Watertown City Council (Tuesday March 24, 2026)

The meeting was called to order on March 24, 2026, at 12:00 AM.

Attendees:

• Council President: Mark S. Sideris
• Councilors: Caroline Bays (via Zoom), Lisa J. Feltner, John G. Gannon, Nicole Gardner, Emily Izzo, Theophilus Offei, Anthony Palomba, Vincent J. Piccirilli.

All members were present.

The Council moved to enter executive session to discuss strategy regarding collective bargaining with several unions, including the DPW Union, Watertown Municipal Employee Group, Library Union, Fire Union, Police Patrol Union, and Police Supervisors Union.

• Action: Motion to enter executive session approved.
• Vote: 9-0 (Roll Call: Bays-Yes, Feltner-Yes, Gannon-Yes, Gardner-Yes, Izzo-Yes, Offei-Yes, Palomba-Yes, Piccirilli-Yes, Sideris-Yes).

The Council reviewed the minutes from the meeting held on March 10, 2026.

• Action: Motion to adopt the minutes of March 10th as written was approved.
• Vote: 9-0 (Roll Call: Gardner-Yes, Izzo-Yes, Offei-Yes, Palomba-Yes, Piccirilli-Yes, Bays-Yes, Feltner-Yes, Gannon-Yes, Sideris-Yes).

President Sideris reported on a visit by Congressman McGovern and Congresswoman Clark to the city's freight farm and the Hosmer School.

• The visit highlighted the city's efforts regarding food security and the promotion of free school lunches and breakfasts nationwide.
• The visit was one of 19 stops on Representative McGovern's tour to advocate for increased SNAP benefits.

A public hearing was held regarding a proposed loan order for the fire department.

• Resolution: "A loan order that the sum of $450,000 is appropriated to pay costs of turnout gear replacement for the fire department as more fully described in the annual budget for fiscal year 2026."
• Key Details: The purchase aligns with line 83 of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY26-30. The gear follows a five-year replacement cycle to meet the 10-year service life standard. The new gear will be PFAS-free to address health concerns regarding cancer rates in the fire service.
• Action: Motion to approve the loan order for $450,000 approved.
• Vote: 9-0 (Roll Call: Izzo-Yes, Offei-Yes, Palomba-Yes, Piccirilli-Yes, Bays-Yes, Feltner-Yes, Gannon-Yes, Gardner-Yes, Sideris-Yes).

The Council conducted first readings for two items:

1. Pet Shop Ordinance: Proposed language from the Rules and Ordinance Committee will be scheduled for a future public hearing.
2. Mount Auburn Street Loan Order: A proposed loan order of $1,000,000 to pay for stormwater management, electrical and telecommunication improvements, and catenary pole removal. These are "non-participatory funds" not covered by federal TIP money for the Mount Auburn Street Transportation Improvement Project.

The Council considered a resolution authorizing the transfer of surplus funds from the elementary school building projects.

• Resolution: "Authorizing a transfer of funds in the amount of $4,052,660 from the fiscal year 2026 three elementary schools transfer out to other funds account to the fiscal year 2026 middle school feasibility study account and the fiscal year 2026 Watertown High School transfer in from other funds account."
• Allocation:
  • $1,802,660 to the High School construction project to manage cash flow for federal energy grants.
  • $2,250,000 to the Middle School feasibility study for design and cost estimation.
• Discussion: Councilor Piccirilli noted, "We finished $170 million project one year ahead of schedule and with four plus million dollars under budget."
• Action: Motion to approve the transfer approved.
• Vote: 9-0 (Roll Call: Offei-Yes, Palomba-Yes, Piccirilli-Yes, Bays-Yes, Feltner-Yes, Gannon-Yes, Gardner-Yes, Izzo-Yes, Sideris-Yes).

Two transfers were approved for the Police Department:

1. Staff Development: $8,000 from the FY2026 City Council Reserve to the FY2026 Police Staff Development Account for outside assessors to manage promotional processes for sergeant, lieutenant, and captain.
   • Vote: 9-0 (Roll Call: Palomba-Yes, Piccirilli-Yes, Bays-Yes, Feltner-Yes, Gannon-Yes, Gardner-Yes, Izzo-Yes, Offei-Yes, Sideris-Yes).
2. Personnel Accounts: $291,100 from the FY2026 City Council Reserve to various FY2026 Police Personnel Accounts to fund the Police Supervisors' contract through FY2028.
   • Action: Motion to approve the transfer of $291,100 approved.
   • Vote: 9-0 (Roll Call: Bays-Yes, Feltner-Yes, Gannon-Yes, Gardner-Yes, Izzo-Yes, Offei-Yes, Palomba-Yes, Piccirilli-Yes, Sideris-Yes).

The Council took action on the updated Administrative Code following a Committee of the Whole meeting.

• Action: Motion to adopt the Administrative Code as amended in the Committee of the Whole.
• Discussion: President Sideris noted the code cleans up ambiguities and inconsistencies in city operations.
• Vote: 9-0 (Roll Call: Bays-Yes, Feltner-Yes, Gannon-Yes, Gardner-Yes, Izzo-Yes, Offei-Yes, Palomba-Yes, Piccirilli-Yes, Sideris-Yes).

City Manager George Proakis provided several updates:

• Board of Assessors: Submitted the reappointment of Earl Smith as Chairman of the Board of Assessors. The matter was referred to the Committee on Personnel.
• Upcoming Business: The FY2027 budget and the repeal of ordinances inconsistent with the new Administrative Code will be presented in April.
• New Appointment: Kennen Rhine has been appointed as the new Assistant City Manager for Community Development and Planning, effective April 13. Rhine previously served as Deputy Director for Comprehensive Planning in Boston.

Requests for Information:

• Councilor Feltner requested data on commuting modes for city employees and information on available parking and transportation benefits.

Announcements:

• Councilor Izzo announced a public community meeting at Gore Place (Carriage House) on March 31st at 6:30 PM regarding a proposed solar array project.