MassVoter.com← Woburn City CouncilWoburn City Council · 2018–2019 Council · Regular meeting
April 17, 2018
50 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..”
Suspend the rules for the purposes of taking the following four matters out of order
Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purposes of taking the following four matters out of order, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purposes of taking the following four matters out of order, all in favor, 9-0..”
The special event permit be granted with the condition as follows: 1. That the issuance of the Special Event Permit is conditioned on the filing of a liability insurance certificate by the...
Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT be GRANTED with the condition as follows: 1. That the issuance of the Special Event Permit is conditioned on the filing of a liability insurance certificate by the petitioner, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstained (Gaffney abstained).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Gately, Haggerty, Higgins, Mercer-Bruen, TedescoAbstained: Gaffney
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT be GRANTED with the condition as follows: 1. That the issuance of the Special Event Permit is conditioned on the filing of a liability insurance certificate by the petitioner, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstained (Gaffney abstained)..”
The special event permit be granted — Petition by North Suburban ymca, 137 Lexington Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a Special Event Permit to allow a road race at Horn Pond and area...
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..”
The special event permit be granted — Petition by St. Anthony Church, 851 Main Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a Special Event Permit to allow a community and church festival on June 2, 2018
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..”
The special event permit be granted — Petition by The International School of Boston, 45 Matignon Road, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140 for a Special Event Permit to allow a run and walk at Horn...
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 2 to return to the regular order of business, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2 to return to the regular order of business, all in favor, 9-0..”
Public Hearings
The communications be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Boys and Girls Club of Woburn, Charles Gardner Lane, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit to allow...
Motion made and 2nd that the communications be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communications be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
The public hearing be closed — On the 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 May 6,...
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 condition as follows: 1. That the Planning Board recommendation be adopted as a condition of the special permit — On the petition by Boys and...
Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT be GRANTED, AS AMENDED with the condition as follows: 1. That the Planning Board recommendation be adopted as a condition 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 condition as follows: 1. That the Planning Board recommendation be adopted as a condition of the special permit, all in favor, 9-0..”
The following matter be taken out of order
Motion made and 2nd that the following matter be taken out of order, 8 in favor, 1 opposed (Mercer-Bruen opposed).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Gaffney, Gately, Haggerty, Higgins, TedescoNo: Mercer-Bruen
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the following matter be taken out of order, 8 in favor, 1 opposed (Mercer-Bruen opposed)..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Hilton Hotel, 2 Forbes Road, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning...
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 Hilton Hotel, 2 Forbes Road, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances,...
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 Hilton Hotel, 2 Forbes Road, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, Section 7.3...
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 the plan of record shall be the plan entitled "Hilton, Woburn, MA" dated April 11, 2018 prepared by Lauretano Sign...
Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT be GRANTED, AS AMENDED with the conditions as follows: 1. That the plan of record shall be the plan entitled "Hilton, Woburn, MA" dated April 11, 2018 prepared by Lauretano Sign Group, and 2. That the lighting of the sign shall remain the same as the current lighting and the lighting shall remain steady, 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 the plan of record shall be the plan entitled "Hilton, Woburn, MA" dated April 11, 2018 prepared by Lauretano Sign Group, and 2. That the lighting of the sign shall remain the same as the current lighting and the lighting shall remain steady, all in favor, 9-0..”
Return to the regular order of business
Motion made and 2 to return to the regular order of business, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2 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 285 Locust LLC, c/o Duffy Bros Management Co., Inc., Kevin Duffy, 465 Waverley Oaks, Suite 500, Waltham,...
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 May 1, 2018 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Special Permits — On the petition by 285 Locust LLC,...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON MAY 1, 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 MAY 1, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, all in favor, 9-0..”
The communications 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 communications be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communications be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
The plan be received and made part of the record
Motion made and 2nd that the plan be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the plan be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
The plan entitled "Eversource - Station 211, Woburn to National Grid Wakefield Substation 345kV Line - Issued for Construction " prepared by Black & Veatch Corporation dated 09/08/15, revised...
Motion made and 2nd that the plan entitled "Eversource - Station 211, Woburn to National Grid Wakefield Substation 345kV Line - Issued for Construction " prepared by Black & Veatch Corporation dated 09/08/15, revised 03/20/17, revised 09/11/17, revised 01/26/18 be scanned and posted to the city's website, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the plan entitled "Eversource - Station 211, Woburn to National Grid Wakefield Substation 345kV Line - Issued for Construction " prepared by Black & Veatch Corporation dated 09/08/15, revised 03/20/17, revised 09/11/17, revised 01/26/18 be scanned and posted to the city's website, all in favor, 9-0..”
The plan be received and made part of the record
Motion made and 2nd that the plan be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the plan be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0..”
