JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE.
Thursday, March
6, 2003.
Met according to adjournment,
at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session, with Mr. O’Flaherty
of Chelsea in the Chair (having been appointed by the Speaker, under authority
conferred by Rule 5, to perform the duties of the Chair).
Prayer was offered by the Reverend
Robert F. Quinn, C.S.P., Chaplain of the House, as follows:
Eternal God, the Ultimate Source
of Truth and Goodness, we depend upon Your guidance in our daily struggle
to serve You and constituents conscientiously. We recognize our limitations
and short-comings, but with Your assistance we endeavor to keep our goals,
intentions and motives honorable and ethical. In addressing our day to
day (often complex) legislative responsibilities and challenges, inspire
us to strengthen and follow a right conscience which empowers us to make
correct and insightful judgments and decisions. As elected leaders, assist
us in uniting (not dividing) our diverse society in recognizing top priorities,
pursuing common good goals and recognizing the needs of all people in
our communities.
Grant Your blessings to the Speaker,
the members and employees of this House and their families. Amen.
At the request of the Chair (Mr.
O’Flaherty), the members, guests and employees joined with him in
reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Resolutions.
The following resolutions (filed
with the Clerk) were referred, under Rule 85, to the committee on Rules:
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Jones
of North Reading) congratulating John Murphy on his outstanding athletic
achievements;
Resolutions (filed by Representatives
Atsalis of Barnstable, George of Yarmouth, Gomes of Harwich, Patrick of
Falmouth, Perry of Sandwich and Turkington of Falmouth) on the occasion
of the twentieth anniversary of the Nam Vets Association of the Cape and
Islands, Inc.;
Resolutions (filed by Messrs. Brown
of Wrentham, Kafka of Sharon, Coughlin of Dedham and Rogers of Norwood)
congratulating Alan Rockwood on being named the Friends of St. Patrick
2003 Person of the Year;
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Fagan
of Taunton) congratulating Eric Stephen Sullivan on receiving the Eagle
Award of the Boy Scouts of America;
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Galvin
of Canton) honoring Avon Fire Chief Jackson G. Macomber for his distinguished
service;
Resolutions (filed by Mrs. Haddad
of Somerset) congratulating Jason Mello on receiving the Eagle Award of
the Boy Scouts of America;
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Kelly
of Dalton) congratulating Martin W. Iwanowicz
on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America;
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Kelly
of Dalton) congratulating Nathan A. Smith
on receiving the Eagle Award of the Boy Scouts of America;
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Linsky
of Natick) congratulating Oliver Burruss on receiving the Eagle Award
of the Boy Scouts of America;
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Linsky
of Natick) congratulating Brett Guenther on receiving the Eagle Award
of the Boy Scouts of America;
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Linsky
of Natick) congratulating Donald J. Halpin on receiving the Eagle Award
of the Boy Scouts of America;
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Linsky
of Natick) congratulating Jeff Merryman on receiving the Eagle Award of
the Boy Scouts of America;
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Linsky
of Natick) congratulating Ted Metrakas on receiving the Eagle Award of
the Boy Scouts of America;
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Mariano
of Quincy) congratulating Joan M. Jameson on her retirement;
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Miceli
of Wilmington) honoring Sergeant James Hood for his commitment, dedication
and service to the town of Tewksbury;
Resolutions (filed by Mr. Murphy
of Lowell) commemorating the “Irish-American Heritage” in
the United States of America and the city of Lowell, Massachusetts; and
Resolutions (filed by Messrs. Timilty
of Milton and Ayers of Quincy) honoring Robert L. Gass for his exceptional
service to the town of Randolph;
Mr. Scaccia of Boston, for the committee
on Rules, reported, in each instance, that the resolutions ought to be
adopted. Under suspension of the rules, in each instance, on motion of
Mr. Rush of Boston, the resolutions (reported by the committee on Bills
in the Third Reading to be correctly drawn) were considered forthwith;
and they were adopted.
Petitions.
Petitions (deposited with the Clerk
previously to five o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, December
4, 2002) were presented and they were severally referred, under Rule 24,
as follows:
By Ms. Atkins of Concord, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Cory Atkins and Susan C. Fargo relative
to establishing an affordable housing trust fund in the town of Concord.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Cory Atkins, Geoffrey D. Hall, David M. Nangle, Thomas
A. Golden, Jr., and Susan C. Fargo for legislation to exempt the position
of deputy chief of police in the town of Chelmsford from the provisions
of civil service law.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Cory Atkins and Susan C. Fargo that the town of Concord
be authorized to send certain information to registered voters in said
town.
