MassVoter.com← Woburn City CouncilWoburn City Council · 2018–2019 Council · Regular meeting
March 20, 2018
38 recorded votes, 1 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..”
Suspend the rules for the purposes of taking the following matter out of order
Motion to suspend the rules for the purposes of taking the following matter out of order, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion to suspend the rules for the purposes of taking the following matter out of order, all in favor, 9-0..”
The special event permit be granted — Petition by James L. McKeown Boys and Girls Club of Woburn, Charles Gardner Lane, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a Special Event Permit to allow a road race...
Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT be GRANTED, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT be GRANTED, 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..”
Public Hearings
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Jamieson Properties, 627 Main Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 to amend the 1989 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 April 17, 2018 — On the petition by Jamieson Properties, 627 Main Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 to amend the...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON APRIL 17, 2018, 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 APRIL 17, 2018, all in favor, 9-0..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Jamieson Properties, 627 Main Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 to amend the Zoning Map of the City of Woburn by...
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 April 17, 2018 — On the petition by Jamieson Properties, 627 Main Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 to amend the...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON APRIL 17, 2018, 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 APRIL 17, 2018, all in favor, 9-0..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the 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...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, 6 in favor, 3 opposed (Gaffney, Gately, Mercer-Bruen opposed.
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Haggerty, Higgins, TedescoNo: Gaffney, Gately, Mercer-Bruen
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, 6 in favor, 3 opposed (Gaffney, Gately, Mercer-Bruen opposed..”
For a five minute recess to allow the presentation to be set up
Motion made and 2nd for a five minute recess to allow the presentation to be set up, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd for a five minute recess to allow the presentation to be set up, all in favor, 9-0..”
The documents be received and made part of the record — On the 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...
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..”
Any such motion be amended to state that the City Council is the granting authority for a grant of location for these type of projects
Motion made and 2nd that any such motion be amended to state that the City Council is the granting authority for a grant of location for these type of projects, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that any such motion be amended to state that the City Council is the granting authority for a grant of location for these type of projects, all in favor, 9-0..”
Any such motion be amended by using the word "inaccurately" rather than "falsely"
Motion made and 2nd that any such motion be amended by using the word "inaccurately" rather than "falsely", all in favor 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that any such motion be amended by using the word "inaccurately" rather than "falsely", all in favor 9-0..”
The City Clerk and the President of the City Council prepare the communication
Motion made and 2nd that the City Clerk and the President of the City Council prepare the communication, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the City Clerk and the President of the City Council prepare the communication, all in favor, 9-0..”
A communication be sent to the Energy Facilities Siting Board and the Department of Public Utilities informing those agencies that the Woburn City Council is the granting authority for a grant of...
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Energy Facilities Siting Board and the Department of Public Utilities informing those agencies that the Woburn City Council is the granting authority for a grant of right in a way pursuant to M.G.L. Ch. 166, Section 22, that the Woburn City Council has not given approval of the grant of location for the project, and that if it was reported to those agencies that the City of Woburn was in favor of the project then this information was inaccurately reported to the agencies, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Energy Facilities Siting Board and the Department of Public Utilities informing those agencies that the Woburn City Council is the granting authority for a grant of right in a way pursuant to M.G.L. Ch. 166, Section 22, that the Woburn City Council has not given approval of the grant of location for the project, and that if it was reported to those agencies that the City of Woburn was in favor of the project then this information was inaccurately reported to the agencies, all in favor, 9-0..”
A communication be sent to the Mayor requesting funding support for the city to hire an expert to review the potential for harm to the public from the electromagnetic field associated with the...
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Mayor requesting funding support for the city to hire an expert to review the potential for harm to the public from the electromagnetic field associated with the project and that such costs should be paid for by the city and not by funds received from the petitioner or mitigation funds, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Mayor requesting funding support for the city to hire an expert to review the potential for harm to the public from the electromagnetic field associated with the project and that such costs should be paid for by the city and not by funds received from the petitioner or mitigation funds, all in favor, 9-0..”
A communication be forwarded to the School Department for a report as to where school bus stops are located along the route of the project and along the alternate route of the project
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be forwarded to the School Department for a report as to where school bus stops are located along the route of the project and along the alternate route of the project, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be forwarded to the School Department for a report as to where school bus stops are located along the route of the project and along the alternate route of the project, all in favor, 9-0..”
A communication be sent to the Superintendent of Public Works for a report of the impact of the proposed project on the city resources in ground and above ground infrastructure including but not...
