Watertown City Council
Tuesday December 12, 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 6
Mark Sideris, the Council President, expressed gratitude towards the city council for their year-long efforts in advancing the community's business and acknowledged the staff for their collaboration. He concluded by extending wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season to everyone in the city, noting this was communicated during the last council meeting of the year.
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7. A.
At the public hearing, discussion was introduced regarding a proposed ordinance that would mandate closed captioning on public-facing televisions, such as those in restaurants or other public establishments. George Proakis, representing the City of Watertown, expressed no particular comments at the moment but showed anticipation for public and council feedback at the next meeting. The ordinance's presentation is at its first reading stage, emphasizing the importance of gathering opinions and addressing the initiative, which has been implemented in other cities and towns, to ensure accessibility for all.
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7. B.
SIDERIS expressed gratitude towards the chairman, council, and committee for their hard work on the proposal to ensure sidewalks are cleared in front of people's property, emphasizing the significant effort involved. He highlighted the establishment of a violation penalty system and raised concerns about the practical aspects of enforcement, questioning whether it should be proactive or based on complaints. SIDERIS also mentioned ongoing discussions about how to handle small sidewalk sections not directly in front of properties, considering the challenges faced by the Department of Public Works (DPW) in maintaining snow removal staff. He acknowledged the potential for improved sidewalk clearance and looked forward to further discussions with the council to address these considerations.
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7. D.
Proakis addressed the need for a fund transfer of $79,000 to implement a previously overlooked aspect of the fire department contract with Watertown Firefighters, IAFF Local 1347. This onetime adjustment is required to cover the cost of a change in uniform for firefighters, introduced at the start of the contract period. He clarified that this is not a recurring expense but a necessary amendment to fulfill the contract obligations, as all firefighters needed to purchase additional uniform pieces due to upgraded and changed uniform expectations. Proakis brought this issue to attention for approval to fund the remaining piece of the contract.
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7. E.
Proakis addressed the city council regarding the approval of 10 individuals for positions within the city's recreation department, under the conditions of Section 20(b) from general law 268(a) Chapter 20(b), a regulation that prevents an individual from holding two positions or contracts with the city simultaneously without appropriate disclosures and city council approval. These individuals, primarily employed by the school department, often take up additional roles as recreation department employees, such as summer camp or ski program instructors. Proakis noted the necessity of separate job responsibilities and proper disclosures, emphasizing the seasonal nature of these roles and the requirement for annual approval by the council. Proakis provided details on the specific programs involved and sought the council’s approval for the current group, anticipating future submissions in the spring for summer positions. Council member Lisa Feltner inquired whether listing employees' names for each approval was a requirement, to which Proakis confirmed it was necessary for the council to know whom they were approving due to the stipulations of the 20(b) rule.
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8. A.
The Watertown City Council's Personnel and City Organization Committee discussed a proposal to amend the DPW building's front office hours to better align with both public demand and staff work-life balance. The proposed change would shift hours from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM to 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM, aimed at accommodating residents and contractors who start their days earlier, while also addressing the needs of two staff members for shorter commutes. The union endorsed the proposal, with a suggestion for provisional change pending evaluation of its effectiveness. Concerns were raised about the impact on people working early hours or needing services after school, but it was noted there were significantly more calls and visits before the current opening time than after the proposed closing time. The committee agreed to provisionally recommend the change, with plans to review its effectiveness in supporting both public and staff needs before making it permanent.
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8 B. & 8. C.
Vincent Piccirilli, representing the Watertown City Council, detailed the committee's process for reviewing ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) proposals to allocate approximately $10.7 million in funding. The committee, established with Piccirilli as chair, discussed the ARPA proposals' eligibility and strategies to maximize fund allocation, including not funding general overhead fees and prioritizing projects based on a scoring system. Decisions were made to fund select projects fully while reducing allocations for others based on their impact and feasibility. The committee sought detailed cost breakdowns from applicants like MetroWest, who agreed to a reduced administrative fee, reflecting a preference for transparency and accountability in funding. Discussions also navigated the balance between infrastructure projects and social services, aiming to address the needs of those most affected by COVID-19 while considering fiscal responsibility. Adjustments were made to proposed allocations after public input and committee deliberations, emphasizing a balanced approach to funding decisions that reflect community values and priorities. Councilor Feltner requested a correction in the report, asserting full support for measurable and data-driven benefits of food pantry and senior services, contrasting with studies of unknown outcomes.
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7. C.
The Wartown City Council deliberated on the allocation of $10,742,413 received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support various city projects and initiatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the conditions that these funds be encumbered by December 31, 2024, and fully spent by December 31, 2026, the distribution plan targets water and sewer infrastructure, social services, and climate and energy projects, following public and departmental proposals. Specific allocations include improvements to a library's private workspace, cultural district funds, expansion of social service programs, affordable senior housing elevator modernization, and enhancements to city infrastructure like stormwater management and broadband capabilities. Additional funding supports initiatives like the Watertown Food Pantry, farmers market food assistance, community fridge organization, and a photovoltaic array for the high school. Resident feedback specifically appreciated the investment in tree trenches for stormwater management and shade provision, showing community engagement in the allocation process. The council, including Councilors Piccirilli, Izzo, and Gardner, emphasized the collaborative and transparent approach taken in deciding the appropriations, urging patience with the processing of the allocated funds.
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8. D.
The committee overseeing the 2024 local road construction program met on November 16th to evaluate progress and future plans. Highlights included the near completion of most roads from the 2023 program, with Highland Avenue's completion delayed to spring 2024. The Department of Public Works (DPW) reviewed factors for selecting streets for full reconstruction, recommending five streets for 2024 with a $2.5 million loan. Ongoing capital projects, including improvements to Arsenal Street and the adaptation of traffic control techniques, were discussed. Concerns were raised about the slow progress of the Long Streets and Connector program, attributed to staffing and supply chain issues, and the possibility of a reassessment of the use of lamp black in sidewalk projects due to its potential heat island effect. The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of the committee and DPW's efforts, particularly for the proposed road improvements in the West End, and a call for an updated project map.
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Section 10
The public hearing included statements from Proakis recommending reappointments to the district commission and updates from Sideris on municipal operations. Sideris highlighted the transition of the Information Technology Department and the Health Department to new premises at the Parker School, detailing changes that will streamline their moves. He also announced city hall and the senior center's holiday schedule, extending holiday greetings and mentions looking forward to the inauguration event on January 2nd. Sideris expressed gratitude for his role as city manager and anticipated continued cooperation with the council members.
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Section 14
Peter Santore, the director of recreation from Watertown, extended holiday greetings and highlighted an upcoming meeting scheduled for 7 PM the following day at the Lowell School. Coordinated with DPW and a person named Greg, the meeting aims to discuss the future of the Lowell School playground, inviting community members to share their suggestions and preferences regarding the playground's development.
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