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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