On the agenda: Taunton meeting — Flock camera (Apr 28)

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AGENDA
CHESTER R. MARTIN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
15 SUMMER STREET, TAUNTON, MA 02780

APRIL 28, 2026 — 7:00 PM

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ne {OiY/ MN
INVOCATION Date: 424 f4le
ROLL CALL

READING OF THE RECORDS FROM APRIL 21, 2026

PUBLIC INPUT
e Comments will be received for the record
e@ Please state your name and address
e Please limit comments to 3 minutes or less
e Supplemental written comments may also be provided

e¢ Comments should be addressed to the body as a whole and pertain to the business
of the City

¢ Comments at public input are made at the sole discretion of the individual. With
limited exceptions, legal precedent does not allow for limitations on verbiage and
there is no legal requirement that comments be factual.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR
e Community Update
APPOINTMENTS - NONE
HEARING: NONE
COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY OFFICERS - NONE

COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS

Pg. 1 Com. from Rev. William M. Rodrigues, Pastor of St. Anthony’s Church,
126 School Street, Taunton — Requesting Permission to Conduct a
Procession

PETITIONS

Billiard Table License — Renewals
1. Entertainment One Stop Shop, LLC -dba- Platinum City Gaming at 294 Winthrop
Street, Taunton (1-Table)

2. Taunton Portuguese American Civic Club located at 175 School Street, Taunton
(1-Table)

Junk Collector License — Renewal
1. Santos Recycling, Inc. located at 18-28 Dana Street, Taunton

Junk Dealer License — Renewal
1. Santos Recycling, Inc. located at 18-28 Dana Street, Taunton

Qld Gold License — Renewal
1. Fall River Pawn Brokers MA -dba- Fall River Pawn Brokers located at 48
Taunton Green, Taunton

Pawn Broker License — Renewal
1. Fall River Pawn Brokers MA -dba- Fall River Pawn Brokers located at 48
Taunton Green, Taunton

Second Hand Article License — New
1. Poise Boutique located at 54 Main Street, Taunton

Second Hand Article License — Renewals
1. Fall River Pawn Brokers MA -dba- Fall River Pawn Brokers located at 48
Taunton Green, Taunton
2. SS&K located at 404 Winthrop Street, Taunton
3. Taunton Bins located at 24 Weir Street, Taunton
4. The Salvation Army located at 636 County Street, Taunton

Temporary Fixed Vendor License — Renewal
1. Entertainment One Stop Shop, LLC -dba- Platinum City Gaming at 294 Winthrop
Street, Taunton

Special Permit

Petition submitted by John Garanito, 174 Dean St., Taunton for a Special Permit for a 56-
unit multi-family residential development on parcels 10-18 and 10-23 Bay Street located
in the Business District. (Public Hearing Required)

COMMITTEE REPORTS

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Referred from April 21, 2026
Pg. 2-4 Com. from Second Assistant City Solicitor — Regarding Contract

Authority for Police-Assisted Vehicle Towing Services

ORDERS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS - NONE

NEW BUSINESS
e Councilor Sanders moves to refer the vote of the DPW Committee regarding the
price for city trash bags to the Committee on Ordinance and Enrolled Bills and

Law Department to draft the relevant ordinance changes.

e Councilor Sanders moves to refer to the Committee on Police and License a
discussion with Chief Walsh about the City's use of Flock cameras.

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer L. Legér

City Clerk

City of Taunton Ligia M. Madeira, Esq.

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR cues
City Hall Patrick D. Dello Russo, Jr.
15 Summer Street - Taunton MA 02780 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
(508) 821-1000
Gill E. Enos
MAYOR SHAUNNA O’CONNELL BUDGET DIRECTOR

Community Updates — April 28, 2026
Saturday, April 25:

e¢ Mayor O’Connell & DPW Earth Day Yard Waste Bag Giveaway: 8am-3pm, City
Convenience Center, 330 East Britannia St.

e Matthew Mission Food Pantry: 8:30am-10:30am, First Parish Church, 76 Church Green

e Taunton Ecology Awareness Movement Earth Day City-Wide Clean-Up: 9am-12pm
(meet up at police station parking lot 8am-9am for cleaning supplies)

e Children’s Art Workshop (Ages 3-7): 9am-10am, Trescott Street Gallery, 8 Trescott St.

