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Home My Public Portal Aboutmin 11-27-2012ELECTED 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, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 @ 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 Riech and Council Clerk Valerie Papas. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. EXAMINATION OF MINUTES: November 13th. Councilor Piccirilli moved the minutes, 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 voting in the affirmative. 4. PUBLIC FORUM: None noted. 5. PRESIDENT'S REPORT: The Chair thanked the Home Depot for decorating the Town Hall for the Christmas holiday. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND VOTES: a) Public hearing and vote on a proposed Order allocating the property tax levy among or between property classes for Fiscal Year 2013. The Manager provided a brief overview of the matter. The Chair recognized Mr. Frank Golden who provided a power point presentation on the property tax levy for Fiscal Year 2013. It was noted that the Board of Assessors have recommended the adoption of a factor of 175% of the flat tax rate on the portion of the total tax levy imposed on the value of the Industrial, Commercial, and Personal Property classes and a 20% Residential Exemption. The Chair opened up the presentation to Councilors for questions/comments. Councilor Kounelis spoke in support of a 25% residential exemption shift noting that elderly residents are house poor and need some relief. Mr. Golden stated that a 20% exemption is more equitable treating both the owner occupied and non -owner occupied at the same level which is important because the town has renters but that it is a policy decision for the Town Council to make. The Chair and Vice President Corbett asked Mr. Golden to explain how new growth actually can increase a resident's tax bill. Mr. Golden stated that every town welcomes new growth because it allows a town to meet its expenses as the 2 1/2 level cap is often insufficient. He indicated however, that new growth also adds to the tax bill because growth drives up sales and the value of property. The Chair opened up the hearing to the public and recognized: Paul Fahey, Lexington Street — spoke in support of the 20% exemption and noted that the 25% shift is not equitable as the increase will be passed on to the renters. Councilor Piccirilli moved the 175% and 20% shift be adopted for Fiscal Year 2013, seconded by Councilor Falkoff. Councilor Kounelis stated that she cannot support the 20%. Councilor Piccirilli stated that the 20% shift is of great benefit to the lower valued home owners and strikes the right balance for the community. The motion was adopted by a roll call vote of 8 for and 1 against with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative and Councilor Kounelis voting against. b) Public hearing and vote on a proposed Order setting optional tax exemptions for Fiscal Year 2013. The Manager read the optional tax exemptions. Mr. Frank Golden presented a brief overview of the matter. The Chair opened up the hearing to the public. There being no comments, the hearing was closed. Councilor Kounelis recused herself from the vote and left the room. Councilor Piccirilli moved the optional tax exemptions for Fiscal Year 2013, seconded by Councilor Lenk and adopted by a unanimous roll call vote of 8 for and 0 against with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. 7. MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS: a) Resolution approving the Acceptance and Expenditure of a Gift of Funds in the amount of $2,250 from Target Corporation to the Watertown Police Department for the purchase of crime analysis software. The Manager provided a brief overview of the resolution. Councilor Piccirilli moved the expenditure of gift of funds, 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 voting in the affirmative. 8. COMMITTEE REPORTS: a) Committee on Public Works report on Whitney Hill — Cecilia Lenk, Chair. Councilor Lenk read the Committee report. Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the report, seconded by Councilor Kounelis 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. ACTION ITEM: Councilor Lenk moved to refer the proposed Ordinance and resolution to Town Attorney for review, seconded by Councilor Piccirilli and adopted by 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. b) Committee on Budget & Fiscal Oversight report and action on the Community Social Services Coordinator position — Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Chair. Councilor Piccirilli read the Committee report. Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the report, seconded by Councilor Lenk 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. ACTION ITEM: Councilor Piccirilli moved to re -refer the social services coordinator position to Human Services with the eight issues raised by the Budget and Fiscal Oversight Committee, seconded Councilor Lenk 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. ACTION ITEM: Councilor Piccirilli moved a matter submitted by Councilor Kounelis regarding staff for subcommittees to Personnel and Town Organization, seconded by Councilor Lenk 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. Councilor Piccirilli indicated that there will be changes to the format of the Budget and Policy Guidelines but the substance will remain the same. 9. NEW BUSINESS: The Chair, noting the passage of a Marijuana law on the ballot, asked for a motion to refer the matter to Public Safety in order to prepare for any issues. Councilor Piccirilli moved the matter, seconded by Councilor Kounelis 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. 10. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER: The Manager announced Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day — Friday, December 7th at the Charles River Dock. The Manager noted the 4 month old Streamline Recycling program and asked the Chair if the program can be reviewed by the Public Works subcommittee with the Department of Public Works. The Chair asked for a motion for referral. Councilor Lenk made the motion, 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 voting in the affirmative. 11. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION — none noted. 12. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Councilor Woodland announced a neighborhood meeting on Tuesday, December 4th at the Police Station meeting room regarding the Recreational facility proposal; from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Councilor Donohue thanked councilors for their participation in the Turkey Trot. The Chair thanked the police department and public works department for their assistance. It was noted that there were 800-900 participants this year for the fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club. The Chair announced a Tree Lighting Ceremony for Thursday, November 29th at 6:30 pm at the Delta; with refreshments to be served at the Town Hall. Councilor Palomba announced a Composting presentation on Thursday, November 29th at 7:00 pm at the Library. Councilor Palomba announced a presentation by Louis Mastrangelo, on December 4th at the Library; 7:00 pm regarding her recent trip to Pakistan. 13. PUBLIC FORUM — none noted. 14. ADJOURNMENT — There being no further business to come before the Town Council, Councilor Woodland moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 pm, seconded by Councilor Falkoff 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