lawn 24 hours a day in my street or whatever it

[1:06:36] day in my street or whatever it is. The enforcement is the same

[1:06:37] is. The enforcement is the same as everybody else. The water

[1:06:39] as everybody else. The water department knows if you have a

[1:06:41] department knows if you have a well or if you have city water,

[1:06:42] well or if you have city water, it's not a secret. Right? So I

[1:06:45] it's not a secret. Right? So I guess my other so that's I feel

[1:06:48] guess my other so that's I feel okay with Wells being included

[1:06:50] okay with Wells being included as all water users. Another

[1:06:52] as all water users. Another reason I think I feel okay

[1:06:53] reason I think I feel okay about it, which Bob, maybe you

[1:06:55] about it, which Bob, maybe you can give us some help here. Do

[1:06:58] can give us some help here. Do we have any idea of how many

[1:06:59] we have any idea of how many wells are in use in the city of

[1:07:00] wells are in use in the city of Haverhill, and how many

[1:07:02] Haverhill, and how many residents would be on Wells?

[1:07:07] residents would be on Wells? We generally it's about 90% of

[1:07:11] We generally it's about 90% of people are on on city water,

[1:07:13] people are on on city water, right? Yeah. I don't know the

[1:07:15] right? Yeah. I don't know the number of wells right out

[1:07:17] number of wells right out there. So.

[1:07:18] there. So. And so when we talk about

[1:07:21] And so when we talk about conservation measures, it's

[1:07:25] conservation measures, it's still makes an impact to

[1:07:27] still makes an impact to conserve even at your own house

[1:07:29] conserve even at your own house with a well as it does as a

[1:07:32] with a well as it does as a resident to preserve our

[1:07:34] resident to preserve our general water supply. It's a

[1:07:35] general water supply. It's a generalized system. It's a

[1:07:37] generalized system. It's a community wide issue. I think I

[1:07:41] community wide issue. I think I understand a concern that it

[1:07:42] understand a concern that it feels like overstretch, and it

[1:07:44] feels like overstretch, and it feels like government

[1:07:45] feels like government overreach. But in all honesty,

[1:07:47] overreach. But in all honesty, when we looked at wording from

[1:07:49] when we looked at wording from lots of other communities and

[1:07:51] lots of other communities and municipalities around us, all

[1:07:53] municipalities around us, all water users, this definition

[1:07:54] water users, this definition has included wells for a long,

[1:07:56] has included wells for a long, long time. For a lot of

[1:07:57] long time. For a lot of municipalities around here

[1:07:59] municipalities around here myself, Councilor Lewandowski

[1:08:01] myself, Councilor Lewandowski and Councilor Richardson met

[1:08:02] and Councilor Richardson met with Merrimack Valley Planning

[1:08:03] with Merrimack Valley Planning Commission about this with some

[1:08:05] Commission about this with some of their water folks over

[1:08:06] of their water folks over there, about how other

[1:08:07] there, about how other municipalities address

[1:08:09] municipalities address conservation. And some of these

[1:08:11] conservation. And some of these suggestions came from our

[1:08:12] suggestions came from our meetings there that we then

[1:08:13] meetings there that we then brought to our subcommittee

[1:08:14] brought to our subcommittee meetings, where we spoke for a

[1:08:15] meetings, where we spoke for a really long time about how our

[1:08:17] really long time about how our watershed works and how our

[1:08:19] watershed works and how our water system works. And the

[1:08:21] water system works. And the bigger questions, what are our

[1:08:23] bigger questions, what are our responsibilities to each other

[1:08:24] responsibilities to each other in this community? So for me,

[1:08:28] in this community? So for me, thank you for being patient. Is

[1:08:32] thank you for being patient. Is I think this ordinance looks

[1:08:33] I think this ordinance looks like a great starting point.

[1:08:35] like a great starting point. And I don't think we're taking

[1:08:38] And I don't think we're taking crazy jumps by any means to get

[1:08:40] crazy jumps by any means to get to this point. I think it's

[1:08:41] to this point. I think it's long overdue and it's baby

[1:08:43] long overdue and it's baby steps, and I think we've done a

[1:08:44] steps, and I think we've done a good job with the amount of

[1:08:46] good job with the amount of gallons saved so far. It was a

[1:08:49] gallons saved so far. It was a lot at our last water update

[1:08:50] lot at our last water update that you mentioned had been

[1:08:52] that you mentioned had been conserved so far this summer,

[1:08:54] conserved so far this summer, so in the world of climate

[1:08:57] so in the world of climate change and in the trends we're

[1:08:58] change and in the trends we're seeing of longer periods of

[1:08:59] seeing of longer periods of drought and longer periods of

[1:09:01] drought and longer periods of dry weather, we have to make

[1:09:02] dry weather, we have to make some changes as a community.

[1:09:04] some changes as a community. And I think we as elected

[1:09:08] And I think we as elected leaders need to take a lead and

[1:09:10] leaders need to take a lead and set an example for doing so. So

[1:09:12] set an example for doing so. So I support the ordinance as is.

[1:09:15] I support the ordinance as is. Thank you.

[1:09:15] Thank you. Thank you. Councillor, uh, Vice

[1:09:17] Thank you. Councillor, uh, Vice President Mitchinson.

[1:09:18] President Mitchinson. Thank you very much, Mr.

[1:09:21] Thank you very much, Mr. President. Um, well, before I

[1:09:24] President. Um, well, before I ask my questions, I want to

[1:09:26] ask my questions, I want to offer Bob, um, that I'm willing

[1:09:29] offer Bob, um, that I'm willing to be your tutor for

[1:09:32] to be your tutor for conciseness.

[1:09:36] conciseness. Thank you.

[1:09:37] Thank you. I may take you up on that.

[1:09:40] I may take you up on that. First question. Um, and this is

[1:09:43] First question. Um, and this is a little bit technical, but

[1:09:46] a little bit technical, but hopefully you can answer it in

[1:09:47] hopefully you can answer it in a short moment. Um, is Canosa

[1:09:51] a short moment. Um, is Canosa Lake alone the best trigger for

[1:09:58] Lake alone the best trigger for demand or. Other measures, such

[1:10:05] demand or. Other measures, such as, um, rate of decline,

[1:10:08] as, um, rate of decline, rainfall and other supplies

[1:10:11] rainfall and other supplies should supplement it. I mean,

[1:10:13] should supplement it. I mean, have you done much thinking

[1:10:14] have you done much thinking about that? We're banking all

[1:10:17] about that? We're banking all on Canosa.

[1:10:18] on Canosa. We do a lot of thinking about

[1:10:19] We do a lot of thinking about that stuff. Um, we do look at

[1:10:22] that stuff. Um, we do look at all that stuff. We we look at

[1:10:23] all that stuff. We we look at the rate of decline of Canosa.

[1:10:26] the rate of decline of Canosa. We know exactly how much water

[1:10:28] We know exactly how much water is at Crystal Lake. There's no

[1:10:30] is at Crystal Lake. There's no water to pump in Millvale. We

[1:10:31] water to pump in Millvale. We know that. Um, but we know how

[1:10:34] know that. Um, but we know how many days of pumping we have at

[1:10:37] many days of pumping we have at at Crystal at Millville. When

[1:10:39] at Crystal at Millville. When we are pumping them, we know

[1:10:40] we are pumping them, we know how much volume we had there.

[1:10:43] how much volume we had there. We know how much we pumped from

[1:10:44] We know how much we pumped from Crystal last year. We have all

[1:10:46] Crystal last year. We have all those numbers. And when we're

[1:10:49] those numbers. And when we're looking at that stuff where

[1:10:50] looking at that stuff where we're looking at all that

[1:10:52] we're looking at all that information, so, um, as a

[1:10:55] information, so, um, as a trigger level, Canosa seems to

[1:10:58] trigger level, Canosa seems to make the level seems to make

[1:11:00] make the level seems to make the most sense.

[1:11:02] the most sense. Okay. Um, that's a good

[1:11:04] Okay. Um, that's a good explanation. And I believe you.

[1:11:06] explanation. And I believe you. Was that concise.

[1:11:07] Was that concise. On that?

[1:11:08] On that? Yes.

[1:11:08] Yes. Very, very good. Um, uh, going

[1:11:12] Very, very good. Um, uh, going back to, uh, what council

[1:11:14] back to, uh, what council Sullivan was saying with

[1:11:15] Sullivan was saying with regards to, um, the last

[1:11:19] regards to, um, the last ordinance that we looked at in

[1:11:21] ordinance that we looked at in terms of education and

[1:11:24] terms of education and notification of people. Um, I

[1:11:28] notification of people. Um, I believe that whenever the

[1:11:29] believe that whenever the drought level changes, the

[1:11:31] drought level changes, the water division should publicly

[1:11:34] water division should publicly post the current Canosa supply

[1:11:37] post the current Canosa supply capacity percentage, drought

[1:11:40] capacity percentage, drought stage. And the basis for that

[1:11:42] stage. And the basis for that change so people can understand

[1:11:45] change so people can understand what it means. Does that sound

[1:11:48] what it means. Does that sound like something that.