e City of Taunton Rabies Clinic: 10am-12pm, DPW Building, 90 Ingell St.

e National Drug Take Back Day: 10am-2pm, Taunton Police Department, 23 Summer St.

e Youth Exhibit “The World Through My Eyes”: 10am-5pm, Trescott Street Gallery,
8 Trescott St.

e Friends of Boyden City Nature Challenge: 11am-12:30pm, Boyden Wildlife Refuge,
1298 Cohannet St.
e Kids Art Workshop (Ages 5-14): 2pm, Trescott Street Gallery, 8 Trescott Street

Sunday, April 26:

e Watercolor Class Mini Landscapes: 1:00pm, Trescott Street Gallery, 8 Trescott St.

Monday, April 27:

e Free Yard Waste Pick-Up (on regularly scheduled trash collection day)
e Lewis & Ferri Relive the Revival: 6pm-7pm, Taunton Public Library, 12 Pleasant St.

Tuesday, April 28:

e Free Yard Waste Pick-Up (on regularly scheduled trash collection day)

e Council on Aging Dental Clinic: Call for appointment 508-821-1425, 30 Olney St.

e Taunton Public Schools Coffee & Conversation: 5pm-6:30pm, Highland Hills
Community Center, 30 Highland St.

e Free Adult Yoga: 6pm-7pm, Taunton Public Library, 12 Pleasant St.

Wednesday, April 29:

e Free Yard Waste Pick-Up (on regularly scheduled trash collection day)
e Mindful Moments: Decoupage for Wellbeing Workshop: 6pm-7pm, Trescott Street
Gallery, 8 Trescott St.

Thursday, April 30:

e Free Yard Waste Pick-Up (on regularly scheduled trash collection day)
¢ Teen Safety Summit: 8:30am-1:30pm, Boys & Girls Clubs, 31 Court St.

¢ South Coast Rail Noise Mitigation Program Open House: 6pm-8pm, City Hall, 15
Summer St.

Save the Date!

May 1: Free Yard Waste Pick-Up

May 2: Mayor O’Connell & DPW Free Yard Waste Drop-Off

May 2: Taunton Area Community Table Tea Party

May 3: Taunton Civic Chorus “March On! Celebrating 250 Years of American Democracy”
May 7: Old Colony History Museum “Back in Time 1926”

May 8: GAR Memorial Trust Scholarship Deadline

May 8: Taunton State Hospital Greenhouse Farmers Market

May 9: Mayor O’Connell & DPW Free Yard Waste Drop-Off

May 9: Matthew Mission Food Pantry

May 9: National Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

May 9: Taunton Garden Club Plant Sale

May 9: Downtown Taunton Foundation Sip, Shop & Stroll

May 9: Taunton Vietnam Veterans Association Chicken BBQ Fundraiser
May 16: Mayor O’Connell & DPW Free Yard Waste Drop-Off

May 16: Friends of Boyden “Birding: The Search for Spring Migrators”

May 16: 2026 Annual Downtown Art Jam

May 16: Lines and Spaces Community Concert

May 19: Brockton/Taunton Recovery Connection Center Monthly Drop-In
May 20: Elks Lodge Monthly Veterans Luncheon

May 21: TRUE Clean Energy Forum

May 23: Mayor O’Connell & DPW Free Yard Waste Drop-Off

May 23: Matthew Mission Food Pantry

May 25: Greater Taunton Area Allied Veterans Council Memorial Day Parade
May 26: Mayor O’Connell’s Older Americans Month Celebration for Seniors
May 30: Mayor O’Connell & DPW Free Yard Waste Drop-Off

May 31: Our Daily Bread 3" Annual Clam Boil Fundraiser

St. Anthony’s Parish
126 School Street
Taunton, MA 02780
(508) 822-0714

April 14, 2026
Hon. Mayor Shaunna O'Connell and
Members of the Taunton City Council
City Hall, 15 Summer St.
Taunton, MA 02780

Re: St Anthony’s Holy Ghost Procession
Sunday, May 24, 2026

Dear Mayor O'Connell and Members of the Taunton City Council:

I would like to thank our Mayor, City Council and the Police Department for the
assistance provided to Saint Anthony’s Parish, throughout the year. We are truly grateful for
your support. I request authorization to use the public streets indicated below, to process in
Honor of the Holy Ghost on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

We also respectfully request a police escort during this procession. The following is the
requested route of the procession:

Approximately 10:15AM - Leave the St Anthony's Parking lot, west on WASHBURN
Street, RIGHT onto Washington Street; RIGHT onto Benefit Street; RIGHT onto School
Street until entering St. Anthony Church for a mass.

