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Home My Public Portal AboutReferral - Filippello Park Neighborhood TOWN OF 1630 WATERTOWN • Office of the Town Manager Administration Building _ -- 149 Main Street Watertown,MA 02472 Phone: 617-972-6465 www.watertown-ma.gov Michael J.Driscoll townmgr@watertown-ma.gov Town Manager To: Honorable Town Council From: Michael J. Driscoll, Town Manager Date: October 22, 2018 RE: Filippello Park Neighborhood Enclosed please find various emails and attachments related to the subject. I will bring this up under Communications from the Town Manager at tomorrow night's October 23, 2018 Town Council Meeting and respectfully request the matter be referred to Committee for policy consideration and guidance by the Honorable Town Council. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. cc: Steven Magoon, Community Development and Planning Director/Assistant Town Manager Peter Centola, Recreation Director Gerald S. Mee, Jr., Superintendent of Public Works Dennis J. Sheehan, Director of Administration and Finance, Department of Public Works Subject FW: Filippello Park Neighborhood From Kounelis,Angeline To Pronovost,Marilyn Cc Kounelis,Angeline Sent Tuesday,October 09,2018 10:04 PM Attachments <<pages from 20160928115138867.pdf>> «Filippello (Grove) Community Meeting Update .msg>> Hi Marilyn, For inclusion with the minutes, as read into the record at the 10/09/18 Town Council meeting. Best, Angie Angeline B. Kounelis District A, East End, Town Councilor The City Known as the Town of Watertown 617-926-2352 All electronic mail to and from this City address should be considered subject to Massachusetts Public Records Laws. Thank you From: Kounelis, Angeline Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 2:24 PM To: Driscoll, Michael; Magoon, Steven; Centola, Peter Cc: Tracy,Thomas; Mark Leonard; Aaron Dushku; dpwl@watertown-ma.gov; Town Councilors Subject: Filippello Park Neighborhood Hello Messrs. Driscoll, Magoon and Centola, Within the past four months, three community meetings have been convened on 05/24/18, 07/09/18 and 09/24/18 to discuss various aspects of enhancements for Filippello Park. At my request, there were mail- drop notifications to the abutting neighborhood residents on: Clarendon, Berkeley and Arlington Sts. Lack of parking for Park Users has been the harrowing cry that can be heard at every meeting; from every resident.The responses from the Team have been courteous, but without substance. Is anyone listening to the residents, or simply following a scripted agenda for the use of Filippello Park? On 06/17/18, I forwarded a position statement that has gone unanswered with regard to options for reducing the number of guest vehicles on neighborhood streets. On 07/24/18, I suggested, for consideration, the taking by eminent domain of a parcel of land in the proximity of Arlington St. for Park overflow parking. The Administration's Team has advised that the specifics should not be publicly disseminated. A review process should be initiated for discussion purposes. It is my understanding that area residents have been circulating at least three petitions for submission to the Town Council: • elimination of the pedestrian access to the Park from Glen Circle to adhere to the vision of the 1983 Town Council Resolution - the 1999-2000 opening for convenience has created havoc in the neighborhood • resident parking permits • rejection of the expenditure for the new field lighting The residents are appreciative of Mr. Centola's 07/10/18 e-mail (attached), forwarded to Park Users, asking adherence to Rule #15 of the Park Permit Application, that restricts parking on Clarendon and Berkeley Sts. The suggestion is helpful, but the necessity still exists for a location to park the vehicles while the Park Users enjoy the amenities. httD://recreation.watertown-ma.aov/DocumentCenter/View/108/Field-Permit-ApDlication-PDF It is a given; Filippello Park is a gem for the entire community to savor the pleasures of the oasis in the East End. The time is overdue to give-back to the Filippello Park neighborhood that has endured the burden, that the masses have enjoyed. The Filippello Park neighbors expect and deserve a long awaited solution to the parking hardships that have