[1:11:49] like something that. As a percentage, we can yeah,

[1:11:52] As a percentage, we can yeah, we can do that.

[1:11:53] we can do that. Okay. It's just a suggestion.

[1:11:57] Okay. It's just a suggestion. Um.

[1:11:57] Um. And I did also want to ask the

[1:11:59] And I did also want to ask the question about how many

[1:12:02] question about how many residences, what percentage,

[1:12:04] residences, what percentage, um, actually have Wells. And

[1:12:07] um, actually have Wells. And that's a relatively small

[1:12:09] that's a relatively small percentage. 10%.

[1:12:11] percentage. 10%. Yes.

[1:12:11] Yes. It is. As far as the impact

[1:12:13] It is. As far as the impact that it actually has. Yes. On

[1:12:16] that it actually has. Yes. On the on the drought conditions,

[1:12:19] the on the drought conditions, um, I think that's it. Thank

[1:12:23] um, I think that's it. Thank you very much.

[1:12:24] you very much. Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

[1:12:26] Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Councilor LePage.

[1:12:27] Councilor LePage. Uh, thank you, Mr. President.

[1:12:30] Uh, thank you, Mr. President. I'm not going to go over

[1:12:31] I'm not going to go over everything. I was just going to

[1:12:32] everything. I was just going to basically ask to we had a

[1:12:34] basically ask to we had a motion and various seconds on

[1:12:37] motion and various seconds on it. Uh, my question is city

[1:12:39] it. Uh, my question is city solicitor, should we? As a

[1:12:42] solicitor, should we? As a former council would say, make

[1:12:44] former council would say, make the sausage here and strike and

[1:12:47] the sausage here and strike and and update this as we are right

[1:12:48] and update this as we are right here, right now? Can we go

[1:12:50] here, right now? Can we go through that? Because I have a

[1:12:51] through that? Because I have a couple suggestions. I don't

[1:12:52] couple suggestions. I don't know if others have. And we can

[1:12:54] know if others have. And we can just do that here versus going

[1:12:56] just do that here versus going back for.

[1:12:56] back for. The I would suggest, given how

[1:12:57] The I would suggest, given how long this has gone on, maybe we

[1:12:59] long this has gone on, maybe we should do that. But let's hear

[1:13:00] should do that. But let's hear from.

[1:13:01] from. The I think that you can do it.

[1:13:03] The I think that you can do it. So let's take this initial

[1:13:04] So let's take this initial motion. And they would each

[1:13:05] motion. And they would each have to be a motion. Right. So

[1:13:07] have to be a motion. Right. So we only have one motion.

[1:13:08] we only have one motion. So far.

[1:13:09] So far. On the table right now. And

[1:13:10] On the table right now. And that is to remove the private

[1:13:13] that is to remove the private wells. And so the the way to do

[1:13:14] wells. And so the the way to do that is in the definition of

[1:13:16] that is in the definition of water user, we would eliminate

[1:13:19] water user, we would eliminate um the or using privately owned

[1:13:22] um the or using privately owned wells. And so if you eliminated

[1:13:23] wells. And so if you eliminated that it just takes care of it.

[1:13:25] that it just takes care of it. So there are depending what the

[1:13:27] So there are depending what the motion is, I think it's

[1:13:28] motion is, I think it's succinct enough that we can

[1:13:29] succinct enough that we can make that we can.

[1:13:29] make that we can. Make I'm not.

[1:13:30] Make I'm not. A lawyer, but that's what I

[1:13:31] A lawyer, but that's what I highlighted.

[1:13:32] highlighted. How about that?

[1:13:32] How about that? Look at that. There you go.

[1:13:33] Look at that. There you go. Send an application to her

[1:13:35] Send an application to her firm, maybe see new.

[1:13:36] firm, maybe see new. Career, maybe.

[1:13:38] Career, maybe. Do something else.

[1:13:39] Do something else. But okay.

[1:13:40] But okay. So so yes, I would, uh, you

[1:13:42] So so yes, I would, uh, you know, council made the order if

[1:13:44] know, council made the order if that's what the city solicitor

[1:13:47] that's what the city solicitor says, we could just strike that

[1:13:49] says, we could just strike that pot of water uses and keep

[1:13:50] pot of water uses and keep water uses. I don't know if we

[1:13:51] water uses. I don't know if we even needed to keep it, but,

[1:13:53] even needed to keep it, but, um, I would make that motion

[1:13:56] um, I would make that motion again on top of Councillor

[1:13:58] again on top of Councillor Sullivan's motion.

[1:13:59] Sullivan's motion. Can never get enough.

[1:13:59] Can never get enough. Motion to double the motion.

[1:14:02] Motion to double the motion. Uh, are you all set, counselor?

[1:14:04] Uh, are you all set, counselor? At the moment. I'll have

[1:14:05] At the moment. I'll have another one.

[1:14:06] another one. Okay, I. Counselor, counselor

[1:14:08] Okay, I. Counselor, counselor Toohey.

[1:14:09] Toohey. You are? Well.

[1:14:09] You are? Well. I.

[1:14:09] I. Just wanted to voice my opinion

[1:14:11] Just wanted to voice my opinion because I, um. And it's based

[1:14:13] because I, um. And it's based on the. I really want to beat a

[1:14:15] on the. I really want to beat a dead horse because I don't know

[1:14:16] dead horse because I don't know if I'm the only member up here

[1:14:17] if I'm the only member up here that actually is on septic and,

[1:14:18] that actually is on septic and, well, um. And, Bob. What? Going

[1:14:21] well, um. And, Bob. What? Going back to the effect that Wells

[1:14:23] back to the effect that Wells have, um, what measurable

[1:14:26] have, um, what measurable benefit is achieved by having a

[1:14:28] benefit is achieved by having a restriction, a measurable,

[1:14:30] restriction, a measurable, definitive data that's

[1:14:32] definitive data that's measurable, uh, to put a

[1:14:33] measurable, uh, to put a restriction? I know it's I'm

[1:14:34] restriction? I know it's I'm assuming it's going to pass

[1:14:35] assuming it's going to pass anyway, but I, I have to speak

[1:14:37] anyway, but I, I have to speak tonight. Ask that question. Um,

[1:14:39] tonight. Ask that question. Um, because in my opinion, I think

[1:14:41] because in my opinion, I think if the city is going to

[1:14:42] if the city is going to restrict, um, use of my

[1:14:45] restrict, um, use of my groundwater, um, it should

[1:14:47] groundwater, um, it should identify the groundwater water

[1:14:50] identify the groundwater water resource that's actually

[1:14:51] resource that's actually affected. I'm not quite sure

[1:14:52] affected. I'm not quite sure you can actually do that, but

[1:14:54] you can actually do that, but in the future, if that, this

[1:14:56] in the future, if that, this comes back, then that really

[1:14:58] comes back, then that really should happen. I want to

[1:15:00] should happen. I want to commend Councillor Rogers and

[1:15:02] commend Councillor Rogers and certainly Councillor Sullivan,

[1:15:03] certainly Councillor Sullivan, because this without a doubt

[1:15:05] because this without a doubt for me personally is an

[1:15:07] for me personally is an overreach, no question about

[1:15:08] overreach, no question about it. Um, so if you can answer

[1:15:10] it. Um, so if you can answer that question for me tonight,

[1:15:12] that question for me tonight, if you can't, then you can

[1:15:13] if you can't, then you can certainly give it to me in

[1:15:14] certainly give it to me in another day. But what

[1:15:15] another day. But what measurable benefit is achieved

[1:15:17] measurable benefit is achieved if, in fact, this was, uh, if

[1:15:20] if, in fact, this was, uh, if this was to stay in..

[1:15:22] this was to stay in.. So I'm we don't have any data

[1:15:25] So I'm we don't have any data or any numbers for you for

[1:15:27] or any numbers for you for that. So that was something

[1:15:29] that. So that was something that was, was.

[1:15:31] that was, was. Brought up.

[1:15:32] Brought up. Yeah. And, and I certainly and

[1:15:34] Yeah. And, and I certainly and I, and I commend, I want to

[1:15:35] I, and I commend, I want to commend the, the subcommittee

[1:15:36] commend the, the subcommittee but at the same time what I

[1:15:37] but at the same time what I don't like what's could happen

[1:15:39] don't like what's could happen here tonight is pitting pitting

[1:15:42] here tonight is pitting pitting citizens against each other.

