Watertown City Council (Tuesday October 27, 2026)

I'd like to call this meeting to order. This is a meeting of the City Council, October 27th. This meeting is being broadcast and recorded by Watertown Cable Access it is a hybrid meeting. The Zoom information as well as emails and telephone numbers are available on the city website, and I'm gonna ask the clerk to please call the roll.

Councillor Bayes?

Present.

Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Piccirilli. Present? Present, Sideris.

Present, thank you. Can I get a motion to go into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the Chair so does declare, which I do. And it's the City of Watertown versus the Watertown Firefighters Association. So moved. Is there a second? Second. Roll call please.

Councilor Palomba. Yes. Piccirilli. Yes. Councilor Bays?

Yes.

Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, Offei, Sideris.

We'll be returning to open session at approximately 7 p.m.

Thank you.

Okay, I'd like to call the meeting back to order. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. individual, with liberty and justice for all. Before I open it up to public forum, I want to welcome everybody to our new and improved council chamber. I'll have some more to say about that under the president's report. The next item is public forum if anybody wishes to be heard please State your name. and the clock is up there for our two minutes.

One of you guys, now get y'all to clear up why the hell I'm here. Russell Rieger from Fayetteville. I know they said that already though. Mr President and City Councilors After the last presentation I made in reference to the facade improvements of Watertown Square, the lawyer Thomas reached out to me informing me of a report that the city has called the Watertown square design handbook. A guide to facade improvements. I cannot believe the playing board in this county did not interpret this plan before going forward with the latest plan for Watertown Square. It is time to put the plan on hold and have public meetings in reference to the alternative facade approach. Remember, that was fiduciary duty to the people of Watertown...

Although Alodia Thomas has dedicated gratitude for her unending dedication to the benefit of Watertown, over the years she has educated me on many issues I cannot thank Alodia without. I publicly challenge the Watertown Historical Commission to pick this up as a plus. Its stated goal is to stop the wrecking ball and that's what we want to do, stop the Wrecking Ball in Watertown Square and let's improve the facades and bring back some proud history to this wonderful city, otherwise known as the Commonwealth. Thank you all.

of the Forum, and move on to the next item which is the examination minutes. Can I get a motion on the minutes of October 13th?

Mr. President make a motion we adopt the minutes as written. Is there a second?

Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Next item is presentation of petitions, proclamations and similar matters. And tonight we have a proclamation recognizing Victor Tarozian. and I'm going to go to the podium. whereas on Monday, September 28th, 2026 the Watertown Police Department recognized Mr. Victor Torosian owner of Belmont Auto Service for his outstanding generosity and unwavering support of Watertown residents in need.

and whereas over the past year, Mr. Tarosian has assisted the department on at least four separate occasions involving individuals and families facing serious transportation challenges. and whereas Mr. Tarosian's contributions have included donating a vehicle to a family transitioning out of shelter, repairing donated vehicles at no cost, continuing to service those vehicles for the families who received them. And most recently, repairing a vehicle for a woman whose lack of transportation hindered her ability to access essential services. And whereas, Mr. Tsarosian has never sought recognition or compensation for his actions but has instead consistently stepped forward whenever called upon demonstrating extraordinary compassion, civic responsibility and commitment to helping members of our community.

and whereas his willingness to use his skills, time and resources to support residents in vulnerable situations reflects the very best of the Watertown community. now therefore be it proclaimed that the City Council of Watertown hereby recognizes Mr. Victor Tarosian for his exceptional service Generosity of spirit and dedication to improving the lives of others, and be it further proclaimed that the city of Watertown extends its deepest gratitude to Mr. Tarosian for everything he has done, for the Watertown Police Department and the residents of our community in witness whereof I appear unto set our hand and cause the great seal of the city of Watertown to be affixed on this 27th day of October, 2026. Mr. Tarosian thank you very much.

I'm very honored. I think it's, I can't believe it this is one of the greatest thing could have happened to me when my daughter come to me they told me that you know people told me what a great things you did and they give you this award. And this is, as I said it's a blessing and it was the right thing to do. I think if each of us contribute to our town, to our cities help each other. We'll have a better community, stronger community. Thank you so much again. God bless you all.

can I get a motion to accept the proclamation? So moved. Is there a second?

Second.

Any discussion? all those in favor aye opposed the ayes have it thank you and thank you to the police department for bringing this to our attention we appreciate it and thank The next item is President's Report, and I have a couple of things. First, I'm going to start with the goals and evaluations for the city manager. The FY26 let's start with the city manager's contract indicates that the manager and the council should annually review a written performance evaluation tool to be used for evaluating the manager's progress. and consider the manager's suggestions for appropriate and additional criteria upon which the evaluation might be based. The proposed evaluation tool is a blend of general and specific goals

the general evaluation criteria include many items that we have used in the past for the evaluation of our manager. The more specific criteria are those that are relevant to the current year the evaluation will be scored based on each of the 12 items that I'm going to discuss. And they will be ranked with a score of one for poor and five to excellence The general evaluation criteria are relationships with the city council, community engagement, staff and personnel relationships, leadership and professional capability, business and finance, and personal qualities. The specific evaluation criteria are the annual budget, government operations and management, long range planning and implementation, community health and safety, economic vitality, and major capital investments. the goals for FY26

were in our packet this week. And the goals for FY27 are similar, but some things have changed so those will be what we'll be using going forward for next year's evaluation but for the current year's evaluation, I would like the opportunity to report this out at our December meeting. So I will say till about November, I don't have the calendar in front of me around the 20th, the last Friday Actually, Thanksgiving weekend will be fine to give me an opportunity to get the composite together. I'll make sure Brendan sets out a specific date tomorrow. and that's what I have for now. And Mr. Manager, did you want to add anything?

I just wanted to add the perspective that I appreciate the feedback that I get, the comments you provide me every year. take them to heart, read them all very carefully. So I appreciate the time you take between now and the end of November to provide the best feedback you can to the council president. I know he'll share the composite scores in some comments with the community every year I will share a little nugget of technical detail because this was a contract year for me and you provided me a new contract. This set of goals is not attached to a salary adjustment, so I'm not seeking any additional salary adjustments. That was done with the contract. This is just a chance to have feedback to help Me understand where things are going, where we're going as a community, what I can do better. And I hope as you look at the Council President and I set out for fiscal year 27, you'll see a lot of things that

remind you of what's in our goal set, what's the budget policy guidelines and the efforts were already underway this fiscal year. And we want to get done by this June so appreciate that and thank you Mr. President for keeping this process going every year thanks.

