MassVoter.com← Woburn City CouncilWoburn City Council · 2018–2019 Council · Regular meeting
January 2, 2018
39 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Michael D. Anderson, Richard F. Gately, Joanne E. Campbell, Lindsay E. Higgins, Michael P. Concannon, Darlene Mercer-Bruen, Mark E. Gaffney, Edward Tedesco, Richard M. Haggerty
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Regular meeting
Dispense with the reading of the previous meeting's Journal and to approve
VOTED to dispense with the reading of the previous meeting's Journal and to APPROVE, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“VOTED to dispense with the reading of the previous meeting's Journal and to APPROVE, all in favor, 9-0..”
Mayor’s Communications
The matter be referred to Committee on Finance — Order: The sum of $125,000.00 be and is hereby appropriated as so stated from Fire/bls Ambulance Acct #31359-595000 $125,000.00 to Fire Ambulance...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, all in favor, 9-0..”
The matter be referred to Committee on Finance — Order: The sum of $1,403,985.67 be and is hereby appropriated as so stated from Mayor Salary Adjustments Acct #0112151-511019 $1,403,985.67 to...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, all in favor, 9-0..”
The matter be referred to Committee on Ordinances
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, all in favor, 9-0..”
Public Hearings
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Madison Woburn Holdings LLC, 333 Newbury Street, Suite 201, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 pursuant to 1985 Woburn...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
The document be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Madison Woburn Holdings LLC, 333 Newbury Street, Suite 201, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning...
Motion made and 2nd that the document be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the document be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
The public hearing be closed — On the petition by Madison Woburn Holdings LLC, 333 Newbury Street, Suite 201, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, for...
Motion made and 2nd that the public hearing be closed, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the public hearing be closed, all in favor, 9-0..”
The petition for a second 2,800 square foot site be denied — On the petition by Madison Woburn Holdings LLC, 333 Newbury Street, Suite 201, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 pursuant to 1985 Woburn...
Motion made and 2nd that the petition for a second 2,800 square foot site be denied, 2 in favor, 7 opposed (Anderson, Campbell, Gaffney, Gately, Higgins, Tedesco, Haggerty opposed).
Yes: Concannon, Mercer-BruenNo: Anderson, Campbell, Gaffney, Gately, Haggerty, Higgins, Tedesco
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the petition for a second 2,800 square foot site be denied, 2 in favor, 7 opposed (Anderson, Campbell, Gaffney, Gately, Higgins, Tedesco, Haggerty opposed)..”
For an amendment to read as follows: "It is the City Council's clear intention that this restaurant pad site will not be used for a fast food restaurant", Roll Call
Motion made and 2nd for an amendment to read as follows: "It is the City Council's clear intention that this restaurant pad site will not be used for a fast food restaurant", Roll Call: Anderson - No, Campbell - No, Concannon - Yes, Gaffney - No, Gately - No, Higgins - No, Mercer-Bruen - Yes, Tedesco - No, Haggerty - No, Motion Fails.
Yes: Concannon, Mercer-BruenNo: Anderson, Campbell, Gaffney, Gately, Haggerty, Higgins, Tedesco
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd for an amendment to read as follows: "It is the City Council's clear intention that this restaurant pad site will not be used for a fast food restaurant", Roll Call: Anderson - No, Campbell - No, Concannon - Yes, Gaffney - No, Gately - No, Higgins - No, Mercer-Bruen - Yes, Tedesco - No, Haggerty - No, Motion Fails..”
The special permit be granted, as amended with the conditions as follows: 1. That the two proposed conditions be adopted as conditions of the special permit, and 2. That the following petitions...
Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT be GRANTED, AS AMENDED with the conditions as follows: 1. That the two proposed conditions be adopted as conditions of the special permit, and 2. That the following petitions for special permits be given leave to withdraw without prejudice "3. Special Permit pursuant to section 5.1.29 to allow for fast food restaurant; 4. Site Plan Approval pursuant to Section 12.2.1 to allow for a fast food restaurant; 5. Special Permit pursuant to section 5.1, Note 16 to allow hours of operation for the fast food restaurant beyond 11:00 p.m., 7 in favor, 2 opposed (Concannon, Mercer-Bruen opposed).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Gaffney, Gately, Haggerty, Higgins, TedescoNo: Concannon, Mercer-Bruen
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT be GRANTED, AS AMENDED with the conditions as follows: 1. That the two proposed conditions be adopted as conditions of the special permit, and 2. That the following petitions for special permits be given leave to withdraw without prejudice "3. Special Permit pursuant to section 5.1.29 to allow for fast food restaurant; 4. Site Plan Approval pursuant to Section 12.2.1 to allow for a fast food restaurant; 5. Special Permit pursuant to section 5.1, Note 16 to allow hours of operation for the fast food restaurant beyond 11:00 p.m., 7 in favor, 2 opposed (Concannon, Mercer-Bruen opposed)..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Vecna Technologies, Inc., 36 Cambridgepark Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140 for a special permit pursuant to...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, all in favor 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, all in favor 9-0..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on February 6, 2018 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Special Permits — On the petition by Vecna...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 6, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 6, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, all in favor, 9-0..”
Take the following matter out of order
Motion made and 2 to take the following matter out of order, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2 to take the following matter out of order, all in favor, 9-0..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by President Richard Haggerty and Alderman Lindsay Higgins to further amend the 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on February 20, 2018 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Ordinances — On the petition by President...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 20, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 20, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, all in favor, 9-0..”
Return to the regular order of business
Motion made and 2nd to return to the regular order of business, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to return to the regular order of business, all in favor, 9-0..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Subhadraben Patel, 18 Westgate Drive, Apt
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
The documents be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Subhadraben Patel, 18 Westgate Drive, Apt
Motion made and 2nd that the documents be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the documents be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on February 6, 2018 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Special Permits — On the petition by Subhadraben...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 6, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 6, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, all in favor, 9-0..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Leo Realty Holdings LLC, 17 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts for special permits pursuant to 1985 Woburn...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
The documents be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Leo Realty Holdings LLC, 17 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts for special permits pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning...
Motion made and 2nd that the documents be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the documents be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on February 6, 2018 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Special Permits — On the petition by Leo Realty...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 6, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 6, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, all in favor, 9-0..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Petrogas Group New England Inc., 168 N. Main Street, Suite B, Andover, Massachusetts 01810 for a special permit...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
The documents be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Petrogas Group New England Inc., 168 N. Main Street, Suite B, Andover, Massachusetts 01810 for a special permit pursuant...
Motion made and 2nd that the documents be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the documents be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
A communication be sent to the Building Commissioner requesting comment on the parking on site, whether required parking spaces have been lost and what the current parking requirements are for the...
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Building Commissioner requesting comment on the parking on site, whether required parking spaces have been lost and what the current parking requirements are for the site, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Building Commissioner requesting comment on the parking on site, whether required parking spaces have been lost and what the current parking requirements are for the site, all in favor, 9-0..”
A communication be sent to the Building Commissioner and City Clerk requesting information as to what the hours of operation are for the 7-11 store at the intersection of Cambridge Road and...
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Building Commissioner and City Clerk requesting information as to what the hours of operation are for the 7-11 store at the intersection of Cambridge Road and Russell Street and the Speedway gasoline station and convenience store located at the intersection of Washington Street and Montvale Avenue, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Building Commissioner and City Clerk requesting information as to what the hours of operation are for the 7-11 store at the intersection of Cambridge Road and Russell Street and the Speedway gasoline station and convenience store located at the intersection of Washington Street and Montvale Avenue, all in favor, 9-0..”