[1:15:43] citizens against each other. That's not what heroes all

[1:15:45] That's not what heroes all about. So I'm not in favor of

[1:15:46] about. So I'm not in favor of that. But I want to commend all

[1:15:48] that. But I want to commend all of my colleagues that will

[1:15:50] of my colleagues that will support the motion, uh, this

[1:15:52] support the motion, uh, this evening, because that should

[1:15:53] evening, because that should happen if you're going to do

[1:15:54] happen if you're going to do that on private wells now or in

[1:15:56] that on private wells now or in the future. You should they

[1:15:57] the future. You should they should be data to support that

[1:15:58] should be data to support that that information, without a

[1:15:59] that information, without a doubt. Thank you, Mr.

[1:16:00] doubt. Thank you, Mr. President.

[1:16:01] President. Thank you. Councillor Toohey.

[1:16:02] Thank you. Councillor Toohey. Um, so I'll just add my quick

[1:16:04] Um, so I'll just add my quick $0.02 on this one. I appreciate

[1:16:05] $0.02 on this one. I appreciate the comments from all my

[1:16:06] the comments from all my colleagues, and I do appreciate

[1:16:09] colleagues, and I do appreciate the efforts from the

[1:16:10] the efforts from the subcommittee to look at

[1:16:12] subcommittee to look at conservation efforts. I think

[1:16:13] conservation efforts. I think we need to we've talked about

[1:16:14] we need to we've talked about this at previous meetings and

[1:16:16] this at previous meetings and do what we can. That said, to

[1:16:17] do what we can. That said, to the points that a few people

[1:16:18] the points that a few people have made, I did get the email

[1:16:20] have made, I did get the email from Mr. Cetera as well. I

[1:16:21] from Mr. Cetera as well. I actually forwarded it to Mr.

[1:16:23] actually forwarded it to Mr. Ward. Um, I thought some good

[1:16:25] Ward. Um, I thought some good points were made, and then I

[1:16:26] points were made, and then I had the conversation obviously

[1:16:28] had the conversation obviously with you earlier today, Bob,

[1:16:29] with you earlier today, Bob, asking basically that same

[1:16:30] asking basically that same question, does would this have

[1:16:32] question, does would this have a measurable impact? And that

[1:16:33] a measurable impact? And that was the answer I got that we

[1:16:34] was the answer I got that we don't believe it would have a

[1:16:35] don't believe it would have a measurable impact. So for that

[1:16:37] measurable impact. So for that reason I'm going to vote to

[1:16:38] reason I'm going to vote to exclude Wells. Um, so the

[1:16:40] exclude Wells. Um, so the motion to exclude Wells was

[1:16:42] motion to exclude Wells was made by Councillor Sullivan,

[1:16:44] made by Councillor Sullivan, seconded by Councillor Diodati.

[1:16:46] seconded by Councillor Diodati. Madam clerk, please call the

[1:16:47] Madam clerk, please call the roll on that one item.

[1:16:49] roll on that one item. Vice President Mitchinson.

[1:16:50] Vice President Mitchinson. Yes.

[1:16:50] Yes. Councillor. Batchelor.

[1:16:52] Councillor. Batchelor. Yes.

[1:16:53] Yes. Councillor. Diodati. Yes.

[1:16:54] Councillor. Diodati. Yes. Councillor. Sullivan. Yes.

[1:16:56] Councillor. Sullivan. Yes. Councillor. Ferreira.

[1:16:57] Councillor. Ferreira. No.

[1:16:57] No. Councillor. Toohey.

[1:16:58] Councillor. Toohey. Yes.

[1:16:59] Yes. Councillor McGonagle. Yes.

[1:17:00] Councillor McGonagle. Yes. Councillor LePage. Yes.

[1:17:02] Councillor LePage. Yes. Councillor Rogers. Yes. And

[1:17:04] Councillor Rogers. Yes. And President. Jordan.

[1:17:05] President. Jordan. Yes.

[1:17:06] Yes. Uh. Nine years. 009 years. One

[1:17:10] Uh. Nine years. 009 years. One nay one absent.

[1:17:11] nay one absent. Okay.

[1:17:11] Okay. So Wells are excluded. Uh,

[1:17:13] So Wells are excluded. Uh, Councillor Rogers, do you.

[1:17:13] Councillor Rogers, do you. Have a.

[1:17:14] Have a. I want to make another motion.

[1:17:15] I want to make another motion. Okay.

[1:17:15] Okay. Because if we're going to make

[1:17:16] Because if we're going to make changes in here, we have to

[1:17:17] changes in here, we have to make a motion to correct. So

[1:17:19] make a motion to correct. So yeah, I'd like to make two. One

[1:17:20] yeah, I'd like to make two. One of them is 25 200 and 50-25

[1:17:25] of them is 25 200 and 50-25 baseline seasonal conservation.

[1:17:26] baseline seasonal conservation. I don't think we need that in

[1:17:27] I don't think we need that in there because I don't think we

[1:17:28] there because I don't think we should be telling people if

[1:17:30] should be telling people if it's raining all the time, that

[1:17:32] it's raining all the time, that they can only water between a

[1:17:33] they can only water between a certain time frame, I don't

[1:17:34] certain time frame, I don't think that should be part of

[1:17:35] think that should be part of what we're doing, because

[1:17:36] what we're doing, because nobody's going to oversee that.

[1:17:37] nobody's going to oversee that. If you want to read that. And

[1:17:38] If you want to read that. And the other one, I want.

[1:17:39] the other one, I want. To. Sorry.

[1:17:40] To. Sorry. Let's.

[1:17:41] Let's. Let's I want to be clear.

[1:17:42] Let's I want to be clear. Do you want to comment on this.

[1:17:44] Do you want to comment on this. or one motion.

[1:17:45] or one motion. At a time.

[1:17:45] At a time. Yeah. Sorry. So 200 and 50-25

[1:17:48] Yeah. Sorry. So 200 and 50-25 baseline seasonal conservation.

[1:17:50] baseline seasonal conservation. I don't know if we need any of

[1:17:51] I don't know if we need any of that there. We need a baseline.

[1:17:52] that there. We need a baseline. There. I'm going to ask Bob do

[1:17:55] There. I'm going to ask Bob do you need have you had one

[1:17:56] you need have you had one before.

[1:17:58] before. So the triggers if you go down

[1:18:00] So the triggers if you go down it does allow us uh flexibility

[1:18:04] it does allow us uh flexibility that if we get in the drought

[1:18:06] that if we get in the drought watch zone, um, it does allow

[1:18:09] watch zone, um, it does allow us the flexibility to do that

[1:18:13] us the flexibility to do that very thing. If we get into this

[1:18:15] very thing. If we get into this so we don't. Down in 250-25.2.

[1:18:21] so we don't. Down in 250-25.2. Um, if you look at the action,

[1:18:23] Um, if you look at the action, it's very similar. If we start

[1:18:24] it's very similar. If we start to drop down and we get into

[1:18:26] to drop down and we get into that drop drought watch zone,

[1:18:28] that drop drought watch zone, which is going down.

[1:18:29] which is going down. Yeah.

[1:18:29] Yeah. We can we have the. you read in

[1:18:32] We can we have the. you read in there that we can implement uh,

[1:18:34] there that we can implement uh, May 15th through September

[1:18:37] May 15th through September 30th.

[1:18:37] 30th. The first drought.

[1:18:38] The first drought. Yeah.

[1:18:39] Yeah. Same thing.

[1:18:39] Same thing. First drought out is the same

[1:18:40] First drought out is the same thing. It doesn't need to

[1:18:41] thing. It doesn't need to happen when we have no drought.

[1:18:43] happen when we have no drought. That's what I'm saying. That's

[1:18:44] That's what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. So I'm

[1:18:44] what I'm saying. So I'm thinking that paragraph doesn't

[1:18:45] thinking that paragraph doesn't need I legally I'm not a legal

[1:18:47] need I legally I'm not a legal person, but it doesn't need to

[1:18:48] person, but it doesn't need to be in there.

[1:18:49] be in there. But.

[1:18:50] But. I think you if you want to make

[1:18:51] I think you if you want to make that motion.

[1:18:52] that motion. Yeah, I'll make that motion.

[1:18:54] Yeah, I'll make that motion. Second.

[1:18:55] Second. So your motion, just so I

[1:18:57] So your motion, just so I understand it, is to remove.

[1:19:00] understand it, is to remove. The to.

[1:19:00] The to. The baseline.

[1:19:01] The baseline. CFD division.

[1:19:03] CFD division. 250-25.

[1:19:05] 250-25. But just so I understand it the

[1:19:07] But just so I understand it the way it is here right now, it

[1:19:09] way it is here right now, it only takes effect if we are if

[1:19:11] only takes effect if we are if we are in even a drought watch

[1:19:12] we are in even a drought watch or. Now. No, this would be

[1:19:14] or. Now. No, this would be just.

[1:19:14] just. To this year.

[1:19:15] To this year. All year round, all the time.

[1:19:16] All year round, all the time. All the time. It's all the

[1:19:17] All the time. It's all the time.

