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HomeMy Public PortalAboutmin 3-13-2012ELECTED 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, MARCH 13, 2012 AT 6:15PM RICHARD E. MASTRANGELO COUNCIL CHAMBER ADMINISTRATION BUILDING Draft MINUTES 1. ROLL CALL: A regular meeting of the Town Council was called to order at 6:15 pm, in the Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber, Administration Building. Present for the meeting were Councilors John A. Donohue, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris. Also present were Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll, Town Attorney Mark Reich and Council Clerk Valerie Papas. Councilor Falkoff arrived shortly after the call of the roll. 2. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 6:15 PM — To consider the purchase, exchange, taking, lease, or value of real property — Wells Avenue parking lot. Vice President Corbett moved to go into executive session for the above stated purpose noting that discussing the matter in open session would have a detrimental effect on negotiations. It was also stated that the Council will return to open session following the adjournment of the executive session. Councilor Woodland seconded the motion and it was 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 Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett 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: February 28th. Councilor Piccirilli moved to adopt 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 Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. 6. PUBLIC FORUM Mary Ryan, 13 Bromfield Street — spoke in concern regarding traffic in the neighborhood and recent developments increasing traffic in the area of Waltham Street. 1 Kate Coyne, 120 Worcester Street — spoke in concern with the school budget and asked what the ten year plan is for the schools; noting that the school has more students and less teachers. David Stevenson, 39 Locke Street — concurred with Ms. Coyne's comments and stated that he would like to see greater support for the schools. Elizabeth Pratt, York Avenue — spoke against merging services between the Town and the School Department. 7. PRESIDENT'S REPORT The Chair stated that the School Committee voted to enter into contract negotiations with Jean Fitzgerald for superintendent of schools. The Chair indicated that students are participating in Pennies for Patients Drive at various locations around the community. The Chair asked that all chairs of subcommittees please schedule their referred items as soon as possible; noting the upcoming budget hearings which will be very time consuming. 8. ACCEPTANCE OF PROCLAMATION: Recognition of students participating in the 19th Annual Quiz Bowl tournament. The Chair noted that the participating students should have won the tournament, but did not due to an administrative error which could not be corrected. He noted that the students behaved in an exemplary manner and conducted themselves with grace despite the difficult circumstances they found themselves in. The Chair read the proclamation and congratulated each student personally as follows: Jeremy Holt, Cris Patvakanian, Stefanos Kiorpes, Ben Lowry, Julia Moynihan, James Piccirilli, Danielle Schwalm and Nicky Cordeiro. Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the proclamation, 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 Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. Councilor Lenk moved to Suspend the Rules in order to move forward agenda item 9b regarding Earth Hour and l0a Budget and Fiscal Oversight committee report, 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 Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. b) Resolution regarding Earth Hour. Councilor Falkoff read the resolution and recognized Kate Ryan, Chair of the Recycling Committee who thanked the Council for their support. Councilor Falkoff moved the resolution, 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 2 Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS: a) Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight report on the 2013-2017 Capital Improvement Program recommendations — Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Chair. Councilor Piccirilli summarized the seven page report and read the committee recommendations. Councilor Piccirilli thanked his fellow committee members and school officials for their hard work. Councilor Kounelis also thanked her fellow committee members. The Chair concurred and thanked all those involved in the 2013-2017 CIP report. Councilor Piccirilli moved to adopt 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 Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. Councilor Piccirilli moved to adopt the conceptual recommendations as presented, 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 Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. 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 and/or expend monies in the amount of $1,237,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority, for the purpose of purchasing departmental equipment for the Fire Department, Department of Public Works, Information Technology, Senior Center and Police Department; and further ordered that in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 20 of the General Laws, amounts borrowed and unexpended to purchase a fire pumper truck pursuant to Loan Order No. 0-2009-70, in the amount of $70,153.90, are transferred to pay for a portion of the total cost of a new fire pumper truck. The Chair read the proposed loan order and recognized the Manager who provided a brief overview of the matter. It was noted that the matter will be advertised for a public hearing and vote for the March 27th Town Council meeting. 11. NEW BUSINESS/OLD BUSINESS: a) New Business: Committee on Economic Development and Planning report on Faire on the Square — Stephen P. Corbett, Chair. Vice President Corbett read the report. Vice President Corbett moved to accept the report, seconded by Councilor Woodland and adopted by voice vote with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., 3 Kenneth Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. b) Old Business: Committee on Public Works report dated February 28th. The Chair noted that this report was read at the last meeting but was Tabled as Councilor Lenk was absent and is the Chair of the committee. Councilor Piccirilli moved to adopt the report from February 28th as written, seconded by Councilor Donohue. Councilor Palomba stated that he would like to see the Bicycle master plan included in the report so that engineers can take a look at it; as well as a notation that there was a loss of parking spaces. Councilor Lenk stated that what was debated and voted on at the meeting has been included in the report. She further indicated that the bicycle study and loss of two parking spaces was not debated or voted on. She noted that any additional information beyond the scope of the report can be disseminated in a different way. Vice President Corbett stated that he is all for bike paths when they can be accommodated but you cannot create bike paths everywhere and especially not on narrow streets. The Chair stated that he understand that the minutes are a summation of what went on and asked if there was anyone in favor of making a motion on an amendment. Councilor Piccirilli stated that parking was addressed in the report on page 2; in general, parking has been maintained as it is in the existing roadway. Regarding bicycle accommodations; the report includes Mr. Mee looking into Share the Road signage. Councilor Piccirilli therefore indicated that there is no need to amend the minutes. Councilor Lenk concurred and strongly recommended against any amendments. Councilor Palomba disagreed and noted his disappointment that his amendment was not considered. The Public Works committee minutes were adopted as written by voice vote with Councilors John A. Donohue, Susan G. Falkoff, Anthony Palomba, Angeline B. Kounelis, Cecilia Lenk, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., Kenneth Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative. 12. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER: a) Request for Confirmation of appointment to the Conservation Commission and referred to Pubic Works subcommittee. The Manager commended the Budget and Fiscal Oversight committee members for their due diligence and hard work as well as department heads and school officials. The Manager stated that the long awaited RFP for the Comprehensive Plan will be available tomorrow with submissions due back first week in April. 4 The Manager indicated that Mr. Thomas Wade will be retiring after 28 years of service at the Housing Authority. The Manager indicated that the Chair has asked Mr. Wade to appear before the Town Council at the next meeting for recognition prior to his retirement. 13. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION Councilor Kounelis reiterated her February 28th request for information regarding an email on the Trapelo Road project. She asked that the matter be followed up on. 14. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilor Palomba announced an exhibit on International Women's Day at the Library. Councilor Palomba announced that a cultural exchange will take place on Saturday, March 17th at the United Methodist Church on the Pakistan community and US community. Councilor Kounelis thanked the Women Club for inviting her to be their guest speaker at their luncheon on March 5th; she noted that it was a wonderful time spent by all. 15. PUBLIC FORUM Mary Ryan, 13 Bromfield Street — spoke against narrowing the street at Bemis Park noting all the vehicles that park for Little League games. 16. ADJOURNMENT — There being no further business to come before the Town Council, Vice President Corbett moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 pm, 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 Woodland, Vice President Stephen P. Corbett and Council President Mark S. Sideris voting in the affirmative.