MassVoter.com← Watertown City CouncilWatertown City Council · 2018–2019 Council · Regular meeting
November 13, 2018
12 recorded votes, 12 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
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Present: Caroline Bays, Anthony J. Donato, Susan G. Falkoff, Lisa J. Feltner, Angeline B. Kounelis, Anthony Palomba, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Kenneth M. Woodland, Mark S. Sideris
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Angeline B. Kounelis recused from the vote: Public Hearing and Vote on a Proposed Order Setting Optional Tax Exemptions for Fiscal Year 2019.
- Angeline B. Kounelis recused from the vote: COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER Tax Deferral Consideration.
Every vote, in order
EXAMINATION OF RECORDS OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Minutes of the October 23, 2018 Town Council Meeting
Accept the minutes as written
EXAMINATION OF RECORDS OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Minutes of the October 23, 2018 Town Council Meeting Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the minutes as written;
The minutes record a unanimous voice vote; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“The motion was adopted unanimously on a voice vote..” (Motion: Piccirilli, second: Woodland)
Public Hearing and Vote on a Petition for a Grant of Location for Crown Castle Communications to Place One 4-Inch...
Approve the petition for a grant of location for Crown Castle Communications
Councilor Piccirilli moved that the Town Council approve the petition for a grant of location for Crown Castle Communications;
The minutes record a unanimous voice vote; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“The motion was adopted unanimously on a voice vote..” (Motion: Piccirilli, second: Woodland)
Public Hearing and Vote on a Petition for a Grant of Location for Extenet Systems, Inc. to Construct a Small Cell...
Refer both Extenet Systems petitions to the Public Works Committee to undertake due diligence including an analysis of the technical issues and the permitting process of this new technology; to...
After a brief discussion, Councilor Piccirilli moved that the Town Council refer both Extenet Systems petitions to the Public Works Committee to undertake due diligence including an analysis of the technical issues and the permitting process of this new technology; to determine an appropriate application fee and other possible conditions to be imposed; and to make recommendations to the Town Council;
The minutes record a unanimous voice vote; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“The motion was adopted unanimously on a voice vote..” (Motion: Piccirilli, second: Woodland)
Public Hearing and Vote on a Proposed Loan Order Authorizing the Town Treasurer, With the Approval of the Town...
Approve the $1,600,000 loan order for the feasibility study and schematic design of the High School
Councilor Piccirilli moved to approve the $1,600,000 loan order for the feasibility study and schematic design of the High School;
The minutes record this vote as unanimous; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“The motion was adopted unanimously on a roll call vote..” (Motion: Piccirilli, second: Woodland)
Public Hearing and Vote on a Proposed Order Allocating the Property Tax Levy Among or Between Property Classes for...
Adopt the FY2019 tax rate with a 175% CIP shift and a 23% residential exemption
Councilor Piccirilli moved to adopt the FY2019 tax rate with a 175% CIP shift and a 23% residential exemption.
Yes: Bays, Donato, Falkoff, Feltner, Palomba, Piccirilli, Sideris, WoodlandNo: Kounelis
From the minutes
“After discussion about the ramifications of the residential exemption, the motion was adopted on a roll call vote of 8-1; all Councilors voted in favor of the motion, except for Councilor Kounelis who voted against it..” (Motion: Piccirilli)
Public Hearing and Vote on a Proposed Order Setting Optional Tax Exemptions for Fiscal Year 2019
Adopt the FY 19 Optional Additional Exemptions at 100% over the statutory levels as in the past
Councilor Piccirilli moved to adopt the FY 19 Optional Additional Exemptions at 100% over the statutory levels as in the past;
Yes: Bays, Donato, Falkoff, Feltner, Palomba, Piccirilli, Sideris, WoodlandThe minutes give the count as 8 to 0, which matches the 8 councilors present; each is shown voting yes. Angeline B. Kounelis recused and is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“The motion was adopted on a roll call vote of 8-0..” (Motion: Piccirilli, second: Woodland)
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER Tax Deferral Consideration
Move up Item 9 in the discussion
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER Tax Deferral Consideration Councilor Piccirilli made a motion to move up Item 9 in the discussion;
Yes: Bays, Donato, Falkoff, Feltner, Palomba, Piccirilli, Sideris, WoodlandThe minutes record a unanimous voice vote; every councilor present is shown voting yes. Angeline B. Kounelis recused and is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“The motion was adopted unanimously on a voice vote..” (Motion: Piccirilli, second: Woodland)
For FY 2020, the Council approve the reduction of the interest rate for tax deferrals to 4% and the increase of the gross receipt limit to the maximum allowable amount under state law
After a discussion on the matter, Councilor Piccirilli moved that for FY 2020, the Council approve the reduction of the interest rate for tax deferrals to 4% and the increase of the gross receipt limit to the maximum allowable amount under state law;
The minutes record a unanimous voice vote; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“The motion was adopted unanimously on a voice vote..” (Motion: Piccirilli, second: Woodland)
Committee on Human Services Report Regarding the Development of
Accept the report: Committee on Human Services Report Regarding the Development of
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the report;
The minutes record a unanimous voice vote; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“The motion was adopted unanimously on a voice vote..” (Motion: Piccirilli, second: Woodland)
Committee on Public Works Report Regarding a Detailed Review of the
Accept the report: Committee on Public Works Report Regarding a Detailed Review of the
Councilor Woodland moved to accept the report;
The minutes record a unanimous voice vote; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“The motion was adopted unanimously on a voice vote..” (Motion: Woodland, second: Falkoff)
Forward ~ There is a need to provide for the concerns of the businesses as many business owners are local and are part of the citizenry of Watertown ~ The staff have been helpful, responsive, and...
The Council continued its discussion citing the following issues: ~ This is a difficult decision to make regarding the use of the road ~ Complete Streets Program is one that tries to accommodate all users: Businesses, Transit Users, Bikers, and Pedestrians ~ One of the goals of the project is to handle the traffic as efficiently as possible especially as the road is limited to a width of 56 feet ~ The funding from the state of $22,000,000 is something that will help with the upgrade of the traffic light technology, which is dated; will increase public safety; and will provide a new road on a major street ~ The project began in 2008, the designs are for 25% of the project and as such allows for changes to be decided upon as the project moves forward ~ There is a need to provide for the concerns of the businesses as many business owners are local and are part of the citizenry of Watertown ~ The staff have been helpful, responsive, and professional
Yes: Bays, Donato, Falkoff, Feltner, Palomba, Piccirilli, Sideris, WoodlandNo: Kounelis
From the minutes
“The motion was adopted on a vote of 8-1 on a voice vote with all Councilors voting in the affirmative except for Councilor Kounelis who voted in the negative..” (second: Woodland)
Recess Or Adjournment
Adjourn
RECESS OR ADJOURNMENT Councilor Piccirilli made a motion to adjourn;
The minutes record a unanimous voice vote; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote..” (Motion: Piccirilli, second: Feltner)
From the Watertown City Council’s official minutes, posted on the city’s meeting portal (linked from the City Council page on watertown-ma.gov). We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Watertown News (watertownmanews.com) candidate Q&As, candidate letters and articles that name each councilor; Mark Sideris photo by Charlie Breitrose. The city’s website has no councilor photos.
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