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HomeMy Public PortalAboutmin 07-02-2014_201407070925462933ELECTED OFFICIALS: Mark S. Sideris, Council President Stephen P. Corbett, Vice President Aaron Dushku, 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 Kenneth M. Woodland, District D Councilor Watertown Town Council Administration Building 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 Phone: 617-972-6470 SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, July 2, 2014 AT 6:15 PM RICHARD E. MASTRANGELO COUNCIL CHAMBER ADMINISTRATION BUILDING DRAFT MINUTES In accordance with provisions of Rule 2.6 of the Rules of the Town Council, and pursuant to the Call of the Town Council President, the members of the Town Council of the City known as the Town of Watertown are hereby notified of a Special Meeting of the Town Council to be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at 6:15 pm, in the Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber, Administration Building. 1. ROLL CALL: a Special Town Council meeting was called to order at 6:15 pm, in the Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber, Administration Building. Present for the meeting were Councilors Aaron Dushku, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris. Also present were Town Attorney Mark Reich and Council Clerk Valerie Papas. 2. MOTIONS, ORDERS, AND RESOLUTIONS: a) Review and consideration of further action regarding a petition submitted to the Town Council expressing support for a moratorium on large projects along Arsenal Street. The Chair explained tonight's proceedings and noted that the serious nature of the matter warranted a quick response; thus tonight's special town council meeting. He noted that there will be no public participation as this agenda item is to only ascertain from the Council whether they will deem this matter a Citizen Petition or a Zoning Amendment. If this is deemed a Citizen Petition; then the Town Council will hold a future public hearing on the matter to decide whether to: vote it up or down; refer it to the Planning Board; or refer it to the Rules and Ordinances subcommittee. If it is referred to the Planning Board then that board will hold a public hearing on the matter following all the requirements for legal advertisements; etc.; then the matter will be back before the Town Council for an additional public hearing and vote. If it is decided tonight that this is a Zoning Amendment, then it will be referred to the Planning Board directly. The Chair stated that tonight's meeting is not to discuss the merits of the matter but the process. Councilor Piccirilli moved to proceed with the matter as a Citizen Petition, seconded by Councilor Kounelis. Attorney Reich and Mr. Magoon explained the legal requirements for advertisement with respect to the Planning Board procedures for a possible future public hearing on the matter. Councilor Dushku asked how a Citizen Petition will affect projects in progress. Attorney Reich reviewed and explained how a Citizen Petition regarding a zoning moratorium may or may not affect current or future zoning projects which was also detailed in a letter to the Town Council entitled: Zoning Moratorium and Impacts on Current Development Projects. Councilors Palomba, Piccirilli, Corbett, Lenk and Kounelis supported the motion to deem the matter a Citizen Petition. Councilor Falkoff moved a friendly amendment and added to the motion: "and to proceed with the matter as quickly as possible". Councilor Dushku stated that this matter is of the utmost urgency and stated that the Town Council should refer it to the Planning Board in order to start the process. With respect to a question from Councilor Dushku; Attorney Reich stated that the stopping of the clock starts at the Planning Board level and not with the Town Council. Councilor Dushku urged the Council to vote no on the motion and send it to the Planning Board directly. The Chair stated that having the Council hold a public hearing on the matter allows the Council to review the merits of the Citizen Petition and to see if there are votes to pass it. He explained that without the votes on the Town Council, even if the Planning Board holds its hearings; the matter can still be defeated in the Council later; wasting valuable time and resources. Councilor Woodland concurred with the Chair and state that the Council should discuss the matter and with urgency. Councilor Piccirilli stated that he supports sending it to the Council as a policy issue. VOTE: On the friendly amendment; the motion was adopted by unanimous voice vote with Councilors Aaron Dushku, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. VOTE: On the main motion as amended; the motion was adopted by a voice vote of 8 for 1 against with Councilors Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative and Councilor Dushku voting no. The Chair stated that a legal advertisement by the Town Council will be placed in the local paper for a public hearing on the matter for Tuesday, July 22nd. 3. ADJOURNMENT: there being no further business to come before the Special Town Council meeting, Councilor Woodland moved to adjourn at 7:00 pm, seconded by Councilor Lenk and adopted by unanimous voice vote with Aaron Dushku, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.