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HomeMy Public PortalAboutmin 1-12-2010ELECTED OFFICIALS: Mark S. Sideris, Council President Stephen P. Corbett, Councilor At Large 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 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Watertown Town Council Administration Building 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 Phone: 617-972-6470 Town Council Meeting Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 7:15 PM Richard E. Mastrangelo Chamber Administration Building DRAFT MINUTES 1. ROLL CALL: A regular meeting of the Town Council was called to order on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 7:15 pm in the Richard E. Mastrangelo Chamber, Administration Building. Present for the meeting were Councilors Stephen P. Corbett, Jr., John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Angeline B. Kounelis, John J. Lawn, Jr., Cecilia Lenk, Anthony Palomba, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., and Council President Mark S. Sideris. Also present were the Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll, Town Attorney Mark Reich and Council Clerk Valerie Papas. Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., District C Councilor John J. Lawn, Jr., District D Councilor 3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: December 15, 2009 Councilor Piccirilli moved the minutes as amended, seconded by Councilor Kounelis and adopted by voice vote. 4. PUBLIC FORUM: Council President Sideris opened up the public forum and recognized Richard Hoover, Irving Park — who welcomed the new Council and reminded councilors that the well is dry and the purse is empty due to overspending in Washington, DC. 5. ORGANIZATION: a) Election of Vice President. Councilor Lawn moved to nominate Councilor Corbett as Vice President, seconded by Councilor Donohue and adopted by unanimous voice vote. b) Selection of seating assignments. c) Adoption of current Rules of the Town Council temporary Rules of the Town Council. Councilor Lenk moved the temporary Rules, seconded by Councilor Falkoff and adopted by voice vote. d) Adoption of prior resolution authorizing issuance of proclamations. Councilor Falkoff moved the resolution, seconded by Piccirilli and adopted by voice vote. The Chair noted that the temporary Rules and resolution regarding issuance of proclamations will be referred to the Rules and Ordinances Committee for review per the Council rules. 1 6. PUBLIC HEARING AND VOTE: a) Public hearing and vote on a proposed Historic Landmark Ordinance. President Sideris recognized David Russo, Chairperson of the Historic Commission who provided an overview of the proposed ordinance. It was noted that the historic property owner must consent to the process. The hearing was opened up to the public. The Chair recognized Robert Childs, 2 Cross Street and member of the Historical Society who spoke about the loss of so many valuable properties in Watertown and in support of the proposed ordinance as important to the foundation of society. There being no further comments from the public, the hearing was closed. Councilor Falkoff moved to adopt the ordinance subject to an amendment by deleting the word but, noting the grammatical error to page 3, section 3b, seconded by Councilor Kounelis and adopted by unanimous roll call vote. Ordinance adopted as amended. 7. INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION FROM TOWN OFFICERS & EMPLOYEES: a) Informational Presentation on Economic Development Study — Steven Magoon, Community Development & Planning Director and Peter Kwass, Principal, Mt. Auburn Associates. A Request for Proposals and Scope of Work was reviewed. It was noted that the study will provide a significant step in the Town's efforts for a town wide comprehensive planning and will provide a basis for the Town's future economic development efforts. 8. MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS: a) First Reading on Curb and Sidewalk Ordinance. Mr. Steve Magoon, Planning Director, provided a brief overview of the proposed ordinance. It was noted that the proposed ordinance will be advertised and placed on the agenda for a public hearing and vote. 9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS FROM PRIOR MEETINGS: a) Committee Assignments -2010. The Chair announced Committee Assignments as attached. 10. PRESIDENT'S REPORT a) Report on January 6, 2010 Special Meeting of the Town Council regarding the Open Meeting Law and Conflict of Interest Law. The Chair reviewed draft minutes for January 6, 2010 and noted that the minutes will be placed on the next agenda for action. The Chair recognized Councilor Kounelis who briefly reviewed Boston Scientific's Life Science Center. Councilor Falkoff moved to send a letter of support for this endeavor, seconded by Councilor Lawn and adopted by voice vote. The Chair recognized Councilor Piccirilli who read a draft letter to Mr. Robert Kaprielian of the Cable Access Corporation encouraging the broadcasting of more meetings of boards and commissions. Councilor 2 Kounelis moved to approve sending the letter, seconded by Councilor Lawn and adopted by voice vote. See attached letter. The Chair introduced a proclamation presented to Thomas J. Sullivan upon his retirement as Recreation Director after more than thirty six years. Councilor Piccirilli moved the proclamation, seconded by Councilor Corbett and adopted by voice vote. The Chair provided an update of the January School Committee meeting and reviewed a $60,000 federal grant program entitled "Race to the Top". 11. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER: a) Submission of the Fiscal Year 2011 Capital Improvement Program. The Chair noted that the CIP will be referred to the Budget and Fiscal Oversight Committee for review and discussed and brought back to the Council to be adopted by March 9, 2010. Manager is accepting and reviewing applications to the Branch Library Reuse Committee. 12. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION — none noted. 13. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilor Donohue announced that he will no longer be receiving paper communications and that he will be having his mail and agendas sent by email in order to cut down on the consumption of paper and cost. He requested other councilors to contact the Council Clerk if they wish to go paperless. Councilor Palomba announced the 10th Annual Unity Breakfast on Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday is scheduled for Monday, January 18th at 9:00 am at the Hellenic Center. Councilor Falkoff announced that the Council President is seeking members for the Charter Commission with a January 20th deadline. 14. PUBLIC FORUM — none noted. 15. ADJOURNMENT and EXECUTIVE SESSION There being no further business to come before the Town Council, Vice President Corbett moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 pm and go into executive session in order to discuss strategy regarding the purchase, lease, or exchange real property and that the Town Council will not return to open session following the adjournment of the executive session, seconded by Councilor Falkoff and adopted by unanimous roll call vote. 3