By Mr. Bradley of Hingham, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Garrett J. Bradley and Robert L. Hedlund
that the town of Hull be authorized to establish a special education tuition
and expenses fund.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Garrett J. Bradley and Robert L. Hedlund relative
to authorizing the appointment of certain special police officers in the
town of Hull.
By Mr. Buoniconti of West Springfield,
petition (subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Stephen J. Buoniconti relative
to the civil service status of certain provisional and promotional employees
of the town of West Springfield.
By Ms. Callahan of Sutton, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Jennifer M. Callahan relative to authorizing
the town of Bellingham to establish a capital investment fund.
By Ms. Candaras of Wilbraham, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Gale D.
Candaras and Linda J. Melconian that the retirement board of the city
of Springfield be authorized to grant retirement benefits to Doris Shecrellah.
By Mr. Casey of Winchester, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Paul C. Casey, Richard R. Tisei and Carol
A. Donovan relative to the selectmen-town administrator form of government
in the town of Stoneham.
By Mr. Fagan of Taunton, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of James H. Fagan for legislation to provide
civil service status for certain employees of the municipal lighting plant
of the city of Taunton.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of James H. Fagan relative
to authorizing the certification and eligibility of certain persons as
fire fighters in the city of Taunton.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of James H. Fagan and Marc
R. Pacheco that the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance
be directed to exchange certain parcels of land in the city of Taunton
with said city.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of James H. Fagan and
Marc R. Pacheco relative to authorizing the city of Taunton to lease certain
recreational land of the John F. Parker Municipal Golf Course.
By Mr. Fresolo of Worcester, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of John P. Fresolo and another that incapacitated
employees of the municipal police department of the city of Boston be
granted leave with pay for injuries sustained in the line of duty.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of John P. Fresolo and another
that incapacitated employees of the housing police department of the city
of Boston be granted leave with pay for injuries sustained in the line
of duty.
By Ms. Grant of Beverly, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Mary E. Grant for legislation to authorize
the city of Beverly to discontinue a portion of a certain street as a
public way.
By Mrs. Harkins of Needham, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Lida E. Harkins that the town of Needham
be authorized to grant real estate tax rebates to certain property owners
in said town.
By Mr. Honan of Boston, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Kevin G. Honan, Byron Rushing, Gloria L.
Fox, Elizabeth A. Malia and Anthony Petruccelli relative to governmentally
or former governmentally involved housing in the city of Boston.
By Mr. Humason of Westfield, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Donald F. Humason, Jr., and Michael R. Knapik
relative to the establishment of a traffic commission in the city of Westfield.
By Mr. Hynes of Marshfield, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Frank M. Hynes, Robert L. Hedlund and another
that the town of Marshfield be authorized to reduce sewer fees and betterment
charges for certain elderly persons performing volunteer services.
By Mr. Kane of Holyoke, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Michael F. Kane and Michael R. Knapik relative
to the parks and recreation commission in the city of Holyoke.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Michael F. Kane and Michael R. Knapik relative to
amending the charter of the city of Holyoke.
By Mr. Kennedy of Brockton, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Thomas P. Kennedy that certain school construction
projects in the city of Brockton be exempt from provisions of the competitive
bidding laws.
By Mr. Kocot of Northampton, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Peter V. Kocot and Michael R. Knapik that
the licensing authority of the town of Southampton be authorized to issue
an additional license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages not to be
drunk on the premises to Shree Gurudev Corporation, d/b/a Southampton
Beer and Wine.
By Mr. Koutoujian of Newton, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Peter J. Koutoujian, Ruth B. Balser, Kay
Khan, Cynthia S. Creem and another relative to the placement of nonbinding
public opinion advisory questions on the ballot in the city of Newton.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Peter J. Koutoujian, Ruth B. Balser, Kay Khan, Cynthia
S. Creem and another that the city of Newton be authorized to impose civil
fines for violations of zoning ordinances and by-laws.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Peter J. Koutoujian, Ruth B. Balser, Kay Khan, Cynthia
S. Creem and another relative to the relocation of certain utility lines
in the city of Newton.
