HomeMy Public PortalAboutmin 07-10-2012ELECTED 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
Kenneth M. Woodland
District D Councilor
Watertown Town Council
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6470
DRAFT MINUTES
SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, July 10, 2012 AT 6:15 PM
RICHARD E. MASTRANGELO COUNCIL CHAMBER
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
ROLL CALL: A Special Meeting of the Town Council was called to order
at 6:15 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., Kenneth M. Woodland, 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.
The Chair recognized the Manager who provided a brief overview of the
proposed relocation of the Town's recycling center to a 14,400 square foot
parcel located at 76 Stanley Avenue. The Manager indicated that he is
recommending the adoption of the Resolution, Order of Taking and
Transfer of Funds that are before the Town Council tonight.
The Chair recognized Mr. Steven Magoon, Director of Community
Development and Planning Department who provided a power -point
Informational Presentation on the proposed relocation of the Recycling
Center to a 14,220 square foot parcel located at 76 Stanley Avenue. It was
noted that this presentation was also given at the June 26th Town Council
meeting.
Following the presentation, the Chair opened up the meeting for comments
and questions from Councilors.
Councilor Kounelis asked if all phases of work are being considered.
Mr. Mee indicated that they will be focusing on Phase 3 which is the
construction phase with a dollar amount of $149,200 which would provide
for a fully functioning recycling center.
The Chair recognized Attorney Reich who walked the Council through the
two documents related to the friendly Taking of a portion of 76 Stanley for a
recycling center.
Councilor Palomba asked if the only difference between the budgets are the
cost of the containers noted to be $11,000.00. Mr. Mee answered, yes.
Councilor Palomba asked if the recycling center can open once the
containers are obtained. Mr. Mee answered, yes and stated that once
construction has begun, the timeframe is approximately 30-45 days before
opening.
The Chair opened up the meeting for public comments and recognized:
1. Marci Sarrow, 22 Stanley Avenue — spoke in opposition to the recycling
center location noting that it abuts her home. She spoke to concerns over
traffic, odors and rodents and lack on notice regarding the proposed
recycling center plans.
2. Marsha Sasoon, 16-18 Stanley Avenue and owner of the Pooch Palace —
spoke in opposition to the recycling center location noting that the street
is in bad repair and that she is concerned with how the additional traffic
will affect the safety of the Jewish Day School children. She also stated
that the recycling center will lower property values in the area.
3. David Sarrow, 22 Stanley Avenue — spoke in opposition to the recycling
center location noting that it is not centrally located. He also spoke in
opposition to the proposed exit location of the recycling center on
Stanley Avenue due to the close proximity to his home.
Mr. Mee stated that there will be no storage of compost at the recycling
center. The compost will be loaded and hauled off in a well coordinated
effort and timely basis. The hauling will vary depending on the time of
year with more frequent hauling in the summer and fall. He further
noted that there will be no rodents and no smells due to the fact that the
compost will not stay at the center for any length of time.
Ken Montorey, 44 Green River Way ( owner of Wholesale Door) —
spoke in opposition to the location of the recycling center noting that the
street is not prepared for the influx of more traffic. He further noted that
the recycling center is not centrally located.
Ed Black, 57 Stanley Avenue (Jewish Day School Representative) —
spoke in opposition to the location of the recycling center noting his
concern over increased traffic and the safety of the school's children.
Marylouise McDermott, Conservation Commission Chair — thanked
everyone involved for their efforts in finding a new site for a recycling
center. She provided a brief history of Filipello Park going back to 1979
when a Town meeting voted to commit the acreage to extend Filipello
Park for recreation and park purposes and then in 1981 when the town
accepted a matching fund grant to build the park; which carried
protection of the park in perpetuity. She asked the Town Council to vote
in favor of the new location.
Charles Macuoi, 30 Stanley Avenue — concurred with other speakers
against the location of the recycling center and further noted this concern
over the pollution from trucks that would idle as they pick up the
recyclable materials.
Ernesta Kraczkiewicz, 77 Riverside Road — spoke in support of the new
location stating that the search for a new location has been going on for
twenty years.
The Chair noted that the new recycling center will only be open to
residents on Friday and Saturdays from 9am to 4pm. He further stated
that the town will repair and maintain the road.
Councilor Palomba indicated that the contractor will be put on notice
that the town will be expecting high quality service.
Councilor Falkoff stated that this is an exciting night noting that the
town has looked hard to find a location for a new recycling center. She
indicated that operators of trucks and residents using the center — will be
put on notice that the idling of vehicles is prohibited. She further stated
that the police will be asked to address any speeding issues.
Vice President Corbett stated that he understands the concerns of the
abutters. He stated that is has been very difficult to find a location for a
recycling center that would meet the town's requirements. He indicated
that this location meets nearly all the requirements and the town plans to
have a first class operation with road, sidewalk and curb improvements.
Councilor Lenk concurred and stated that this is an important step to take
and that this new recycling center will be attractive and first rate.
Councilor Kounelis stated that as District A Councilor she should be
happy that the recycling center is going to be moved out of Filippello
Park, but indicated she is not. She stated that this has almost been a
comedy of errors for the last thirty years including the demolition of the
incinerator and lack of support from the Conservation Commission. She
read excerpts from a Conservation Commission letter dated January 12,
2012 and excerpts from correspondence by Attorney Reich dated August
3, 2005 regarding the matter. She stated that it could have been made to
work at the existing site and it is unfortunate that we have not been able
to work together and indicated that the Conservation Commission has
forced the relocation of the recycling center which is not in the best thing
of the community.
Councilor Piccirilli stated that relocating the recycling center to 76
Stanley Avenue is in the best interest of the town. He noted the use of
one time funds to purchase the lot. He further stated that 76 Stanley
Avenue is zoned Industrial and is better suited for a recycling center than
other areas. He indicated that the upgrades that area planned by the
Town will improve the area significantly.
Councilor Woodland stated that the recycling center will be safe,
aesthetically pleasing and well run and residents can hold the Council
accountable to that.
The Chair stated that the need to relocate the recycling center has been
discussed and studied for many years and that this proposed site meets
nearly all the requirements. He indicated that the Town will be good
partners with the neighbors and he is comfortable with moving forward
with this relocation.
VOTE #1: Councilor Piccirilli moved the resolution to take a portion of
76 Stanley Avenue as read by Attorney Reich, seconded by Councilor
Donohue and adopted by a roll call vote of 8 for and 1 against with
Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba,
Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice
President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris in
the affirmative and Councilor Kounelis voting no.
VOTE #2: Councilor Piccirilli moved the Order of Taking as read by
Attorney Reich, seconded by Councilor Donohue and adopted by a roll
call of 8 for and 1 against with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G.
Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr.,
Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council
President Mark S. Sideris in the affirmative and Councilor Kounelis
voting no.
Attorney Reich introduced an agenda item authorizing a transfer of funds
for the construction and equipping of a recycling center to be located at
76 Stanley Avenue in the amount of $149,200.
VOTE #3: Councilor Piccirilli moved the resolution, seconded by
Councilor Lenk and adopted by a roll call vote of 8 for and 1 against
with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba,
Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice
President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris in
the affirmative and Councilor Kounelis voting no.
Ms. McDermott stated that actions tonight will allow the removal of an
eyesore and complete a project that began in 1979.
There being no further business to come before the Town Council,
Councilor Donohue moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 pm, seconded
by Councilor Piccirilli and adopted by unanimous voice vote with
Councilors John A. Donohue, 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.
Addendum