MassVoter.com← Watertown City CouncilWatertown City Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
May 11, 2021
31 recorded votes, 31 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · City meeting page
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Present: Caroline Bays, Anthony J. Donato, John G. Gannon, Lisa J. Feltner, Angeline B. Kounelis, Anthony Palomba, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Mark S. Sideris
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
EXECUTIVE SESSION – 6:15 p.m.
Enter into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation – Workers’ Compensation Claim
To Discuss Strategy with Respect to Litigation – Workers’ Compensation Claim Councilor Piccirilli moved to enter into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation – Workers’ Compensation Claim;
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: Feltner)
PRESENTATIONS OF PETITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, AND SIMILAR PAPERS AND MATTERS Proclamation Regarding Older Americans...
Accept the proclamation
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the proclamation;
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: Gannon)
Public Hearing and Vote on a Petition for a Grant of Location from NSTSAR ELECTRIC COMPANY d/b/a EVERSOURCE ENERGY...
Table the petitions to a future meeting to allow time for the petitioners to explore all options and return with more detailed petitions
Councilor Piccirilli moved to table the petitions to a future meeting to allow time for the petitioners to explore all options and return with more detailed petitions;
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: Bays)
Public Hearing and Vote on a Proposed Order Authorizing the Town Treasurer with the Approval of the Town Manager to...
Authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Town Manager to borrow and/or expend monies in the amount of $1,050,000 under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 7(1) of the General Laws, or...
Councilor Piccirilli moved to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Town Manager to borrow and/or expend monies in the amount of $1,050,000 under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 7(1) of the General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor for the costs of sewer system improvements at various locations throughout the town, and for the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto.
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: Gannon)
Authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Town Manager to borrow and/or expend monies in the amount of $500,000 under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 8(5) of the General Laws, or...
Councilor Piccirilli moved to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Town Manager to borrow and/or expend monies in the amount of $500,000 under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 8(5) of the General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor for the costs of water system improvements at various locations throughout the Town, and for the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto.
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: Gannon)
Authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Town Manager to borrow and/or expend monies in the amount $600,000 under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 7(1) of the General Laws, or...
Councilor Piccirilli moved to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Town Manager to borrow and/or expend monies in the amount $600,000 under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 7(1) of the General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor for the costs of replacing lead pipes that connect service lines to water mains, including all costs incidental and related thereto.
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: Feltner)
Public Hearing and Vote on an Ordinance Amending the Town Auditor’s Salary
Approve the ordinance amending the Town Clerk’s salary
Councilor Piccirilli moved to approve the ordinance amending the Town Clerk’s salary;
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: Gannon)
Public Hearing and Vote on an Ordinance Amending the Town Council Clerk’s Salary
Approve the ordinance amending the Town Clerk’s salary
Councilor Piccirilli moved to approve the ordinance amending the Town Clerk’s salary;
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: Gannon)
Public Hearing and Vote on a Proposed Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget
Approve the budget amendment totaling $9,440,000: Public Hearing and Vote on a Proposed Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget
Councilor Piccirilli moved to approve the budget amendment totaling $9,440,000;
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: Gannon)
Adopt a resolution to establish the Acquisition of Land/Open Space Stabilization Fund and to appropriate $6,500,000 to the fund
Councilor Piccirilli moved to adopt a resolution to establish the Acquisition of Land/Open Space Stabilization Fund and to appropriate $6,500,000 to the fund;
The minutes record this vote as unanimous; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote..” (Motion: Piccirilli, second: Gannon)
Adopt a resolution to establish a New High School Stabilization Fund and to appropriate $2,500,000 to the fund
Councilor Piccirilli moved to adopt a resolution to establish a New High School Stabilization Fund and to appropriate $2,500,000 to the fund;
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: Gannon)
MOTIONS, ORDINANCES, ORDER, AND RESOLUTIONS Consideration and Action on a Proposed Intermunicipal Agreement with the...
Authorize the Town Manager to sign the intermunicipal agreement with the City of Cambridge related to the replacement of sidewalks on Belmont Street that are located in Watertown
Councilor Piccirilli moved to authorize the Town Manager to sign the intermunicipal agreement with the City of Cambridge related to the replacement of sidewalks on Belmont Street that are located in Watertown;
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: Gannon)
Ad Hoc Committee on District D Councilor Vacancy Report Regarding the Process for Selection to Fill the District D...
Amend his motion to accept the report as amended to reflect that Councilor Gannon was an attendee
Councilor Piccirilli moved to amend his motion to accept the report as amended to reflect that Councilor Gannon was an attendee;
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: Feltner)
Committee on Human Services Report Regarding the Department of Public
Accept the committee report: Committee on Human Services Report Regarding the Department of Public
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the committee report;
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: Gannon)
That the Town Council Approve a Request to the IT Department, Via the Town Council President, to Work with the Town...
Accept the report
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the report;
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: Feltner)
Create a quarterly newsletter which will include information on Town Councilors, a calendar, a message from the President, updates about Council Business, information about Town and Town Council...