Thank you. Before I get to the chamber, I wanted to give the community an update. We as of 3 o'clock this afternoon I want to talk about voting. 6,177 ballots were mailed out requested as of three o'clock 3,171 of those have been returned We've had 1,106 people voting early in person. So that's a significant number and my understanding is it's been going very well there have been some changes made to what's going to be happening at the polling places when they close out the evening, which should make it easier. And at this point I just want to also remind everybody election day is next Tuesday.

and I want to state clearly that elections in Watertown are in good hands. We have a police officer at every pole, we have strict limits of where people can hold signs and those are clearly marked and, you know, I just want everybody to feel comfortable that when they go in to vote that their vote is going to count. And we're going to make sure that they are treated respectfully and appropriately when they can win to vote. So again, next Tuesday the polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Now I do want to take a few minutes to talk about the council chamber and the renovations that have been done here. I want to talk about all the people that helped here because I think it's critical and important. Furniture removal,

there were two people that removed everything, Bob McLaughlin and Dan Jures. There was attic plumbing repairs that were done by Paul Barbato and Mike McLaughlin. By the way, these are all people that work for our public buildings department and I want to recognize Denise who supervises them how great of a job they've They do for us and they did for us in here. The attic prep was done by Bob Luzdowski, Paul Barbato, Vinnie Capone, Silas Feiler The LED lighting is all new in here, bringing us again something that we've been striving for on our climate goals. and the ADA compliant doors around the council chamber. And floor, so we don't have wires all over the floor, we have floor boxes. So those were done by Silas Vinnie Capone and Dan Jures. We had a vendor come in and do the carpeting, Atkinson Carpet

and we had a floor cut, the concrete had to be cut by pro-cut so that we could bury the wires. And that was overseen by Denise Moroney and Chris Nixon the ceiling painting was done by CertiPro, Bob Lazatowski. The ADA operators which is New England School Services Denise Moroney took care of supervising that Helping Mass Corps get furniture in and out, in was Paul Barbato, Mike McLaughlin, Vinnie Capone, Kevin Fisher, Don Finari. Brandon Bannon, and Bobby McLaughlin. It was a real challenge to get these things. This was brought in pieces through the elevator. We had to make sure everything fit in the elevator before they brought it in and I also now want to thank members of the City Hall team. Brendan McCarthy, he disappeared. Everybody had a say and we all talked about it.

Megan Langan helped us with ideas and made sure the funding was available. George Perrakis with his ideas Ken and Rin with her design ideas. She talked us off the ledge on a couple of ways we were doing this carpet. Thanks to her expertise, we didn't do what we're gonna do Maurice Myrie who helped us with the technical aspects, with TVs, with the electronics. Watertown Cable Access and Andrea Hogan and their team have been in here many, many times to make sure these things work and so far so good. I'm going to save one person for last. I want to talk about MassCorps. MassCorp is a correctional institute industries program, We had Steve Kristol, a sales representative.

John Sully Sullivan who's the deputy director of operations and John McGuire, the industrial instructor for the MCI Shirley Woodshop. The mission of the Massachusetts Correctional Industries is to offer diversive, self-sustaining programs that are beneficial to incarcerated individuals and economical for the Commonwealth. Participants are provided vocational instruction on current equipment and technologies while producing a variety of high quality products. These programs encourage the development of valuable skills along with a positive work ethic, better positioning incarcerated individuals for success in the workforce and community upon reentry. the Commonwealth's prison industries program was officially recognized and statutorily authorized in 1887.

over the last 133 plus years, the program's mission of subsidizing the cost of this educational program while providing a meaningful vocational training experience has remained virtually unchanged. Over a decade ago, the Department of Correction made a commitment to reconstitute the correctional industries program which was rebranded as MASSCOR short for Massachusetts Correction Industries. Mass Corps teaches the importance of work ethics and vocational skills to approximately 500 incarcerated individuals. Mass Corps operates 17 manufacturing operations within seven institutions the 133-year-old Mass Corps Correctional Industries Program benefits both incarcerated individuals and state residents through a dual mission of providing a job-related skill set for workers while subsidizing program costs.

MassCore's customer base consists of Massachusetts residents, businesses, camps, nursing homes, schools cities, towns, hospitals, police fire, social service agencies, veterans' agencies and others who can reap the benefits from providing high-quality products for a modest price. going direct through MassCore can help you avoid time wasted with bid processes. Again, I can't thank them enough for the quality of work that they did and the thought process that went into doing this. and audio visual upgrades were also done by Northeast Digital Integrators. I wanna take one extra moment When we do our, I've been the school building committee chair and we've had other people that have served on building committees. And usually we have a project manager I'm going to say the project manager for this project was Joanna Hand.

And I can't thank Joanna enough for what she did to keep everything going, to keep people and keep on people when are you gonna get done? When are you going to do this coming in and making sure that we had these little things that say, please turn off the microphone. And making sure everything was in the right place. So Joanna I know you're not in the office but I personally want to thank you for being our project manager on this project and it's very successful. Thank you. Unfortunately, we're not quite finished. We have some other things that we're going to be putting on the wall. In particular, on this wall is the Declaration of Independence that the state representatives brought us at the council. This wall is going to have the preamble and we're gonna have some other historic photos throughout the rest of the walls that have some room on them. Thank you, whew! We'll go to public hearings

First, 10A is a public hearing and vote on our proposed loan order that the sum of $2,600,000 is appropriated to pay costs of performing infiltration and inflow reduction and sewer rehabilitation in connection with the Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Program Plan in the Project 5 area. Mr. Manager.

Thank you, Mr. President. In front of you today is a loan order for $2,600,000 under the MWRA infiltration, inflow local finance assistant program phases 13 and 15. Phase 13 provides a 75% grant and 25% interest-free loan while phase 15 is 100% interest free loan These items are consistent with our CIP capital planning proposals for the Water Store Enterprise Fund. Our DPW Director, Mr. Brady and our Director of Public Utilities, Mr Sean Harrington are here to answer any questions you may have. Thank you, Mr President

So this is a public hearing. If there's any member of the public that wishes to be heard either here or at home, please raise your hand. Seeing none, I close the public hearing and ask for a motion from the City Council.

Mr. President, I make a motion that we approve the loan order for $2.6 million.

Is there a second?

Second.

Discussion? Councilor Feltner.

I wonder, can we get some clarity on if we are expecting new infrastructure above ground like we saw in Irving and North Beacon Russell, Ave and Common Streets etc.

We'll ask Mr. Brader his team to answer that question thank you Councilor

Good evening, Mr. President, members of the Council. Thank you for the question, Councillor Feltner. I will have my Assistant Director of Public Utilities confirm this but I believe you're referring to the events that are associated with MWRI Maine principally that come down Common Street, turn on Bellevue and then go down Russell. To the best of my knowledge our system does not have any vents contained within it so there will be no above ground infrastructure as we don't have tanks nor pump stations.

