HomeMy Public PortalAboutmin 2-12-2013_201302191230511690ELECTED 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, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 @ 6:30 PM
RICHARD E. MASTRANGELO COUNCIL CHAMBER
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
DRAFT MINUTES
1. ROLL CALL: A regular meeting of the Town Council for which a quorum was
present, was called to order at 6:30 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 Mark S.
Sideris 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. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 6:30 PM — To consider the purchase, exchange, lease, or
value of real estate — former East Branch Library. Vice President Corbett moved the
executive session noted above and stated that meeting in public on the subject matter
would be detrimental to negotiations, seconded by Councilor Piccirilli and adopted
by unanimous roll call 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 Mark S. Sideris and Council President Mark
S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
3. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION: 7:15 PM
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. EXAMINATION OF MINUTES: January 22, 2013. Councilor Piccirilli moved the
minutes, 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., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice
President Mark S. Sideris and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative.
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6. PUBLIC FORUM — none noted.
7. PRESIDENT'S REPORT:
The Chair thanked all the departments involved, especially Public Works, Fire
Department and the Police Department for the outstanding job in the coordination
between departments in handling the removal of snow and other matters related to
the blizzard of 2013.
The Chair asked for a motion to refer to Public Works and Public Safety, the
formalization of a policy on Town private ways as it pertains to snow removal.
Councilor Lenk 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 Mark S. Sideris and Council President Mark S. Sideris
voting in the affirmative.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Piccirilli moved to bring forward agenda item 9B,
seconded by Councilor Donohue 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 Mark S. Sideris
and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
9b) Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight report and action on the Fiscal Year
2012 Audit — Vincent J. Piccirilli, Chair. Councilor Piccirilli read the Committee
report. Councilor Donohue moved to accept the report, 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., Kenneth M. Woodland, Vice President Mark S. Sideris and Council
President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative
8. INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATIONS:
a) Presentation on the Fiscal Year 2012 Audit Report and Management Letter —
Frank Biron, CPA, Melanson, Heath & Company, P.C. Mr. Frank Biron
provided an overview of the 2012 Audit report and Management Letter. There
being no questions, the Chair asked for a series of motions related to the BFO
Committee report action items as follows:
VOTE ON COMMITTEE REPORT'S ACTION ITEM: Councilor Piccirilli
moved to approve the Fiscal Year 2012 Financial Statement and Management Letter
with the understanding that the School Department's Fiscal Year 2012 Single Audit
Report and Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Student Activity Fund audits be completed
shortly, 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 Mark S. Sideris and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative.
VOTE ON COMMITTEE REPORT'S ACTION ITEM: Councilor Piccirilli
moved to recommend Melanson Heath, Co. proceed with the Fiscal Year 2013 Audit
under terms of their contract, 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 Mark S. Sideris and Council President Mark S. Sideris
voting in the affirmative.
VOTE ON COMMITTEE REPORT'S ACTION ITEM: Councilor Piccirilli
moved that the Council recommends that the Town solicit bids for firms to perform
the Fiscal Year 2014 Audit, 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 Mark S. Sideris and Council President Mark S. Sideris
voting in the affirmative.
VOTE ON COMMITTEE REPORT'S ACTION ITEM: Councilor Piccirilli
moved that the two Management Letter issues be referred back to the Budget and
Fiscal Oversight subcommittee for policy guidance, 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 Mark S. Sideris and Council
President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
(INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATIONS CONTINUED)
b) Informational update on the proposed Park renovations/improvements at 552
Main Street — Peter Centola, Recreation Director. Mr. Centola provided a power
point presentation update. Following the update, the Chair opened up the matter
to the Council for questions.
Councilor Kounelis asked if this plan takes care of the fencing along Acton Street.
Mr. Centola stated, yes, it was always the plan to take care of the fence in the final
rendering.
Councilor Kounelis asked; where is the property line wall. Mr. Centola stated that
at the Acton Street side; behind the back stop; the fence is low; and it was never
part of our charge to address that.
Councilor Kounelis stated that the handicap access on the left side is cost
prohibited because of the fill. Mr. Centola stated; yes, the handicap access the
neighbors wanted is cost prohibited. There will be handicap accessibility, but not
there.
