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Home My Public Portal Aboutmin 2-25-2014_201403100858534046 it 1530' Watertown Town Council Administration Building 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 Phone: 617-972-6470 ELECTED OFFICIALS: TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014 AT 6:45 PM Mark S.Sideris, RICHARD E. MASTRANGELO COUNCIL CHAMBER Council President ADMINISTRATION BUILDING Stephen P.Corbett, DRAFT MINUTES Vice President Aaron Dushku, 1. ROLL CALL: A regular meeting of the Town Council was called to order at 7:15 Councilor At Large pm in the Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber, Administration Building. Susan G. Falkoff, Present for the meeting were Councilors Aaron Dushku, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Councilor At Large Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth M. Anthony Palomba, Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Councilor At Large Sideris. Also present were the Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll, Town Attorney Angeline B.Kounelis, Brian Riley and Council Clerk Valerie Papas. District A Councilor Cecilia Lenk, 2. EXECUTIVE SESSION—6:45 pm: To discuss strategy with respect to litigation District B Councilor Merullo v Watertown. This executive session was cancelled. Vincent J. Piccirilli,Jr., District C Councilor 3. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION: 7:15 PM Kenneth M.Woodland, 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE District D Councilor 5. EXAMINATION OF MINUTES: February 111h Councilor Piccirilli moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Councilor Woodland and adopted by unanimous voice vote with Councilors Aaron Dushku, 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. 6. PUBLIC FORUM—none noted. 7. PRESIDENT'S REPORT 1. The Chair stated that last night the School Committee provided a power point presentation and overview of trends in special education and curriculum and vision . 2. The Chair read and presented a proclamation honoring former Collector/Treasurer Phyllis Marshall. The Chair, the Manager as well as councilors highlighted Ms. Marshall's excellent work ethic and professionalism and wished her well as the new Assistant Town Manager for Belmont. 8. INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION: a) Informational Presentation—Watertown/Belmont Local First, Rena Baskin and Don Levy. Ms. Baskin read: Watertown/Belmont Local First which included a request that a task force be formed and the Council adopt a resolution as outlined in the document. She noted that the town needs to level the playing field between small businesses and corporations. Councilor Palomba appreciated the work that went into the document which he noted is well laid out. He spoke in support of a community based task force. Councilor Dushku noted that he is all for whatever the town can do to help out small businesses as the corporate economy is a lot more powerful and indicated that he concurs with research in support of towns providing leadership, communication and elimination of red tape. Councilor Kounelis stated that small businesses are the town's pride and joy. Councilor Lenk noted that she is proud of the town's thriving local businesses. Vice President Corbett stated that he is very supportive of local businesses; but noted the document presented tonight raises a lot of issues and he finds its exclusionism and protectionism troubling. The Chair asked how the Council wishes to proceed. MOTION AND VOTE: Councilor Dushku moved to refer the resolution and the task force to subcommittee, seconded by Councilor Palomba and defeated by a 3-1-5 roll call vote of 3 for, 1 present and 5 against with Councilors Palomba, Dushku, Woodland in favor, Councilor Falkoff voting present and Councilors Corbett, Kounelis, Lenk, Piccirilli, and Sideris voting against. 9. MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS: a) First Reading on a Proposed Loan Order authorizing the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Town Manager to borrow monies in the amount of$300,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority for the construction, reconstruction, and improvements of municipal outdoor recreational and athletic facilities at 552 Main Street Park, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto; which sum shall be in addition to the amount of$183,000, which has previously been appropriated for park improvements and included in the tax levy. The Chair provided a first reading. The Manager provided an overview noting that the matter will be advertised for a public hearing and vote at the March I Ith Town Council meeting. b) Resolution approving the Acceptance of Gift of Personal Property from the Watertown Men's Summer Basketball League for two benches in memory of two members of their fraternity. The Chair recognized Mr. Peter Centola, Recreation Director who provided an overview of matter which included two donated stone benches in memory of Jay Jerahian and Billy O'Brien. Councilor Piccirilli moved the resolution, seconded by Councilor Lenk and adopted by unanimous voice vote with Councilors Aaron Dushku, 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. NEW BUSINESS Councilor Piccirilli stated that the BFO subcommittee meeting which was scheduled for February 181h had been cancelled. He indicated that he has asked the Administration to prepare a written response to questions for the next meeting. Councilor Palomba moved to refer to Human Services the following items: a health initiative"scoop the poop"; update on the Wellness Study; efforts and prevention of opiate abuse, seconded by Councilor Woodland and adopted by unanimous voice vote with Councilors Aaron Dushku, 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. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER: a) Request for Confirmation of reappointment to the Housing Authority—referred to Human Services subcommittee. b) The Manage provided a brief overview of the SAFER GRANT. 12. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION—none noted. 13. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Vice President Corbett announced: Wednesday, March 51h at 7pm—chamber regarding the Cable license renewal will be discussed. Resident with any issues with cable can voice their concern. Councilor Woodland announced: Thursday, February 27th at 8:15 pm the Rules and Ordinance subcommittee on several items as listed on the town calendar. Councilor Palomba announced: This Thursday at 7pm 3rd floor conference room the Democratic Committee will meet; speaker is Greg Salvucci. Councilor Dushku announced: March 4th at 7pm at the Library the development of 33 Mt. Auburn Street will be discussed. Next Thursday; Solarize Program 201. Councilor Falkoff announced: Greenough Blvd changes/amenities will be discussed on Thursday at 7pm at the Cambridge Boat House. The Chair announced: March 22"d from 9:30 am to 11:30 am the Family Network will host a Child Fair at the Middle School. 14. PUBLIC FORUM—none noted. 15. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Town Council, Councilor Woodland moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm, seconded by Councilor Palomba and adopted by unanimous voice vote with Councilors Aaron Dushku, 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