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Superintendent of Public Works for a report of the impact of the proposed project on the city resources in ground and above ground infrastructure including but not limited to water lines, sewer lines, roads, cable, sidewalks, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Superintendent of Public Works for a report of the impact of the proposed project on the city resources in ground and above ground infrastructure including but not limited to water lines, sewer lines, roads, cable, sidewalks, all in favor, 9-0..”
A communication be sent to the City Solicitor asking her for a report as to under what authority she sent a letter to the Energy Facilities Siting Board on February 22, 2018 on the city's behalf...
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the City Solicitor asking her for a report as to under what authority she sent a letter to the Energy Facilities Siting Board on February 22, 2018 on the city's behalf stating that the city concurred with the Tentative Decision, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the City Solicitor asking her for a report as to under what authority she sent a letter to the Energy Facilities Siting Board on February 22, 2018 on the city's behalf stating that the city concurred with the Tentative Decision, all in favor, 9-0..”
A communication be sent to the City Solicitor requesting her opinion as to the implications if the City Council does not approve the petition for a grant of right in a way, including whether the...
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the City Solicitor requesting her opinion as to the implications if the City Council does not approve the petition for a grant of right in a way, including whether the project could move forward without mitigation or other conditions that the City Council determined as necessary, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the City Solicitor requesting her opinion as to the implications if the City Council does not approve the petition for a grant of right in a way, including whether the project could move forward without mitigation or other conditions that the City Council determined as necessary, all in favor, 9-0..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on April 17, 2018 — On the petition by NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for a grant of right in a public...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON APRIL 17, 2018, 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 APRIL 17, 2018, all in favor, 9-0..”
For a five minute recess — Nd
Motion made and 2 for a five minute recess, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2 for a five minute recess, all in favor, 9-0..”
Document entitled "Potential Number of Units in Commerce Way Overlay District Parcels' be made part of the record — On the petition by President Richard Haggerty and Alderman Michael Anderson,...
Motion made and 2nd that document entitled "Potential Number of Units in Commerce Way Overlay District Parcels' be made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that document entitled "Potential Number of Units in Commerce Way Overlay District Parcels' be made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on April 17, 2018 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Ordinances — On the petition by President Richard...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON APRIL 17, 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 APRIL 17, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, all in favor, 9-0..”
Committee Reports — Finance
The committee report be adopted — On the transfer of $125,000.00 from Fire/bls Ambulance Acct to Fire Ambulance Salary Acct, committee report was received "ought to pass"
Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0..”
The committee report be adopted — On the transfer of $26,000.00 to Fire/Ambulance Maintenance Acct, Fire/Medical Attention Acct and Fire/Computer Maintenance Acct, committee report was received...
Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0..”
The committee report be adopted — On the transfer of $1,265,637.68 from Mayor Salary Adjustments Acct to Fire Salary Acct, committee report was received "ought to pass"
Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0..”
Committee Reports — Public Safety and Licenses
The committee report be adopted — On the petition by Mourad Djiar dba abce Taxi of Woburn for renewal of a Taxi Cab License, committee report was received "ought to pass"
Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0..”
The committee report be adopted — On the petition by Gevorg Melikyan dba Milano Jewelry for renewal of a License to Purchase and Sell Second-Hand and Personal Articles of Value and Collectibles,...
Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0..”
The common carrier license be granted with the existing conditions
Motion made and 2nd that the COMMON CARRIER LICENSE be GRANTED with the existing conditions, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the COMMON CARRIER LICENSE be GRANTED with the existing conditions, all in favor, 9-0..”
New Petitions
The matter be referred to Committee on Public Safety and Licenses — Petition by Robson L. Dias, 2 Westgate Drive #202, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for renewal of Livery License
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 Hilton Hotel, 2 Forbes Road, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, Section...
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 Adam Quinn, Quinn Management, Inc., 360 Route 101, Unit 4B, Bedford, New Hampshire 03110 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning...
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 Sports Management Services, Inc., 41 East Street, Winchester, Massachusetts 01890, an individual owning land to be affected by change or...
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 Boys and Girls Club of Woburn, Charles Gardner Lane, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit to allow carnival from May 3, 2018 to...
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
The matter be referred to Committee on Liaison — A communication dated February 23, 2018 was received from Brian J. McLaughlin, Woburn Firefighter's Association Local 971 requesting to meet with...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LIAISON, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LIAISON, all in favor, 9-0..”
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
The matter be referred to public hearing at the regular meeting on April 17, 2018 — Order: As amended, be further amended as follows: 1
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING AT THE REGULAR MEETING ON APRIL 17, 2018, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING AT THE REGULAR MEETING ON APRIL 17, 2018, 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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →