Watertown City Council (Tuesday July 14, 2026)

City Council
July 14, 2026
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Executive Summary

The Watertown City Council met on July 14, 2026, to address several critical municipal matters, most notably approving a new Noise Ordinance after years of deliberation and setting the FY2027 Water and Sewer rates at a 4.5% increase. The Council authorized significant financial actions, including a $750,000 loan order for a new fire engine and over $5 million in various fund transfers to support capital projects, stabilization funds, and OPEB obligations. Additionally, the Council received a presentation on the draft Hazard Mitigation Plan and confirmed several appointments to local boards and commissions.

Meeting Information

  • Date: July 14, 2026
  • Governing Body: Watertown City Council
  • Meeting Type: Regular Meeting (Hybrid)
  • Location: Parker Building Meeting Room 2E / Zoom
  • Attendees:
    • Councilor Caroline Bays
    • Councilor Nicole Gardner
    • Councilor Lisa J. Feltner
    • Councilor John G. Gannon
    • Councilor Emily Izzo
    • Councilor Theophilus Offei
    • Councilor Anthony Palomba
    • Councilor Vincent J. Piccirilli
    • Council President Mark S. Sideris

Public Forum

  • Mary Canavan (Resident): Expressed strong support for banning gas-powered equipment in the noise ordinance to protect air quality and wildlife. She emphasized the importance of protecting wildlife habitats along the river.
  • John Portz (First Parish of Watertown): Submitted a letter regarding the Watertown Square demonstration project. He noted that First Parish is a direct abutter to the project and expressed a desire for proactive engagement in the revitalization efforts.

Approval of Minutes

  • Action: The Council voted to adopt the minutes from the June 23 meeting as written.
  • Vote: Approved 6-0 (Roll Call: Piccirilli, Bays, Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Izzo).

Public Hearing: Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

  • Summary: Representatives from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), Martin Pillsbury and Jennifer Wallach, presented the draft Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan is a FEMA requirement renewed every five years to maintain eligibility for federal grants.
  • Key Points:
    • The plan addresses natural hazards including flooding, high winds, winter storms, and extreme temperatures.
    • Mitigation measures include drainage improvements, generators, and drought management.
    • Public comments on the draft are being accepted through July 31, 2026.

Public Hearings: Grants of Location (Eversource)

  • Item 7A (Main Street): Petition to install approximately 92 feet of conduit for a pedestrian-actuated flashing crosswalk sign as part of Project 2026-12 (Main Street at White's Ave bus stop improvements).
    • Vote: Approved 9-0 (Roll Call: Bays, Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Piccirilli, Sideris).
  • Item 7B (Chapman Street): Petition to relocate Utility Pole 199-20 approximately 8 feet north to accommodate a permanent driveway at 128 Cary Avenue.
    • Vote: Approved 9-0 (Roll Call: Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Piccirilli, Bays, Sideris).

Public Hearing: Loan Order for Fire Engine

  • Summary: A public hearing was held on a proposed loan order for the purchase of a new fire engine to replace the 2013 Engine 3.
  • Financials: The total cost is estimated at $1.25 million. The loan order is for $750,000, with the remaining $500,000 covered by identified transfers.
  • Official Action: "The sum of $750,000 is appropriated to pay costs in purchasing a fire engine for the fire department as more fully described in the city's fiscal year 2027 to a 2031 capital improvement plan."
  • Vote: Approved 9-0 (Roll Call: Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Piccirilli, Bays, Feltner, Sideris).

Public Hearing: Water and Sewer Rates FY2027

  • Summary: The administration recommended a 4.5% increase for water and sewer rates and service charges for Fiscal Year 2027.
  • Discussion:
    • Officials noted a modeling error in the previous year's study where an incorrect rate was applied, leading to overstated revenue projections.
    • The City Manager warned that without adjustments, the city could face 8% increases in future years.
    • A working group will be established in August to review capital costs and rate structures.
  • Vote: Approved 9-0 (Roll Call: Gardner, Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Piccirilli, Bays, Feltner, Gannon, Sideris).

Public Hearing: Noise Ordinance

  • Summary: The Council reviewed the final draft of the Noise Ordinance, including amendments from KP Law regarding definitions of 'publicly accessible' areas and 'plainly audible' standards at property lines.
  • Proposed Amendment: Councilor Bays moved to change the start time for domestic and commercial grounds maintenance from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM on weekdays.
    • Discussion: Councilors Piccirilli and Gannon opposed the change, citing the three-year deliberation process and public health concerns for workers in extreme heat.
    • Amendment Vote: Failed 1-8 (Yes: Bays; No: Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Gannon, Gardner, Piccirilli, Feltner, Sideris).
  • Final Action: The Council voted to approve the Noise Ordinance as amended by the administration.
  • Vote: Approved 9-0 (Roll Call: Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Piccirilli, Bays, Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Sideris).

Financial Transfers and Resolutions

  • Item 8B (ESCO): Transfer of $360,000 to the ESCO Capital Project Stabilization Fund. Approved 9-0.
  • Item 8C (OPEB): Transfer of $850,000 to the OPEB Trust Fund. Approved 9-0.
  • Item 8E (Capital Projects): Transfer of $1,250,200 for various projects, including ADA upgrades ($250k), Police mobile data terminals ($170k), and rink flooring replacement ($700k). Approved 9-0.
  • Item 8G (Waste Disposal Surplus): Transfer of $690,000 from waste disposal surplus to purchase DPW vehicles and adaptive traffic management systems. Approved 9-0.
  • Item 8I (Stabilization Funds): Transfer of $1,700,000 to stabilization funds: $550k for Watertown Square, $550k for the Senior Center, and $600k for ESCO. Approved 9-0.
  • Item 8J (Gift): Acceptance of a donation from the Armenian Memorial Church (10% of fair proceeds) for the Fire and Police Departments. Approved 9-0.

Committee Reports and Appointments

  • Council on Aging: Confirmed Phyllis Barone (term to 2027) and Ray Nicholson (term to 2029).
  • Cable Access Corporation: Confirmed Adrienne Roberts (term to 2027) and Lindsey Graham (term to 2029).
  • Cultural Council: Confirmed Simone Worsdale (term to 2027) and Phyllis Barone (term to 2029).
  • Historical Commission: Confirmed Kevin Lee (term to 2026).

Communications from the City Manager

  • Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The Manager addressed a potential conflict regarding Police Chief Hanrahan and the 'Blue Voice AI' system. The Chief recused himself from the procurement process and receives no financial benefit from the city's use of the product, despite his legal manual being part of the system's dataset.
  • Ordinance Updates: Data from the University of Vermont regarding the tree canopy is being reviewed for the Tree Ordinance. The Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) is being refined to ensure administrative capacity for enforcement.
  • Legislative Affairs: The Home Rule Petition regarding taxable status passed the House and is with the Senate. The Manager expressed concerns regarding undefined 'aesthetics' regulations in the state's proposed site plan review standards.
  • Treaty Day: Announced a celebration for the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Watertown on Saturday at the Mosesian Center for the Arts.

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Last updated: Jul 25, 2026

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