[1:19:17] time. And and I would just say as

[1:19:18] And and I would just say as part of that motion, um, give

[1:19:20] part of that motion, um, give us the authority to renumber

[1:19:22] us the authority to renumber accordingly. If it passes.

[1:19:25] accordingly. If it passes. This is when it's not a

[1:19:26] This is when it's not a drought.

[1:19:27] drought. Right.

[1:19:28] Right. We have plenty of rain there.

[1:19:30] We have plenty of rain there. That's what this that that.

[1:19:31] That's what this that that. Is there.

[1:19:32] Is there. It's basically deleting.

[1:19:35] It's basically deleting. 250-25 gotcha.

[1:19:37] 250-25 gotcha. Uh, motion was made by

[1:19:38] Uh, motion was made by Councillor Rogers, second from

[1:19:40] Councillor Rogers, second from Councillor Toohey. Councillor

[1:19:41] Councillor Toohey. Councillor Ferreira.

[1:19:42] Ferreira. Um, so the thought process

[1:19:44] Um, so the thought process behind that piece of it was to

[1:19:47] behind that piece of it was to delay the need to get to the

[1:19:49] delay the need to get to the drought status warnings by

[1:19:50] drought status warnings by practicing conservation between

[1:19:53] practicing conservation between May and September, when people

[1:19:54] May and September, when people water. If we're getting plenty

[1:19:56] water. If we're getting plenty of rain, you generally don't

[1:19:57] of rain, you generally don't water. And that was the data

[1:19:58] water. And that was the data that Bob has shown us many

[1:20:00] that Bob has shown us many times wet years versus dry

[1:20:01] times wet years versus dry years, and our water

[1:20:02] years, and our water consumption. So the thought to

[1:20:04] consumption. So the thought to include that was to have it be

[1:20:06] include that was to have it be a general conservation

[1:20:07] a general conservation practice, may to September of

[1:20:10] practice, may to September of watering at the most efficient

[1:20:11] watering at the most efficient times of the day to water

[1:20:12] times of the day to water before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.,

[1:20:15] before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m., so that we could delay further

[1:20:17] so that we could delay further more stringent drought measures

[1:20:20] more stringent drought measures by hopefully conserving earlier

[1:20:21] by hopefully conserving earlier on.

[1:20:22] on. Thank you. Thank you,

[1:20:23] Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Ferreira. I don't

[1:20:25] Councillor Ferreira. I don't see any of the lights on, but

[1:20:26] see any of the lights on, but I'm just going to say I agree

[1:20:27] I'm just going to say I agree with her on that one. That's I

[1:20:29] with her on that one. That's I will be voting against removing

[1:20:30] will be voting against removing this personally. Uh, no, the

[1:20:33] this personally. Uh, no, the lights are on. So the motion to

[1:20:35] lights are on. So the motion to remove 250 .25 was made by

[1:20:38] remove 250 .25 was made by Councillor Rogers, second by

[1:20:39] Councillor Rogers, second by Councillor Tsui. Madam clerk,

[1:20:41] Councillor Tsui. Madam clerk, please call the roll.

[1:20:42] please call the roll. Uh, should the motion include

[1:20:44] Uh, should the motion include the portion about the

[1:20:44] the portion about the renumbering of the ordinance?

[1:20:45] renumbering of the ordinance? Yes. Okay. All right. Vice

[1:20:54] Yes. Okay. All right. Vice President. Mitchinson.

[1:20:55] President. Mitchinson. No.

[1:20:56] No. Councillor. Basilar?

[1:20:57] Councillor. Basilar? No.

[1:20:58] No. Councillor. Diodati. No.

[1:21:00] Councillor. Diodati. No. Councillor. Sullivan. No.

[1:21:01] Councillor. Sullivan. No. Councillor. Ferreira. No.

[1:21:04] Councillor. Ferreira. No. Councillor. Toohey. Yes.

[1:21:06] Councillor. Toohey. Yes. Councillor McGonigle. No.

[1:21:08] Councillor McGonigle. No. Councillor LePage.

[1:21:09] Councillor LePage. No.

[1:21:10] No. Councillor. Rogers. Yes. And

[1:21:12] Councillor. Rogers. Yes. And President. Jordan. No. Uh nine.

[1:21:16] President. Jordan. No. Uh nine. No. Eight. Sorry. Two yeas.

[1:21:20] No. Eight. Sorry. Two yeas. Eight nays. One absent.

[1:21:22] Eight nays. One absent. All right. So that fails. Do we

[1:21:24] All right. So that fails. Do we have other?

[1:21:25] have other? Yeah. One more.

[1:21:26] Yeah. One more. Go ahead, councillor Rogers.

[1:21:27] Go ahead, councillor Rogers. I'm uncomfortable with letting

[1:21:28] I'm uncomfortable with letting people go on people's private.

[1:21:30] people go on people's private. I don't know if we still going

[1:21:31] I don't know if we still going to do that. Go on. People's

[1:21:32] to do that. Go on. People's private. Uh, that's the. I'll

[1:21:34] private. Uh, that's the. I'll tell you which one. I'm. I'm

[1:21:35] tell you which one. I'm. I'm comfortable with is, uh, two

[1:21:40] comfortable with is, uh, two 5250 24. C one c.

[1:21:45] 5250 24. C one c. What is it?

[1:21:52] What is it? And I don't know if that that

[1:21:53] And I don't know if that that would have to be rewritten.

[1:21:56] would have to be rewritten. Sorry.

[1:21:57] Sorry. You want me.

[1:21:58] You want me. To..

[1:21:58] To.. I can. Like you. Can I talk

[1:22:03] I can. Like you. Can I talk like to make the motion to

[1:22:04] like to make the motion to strike the line in 250-24.1C.

[1:22:14] strike the line in 250-24.1C. Uh, for the purposes of the

[1:22:15] Uh, for the purposes of the section, only police officers

[1:22:17] section, only police officers and of the city and or agents

[1:22:19] and of the city and or agents of the Board of Water

[1:22:19] of the Board of Water commissioners may enter upon

[1:22:21] commissioners may enter upon any property to enforce this

[1:22:22] any property to enforce this section.

[1:22:23] section. So just removing that one line,

[1:22:25] So just removing that one line, is.

[1:22:25] is. That correct? Yes. And the

[1:22:27] That correct? Yes. And the reason behind it for me, really

[1:22:28] reason behind it for me, really is, is the ambiguity of the

[1:22:29] is, is the ambiguity of the line. It's like, you know, what

[1:22:30] line. It's like, you know, what are we looking at for property?

[1:22:31] are we looking at for property? Are we going into the basement

[1:22:33] Are we going into the basement or like what police can just

[1:22:34] or like what police can just the city people can just show

[1:22:36] the city people can just show up and shut things off? I

[1:22:37] up and shut things off? I really don't like that. I

[1:22:38] really don't like that. I believe that we can work with

[1:22:39] believe that we can work with our homeowners here. Um, if

[1:22:41] our homeowners here. Um, if there are issues and we can

[1:22:42] there are issues and we can correct any thing that we have

[1:22:44] correct any thing that we have going on. So.

[1:22:46] going on. So. That second that. But Bob, does

[1:22:47] That second that. But Bob, does that sound okay? I mean, does

[1:22:49] that sound okay? I mean, does that sound I mean, not I mean,

[1:22:50] that sound I mean, not I mean, okay, in terms of the even the

[1:22:52] okay, in terms of the even the first part of the sentence,

[1:22:54] first part of the sentence, leaving that in.

[1:22:57] leaving that in. I think so, yeah. I think, you

[1:22:59] I think so, yeah. I think, you know, if you have a shut off.

[1:23:01] know, if you have a shut off. So it leaves, uh, shut off

[1:23:02] So it leaves, uh, shut off valve outside the building.

[1:23:04] valve outside the building. aren't they situated? So it

[1:23:06] aren't they situated? So it could be shut off if found in

[1:23:07] could be shut off if found in violation of the audience.

[1:23:09] violation of the audience. But are shut off valves outside

[1:23:10] But are shut off valves outside the building right now?

[1:23:11] the building right now? Anyways, I'm trying to.

[1:23:12] Anyways, I'm trying to. Think some of them very well

[1:23:13] Think some of them very well may have. Yeah, some may not. I

[1:23:15] may have. Yeah, some may not. I don't know.

[1:23:16] don't know. Okay.

[1:23:17] Okay. This would be, you know, for

[1:23:19] This would be, you know, for irrigation systems in

[1:23:20] irrigation systems in particular, but they may, they

[1:23:22] particular, but they may, they may or may not.

[1:23:25] may or may not. Okay. Thank you.

[1:23:26] Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Ferreira.

[1:23:29] Thank you. Councillor Ferreira. Um, do we ever go and shut

[1:23:31] Um, do we ever go and shut people's water off on

[1:23:32] people's water off on properties?

