MassVoter.com← Woburn City CouncilWoburn City Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
January 19, 2021
25 recorded votes, 0 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, Robert J. Ferullo, Michael P. Concannon, Richard F. Gately, Joseph E. Demers, Darlene Mercer-Bruen, Jeffrey P. Dillon, Edward Tedesco, Lindsay E. Higgins
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Regular meeting
Suspend the rules to hear from His Honor the Mayor
Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules to hear from His Honor the Mayor, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules to hear from His Honor the Mayor, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
A copy of the address be received and made part of the record
Motion made and 2nd that a copy of the address be received and made part of the record, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a copy of the address be received and made part of the record, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
Return to the regular order of business
Motion made and 2nd to return to the regular order of business, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer- Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to return to the regular order of business, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer- Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
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, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“VOTED to dispense with the reading of the previous meeting's Journal and to APPROVE, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
Mayor’s Communications
Suspend the rules for the purposes of hearing from the Mayor and Planning Director or their designees
Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purposes of hearing from the Mayor and Planning Director or their designees, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to suspend the rules for the purposes of hearing from the Mayor and Planning Director or their designees, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
The Powerpoint presentation be received and made part of the record
Motion made and 2nd that the Powerpoint presentation be received and made part of the record, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the Powerpoint presentation be received and made part of the record, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
Return to the regular order of business
Motion made and 2nd to return to the regular order of business, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer- Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to return to the regular order of business, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer- Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
New Petitions
The matter be referred to public hearing — Petition by Woburn Avalon LLC, 600 Atlantic Avenue, 20th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 for an Inflammable License to allow 9,040 gallons of gasoline...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
The matter be referred to public hearing — Petition by eca nema Brightfields I LLC and eca nema Brightfields II LLC, 282 Moody Street, Suite 202, Waltham, Massachusetts 02453 for Site Plan Review...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEARING, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
Public Hearings
The public hearing be opened for public comments — On the petition by Alderman Tedesco to amend the 1985 Woburn Zoning Ordinances, as amended, by adding a new Section 2 Definitions "Pet Recreation...
Motion made and 2nd that the public hearing be opened for public comments, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the public hearing be opened for public comments, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
A communication be sent to the Planning Board to provide commentary as to areas of the city which may be effected by the ordinance and what the impacts will be
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Planning Board to provide commentary as to areas of the city which may be effected by the ordinance and what the impacts will be, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the Planning Board to provide commentary as to areas of the city which may be effected by the ordinance and what the impacts will be, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
The public hearing be continued to the regular meeting of the City Council on February 16, 2021, that the matter be referred to the Committee on Ordinances and that a communication be forwarded to...
Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 16, 2021, THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES and that a communication be forwarded to the City Solicitor requesting a review of the language and advising the matter is still under review by the Planning Board, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer- Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the PUBLIC HEARING be CONTINUED TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 16, 2021, THAT THE MATTER BE REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON ORDINANCES and that a communication be forwarded to the City Solicitor requesting a review of the language and advising the matter is still under review by the Planning Board, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer- Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
Committee Reports — Public Safety and Licenses
The committee report be adopted — On the petitions for renewal of First Class Motor Vehicle Sales Licenses by c.n. Wood Enviro, LLC; and Northeast Tree, Inc., committee report was received "ought...
Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
A communication be sent to the petitioner advising the insurance binder must be filed forthwith and that the business is currently operating without a license
Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the petitioner advising the insurance binder must be filed forthwith and that the business is currently operating without a license, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that a communication be sent to the petitioner advising the insurance binder must be filed forthwith and that the business is currently operating without a license, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
The first class motor vehicle sales license be approved with the existing limits and conditions and only upon receipt of the insurance binder from the petitioner
Motion made and 2nd that the FIRST CLASS MOTOR VEHICLE SALES LICENSE be APPROVED with the existing limits and conditions and only upon receipt of the insurance binder from the petitioner, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the FIRST CLASS MOTOR VEHICLE SALES LICENSE be APPROVED with the existing limits and conditions and only upon receipt of the insurance binder from the petitioner, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
The committee report be adopted — On the petitions for renewal of Second Class Motor Vehicle Sales Licenses by Anchor Auto Sales, Inc.; and Michael R. Celeta, III dba Central Automotive, committee...
Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
Communication be sent to the petitioner advising the insurance binder must be filed forthwith and that the business is currently operating without a license and that the second class motor vehicle...
Motion made and 2nd that communication be sent to the petitioner advising the insurance binder must be filed forthwith and that the business is currently operating without a license and that the SECOND CLASS MOTOR VEHICLE SALES LICENSE be APPROVED with the existing limits and conditions and only upon receipt of the insurance binder from the petitioner, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that communication be sent to the petitioner advising the insurance binder must be filed forthwith and that the business is currently operating without a license and that the SECOND CLASS MOTOR VEHICLE SALES LICENSE be APPROVED with the existing limits and conditions and only upon receipt of the insurance binder from the petitioner, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
The communication be sent to the petitioner advising the Tax Collector Certificate must be filed forthwith and that the business is currently operating without a license and that the second class...
Motion made and 2nd that the communication be sent to the petitioner advising the Tax Collector Certificate must be filed forthwith and that the business is currently operating without a license and that the SECOND CLASS MOTOR VEHICLE SALES LICENSE be APPROVED with the existing limits and conditions and only upon receipt of the Treasurer/Collector Certificate from the petitioner, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the communication be sent to the petitioner advising the Tax Collector Certificate must be filed forthwith and that the business is currently operating without a license and that the SECOND CLASS MOTOR VEHICLE SALES LICENSE be APPROVED with the existing limits and conditions and only upon receipt of the Treasurer/Collector Certificate from the petitioner, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
Committee Reports — Finance
The committee report be adopted — On the Order to transfer the sum of $5,000,000.00 from Unreserved Fund Balance Acct to Stabilization Fund Acct, committee report was received "ought to pass"
Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
The committee report be adopted — On the Order to re-adopt and accept the provisions of m.g.l. Ch.32B, §20 establishing the Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund, committee report...
Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the COMMITTEE REPORT be ADOPTED, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
Communications and Reports
The matter be received and placed on file — A communication dated January 8, 2021 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, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
The matter be received and placed on file — A communication dated January 4, 2021 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, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
The matter be referred to Committee on Liaison — A communication dated January 14, 2020 was received from City Solicitor Ellen Callahan Doucette as follows: Re: NAI, Inc. v
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LIAISON, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LIAISON, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
The matter be received and placed on file — A communication dated January 5, 2020 was received from State Representative Richard Haggerty as follows: Subject: Designation of the Vietnam Veterans...
Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd that the MATTER be RECEIVED AND PLACED ON FILE, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
Motions, Orders and Resolutions
Adjourn
Motion made and 2nd to ADJOURN, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes.
From the minutes
“Motion made and 2nd to ADJOURN, ROLL CALL: Campbell - Yes; Concannon - Yes; Demers - Yes, Dillon - Yes; Ferullo - Yes; Gately - Yes; Mercer-Bruen - Yes; Tedesco - Yes; Higgins - Yes..”
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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