Watertown City Council (Tuesday October 28, 2025)

October 28, 2025
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Watertown City Council Meeting Minutes

Governing Body: Watertown City Council Meeting Type: Regular Meeting (Hybrid - Zoom and In-Person) Meeting Date: October 28, 2025, at 12:00 AM

Attendees:

  • Councilor Caroline Bays
  • Councilor Lisa J. Feltner
  • Councilor John G. Gannon
  • Councilor Nicole Gardner
  • Councilor Emily Izzo
  • Councilor Anthony Palomba
  • Councilor Vincent J. Piccirilli
  • Council President Mark S. Sideris

Executive Summary

The Watertown City Council convened to discuss various city matters, with a significant portion of the meeting dedicated to exploring options for the Watertown Middle School. A detailed presentation by Vertex, the project manager, outlined different renovation and new construction scenarios, including cost estimates and timelines. Key discussion points revolved around the financial feasibility of a full middle school project versus more limited capital improvements, the impact on educational programming, and the implications of ADA compliance thresholds. The Council also addressed a proposed loan order for Fifth Avenue reconstruction, a transfer of funds for DPW mechanical equipment, and the first reading of the property tax levy allocation. Announcements included local election information and the Swap Shop schedule.

Roll Call

  • Councilor Bays: Present
  • Councilor Feltner: Present
  • Councilor Gannon: Present
  • Councilor Gardner: Present
  • Councilor Izzo: Present
  • Councilor Palomba: Present
  • Councilor Piccirilli: Present
  • Council President Sideris: Present

Pledge of Allegiance

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Public Forum

No members of the public wished to speak.

Examination of Minutes

  • Motion: To accept the minutes of October 14th as written.
  • Mover: Councilor Palomba
  • Seconder: Councilor Feltner
  • Vote: All in favor. (Unanimous)

President's Report

Council President Sideris provided an update on the School Committee's deep dive into MCAS scores, noting that the presentation and information are available on the school website.

Discussion on Special Matters: Options for the Watertown Middle School

Christy Murphy from Vertex (Project Manager) and the City Manager presented and discussed options for the Watertown Middle School.

  • Feasibility Study Overview (Presented by Christy Murphy):

    • Base Repair Option: Bringing the middle school up to code (ADA, Life Safety, Current Building Code) without addressing educational program needs. Estimated cost: $87.8 million.
    • Comprehensive Renovation Option: Includes base repair plus reconfiguring the second floor for improved teaching spaces (cluster model). Estimated cost: $133 million.
    • Addition and Renovation Options (Option 1A): Preferred option by the School Building Committee. Initial estimate: $121.4 million.
    • New Building Options (Option 2E): Preferred option by the School Building Committee. Initial estimate: $124.5 million.
    • Refinement of Preferred Options:
      • Efforts were made to reduce square footage and find efficiencies.
      • Option 1A (Addition and Renovation) reduced by approximately 7,000 square feet.
      • Option 2E (New Building) reduced by approximately 11,700 square feet.
      • Both options still accommodate 630 students.
      • Three contractors were consulted to optimize schedule and logistics, aiming to minimize modular usage.
    • Revised Cost Estimates (in today's dollars):
      • Original $84.7 million budget (aligned with modulars and soft costs): $103.15 million.
      • Revised Addition and Renovation (Option 1A): $116 million.
      • Revised New Building (Option 2E): $112 million.
      • These costs include a construction management at-risk procurement option to allow for early work packages.
      • The revised costs include $4.7 million for net-zero ready features (PV and battery).
    • Capital Improvement Planning (CIP) Scenario:
      • This scenario focuses on critical priority items from the existing CIP, using modulars for one academic year.
      • Project cost range: $13.9 million to $27.7 million.
      • The range is due to the 30% assessed value threshold for ADA compliance. Exceeding this threshold (currently based on a $24 million assessed value for the middle school) would trigger a full building upgrade (closer to the $87 million base repair option).
      • Proposed work includes roof replacement, new security vestibule, doors/hardware, and outdoor learning spaces.
      • A strategy would be developed with the building department, assessor, disabilities commission, and Massachusetts Architectural Access Board to manage the 30% threshold over several years.
      • Monthly cost of modulars: $136,000.

  • City Manager's Comments:

    • Expressed willingness to answer questions and review previous presentations.
    • Highlighted the challenge of increasing costs (high school project, department expenses, solid waste) and declining new growth projections (3.1% annual budget growth).
    • Stated that a full middle school project would limit flexibility for other city priorities (senior center, downtown plan, new programs).
    • The original $70 million borrowing plan for the middle school is no longer sufficient.
    • If a full project is not pursued, $17 million is available for other projects, and $70 million in borrowing is removed from the capital plan.
    • Emphasized the importance of an accessible, safe, and secure entrance, which is a long-standing capital plan priority.
    • Explained the urgency due to the monthly cost of modulars and the need for timely decisions.
    • AI3 was instructed to stop designing the new building in September due to cost concerns.
    • Decisions are needed soon to determine the use of modulars (e.g., for fast-tracking key renovations or for a full project).

  • Council Discussion and Questions:

    • Borrowing Rates: Current borrowing rates are in the 4% range (last borrowing at 4.28%), up from 2% in 2022.
    • Educational Benefits of CIP Improvements: Councilor Gannon questioned the educational impact of the proposed $13.9 - $27.7 million CIP improvements, noting that items like a new roof do not directly benefit students' learning environment.
    • Superintendent's Perspective (Dr. Galison):
      • An ideal educational environment in the 21st century supports the cluster model, which the 1922 part of the building cannot accommodate.
      • Specialized programming (therapeutic, learning support, connections programs) requires specialized classrooms that are currently lacking.
      • The middle school has seen an increase in multilingual learners (5% to 17%), requiring dedicated spaces.
      • The current building lacks a sense of "innovation and joy" compared to newer elementary schools.
      • The $14.9 million CIP allocation would have limited impact on the educational environment, primarily focusing on maintenance.
      • Outdoor learning spaces are crucial if internal renovations are limited.
      • The building "feels tired" and has reached its "point of no return."
      • Cited Cunniff and Hosmer Elementary Schools' significant percentile ranking improvements after new buildings were opened, suggesting a correlation between facilities and student performance.
      • Expressed concern about population growth projections, noting that the high school, designed for 720 students, already has 738-760 students.
      • Advocated for waiting for a full new building if the current options do not provide significant academic benefits.
    • Free Cash and Debt Service:
      • Watertown's free cash certified at $33 million.
      • Five-year average free cash is around $30 million.
      • The City Manager explained that using free cash for debt service beyond pay-as-you-go capital projects is not consistent with current budget policy and could impact the target of 8-15% of the budget in free cash/stabilization.
    • OPEB Liability:
      • Annual OPEB liability reduction payments are in the $3.5 - $4.6 million range.
      • These funds would become available after 2031 if the OPEB plan is maintained.
      • A full middle school project would necessitate reducing OPEB contributions, senior center contributions, and potentially open space/affordable housing contributions by FY29.
    • ADA Compliance Threshold: The 30% assessed value threshold for ADA compliance is based on a continuous 36-month period.
    • Square Footage Reduction: Achieved by finding efficiencies and shared spaces, not by making the project smaller overall.
    • Storage Space: The CIP plan includes repurposing lower locker rooms for storage.
    • Legislative Update (Commercial Tax Shift): The home rule petition for the commercial tax shift was submitted in August 2022 and received an answer in October 2023. The City Manager needs an answer by February/March 2026 for the FY27 budget.
    • Construction Inflation: Current escalation is around 3.5%, a normalized rate after higher rates during COVID.
    • Accreditation: The middle school is not currently facing accreditation issues, as accreditation primarily applies at the high school level.
    • Future Growth and Funding:
      • The City Manager stated that aggressive new growth (like the biotech lab expansion) or a debt exclusion are the primary paths for funding a new middle school.
      • Watertown Square development could generate new growth, but the timeline is uncertain.
      • The City Manager cannot predict when aggressive new growth will return.
    • Council President's Concerns:
      • Concerned about spending $27 million on improvements that may not fully address accessibility or educational needs, potentially requiring waivers from the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board.
      • Questioned the return on investment for continued money into the existing building.
      • Emphasized the need to balance school needs with other capital improvement projects.
      • Stated that the "real cost" of the middle school project was always closer to $103 million, not the initial $84.7 million.
      • No vote will be taken tonight; more information is needed, including a precise assessed value and the implications of repairs on waiver requests.
      • Other options for modulars will be explored.