The proposed reasons for denial prepared by Alderman Campbell be made part of the record
Motion made and 2nd that the proposed reasons for denial prepared by Alderman Campbell be made part of the record, all in favor.
The journal says “all in favor” with no count; every member present is shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the proposed reasons for denial prepared by Alderman Campbell be made part of the record, all in favor..”
The proposed list of reasons for denial be posted by the City Clerk
Motion made and 2nd that the proposed list of reasons for denial be posted by the City Clerk, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the proposed list of reasons for denial be posted by the City Clerk, all in favor, 9-0..”
A communication be sent to the towns of Winchester and Stoneham to request if there is an executive summary of the emf report that they can share with Woburn
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the towns of Winchester and Stoneham to request if there is an executive summary of the EMF report that they can share with Woburn, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the towns of Winchester and Stoneham to request if there is an executive summary of the EMF report that they can share with Woburn, all in favor, 9-0..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting on May 1, 2018 — On the petition by NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for a grant of right in a public way to allow installation...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING ON MAY 1, 2018, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING ON MAY 1, 2018, all in favor, 9-0..”
For a two minute recess — Nd
Motion made and 2 for a two minute recess, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2 for a two minute recess, all in favor, 9-0..”
The communications be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Adam Quinn, Quinn Management, Inc., 360 Route 101, Unit 4B, Bedford, New Hampshire 03110 for a special permit...
Motion made and 2nd that the communications be received and made part of the record, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communications 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 May 15, 2018 — On the petition by Adam Quinn, Quinn Management, Inc., 360 Route 101, Unit 4B, Bedford, New Hampshire...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON MAY 15, 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 MAY 15, 2018, all in favor, 9-0..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by President Haggerty, Alderman Michael Anderson, Alderman Higgins, Alderman Tedesco, Alderman Mercer-Bruen, Alderman...
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 May 15, 2018 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Ordinances — On the petition by President Haggerty,...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON MAY 15, 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 MAY 15, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, all in favor, 9-0..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Alderman Edward Tedesco to amend the 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, 1
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 closed — On the petition by Alderman Edward Tedesco to amend the 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, 1
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 order be adopted, as amended with the amendments as follows: 1. That the recommendations of the Planning Board be adopted as amendments to the Order — On the petition by Alderman Edward...
Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, AS AMENDED with the amendments as follows: 1. That the recommendations of the Planning Board be adopted as amendments to the Order, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, AS AMENDED with the amendments as follows: 1. That the recommendations of the Planning Board be adopted as amendments to the Order, all in favor, 9-0..”
The public hearing on the following two matters be held collectively
Motion made and 2nd that the public hearing on the following two matters be held collectively, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the public hearing on the following two matters be held collectively, 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 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 May 15, 2018 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Ordinances — On the petition by Jamieson Properties,...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON MAY 15, 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 MAY 15, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, 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 May 15, 2018 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Ordinances — On the petition by Jamieson Properties,...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON MAY 15, 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 MAY 15, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, all in favor, 9-0..”
Committee Reports — Personnel
The committee report be adopted — On the appointment of Chris Irving as a Member of the Woburn Golf & Ski Authority, 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 GameStop #3315 for renewal of a License to Purchase and Sell Second- Hand and Personal Articles of Value and Collectibles, committee report was...
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 reports be adopted
Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORTS be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORTS be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0..”
The committee report be adopted — On the petition by Checker Cab of Woburn Inc. for renewal of 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..”
New Petitions
The matters be referred to Committee on Public Safety and Licenses — Petitions for new Livery Licenses by Roman Limousine, Inc., 2 Gill Street; and Logan Way, 76 Mill Street #4
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTERS be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND LICENSES, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTERS be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND LICENSES, all in favor, 9-0..”
The matter be referred to Committee on Public Safety and Licenses — Petition by Woburn Cab Co
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 James Nadeau, 78 School Street, Woburn, Massachusetts for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, Section 5.1...
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 received and placed on file — A communication dated April 2, 2018 was received from Thomas C. Quinn, Jr., Building Commissioner as follows: Re: Woburn Municipal Code Title 15 Article...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, all in favor, 9-0..”
An additional communication be sent to MassDOT to further request assistance with this matter and that President Haggerty and Alderman Mercer- Bruen draft the communication
Motion made and 2nd that an additional communication be sent to MassDOT to further request assistance with this matter and that President Haggerty and Alderman Mercer- Bruen draft the communication, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that an additional communication be sent to MassDOT to further request assistance with this matter and that President Haggerty and Alderman Mercer- Bruen draft the communication, all in favor, 9-0..”
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
The matter be referred to public hearing — Order: As amended, Section 11.6.12 Rooftop Dining in the b-d District be further amended by deleting 7(a) in its entirety and inserting in its place the...
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..”
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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