Gloucester City is cited in a Class Action Suit Because of its Water Treatment Plant
By MEGAN PAOLINI
At the Gloucester City Council Meeting held on Thursday, January 25th an ordinance was passed on first reading to authorize preliminary costs associated with the design and construction of a new water treatment plan.
This ordinance will pay for engineering costs that are necessary for approval of the new water treatment plan. The total cost is estimated to be $460,000.
Steve Martorano wanted to know why the city needs a new water treatment plan.
City Administrator/Clerk Paul Kain assured Martorano that a new water service was absolutely necessary due to concerns about contamination in the water becoming a problem.
Kain also said because of some problems with contaminants in the water the City has been named in a Class Action Suit. Kain did not go into details because of the ligitigation.
The council also passed an ordinance on first reading that allows the city to exceed the municipal budget appropriation limits by 3.5% over the previous year’s final appropriations.
The council adopted two resolutions that gave thanks to Robert Birney, Sr., GCFD and Earl F. Jones, Jr., GCFD for their service to the community over the years.
Three resolutions were adopted as presented that authorized the subordination of mortgage held by the city to secure housing rehabilitation loans on three separate lots.
A resolution passed to adopt a temporary capital budget for Gloucester City. This resolution was in preparation for the new water treatment plan.
Another resolution was adopted to provide transfers of 2006 reserved budget appropriations. This resolution will pay outstanding charges from last year.
The council adopted a resolution to designate a handicapped parking space on 514 Paul Street but removes a handicapped parking space from 532 Paul Street.
A resolution was adopted to award a contract to Triad Associates for extraordinary un-specifiable services. Triad Associates INC was hired as grant consultants.
Three resolutions correcting City records for the previous year for various reasons such as overpayment of tax records, billing charges on utility records, and adjustment to tax records were adopted as presented.
Two resolutions corrected an error made on an application for property acquisition on 327 and 337-343 South Broadway.
The next Gloucester City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, February 22nd at 8PM at City Hall, 313 Monmouth Street.
During the public forum Theresa Graham asked Council why the UEZ monies were being spent to puchase city properties (Dooleys and Gloucester Plumbing). Why isn\’t the monies being used towards the water treatment plant?\” she asked. To which there was no response from council.
Also a attorney representing Nextel phone company approached the rail and asked if the new administration would consider Nextel request for a communication tower. She was told that the matter is being discussed.
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