Okay, thank you. It's just the vents and then there's also the utility boxes but those are connected?

That is correct. The vents, the boxes that you see are metering stations for the MWA as they measure the water that comes through our system.

Okay, I just wanted to be sure since we didn't get that last time. Thank you.

Are there any other questions? Can I get a roll call please?

Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Piccirilli, Bates. Yes. Councilor Feltner? Yes. President Sideris?

Yes, next item is 10B which is a public hearing and vote on a proposed loan order that the sum of $2,651,000 is appropriated to pay costs of water system improvements in connection with the Water Distribution Capital Improvement Plan. Mr. Manager?

Thank you, Mr. President. This one $2,651,000 again consistent with the capital improvement plan for for Water Programs, the Local Water Systems Assistance Program provides interest-free loans to MWRA member communities to rehabilitate water pipelines, upgrade water systems and improve water quality. And again Mr. Brady, Mr. Herrington can answer specific questions about this thank you Mr. President.

Thank you this is also a public hearing if there's any member of the public either here or at home that wishes to speak please raise your hand Seeing none, I close the public hearing and ask for a motion from the City Council.

Mr. President, I make a motion that we approve the loan order for $2,651,000

Is there a second?

Second.

Discussion? Councilor Feltner.

I just want to issue a public thank you again. We did years ago when we were discussing ARPA, but I'm very supportive and happy to see these continuing improvements in our Water, Sewer Infrastructure.

You're very welcome. Thank you on behalf of the Assistant Director Harrington and myself. We're appreciative of the Council's support and will continue to advance the upkeep and maintenance of our system.

Any other questions? Roll call, please.

Councillor Gardner.

Yes.

Councillor Izzo. Yes Councillor Offei. Yes Councilor Palomba

Yes, sorry.

Councilor Piccirilli? Yes. Councilors Bays? Yes Councilor Feltner? Yes Councillor Gannon? Yes President Sideris?

Thank you next item is 10c which is also a public hearing and vote on a proposed loan order that the sum of $780,000 is appropriated to pay costs of the design construction and oversight of Sewer System Improvements, as more fully described in line 12 of the city's fiscal year 2027 through 2031 capital improvement program water sewer funds. Mr. Manager.

Thank You Mr. President as you noted this is consistent with conceptual recommendation number 34 on the capital improvement plan seven hundred and eighty thousand dollars of our own borrowing for source system improvements this plus the MWRA programs provide us funding we need to do water store upgrades we intend to do for this time period. Thank you, Mr. President.

Seeing none, I close the public hearing and ask for a motion from the City Council.

Mr. President, make a motion that we approve the loan order for $780,000.

Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Counsel again.

Yes, thank you Mr. President so I note that the repairs are for the improvement of the sanitary sewer system to protect the health and safety of the citizens residents by providing preventing sanitary sewer overflows and ensuring continuity services. So we've heard a lot from the Charles River Watershed Association, that further upstream or downstream in Cambridge and Boston, there are high number of combined sewer overflows that feed into our Charles River. could someone explain the status of Watertown's system and what we've done to prevent or eliminate CSOs into the Charles River in other words?

Certainly, Councilor. Thank you for your question. The first loan order speaks quite effectively that the INI system, the CIP is broken into I believe seven different sections were on CIP Section 5, which the spine is essentially Spring Street going up there and all the offshoots. So there is a perception sometimes from folks that both sewer and drain go to Deer Island. That's not the case, sewer goes to Deere Island, drain goes to all our natural resource areas So the biggest contributor to that, CSOs is an inflow and infiltration of raw sewage into our drain system. so the loan orders that we just spoke of from Mass Water Resources and the 780 combined to help us identify those problem areas. Remediate them and line them.

And for the residents who are watching, we appreciate their patience as we have been advancing very quickly and aggressively on lining our sewer system throughout the community to prevent that I&I system. were in good shape, but we continue to improve and get better to make sure protecting those resources for future generations.

and one more question, Mr. President. So we haven't essentially eliminated CSOs from Watertown into the Charles but we're getting there or have we eliminated it?

I am not comfortable standing here. I was saying with 100% certainty they always eliminated, because there's always inflow and infiltration. It is an ongoing and continual effort to reduce and eliminate those to the maximum extent we can. purposeful in saying that it's a continuum, not an end game. So it needs to be the first in the nation. It's a challenge. Our infrastructure is old so we need to continue to monitor and upgrade. Good thank you Tom. Thank you.

Any other questions? Can I get a roll call please?

Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Sideris.

Yes, thank you. Next item is a public hearing and vote on a proposed amendment to the fiscal year 2027 budget. Mr. Manager?

Thank you, Mr. President. I want to walk through the items in this budget amendment so we know what's what here and then between the auditor and I we can answer any council questions after the public hearing. on the revenue side here there are four additional items real estate and property taxes as I mentioned in the preliminary budget overview an increase of $633,378 which is new growth beyond what we had initially predicted. Utilization of overlay surplus provided back from the assessing office, $1,250,000. an additional $740,000 on the investment income line because we intend to hold this number at 3.5 million in our future forecast since we have met or exceeded that number in recent years an additional $289,807 on the state aid line. The total cherry sheet number that came in after the estimates that we used when we created the budget for a revenue adjustment increase of 2 million 913 185

If you go to the second page, our school choice assessment was low by 95,000. Well we're reducing it by 95623 because the number in the cherry sheet was higher than intended our special education goes up $342 and our charter school assessment goes up 82,855. Those three numbers are set by the state when the final versions of the State Cherry Sheet that gives us state aid money inflow and outflow through every year. So those numbers are pretty set, and we're just reflecting those changes in our budget. The remainder on this list are the ones I talked about at the preliminary budget overview as a strategy for applying the additional funding we talked about on the first page. 148,500 to education that's additional money to the school department cover the cost of adding a custodian, which is the first step towards implementing some of the needs in the public buildings department, which are forthcoming in the Public Building Study.

As well as covering increased vocational ed costs that were Unanticipated when the initial budget was put together. $30,000 to group life insurance because we are offering this program that has a city match with an additional Open Enrollment Period and we want employees to be interested in signing up for this so we want to make sure we have the funding on our employee side. $121,000 to public buildings that's for the HVAC specialist who's going to help make sure our net zero buildings continue to maintain their net zero status. This is a recommendation, the forthcoming public building study and we're trying to get ahead of it under those circumstances. 40,000 to City Health Insurance. That is covering health insurance costs for the additional school and the additional city employee we just spoke of 217,000 to City Council Reserve. The intent here is when you have the public building study and we want to further implement it more funding available in city council reserve will allow us to do that funding

150,000 for the zoning consultant line. This is a project that community development and planning is in the process of kicking off. And we have come to the conclusion essentially 150,000 short of where we need to be in order to kick off that project and have it be successful with the full funding for the consultant so that fully funds the consultants for the project. The last three lines are transfers to stabilization funds, actually transfers to other funds. The first is transfer to capital projects public building fund and not a stabilization fund. that $500,000 is for the additional work to be done for the renovations of City Hall. We have funded a portion of that work at the end of the day our goal meeting moving deputy manager upstairs, moving recreation to the third floor. Those projects are underway beyond that it's moving human resources into a single area on the second floor bringing the procurement team up to the first floor and renovating and improving the city clerk space still remains to be done.

