HomeMy Public PortalAboutmin 07-14-2015ELECTED 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
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015 @ 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 Aaron Dushku, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba,
Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth M. Woodland,
and Stephen P. Corbett as Acting Council President. Also present were the Town
Manager Michael J. Driscoll, Town Attorney Mark Reich and Retired Council Clerk,
Valerie Papas. Council President Sideris was absent.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. EXAMINATION OF THE MINUTES: June 23rd and June 30th.
Councilor Piccirilli moved the minutes of June 23rd, seconded by Councilor Woodland
and 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, and Acting President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the
affirmative.
Councilor Piccirilli moved the minutes of June 30th, seconded by Councilor Woodland
and 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, and Acting President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the
affirmative.
4. PUBLIC FORUM:
Virginia Rice, 148 Acton Street — spoke in support of the BYOB Ordinance.
Anthony Annuziatto, 148 Acton Street — spoke in support of the BYOB Ordinance.
Marilyn Devaney, Westminster Avenue — spoke in support of having a review of the
advertised job posting/job description of Council Clerk.
Clyde Younger, Acton Street — spoke in support of a desk audit for the position of
Council Clerk.
Rena Baskin — spoke in support of the BYOB ordinance.
Russ Arrico, Fayette Street — spoke against the banning of plastic bags.
Joan Blaustein — asked that the definition of plastic bags be looked at again so that a
ban might work better.
Owner of Royale Restaurant of Watertown — spoke in support of the BYOB ordinance.
Will Clifford, Riverside Street — asked that the police know where the locations are if a
BYOB ordinance is enacted.
5. PRESIDENTS REPORT — none noted.
6. PUBLIC HEARING AND VOTE:
a) Public hearing and vote on a petition by Eversource formerly known as NSTAR to
install and maintain approximately 110 feet of conduit southerly from pole # 112/3
supply service to the new hotel being constructed at 570 Arsenal Street. The acting
Chair recognized Maureen Carroll, Eversource representative who provided an
overview of the petition. The acting Chair opened up the hearing to the public.
Clyde Younger — made a complaint about not being able to hear what councilors are
saying in the meeting from the audience or at home and stated that he wondered if the
council was voting in ignorance.
There being no further comments, the hearing was closed.
Councilor Piccirilli moved the petition, seconded by Councilor Woodland and 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, and Acting President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the affirmative.
7. MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
a) Resolution authorizing a transfer of funds in the amount of $203,214 from various
Fiscal Year 2015 Electricity and Gas Accounts to the Fiscal Year 2015 ESCO Capital
Project Stabilization Fund Account. The Manager provided a brief overview.
Councilor Piccirilli moved the transfer, seconded by Councilor Dushku and adopted by
unanimous roll call vote with Councilors Aaron Dushku, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony
Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth M.
Woodland, and Acting President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the affirmative.
b) Resolution authorizing a transfer of funds in the amount of $85,000 from various
Fiscal Year 2015 Accounts to the Fiscal Year 2015 Transfer to Town Capital Projects
Account in order to move forward with the replacement of the Skating Rink fire alarm
system. An overview was provided by the Manager. Councilor Piccirilli moved the
transfer, seconded by Councilor Woodland and adopted by unanimous roll call vote
with Councilors Aaron Dushku, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B.
Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth M. Woodland, and Acting
President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the affirmative.
c) Resolution authorizing a transfer of funds in the amount of $20,500 from various
Fiscal Year 2015 Police Department Accounts to the Fiscal Year 2015 Police Vehicle
Replacement Account. The Manager provided an overview. Councilor Piccirilli
moved the transfer, seconded by Councilor Dushku and adopted by unanimous roll call
vote with Councilors Aaron Dushku, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B.
Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth M. Woodland, and Acting
President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the affirmative.
d) An Order Approving the Naming of a Private Way as Manley Way. Mr. Gerald S.
Mee, Jr. Superintendent of Public Works provided an overview. He stated that he is in
support of the order and that it addresses a number of issues which include 911, a long
standing problem. Councilor Piccirilli moved the Order, seconded by Councilor
Woodland and 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, and Acting President Stephen P. Corbett voting
in the affirmative.
e) First reading and referral to the Planning Board of a request for an amendment to the
zoning map as requested by RCAB St. Patrick Parish, as represented by Attorney Steve
Winnick. Mr. Magoon, Community Development and Planning Director and Assistant
Town Manager provided an overview. Councilor Dushku moved to refer the matter to
the Planning Board, seconded by Councilor Woodland and 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, and Acting
President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the affirmative.
8. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a) Committee on Rules and Ordinances report on a ban of plastic bags and Community
Notifications — Kenneth M. Woodland, Chair. Councilor Woodland read a summary of
the minutes. Councilor Dushku moved to accept the minutes, seconded by Councilor
Woodland and 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, and Acting President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the
affirmative.
b) Committee on Human Services report and action on the Opiate Crisis — Anthony
Palomba, Chair. Councilor Palomba noted that he prepared a condensed report for
tonight meeting. He noted that on advice from Town Attorney the motions need to be
amended.
Councilor Woodland moved to accept the report as read, seconded by Councilor
Dushku and adopted by voice vote with Councilors Aaron Dushku, Susan G. Falkoff,
Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr.,
Kenneth M. Woodland, and Acting President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the
affirmative.
ACTION ITEM:
Councilor Palomba moved that the committee recommends the Manager take steps to
ensure that Narcan is available to officers and that they receive training in its use,
seconded by Councilor Dushku and 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, and Acting President Stephen P.
Corbett voting in the affirmative.
ACTION ITEM:
Councilor Palomba moved that the committee recommends that the Manager take steps
to ensure that there is a drug drop box available in Watertown, seconded by Councilor
Dushku and 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, and Acting President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the
affirmative.
Councilor Palomba moved that the committee recommends that the opiate crisis
discussions be continued to another meeting, seconded by Councilor Dushku and
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, and Acting President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the
affirmative.
c) Committee on Public Works report on the Mt. Auburn Street road project and
Orchard Street/Common Street/Church Street road project — Cecilia Lenk, Chair.
Councilor Lenk read a summary of the minutes. Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept
the minutes, seconded by Councilor Woodland and 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, and Acting
President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the affirmative.
It was noted that Mr. Mee will get further information on the additional ten more
meetings that are to be scheduled for the major project.
d) Joint Committee of Rules and Ordinances, Public Safety and Economic
Development and Planning report on a proposed BYOB ordinance — Woodland, Falkoff
and Corbett chairs. Councilor Woodland read a summary of the minutes. Councilor
Palomba moved to accept the minutes, seconded by Councilor Lenk and 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, and Acting President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the affirmative.
Attorney Reich reviewed the process of a first reading and an advertisement process;
followed by a public hearing and vote. It was further noted by Attorney Reich that the
Council has to go through the process of a publication notice.
9. NEW BUSINESS:
Councilor Dushku asked if it was necessary for a re -referral of the plastic bag ban.
Attorney Reich stated that it is still in committee therefore no motion is needed.
Councilor Falkoff asked how much time needs to elapse between a first reading and a
second reading. Attorney Reich stated, a notice of public hearing is the only issue. It
requires a publication 5 days before its final passage.
10. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER:
a) Proposed Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Ordinance.
Councilor Dushku moved to refer to the proposed Stormwater ordinance to public
works subcommittee, seconded by Councilor Lenk and 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, and Acting
President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the affirmative.
11. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION:
Councilor Falkoff reiterated her request for an update about plans to take away the old
recycling center at Fillipello Park
Councilor Kounelis provided an update on the Trapelo Road Project.
12. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Councilor Palomba announced on July 17th at the Police Station family movie and
games. Historical Society, July 18th 10-1 pm, Edmond Fowle House; reading of
Declaration of Independence. Dog Park discussion with Human Services subcommittee
— July 21St at 7pm. Opiate discussion with Human Services subcommittee — July 27th at
7pm.
Attorney Reich clarified standard procedure for an Ordinance: first reading and
publication of the ordinance with at least five days of notice; followed by a public
hearing and vote; unless it is an emergency ordinance.
13. PUBLIC FORUM:
Barbara Ruskin, Spring Street — noted that the Belmont Street Islands are still asphalt
and asked if it will be green. Mr. Mee stated, yes.
Will Coakley — thanked Mr. Mee for the Irving Street sidewalks.
14. ADJOURNMENT: there being no further business to come before the Town
Council, Councilor Woodland moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Lenk and
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, and Acting President Stephen P. Corbett voting in the
affirmative.
Addendum