MassVoter.com← Woburn City CouncilWoburn City Council · 2018–2019 Council · Regular meeting
September 17, 2019
29 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: Joanne E. Campbell, Richard F. Gately, Michael P. Concannon, Lindsay E. Higgins, Robert J. Ferullo, Darlene Mercer-Bruen, Mark E. Gaffney, Edward Tedesco, Michael D. Anderson
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
Suspend the rules to hear from City Engineer John Corey
Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules to hear from City Engineer John Corey, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules to hear from City Engineer John Corey, all in favor, 9-0..”
The document be received and made part of the record — Presentation by City Engineer John Corey regarding the proposed Cedar Street on-ramp
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..”
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..”
New Petitions
The special event permit be granted — Petition by Woburn Friends of Hospice/vna Care, 100 TradeCenter, Suite G-500, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a Special Event Permit to allow a road race and...
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 communication be accepted and the matter be referred to Committee on Liaison — A communication dated September 12, 2019 with attachment was received from Attorney Joseph R. Tarby, III, Murtha...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be accepted and the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LIAISON, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communication be accepted and the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LIAISON, all in favor, 9-0..”
Public Hearings
The communications be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Tidd Home LLC, 28 West Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning...
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 October 15, 2019 — On the petition by Tidd Home LLC, 28 West Street, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 15, 2019, 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 OCTOBER 15, 2019, all in favor, 9-0..”
Hold the public hearing on the following two matters collectively
Motion made and 2nd to hold the public hearing on the following two matters collectively, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to hold the public hearing on the following two matters collectively, all in favor, 9-0..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Alderman Mark Gaffney and Alderman Edward Tedesco to amend the 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, by adding a...
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 October 15, 2019 — On the petition by Alderman Mark Gaffney and Alderman Edward Tedesco to amend the 1985 Woburn...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 15, 2019, 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 OCTOBER 15, 2019, all in favor, 9-0..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on octber 15, 2019 — On the petition by Alderman Mark Gaffney and Alderman Edward Tedesco to amend the Zoning Map of the...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON OCTBER 15, 2019, 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 OCTBER 15, 2019, all in favor, 9-0..”
Unfinished Business of Preceding Meeting
Take the matter from the table
Motion made and 2nd to take the matter from the table, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to take the matter from the table, all in favor, 9-0..”
The order be adopted — On the Order to authorize the Mayor to grant a Permanent Easement to Leo Realty Holdings, LLC over a portion of the property owned by the City of Woburn being the parking...
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..”
Take the matter from the table
Motion made and 2nd to take the matter from the table, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to take the matter from the table, all in favor, 9-0..”
Reconsider his vote to deny special permits to Arista Development, LLC and 2nd by Alderman Mercer-Bruen
Motion made by Alderman Tedesco to reconsider his vote to deny special permits to Arista Development, LLC and 2nd by Alderman Mercer-Bruen, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made by Alderman Tedesco to reconsider his vote to deny special permits to Arista Development, LLC and 2nd by Alderman Mercer-Bruen, all in favor, 9-0..” (Motion: Tedesco, second: Mercer-Bruen)
A condition be added as follows: 30. That the petitioner shall pay the sum of $10,000.00 to the Mann's Court parking fund
Motion made and 2nd that a condition be added as follows: 30. That the petitioner shall pay the sum of $10,000.00 to the Mann's Court parking fund, 8 in favor, 1 opposed (Concannon opposed).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Ferullo, Gaffney, Gately, Higgins, Mercer-Bruen, TedescoNo: Concannon
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a condition be added as follows: 30. That the petitioner shall pay the sum of $10,000.00 to the Mann's Court parking fund, 8 in favor, 1 opposed (Concannon opposed)..”
Special permit be granted, as amended with the 29 previously proposed conditions and proposed condition 30 — On the notice of intent filed by Alderman Tedesco to move for reconsideration of his...
Motion made and 2nd that SPECIAL PERMIT be GRANTED, AS AMENDED with the 29 previously proposed conditions and proposed condition 30, 6 in favor, 3 opposed (Campbell, Mercer-Bruen, Anderson opposed).
Yes: Concannon, Ferullo, Gaffney, Gately, Higgins, TedescoNo: Anderson, Campbell, Mercer-Bruen
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that SPECIAL PERMIT be GRANTED, AS AMENDED with the 29 previously proposed conditions and proposed condition 30, 6 in favor, 3 opposed (Campbell, Mercer-Bruen, Anderson opposed)..”
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..”
For a two minute recess — Motion made and 2nd to return to the regular order of business, all in favor, 9-0
Motion made and 2nd for a two minute recess, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd for a two minute recess, all in favor, 9-0..”
Communications and Reports
The matter be received and placed on file — A communication dated September 2, 2019 was received Annett McDavid, 15 Page Place relative to her concerns about 5G technology
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstained (Tedesco abstained).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Ferullo, Gaffney, Gately, Higgins, Mercer-BruenAbstained: Tedesco
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstained (Tedesco abstained)..”
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
The order be adopted, as amended as follows — Order: The City of Woburn hereby petitions the Great and General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to enact the following proposed Special...
Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, as amended as follows, all in favor, 9-0
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, as amended as follows, all in favor, 9-0.”
The matter be laid on the table — Order: As amended, be further amended by revising Title 6, Animal Control, Section 6-2 Restraint of Dogs (leash law), by adding an additional sentence at the end...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be LAID ON THE TABLE all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be LAID ON THE TABLE all in favor, 9-0..”
The order be adopted — Order: The Woburn Recreation Commission be and is hereby authorized pursuant to m.g.l. c.44, §53A to accept gifts of funds to be used and expended for the specific purpose...
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 — Order: whereas, there presently exists a structure or structures located in the City of Woburn, Massachusetts known and numbered as 52 Garfield Avenue; and now, therefore,...
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..”
Suspend the rules for the purpose of adding the following matter to the Order of the Day as a late filed matter
Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purpose of adding the following matter to the Order of the Day as a late filed matter, all in favor, 9-0.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purpose of adding the following matter to the Order of the Day as a late filed matter, all in favor, 9-0..”
The matter be referred to public hearing — Petition by Judith Altavesta and Leonard J. Sortino, Sr., 10 Buttaro Road, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn...
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..”
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..”
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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