have been created by the overabundance of vehicles from Park patrons. To the best of my ability; I am accountable to my constituents to protect their quality-of-life. Let's make this a Team effort to address parking needs and demands that have been thrust on this very fragile neighborhood. Please advise. Thank you. Best, Angie Angeline B. Kounelis District A, East End,Town Councilor The City Known as the Town of Watertown 617-926-2352 All electronic mail to and from this City address should be considered subject to Massachusetts Public Records Laws. Thank you From: Kounelis, Angeline Sent: Sunday,June 17, 2018 10:24 PM To: Driscoll, Michael; Magoon, Steven; Centola, Peter Cc: dpwl@watertown-ma.gov; kam0128@yahoo.com; AaronDushku; Town Councilors Subject: FW: Arlington Street debacle Hello Mr. Driscoll, Mr. Magoon and Mr. Centola, The following e-mail from Mr. Keith Migell, 103 Arlington St., is exactly the reference that I made at the 05/24/18 Filippello Park(Grove St.) Community Meeting; neighborhood parking restraints will be more prevalent with the advent of increased evening athletic activities. Residents should not be expected to circle the neighborhood in their vehicles, wondering when a parking space will be available so that they can return to their homes. Before any additional funds are appropriated for Filippello Park, there must be a solution for the existing parking limitations on Arlington St. and Glen Circle. Parking demands continue to increase from residents and Park guests. The conversations have been ongoing since 1983. Additional negative impact on the . neighborhood was witnessed when the Glen Circle entrance was allowed to open in 1999; even though a 1983 Town Council resolution (attached) stated there would be no pedestrian access to the Park from Glen Circle. We are open to suggestions, inclusive of: carpooling; buses; arrangements within the area for off-street parking; requirements to use the Grove St. parking lot; any means to reduce the number of guest vehicles on neighborhood streets. Filippello Park is an oasis in the East End to be shared with the community, while respecting the abutting neighborhood. Please advise. Thank you. Note: I have notified Mr. Migell that I am unable to open the two attached photographs. Best, Angie Angeline B. Kounelis District A, East End,Town Councilor The City Known as the Town of Watertown 617-926-2352 All electronic mail to and from this City address should be considered subject to Massachusetts Public Records Laws. Thank you From: Keith Migell [kam0128@yahoo.com] Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2018 1:43 PM To: Kounelis, Angeline Subject: Arlington Street debacle Hi Angie, i have attached pictures of the debacle that has been ongoing for years. Where the Parks Person Peter Centola continues to lease the park with no regard for the neighbors. I was only able to go home after 9pm that day. Non residents(Boston Sports club choose to park on Arlington rather than walk from the lot). The first picture the lot half empty. Telling the neighbors that a scoreboard and field lights will be built is a waste of money that only benefits few. Jamming it down the residents throat with no answer on how to protect parking for the residents is disgraceful. Hearing arguments that kids need to play Soccer until 10pm at night is ridiculous. In turn the residents have to wait until 11pm to go home?When the coast is clear?! The money would be better spent on the roads or refund on property taxes. Thank you for your endeavors Keith (Arlington Street resident) Subject Filippello(Grove)Community Meeting Update From Centola,Peter To Sent Tuesday,July 10,2018 3:00 PM Good Afternoon, Thank you to those who attended the follow-up meeting held last night to discuss the Filippello Field (Grove) field status and parking situation for the fall 18 season. Mr. Steve Magoon, Director of Planning and Development—Assistant Town Manager presided over the meeting to announce the Filippello Field (Grove) will remain open and Mount Auburn Cemetery will allow users of the park in to their adjacent parking lot, currently used by Mount Auburn Hospital. The timeframe and specifics will be announced before the start of construction of the Filippello (Grove) entry way