Watertown City Council
Tuesday November 14, 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.
Section 4
Residents of Newton and Watertown voiced several concerns during a public hearing, focusing on issues such as noise pollution from bio lab buildings, inadequate handling of building projects by the city, detrimental impacts on local wildlife, and significant disturbances caused by construction projects. Specific complaints included the noise emanating from chillers and fans in the bio lab buildings disturbing residents and wildlife, a lack of proper permits and environmental considerations for construction projects near waterways, and concerns about the safety and accessibility changes due to road and sidewalk construction. Residents also expressed frustration with city officials for perceived mismanagement and lack of response to these issues. Suggestions for addressing the problems included implementing noise barriers, ensuring proper permitting and environmental protections for construction projects, and improving communication and processes between the city and residents to avoid further community and environmental disruptions.
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10, A.
In a comprehensive discussion during a public hearing, George Proakis and Gregory St. Louis addressed concerns and outlined detailed plans regarding street programs and construction management in Watertown. Proakis emphasized the distinction between policy strategies on street construction and challenges with contractors, specifically highlighting issues with the contractor on Highland Ave. He mentioned the city's efforts to manage construction schedules effectively to minimize disruption and how they are enhancing their construction management team. St. Louis provided a thorough breakdown of the annual road program, noting the city’s standards for road width, infrastructure work (including water main, sewer main, and drainage), and sidewalk rehabilitation. He explained the use of a Pavement Condition Index to prioritize repairs and described the process of coordinating utility work to prevent newly paved roads from being dug up. St. Louis also detailed the community outreach for upcoming projects, adherence to complete streets guidelines, the bidding process for contractors, and the city's strategy to ensure contractors' accountability. Proakis concluded by discussing the zoning ordinance related to driveway widths, the importance of complete streets for enhancing green spaces and pedestrian experience, and the avenue for appeals through the zoning board.
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Section 6
The presented resolution outlines a timeline for the development and adoption of the fiscal year 2025 operating budget and capital improvement program for the city of Watertown. It starts with a preliminary budget overview to be presented by October 10th, 2023, followed by the adoption of fiscal year 2025 budget policy guidelines by November 27, 2023. The proposed fiscal year 2025 to 2029 capital improvement program will be presented by January 23, 2024, with the city council expected to adopt conceptual recommendations by February 27, 2024, contingent upon funding availability. This schedule is designed to align with the Home Rule Charter's process for budget and capital improvement program development, ensuring that the city council provides necessary policy guidance to the city manager and the city residents have the opportunity to contribute their input on these key financial decisions.
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6. A.
At a public hearing, officials discussed tax adjustments for fiscal year 24 in Watertown, emphasizing a shift from an outdated state law allowing for a more significant portion of taxes to be allocated to the commercial sector, thereby offering relief to residential taxpayers. This shift moves the tax burden closer to the maximum allowed for commercial properties, a change enabled by a Home Rule Petition and efforts from the city council and state delegation. The discussion detailed impacts on residential tax rates and exemptions, highlighting substantial tax savings for residents due to adjustments in the tax levy towards commercial properties and new growth in the area. Assessors presented comparisons with other communities, reviewed the historical context of tax shifts, and recommended maintaining the current residential exemption rate to allow for future flexibility. Council members expressed gratitude towards state delegates and previous council efforts that led to these changes, emphasizing the positive impact on taxpayers and the city's financial health, with future projections taking into account ongoing and new developments in Watertown.
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7. A.
Proakis highlighted Athenahealth's departure from Watertown to Boston, acknowledging its substantial community contributions including a significant donation of office furniture for the annex building at the Parker School. Additionally, he mentioned Athenahealth's gift of a large Watertown flag that had flown over their Arsenal on the Charles location, requesting formal acceptance of this gesture under chapter 4453 a and a half to use the flag for city celebrations.
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7. B.
Proakis addressed the president, referring to a previous proposal that aimed to enable the municipality to use state law for converting unpaid fees or fines into municipal charge liens. During the prior discussion, concerns were raised about the suitability of the specific state law for imposing fines, leading to the suggestion that legislative action was necessary for authorization. To circumvent the delays associated with committee discussions on the feasibility of using alternative legal means, Proakis proposed a more direct approach. He introduced a resolution authorizing the city to petition for special legislation, specifically, a home rule petition that would grant the city the ability to pursue the original intent of imposing municipal charge liens for unpaid fees or fines.
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7. C.
