Watertown City Council
Tuesday May 9, 2023
Clickable Transcript Printable Transcript Agenda
The order of items in transcripts appear in the chronological order in which they were taken up. Some Agenda items may have been skipped.
Resident Comments
Joan Gumbleton expressed gratitude to over 400 city residents for supporting a petition aimed at protecting residential neighborhoods from the negative effects of large development projects. She stressed the importance of integrating future developments into the city's landscape thoughtfully, emphasizing that the petition wasn't against development but for ensuring it respects existing communities. Edward Markus shared his frustrations over a problematic telephone pole outside his home, detailing unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue with Verizon and Eversource, and seeking guidance from the council. Vincent Piccirilli, on behalf of Linda Scott, echoed the sentiment on development concerns, urging the council and planning board to consider the broader impact of development projects on Watertown's neighborhoods and identity. Additionally, Piccirilli highlighted a need for improved government transparency and more accessible scheduling of public meetings, criticizing the handling of important meetings and the dissemination of information.
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President's Report
At a public meeting, Council President Mark Sideris announced the tabling of the minutes due to their incompleteness and deferred the president's report in favor of discussing the city manager's budget. The council then proceeded to a public hearing concerning a petition from Crown Castle—incorrectly listed as Eversource in the agenda—for the installation of approximately 85 linear feet of underground telecommunications conduit along Church Street to serve 65 Main Street. Despite the agenda mishap, neighbors were correctly informed that Crown Castle was the petitioner. The proposal, aimed at providing telecommunications services to 65 Main Street, was to be voted on that night and confirmed in the following meeting to ensure compliance. Ana Semaska from Crown Castle was present to detail the project and address any inquiries from the council or the public, stating that the necessary plans had been submitted to the Department of Public Works.
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6B.
The Watertown City Council held a public hearing regarding Eversource's petition to install 86 linear feet of conduit from manhole MH6177 to the property line of 20 Water Street to provide electrical service. Gregory St. Louis from the City of Watertown detailed that the work would support infrastructure changes, including the removal of catenary lines and realignment of Water Street, which are beneficial to the city. He also mentioned that the removal of foundations for unrelated catenary poles is planned. Councilors raised questions about the timeframe of the project, with works expected to begin within a month, and addressed concerns about the issue of double poles in the city. Eversource's actions regarding the double pole issue and their commitment to improving the situation were discussed, highlighting the city's stance on holding the utility accountable for such infrastructure problems.
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6C.
The discussion focused on a proposal to adjust the operating hours of the Administration Building and the Senior Center for the summer period from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The proposed hours would be 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM on Fridays and 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM on Tuesdays. George Proakis, representing the City of Watertown, presented the proposal, mentioning that it aligns with the standard summer hours plan and is supported by a memorandum of agreement with Teamsters Local Union 25 for both locations. He requested the council's support for the proposed changes.
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7A.
During this section of the meeting, a resolution was proposed to transfer $40,000 from the FY23 city council reserve account to the FY23 city attorney litigation and technical support account. This request was made by Mr. Proakis, who noted that the fiscal year 2023 appropriation for legal services was initially set at $210,000. However, due to engaging in unusually complex real estate transactions this year, the allocated funds were proving insufficient. The additional $40,000 was requested to ensure continuous legal support for the city, emphasizing the necessity to maintain operational legal consultation and handle the city’s affairs without interruption.
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7B.
The segment covers the initiation of a process for zoning amendments, highlighting that it is an automatic referral to the planning board, a procedural step previously discussed and considered ministerial under the zoning act. Following this, there's a transition to a separate agenda item where the city manager requests the council to reappoint Earl Smith as the chairman of the board of assessors, emphasizing Smith's pivotal role as the head of the assessing department, and seeks the council's action on the matter.
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9B.
In a comprehensive budget presentation for the fiscal year 2024, the city manager introduced a budget focused on enhancing leadership, effective organization, continuous planning, climate resiliency, fiscal stability, and future building. The key highlights include the restructuring of various city departments for improved efficiency and functionality, the introduction of new staff positions across several departments, and a significant focus on adjusting the city's organizational structure to continue delivering quality services. The budget anticipates strong new growth but also outlines fiscal challenges such as rising public construction costs, increasing interest rates, and the need for strategic spending. Notably, the manager addressed the budgetary concerns surrounding the high school project which is facing a substantial gap due to increased costs. To address this, potential solutions such as additional borrowing, delaying other capital projects, utilizing ARPA funds, or adjusting plans for the solar panels on the new high school are being considered. Engaging presentations were made by department heads, outlining changes in their specific areas and how these align with the city's strategic priorities and financial forecasting. Concerns were raised regarding potential impacts on future fiscal stability due to these aforementioned challenges. The manager thanked the budget team and emphasized the goal of maintaining high service levels while efficiently utilizing taxpayer funds, reflecting the community's values and priorities for sustainable growth and development.
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