[1:23:36] properties? Shut offs are out in the street

[1:23:38] Shut offs are out in the street right of way. So if we do a

[1:23:39] right of way. So if we do a shut off for non-payment, we

[1:23:41] shut off for non-payment, we don't go on the property.

[1:23:42] don't go on the property. You do it in the right of way.

[1:23:43] You do it in the right of way. Yeah, there's. There's a shut

[1:23:46] Yeah, there's. There's a shut off in the right of way or on

[1:23:48] off in the right of way or on the sidewalk, which is, that's

[1:23:49] the sidewalk, which is, that's in the right of way.

[1:23:50] in the right of way. And then generally speaking, if

[1:23:52] And then generally speaking, if there is a complaint or a

[1:23:56] there is a complaint or a potential violation of any

[1:23:59] potential violation of any sort. Board of health, um,

[1:24:01] sort. Board of health, um, safety, other things like that.

[1:24:03] safety, other things like that. Do city officials have the

[1:24:05] Do city officials have the right to go on to private

[1:24:06] right to go on to private property to inspect that?

[1:24:11] property to inspect that? It depends on what the

[1:24:13] It depends on what the violation is. And typically

[1:24:14] violation is. And typically what we would do is get an

[1:24:15] what we would do is get an order from the court allowing

[1:24:18] order from the court allowing the entry into the private

[1:24:19] the entry into the private property. If it's an emergency

[1:24:21] property. If it's an emergency situation, obviously fire or

[1:24:23] situation, obviously fire or something like that, you don't

[1:24:24] something like that, you don't need a court order, but it's a

[1:24:26] need a court order, but it's a board of health. They can go

[1:24:27] board of health. They can go and see if there's a violation,

[1:24:28] and see if there's a violation, if there's a violation before

[1:24:29] if there's a violation before they enter, then we would get a

[1:24:31] they enter, then we would get a court order, an administrative

[1:24:32] court order, an administrative order allowing the entry. So in

[1:24:35] order allowing the entry. So in this instance, you could if

[1:24:37] this instance, you could if there's a violation, you could

[1:24:40] there's a violation, you could get an administrative order as

[1:24:41] get an administrative order as well.

[1:24:41] well. Right. Because it would be

[1:24:43] Right. Because it would be documented at that point.

[1:24:44] documented at that point. Violations would be documented

[1:24:46] Violations would be documented because that's in the ordinance

[1:24:48] because that's in the ordinance existing right of using it when

[1:24:50] existing right of using it when we're not supposed to.

[1:24:51] we're not supposed to. So they're actually so if the

[1:24:54] So they're actually so if the in at the end, it's section

[1:24:58] in at the end, it's section 250-29, um, violations and

[1:25:01] 250-29, um, violations and penalties, section B uh,

[1:25:03] penalties, section B uh, actually not sections. Um

[1:25:05] actually not sections. Um section eight part section

[1:25:07] section eight part section four. Um, fourth violation.

[1:25:11] four. Um, fourth violation. Subsequent violations 300 all

[1:25:13] Subsequent violations 300 all of fine and may be subject to

[1:25:15] of fine and may be subject to termination of water service.

[1:25:16] termination of water service. So that's in there as well.

[1:25:18] So that's in there as well. Could I that's termination of

[1:25:20] Could I that's termination of service though. The other one

[1:25:21] service though. The other one is specific to irrigation.

[1:25:23] is specific to irrigation. Right. Could I also ask you,

[1:25:26] Right. Could I also ask you, since we did start finding

[1:25:28] since we did start finding people this past summer for

[1:25:30] people this past summer for using water, when we said the

[1:25:33] using water, when we said the proper levels were in place to

[1:25:34] proper levels were in place to not use water? Um, did you have

[1:25:36] not use water? Um, did you have many repeat offenders?

[1:25:38] many repeat offenders? We had quite a few repeat

[1:25:40] We had quite a few repeat offenders. Um.

[1:25:41] offenders. Um. And do you have an idea of the

[1:25:45] And do you have an idea of the amount of money and fines that

[1:25:47] amount of money and fines that were sent out?

[1:25:49] were sent out? I do know that, but I don't

[1:25:51] I do know that, but I don't have the numbers committed to

[1:25:53] have the numbers committed to memory. I just, um, the mayor

[1:25:55] memory. I just, um, the mayor and I talked about that just

[1:25:56] and I talked about that just within the last few weeks, but

[1:25:58] within the last few weeks, but I don't remember the numbers

[1:25:59] I don't remember the numbers off the top of my head. If you

[1:26:00] off the top of my head. If you want them, I can get them to

[1:26:01] want them, I can get them to you.

[1:26:02] you. I think that would be great.

[1:26:03] I think that would be great. I can say, though, that, um,

[1:26:06] I can say, though, that, um, one of the recent weekends may

[1:26:08] one of the recent weekends may be Labor Day weekend. We it

[1:26:10] be Labor Day weekend. We it was. I think we gave out like

[1:26:13] was. I think we gave out like $700 in fines. And then another

[1:26:16] $700 in fines. And then another recent weekend, another 500. So

[1:26:19] recent weekend, another 500. So it's it's still happening. Um.

[1:26:22] it's it's still happening. Um. Thank you.

[1:26:23] Thank you. Oh, counselor. Yes. Okay. So

[1:26:27] Oh, counselor. Yes. Okay. So correct me if I'm wrong. The

[1:26:28] correct me if I'm wrong. The motion now is from Councillor

[1:26:29] motion now is from Councillor Diodati, seconded by Councillor

[1:26:31] Diodati, seconded by Councillor Rogers to strike 250 .241 C,

[1:26:39] Rogers to strike 250 .241 C, specifically the line for the

[1:26:42] specifically the line for the purposes of this section, only

[1:26:44] purposes of this section, only police officers of the city and

[1:26:46] police officers of the city and or agents of the Board of Water

[1:26:48] or agents of the Board of Water Commissioners may enter upon

[1:26:50] Commissioners may enter upon any property to enforce the

[1:26:51] any property to enforce the section. That's the motion.

[1:26:53] section. That's the motion. Just to remove that one line.

[1:26:54] Just to remove that one line. Correct? Correct. And and

[1:26:55] Correct? Correct. And and that's the second. Madam clerk,

[1:26:56] that's the second. Madam clerk, please call the roll.

[1:26:57] please call the roll. Vice president. Mitchinson.

[1:26:59] Vice president. Mitchinson. Yes.

[1:26:59] Yes. Councillor. Bachelier. Yes.

[1:27:01] Councillor. Bachelier. Yes. Councillor. Diodati. Yes.

[1:27:03] Councillor. Diodati. Yes. Councillor. Sullivan. No.

[1:27:04] Councillor. Sullivan. No. Councillor. Ferreira. No.

[1:27:06] Councillor. Ferreira. No. Councillor. Tui.

[1:27:07] Councillor. Tui. Yes.

[1:27:09] Yes. Councillor McGonigle.

[1:27:10] Councillor McGonigle. Yes.

[1:27:13] Yes. Councillor LePage.

[1:27:16] Councillor LePage. Yes.

[1:27:16] Yes. Councillor Rogers and President

[1:27:19] Councillor Rogers and President Jordan. Yes. Eight. Two nays.

[1:27:21] Jordan. Yes. Eight. Two nays. One absent.

[1:27:22] One absent. So that one line is stricken

[1:27:24] So that one line is stricken from the ordinance. Do we have

[1:27:26] from the ordinance. Do we have any other suggestions?

[1:27:28] any other suggestions? Councillor LePage?

[1:27:29] Councillor LePage? Uh, just a quick. I believe

[1:27:31] Uh, just a quick. I believe it's a script, as ever. On

[1:27:35] it's a script, as ever. On 250-25.1. And the third line

[1:27:40] 250-25.1. And the third line says adequate supply of water

[1:27:42] says adequate supply of water to all water consumers. I think

[1:27:44] to all water consumers. I think the definition is actually

[1:27:45] the definition is actually customers. I think it's left

[1:27:47] customers. I think it's left over from the past ordinance.

[1:27:50] over from the past ordinance. So just to make them line up.

[1:27:52] So just to make them line up. I'll second that motion.

[1:27:55] I'll second that motion. A motion from Councillor

[1:27:57] A motion from Councillor Sullivan. Excuse me, LePage,

[1:27:59] Sullivan. Excuse me, LePage, second from Councillor Sullivan.

[1:28:03] second from Councillor Sullivan. Madam clerk, please call the

[1:28:05] Madam clerk, please call the roll.

[1:28:05] roll. Just give me.

[1:28:06] Just give me. One more. Sorry.

[1:28:06] One more. Sorry. Take your time. Uh. Rather.

[1:28:15] Take your time. Uh. Rather. Can I ask what that motion was?

[1:28:17] Can I ask what that motion was? Was it?

[1:28:20] Was it? It's consumer to customer?

