MassVoter.com← Woburn City CouncilWoburn City Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
February 18, 2020
25 recorded votes, 25 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, Jeffrey P. Dillon, Darlene Mercer-Bruen, Robert J. Ferullo, 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, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
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 (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
Mayor’s Communications
The matter be amended by deleting "Ward 6" and inserting in its place "Ward 5", that a communication be sent to the City Engineer and the City Auditor asking that they be present at the Committee...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be amended by deleting "Ward 6" and inserting in its place "Ward 5", that a communication be sent to the City Engineer and the City Auditor asking that they be present at the Committee meeting to discuss the appropriation and that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be amended by deleting "Ward 6" and inserting in its place "Ward 5", that a communication be sent to the City Engineer and the City Auditor asking that they be present at the Committee meeting to discuss the appropriation and that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
Suspend the rules for the purposes of taking the following two matters out of order
Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purposes of taking the following two matters out of order, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purposes of taking the following two matters out of order, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
Suspend the rules for the purpose of hearing from the Fire Chief concerning these Orders
Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purpose of hearing from the Fire Chief concerning these Orders, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purpose of hearing from the Fire Chief concerning these Orders, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen 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 (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to return to the regular order of business, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
The committee report be adopted with the 20-year debt service option — Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purposes of taking the following two matters out of order, 8 in favor, 0...
Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED with the 20-year debt service option, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes, Concannon - Yes, Dillon - Yes, Ferullo - Yes, Gately - Yes, Higgins - Yes, Mercer-Bruen - Absent, Tedesco - Yes, Anderson - Yes, Motion Passes.
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe roll call lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED with the 20-year debt service option, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes, Concannon - Yes, Dillon - Yes, Ferullo - Yes, Gately - Yes, Higgins - Yes, Mercer-Bruen - Absent, Tedesco - Yes, Anderson - Yes, Motion Passes..”
The communication be received and made part of the record — Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purposes of taking the following two matters out of order, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be received and made part of the record, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen 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 (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
The prior Order for a Home Rule Petition adopted by the City Council on February 4, 2020 and approved by the Mayor on February 18, 2020 be revoked, roll call
Motion made and 2nd that the prior Order for a Home Rule Petition adopted by the City Council on February 4, 2020 and approved by the Mayor on February 18, 2020 be revoked, ROLL CALL: ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes, Concannon - Yes, Dillon - Yes, Ferullo - Yes, Gately - Yes, Higgins - Yes, Mercer-Bruen - Absent, Tedesco - Yes, Anderson - Yes, Motion Passes.
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe roll call lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the prior Order for a Home Rule Petition adopted by the City Council on February 4, 2020 and approved by the Mayor on February 18, 2020 be revoked, ROLL CALL: ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes, Concannon - Yes, Dillon - Yes, Ferullo - Yes, Gately - Yes, Higgins - Yes, Mercer-Bruen - Absent, Tedesco - Yes, Anderson - Yes, Motion Passes..”
Accept the third revised Order from the City Solicitor
Motion made and 2nd to accept the third revised Order from the City Solicitor, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to accept the third revised Order from the City Solicitor, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
The third revised order be adopted, roll call
Motion made and 2nd that the THIRD REVISED ORDER be ADOPTED, ROLL CALL: ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes, Concannon - Yes, Dillon - Yes, Ferullo - Yes, Gately - Yes, Higgins - Yes, Mercer-Bruen - Absent, Tedesco - Yes, Anderson - Yes, Motion Passes.
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe roll call lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the THIRD REVISED ORDER be ADOPTED, ROLL CALL: ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes, Concannon - Yes, Dillon - Yes, Ferullo - Yes, Gately - Yes, Higgins - Yes, Mercer-Bruen - Absent, Tedesco - Yes, Anderson - Yes, Motion Passes..”
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 (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to return to the regular order of business, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
New Petitions
The matter be referred to public hearing — Petition by NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy for a grant of right in a way to install approximately 14 feet of conduit in Walnut Hill Park
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer- Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer- Bruen absent)..”
