HomeMy Public PortalAboutmin 06-14-2011ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Mark S. Sideris
Council President
Stephen P. Corbett
Vice President
John A. Donohue
Councilor At Large
Susan G. Falkoff
Councilor At Large
Anthony Palomba
Councilor At Large
Angeline B. Kounelis
District A Councilor
Cecilia Lenk
District B Councilor
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr.
District C Councilor
John J. Lawn, Jr.
District D Councilor
Watertown Town Council
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6470
Town Council Meeting
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber
Administration Building
DRAFT MINUTES
1. ROLL CALL: A regular meeting of the Town Council was called to order
at 7:15 pm, in the Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber,
Administration Building. Present for the meeting were Councilors John
A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis,
Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President
Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris. Also present
were the Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll, Town Attorney Mark Reich
and Council Clerk Valerie Papas.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: May 24th. Vice President Corbett moved
to accept the Minutes as written, seconded by Councilor Donohue and
adopted by voice vote.
4. PUBLIC FORUM: None Noted.
5. PRESIDENT'S REPORT: None Noted.
6. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AND FINANCE:
a) Public Hearing and vote on the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget and Related
Matters. The Chair read a statement regarding the Rules of Procedure
with respect to the public hearing and vote on the Fiscal Year 2012
Budget.
The Town Manager provided a brief overview of the proposed budget
totaling $98,986,000.00.
The Chair opened up the hearing to the public. There being no
comments, the hearing was closed.
Town Auditor Thomas Tracy read each line item. It was noted that
any line item not "passed" on is automatically adopted.
1
Councilor Kounelis "passed" on the Fire Department and the Police
Department Personnel budget.
The Chair opened up the hearing to the legislative mode for Council
comment.
Councilor Kounelis stated that with respect to public safety she
strongly feels that staffing levels should be at the previous levels with
full staffing. She indicated that with minimum staffing there will be
shortcomings and that although she does not know where the town will
get the money; if monies do become available; that they go to public
safety staffing.
Councilor Palomba noted his strong preference for schools and
indicated that the School Committee voted an amendment to their
budget which stated that in additional to the 2% increase that an
additional 1/2 percentage go to the increase enrollment and that the
Town Council and the Administration should remember that "add-on"
voted by the School Committee.
Councilor Lawn stated that the Administration worked very hard on
the budget and that the Town Council is responsible for passing a
balanced budget. He noted that everyone wants additional monies to
go to specific departments but that Councilors have a responsibility
and know that you cannot add a dollar without taking away a dollar
from somewhere else. He also stated that the town will have similar
budget problems next year and that any comments requesting
additional monies, without a solution to where monies will come from,
is nothing more than political grandstanding.
2012 GENERAL BUDGET MOTION AND VOTE -Vice President
Corbett moved to adopt the General Fund Budget, seconded by
Councilor Lawn and adopted by unanimous roll call vote with
Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba,
Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J.
Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President
Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
2012 POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET MOTION AND VOTE
— Councilor Falkoff moved to adopt the Police Department Budget as
proposed, seconded by Councilor Lenk and adopted by unanimous roll
call vote with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff,
Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J.
Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and
Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
2012 FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET MOTION AND VOTE —
Councilor Lenk moved to adopt the Fire Department Budget as
porposed, seconded by Councilor Lawn and adopted by unanimous roll
call vote with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff,
Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J.
Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and
Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
2012 OTHER FINANCES AND SOURCES MOTION AND
VOTE — Councilor Vice President Corbett moved to adopt "Other
Finances and Sources", seconded by Councilor Piccirilli and adopted
by unanimous roll call vote with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan
G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk,
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P.
Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative.
2012 WATER/SEWER ENTERPRISE FUND BUDGET
MOTION AND VOTE — Vice President Corbett moved to adopt the
Water and Sewer Budget, seconded by Councilor Piccirilli and adopted
by unanimous roll call vote with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan
G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk,
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P.
Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative.
MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION -Councilor Falkoff moved
for a Reconsideration of the Budget with the hopes that the motion
fails, seconded by Councilor Piccirilli and defeated by a unanimous
roll call vote with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff,
Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J.
Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and
Council President Mark S. Sideris voting against.
The Chair thanked audience members for attending tonight's budget
hearing; taxpayers and the Town Manager, Town Auditor and staff
members who assisted in the budget process.
Vice President Corbett moved to Suspend the Rules in order to take
Agenda Items 7B, C, D, E, F and G; out of order, seconded by
Councilor Piccirilli and adopted by voice vote with Councilors John A.
Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis,
Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President
Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in
the affirmative.
7. MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
Resolution authorizing the establishment of a Revolving Fund for the
Drug Enforcement Task Force lease activity during Fiscal Year 2012.
The Chair recognized the Manager who provided a brief overview of
the resolution. Councilor Piccirilli moved to adopt the resolution,
seconded by Councilor Falkoff and adopted by unanimous roll call
vote with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony
Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr.,
Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark S.
Sideris voting in the affirmative. Councilor Lawn was not present.
Resolution authorizing the establishment of a Revolving Fund for the
Commander's Mansion activity during Fiscal Year 2012. The Chair
recognized the Manager who provided a brief overview of the
resolution. Councilor Piccirilli moved to adopt the resolution,
seconded by Councilor Donohue and adopted by unanimous roll call
vote with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony
Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr.,
Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark S.
Sideris voting in the affirmative. Councilor Lawn was not present.