During the council meeting, discussion centered on the establishment of the Watertown Square Cultural District, an initiative led by the assistant city manager for community development and planning, Steve Magoon, with significant contributions from Liz Helfer, public arts and culture planner. Efforts to create such a district faced challenges in the past, but recent coordinated efforts involving local arts organizations and public outreach have been promising. The district aims to provide a structured organization to the artistic community, enhance cultural visibility through signage and events, and open opportunities for state grants. Council members expressed their long-term commitment to the project, questioning the criteria for determining the district's unique shape, designed to be walkable while encompassing key cultural institutions. A potential Cultural District Partnership was also discussed, which could play a significant role in managing the district, depending on the level of involvement decided by the community and council.
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8. A.
The committee, led by Emily Izzo, met on October 10th to conduct interviews for reappointments to the Watertown Cable Access Corporation, starting with Jen Nicholson who enjoys being a liaison for schools and has learned technical aspects of the role. She works on the subcommittee reviewing bylaws and policies, emphasizing the board's diverse perspectives. Robert Romano appreciated the executive director's leadership through tough transitions and financial issues, praising the cohesive relationship between the board and staff. Elaine Mello shared insights from her experience with studio construction, looking forward to utilizing grants and membership for sustainability. Each candidate's reappointment recommendation was passed unanimously by the council members present. The meeting adjourned at 5:55 PM.
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8. B.
The committee convened on September 28th to discuss various issues related to park renovations and improvements, particularly focusing on Casey Park. The meeting began with proposals for new signage in parks, leading to suggestions for minor wording changes, the inclusion of a QR code, and the decision to add a city seal. A significant portion of the discussion centered on phase two renovations for Casey Park, proposed in 2017, which included additions and improvements to the Little League Baseball ballpark. Concerns were raised by residents about the placement of new facilities, like the batting cage and a proposed restroom/storage area, considering their impact on the neighborhood's noise levels and the park's overall use. The meeting also addressed noise complaints related to the hockey rink, with discussions on enforcing permit requirements and potentially retrofitting the rink to reduce noise. It was ultimately recommended by the Committee on Parks and Recreation to pause and reevaluate the design and use of Casey Park in response to the community's concerns and lack of consensus, despite some members' belief that improvements could proceed without addressing all the issues raised.
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8. C.
At a comprehensive three-and-a-half-hour joint meeting of the Committee on Public Works and the Committee on Rules and Ordinances, discussions were held on a sidewalk snow shoveling ordinance, focusing on exemption qualifications based on age, disability, and income, and the enforcement of the ordinance. The meeting, attended by committee members, city council representatives, and various city officials, delved into the logistics of exemptions for sidewalk shoveling, enforcement strategies prioritizing compliance over punishment, and specifics such as shoveling requirements for city-owned properties. Key motions were passed regarding the ordinance's review by legal counsel, a first reading post-review, and endorsement of the ordinance's regulations. Concerns were also addressed about the exemption criteria, the feasibility of clearing snow from exempt properties, and responsibility for injuries on uncleared sidewalks. Recommendations included running a help-your-neighbor campaign, evaluating the program's first-year results by May 30, and further discussing snow clearing on properties abutting municipal and state-owned properties. The meeting concluded with plans to reconvene and review data to consider possible ordinance and regulation changes.
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8. D.
The Watertown City Council committee meeting convened on October 30, 2023, with members including Chair John Gannon, Vice Chair Nicole Gardner, City Manager George Proakis, and Assistant City Manager Emily Menea, alongside Michael Albano joining via Zoom. The meeting focused on discussing the qualifications for the role of city clerk, covering the position's extensive responsibilities ranging from election matters to maintaining city records. Key skills highlighted for the role included familiarity with Massachusetts laws, customer service orientation, integrity, attention to detail, and the ability to manage teams and work collaboratively. The discussion also noted the progress made under Clerk Murphy in digitizing city records and the challenges posed by current short staffing and below-market compensation. The committee aimed to sustain the progress without losing momentum. The meeting was adjourned at 5:52 PM.
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8. E.
The Committee on Economic Development and Planning met on September 27, 2023, to discuss revising community meeting requirements for large projects, focusing on both building conversion and new construction. The committee, chaired by Feltner, with councilors and city staff including City Manager George Proakis and Assistant City Manager Steven Magoon, reviewed recommendations to amend zoning regulations to extend requirements to building conversions, change the notice period to 10 business days, and include a recommended list of documents to be provided by developers. Public comments raised concerns about transparency, developer-staff meetings being closed to the public, the adequacy of Zoom meetings for public engagement, and the need for balanced reporting of developer meetings. The committee recommended endorsement of the proposed changes with a unanimous vote. Councilor Palomba questioned inconsistencies in reporting community meeting summaries and inquired about the openness of developer conferences to the public, to which it was clarified that such meetings are not subject to open meeting law, following similar practices as in Somerville and Cambridge, where preliminary developer conferences are internal staff deliberations, not public meetings. The meeting concluded with suggestions for enhancing community engagement beyond the formal community meeting process.
