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.
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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
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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.,
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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.
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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.