MassVoter.com← Watertown City CouncilWatertown City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Regular meeting
May 24, 2022
12 recorded votes, 12 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · City meeting page
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Present: John M. Airasian, Caroline Bays, John G. Gannon, Nicole Gardner, Lisa J. Feltner, Emily Izzo, Anthony Palomba, Vincent J. Piccirilli, Mark S. Sideris
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting - April 27, 2022
Accept the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of April 27, 2022 as written
Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting - April 27, 2022 Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of April 27, 2022 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: Feltner)
Consideration and Vote on Selection of City Manager Candidate – Finalist for Consideration: John Curran, Norman...
Suspend the rules to bring up Item 6A: Consideration and Vote on Selection of City Manager Candidate – Finalist for Consideration: John Curran, Norman Khumalo, George Proakis. After the Meeting...
After the Meeting, the City Council Will Go into Executive Session Councilor Piccirilli moved to suspend the rules to bring up Item 6A;
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: Gannon)
Proclamation Honoring Police Chief Michael Lawn on His Retirement
Accept the Proclamation: Proclamation Honoring Police Chief Michael Lawn on His Retirement
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the Proclamation;
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: Gannon)
Consideration and Vote on Selection of City Manager Candidate – Finalist for Consideration: John Curran, Norman...
George Proakis be selected from three finalists as the City Manager candidate subject to negotiation of an appropriate employment contract prior to appointment and that the City Council proceed to...
After the Meeting, the City Council Will Go into Executive Session Councilor Piccirilli moved that George Proakis be selected from three finalists as the City Manager candidate subject to negotiation of an appropriate employment contract prior to appointment and that the City Council proceed to consider the process for negotiating an appropriate employment contract with that candidate;
The minutes record this vote as unanimous; every councilor present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“In the discussion, the following was discussed − All of the candidates were amazing − The screening committee members and Paradigm Consultants were thanked for their efforts − Any of these candidates would have been good for the city − Mr. Proakis seemed to understand Watertown, display large picture thinking, inspired those who worked for him, and worked well with others − Mr. Prokis’ approach of focusing on data to guide the community through change; his values of community involvement in the change; being the most prepared fits into what the people of Watertown are looking for and what the future of Watertown is looking for − Mr. Proakis understood the form of Watertown’s government and seemed open to working collaboratively. − The selection process was commendable The motion to select George Proakis as the City Manager was adopted unanimously on a roll call vote..” (Motion: Piccirilli, second: Gardner)
Proclamation Celebrating June as Pride Month – 2022
Accept the proclamation: Proclamation Celebrating June as Pride Month – 2022
Councilor Piccirilli moved to accept the proclamation;
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: Feltner)
Public Hearing and a Vote on a Proposed Order Authorizing the Sum of $500,000 Is Appropriated to Pay Costs of...
Authorize the appropriation of for the sum of $500,000 to pay costs of installing and replacing a water main located at Partridge Street and Highland Avenue through Ridgelawn Cemetery to Warren...
Councilor Piccirilli moved to authorize the appropriation of for the sum of $500,000 to pay costs of installing and replacing a water main located at Partridge Street and Highland Avenue through Ridgelawn Cemetery to Warren Street, including all costs incidental and related thereto; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the City Manager, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. c.44, §8(5), or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the City therefor; that the Treasurer, with the approval of the City Manager, is authorized to borrow all or a portion of such amount from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (the “Authority”) pursuant to the Authority’s Local Water Service Assistance Program and in Connection therewith to enter into a loan agreement and/or financial assistance agreement with the authority and otherwise to contract with the Authority with respect to such loan and for any grants or aid available for the project or for the financing thereof; and that the City Manager is authorized to accept and expend any grants or aid available for the project or for the financing thereof, provided that the amount of the authorized borrowing for the project shall be reduced by the amount of any such grants or aid received;
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)
Public Hearing and Vote on a Proposed Order Authorizing the Sum of $300,000 is Appropriated to Pay Costs of...
Authorize an appropriation for the sum of $300,000 pay costs of replacing lead pipes that connect service lines to water mains, including all costs incidental and related thereto; that to meet...
Councilor Piccirilli moved to authorize an appropriation for the sum of $300,000 pay costs of replacing lead pipes that connect service lines to water mains, including all costs incidental and related thereto; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the City Manager, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. c.44, §7(1), or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the city therefor; that the treasurer, with the approval of the City Manager, is authorized to borrow all or a portion of such amount from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (the “Authority”) pursuant to the Authority’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program and in connection therewith to enter into a loan agreement and/or financial assistance agreement with the Authority and otherwise to contract with the Authority with respect to such loan and for any grants or aid available for the project or for the financing thereof; and that the City Manager is authorized to accept and expend any grants or aid available for the project or for the financing thereof, provided that the amount of the authorized borrowing for the project shall be reduced by the amount of any such grants or aid received;
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: Gardner)
Public Hearing and Vote on a Proposed Order Authorizing the Sum of $750,000 is Appropriated to Pay Costs of...
Authorize the appropriation for the sum of $750,000 to pay costs of designing, engineering and constructing sewer system improvements, including all costs incidental and related thereto; that to...
Councilor Piccirilli moved to authorize the appropriation for the sum of $750,000 to pay costs of designing, engineering and constructing sewer system improvements, including all costs incidental and related thereto; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the City Manager, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. c.44, §7(1), or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the city therefor;
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)
Presentation of the Final Commercial Development and Housing Nexus Study Prepared by Karl F. Seidman Consulting...
Request the Administration to draft language for the Council’s consideration of a Home Rule Petition authorizing the City to establish a range of fees on new large-scale commercial development for...
Councilor Piccirilli moved to request the Administration to draft language for the Council’s consideration of a Home Rule Petition authorizing the City to establish a range of fees on new large-scale commercial development for the funding of affordable housing;
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: Feltner)
Committee on Parks and Recreation Report Regarding a Special Needs Baseball/Softball Diamond, Dark Sky Lighting for...
Accept the report: Committee on Parks and Recreation Report Regarding a Special Needs Baseball/Softball Diamond, Dark Sky Lighting for All City Parks, and Park Signage - Anthony Palomba, Chair
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: Palomba)
Referral to the Committee on Rules and Ordinances to Make Recommendations on a Tree Protection Ordinance as...
Refer to the Committee on Rules and Ordinances to make recommendations on a Tree Protection Ordinance as advocated by the Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee and Trees for Watertown
Referral to the Committee on Rules and Ordinances to Make Recommendations on a Tree Protection Ordinance as Advocated by the Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee and Trees for Watertown Councilor Piccirilli moved to refer to the Committee on Rules and Ordinances to make recommendations on a Tree Protection Ordinance as advocated by the Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee and Trees for Watertown;
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: Gardner)
Recess Or Adjournment
Adjourn the meeting and go into Executive Session to Pursuant to G.L. c
RECESS OR ADJOURNMENT Councilor Piccirilli moved to adjourn the meeting and go into Executive Session to Pursuant to G.L. c.
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)
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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