Approximately 1:15PM (afier mass ends )- Leave the St Anthony church entrance;
onto School Street; LEFT onto East Broadway; LEFT onto Washington Street, LEFT
onto Washburn Street, take a LEFT into Church Parking lot.

Respectfully,

4 3 4 —
Rev. Wk In Kode
Rev. William M. Rodrigues, Pastor

City of Taunton

LAW DEPARTMENT

Shaunna O’Connell 15 Summer Street Lisa Bond, Esq.
MAYOR FIRST ASST. CITY SOLICITOR

= Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 __
Matthew J. Costa, Esq. Phone (508) 821-1036 Facsimile (508) 821-1397 Thomas P. Gay, Jr. Esq.

CITY SOLICITOR SECOND ASST. CITY SOLICITOR

April 21, 2026

Council President Barry Sanders
Members of the Municipal Council
City of Taunton

City Hall

15 Summer Street

Taunton, Massachusetts 02780

CITY OF TAUNTON

APR 21 2026

hae ge

Re: Contract Authority for Police-Assisted Vehicle Towing Services iy

IN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL

Dear Council President Sanders and Members of the Municipal Council:

Several members of the Municipal Council have contacted the Law Department with
questions about the process for procuring towing services by the Police Department, which is the
subject of a Request for Information (RFI) recently published by the City for police-assisted
vehicle towing, storage and protection services (the “Tow Contract”). The Municipal Council was
engaged in the process of awarding police towing contracts in years past, which has prompted the
question as to whether legally the Council is required to be part of the process for awarding this
contract. As explained in this letter, the short answer to the question is that there is no legal
requirement for the Council to participate in the award of the contract (or contracts) for Police
Department towing services.

At the outset, it is important to understand the nature of the Tow Contract. As stated in the
RFI, this contract is for the privilege to conduct police-ordered tows for the City of Taunton. It is
not a typical purchase of goods or services, as it does not involve expenditure of City funds. The
City does not pay the tow companies. Rather, the City confers upon selected vendors the privilege
to operate under police direction, and the City also receives a financial benefit. Because no
municipal funds are disbursed and no appropriation is required, this contract falls outside the scope
of the Council’s appropriation authority.

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The Tow Contract is exempt from the competitive bidding requirements that ordinarily
govern municipal service contracts under the Uniform Procurement Act, M.G.L. c. 30B. The RFI
correctly states that tow contract services are exempt from said statute. This exemption is well-
established in Massachusetts procurement practice and is consistent with the recognized principle
that police tow contracts represent the award of a privilege to operate under police direction rather
than a competitive procurement of goods or services. Consistent with this framework, the RFI
designates the Chief of Police as the selecting authority, with discretion to choose vendors based
on the overall combination of financial benefit and operational performance that best suits the
City’s needs.

Under City Ordinance, the Chief of Police is the appropriate authority to lead this process
for the same reasons that apply to other City departments. The Police Chief is responsible for
towing disabled vehicles from the City streets, and is the subject matter expert on the operational
requirements of the Police Department and the standards that towing vendors must meet to ensure
the safety of the public and his officers. His professional judgment in evaluating and selecting
towing vendors is an exercise of his lawful authority as Police Chief, and decisions about which
vendors operate under police direction are integral to his responsibility for public safety.

The RFI is consistent with all pertinent City Ordinances. Under City Ordinance, the Police
Chief is responsible for ensuring that disabled vehicles are towed from the City streets. See
Ordinance sections 405-43, 405-64(D).