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8. F.
On October 31st, the Human Services Committee, chaired by Palomba with Vice Chair Councilor Bays and Secretary Councilor Gannon, convened to discuss the nomination of James Mello as a Watertown Housing Authority (WHA) member for a term ending May 15, 2028. The meeting, starting at 5:50 PM, also had James Mello and Jackie Van Lewin in attendance. Mello, a resident and president of the tenant association at the Joyce Meagher Apartments Munger, is known for his involvement with all WHA developments. He aims to elevate his service by pushing for in-person authority meetings to amplify tenant voices and advocating for increased transparency, including broadcasting meetings on Watertown Cable Access TV. The committee unanimously approved Mello's nomination, and the meeting adjourned at 6:23 PM, with the action item being the formal confirmation of his appointment.
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9. A.
The discussion involves the consideration of designating a Hero's Square in honor of World War II KIA veteran Vincent Ranucci at the intersection of Nichols Ave and Bigelow Ave, as proposed by the veteran's agent and in accordance with the process laid out by a previous council. Additionally, there is mention of a future request for a proclamation to accompany this event. A motion is requested to authorize the naming of the intersection as Hero Square.
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9. B.
The section covers a proposal presented by Chief Nicholson to dedicate a flagpole at the North Fire Station in memory of the late Fire Chief Mario Orangio. This idea aligns with an existing tradition of naming flagpoles at fire stations, as exemplified by a previous dedication at the East End Fire Station. Sideris calls for a motion to officially dedicate the North Fire Station's flagpole to Chief Mario Orangio.
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10. B.
Proakis addressed the meeting, requesting a review of a proposal to adjust the DPW front office hours to align with those of the non-clerical staff, including laborers and supervisors, shifting from the current 8:30 to 5:00 schedule to 7:00 to 3:30. He mentioned that staff and union members are interested in the change, and he proposed discussing the proposal in detail at a future committee meeting. Proakis also noted he has a memo from the DPW superintendent that he can provide to the council for further information.
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Section 13
Mr. Proakis provided updates on various city matters, including closure dates for the administration building and senior center due to Thanksgiving, and upcoming community events such as the Whoville Jubilee and tree lighting. He announced the appointment of Tyler Cody as the new community engagement specialist and highlighted the senior fitness and health fair at the Commander's Mansion. Details on the charrette meetings for Watertown Square were shared, aiming to refine zoning and transportation options. Proakis also discussed the revised schedule for parks and playground projects, indicating a delay in the Casey Park project to summer 2025. He encouraged residents to apply for the Human Rights Commission and praised staff for their work in recent elections and Veterans Day celebrations. Additionally, Proakis addressed the city’s electricity choice program, emphasizing its benefits and the aim to provide affordable, greener energy. Lastly, he spoke on adjustments to trash and recycling pickup schedules due to construction, advising residents to place their bins out early to ensure timely collection.
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Section 12
In a recent public hearing, Gardner requested information on park usage, including a spreadsheet detailing facilities by park, the proportion of programmed versus passive green space excluding parking lots, and data on usage by gender and age, acknowledging that such specific data might be unavailable. Gannon raised concerns about multiple street closures in the Barnard, Robbins, Russell Avenue neighborhood, causing inconvenience and potentially hindering emergency vehicles, requesting coordination to address this issue. Feltner sought clarification on changes to trash recycling pickup times due to early morning disturbances. Sideris announced the groundbreaking ceremony for a new high school, inviting participation. Gardner also highlighted an upcoming workshop hosted by World in Watertown to discuss the Human Rights Commission, featuring a panel and providing resume and letter writing assistance. Palomba gave early notice of a Committee on Human Services meeting to discuss the health department director's desirable qualities and the latest on the rodent control program. Lastly, Gannon promoted a food drive by Watertown Scout Troop 30, partnering with the Watertown Food Pantry, encouraging the donation of food and personal care items.
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Section 14
Martino highlighted the city's successful rodent control efforts at the high school site but pointed out the lack of similar proactive measures during construction at Moxley, which led to rodent issues. He emphasized his concerns about rodent prevention and questioned the city's oversight and accountability. Thomas discussed difficulties with the Zoom meeting setup and the lack of progress on addressing short-term rental issues, expressing frustration over the delay and lack of communication. Piccirilli shared an email from Amy Kropke, who requested a noise barrier ordinance for new developments near her home across the Charles River, to mitigate constant noise affecting residential areas.
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