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.
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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
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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.
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