Pasquarello approved as police chief

Aldermen approved a five-year contract for new Police Chief Tom Pasquarello at Thursday’s meeting.

Pasquarello, a former regional DEA  director, has been serving as acting chief since last month.

Pasquarello will be paid $185,000 per year for five years. Ward Three Alderman Tom Taylor initially objected to the length and amount but ultimately voted in favor of the contract.

“His subordinates feel that he’s a good guy, and he’s the right guy for the job,” Taylor said. “That makes me feel better.”

Acting deputy chiefs Mike Cabral, a finalist for the chief position, and Paul Upton were confirmed as permanent appointments.

Local jobs petition will get a hearing

A petition put forward by 51 residents advocating for union and local labor to be used at the MaxPak development will be heard at a hearing of the entire board.

The meeting will take place Jan. 25. Advocates, including labor groups, are lobbying the developer of the 184-unit rental complex to use local and union labor.

Desmond: Why give Zipcar best parking spaces?

The city’s plan to lease 14 of its parking spaces to car sharing business Zipcar had one aldermen saying losing those spots may hurt local businesses fighting the recession.

“It’s just one more thing we’re doing that’s going to impact businesses in a negative way,” Desmond said. “Why do [the spaces] have to be in such prime areas?”

Desmond said he approved of Zipcar’s mission.

Ward Six Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz said allowing Zipcar to use the spaces is part of an effort to take cars off the road.

“To me, the concept of Zipcar is to get people to share cars,” Gewirtz said. “I really think we need to encourage people to car share as much as we can.”