Watertown

Watertown City Council

Tuesday January 23, 2024

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The order of items in transcripts is the chronological order in which they were taken up. Some Agenda items may have been skipped.

Section 1

A resident of Watertown voices concern over the liability implications of a recent snow shovel ordinance, stating that homeowners may need to purchase additional insurance to protect themselves. Another resident questions the process for amending the traffic commission ordinance, specifically regarding the addition of members from a special interest group. A third resident brings attention to ongoing traffic issues in the Hancock Street area, including blocked driveways and chaotic drop-off and pick-up at the Hosmer School. Another resident raises concerns over the Winter Parking Ban and the inconvenience and challenges it poses for residents. They suggest a compromise of restricting overnight parking only before snowstorms instead of for the entire winter.

Section 2

The city council discussed various items during their meeting, including a proposed loan for park improvements, updates on recent false alarms in the community, and a proclamation honoring a local doctor for her years of service. They also held a public hearing and voted on a proposed salary increase for the city manager and a loan for new lighting at Saltonstall Park. The city manager provided details on the projects and their costs. The public was given the opportunity to speak during the meetings but no one chose to do so.

Section 3

Moved. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Can I get a motion to confirm the reappointment of Ellen Parker Manunas to the WE3C committee with a term to expire on November 15, 2026? Moved. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it.

Section 4

The city council has approved the reappointment of Ellen Parker Menounos to the Watertown, Environment, and Energy Efficiency Committee with a term to expire on November 15, 2026. The council also confirmed the appointment of Laurie Murphy, a member of the committee since its inception, and Marsha Serra, a first-time appointee, to the committee with terms expiring on November 15, 2026 and November 15, 2025 respectively. The council also approved the appointment of Kim Nader to the Board of Health for a term expiring on February 1, 2027. The city manager submitted the proposed fiscal year 2025 to 2029 capital improvement plan, totaling $210,000,000 with a general obligation bonding of $93,000,000. The plan aims to address the city's capital needs over a period of five years and keep annual capital expenditures at 7.98% of the general fund budget. The plan includes funding for various projects such as the completion of Parker Annex renovations, moves within the information technology and health departments, and renovations for community development and planning. The plan also includes funding for park projects, with adjustments made to stay on schedule. Some items that were previously marked down for the park projects have been repurposed to cover cost overruns in other projects, such as the Arsenal Phase B project. The plan also includes funding for studies on dog parks and spray pads in the city. The plan also lists seven items that are currently unfunded, but the city manager notes that some of the funding may come from ARPA funds. The plan also includes $19,000,000 for school department projects, with $9,000,000 still needing an identified funding source. The remaining 2.1 million for the high school project may come from borrowing if necessary. The city manager aims to keep borrowing at $150,000,000 and is determined to find a funding source for the remaining 2.1 million.

Section 5

The City Manager provided a presentation on the capital improvement plan for the upcoming year. This included information on funding and projects related to schools, streets and sidewalks, parks and recreation, energy use, and loan orders. One notable item was the proposal for a new senior center, which would cost an estimated $32,000,000 and would need a funding source to be determined. The Manager also announced a community forum on the future of health and human services in Watertown, and Councilor Gardner invited the public to attend two community forums on meeting the Chiefs and repurposing courts at Filippillo Park. In public forum, resident Dennis Holland congratulated the Manager on his election and suggested he clean up a mess near his house. The meeting was then adjourned.