[1:28:22] It's consumer to customer? You said yes.

[1:28:23] You said yes. Oh, yes.

[1:28:24] Oh, yes. I want to make it customer.

[1:28:26] I want to make it customer. Because that's.

[1:28:27] Because that's. What the. definition is. Yeah,

[1:28:28] What the. definition is. Yeah, yeah.

[1:28:28] yeah. And that's in line three. Okay.

[1:28:31] And that's in line three. Okay. Third line. Okay. Vice

[1:28:33] Third line. Okay. Vice president. Mitchinson. Yes.

[1:28:35] president. Mitchinson. Yes. Councillor. Bachelier. Yes.

[1:28:37] Councillor. Bachelier. Yes. Councillor. Diodati. Yes.

[1:28:38] Councillor. Diodati. Yes. Councillor. Sullivan. Yes.

[1:28:39] Councillor. Sullivan. Yes. Councillor. Ferreira. Yes.

[1:28:40] Councillor. Ferreira. Yes. Councillor. Tuohy. Yes.

[1:28:42] Councillor. Tuohy. Yes. Councillor McGonigle. Yes.

[1:28:43] Councillor McGonigle. Yes. Councillor LePage. Yes.

[1:28:44] Councillor LePage. Yes. Councillor. Rogers. Yes. And

[1:28:46] Councillor. Rogers. Yes. And President. Jordan. Yes. Ten

[1:28:47] President. Jordan. Yes. Ten years. Zero. Nays one.

[1:28:49] years. Zero. Nays one. Absent that passes.

[1:28:51] Absent that passes. Are we voting the entire page?

[1:28:54] Are we voting the entire page? We vote on the entire.

[1:28:56] We vote on the entire. Ready to make a motion to vote

[1:28:57] Ready to make a motion to vote for the. Yep.

[1:28:58] for the. Yep. With all the amendments.

[1:29:00] With all the amendments. Okay. Second motion for

[1:29:02] Okay. Second motion for councillor page. Second from

[1:29:03] councillor page. Second from Councillor Sullivan to vote for

[1:29:06] Councillor Sullivan to vote for the ordinance with the edits

[1:29:08] the ordinance with the edits that we just made. Madam clerk,

[1:29:10] that we just made. Madam clerk, please call the roll.

[1:29:12] please call the roll. You said that was councillor

[1:29:13] You said that was councillor LePage.

[1:29:13] LePage. And then page second from

[1:29:15] And then page second from Councillor Sullivan.

[1:29:15] Councillor Sullivan. Okay. Uh, Vice president

[1:29:17] Okay. Uh, Vice president Mitchinson. Yes. Councillor.

[1:29:18] Mitchinson. Yes. Councillor. Bachelier. Yes. Councillor.

[1:29:20] Bachelier. Yes. Councillor. Diodati. Yes. Councillor.

[1:29:21] Diodati. Yes. Councillor. Sullivan. Yes. Councillor.

[1:29:22] Sullivan. Yes. Councillor. Ferreira. Yes. Councillor.

[1:29:24] Ferreira. Yes. Councillor. Tuohy. Yes. Councillor

[1:29:25] Tuohy. Yes. Councillor McGonigle. Yes. Councillor

[1:29:26] McGonigle. Yes. Councillor LePage. Yes. Councillor.

[1:29:28] LePage. Yes. Councillor. Rogers. Yes. And President.

[1:29:30] Rogers. Yes. And President. Jordan. Yes. Ten years. Zero.

[1:29:32] Jordan. Yes. Ten years. Zero. Nays one.

[1:29:32] Nays one. Absent that passes, I'd just

[1:29:34] Absent that passes, I'd just like to say thanks to everybody

[1:29:35] like to say thanks to everybody who's worked on it. Obviously a

[1:29:36] who's worked on it. Obviously a lot of effort has gone into it.

[1:29:38] lot of effort has gone into it. Meetings with outside groups

[1:29:39] Meetings with outside groups and meetings by the

[1:29:40] and meetings by the subcommittee, and I'm glad that

[1:29:42] subcommittee, and I'm glad that we vetted it here. And now we

[1:29:44] we vetted it here. And now we have an ordinance. Thank you.

[1:29:45] have an ordinance. Thank you. Thank you.

[1:29:46] Thank you. Thank you. Um.

[1:29:47] Thank you. Um. Get up here for a second. No.

[1:29:50] Get up here for a second. No. We closed it out. But go ahead.

[1:29:52] We closed it out. But go ahead. You have two minutes.

[1:29:56] You have two minutes. To enjoy. Thank you for giving

[1:29:58] To enjoy. Thank you for giving me the opportunity. Uh, I'm

[1:30:01] me the opportunity. Uh, I'm going to be brief.

[1:30:02] going to be brief. Yes. Thank you.

[1:30:03] Yes. Thank you. I'd like to ask about a

[1:30:05] I'd like to ask about a watershed in the amount of

[1:30:06] watershed in the amount of water actually moving through

[1:30:08] water actually moving through it. I personally seen beaver

[1:30:10] it. I personally seen beaver dams throughout Hazel that

[1:30:11] dams throughout Hazel that appear to significantly

[1:30:14] appear to significantly restrict in some cases, stop

[1:30:16] restrict in some cases, stop the movement of water through

[1:30:17] the movement of water through streams. Could these

[1:30:19] streams. Could these obstructions be affecting our

[1:30:21] obstructions be affecting our watershed and the amount of

[1:30:23] watershed and the amount of water eventually reaching our

[1:30:24] water eventually reaching our reservoirs? I have some photos

[1:30:26] reservoirs? I have some photos that I took at the these beaver

[1:30:28] that I took at the these beaver dams all over our water supply

[1:30:31] dams all over our water supply system. Streams that have

[1:30:33] system. Streams that have narrowed down to nothing, are

[1:30:35] narrowed down to nothing, are water. Standing still without

[1:30:37] water. Standing still without any types of movement. I know

[1:30:39] any types of movement. I know that there's restrictions on

[1:30:41] that there's restrictions on beaver dams being taken down,

[1:30:43] beaver dams being taken down, but I think maybe this is a

[1:30:45] but I think maybe this is a little bit of a problem that

[1:30:47] little bit of a problem that we're having with water being

[1:30:49] we're having with water being restricted going into Melville,

[1:30:50] restricted going into Melville, and eventually going into

[1:30:52] and eventually going into Canada. So, you know, this one

[1:30:54] Canada. So, you know, this one in particular here on the right

[1:30:56] in particular here on the right hand side, you've got about

[1:30:59] hand side, you've got about 15ft from the left hand side of

[1:31:01] 15ft from the left hand side of that photo. So there's two

[1:31:02] that photo. So there's two different there's a one pond

[1:31:04] different there's a one pond going into a ravine and there's

[1:31:06] going into a ravine and there's no water going by there. And

[1:31:08] no water going by there. And next please. Uh, and that's

[1:31:15] next please. Uh, and that's another, uh, beaver dam. That's

[1:31:17] another, uh, beaver dam. That's that water is not moving, not

[1:31:19] that water is not moving, not even an inch.

[1:31:20] even an inch. Where are you? Here. I just

[1:31:22] Where are you? Here. I just didn't hear what you said. You

[1:31:23] didn't hear what you said. You were right. Where's this dam? I

[1:31:24] were right. Where's this dam? I didn't hear.

[1:31:25] didn't hear. Uh, you know, I went all over

[1:31:27] Uh, you know, I went all over the place. I didn't get a

[1:31:28] the place. I didn't get a chance to. And I could take you

[1:31:30] chance to. And I could take you to them if you like, but India

[1:31:32] to them if you like, but India is a prime example. This

[1:31:34] is a prime example. This particular, you know, area,

[1:31:36] particular, you know, area, there's very little water going

[1:31:37] there's very little water going through. The water is higher

[1:31:39] through. The water is higher than it is lower. So very

[1:31:41] than it is lower. So very little going through it. Next,

[1:31:43] little going through it. Next, please. There's another one.

[1:31:51] please. There's another one. Absolutely no water going from

[1:31:53] Absolutely no water going from one side to the other. Very

[1:31:55] one side to the other. Very little. So all this water is

[1:31:57] little. So all this water is actually going into the ground.

[1:31:58] actually going into the ground. It's not going into Melville at

[1:32:00] It's not going into Melville at all. And these streams go all

[1:32:02] all. And these streams go all over the place and they kind of

[1:32:03] over the place and they kind of meet into Melville. And he has

[1:32:06] meet into Melville. And he has one. This is about three feet

[1:32:10] one. This is about three feet high that we measured. It's

[1:32:12] high that we measured. It's probably even lower because,

[1:32:13] probably even lower because, you know, we couldn't get, you

[1:32:14] you know, we couldn't get, you know, low enough. But that's

[1:32:16] know, low enough. But that's you know, the water was up high

[1:32:17] you know, the water was up high and nothing's coming through

[1:32:19] and nothing's coming through it. So I just want to kind of

[1:32:20] it. So I just want to kind of like wonder, are we doing

[1:32:21] like wonder, are we doing anything about it? I think that

[1:32:23] anything about it? I think that there's special permits that we

[1:32:24] there's special permits that we can get from the state to work

[1:32:27] can get from the state to work on this to, you know, maybe not

[1:32:29] on this to, you know, maybe not eliminate, uh, you know, the

[1:32:30] eliminate, uh, you know, the whole beaver dam, but portions

[1:32:32] whole beaver dam, but portions of it that the water can flow.