Councilor Kounelis asked about loss of the sledding area. Mr. Centola stated that
there will be some loss of sledding area but with the removal of a few trees;
sledding can be accommodated.
Councilor Falkoff asked if the fence at the bottom portion will be replaced. Mr.
Centola stated; no, that will not be touched.
The Chair, pointing to the drawing clarified that the thick gray line on the drawing
depicts an emergency access for the police station.
Councilor Falkoff noted that with respect to all the neighborhood concerns, that
the neighbors have achieved a great deal of improvements in the plan.
Councilor Donohue asked that the fence in question should be referred to the
Public Works department since they are in charge of park maintenance. He
further stated that the walkway is handicap accessible, but not ADA compliant.
With respect to the sledding; he noted that there is pitch in front of the hard
surface. He indicated that there is sledding at the Gore Estate.
Mr. Centola stated that perhaps a sledding area can be created.
Councilor Lenk stated that this is a good step; with handicap accessibility along
the top; police youth activities; the gazebo — this will all make a really nice
community place for all to come together.
Councilor Woodland stated that he has received input from both sides and looking
at the project objectively; the deciding factor for him was how much it will be
utilized and it was clear that the hard surface was favored by families with small
children and that guided his vote in support of the project.
Vice President Corbett stated that this is a good plan and in the best interest of the
majority. If you can't put a basketball surface in a park, he asked rhetorically,
where can you put it. He stated that this makes sense and we should move
forward.
The Chair stated that he anticipates that the Town would get a bigger bang for the
buck by replacing the entire fence and not just a portion. He asked if the Town
has considered recycling the Spray Park water. Mr. Magoon stated that he has
been researching a re -circulating system and also health department regulations.
Councilor Palomba stated that he does not think there has been a recent study of
parks and there is always the question of; what is needed. He stated that if we are
going to go forward with more expenditures, then he hopes a study is done on
what the town needs. He asked to see the numbers on the utilization of this park a
year from now.
Councilor Piccirilli stated that this is a long term plan and parks are very
important. He stated that the Town is prepared to spend a lot of money and is
prepared with a budget and a seven year program of renovating all the parks.
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On balance, this is a huge improvement for the people on the west side of Town.
The Chair opened up the presentation to the public:
Nancy Hammett, Stormwater Advisory Committee member — talked at length
about new EPA and Stormwater regulations and how they will affect and become
more prominent in the planning of all sorts of projects in the Town.
Virginia Rice — reiterated her opposition to the hard court surface and that she
hopes the town continues to work with the neighbors as the project moves
forward.
Marc Duby, Brandley Road — spoke against the hard court surface, as an eyesore.
Sarah Curi, Brandley Road — stated that while she is excited about some of the
improvements; she is against the hard surface and loss of green space.
Candi Allenbaugh — stated that the park is a tiny space that is a good passive
picnic area.
Anthony Anunziato, Acton Street — stated that the plans look like an amusement
park and asked that the hard surface be moved or at least preserve the green space
or preserve the sledding area.
Tim Churazi, Jenson Road — spoke in support of a study of parks and more
research on what is needed.
The Chair thanked everyone on both sides of the issue.
MOTION AND VOTE: Vice President Corbett moved to go forward with the
concept presented this evening, seconded by Councilor Piccirilli and adopted by
unanimous roll call 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 Mark S. Sideris and Council President Mark
S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
The Chair called for a five minute recess. The Council reconvened shortly
thereafter.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Piccirilli moved to bring forward agenda item
10B, 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 Mark S. Sideris and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative.
b) Resolution authorizing a transfer of $88,970 from the Fiscal Year 2013 Town
Council Reserve Account to the Fiscal Year 2013 ESCO Account in order to fund
Owner's Agent Services subject to execution of the proposed ESCO performance
contract with Johnson Controls, Inc. The Manager provided a brief overview of the
matter. The Chair recognized Ms. Beth Greenblath, from Johnson Controls who
provided a brief status update on the ESCO performance contract which she stated is
in its near final form.
Councilor Palomba asked how often reports will be given to the Town. Ms. Greenblath
stated that formal reports can be provided quarterly with minutes distributed as desired.
There being no further questions on the presentation, the Chair asked for a motion on the
resolution to fund Owner's Agent Services.
MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Piccirilli moved the resolution, seconded by
Councilor Lenk and adopted by unanimous roll call 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 Mark S. Sideris and
Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a) Committee on Personnel and Town Organization report on a Town Organization
study — Susan Falkoff, Chair. Councilor Falkoff read a verbal Committee report
and noted that a written report along with documentation will be provided after
the committee has reviewed the report from the consultants.
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the verbal report, contingent on a written report
being provided, 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 Mark S. Sideris and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the
affirmative.
9b) Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight report and action on the Fiscal Year
2012 Audit — Vincent J. Piccirilli, Chair. Previously provided and voted.
c) Committee on Human Services report on a Social Service Resources Specialist
proposal — Anthony Palomba, Chair. Councilor Palomba read the verbal
Committee report and noted that another meeting is scheduled for February 26th
at which time a written report will be provided. Councilor Donohue moved to
accept the verbal report, subject to a written report, 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 Mark S.
Sideris and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
10. MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
a) Resolution approving the Acceptance of Gift of Personal Property from Mr. Rolfe
Gerhardt of a handcrafted silverware chest, silver model cannon, photos of the
mansion/grounds; and a copy of "The Arsenal News" to the Commander's Mansion.
The Manager provided a brief overview of the resolution. Vice President Corbett
moved to accept the Gift of Personal Property, 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 Mark S. Sideris and Council President
Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.
b) Resolution authorizing a transfer of $88,970 from the Fiscal Year 2013 Town
Council Reserve Account to the Fiscal Year 2013 ESCO Account in order to fund
Owner's Agent Services subject to execution of the proposed ESCO performance
contract with Johnson Controls, Inc. Previously voted.
c)First Reading on a Proposed Loan Order authorizing the Town Treasurer with the
approval of the Town Manager, to borrow and/or expend monies in the amount
o f $7,3 5 0,0 0 0 under and pursuant to G.L. c.44, §7(3B), or pursuant to any other
enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, and that the
Town Manager and the Town Treasurer are each authorized to take any and all
other action necessary to carry out the purposes of this Order to pay costs of energy
efficiency improvements to various Town buildings, as more fully described in the
presentation by Beacon Integrated Solutions presented to this Council on October
2, 2012, including the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto. The
Chair provided a first reading of the proposed loan order. The Manager provided a
brief overview noting that the matter will have a public hearing and vote at the
February 26th Town Council meeting.
11. NEW BUSINESS: none noted.
12. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER:
a) Request for Confirmation of reappointment to the Conservation Commission. So
referred to Public Works subcommittee.
b) Request for Confirmation of an appointment to the Board of Health. So referred
to Human Services subcommittee.
c) Request for Confirmation of reappointments to the Planning Board. So referred to
Economic Development and Planning subcommittee.
d) Request for Confirmation of appointment/reappointment to the Board of Election
Commissioners. So referred to State, Federal and Regional subcommittee.
e) The Manager asked that a proposed Recreation Fee Revolving Fund be referred to
the Budget and Fiscal Oversight subcommittee. So moved by Councilor
Donohue, 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 Mark S. Sideris and Council President Mark S. Sideris
voting in the affirmative.
f) The Manager thanked the Public Works, Fire, Police departments as well as Mr.
Steve Magoon, Planning Director for efforts in snow removal coordination.
g) The Manager announced that the snow parking ban has been lifted.
h) The Manager announced that the Financial Management Review to be performed
by the State DOR will commence tomorrow.
13. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION — none noted.
14. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Councilor Palomba announced that on March 1st from 6pm - 10 pm, a Music Festival
will be held at the Middle School.
Councilor Palomba announced that on February 21st a film will be shown on Music; 6:30
pm at the Library.
Councilor Woodland congratulated the Watertown Wrestling Team for their Middlesex
League championship victory.
Councilor Donohue thanked all those involved in the snow removal effort and asked
citizens to shovel out hydrants in front of their homes.
The Chair announced that on March 7th at 7:00 pm at the Middle School, the
Comprehensive Study will be presented; all are invited.
The Chair announced that he has been informed that going forward, there will be no
dedicated Watertown Tab reporter covering the Town Council meetings.
15. PUBLIC FORUM — none noted.
16. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Town
Council, Councilor Piccirilli moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 pm, 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 Mark S. Sideris and
Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative..