Watertown City Council
Tuesday September 26, 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.
Item 5A
The city manager of Watertown, George Proakis, received a highly positive performance evaluation for the fiscal year 2023, with an overall score of 4.62 out of 5 across various general and specific criteria, indicating that he generally exceeds performance standards. His highest scores were in leadership and professional capability and personal qualities, with a slightly lower score in community health and safety. Council members commended Proakis for his effective management of the city's financial operations, transparency in budget and policy directives, reorganization of staff for better supervision, commitment to professional development, high integrity, and strategic leadership. Proakis was particularly praised for his fiscal capabilities, engaging communication style, and initiative in leading new city programs such as the climate action plan. In response, Proakis thanked the council for their positive feedback and acknowledged areas for improvement, expressing his eagerness to continue working on the city's goals and strategies for the future. Council President Mark Sideris lauded Proakis for his engagement and vision for Watertown's future, noting that he has positively changed the public's view of the manager's office and looks forward to Proakis's continued contribution to the city's progress.
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Item 6A
Nicole Gardner from the Watertown City Council highlighted President Biden's proclamation of the second Monday of October as Indigenous People's Day, acknowledging the historical and cultural significance of the Pequossette band of the Massachusetts people as the original caretakers of Watertown's land. She emphasized the profound influence of Indigenous peoples on the community through various contributions including knowledge, labor, technology, and arts. Recognizing the diversity of Watertown's population, including settlers, immigrants, and descendants of the forcibly brought, she announced the city's resolution to proclaim October 9th as Indigenous People's Day, urging community members to observe the day. The proclamation, dated September 26th, 2023, was officially endorsed with the city's great seal.
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Item 6B
Vincent Piccirilli of the Watertown City Council issued a proclamation in honor of Mary Francis Haley's 100th birthday, lauding her remarkable life and contributions. Born in Medford, Massachusetts, in 1923, Mary Frances Odiorni, affectionately known as Frannie, embarked on a notable journey from high school graduate to a seasoned traveler who enjoyed cross-country train trips and visited destinations like Florida, California's Rose Bowl, Hawaii, Bermuda, St. Thomas, and Canada. Marrying Walter X. Haley, a US Marine veteran of WWII, they settled in Watertown in 1966, where Mary worked as a bank teller and was celebrated for her hospitality, culinary skills, and homemade fashion. Furthermore, Mary’s intellectual pursuits, including voracious reading and staying informed through Newsweek and Bloomberg reports, alongside her warmth and good spirits, are recognized. This resolution by the City Council congratulates Mary on her centennial milestone, celebrating her life's achievements and her profound impact on family and community.
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Item 7A
Eversource is requesting a grant for a location to install a 154 linear feet of conduit in Main Street, leading up to the property line of 166 Main Street. The purpose of this installation is to provide utility service to a new development at 166 Main Street, which will feature a 34 unit residential building with a small commercial space on the ground floor. Representatives from Eversource, including Joanne Mosley-Dimick, have presented this petition for consideration.
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Item 7B
The discussed item at the public hearing was the appointment of the Municipal Policy Analyst for Watertown City, along with the establishment of the salary at $72,000 as part of a new initiative outlined in the revised city charter. This initiative aims to provide additional support to the city council in policy creation. The hearing, mandated by the Watertown Home Rule Charter, was open to the public for questions about the salary ordinance. During the discussion, council member Lisa Feltner inquired about the start date for the appointed analyst, revealing a procedural sequence that includes a background check and physical examination, which would occur after the hearing, contrary to her initial understanding that these steps might be concurrent with the salary decision process.
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Item 7C
During a City Council meeting, a discussion unfolded regarding the establishment of a Human Rights Commission as per new city charter provisions. Concerns were raised by Attorney Rich regarding Section 5(d) of the proposed ordinance, which he argued could inappropriately insert the commission into private and public disputes, potentially leading to legal and privacy issues. Various community members and councilors voiced support for the commission, emphasizing its importance for addressing discrimination and promoting human rights. Suggestions were made to refine the language of the ordinance to clarify the commission's role as a resource rather than an adjudicatory body, addressing Attorney Rich's concerns while preserving the commission's intended function. Despite Rich's recommendations to amend or delete specific sections, the discussion highlighted differing views on the commission's scope and its mechanisms for handling complaints. Council members struggled with the specifics of the ordinance, trying to balance legal advice with the intentions behind establishing the commission. The conversation underscored the complexity of implementing such a body within the existing legal and civic framework of the city.
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Item 8A
At the public hearing, a proposed loan order of $315,000 was introduced by Sideris for the design and engineering services necessary for upgrading the HVAC system and installing air conditioning in portions of the Watertown Middle School. Proakis elaborated that this first reading involves consolidating items from various lines previously referenced in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and the fiscal year 22 loan order recommendations. He underscored the purpose of the loan for HVAC improvements at the middle school and requested setting up a vote for the proposal at the October 10th meeting.
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Item 8B
In the first reading of a resolution, Sideris highlighted the agenda item regarding the authorization to accept and expend a gift of funds totaling $8,300. This amount, contributed by Watertown Savings Bank, Ethos Dispenser, the residences at Watertown Square, and VHB, is designated to cover expenses associated with the fair on the square. Proakis, speaking further, expressed the need for support to accept these funds explicitly for the purpose of covering the fair's expenses, promising to elaborate on this more in his manager's report.
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Item 8C
During the discussion about adopting a provision under General Law Chapter 40, subsection 22(f), which would allow city boards or offices to set reasonable fees without needing city council approval each time, Mr. Proakis emphasized the aim for more efficient and effective city processes. This provision would allow for more flexibility in matching fees with services, provided they cover the service costs without generating excessive general fund revenue. Council member Palomba sought clarification on the necessity of council approval despite the provision allowing boards to set fees, leading to an explanation by Rich that the statute requires both the acceptance of the provision by the city council and, in cases where an officer appointed by an elected body sets a fee, for that fee to be reviewed by the elected body. This clarification highlighted the distinction between general acceptance of the statutory scheme and specific instances where fee-setting by officers requires elected body review.
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Item 8D
During a discussion about adopting general law Chapter 40, Section 58, to enforce the collection of unpaid local charges or fees through municipal liens on property, there was substantial debate on the matter's legality and practicality. Proakis highlighted the need for a stronger enforcement mechanism for uncollected fees from violations like noise or wetlands, suggesting that attaching them as municipal charges to property taxes would add "teeth" to the city's enforcement capabilities. However, concerns were raised by Gannon regarding the legality of extending this lien imposition to fines, based on a 2017 case and the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office's stance, suggesting that fines might not be classified as local charges or fees eligible for such liens. The list of items proposed for lien imposition was questioned for its completeness and relevance to current city violations, with Proakis confirming it was based on city staff suggestions. There was a consensus on the need for further clarification and legal opinion, leading to the decision to send the matter to the committee on rules and ordinances for review before any action could be taken.
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Item 9A
In a public hearing, the committee discussed the process to evaluate ARPA proposals, led by Councilor Piccirilli. The committee, comprising Chair Piccirilli, Vice Chair Councilor Izzo, and Secretary Councilor Gardner, discussed utilizing a four-point scale for preliminary recommendations on allocating the ARPA funds, received far exceeding the available $10,500,000. The committee decided against discussing specific proposals in this meeting but urged reviewing the city's ARPA webpage for details. An accounting firm, Clifton Larson Allen, retained by the city, was tasked to advise on the legality of the proposals. The committee discussed public and committee input processes, with proposals to be presented by proposers for evaluation. Concerns were raised about sufficient public engagement and the clarity of the proposal evaluation criteria. Amendments to the process were considered, including modifying presentation time slots for proposers. President Sideris suggested considering broader council involvement due to the significant task of allocating $10.5 million, to ensure effective information dissemination and participation. The discussion indicated support for this more inclusive approach, adjusting the process to better engage both council members and the public in evaluating and scoring the proposals.