And then there is a transfer of $500,000 to the senior center stabilization and just above that Town Square Stabilization, the balance of the funds 1 million 219 111. We talked in preliminary budget overview and in the middle school study about how we're going to move 500 to senior center which reduces the senior center borrowing and I've also been looking to aggressively move funding into Watertown Square Stabilization where there's funding available to reduce that borrowing because that's the one if we reduce that borrowing helps to start closing the deficits that we have in fiscal year 29 and 30 budget. So thank you, Mr. President. That is the item before you. And I look forward to having myself, the auditor or anyone on our team answer any further questions that the council may have or anything that comes up in the public hearing. Thank you.

Thank You can I get a motion on the proposed amendment to the FY 27 budget? Oh, it's a public hearing. Sorry. Hold on one second. Public hearing if there is any member of the public wish to be heard? Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing and now ask for a motion.

Mr. President, I make a motion that we approve the amendment to the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Is there a second? Second. Discussion? Roll call please.

Bayes, Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, Sideris.

Next item is motions, orders and resolutions. And 11A is a first reading on our proposed order allocating the property tax levy among or between property classes for fiscal year 2027. Mr. Manager?

Thank you Mr. President and thank you for the support on the budget amendment with the budget of them to complete in the budget total established the next step in the fiscal year calendar is the and so forth. And the items that the Council votes on as it relates to setting tax rates is making and how to apply the residential exemption. Tonight's item is a first reading on those items, the items are attached in your packet and the assessor will join us at the next meeting for that particular item. Thank you Mr. President.

Thank you. 11B is a resolution authorizing a petition for special legislation relative to the tax status of certain land owned by the Watertown Housing Authority. Mr. Manager?

Thank you, Mr. President. So the item in front of you is a request to submit a petition to the general court for special legislation. The reason this item is in front What this would do is it would allow Willow Park, the project that the Housing Authority and POA Preservation of Affordable Housing are working on collectively and have been working on for quite a period of time. It would allow them to maintain this as a tax exempt property after the particular project is complete. our assessors looked into the situation of the particular way that this project is put together with a nonprofit developer, that has an arm that's seeking tax credit funding and then the way all those pieces come together. that typically this would be a taxable property once the project transfers into the ownership group that is going to manage it. The challenge with that,

we've been working very closely with the Housing Authority and POA to try to make this project as affordable as possible, and try to ensure that the state and local subsidies going into this project including a significant amount of money from the Affordable Housing Trust and Community Preservation Committee are enough funds in order to make this project possible and make it work. This project's on a very tight budget, it's a really important priority in that is going to provide the the largest increase in affordable housing we've seen here in Watertown in a very long time. When going before the assessors, the board of assessors they made the determination that the project is taxable which if you dig into the nuts and bolts of the tax law it makes a lot of sense one of the members of that board has spent a lot time at the state level really understanding these things and explaining the reason why but at the same time the advice we received from the board was that Cambridge similarly positioned with a project in this situation sought home rule special legislation for the opportunity to switch it back to a tax exempt property.

Using that as our guide, we've put together this particular legislation, which has been reviewed, discussed and gone back and forth between POA's attorneys, the Housing Authority's attorneys and our team at KP Law. And that is what is before you tonight. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. Can I get a motion on the resolution? asking for special legislation on the tax status for the Willow Park property.

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Councilor Gannon

Yes, and thank you George for putting this before us. I actually worked on the underlying Cambridge case where we determined that transferring a property to a non-city entity or nongovernmental entity would trigger a tax obligation, which in turn inspired the city to file similar legislation. I recognize the need for it, and I think it's a laudable effort. And I support the matter before us. Councilor Feltner?

Thank you, this seems to make sense. I appreciate the effort and support the resolution. I was curious did these cases ever consider pilot payments in lieu of, any discussion on that? It just doesn't make sense at all.

Thank you and Mr. President, yes that's a very good question. Housing authority properties do make a payment in lieu of taxes to the city We are in the process of re-upping the payment in lieu of taxes agreement with the Housing Authority on all of their properties. This property would remain in the pilot program if it's not Text. If this passes, it remains in the pilot program so there is still a payment made to us. It is a smaller payment probably Rough estimate about 20% of what it would be if it was a taxable property. But we do receive some funds in exchange for the government services that we provide to the property under those circumstances.

Thank you, very helpful.

Anyone else? Councilor Gardner.

Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to say I also strongly support the proposal this approach will preserve project resources for It'll mean that Willow Park will be able to invest in property operations, maintenance reserves and future capital improvements. I think that's incredibly important because the affordable and beautiful green homes that are going to be created will be assets for our community community members now and in the future if that reinvestment is possible. And I'm aware of other affordable properties in town where that hasn't been the case, and it's really a shame. So I think this is a fantastic approach, and I support. Thank you.

Any other comments? Councilor Gannon again.

Yes, thank you and this is actually cutting edge so the Cambridge case showed us that if the property had remained in the hands of the Watertown Housing Authority they could make pilot, they could establish or have the discretion to establish pilot programs but it's the transfer of the property to a non-profit I mean and other non-public entity that eliminates the possibility of foregoing a pilot program or any kind of taxation. So transferring to a private program would require the city to assess taxes for the property, the whole petition is needed in order to allow this development to go forward and future because We all know that the federal government and state governments have been not funding affordable housing to the extent they had before.

and this is a unique way of establishing public-private relationships in order to create more affordable housing. So, thank you again.

We have a motion and a second for the special education. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. 11C, I'm going to move until after we're in conjunction with the committee report on this matter. 12A is a Committee on Human Services report regarding its meeting on September 20th, Council of Palomba.

John Thursday, and at 7.09 in the Richard, Mr. Andrei Lukashenko to promote our participation. I assume the president would be myself, Councilor Page, and Councilor Offei. They couldn't have been. Also present with a concert picture of me.

I apologize, councilor, for being long.

I was going to say we weren't in this room on September 20th. Sorry.

I have, sorry. The Council on Human Services convene on September 30th, 2026 at 530 in the City Council office. President of the South, Chair Constance Wade, Vice-Chair Constance Izzo, Secretary and Jolene Weinraub.

The purpose of the meeting was an interview, so we want to invite for re-appointment of the Affordable Household Trust.