Motions, Orders, and Resolutions

7A. First Reading: Proposed Loan Order for Fifth Avenue Reconstruction

  • Resolution: That the sum of $2,200,000 is appropriated to pay the cost of construction and oversight of roadway, sidewalk, and utility reconstruction of Fifth Avenue, as more fully described in the city's fiscal year 2025 to 2025 capital improvement program (Line 323, CIP recommendation number 27).
  • City Manager's Comments: This project has been a long time coming and aligns with the Council's priorities for the streets program. This is a first reading, with more details to be provided at the next meeting.

7B. Resolution Authorizing Transfer of Funds for DPW Mechanical Equipment

  • Resolution: Authorizing a transfer of funds in the amount of $175,470 from the fiscal year 2026 City Council Reserve to the fiscal year 2026, transfer to capital projects, public buildings account, for the replacement of four rooftop mechanical units on the DPW roof.
  • City Manager's Comments: This is a time-sensitive and valuable project.
  • Motion: To approve the transfer.
  • Mover: Councilor Palomba
  • Seconder: Councilor Feltner
  • Vote (Roll Call):
    • Councilor Palomba: Yes
    • Councilor Bays: Yes
    • Councilor Feltner: Yes
    • Councilor Gannon: Yes
    • Councilor Gardner: Yes
    • Councilor Izzo: Yes
    • Councilor Piccirilli: Yes
    • Council President Sideris: Yes
    • Outcome: Approved (8-0)

7C. First Reading: Proposed Order Allocating Property Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2026

  • Resolution: First reading on a proposed order allocating the property tax levy among and between property classes for fiscal year 2026.
  • City Manager's Comments: This is for the tax classification hearing at the next meeting. Details are online. Noted a reduction in commercial value and an increase in residential value, causing a shift. This is the last year of the existing home rule petition, allowing a maximum 175% split. The Assessor will provide more details at the next meeting.

Communications from the City Manager

  • Local Election: Tuesday, November 4th, 7 AM - 8 PM.
  • Early In-Person Voting:
    • Started October 28th (lower hearing room, park side).
    • October 29th: 10 AM - 4 PM.
    • October 30th: 10 AM - 4 PM.
  • Polling Place Changes: Residents should check online or postcards for updated polling place information.
  • Swap Shop: Final day on Saturday, November 1st, 10 AM - 2 PM, at Watertown Recycle Center (76 Stanley Ave). Free resource for household items. Shoppers park on Green River Way or Stanley Ave; donors can drive in.
  • "What's Up Watertown" Newsletter: Sign up on the city website under "Connect with Us" for city news.

Requests for Information

  • Councilor Feltner:
    • When to expect the city annual reports for 2023 and 2024.
    • Punch list for Arsenal Park, including ADA concerns (e.g., inaccessibility of gravel amphitheater, lack of automatic doors on bathrooms). More details to be sent via email.

Announcements

  • The next City Council meeting will be on November 12th, not November 11th (Veterans Day).

Public Forum

No members of the public wished to speak.

Adjournment

  • Motion: To adjourn.
  • Mover: Councilor Palomba
  • Seconder: Councilor Feltner
  • Vote: All in favor. (Unanimous)

Last updated: Dec 7, 2025

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