By Mr. Linsky of Natick, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of David Paul Linsky and Cheryl A. Jacques
relative to transferring a certain parcel of land from the conservation
commission of the town of Sherborn to the board of selectmen of said town
for active recreation purposes.
By Mr. Murphy of Lowell, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Kevin J. Murphy, Steven C. Panagiotakos,
David M. Nangle and Thomas A. Golden, Jr., relative to the appointment
of school teachers in the city of Lowell.
By Mr. Naughton of Clinton, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Harold P. Naughton, Jr., and Harriette L.
Chandler relative to the appointment of the positions of treasurer and
tax collector in the town of Boylston.
By Mr. O’Flaherty of Chelsea,
petition (subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Eugene L. O’Flaherty relative
to creditable service for retirement purposes for certain employees of
the city of Boston.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Eugene L. O’Flaherty that the State Retirement
Board be directed to retire John Keenan, a fire fighter of the town of
Arlington.
By Mr. Patrick of Falmouth, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Matthew C. Patrick for legislation to authorize
the town of Mashpee to classify the position of animal control officer
in said town under Group 4 of the contributory retirement system.
By Mr. Ruane of Salem, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of J. Michael Ruane relative to the issuance
of certain rental certificates by the housing authority in the city of
Salem.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of J. Michael Ruane for legislation to issue pension
obligation bonds for the retirement fund for the city of Salem.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of J. Michael Ruane relative to establishing an affordable
housing trust fund in the city of Salem.
By Mr. Scibak of South Hadley, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of John W. Scibak
that the town of Hadley be authorized to impose a local meals excise tax.
By Mr. Spellane of Worcester, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Robert Spellane and James B. Leary relative
to the installation of speed humps, so-called, in the city of Worcester.
By Mr. Sullivan of Braintree, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Joseph C. Sullivan, Michael W. Morrissey
and Brian A. Joyce relative to authorizing the town of Braintree to convey
certain parcels of land located in said town.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Joseph C. Sullivan, Michael W. Morrissey and Brian
A. Joyce that the town of Braintree be authorized to transfer a certain
parcel of park located in said town.
By the same member, petition (subject
to Joint Rule 7B) of Joseph C. Sullivan, Michael W. Morrissey and Brian
A. Joyce that the town of Braintree be authorized to lease the Watson
Park Library in said town.
By Mr. Timilty of Milton, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Walter F. Timilty and another that certain
employees of housing authority of the city of Boston be classified in
Group 4 of the public employees retirement law.
By Mr. Travis of Rehoboth, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Philip Travis, Patricia A. Haddad and Joan
M. Menard relative to health and life insurance for certain part-time
elected officials of the town of Swansea.
By Mr. Vallee of Franklin, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of James E. Vallee and Cheryl A. Jacques relative
to a probationary employment period for certain newly hired public safety
personnel in the city known as the town of Franklin.
By Mr. Wallace of Boston, petition
(subject to Joint Rules 7B and 9) of Thomas
M. Menino, Brian P. Wallace, Kevin G. Honan and Dianne Wilkerson for legislation
to establish the Washington Street business improvement district in the
city of Boston.
By Mr. Walsh of Boston, petition
(subject to Joint Rule 7B) of Martin J. Walsh, Brian P. Wallace and Anthony
Petruccelli relative to creditable service for certain employees of the
city of Boston.
Severally to the committee on Rules.
A petition of Stephen M. Brewer,
Michael J. Rodrigues and Pamela P. Resor for legislation relative to the
requirement of rain sensor devices for landscape sprinkler systems, came
from the Senate referred, under suspension of Joint Rule 12, to the committee
on State Administration.
The House then concurred with the
Senate in the suspension of said rule; and the petition (accompanied by
bill, Senate, No. 1956 ) was referred, in concurrence, to the committee
on State Administration.
Order.
On motion of Mr. Finneran of Boston,—
Ordered, That
when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday next at eleven
o’clock A.M.
 |
At ten minutes after eleven o’clock
A.M., on motion of Mr. Casey of Winchester
(Mr. O’Flaherty of Chelsea being in the Chair), the House adjourned,
to meet on Monday next at eleven o’clock A.M., in an Informal Session.