The procurement of towing services through the Police Department is entirely consistent
with how other City departments manage service contracts within their areas of responsibility,
consistent with the City Charter and Ordinances. Other departments routinely enter into service
contracts as necessary to execute their responsibilities. Relevant examples include, but are not
limited to, Building Department contracts for on-call roofing repairs, emergency structural work,
plumbing services, and similar maintenance needs; Department of Public Works agreements for
on-call paving, drainage repairs, engineering, and other infrastructure work; Parks, Recreation,
Cemeteries and Public Grounds agreements for on-call emergency tree work. Numerous other
examples could be cited. These contracts are all authorized, provided that there is a procurement
to support them (as to contracts requiring the expenditure of funds), they comply with City
Ordinance and other legal requirements, and are executed by the appropriate City Officer, which
in most cases and under City practices is the Mayor. The authority of City Departments to procure
services as necessary to carry out their responsibilities with the assistance of the Procurement
Department is reflected in the City Ordinances. See Ordinance sec. 96-96 (powers of director of
procurement); 96-99 (requisitions). The Tow Contract falls within the general principle that City
Departments have the authority to procure services as necessary to carry out their legally
established responsibilities.

Vay tha

In prior contract cycles, police chiefs and mayoral administrations brought the Tow
Contract before the Municipal Council to approve the contracts and the vendors. That past practice,
however, did not create and does not reflect a legal requirement. To the contrary, the process used
in the past is different from the procurement process established under City Ordinance, as the
Municipal Council is not responsible for procuring tow services -- the Police Department is. There
is no City ordinance, charter provision, or state statute that requires Municipal Council approval
of the Tow Contract. Legal requirements were not the basis for procuring police towing services
through the Council in prior contracts.

In summary, the Tow Contract may be properly authorized and executed through the Chief
of Police and the Mayor, with administrative assistance from the Director of Procurement and the
required approving officials. The contract confers a privilege and generates revenue to the City; it
is not an expenditure, and it is not subject to M.G.L. c. 30B. No ordinance, charter provision, or
statute requires Municipal Council approval. Prior Council involvement was a voluntary
administrative courtesy with no basis in law, and the contracting authority for this procurement
appropriately rests, as it does for comparable departmental contracts throughout the City, with the
executive branch and the department responsible for public safety.

Respectfully submitted,

Ane

Thomas P. Gay, Jr., Esquire
Second Assistant City Solicitor

APPROVED BY:

“Vente NC

Matthew J. Costa, Esquire
City Solicitor

Monday, April 27, 2026

THE CLERK OF COMMITTEES SCREENING COMMITTEE
CITY HALL

SILVER CITY CONFERENCE ROOM

15 SUMMER STREET, TAUNTON, MA 02780

2:30 PM

AGENDA

The Clerk of Committees Screening Committee

Please note: A "meeting" of the entire Municipal Council, as defined in MGL Chapter 30A §18, may occur
concurrently with this committee meeting.

1. Meet in executive session to interview candidates for the Clerk of Committees position. This
meeting will be held in executive session pursuant to MGL c. 30A, § 21(A) Reason 8: “to consider
or interview applicants for employment or appointment by a preliminary screening committee if the
chair declares that an open meeting will have a detrimental effect in obtaining qualified applicants”.

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é 5 Respectfully,
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| Rosalind M. Grassie

April 28, 2026

CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEES AGENDA

CITY HALL

ms CHESTER R. MARTIN MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
APR 2U A $ 3b 15 SUMMER STREET, TAUNTON, MA 02780
TAUNTON, MA 5:30 PM

CLERK

AGENDA

The Committee on Finance and Salaries

Please note: A "meeting" of the entire Municipal Council, as defined in MGL Chapter 30A §18, may occur
concurrently with this committee meeting.

1. Review the weekly vouchers and payroll for City departments.

2. Meet for the Fiscal Year 2026 Third Quarter Report.

The Committee on Police and Licenses

Please note: A "meeting" of the entire Municipal Council, as defined in MGL Chapter 30A §18, may occur
concurrently with this committee meeting.

1. Meet on petitions for renewal of Antique Dealer Licenses (May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027):
a. Eantiquebroker Consulting Services at 4 Oxford Street
b. Memorable Memorabilia at 45 Baylies Road
c. Taunton Antiques Center at 19 Main Street
2. Meet on petitions for renewal of Billiard Table Licenses (May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027):
a. Bobby's Place, Inc. at 60 Weir Street (2 tables)
b. Italian Naturalization Club at 46 Wales Street (2 tables)
c. Italian Social Club of Taunton, Inc. at 2 Columbus Blvd. (1 table)
d. Poineer Flying Club, Inc. at 332 Whittenton Street (1 Table)
e. Taunton Eagles Soccer Club at 29 Oak Street (1 table)
3. Meet on petitions for renewal of Class II Licenses (January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026):

a. Express Brothers Gas and Auto Repair, Inc. dba Express Brothers Gas and Auto Repair at 146
Tremont Street

