MassVoter.com← Woburn City CouncilWoburn City Council · 2018–2019 Council · Regular meeting
October 1, 2019
25 recorded votes, 1 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: The roll call marks Mark E. Gaffney absent.
Present: Joanne E. Campbell, Richard F. Gately, Michael P. Concannon, Lindsay E. Higgins, Robert J. Ferullo, Darlene Mercer-Bruen, Edward Tedesco, Michael D. Anderson
Absent: Mark E. Gaffney
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, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“VOTED to dispense with the reading of the previous meeting's Journal and to APPROVE, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
Public Hearings
The communication dated August 29, 2019 from the Planning Board and the communication dated September 24, 2019 from Attorney Tarby be received and made part of the record — On the petition by tmc...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication dated August 29, 2019 from the Planning Board and the communication dated September 24, 2019 from Attorney Tarby be received and made part of the record, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communication dated August 29, 2019 from the Planning Board and the communication dated September 24, 2019 from Attorney Tarby be received and made part of the record, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on October 15, 2019 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Special Permits — On the petition by tmc New...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 15, 2019 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
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 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Maurice Saba, Montvale Auto Care, 317 Montvale Avenue, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit pursuant to...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
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 (Gaffney absent)..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on October 15, 2019 and that a communication be sent to the petitioner asking for clarification of the intent of the...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 15, 2019 and that a communication be sent to the petitioner asking for clarification of the intent of the petition, advising he attend the October 15, 2019 meeting and that a copy of the Planning Department letter be sent to the petitioner, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
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 and that a communication be sent to the petitioner asking for clarification of the intent of the petition, advising he attend the October 15, 2019 meeting and that a copy of the Planning Department letter be sent to the petitioner, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
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, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the public hearing on the following two matters be held collectively, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Garage 42 Degrees, LLC, 20 Sonar Drive, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
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 (Gaffney absent)..”
The document be received and made part of the record — On the petition by Garage 42 Degrees, LLC, 20 Sonar Drive, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning...
Motion made and 2nd that the document be received and made part of the record, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the document be received and made part of the record, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on October 15, 2019 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Special Permits — On the petition by Garage 42...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 15, 2019 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
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 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on October 15, 2019 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Licenses — On the petition by...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 15, 2019 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND LICENSES, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
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 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND LICENSES, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
The public hearing be closed and the matter be placed on file — On the petition by Alderman Gately concerning the structure or structures located in the City of Woburn, County of Middlesex,...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CLOSED and the matter be placed on file, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CLOSED and the matter be placed on file, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
Unfinished Business of Preceding Meeting
Take the matter from the table
Motion made and 2nd to take the matter from the table, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to take the matter from the table, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
The order be adopted — On the Order to amend 1989 Woburn Municipal Code, as amended, Section 6-2 Restraint of Dogs relative to dog parks and dog exercise areas
Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
Committee Reports — Liaison
The communication be received and made part of the record — On the Montvale Land LLC proposed development agreement, committee report was received "back for action pending receipt of a legal...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
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 (Gaffney absent)..”
Suspend the rules for the purposes of hearing from Attorney Tarby
Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purposes of hearing from Attorney Tarby, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purposes of hearing from Attorney Tarby, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
Return to the regular order of business
Motion made and 2nd to return to the regular order of business, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to return to the regular order of business, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
Add the following to the third paragraph in Section E on page C-5 Payment in Lieu of Mitigation section: "The time period may be extended by agreement of the parties"
Motion made and 2nd to add the following to the third paragraph in Section E on page C-5 Payment in Lieu of Mitigation section: "The time period may be extended by agreement of the parties", 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to add the following to the third paragraph in Section E on page C-5 Payment in Lieu of Mitigation section: "The time period may be extended by agreement of the parties", 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
The agreement include the language that the sums paid in lieu of construction of any of the mitigation obligations shall be expended within the project area
Motion made and 2nd that the agreement include the language that the sums paid in lieu of construction of any of the mitigation obligations shall be expended within the project area, 7 in favor, 1 opposed (Tedesco opposed), 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, Mercer-BruenNo: Tedesco
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the agreement include the language that the sums paid in lieu of construction of any of the mitigation obligations shall be expended within the project area, 7 in favor, 1 opposed (Tedesco opposed), 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
The Development Agreement be approved, as amended
Motion made and 2nd that the Development Agreement be approved, as amended, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the Development Agreement be approved, as amended, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
Communications and Reports
The matter be received and placed on file — A communication dated September 20, 2019 was received from Charles O'Connor, Parking Clerk, Police Headquarters, 25 Harrison Avenue as follows: Council...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
The matter be received and placed on file — A communication dated September 23, 2019 was received from the Woburn Traffic Commission as follows: Re: Citywide truck traffic study At their meeting...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
A communication be sent to the Planning Board acknowledging receipt of their letter dated September 19, 2019 and replying that under Chapter 40A the petition is reviewed by the Planning Board, the...
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Planning Board acknowledging receipt of their letter dated September 19, 2019 and replying that under Chapter 40A the petition is reviewed by the Planning Board, the Planning Board makes a recommendation to the City Council, that the City Council acts on the petition and that a joint meeting of the Planning Board and City Council is not necessary at this time, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Planning Board acknowledging receipt of their letter dated September 19, 2019 and replying that under Chapter 40A the petition is reviewed by the Planning Board, the Planning Board makes a recommendation to the City Council, that the City Council acts on the petition and that a joint meeting of the Planning Board and City Council is not necessary at this time, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
The order be adopted — Order: whereas, there presently exists a structure or structures located in the City of Woburn, Massachusetts known and numbered as 8 Russell Court; now, therefore, be it...
Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
The matter be referred to Committee on Ordinances — Order: As amended, be further amended by deleting the current Section 12-49 and replacing the same with the following: 12-49 Municipal Parking...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
Adjourn
Motion made and 2nd to ADJOURN, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent).
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to ADJOURN, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Gaffney absent)..”
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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