HomeMy Public PortalAboutmin 11-9-2011ELECTED 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
John J. Lawn, Jr.
District D Councilor
Watertown Town Council
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6470
Town Council Meeting
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber
Administration Building
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., John J. Lawn, Jr., 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. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: October 25, 2011. Vice President
Corbett moved to accept the minutes, seconded by Councilor Lawn 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., John J. Lawn, Jr., 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 congratulated incumbent Councilors in their re-election as
well as newly elected District D Councilor Kenneth Woodland. He also
congratulated the Library of Trustees and School Committee who won
and noted that he looks forward to working with everyone in the next
two years.
The Chair indicated that the Charter Amendments which appeared on
the election ballot Tuesday evening were passed by voters. The matter
was the subject of an extensive year long public process, he noted. The
Chair indicated that the Amendments were also reviewed and approved
by the Attorney General, as required by law. Also required by law was
the mailing of the full text which was provided to each household. He
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noted regretfully that the mailing was delayed and he apologized for
that. He noted that he will be looking into what caused the delay and
will report the findings to the full Town Council.
6. PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND SIMILAR
PAPERS AND MATTERS:
a) Public Hearing and vote on a petition by NSTAR requesting permission
to install approximately 2 feet of conduit at pole # 16/34 in Pleasant Street in
order to provide new underground electric service for new four story apartment
building at 270 Pleasant Street. The Chair recognized Sheila Gillis, NSTAR
representative who provided a review of the petition. The Chair opened up the
hearing to the public. There being no comments, the hearing was closed.
Councilor Piccirilli stated that although he has no problem with this petition, a
resident did call him with a complaint regarding a light pole which was
knocked down on Baptist Walk during hurricane Irene. Councilor Piccirilli
indicated that NSTAR needs to disconnect the power to allow the Town to fix
the pole. He asked that NSTAR contact the Manager this week on the matter.
Councilor Kounelis spoke in concern with depressions made by trenches and
their impact on the streets down the road. She asked that the filling of the
trenches be made more secure.
Councilor Piccirilli moved the petition, 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., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President
Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative.
b) Public hearing and vote on a petition by NSTAR requesting permission
to install approximately 4 feet of conduit at pole # 16/18 in Pleasant Street in
order to provide new underground electric service for new four story apartment
building at 140 Pleasant Street. The Chair recognized Sheila Gillis, NSTAR
representative who provided a brief review of the petition. The Chair opened
up the hearing to the public. There being no comments, the hearing was
closed.
Councilor Piccirilli moved the petition, 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., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President
Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative.
The Chair expressed his appreciation to NSTAR in advance, for getting
back to the Manager this week on the Baptist Walk light pole matter.
7. MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
a) First Reading on a proposed Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2012
Budget. The Chair recognized the Manager who provided a brief
overview of the 8 items within the Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2012
Budget. It was noted that the matter will be advertised in the local
paper and placed on the November 22"d agenda for a public hearing
and vote.
b) First Reading on a proposed Order allocating the property tax levy
among or between property classes for Fiscal Year 2012.
c) First Reading on a proposed Order setting optional tax exemptions for
Fiscal Year 2012.
The Manager also provided a brief overview of agenda items b and c
noting that the Town, since Fiscal Year 2002 has voted a 175% shift
from the residential to the commercial property taxes resulting in a
lower tax rate for residents; along with a 20% shift which, if adopted,
grants a discount to owner occupied properties. The Manager outlined
the various clauses in 100% property tax exemptions over statutory
levels. The matters will be advertised in the local paper and placed on
the November 22nd agenda for a full public hearing and vote.
First Reading and referral to Subcommittee on a proposed Ordinance
regarding Erosion and Sedimentation Control and Grading. The Chair
recognized Steven Magoon, Director of Community Development and
Planning who provided a brief overview of the proposed Ordinance. He
noted that this is the second of three ordinances dealing with Storm
Water Management. Councilor Lawn moved to refer the matter to
Rules and Ordinances. Councilor Falkoff asked for a friendly
amendment to refer the matter jointly to Public Works and Rules and
Ordinances for discussion and a report back to the full Council,
seconded by Councilor Donohue and adopted by voice vote with
Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba,
Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., John J.
Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President
Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
8. COMMITTEE REPORT:
a) Committee on Public Works report on a Recycling Center;
Updates on Coolidge Square Study; Mt. Auburn Street Study and the
Roads Program — Susan G. Falkoff, Chair. Councilor Falkoff moved to
Table the minutes until the next Town Council meeting, 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., John J.
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Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P. Corbett, and Council President
Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
9. NEW BUSINESS: None noted.
10. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER: the Chair
recognized the Manager who provided an in-depth presentation of the Preliminary
Budget Overview for Fiscal Year 2013.
The Chair thanked the Manager and his team for putting together a well done
document.
11. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION:
Councilor Kounelis requested that the Council be copied on all correspondence
related to vendors responding to street light repair issues.
12. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Councilor Lawn announced that Wood Partners will be before the Planning Board
tomorrow night at 7:00 pm regarding a development at Gore Estate property.
Councilor Kounelis announced that the Post Office will hold a public hearing on
post office closing on November 10th at 6:00 pm at the Middle School.
The Chair announced that a celebration will be held at the Veterans Post on Grove
Street to recognize Veterans Day, Friday at 11:00 am. The public is welcome.
13. PUBLIC FORUM: None noted.
The Chair called for a Moment of Silence in honor of our Veterans.
14. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come
before the Town Council, Councilor Donohue moved to adjourn the
meeting at 8:50 pm, seconded 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., John J. Lawn, Jr., Vice President Stephen P.
Corbett, and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative.
Addendum