Resolution authorizing the establishment of a Revolving Fund for the
Watertown Free Public Library Public Printing Program activity during
the Fiscal Year 2012. The Chair recognized the Manager who
provided a brief overview of the resolution. Councilor Donohue
moved to adopt the resolution, seconded by Councilor Lenk and
adopted by unanimous roll call vote with Councilors John A.
Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis,
Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Vice President Stephen P.
Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative. Councilor Lawn was not present.
Resolution authorizing a transfer in the amount of $4,000.00 from the
Fiscal Year 2011 Library Full Time Salaries Account to the Fiscal
Year 2011 Library Computer Maintenance Account. The Chair
recognized the Manager who provided a brief overview of the transfer.
Councilor Donohue moved the resolution, seconded by Councilor
Lenk and adopted by unanimous roll call vote with Councilors John A.
Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis,
Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Vice President Stephen P.
Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative. Councilor Lawn was not present
Resolution authorizing a transfer in the amount of $4,060.00 from
various Fiscal Year 2011 Fire Department Accounts to the Fiscal Year
2011 Fire Department Overtime Account. The Chair recognized the
Manager who provided a brief overview of the transfer. Councilor
Falkoff moved the resolution, seconded by Councilor Kounelis and
adopted by unanimous roll call vote with Councilors John A.
Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis,
Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Vice President Stephen P.
Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative. Councilor Lawn was not present
First Reading on a proposed Order establishing Water and Sewer Rates
and Charges for Fiscal Year 2012. The Chair provided a first reading
of the proposed Order establishing Water and Sewer Rates and
Charges for Fiscal Year 2012. The Chair recognized the Manager who
indicated that the proposed rates have not changed from Fiscal Year
2011 rates and charges. He noted that the Order will be advertised in
the local paper for a public hearing and vote on June 28th. The
Manager further indicated that the Public Works Department is
currently gathering information and data on the Fire Service Charges.
Consideration and Action on the 2011 Re-Precincting Plan. Town
Clerk, John E. Flynn provided a powerpoint presentation on the matter.
Following the presentation, Councilor Piccirilli indicated half -streets
that will also be re-precincted which were not specifically mentioned
in the presentation that will move from district b to district c. Mr.
Flynn stated that anyone affected by these changes will be notified by
certified mail. Councilor Piccirilli moved to adopt the 2011 Re-
Precincting Plan, seconded by Councilor Lawn and adopted by
unanimous roll call vote with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G.
Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk,
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P.
Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative.
Vice President Corbett moved for a Reconsideration with the hopes
that the motion fails, seconded by Councilor Donohue and adopted by
unanimous roll call vote with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G.
Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk,
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P.
Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative.
8. NEW BUSINESS: The Chair recognized the Manager who introduced a
late agenda item transfer from the Retirement Board regarding the
provisions of the federal Uniformed Services Employment and
Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and Massachusetts General Law
Chapter 32 as it relates to employees called to active duty by the Armed
Forces of the United States. The Manager introduced a transfer of monies
in the amount of $12,894.00 from Fiscal Year 2011 Town Council
Reserve Account to the Fiscal Year 2011 Retirement Appropriation
Account in order to be in compliance with USERRA.
Councilor Donohue moved the transfer, seconded by Councilor Lawn and
adopted by unanimous roll call vote with Councilors John A. Donohue,
Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk,
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P.
Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
9. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER:
a) Request for Confirmation - re -appointment of Chairman of the Board
of Assessors. The Manage provided a brief overview of Mr. Golden's
reappointment as Chairman of the Board of Assessors. The Chair
indicated that Town Assessor, Frank Golden was in front of the Council
last Tuesday evening and provided an overview of his accomplishments
and goals and that a referral to Committee of his reappointment to the
Board of Assessors is not necessary if the Council wishes to take up his
reappointment tonight.
Vice President Corbett moved to re -appoint Mr. Frank Golden as
Chairman to the Board of Assessors for a three year term ending on May
15, 2014, seconded by Councilor Lawn and adopted by voice vote with
Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba,
Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J.
Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark
S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
b) The Manager stated that with respect to a headline in the local paper
regarding $130,000.00 in delinquent taxes; he noted that in Fiscal Year
2010, $6.7 million tax dollars were collected bringing the collection
rate to 99.998% of the levee. The Manager stated that the article's
headline needed to be placed in context as the town has an excellent
and strong collection rate. He further noted that any delinquent taxes
are collected with a 14% delinquency charge.
10. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION — none noted.
11. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Councilor Kounelis announced that the MBTA is hosting a community
meeting on June 20th at 6:30 pm at the Coolidge School Apartments to
hear comments on how to improve transportation as part of a grant to
improve service.
Councilor Palomba announced that tomorrow night at 7:00 pm the Town
Council and Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the Economic
Development study.
The Chair noted that the Charitable Ad Hoc Committee will be meeting on
the disbursement of $100,000.00 of Harvard/O'Neil/Watertown charitable
monies. The 2011 Guidelines are available with a deadline for submission
of applications; July 8th at 5 pm.
Councilor Palomba announced a town -wide block party to be held at
Victory Field on June 18th from 4pm-7pm.
12. PUBLIC FORUM — none noted.
13. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the
Town Council, Councilor Donohue moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:35
pm, seconded by Councilor Lawn and adopted by unanimous vote with
Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba,
Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J.
Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark
S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
Addendum