This one has lived in Watertown for seven years and is very much a part of the community. She enjoys serving on the Affordable Housing Trust and appreciates the opportunity to give back to the community for their work as an affordable housing developer. Oliver, and her professional career.

She feels she can bring value to what was announced at the trust.

and many exciting developments taking place, she would like to see more affordable housing development move forward. She described the changes at Metro West and the overlay as exciting developments in fields that a lot of progress has been made. Ms. Weinraub believes there is still room for improvement and collaboration with the Community Preservation Committee, CPC particularly regarding access to funding for affordable housing initiatives, drawing on her previous experience with Cambridge Community Development She noted that the documented need for affordable housing and the importance of establishing clear and flexible funding sources to support this work.

She explained that in Cambridge, approximately 80% of the CPC funding is allocated to housing with the remaining funds divided between recreation and historic preservation. She expressed interest and understanding the resistance to a similar approach in Watertown. Ms. Weinraub also raised the possibility of exploring inclusionary zoning, and noted that the value of buyouts has been a challenge across the country she emphasized that there is no single solution to affordable housing challenges facing the community and that multiple options should be considered including reviewing and Luffy formula in relation to the Area Immediate Income, the AMI. Action Item, Councilor Izzo made the following motion. The Committee on Human Services recommends that the City Council approve the reappointment of Zoe Weinraub to the Watertown Affordable Housing Trust for a term expiring June 30th, 2029.

Council will second the motion Bayes made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by myself. The motion passed 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 617 p.m., and thank you to Councilor Izzo for preparing the minutes.

Thank you. Can I get a motion to accept the report? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Can i get a Motion to approve the reappointment of Zoe Weinrobe to the Watertown Affordable Housing Trust for a term to expire on June 30, 2029. So moved. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. 12B is a Committee on Climate and Energy report regarding its meeting on September 10th. Councilor Palomba.

Thank you, President Wood, myself, Councilor Bays, and Councilor Offei. Also present were Councilor Piccirilli, Katie Swan, environmental planner and conservation agent who staffs the Conservation Commission. Libby Shaw, who's the president of Trees for Watertown Anita Roy Dobbs of Trees for Watertown, Patrick Fairbairn, a former Conservation Commission member and Bob Levitt and Ron Whitfield of the Minerva Action Group. I called the meeting to order at 7.09, the purpose of the meeting was to hold a hearing on the Whitney Hill Forest carbon study prepared by the Minerva Action Group. The hearing was initiated by a letter from Leo Martin, the chair of the Conservation Commission requesting that the committee hear this study. the presentation by Patrick. He conducted the original baseline tree measurements

at Whitney Hill in 2015 and 2021. That data formed the foundation of the Minerva Action Studies carbon study, Groups Carbon Study. He also described a zine he produced in 2025 with artist Gene Hall, funded in part by the Culture Commission which traces the Watertown's history from 14th 14,000 years ago to the present. Mr. Furban reported that in December he contacted a new school principal, Mr. Giacobozzi? Oh, thank you. Thank you very much to explore a biological and data collection collaboration. Study methodology, the presenters explained that the Minerva Action Group mission is climate education with high school students

measurement for towns and that its members include three Stanford PhDs, a Harvard economist and specialist in AI and forestry. They explained that the study one is based on Patrick's data 519 trees measured across 32 plots covering 2.5 of Whitney Hills, 10 acres. That is about a 25% sample. matched 336 trees between 2015 and 2021 for the growth comparison. all 519 trees were used for the total carbon figures. Calculated biomass with the US Forestry Services Jenkins model, which uses diameter measurements only

treats 50% of dry biomass as elemental carbon and multiplies carbon by 3.67 to obtain the atmospheric CO2 equivalent. scaled the sample to the full 10 acres of a factor of approximately 4.03, carbon storage findings The presenters reported that the 2.5 acre sample holds 344,000 pounds of element Carbon, which is equivalent to 2,262,480 pounds of CO2. scaled to the full 10 acres, the trees held 1,384,000 pounds of carbon. in 2021. Including soil, deadwood and leaf litter the total ecosystem held 2 million 428 million pounds of carbon

which is 8,911 pounds of CO2 in 2021. and is projected to hold 2,607 pounds of carbon approximately 9,606 pounds of CO2 in 2006 at the same growth rate. annual carbon sequestration is approximately 7.4 pounds per year in the 2.5 acre sample in approximately 29,750 pounds per year across the full 10 acres. The importance of large trees. The presenters reported that 36 trees of 20 inches in diameter or larger account for 50.8% of the total carbon stored, the 19 trees of 24 inches or larger represents just 3.7% of the trees but holds 36.2%.

of the Carbon. While trees under 10 inches in diameter account only for 10% lighter data from 2014 to 2021, show that trees over 80 feet tall increased 59% and the trees of 90 feet tall increased 84%, indicating the forest is mature but still actively growing. The presenters argue that replacing large trees with small ones does not compensate for the carbon loss. Small trees grow quickly but hold far less carbon, so the ratio of small to large trees needed is very high. Street trees face additional mortality risks, with roughly six planted for every one that survives long term.

and trees in two feet by two feet urban pits have life expectancy of no more than 15 years. Tree species sequesterization. The presenters explained that carbon sequestration is species specific rather than a single average. Oak has denser wood and stores more carbon per unit volume. White pine, cottonwood, and willow grow quickly but have lighter wood. Maples generally outperform cottonwood overall. fast growth dense versus dense wood is a trade-off, so there is no simple quote best tree unquote. Ornamental trees such as calary pear are poor choices for carbon sequestration.

Forest trees benefit from fungal networks and mutual support, which street trees lack. Policy discussion. The committee then discussed policy implications. Whitney Hill. There was consensus that quote, more of the saying unquote stewardship is appropriate. The Conservation Commission already coordinates with DPW to leave snags and deadwood. protection of private trees. A key concern raised was that neither Watertown nor the state has a policy protecting neighborhood trees when a developer clears a lot, excessively dwelling units ADU constructions was flagged as a specific risk to the root systems of adjacent trees. two models for incentivizing private tree preservation were cited.

