HomeMy Public PortalAbout2017-04-11 Kounelis StatementPronovost, Marilyn
From: Kounelis, Angeline
Sent: Saturday, April 08, 2017 10:23 AM
To: Driscoll, Michael
Cc: Magoon, Steven; Tracy, Thomas; mreich@k-plaw.com; Town Councilors
Subject: Former East Branch Library Property/481 Mt. Auburn St.
Dear Mr. Driscoll,
On Friday afternoon, after receipt of the Town Council Agenda for the 04/11/17 meeting, I left a telephone message for
you at your office and also for the Town's Legal Counsel, Mark R. Reich, Esq., KP Law, to discuss the aforementioned
Agenda. Subsequently, I received a call-back from Atty. Reich.
Herein, I am asserting my concern and displeasure with the lack of clarity, as it relates to the possible disposition of the
Former East Branch Library Property, under the cloak of Executive Session material confidentiality. Appropriate guidance
should have been offered to the Town Council to separate Executive Session minutes and release all pertinent information
for the benefit of the Town's residents during the open, public process. In my opinion, an outlined version of the terms
and conditions of the pending purchase and sale, would be a requirement for public review and discussion, prior to, not
after the fact of consideration.
Please note Agenda Item 7A, Public Hearing for the Former East Branch Library Property within the Town
Council Agenda for 04/11/17 http•//ma-watertown2 civicplus com/archivecenter/viewfile/item/3553/. The forty-nine
(49) pages linked in the file are readily available public documents. From the presented material, one would not suspect
that there could be deviations from existing Town requirements; that Town Councilors cannot discuss because of
Executive Session confidentiality.
Abutters and neighbors have had no prior knowledge of how requested Deed Restriction on the property may alter the
characteristics of the location and impact their properties. Specifics of any property limitations, that may have been
stipulated by the Town or the purchaser, have been withheld; pending possible disclosure during the Public Hearing. As a
note, all negotiations for the possible purchase and sale, were by, and between, the Town's Legal Counsel and
representatives from the St. James Armenian Apostolic Church; with Executive Session in -put from the Town Council.
The imposed process and lack of disclosure have suppressed my ability to share information with my constituents. Until
such time as I can receive feed -back from well informed area residents, I am not in a position to support the disposition
of the Former East Branch Library Property. Thank you.
Best regards,
Angie
Angeline B. Kounelis
District A, East End, Town Councilor
The City Known as the Town of Watertown
617-926-2352
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