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HomeMy Public PortalAboutmin 07-17-2012ELECTED 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 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2012 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., 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. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. EXAMINATION OF MINUTES: June 26th. Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Councilor Woodland 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. 4. PUBLIC FORUM 1. Doris Sasser, 21 Commonwealth Road — representing the neighborhood abutters to the Oakley Country Club presented a petition against the installation of a solid fence along their property line; excessive noise from lawn equipment; and a lack of communication from representatives at the country club. Councilor Piccirilli moved to Suspend the Rules in order to move up agenda item 7a Resolution approving the Acceptance and Expenditure of a Gift of Funds in the amount of $2,500.00 to purchase supplies used during fire safety education presentations to the children of Watertown. The Manager provided a brief overview of the transfer. Fire Chief Orangio thanked the Fissori family for the donation and provided a brief overview of how the monies will be expended. Councilor Lenk 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., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. 5. COMMUNICATIONS FROM TOWN OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES: a) Informational Presentation on the new single streamline recycling and automated trash collection program that begins on August 6, 2012 — Gerald S. Mee, Jr., Superintendent of Public Works and Chris Peters, Republic Services Inc. Following the presentation, Mr. Mee noted that he has received very positive comments from residents regarding the program. It was further noted that a bulletin was placed in tax bills and calendars are currently being printed. The Chair opened up the presentation to the Council for questions. Councilor Kounelis asked how many bulk items will be allowed each week. Mr. Mee stated, 2 items per week are allowed. Mr. Mee stated that it noted in the information brochure. Councilor Falkoff stated that the old recycling bins can be used in the classroom. Mr. Mee stated that there have been a number of requests for their use in the classroom. Councilor Palomba asked how Watertown stacks up with other communities with respect to its outreach effort. Mr. Peters stated that the outreach effort has been more comprehensive than in other communities. Councilor Lenk asked that the ten families who are chosen to take part in the pilot program be representative and include large families. Councilor Piccirilli asked what happens if residents do not fully comply with the rules of the new program. Mr. Mee stated that their trash will not be picked up. Councilor Donohue stated that with any new program, the Town will need to address those who are having difficulties in complying and address situations as they arise and work to education people. Councilor Palomba asked that the Town be patient with folks. The Manager indicated that with the new recycling center; residents will have more options. The Chair thanked Mr. Mee for the presentation and stated that the Town will work out all the kinks as the program unfolds. 6. PRESIDENT'S REPORT: The Chair stated that the July 10th documents regarding the Resolution and Order of Taking for 76 Stanley Road is ready for Council signatures. He thanked Mr. Farley White, owner of the lot, for helping the Town solve an important problem. 7. MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS: a) Resolution approving the Acceptance and Expenditure of a Gift of Funds in the amount of $2,500.00 to purchase supplies used during fire safety education presentations to the children of Watertown. Previously voted. b) First Reading on a Proposed Loan Order authorizing the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Town Manager, to borrow and/or expend monies in the amount of $2,500,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority for the costs of road, sidewalk and wheelchair ramp construction and reconstruction, and for the payment of other costs incidental or related thereto, including, but not limited to drainage and water service improvements, signing, pavement markings and related work as directed by the Superintendent of Public Works. The Manager provided a brief overview of the proposed loan order and noted that the matter will be advertised in the local paper for a public hearing and vote at the August 14th Town Council meeting. c) Resolution authorizing a transfer of $840,000 from various Fiscal Year 2012 accounts to the Fiscal Year 2012 Transfer to Capital Projects Stabilization Fund Account. The Manager provided a brief overview of the transfer. Councilor Piccirilli moved the resolution, seconded by Councilor Woodland 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., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. d) Resolution establishing an Unfunded Pension Liability Paydown Stabilization Fund in an effort to address the Town's unfunded pension liability and appropriating thereto the sum of $750,000 from various Fiscal Year 2012 Health Insurance accounts. The Manager provided a brief overview of the transfer. Councilor Piccirilli moved the resolution, seconded by Councilor Lenk. The Chair, as well as Councilors Piccirilli, Lenk and Woodland all praised the Manager's efforts to establish a fund to address the Town's unfunded pension liability. 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., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. Councilor Piccirilli moved to transfer the $750,000 as stated in the previous Resolution, seconded by Councilor Woodland 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., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. 8. NEW BUSINESS Councilor Woodland moved to refer to the Rules and Ordinances Committee the issue of Remote Participation in meetings, seconded by Councilor Piccirilli. The Chair noted that Attorney Reich sent out correspondence regarding this matter. 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. Councilor Lenk moved to refer to Public Works Committee policy guidelines on the use of the new recycling center at 76 Stanley Avenue, 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. 9. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER: a) Request for Confirmation of appointments and reappointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Referred to Economic Development and Planning Subcommittee. b) Request for Confirmation of reappointments to the Planning Board. Referred to Economic Development and Planning Subcommittee. The Manager announced the upcoming Summer Concerts; the successful bond sale at 1.79% and summary available for review; and a program entitled: Massachusetts Stand Down which addresses homeless and at risk veterans. 10. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION Councilor Falkoff read a list of the remaining 5 RFI items. 11. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilor Palomba announced the annual Treaty of Watertown at the Edmonde Fowle House, July 18th at 6:30 pm. Councilor Palomba reminded non-profit organizations of the July 19th deadline for submission of applications for charitable funds. Councilor Falkoff announced the clean-up of the GSA site on Greenough Boulevard to be a passive recreation site and noted that it is a great moment. She thanked all those involved in the matter. To follow up, Councilor Kounelis stated the document was received today with the additional information that the work has been awarded to Charter Environmental with a commencement date of September/October of this year. Councilor Palomba concurred that this is great news. Councilor Kounelis thanked Superintendent Gerald S. Mee, Jr., and his staff for identifying funding for LED lighting in Coolidge Square. 12. PUBLIC FORUM — none noted. 13. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Town Council, Councilor Woodland moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 pm, seconded by Vice President Corbett 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