HomeMy Public PortalAboutmin 11-23-2010 IB30
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Watertown Town Council
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6470
Town Council Meeting
ELECTED OFFICIALS: Tuesday,November 23, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Mark S.Sideris Richard E. Mastrangelo Chamber
Council President Administration Building
Stephen P.Corbett
Vice President MINUTES
John A. Donohue
Councilor At Large
Susan G. Falkoff
Councilor At Large 1. ROLL CALL: A regular meeting of the Town Council was called to order
Anthony Palomba at 7:15 pm, in the Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber,
Councilor At Large Administration Building. Present for the meeting were Councilors John
Angeline B. Kounelis A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis,
District A Councilor Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P.
Cecilia Lenk Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris. Councilor Lenk was
District B Councilor absent.
Vincent J. Piccirilli,Jr. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
District C Councilor
John J. Lawn,Jr. 3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: November 9, 2010. The minutes were
District D Councilor Tabled by the Chair pending a submitted amendment by Councilor
Falkoff.
4. PUBLIC FORUM
William Twombly, World in Watertown—stated that 2,600 copies of a
comprehensive resource map in 6 languages have been distributed. He
thanked Deb Cobb for her work on this map. The Chair thanked Mr.
Twombly and Ms. Cobb for their efforts.
5. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a) Committee on Rules and Ordinances report on the Council's current
Rules; proposed Rule changes; Definitions and Table of Contents—
Anthony Palomba, Chair. The Chair stated that due to additional
amendments being submitted tonight, he suggested that the Committee
meet again to rehash these proposed amendments and return with a
report and finalized Rules at the next meeting.
b) Committee on Economic Development and Planning report on a
Neighborhood Conservation District; changes to the Industrial
Districts; and disposition of the former police station and municipal
parking lot— Stephen P. Corbett, Chair. Vice President Corbett read
the Committee report. He noted that Committee members wanted to
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see a Neighborhood Conservation District document that was more
advisory in nature and less of a mandate. He indicated that the
Committee unanimously voted to have the Planning Department work
with the Historic Commission to craft a new document. Vice President
Corbett also noted that the Committee voted to support the creation of
a new comprehensive plan. Vice President Corbett stated that the
Committee will meet again on December 14th at 5:00 pm to discuss the
former police station building and the municipal parking lot.
Councilor Falkoff moved to accept the written report, seconded by
Councilor Donohue and adopted by voice vote with Councilors John
A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B.
Kounelis, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President
Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative.
Committee on Personnel & Town Organization report on a Town
Organization plan—John J. Lawn, Jr., Chair. Councilor Lawn
provided a verbal update of the Committee's discussion regarding a
Town Organization Plan. He noted that 17 departmental heads
reporting to the Manager is not an efficient way to run the town's
business and indicated that the Committee is looking to create a
different structure. Councilor Lawn also indicated that the Committee
began initial discussions on a proposal to allow the town to work in
tandem with the school department on a number of items including
facility management; human resources and finance operations.
Councilor Lawn stated that the Committee will meet again on
December 14th at 10:00am. The Chair suggested inviting School
officials to the meeting. Vice President Corbett moved to accept the
verbal report subject to a written report being provided to the Council,
seconded by Councilor Donohue and adopted by voice vote with
Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba,
Angeline B. Kounelis, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice
President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris
voting in the affirmative.
Committee on Budget& Fiscal Oversight report on the FY 2009 Draft
Audit and Section 28 of Chapter 131 of the Acts of 2010 pertaining to
Retirement Pensions—Vincent J. Piccirilli, Chair. Councilor Piccirilli
read the Committee report. Councilor Piccirilli read key points by the
Audit firm noting that the report indicated that Watertown is in a
strong financial position as of June 30, 2009 with no significant issues
with the Water and Sewer Enterprise Fund also in an extremely strong
position. Councilor Piccirilli indicated that the Committee voted to
have#11 in the Management Letter updated and the School
Department respond to the two findings of non-compliance. The
Committee recommended that the Council engage Melanson&Heath
& Co to perform the FY 2010 audit. Councilor Kounelis moved to
accept the report, seconded by Councilor Falkoff and adopted by voice
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vote with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony
Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn,
Jr., Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S.
Sideris voting in the affirmative.
6. INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION:
a) Presentation on the Fiscal Year 2009 Audit Report and
Management Letter—Frank Biron, CPA, Melanson, Heath and
Company, P.C. Mr. Biron reviewed the highlights of the Audit
Report. The Chair opened up discussion to the Council.
Vice President Corbett asked what is holding up completion of the
audits on a timely basis. Mr. Biron stated the receiving certain
support documentation from the town tends to delay the
completion of the audits. Vice President Corbett stated that in this
day and age, automating the vacation and sick days should be easy
to do. Mr. Biron concurred. Regarding the police detail receivable
ledger, Vice President Corbett asked if we are seeing a cash deficit.
Mr. Biron stated no, but that is what the risk and that he would like
more oversight in this area.
The Chair asked where the town is with respect to the Water and
Sewer Fund Red Flag policy's deadline of December 31 st. Mr.
Tracy noted that they are on schedule and will meet the deadline.
The Chair asked for a copy of the policy when available. The
Chair asked Mr. Tracy to ensure that the audit report is placed on
the town's web site.
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the FY 2009 audit and the
Management Letter as presented, seconded by Councilor Kounelis
and adopted by voice vote with Councilors John A. Donohue,
Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis,
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen
P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative.
Councilor Piccirilli moved to appoint Melanson, Heath & Co. to
perform the Fiscal Year 2010 Audit, seconded by Councilor
Donohue and adopted by voice vote with Councilors John A.
Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B.
Kounelis, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President
Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in
the affirmative.
7. MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
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a) Confirmation of Melanson, Heath and Company, P.C. as the
Independent Audit Firm for the Town's Fiscal Year 2010 Audit.
Unanimously voted.
b) First Reading on a proposed Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2011
Budget. The Manager provided a brief review of the amendment. It was
noted that the Amendment will be advertised and placed on the December
7th Town Council meeting agenda for a public hearing and vote.
c) First Reading on a proposed Order allocating the property tax levv
among and between classes for Fiscal Year 2011. The Manager provided
a brief review of the matter. It was noted that the Order will be advertised
and placed on the December 7th Town Council meeting agenda for a public
hearing and vote.
d) First Reading on a proposed Order setting optional tax exemptions for
Fiscal Year 2011. The Manager provided a brief overview of the matter.
It was noted that the Order will be advertised and placed on the December
7th agenda for a public hearing and vote.
8. NEW BUSINESS —none noted.
9. PRESIDENT'S REPORT—none noted.
10. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER:
a) Request for Confirmation of reappointments to the Historic District
Commission. Referred to the Economic Development and Planning
Committee.
11. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Councilor Kounelis questioned the procedure that refers councilors' names
for consideration to the Manager for his appointment to the Commission
on Disability. She asked that Attorney Reich review the process.
12. ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chair announced the Annual Thanksgiving Day Game on Thursday in
Belmont.
The Chair congratulated the Girls Field Hockey Team for another
Championship win. He noted that they will come before the Council in
the near future for recognition.
The Chair wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
13. PUBLIC FORUM—none noted.
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14. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to
come before the Council, Councilor Donohue moved to adjourn
the meeting at 8:45 pm, seconded by Vice President Corbett and
adopted by voice vote with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan
G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Vincent J.
Piccirilli, Jr., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P. Corbett
and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
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