Portland, Oregon which offers tax breaks for storm water mitigation through tree preservation and in Toronto which runs a program helping cash-strapped Homeowners pay for tree maintenance. Educational Use. A resolution was proposed that the committee write a letter to the school committee encouraging use of Whitney Hill as an outdoor educational laboratory. Whitney Hill is approximately 800 feet from the new high school and its founding resolution already envisions educational use. The new high school is net zero energy and the student environmental awareness is heightened. Action goal plans, the committee discussed the following goals for the action of climate and energy plan.

extend the carbon measurement methodology to other forests, including Walker Pond and the Charles River Reservation and Mount Auburn Cemetery. identify the 100 largest trees on private property through an aerial survey and offer town guidance on their care. used the Minerva methodology to let residents calculate the carbon stored in their own backyard trees. increased forestation along the Charles River in partnership with the DCR as a measurable goal. The motion, Councilor Bayes moves seconded by Councilor Fay that this committee send a letter to the school committee encouraging use of Whitney Hill as an outdoor educational laboratory. The motion passed unanimously, the meeting adjourns at 8 35 p.m and my thanks to Councilor Offei for the minutes of the meeting

Thank you. Can I get a motion to accept the report? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. Can I get a motion to authorize me to send the letter to the school committee on behalf of the city council encouraging the use of Whitney Hill as an outdoor educational laboratory?

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it, thank you. 12C is a Committee on Education and School System Matters report regarding its meeting on October 13. Councilor Izzo?

The committee convened on October 13th, 2026 at 630 PM. Present were myself, Chair, John Gannon Vice-Chair and Theo Offei Secretary. The purpose of the meeting was to conduct an interview for an appointment to the Watertown Cable Access Corporation Board of Directors Elaine Mello. Ms. Mello is the Educational Technology Manager for Learning Environments at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Office of Open Learning in Cambridge, a role she has held since July 2018. She's responsible for installed automated lecture capture systems on campus, working with faculty on system design and installation. maintenance and troubleshooting, and vendor support. She also provides video conferencing and AV support for conference rooms and supervises a senior educational technology consultant. She brings an extensive background in community media, video production and media technology including serving as assistant program director at Continental Cablevision in Watertown

from 1984 to 1989 where she produced and directed local community video programming, served as technical director and supervisor of 10 monthly shows and taught community video production courses. She's worked with local civic organizations in organizing the internship program and Continental Cablevision, bringing new participants into community video production. She's managed the daily operations of MIT's Distance Education and Streaming Media Cost Recovery Unit for nine years, overseeing distance education video conferencing in streaming media operations along with MIT Tech TV, a cloud-based video sharing service. She designed and implemented distance education in videoconferencing facilities at MIT including project management, vendor coordination, and user training and documentation Miss Mello is a longtime resident of Watertown and her professional career has been closely tied to the city. She began her career in Watertown's community video production, and later worked at CF Video Interactive also in Water town.

Gannon made a motion seconded by Councilor Offei to recommend the reappointment of Elaine Mello to the Watertown Cable Access Corporation Board of Directors with the term expiring September 15, 2029 and the motion passed 3-0.

Thank you. Can I get a motion to accept the report? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. or reappoint Elaine Mello to the Watertown Cable Access Corporation for a term to expire on September 15, 2029.

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. 12D is the Committee on Economic Development and Planning Report regarding meetings from May 7th of 25, April 29 of 26, June 22 of 26 and September 15 of 26. Councilor Gannon

Yes, thank you Mr. President. These minutes are a compendium of the Committee on Economic Development and Planning's meetings regarding the update to the demolition delay ordinance and regulations. This report pertains to the minutes of four committee meetings, Wednesday May 7th 2025 and in 2026 on Wednesday April 29th Tuesday, September 15th and Monday June 22nd. So the minutes and materials comprise 80 pages but I will spare you and just speak as to a few pages so at the January 26, 2025 City Council meeting. Council President Sideris requested the administration through Department of Community Development and Planning to conduct a review of the city's demolition delay ordinance. At the April 8th, 2025 City Council meeting

the administration responded with a memo and supporting documentation outlining 11 potential measures for consideration, and the City Council referred the matter to its Committee on Economic Development and Planning Policy Review and Guidance. On May 7th, 2025 the committee first convened at 6-04 in the Mestrangelo Chambers. Members present were Lisa Feltner as chair Vincent Piccirilli as secretary, and myself as vice president via Zoom. The meeting focused on a discussion of 11 proposed amendments by Manager Parikas for our current demolition delay ordinance, which is Chapter 153 Demolition of Historic Buildings substantially amended in 2023 of the Watertown Code of Ordinances. and to hear public comments. Staff present were City Manager George Proekes, Steve Magoon, Assistant City Manager, Director of Community Development and Planning

Gideon Schreiber, Director of Planning and Zoning, and Larry Field via Zoom. Several questions and proposed recommendations were made by the committee for the administration to consider the manager and staff agreed that more thought was needed, and they would bring a revised draft forward for the committee to continue its discussion. Motion to continue is approved at 8.52 p.m. the manager then submitted a memo at the November 12th, 2025 city council meeting which included supporting materials and some case statistics for rewrite and reorganization of the demolition delay ordinance. while working on its response to committee, adding suggested sections including a new exemption for affordable housing development the staff decided this rewrite approach was best. It resulted in a more user-friendly ordinance that also highlights ways in which the process could be improved.

the committee next met in the following city council term on Wednesday, April 29th, 2026 to continue discussion met at 6.05 p.m. and the Mr. Angelo Council Chambers members present were myself as chair, Vincent Piccirilli is vice-chair and Lisa Feltner as secretary. Staff president were city manager George Poikos, Kenan Wren new assistant city manager for community development planning Erica Oliver-Jaram, Director of Community Design, Will Downey, Senior Planner for Housing and Consultant Lowry Field. The focus of discussion was on the rewrite proposed by the city manager per the memo dated November 11th, 2025. The committee did not take public comment at this meeting due to the length of its discussion with Manager Prorikas

we shared that the next meeting expected in June would include time for many public comments, especially as the Chair of the Historical Commission was present for this meeting and had prepared remarks. Motion to continue is approved at 829 p.m. Oh, I could continue.

It's Halloween. Halloween in the Council Chamber.

Spooky. Okay, continuing along as if nothing happened at all on June Monday, June 22nd, 2026, the committee met for a third time at 6.06 p.m. in the Miss D'Angelo Chambers members present were myself as chair, Vincent Piccirilli is vice-chair, Lisa Feltner is secretary. Staff present were George Roikas, Erica Jaram, Lowry Field. Also present in person are residents Elise Lucas and Jamie Gordon. The meeting discussion continued with additional updates to the draft ordinance presented by the manager included amendments and incorporated some previous feedback from the committee along with a legal review by K.P. Law. In addition, definitions in section 153.02 for the three types of demolition complete substantial and illegal and for what the demolition does not include stated that the shutting off of utilities would no longer be a violation per the text included but not limited to water supply, water electricity and gas.

and substantial demolition is now a subdivision of demolition. Additionally, an exemption was proposed for the by-right overlay transit oriented district zoning area and its square, and we discussed how certain affordable housing developments would be exempt. And I should explain that the iterations of each of the ordinance are included in the 80-page package So during the meeting, Manager Perikas agreed that some language needed to be changed such as in the Section 153.10 delay period and in the section 153 .12 voluntary demolition he also explained why he advocates for exempting city-owned buildings and referred to some of those demolition review ordinance section seven . Public comments began at 6.55 and additional concerns were brought to light with this updated staff draft. Staff will review recommendations and return to a future meeting with the committee to continue discussion.

