MassVoter.com← Woburn City CouncilWoburn City Council · 2018–2019 Council · Regular meeting
October 16, 2018
25 recorded votes, 6 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Note on these minutes: This meeting is not listed on the city’s Minutes & Agendas page; its journal (the corrected “-1” version) and agenda are in the city’s website file library.
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
During the meeting:
- Darlene Mercer-Bruen recused from a matter.
- Edward Tedesco recused from a matter.
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 $4,649.50 be and is hereby appropriate as so stated from Traffic Safety & Infrastructure $4,649.50 to Mitigation New Boston St...
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..”
Public Hearings
The communications be received and made part of the record — On the petition by President Haggerty to amend the 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, by adding a new Section 30 entitled...
Motion made and 2nd that the communications be received and made part of the record, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Concannon absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Gaffney, Gately, Haggerty, Higgins, Mercer-Bruen, TedescoThe journal lists Michael P. Concannon as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communications be received and made part of the record, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Concannon absent)..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on November 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 NOVEMBER 20, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Concannon absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Gaffney, Gately, Haggerty, Higgins, Mercer-Bruen, TedescoThe journal lists Michael P. Concannon as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 20, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Concannon absent)..”
The public hearing be closed — On the petition by JianPing Lin, 3 Sandpiper Lane, West Yarmouth, Massachusetts 02673 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, to...
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 nine conditions recommended in the committee report adopted as conditions of the special permit — On the petition by JianPing Lin, 3 Sandpiper...
Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT be GRANTED, AS AMENDED with the nine conditions recommended in the committee report adopted as conditions of the special permit, 8 in favor, 1 opposed (Anderson opposed), 0 absent.
Yes: Campbell, Concannon, Gaffney, Gately, Haggerty, Higgins, Mercer-Bruen, TedescoNo: Anderson
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the SPECIAL PERMIT be GRANTED, AS AMENDED with the nine conditions recommended in the committee report adopted as conditions of the special permit, 8 in favor, 1 opposed (Anderson opposed), 0 absent..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Presidential Ventures LLC, 275 Mishawum Road, 4th Floor, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit and site...
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 November 20, 2018 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Special Permits — On the petition by...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 20, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Gaffney, Gately, Haggerty, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 20, 2018 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Seaver Properties LLC, 215 Lexington Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit and site plan approval...
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..”
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 plan dated September 12, 2008 be sent to the City Engineer, Department of Public Works and Fire Department for comment prior to the committee meeting
Motion made and 2nd that the plan dated September 12, 2008 be sent to the City Engineer, Department of Public Works and Fire Department for comment prior to the committee meeting, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the plan dated September 12, 2008 be sent to the City Engineer, Department of Public Works and Fire Department for comment prior to the committee meeting, all in favor, 9-0..”
A communication be sent to the City Engineer requesting comments on the Development Impact Statement
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the City Engineer requesting comments on the Development Impact Statement, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the City Engineer requesting comments on the Development Impact Statement, all in favor, 9-0..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on December 4, 2018 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Special Permits — On the petition by Seaver...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 4, 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 DECEMBER 4, 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 Alderman Tedesco to amend the 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, by striking the definition for "Floor Area,...
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 November 20, 2018 — On the petition by Alderman Tedesco to amend the 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, by...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 20, 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 NOVEMBER 20, 2018, all in favor, 9-0..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless for a grant of right in a way to locate a small cell wireless antenna,...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Tedesco absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Gaffney, Gately, Haggerty, Higgins, Mercer-BruenThe journal lists Edward Tedesco as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Tedesco absent)..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on November 20, 2018 — On the petition by Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless for a grant of right in a way to...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 20, 2018, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Tedesco absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Gaffney, Gately, Haggerty, Higgins, Mercer-BruenThe journal lists Edward Tedesco as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 20, 2018, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Tedesco absent)..”
Committee Reports — Finance
The committee report be adopted — On the Order to transfer the sum 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..”
Committee Reports — Personnel
The committee report be adopted — On the appointment of Joanne Cahill as a Member of the Woburn Council on Aging, 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 matter be referred to Committee on Public Safety and License — Petition by Wig Big, Inc., 5115 Inwood Drive, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a new Livery License for one (1) vehicle
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND LICENSE, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND LICENSE, all in favor, 9-0..”
The matter be referred to public hearing — Petition by Copy Pro, 46 Fowle Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, as follows: 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..”
The matter be referred to public hearing — Petition by Scrub-A-Dub Auto Wash Center Inc., p.o. Box 2058, 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
The matter be received and placed on file — A communication dated October 1, 2018 was received from Thomas C. Quinn, Jr., Building Commissioner as follows: Re: Woburn Municipal Code Title 15...
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..”
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
The matter be referred to Committee on Liaison — Resolve: Whereas, in the interest of and promotion of public health and safety and in order to establish uniformity in the placement of trash...
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..”
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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