Watertown City Council (Tuesday April 28, 2026)

The meeting was called to order by Council President Mark S. Sideris. A roll call was conducted to establish a quorum.

• Governing Body: Watertown City Council
• Meeting Date: April 28, 2026
• Meeting Type: Hybrid (In-person and Zoom)
• Attendees:
  • Councilor Caroline Bays: Present
  • Councilor Lisa J. Feltner: Present
  • Councilor John G. Gannon: Present
  • Councilor Nicole Gardner: Present
  • Councilor Emily Izzo: Present
  • Councilor Theophilus Offei: Present
  • Councilor Anthony Palomba: Present
  • Councilor Vincent J. Piccirilli: Present
  • Council President Mark S. Sideris: Present

The Council moved to enter executive session to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel (City Manager).

• Motion: To enter executive session, returning to open session at 7:00 PM.
• Vote Outcome: Passed 9-0.
• Roll Call Vote:
  • Councilor Piccirilli: Yes
  • Councilor Bays: Yes
  • Councilor Feltner: Yes
  • Councilor Gannon: Yes
  • Councilor Gardner: Yes
  • Councilor Izzo: Yes
  • Councilor Offei: Yes
  • Councilor Palomba: Yes
  • President Sideris: Yes

The Council reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

• Action: Motion to adopt the minutes of April 14, 2026, as written.
• Vote Outcome: Passed unanimously via voice vote.

Council President Sideris provided updates on local business developments and city policy regarding immigration enforcement.

• Business Update: Recognized Tudor, a robotics company, for expanding its manufacturing and R&D operations on Pleasant Street.
• Statement on Community Protection: President Sideris clarified the city's stance on federal immigration enforcement, stating that Watertown police do not enforce federal immigration law or participate in ICE raids.
• Direct Quote to ICE: 'Unless you have a judicial warrant, you may not enter our schools, you may not enter our classrooms, and you may not enter our private offices within city buildings. You may also not use city property for enforcement operations, staging, or processing individuals.'
• Public Information: A brochure from Police Chief Hanrahan regarding these protections is available in six languages at the police station, library, and city clerk's office.

The Council issued a proclamation regarding ALS Awareness.

• Proclamation: Declaring May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month in Watertown.
• Action: Motion to accept the proclamation.
• Vote Outcome: Passed unanimously via voice vote.

Michelle Moon (Open Space Planner) and Kayla (Landscape Architect) presented the final design for Sullivan Playground.

• Design Features: Includes play areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12, swings, seating, and 'listening benches.'
• Environmental Impact: Three trees in poor health will be removed; no new trees are planned due to existing root density, but the design prioritizes maintaining current shade.
• Rededication: The Council discussed a formal rededication of the park sign honoring Paul Sullivan, who died in service during the Vietnam War.

The Council held a public hearing on an ordinance intended to remove duplicative or contradictory language between the Code of Ordinances and the new Administrative Code.

• Action: Repeal of sections including 30-15 to 30-32 (personnel regulations) and amendments to sections 50 and 51 regarding Public Works titles.
• Vote Outcome: Passed 9-0.
• Roll Call Vote:
  • Councilors Bays, Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Piccirilli, and President Sideris all voted 'Yes.'

The Council considered an ordinance to reduce single-use plastic waste in food establishments.

• Ordinance Summary: Restaurants may no longer automatically provide plastic utensils, straws, or condiment packets; customers must opt-in. Dine-in establishments must use reusable foodware.
• Public Comment: Jocelyn Tager (Watertown Faces Climate Change) spoke in support, stating: 'Acting to reduce the amount of single-use plastic in Watertown... is what we would call low-hanging fruit or perhaps a no-brainer.'
• Action: Motion to adopt the ordinance (Section 118.3).
• Vote Outcome: Passed 9-0.
• Roll Call Vote:
  • Councilors Offei, Palomba, Piccirilli, Bays, Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, and President Sideris all voted 'Yes.'

The Council discussed accepting a state local-option statute allowing restaurants to convert wine and malt licenses to all-alcohol licenses.

• Key Provisions: The upgrade is non-transferable; if the business closes, the license reverts to a wine and malt license. There are currently eight eligible restaurants in Watertown.
• Action: Motion to accept Massachusetts General Law Chapter 138, Section 12D.
• Vote Outcome: Passed unanimously via voice vote.
• Follow-up: The Council will discuss setting a 'parity fee' at a future meeting to ensure the upgrade cost is fair relative to existing all-alcohol licenses.

The Council voted on fund transfers and the acceptance of donations.

• Salary Transfer: Authorized the transfer of $29,200 from the FY2026 City Council Reserve to the Elected Official Salaries account to cover updated salary rates established by the Blue Ribbon Committee.
  • Vote Outcome: Passed 9-0 (Roll Call).
• Gift Acceptance: Accepted a $2,500 gift from the Ed Walsh Foundation for scholarships for the Camp Paquassett summer program.
  • Vote Outcome: Passed unanimously via voice vote.

The following items were introduced for a first reading and will be discussed at future meetings:

1. Personnel Ordinance: Amending the code regarding non-union personnel compensation and leave.
2. Loan Order ($2,300,000): For the reconstruction of Forest Street and Springfield Street (Line 289 of the Capital Improvement Plan).
3. Loan Order ($2,100,000): For the Connected Roads and Long Streets project at Forest and Springfield Streets (Line 318 of the Capital Improvement Plan).

The Council addressed committee reports and administrative appointments.

• Rules and Ordinance Committee (March 12): Discussion on a proposed noise ordinance, including vibrations and commercial lawn maintenance. The report was tabled for corrections regarding meeting location and attachments.
• Climate and Energy Committee (March 23): Tabled for corrections.
• Reappointments: The following reappointments were referred to committees:
  • Traffic Commission: Robert Airasian and Daniel Greinesen (to Public Safety).
  • Solid Waste and Recycling Committee: Russ Arrico and Eileen Ryan (to Public Works).