[1:32:33] of it that the water can flow. Okay.

[1:32:34] Okay. Thank you, thank you.

[1:32:35] Thank you, thank you. Appreciate your time.

[1:32:36] Appreciate your time. Yeah. Bob, do you want to speak

[1:32:38] Yeah. Bob, do you want to speak to that or do you want to just

[1:32:39] to that or do you want to just get back to him after you

[1:32:40] get back to him after you research it? You know, there's

[1:32:42] research it? You know, there's no pressure. If you want to

[1:32:43] no pressure. If you want to take time to research it,

[1:32:44] take time to research it, that's fine.

[1:32:45] that's fine. It's up to you. If you want me

[1:32:46] It's up to you. If you want me to get up and respond.

[1:32:47] to get up and respond. If you have a if you have

[1:32:48] If you have a if you have response and you're ready for

[1:32:49] response and you're ready for it, go ahead. Yeah. And then

[1:32:54] it, go ahead. Yeah. And then we're going to move on.

[1:32:56] we're going to move on. To my question.

[1:32:57] To my question. Right. I'll let you have a

[1:32:58] Right. I'll let you have a question. Yep.

[1:33:02] question. Yep. Well beaver dams are pretty

[1:33:03] Well beaver dams are pretty well protected. And as as al

[1:33:06] well protected. And as as al mentioned you have to have a

[1:33:07] mentioned you have to have a permit for them. Typically when

[1:33:09] permit for them. Typically when we've gotten permits in the

[1:33:10] we've gotten permits in the past for other various reasons,

[1:33:13] past for other various reasons, they'll let us remove section

[1:33:15] they'll let us remove section typically four feet wide by a

[1:33:17] typically four feet wide by a foot deep. And then, you know,

[1:33:20] foot deep. And then, you know, the next day the beavers have

[1:33:21] the next day the beavers have it all built back up. But if

[1:33:23] it all built back up. But if that's something the council

[1:33:25] that's something the council and the mayor want us to look

[1:33:26] and the mayor want us to look into, we can certainly look

[1:33:27] into, we can certainly look into that and call mass

[1:33:28] into that and call mass wildlife and work with Rob

[1:33:30] wildlife and work with Rob Moore to see if we can, uh,

[1:33:32] Moore to see if we can, uh, pull down some beaver dams.

[1:33:34] pull down some beaver dams. From your experience, have you

[1:33:35] From your experience, have you done it in the past? And has it

[1:33:36] done it in the past? And has it made any real difference?

[1:33:38] made any real difference? It's not going to make a real

[1:33:40] It's not going to make a real difference as far as quantity

[1:33:41] difference as far as quantity or volume of water. Okay. No.

[1:33:44] or volume of water. Okay. No. All right. Thank you. Sir. If

[1:33:46] All right. Thank you. Sir. If you want to come on up and ask

[1:33:47] you want to come on up and ask your question, just. Yep. Keep

[1:33:49] your question, just. Yep. Keep it at two minutes and.

[1:33:51] it at two minutes and. Michael Jacobs. name is very.

[1:33:53] Michael Jacobs. name is very. Rude.

[1:33:54] Rude. And just on that real.

[1:33:55] And just on that real. Quick note, um.

[1:33:56] Quick note, um. Even whether it's a big

[1:33:57] Even whether it's a big difference, every little bit

[1:33:59] difference, every little bit helps, right?

[1:34:00] helps, right? I guess we're trying to do

[1:34:01] I guess we're trying to do because he said earlier.

[1:34:02] because he said earlier. Nothing's coming out.

[1:34:03] Nothing's coming out. Of.

[1:34:03] Of. Millville because just so if

[1:34:05] Millville because just so if what this gentleman saying

[1:34:07] what this gentleman saying every little bit helps.

[1:34:09] every little bit helps. Right?

[1:34:09] Right? That's your question.

[1:34:09] That's your question. What is that? No, no, I'm just

[1:34:11] What is that? No, no, I'm just making that statement too,

[1:34:12] making that statement too, though, because if.

[1:34:12] though, because if. We're watching how.

[1:34:13] We're watching how. A washing our hands every

[1:34:15] A washing our hands every little bit helps. Yeah. Okay.

[1:34:17] little bit helps. Yeah. Okay. So real.

[1:34:19] So real. Quick, um. The first thing is,

[1:34:22] Quick, um. The first thing is, uh, what are we doing? Because

[1:34:24] uh, what are we doing? Because I know on September 15th, we

[1:34:25] I know on September 15th, we had mentioned we were going to

[1:34:27] had mentioned we were going to heat the two of them. The mayor

[1:34:29] heat the two of them. The mayor and Bob didn't have an issue

[1:34:30] and Bob didn't have an issue with getting a second pair of

[1:34:31] with getting a second pair of eyes to start to look at

[1:34:32] eyes to start to look at things. He was just. Maybe they

[1:34:34] things. He was just. Maybe they were overseeing something. Just

[1:34:35] were overseeing something. Just wanted to bring that back up to

[1:34:36] wanted to bring that back up to the forefront. Okay. And then

[1:34:40] the forefront. Okay. And then also, uh, I read a news story

[1:34:43] also, uh, I read a news story somewhere and anybody here that

[1:34:45] somewhere and anybody here that can help me, uh, and New and

[1:34:46] can help me, uh, and New and New Hampshire, I think they

[1:34:48] New Hampshire, I think they have, uh, water that they're

[1:34:49] have, uh, water that they're going to be dumping. Has

[1:34:50] going to be dumping. Has anybody heard of this? And I

[1:34:51] anybody heard of this? And I just wondered if I just wanted

[1:34:52] just wondered if I just wanted to bring to someone's attention

[1:34:53] to bring to someone's attention if they if these guys haven't

[1:34:55] if they if these guys haven't heard of it, because maybe we

[1:34:55] heard of it, because maybe we can buy some of those gallons.

[1:34:58] can buy some of those gallons. Okay. Um, I don't know if

[1:35:00] Okay. Um, I don't know if anybody else heard that. Seen

[1:35:00] anybody else heard that. Seen that story, then, uh, the other

[1:35:03] that story, then, uh, the other thing I'd like to say is with

[1:35:06] thing I'd like to say is with the I think we've had two rate

[1:35:08] the I think we've had two rate increases, water rate

[1:35:09] increases, water rate increases, um, under her

[1:35:11] increases, um, under her administration. So hoping that

[1:35:14] administration. So hoping that in two years or so. Right, all

[1:35:15] in two years or so. Right, all this stuff that we're working

[1:35:17] this stuff that we're working on gets us back in a better

[1:35:19] on gets us back in a better space. Would we stop to think

[1:35:21] space. Would we stop to think and say, okay, maybe we don't

[1:35:22] and say, okay, maybe we don't need the rate increases, right?

[1:35:24] need the rate increases, right? When we go backwards on a rate

[1:35:25] When we go backwards on a rate increase, if we get ourselves

[1:35:26] increase, if we get ourselves to where we need to be. So I

[1:35:28] to where we need to be. So I just like to get these things

[1:35:29] just like to get these things on record and get our minds

[1:35:30] on record and get our minds flowing that way. Um, and then

[1:35:33] flowing that way. Um, and then I'll just say real quick as

[1:35:34] I'll just say real quick as well, not that I'm somebody had

[1:35:36] well, not that I'm somebody had an issue last time about people

[1:35:38] an issue last time about people reading faces and all that kind

[1:35:40] reading faces and all that kind of stuff. 90% of our

[1:35:41] of stuff. 90% of our communication is body language,

[1:35:42] communication is body language, so let's keep that in mind. So

[1:35:44] so let's keep that in mind. So that's why people get that. Uh,

[1:35:47] that's why people get that. Uh, anyways, uh, what was my next

[1:35:49] anyways, uh, what was my next one was, um. The rate

[1:35:54] one was, um. The rate increases.

[1:35:55] increases. Again.

[1:35:57] Again. That's I think that's pretty

[1:35:59] That's I think that's pretty much it. Yeah. Thank you.

[1:36:00] much it. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you very much.

[1:36:02] Thank you very much. But do you understand what I'm

[1:36:03] But do you understand what I'm trying to say is I want us to

[1:36:05] trying to say is I want us to start. I'll come here and I'll

[1:36:06] start. I'll come here and I'll bring up questions that I feel

[1:36:07] bring up questions that I feel you guys are maybe looking at.