Councilor Palomba moved that the Town Council create a quarterly newsletter which will include information on Town Councilors, a calendar, a message from the President, updates about Council Business, information about Town and Town Council functions and a related link, in coordination with The Town Council Clerk and the IT Department with the goal of publishing the first edition in January of 2022;
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: Palomba, second: Piccirilli)
Approve a request to the IT Department, via the Town Council President, to work with the Town Council Clerk to update the Town Council’s page on the Town’s website in the following way: Include...
Councilor Palomba moved approve a request to the IT Department, via the Town Council President, to work with the Town Council Clerk to update the Town Council’s page on the Town’s website in the following way: Include Town Councilors’ photos with short biographies, Council Committees and assignments with links to Committee agendas, minutes, and active referrals by year, Council Orders, Resolutions, and Proclamations, links to Ordinances and Regulations, and list of Council actions;
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: Palomba, second: Piccirilli)
Committee on Public Safety Report Regarding Current Operations and Services Provided by the Watertown Police...
Accept the Committee Report regarding current operations and services provided by the Watertown Police Department as of March 12, 2021
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the Committee Report regarding current operations and services provided by the Watertown Police Department as of March 12, 2021;
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: Gannon)
Table the Committee on Public Safety report (its minutes reached councilors late)
Councilor Piccirilli moved to second the motion.
Yes: Donato, Kounelis, PiccirilliNo: Bays, Feltner, Gannon, Palomba, Sideris
From the minutes
“The motion failed on 3 - 5 roll call vote..” (Motion: Kounelis, second: Piccirilli)
Accept the Committee report: Committee on Public Safety Report Regarding Current Operations and Services Provided by the Watertown Police Department as of April 22, 2021– Lisa J. Feltner, Chair
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the Committee report;
Yes: Bays, Donato, Feltner, Gannon, Palomba, Piccirilli, SiderisNo: Kounelis
From the minutes
“The motion was adopted on a 7-1 roll call vote..” (Motion: Piccirilli, second: Gannon)
That the Town Council Requests the Administration Conduct a Recycling Survey of Capacity Per Toter to Help Determine...
Accept the Committee report
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the Committee report;
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: Gannon)
Request the Administration to investigate implementing a no-cost “Simple Recycling” Program, or a program by a similar vendor, and report back to the Town Council on its feasibility and potential...
Councilor Piccirilli made a motion to request the Administration to investigate implementing a no-cost “Simple Recycling” Program, or a program by a similar vendor, and report back to the Town Council on its feasibility and potential timeline;
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: Gannon)
Request the Administration to conduct a recycling survey of capacity per toter to help determine a need for weekly recycling pickup, and report back to the Public Works Committee for analysis of...
Councilor Piccirilli moved to request the Administration to conduct a recycling survey of capacity per toter to help determine a need for weekly recycling pickup, and report back to the Public Works Committee for analysis of the data;
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: Gannon)
Committee on State, Federal, and Regional Government Report Regarding the Appointment of Jonathan Hecht to the Board...
Accept the report: Committee on State, Federal, and Regional Government Report Regarding the Appointment of Jonathan Hecht to the Board of Election Commissioners for a Term to Expire on April 1...
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the report;
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: Palomba)
Appoint Jonathan Hecht to the Board of Election Commissioners for a term to expire on April 1, 2025
Councilor Kounelis moved to appoint Jonathan Hecht to the Board of Election Commissioners for a term to expire on April 1, 2025;
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: Kounelis, second: Gannon)
Committees on Economic Development and Planning and Human Services Report Regarding a Housing Trust – Lisa J....
Accept the report: Committees on Economic Development and Planning and Human Services Report Regarding a Housing Trust – Lisa J. Feltner, Vice-Chair, Economic Development and Planning, Anthony...
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the report;
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: Palomba)
That the Committees recommend that the Full Town Council adopt the Resolution Endorsing the Declaration of a Climate...
Suspend the Council Rules to allow for the continuation of business beyond 10:30 p.m
Councilor Piccirilli moved to suspend the Council Rules to allow for the continuation of business beyond 10:30 p.m.;
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: Gannon)
Accept the report with an amendment of the vote relating to the vote on the Community Path option
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the report with an amendment of the vote relating to the vote on the Community Path option;
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: Palomba)
Endorse moving ahead with the preferred Arsenal Street option (Option 3) for the Community Path, and to ask the Department of Community Development and Planning to look at future options to create...
Councilor Piccirilli moved to endorse moving ahead with the preferred Arsenal Street option (Option 3) for the Community Path, and to ask the Department of Community Development and Planning to look at future options to create an off-road solution;
Yes: Bays, Donato, Feltner, Gannon, Palomba, Piccirilli, SiderisNo: Kounelis
From the minutes
“The motion was adopted on a roll call vote of 7-1..” (Motion: Piccirilli, second: Palomba)
Adopt the Resolution Endorsing the Declaration of a Climate Emergency as amended by the Committees
Councilor Piccirilli moved to adopt the Resolution Endorsing the Declaration of a Climate Emergency as amended by the Committees;
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: Palomba)
Recess Or Adjournment
Adjourn
Councilor Piccirilli moved to adjourn;
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: 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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