renovation, which could start as soon as late July. Now that this has been decided and announced, I will begin finalizing the draft permits for the fall this week and priority users will receive these draft permits early next week. As per rule 15 outlines in the permit application: "Parking for Filippello Park on Berkeley and Clarendon Streets is restricted. Please park on Arlington Street or in lot off Grove Street" Although, on street parking is not illegal, groups are instructed to utilize the Grove Street lot to park in an effort to leave parking spaces for neighborhood residents. We also heard multiple concerns about unsafe driving issues, and inappropriate behavior from members of our permit holders. If your group or organization does not abide by the rules included in the permit agreement or additional request from the Director of Recreation, your permit will be revoked. Please feel free to reach out to me for additional clarification or information. Regards, Peter Peter Centola Director of Recreation 617-972-6494 (Office) 617-312-9007 (Cell) Recreation Website: www.recreation.watertown-ma.aov Join us at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram ' Facebook: http//www.facebook.com/watertownrecreationdepartment Twitter: @watertownrec and @watertownsummerhoop Instagram: watertown recreation P-28-2016 12:05 FROM:RMBK 617-926-2352 TQ:6179726185 P.1 'N, TOWN COUNCIL TOWN OPWA1TCATOWN , AumtNo.,TRArtoN H1m,tyNG • WATERTOWN,MAf:S.03172 ht7-4Z.i.13tM p R-83-226 ORDER #226 WHEREAS, The ToWn Council of the Town of Watertown has recently awarded a Contract for the construction of a new 17 acre park on the former landfill area, at a cost of over $900000.00, and; WHrRZAS, The construction of this new park is meant to be fox' the betterment and enjoyment of the citizens of the Town of Watertown, and) WHEREAS, The present dosign plans would, in effect, cause three serious problems to the abutting neighbors of Berkeley and Clarendon Streets-by (1) unnecessarily bringing the nark boundary to an uncomfortable Close- ness to the neighborhood, (2) eliminating neighborhood use o-f some forty parking spaces at the rc+ar of Berkeley and Clarendon Streets where presnetly parking is severely limited, (3) including a 'pedestrian acaass at this point, which would further aggravate,•the parking situation. THEREFORE BE IT RESOUBD, That the Town Council of the Town of Watertown recommend and ask the Town Manager to proceed with the necessary steps Involved to eliminate that portion ,of land at the rear of Berkeley and Clarendon streets from the federally funded part of the F'i ippe.11o Park project and to close any planned pedestrian access at that point, FURTHER ORD)WO S That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Town Manager and the Conservation Commission. Jana n G. DIlibeAo, Council Member x certify that at a meeting y� at which a quorum was pre- 1 �' sent, the above resolution Rdberta A, Millar, Cbvncil Member was adopted by the Town Council by a unanimous vote ._ >/f ,• �,✓ at their meeting of June C� press nt 14, 1993. ouho C erk l SEP-28-2016 12:05 FROM:AMM 617-926-2352 T0:6179726485 P,2 JOHN WACKER & ASSOCIATES, INC. 99 SCHOOL STREET . WESTON, MA 02193 - L617] 6913-902D LANDSOAPM ARCH ITECTUR E OAMPUS PLANNINGi • URBAN DESIGN . LAND PLANNING MEMORANDUM: To: Watertown Conservation Commission From: John Wacker &Associates, Inc. Date: September 12, 1983 Subject: Berkeley/Clarendon Streets The Watertown Town Council has voted through Order #226 to: "eliminate that portion of land at the rear of Berkeley and Clarendon Streets" and ` "close any planned pedestrian access at that point". We have instructed the Contractor, by verbal means, to delete this work from the Contract except for underground and overhead utilities. We are in the process of preparing a drawing to show the revisions to the Contract documents. This then will become the basis of a change order to both Consultant and Contractor agreements. We have requested that the Contractor use sound judgement in dealing with the questions and comments that may arise from the neighbors. r John Wacker eel6 ROM:gMeK 617_94�6-iZ3* r(1:gI 69A5 40 art � `'i, � ��.•• ,.t/ ^rod '"'�„`.� ,� ^� "� sat �Y�►!'tv�''♦� 1 rs�/��y. �`w �\. fib j �4 � I r h , �g23 S0nba