The matter be referred to public hearing — Petition by 186 River Street LLC, 186 River Street, Billerica, Massachusetts 01821 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
The matter be referred to public hearing — Petition by Litao Liang, Liang Health Spa Inc., 10 Fairbanks Street, Apt, 2L, Worcester, Massachusetts 01601 for a special permit pursuant to 1985 Woburn...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
Public Hearings
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on March 24, 2020 and that the matter be referred to the Committee on Special Permits — On the petition by 25 Everett...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 24, 2020 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, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, 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 MARCH 24, 2020 AND THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL PERMITS, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer- Bruen absent)..”
Committee Reports — Public Safety and Licenses
A show cause hearing be scheduled for March 10, 2020 with notice to the Licenseholder
Motion made and 2nd that a SHOW CAUSE HEARING be SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 10, 2020 with notice to the Licenseholder, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a SHOW CAUSE HEARING be SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 10, 2020 with notice to the Licenseholder, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
Committee Reports — Special Permits
Order be adopted — On the Order to review the special permit issued to Primaira LLC at 225 Wildwood Avenue as required under Condition 1 of special permit dated March 14, 2019, committee report...
Motion made and 2nd that ORDER be ADOPTED, 7 in favor, 1 opposed (Anderson opposed), 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoNo: AndersonThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that ORDER be ADOPTED, 7 in favor, 1 opposed (Anderson opposed), 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
Citizen’s Participation
The matter be referred to Committee on Liaison — A communication was received from Joseph Leto, 22 School Street for citizen's participation time to speak about establishing a cultural center in...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LIAISON, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LIAISON, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
Communications and Reports
The matter be received and placed on file — A communication dated February 10, 2020 was received from Joanne Collins, Director, Woburn Council on Aging along with a copy of the Director's Reports...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
The resolve be adopted — Resolve: Whereas, the intersection of Green Street, Holton Street and Nashua Street has a high crash rate due to excessive speed; and Whereas, the traffic commission has...
Motion made and 2nd that the RESOLVE be ADOPTED, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the RESOLVE be ADOPTED, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
The matter be laid on the table — Order: As amended, Section 8-14 Reduction of Checkout Bags by Retail Establishments be further amended by deleting from Section F Effective Date the following...
Motion made and 2nd that the matter be laid on the table, ROLL CALL: Campbell - No, Concannon - Yes, Dillon - No, Ferullo - No, Gately - No, Higgins - No, Mercer-Bruen - absent, Tedesco - Yes, Anderson - No, Motion Fails.
Yes: Concannon, TedescoNo: Anderson, Campbell, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, HigginsThe roll call lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the matter be laid on the table, ROLL CALL: Campbell - No, Concannon - Yes, Dillon - No, Ferullo - No, Gately - No, Higgins - No, Mercer-Bruen - absent, Tedesco - Yes, Anderson - No, Motion Fails..”
The order be denied — Order: As amended, Section 8-14 Reduction of Checkout Bags by Retail Establishments be further amended by deleting from Section F Effective Date the following "May 1, 2020"...
Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be DENIED, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes, Concannon - No, Dillon - Yes, Ferullo - Yes, Gately - Yes, Higgins - Yes, Mercer-Bruen - absent, Tedesco - No, Anderson - Yes, Motion Passes.
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, HigginsNo: Concannon, TedescoThe roll call lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be DENIED, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes, Concannon - No, Dillon - Yes, Ferullo - Yes, Gately - Yes, Higgins - Yes, Mercer-Bruen - absent, Tedesco - No, Anderson - Yes, Motion Passes..”
The matter be referred to Committee on Ordinances — Order: Article vii, Dumpsters, of the Woburn Municipal Code be amended by deleted Section 8-17 in its entirety, and inserting in its place a new...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
Suspend the rules for the purposes of adding the following late filed matter to the Order of the Day to refer the matter to the Committee on Personnel
Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purposes of adding the following late filed matter to the Order of the Day to refer the matter to the Committee on Personnel, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purposes of adding the following late filed matter to the Order of the Day to refer the matter to the Committee on Personnel, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent)..”
Adjourn — Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purposes of adding the following late filed matter to the Order of the Day to refer the matter to the Committee on Personnel, 8 in favor,...
Motion made and 2nd to ADJOURN, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen absent).
Yes: Anderson, Campbell, Concannon, Dillon, Ferullo, Gately, Higgins, TedescoThe journal lists Darlene Mercer-Bruen as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to ADJOURN, 8 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Mercer-Bruen 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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