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Item 9B
The Committee on Economic Development and Planning met on September 13 and 18 to interview candidates for the Public Arts and Culture Committee in Watertown. During the September 13 meeting, they interviewed Matthew Hanna, a professional musician and former podcast host interested in promoting local arts events. The committee unanimously voted to appoint Hanna to fill the vacancy left by Carol Katz's resignation. On September 18, the committee reconvened to interview Swati Biswas, a medical writer and trained dancer from India, who aims to contribute to Watertown's cultural scene through her unique background in dance, visual arts, and costume design. The committee moved to recommend Biswas for appointment to a newly created position on the committee, reflecting the council's decision from May 23, 2023, to expand the committee's membership.
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Item 9C
The Watertown City Council's Committee on Public Safety held a hybrid meeting on September 11, 2023, led by Councilor John Airasian, to discuss the qualifications desired for the next police chief. The meeting included remarks from City Manager George Proakis on the public's input and the civil service hiring process, and a presentation from public safety consultant John Parow on the assessment center for hiring. Public comments addressed concerns over the diversity of assessors and other community issues. Council discussions emphasized the need for a candidate who understands the community, promotes transparency, adheres to best policing and management practices, focuses on employee well-being, and is committed to maintaining Watertown's safety and inclusivity. Specific qualities highlighted included integrity, strong communication skills, and the ability to address departmental issues. The meeting concluded with a commitment to finding a chief that aligns with these criteria, following detailed minutes and numerous public statements.
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Item 9D
In a committee on public safety meeting held on September 7, 2023, chaired by John Airasian, with Vice Chair Emily Azzo and Secretary Vincent Piccirilli, the focus was on interviewing Kelly Gallagher for reappointment to the traffic commission, a position she has held since 2013. Gallagher, a lawyer residing and working in Watertown, expressed her satisfaction with the commission's efforts in tackling traffic issues, engaging with the community, and navigating through leadership transitions within the fire and police departments. The committee unanimously recommended Gallagher's reappointment for a term ending May 15, 2025, with the meeting concluding at 5:53 PM.
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Item 11A
During the public hearing, the city manager, Proakis, presented a request for the confirmation of Elaine Mello, Robert Romano, and Jennifer Nicholson's reappointments to the Cable Access Corporation Board of Directors, with terms lasting until September 15th, 2026. He noted that Nicholson's recommendation was from the schools for one of the school seats and discussed the adjustment of terms from the previous year due to expired and vacant positions. The manager then shifted focus to discuss community discussions on the future use of the North Branch Library Building and the need for a structural analysis to determine its viability for reuse or if it deemed unsalvageable, exploring options for the lot. Additionally, the manager announced City Clerk Janet Murphy's upcoming departure and the steps being taken to address staffing and operational needs in light of the upcoming election. There was mention of efforts to clarify the process and communications regarding construction easements to property owners affected by the Mount Auburn Street project. The manager also highlighted the kickoff of the Watertown Square area plan, emphasizing community engagement and feedback through planning sessions and kitchen table conversations aimed at broadening community participation. Acknowledgment of the successful fair in honor of Mike Dunham was given, thanking sponsors, staff, and participants for their contributions to the event. The manager also recognized Indigenous People's Day celebrations and provided updates on the farmers market schedule.
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Item 12
Feltner raised concerns about the unclear referral process for the Human Rights Commission's membership committee, noting that the council rules do not specify the proper committee for such referrals. She highlighted the ordinance's focus on education, suggesting that the Education Committee might be appropriate but also opened the floor for further discussion on the matter. She mentioned the importance of liaising with public schools and public safety. Sideris responded, acknowledging the need to clarify the referral process and mentioning that the matter might also involve the residents advisory board, indicating that they are still working out the details.
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Item 13
During a Watertown City Council meeting, members announced upcoming community events and meetings. Emily Izzo highlighted the Watertown Rotary Club's free senior citizen cookout happening on October 1st, featuring food and prizes. Palomba announced the Indigenous People's Day event on the same day at Hosmer School, promising a day filled with music, displays, and food. Piccirilli excitedly talked about the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Lowell School scheduled for October 3rd, indicating the school's renovations are nearing completion. Lastly, Feltner clarified the scheduling of the economic development and planning committee meeting for September 27th, which would not conflict with the zoning board of appeals meeting later that evening, ensuring attendees could participate in both.
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