At 8-52, a motion to continue was made by Councilor Feltner, seconded by Councillor Piccirilli, and approved three to nothing. Tuesday, September 15th, 2026 at 6.04 PM the committee met for a fourth time in the Philippine Lower Hearing Room. Members present or myself as chair Vincent Piccirilli as Vice Chair, and Lisa Feltner as Secretary. Staff President were George Rodriguez, Kenan Wrenn, and Director of Community Design, Erica Oliver-Jaram. Residents present were Elise Lucas, Marilyn Roach, Joyce Kelly, Jamie Gordon and Rita Colafello. Fala, the key areas of discussion included definition of demolition and exclusions with the addition of the transit-oriented development overlay. delay period and lifting process, city-owned buildings in affordable housing violations and penalties. It was also stressed that we rely on the ordinance as our main preservation tool

and there's a general lack of weight importance given to historical aspects of the site. were missing standard historical criteria for judging redevelopment projects when reviewed by staff and planning or zoning boards while working to balance the need for growth in improvements. remaining points of contention were one, definition for demolition and what it does not include. two, changing the violation of the ordinance in section 153.12b voluntary demolition to a period of up to three years as determined by the historical commission and its discretion instead of the existing three-year penalty, upon finding a hysterically significant building has been demolished in violation. And three committee members had a few more concerns and questions about the revised Demolition Delay Ordinance

including the desire to better protect the historic Reverend Converse Francis House on Riverside Street. it was apparently overlooked during previous conversations around the MBTA zoning and Watertown Square redesign while also updating this ordinance, see Attachments A and all the other attachments. So action item presented? motion made by Council Feltner, seconded by Council Piccirilli to recommend City Council initiate a zoning ordinance amendment to remove 6 Riverside Street property, also known as the historic Reverend Conyers-Francis House from the Watertown Square by right transit oriented development overlay district. This motion was approved three to nothing the staff will make additional edits for a red line version to accompany the committee report to city council. We spoke to the process of holding that public hearing after a published first meeting, which provides additional opportunity for public comments

an amendment which could be adopted by the council. Next action item, motion by Councilor Piccirilli, seconded by Council Feltner to recommend draft changes with amendments to the demolition delay ordinance to the City Council for consideration in a first reading. This action was approved three to nothing a motion to adjourn was made at eight o'clock by Councilor Feltner, seconded by Councillor Piccirilli and approved three to nothing. I thank Feltner for preparing the minutes and the 80 pages of attachments and iterations of the presentations made. The report has attachments. It does include the amended draft ordinance for Title 15, Chapter 153 Demolition of Historic Buildings eight pages It has the September 15th, 2026 Committee Minutes.

Has the June 22nd, 2027 Committee Meetings in further detail. Also has the April 29th, 1026 Committee minutes with the 26-page administration memo of November 11, 2025. It also includes a full detail of the May 7th, 2025 committee meeting minutes with a 19-page administration memo of April 8th, 2025. The last attachment is the EDP committee report on September 15, 2025 which is attached here for ordinance related reference to noticing and community meetings on proposals for demolition of historic buildings. Properties. That concludes the summary of the meeting, and I thank again Councilors Feltner for extensive preparation in the minutes, and as well Councilor Piccirilli for all the meetings we've conducted on this matter.

Thank you. Can I get a motion to accept the report? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Councilor Palomba.

I just want to appreciate both Councilor Feltner and Councilor Piccirilli. I found these very helpful. I didn't read the 80 pages, but the three or four pages are summary. I just want to appreciate your work on that.

I'll echo that statement. It was a lot of work by the committee as well, but Councilor Feltner to put all this together we appreciate it. Any other comments? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it. The action item is that the first, can I get a motion to initiate a zoning ordinance amendment to remove 6 Riverside Street from the Watertown Square by right transit-oriented development overlay district.

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? The ayes have it the next action item is to recommend draft changes with amendments to the ordinance chapter 153 demolition of historic buildings to the City Council for consideration and first reading So moved. Is there a second?

Second.

Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Opposed, the ayes have it. We'll go back to 11C which is basically, this is a first reading on the proposed amendments to chapter 153. The demolition of historic buildings In the Watertown Code of Ordinances, this will be published for a public hearing at a future council meeting. Thank you. Thanks to everyone. Any new business to come before the Council? Seeing none, we'll move on to communications from the city manager. And item A is a request for confirmation of reappointments to the Commission on Disability.

Thank you, Mr. President. Requesting a reappointment to the Commission on Disability, requesting council confirmation of that for John Haas, Naomi Ridge and Cindy Wentz These are all existing members. They're all terms expiring November 1st, 2029 and they all come with the recommendation of the Residence Advisory Committee. Thank you Mr. President

Thank you, that goes to the Committee on Public Works. Human Services, I'm sorry. I'm way ahead of myself. 14B is a request for confirmation of appointment to the Conservation Commission. Mr. Manager.

Thank you, Mr. President. Recommending the appointment of Andrew Horowitz to a term expiring February 15th, 2029. on the Conservation Commission. Andrew has a background in doing a lot of environmental work, chemical engineer, Watertown resident grower with nine years of design construction sustainability greenhouse and Biotech Experience. He's worked on a lot of farm areas, he's had a lot interest in the Charles River and activity around Watertown. a Northeastern University engineering graduate, Gull Huskies. So I'm all in favor of appointing Andrew and seeking your request for confirmation. Thank you.

Thank you. That goes to the Committee on Parks and Rec. 12C is a request for confirmation of reappointments to the Watertown Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee. Mr. Manager?

Thank you. I have here for the Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee reappointments of Ellen Menounos for a term to expire November 15th, 2029, and also Laurie Murphy for a reappointments with recommendations from the Residence Advisory Committee. Thank you, Mr. President.

Item D is an update on therapeutic recreation services. Mr. Manager?