4. Meet on petitions for renewal of Fortune Teller Licenses (May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027):
a. Bissie's Palm Reading at 103 Main Street

1

5. Meet on petitions for renewal of Junk Collector Licenses (May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027):

a. Automotive Recovery Services, Inc. dba Insurance Auto Auctions at 580 Myricks Street, East
Taunton

b. De Brum Salvage at 57 Stevens Street, E. Taunton

Cc. Ducharme Trucking, Inc. dba Liberty Scraps & Recycling at 720 West Water Street
6. Meet on petitions for renewal of Junk Dealer Licenses (May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027):

a. Arthur Pimenta, Jr. Junk Collector at 147 Fremont Street

b. Ducharme Trucking, Inc. dba Liberty Scraps & Recycling at 720 West Water Street
7. Meet on petitions for renewal of Livery Licenses (May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027):

a. Taunton Cartage Co. Ltd dba Checker Cab at 295 Broadway

b. Taunton Cartage Co, Ltd. dba Cozy Cab at 295 Broadway

c. Taunton Motorized Carriage Co, Inc. at 295 Broadway
8. Meet on petitions for renewal of Old Gold Licenses (May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027):

a. Pacheco's Gold and Gems, Inc. dba Pacheco's Jewelry at 22 Taunton Green

b. Taunton Antiques Center at 19 Main Street
9. Meet on renewals of Second Hand Article Licenses (May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027):

a. Copia Scientific, LLC at 245 Constitution Drive

b. Murphys Marvelous Merchandise at 170 Macomber Street

c. Society of Saint Vincent DePaul Taunton District, Inc. dba Pennies from Heaven at 141
Washington Street (Requesting a Waiver of the License Fee).

d. Taunton Antiques Center at 19 Main Street
e. Vintage Molaf 749 Rocky Woods Street
10. Meet on petitions for renewal of Temporary Fixed Vendor Licenses (May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027):
a. Bob Cats for the Soul, Inc. dba Bob Cats at 255 Cape Highway, E. Taunton
11. Meet to Discuss Tow Contract
a. Chief Walsh Letter Regarding Tow Contract

b. Letter from Harry's Towing

The Committee on the Department of Public Works

Please note: A "meeting" of the entire Municipal Council, as defined in MGL Chapter 30A §18, may occur
concurrently with this committee meeting.

1. | Sewer Extension - Bassett Street

In accordance with Chapter 375-1 of the City of Taunton Ordinance and on the petition of Senna
Fitzgerald Gilbert Associates, 28 Main Street, Lakeville, MA on behalf of Dora Estates, LLC,
owner of property on Bassett Street, a hearing will be held before the Taunton Municipal Council
Committee on the Department of Public Works in the Municipal Council Chambers, City Hall, 15
Summer Street, Taunton, MA 02780 on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. for a proposed sewer
extension on Bassett Street.

The project will consist of the installation of approximately 295’ of 2” diameter SDR 21 (or
equivalent) force sewer pipe running from an existing sewer stub in Bassett Street to a proposed
sewer manhole to be installed in Bassett Street. The proposed sewer manhole in Bassett Street will
include a 2” SCR 21 (or equivalent) stub running 5’ westerly from the proposed manhole, for future
connection. The job will include the installation of 4 sewer connections, to include the two houses
that the sewer will pass in front of. The job must meet all standards of the City of Taunton,
Department of Public Works including, but not limited to, trench work and permits, road openings,
and sewer installation. The Contractor will be responsible to contact Dig-Safe and all appropriate
utility companies prior to the start of the project.

There will be no betterment assessments since no City funding is involved.

Plans and specifications for the project can be viewed in the Office of the Department of Public
Works, 90 Ingell Street, Taunton, MA.

The Committee of the Whole

Please note: A "meeting" of the entire Municipal Council, as defined in MGL Chapter 30A §18, may occur
concurrently with this committee meeting.

1. Meet in executive session to review, approve, and consider approval of executive session minutes
from January 13, 2026.

2. Meet in executive session to discuss potential litigation related to marijuana fees. This meeting will
be held in executive session pursuant to MGL c. 30A, § 21(A)(3): “to discuss strategy with respect
to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the
bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares”.

Respectfully,

Maggie E. Clark
Clerk of Committees