[1:36:08] you guys are maybe looking at. And then that'll get the wheels

[1:36:09] And then that'll get the wheels turning right. Sure. Because

[1:36:11] turning right. Sure. Because that was my main issue last

[1:36:12] that was my main issue last time. We've got to change

[1:36:13] time. We've got to change attitudes and things like that.

[1:36:14] attitudes and things like that. So that's all. So I hope you'll

[1:36:15] So that's all. So I hope you'll take these things serious that

[1:36:16] take these things serious that I'm bringing up.

[1:36:17] I'm bringing up. Yeah, but we heard you. I think

[1:36:19] Yeah, but we heard you. I think everybody here at you, I know I

[1:36:20] everybody here at you, I know I did..

[1:36:20] did.. Has anybody else heard the

[1:36:22] Has anybody else heard the story about Newton?

[1:36:23] story about Newton? I had. not one.

[1:36:24] I had. not one. But.

[1:36:24] But. What? It's your business. Have

[1:36:25] What? It's your business. Have you heard that, sir?

[1:36:27] you heard that, sir? That's your time. He can speak

[1:36:28] That's your time. He can speak to it later or get back to you.

[1:36:29] to it later or get back to you. Thank you, thank you. Yes,

[1:36:31] Thank you, thank you. Yes, madam. Clerk. Next item.

[1:36:34] madam. Clerk. Next item. Mayor Barrett, request to

[1:36:35] Mayor Barrett, request to present a proclamation

[1:36:36] present a proclamation recognizing October 15th, 2026

[1:36:39] recognizing October 15th, 2026 as White Cane Awareness Day in

[1:36:41] as White Cane Awareness Day in the city of Haverhill.

[1:36:42] the city of Haverhill. Councilor page, you're going to

[1:36:43] Councilor page, you're going to read the proclamation.

[1:36:45] read the proclamation. Thank you, Mr. President.

[1:36:47] Thank you, Mr. President. Proclamation. Whereas the white

[1:36:49] Proclamation. Whereas the white cane, which every blind citizen

[1:36:51] cane, which every blind citizen of Haverhill in the

[1:36:52] of Haverhill in the Commonwealth has the right to

[1:36:53] Commonwealth has the right to carry, demonstrates and

[1:36:54] carry, demonstrates and symbolizes the ability to

[1:36:56] symbolizes the ability to achieve a full and independent

[1:36:57] achieve a full and independent life and the capacity to work

[1:36:59] life and the capacity to work productively in competitive

[1:37:00] productively in competitive employment. And whereas the

[1:37:02] employment. And whereas the white cane allows every blind

[1:37:04] white cane allows every blind person to move freely and

[1:37:05] person to move freely and safely from place to place,

[1:37:06] safely from place to place, making it possible for the

[1:37:08] making it possible for the blind to fully participate and

[1:37:10] blind to fully participate and contribute to our society and

[1:37:11] contribute to our society and to live the lives they want.

[1:37:12] to live the lives they want. And whereas every citizen

[1:37:15] And whereas every citizen should be aware that the law

[1:37:16] should be aware that the law requires that motorists and

[1:37:17] requires that motorists and cyclists exercise appropriate

[1:37:19] cyclists exercise appropriate caution when approaching a

[1:37:20] caution when approaching a blind person carrying a white

[1:37:22] blind person carrying a white cane, and whereas Massachusetts

[1:37:24] cane, and whereas Massachusetts law also calls upon employers,

[1:37:26] law also calls upon employers, both public and private, to be

[1:37:28] both public and private, to be aware of and utilize the

[1:37:29] aware of and utilize the employment skills of our blind

[1:37:30] employment skills of our blind citizens by recognizing their

[1:37:32] citizens by recognizing their worth as individuals and their

[1:37:33] worth as individuals and their productive capacities. And now,

[1:37:35] productive capacities. And now, therefore, I, Melinda E

[1:37:37] therefore, I, Melinda E Barrett, mayor of the City of

[1:37:38] Barrett, mayor of the City of Haverhill, do hereby proclaim

[1:37:39] Haverhill, do hereby proclaim October 15th, 2026 as White

[1:37:42] October 15th, 2026 as White Cane Awareness Day. I call upon

[1:37:44] Cane Awareness Day. I call upon our schools, colleges and

[1:37:45] our schools, colleges and universities to offer

[1:37:46] universities to offer opportunities for learning and

[1:37:48] opportunities for learning and training to blind persons upon

[1:37:50] training to blind persons upon employees in the public, to

[1:37:51] employees in the public, to utilize the available skills of

[1:37:53] utilize the available skills of competent blind persons, and to

[1:37:55] competent blind persons, and to be open to offering new

[1:37:56] be open to offering new opportunities to the blind and

[1:37:58] opportunities to the blind and our rapidly changing society,

[1:38:00] our rapidly changing society, and upon all citizens. To

[1:38:02] and upon all citizens. To recognize the white cane as a

[1:38:03] recognize the white cane as a tool of independence from blind

[1:38:04] tool of independence from blind pedestrians on our streets and

[1:38:06] pedestrians on our streets and highways. And witness whereof I

[1:38:08] highways. And witness whereof I have here on to set my hand and

[1:38:10] have here on to set my hand and caused the seal the city of

[1:38:11] caused the seal the city of Haverhill to be affixed. The

[1:38:12] Haverhill to be affixed. The sixth day of October, in the

[1:38:14] sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord, 2026. Mayor

[1:38:17] year of our Lord, 2026. Mayor Melinda Barrett. I make a

[1:38:19] Melinda Barrett. I make a motion to put places on file.

[1:38:22] motion to put places on file. Second Motion Counselor page

[1:38:24] Second Motion Counselor page second from councilor

[1:38:25] second from councilor McGonagle. All in favor?

[1:38:26] McGonagle. All in favor? Aye, aye.

[1:38:27] Aye, aye. That's accepted and placed on

[1:38:28] That's accepted and placed on file. Thank you, councillor

[1:38:29] file. Thank you, councillor LePage. Madam clerk, next item.

[1:38:31] LePage. Madam clerk, next item. Vice President Richardson

[1:38:33] Vice President Richardson wishes to announce a Planning

[1:38:34] wishes to announce a Planning and Development Committee

[1:38:35] and Development Committee meeting on Monday, October

[1:38:37] meeting on Monday, October 19th, 2026 at 6 p.m. in room

[1:38:39] 19th, 2026 at 6 p.m. in room 202. The City Council Chambers.

[1:38:41] 202. The City Council Chambers. Vice President Richardson.

[1:38:42] Vice President Richardson. Thank you very much. Uh, this

[1:38:44] Thank you very much. Uh, this meeting follows two major

[1:38:47] meeting follows two major challenges facing Haverhill the

[1:38:49] challenges facing Haverhill the waste water infrastructure

[1:38:51] waste water infrastructure failure. Um, this summer, um,

[1:38:54] failure. Um, this summer, um, as well as our current drought.

[1:38:58] as well as our current drought. Um, and working with the

[1:39:01] Um, and working with the mayor's administration and

[1:39:03] mayor's administration and appropriate departments will

[1:39:05] appropriate departments will begin a risk based assessment

[1:39:08] begin a risk based assessment of the city's critical

[1:39:10] of the city's critical infrastructure, starting with

[1:39:12] infrastructure, starting with wastewater and drinking water.

[1:39:14] wastewater and drinking water. Citizen input will be an

[1:39:16] Citizen input will be an important part of this effort.

[1:39:18] important part of this effort. Residents often see problems

[1:39:20] Residents often see problems and impacts firsthand, and

[1:39:22] and impacts firsthand, and their experience can help us

[1:39:24] their experience can help us identify risks, priorities, and

[1:39:26] identify risks, priorities, and concerns. A first meeting will

[1:39:29] concerns. A first meeting will focus on defining the scope,

[1:39:31] focus on defining the scope, expected outcomes, and

[1:39:33] expected outcomes, and organization of the study, with

[1:39:35] organization of the study, with the goal of identifying our

[1:39:38] the goal of identifying our highest risks and reducing them

[1:39:40] highest risks and reducing them before another crisis occurs.

[1:39:43] before another crisis occurs. Thank you, Mr. President.

[1:39:44] Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

[1:39:47] Thank you, Mr. Vice President. And do we have any other

[1:39:50] And do we have any other announcements, reports?

[1:39:52] announcements, reports? Move. We adjourn.

[1:39:53] Move. We adjourn. Second motion from Councillor

[1:39:55] Second motion from Councillor Sullivan to adjourn. Second

[1:39:56] Sullivan to adjourn. Second from Councilor Diodati. All in

[1:39:58] from Councilor Diodati. All in favor?

[1:39:58] favor? Aye, aye.

City Council Meeting 10-6-2026

Transcript