A communication be sent to the Traffic Safety Officer for a report as to traffic patterns, accident analysis and the location of the curb cuts at the site
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Traffic Safety Officer for a report as to traffic patterns, accident analysis and the location of the curb cuts at the site, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Traffic Safety Officer for a report as to traffic patterns, accident analysis and the location of the curb cuts at the site, all in favor, 9-0..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on February 20, 2018 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Special Permits — On the petition by Petrogas...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 20, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 20, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, all in favor, 9-0..”
The public hearing be closed — On the petition by Little Egg Realty, 5 Hancock Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended,...
Motion made and 2nd that the public hearing be closed, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the public hearing be closed, all in favor, 9-0..”
The special permit be granted, as amended with the conditions as follows: 1. That it will be acceptable to cover the ceiling joists as necessary for the fire rating; and 2. That the...
Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT be GRANTED, AS AMENDED with the conditions as follows: 1. That it will be acceptable to cover the ceiling joists as necessary for the fire rating; and 2. That the recommendations of the Planning Department be adopted as conditions of the special permit, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT be GRANTED, AS AMENDED with the conditions as follows: 1. That it will be acceptable to cover the ceiling joists as necessary for the fire rating; and 2. That the recommendations of the Planning Department be adopted as conditions of the special permit, all in favor, 9-0..”
New Petitions
The change of holder of inflammable license be approved, as amended with the amendment as follows: 1. That any existing conditions shall apply to the new license holder
Motion made and 2nd that the CHANGE OF HOLDER OF INFLAMMABLE LICENSE be APPROVED, AS AMENDED with the amendment as follows: 1. That any existing conditions shall apply to the new license holder, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the CHANGE OF HOLDER OF INFLAMMABLE LICENSE be APPROVED, AS AMENDED with the amendment as follows: 1. That any existing conditions shall apply to the new license holder, all in favor, 9-0..”
The matter be referred to Committee on Public Safety and Licenses — Petition for renewal of Second Class Motor Vehicle Sales License by Murray's Enterprises, Inc. dba Murray's Auto & Truck Sales,...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND LICENSES, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND LICENSES, all in favor, 9-0..”
The matter be referred to public hearing — Petition by NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for a grant of right in a public way to allow installation of a new subsurface 345 kilovolt...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, all in favor, 9-0..”
The matter be referred to public hearing — Petition by Unified Construction Group LLC, 29 Draper Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances,...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, all in favor, 9-0..”
Communications and Reports
Matter be received and placed on file — A communication dated December 14, 2017 was received from Catherine Dazé, 200 Bedford Road, Apartment 6E, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 relative to the...
Motion made and 2nd that MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, all in favor, 9-0..”
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
The order be adopted — From the Traffic Commission: ordered That the 2016 Woburn Traffic Code, as amended, be further amended by amending Schedule 2 Turning and Moving Restrictions by adding the...
Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0..”
The order be adopted — From the Traffic Commission: ordered That the 2016 Woburn Traffic Code, as amended, be further amended by adding to Schedule 3 Stop Signs the following: sachem road - Stop...
Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0..”
The order be adopted — From the Traffic Commission: ordered That the Traffic Code as set forth in the November 16, 2017 minutes of the Traffic Commission together with any further traffic...
Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0..”
Adjourn
Motion made and 2nd to ADJOURN, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to ADJOURN, all in favor, 9-0..”
From the Woburn City Council’s official journals (its minutes), posted on the city’s Minutes & Agendas page (City Council). We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the city’s website has no councilor photos): Robert Toro, Joseph Demers (courtesy of each), Jeffrey Dillon, Lou DiMambro and Charles Viola from Woburn Patch (2019–2023); Yano Amara (December 31, 2025) and Darlene Mercer-Bruen (July 23, 2021, captioned group photo, cropped) from the Daily Times Chronicle; William Pappalardo and Robert Ferullo cropped from the Daily Times Chronicle’s captioned 2026 City Council photo (January 7, 2026). Former councilors show initials.
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