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to have a moment for Eva Burbridge to join us here at the podium and Mr. President, if it's okay have her introduce herself I want to take a moment to thank the council for the support of the Therapeutic Recreation Program, which is an inter-municipal agreement established with Belmont through the support of this council. While Eva's splits her time between here and Belmont. She's an employee of Belmont, and as you know we provided half the funding for this so that she could do her work for both Belmont and Watertown, introduce yourself and give a moment to give an update on the work that we've been able to do with thanks to the Council for being able to have this happen. Thank you. Yeah, thank you welcome

Yeah, thank you. Thank you very much. Thank all for your time tonight. My name's Eva and I'm the rec therapist between Watertown and Belmont. I started in this role in April as you all know so I thought it would be a good time now that I'm coming up on six months to just update the council and talk about things moving forward. Before I really get into it, there are a few photos highlighted up on the screen Watertown-Valmont Sport Program, so hope you guys enjoy those photos while I present. So really to just get started, as I settled into this role, I learned very quickly that the sport program is such a great example of the commitment in both Watertown and Belmont to accessible recreation already. and as you all know the program has been around for a long time, and provides social programs and Special Olympics in sports programs for adults with disabilities. I've been able to see firsthand that the sport-based programs provide participants with opportunity to stay active, to work towards goals and celebrate their accomplishments as a group.

And the social programs are really an opportunity for those same participants to really stay connected in their community and be active members in both Watertown and Belmont. Most recently, the sport program went on a trip to Pennsylvania just earlier this month which was a really fun opportunity for participants to travel, just really spend some time together in a supportive environment whether that was with a family member or independently traveling some of them for the first time. One of my goals is I've really settled in with the sport program, is to just continue promoting the longevity of the program. In order to do that, I've developed individualized intake assessments for participants which is really just a way to document specific participant information and programs moving forward. So no matter what happens in the future, whoever is there staff members have access to confidential and important information to really promote the longevity of the program.

With that framework in the support program, I've also had the opportunity to implement a model for inclusion support. So I started that in the summer and as of today when families are registering for programs on the Watertown Rec website, they can answer a question. Does your participant require accommodations to participate in programs? If they select yes, I work with families directly. We go through an intake process and based on that specific information collected there, I'm able to implement specific supports for those participants in whatever that looks like for them. So they're very individualized supports sometimes that looks just speaking to the director of a program talking to them about the importance of modeling instructions rather than just speaking them verbally. Other times, it's me at the programs one-on-one working with a participant with a disability in a program

A little bit further beyond that, inclusion services tend to service children with disabilities and the sport program tends to be adults with disabilities. I'm working on a program called Next Adventure, which is teens and young adults with disabilities just to kind of bridge that gap between those services. Everything so far that I've spoken about has really just been approached with the overarching goal of continuing to increase accessible and inclusive recreation in Watertown. and the sport program has really laid the groundwork for that already. With that in mind, I plan to continue promoting inclusion services making sure that families know that's an option for them if it's needed, and overall just keep finding ways to make new and innovative therapeutic recreation programs for members of the community. Really just to wrap that all up, I just want to say thank you to all of you. I know you are all very big supporters of this position so I'm very excited to be here and I'm grateful for all of your commitment to accessible recreation, inclusive recreation

So I thank you all very much for your time tonight and for all of that. If anyone has any questions at this time, I'm happy to answer them, but thank you-all very much.

Thank you very much what you're doing for our community. We appreciate it. Yeah, thank you. Thank-you and welcome.

Thank so much. Thanks for having me.

Just a few remaining announcements. Mr. President, you covered most of this one but just a reminder that early voting at City Hall continues through October 30th with varying hours each day. Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd. All of the information about voting at watertown-me.gov slash vote or you can contact the city clerk's office at 617-715-8686. We have on November 7th, first of all a recycling event. The DPW is hosting a special recycling event from 9am to 1pm offering shredding textile collections, styrofoam collection and subsidized mattress drop-offs and so on. Don't miss this great opportunity to responsibly dispose of some unwanted items in your home. Rescheduled from when the Nor'easter kind of blew away the last one, so we're happy to have this put back together for November 7th. And on the same day from 10 to 2, the Watertown Swap Shop will also be open at the Recycle Centre

You must park at the street on Green River Way or Stanley Ave if you're shopping at The Swap Shop. If you have donations, you can pull your car into the recycle centre to unload and again, so we both have recycling the event and the swap shop on November 7th. So that is all I have today. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Mr. President. A request is what is our process for appeal on the outcome of a public shade tree hearing for accessibility or for other reasons?

Are there any other requests for information? Announcements. Councilor Gardner.

Thank you, Mr. President. I actually have two announcements to make today. One is to let everybody know that there's an upcoming event at the library on Wednesday, November 4th called Access to Care, a Disability Community Panel. It will be from 630 to 8. and this panel will bring together people with both professional lived experience to discuss barriers disabled people face in accessing quality healthcare. So whether you're disabled, a family member or caregiver or a health and human services professional, or an employer who has disabled employees. This is a wonderful learning opportunity sponsored by World & Watertown Disability Commission in the Library So I want to encourage people to consider that. And then also, I've been asked to invite folks to the WCATV Gaming for Good Fundraiser event that'll be on Saturday, November 7th from noon to 6 at their studio. You do have to sign up and you can sign up until midnight the night before and they're going

tons of ways to game and give with retro video games, board games, D&D you know Mario Kart video etc. And there'll be all kinds of things for kids crafts and so on. So the proceeds will help support the incredibly important mission of WCATV to inform, engage and empower residents. So please come play. Thank you.

Any other announcements? Councilor Piccirilli.

Thank you, Mr. President. I have two things this Thursday October 29th at 630 9 Galen Street, which will be having its community meeting at the Parker Annex. That's the old Lewandows building a developer plans to keep the historic facade, gut it and turn into apartment buildings. So if you're interested in that, that's this Thursday. Then the other thing is on Sunday November 1st 11 o'clock, the fire department will be unveiling the new second ambulance medic two at the main fire station. So if you're interested in that and want to take a peek inside, that's November 1st at 11am. Thank you

Gannon. Well, I just want to make sure I didn't hear anything. Maybe I missed it but the state of the city address for tomorrow? It's on my list. Okay, good.

Council Feltner.

Thank you. A little advance notice with everything going on, but I just scheduled my annual individual councilor meeting for Thursday November 19th at the Parker Annex that will be 530 and it's open to all residents just be a conversational format. So hope to see you there, thanks.

Councilor Palomba?

Thank you I just want to announce that I'm having a second city council meeting this Thursday the 29th that's two days from now at 7 P.M., and the Mestrangelo room at Watertown Free Public Library. Again, that's Thursday the 29th at 7 p.m.

Well, I guess we'll talk about the state of the city. And we talked about it maybe being a scary moment at the preliminary budget overview I don't think it's going to be that scary looking at what Tyler has helped us prepare. I encourage people to come, we'll be in here there will be no zoom option we want you to come in the room and look at us face to face so we can say hello to you and greet you, and you can hear what's going on. And I think you'll be pleasantly pleased with what we're going to be discussing and I'm looking forward to tomorrow night at six o'clock in the chamber. Public forum, any member of the public here or at home wish to be heard? Seeing none, can I get a motion to adjourn? So moved. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? You guys have it. Thank you.