Executive Summary
The Watertown City Council, sitting as the Committee of the Whole, met on March 24, 2026, to review and consider the proposed Administrative Code submitted under Section 6.2 of the City Charter. The discussion centered on organizational restructuring, including moving the Community Preservation Commission (CPC) manager under the City Auditor's office and updating the membership and titles of various multi-member bodies such as the Stormwater Committee. The Committee also debated the repeal of outdated personnel ordinances and the transition of non-union employee benefits from ordinance to administrative policy. The meeting concluded with a unanimous recommendation to send the amended Administrative Code to the full City Council for a final vote.
Meeting Metadata
- Governing Body: Watertown City Council (Committee of the Whole)
- Meeting Type: Committee of the Whole
- Date: March 24, 2026
- Attendees:
- Councilor Caroline Bays (via Zoom)
- Councilor Lisa J. Feltner
- Councilor John G. Gannon
- Councilor Nicole Gardner
- Councilor Emily Izzo
- Councilor Theophilus Offei
- Councilor Anthony Palomba
- Councilor Vincent J. Piccirilli
- Council President Mark S. Sideris
- City Manager (George Proakis)
- Deputy City Manager Emily Monet
- City Attorney (Attorney Rich)
Call to Order and Roll Call
Council President Sideris called the meeting to order. A roll call was conducted to establish a quorum. Because Councilor Bays participated remotely via Zoom, all votes taken during the session were conducted by roll call.
Proposed Administrative Code (Section 6.2 of City Charter)
The City Manager presented the final version of the Administrative Code, noting that under Section 6.2 of the City Charter, the Council is permitted an up-or-down vote on the document.
Key Amendments and Scrivener's Errors:
- Committee Titles: The word "Advisory" was removed from the "Stormwater Committee" and the "Solid Waste and Recycling Committee" to ensure consistency with other multi-member bodies.
- Stormwater Committee (Section A303Q): Membership was adjusted to seven members, consisting of five resident members (one appointed by the Council President, four by the Manager), the Assistant City Manager for Community Development and Planning (or designee), and a representative from the Department of Public Works.
- Committee Scope: The Stormwater Committee's role was generalized to advise the entire city rather than just the Department of Public Works.
Community Preservation Commission (CPC) Management
The City Manager addressed concerns regarding the independence of the CPC manager.
- Restructuring: The CPC manager will be moved from the Community Development and Planning Department to the Auditing staff.
- Rationale: This move provides personnel management and supervision under the City Auditor, ensuring independence from departments that regularly submit CPC project proposals.
- Official Action: The Committee voted on a motion regarding this reporting structure.
Personnel Code and Ordinance Repeals
The administration proposed repealing several outdated sections of the city ordinance to align with the new Administrative Code.
- Outdated Language: The existing personnel code is approximately 45 years old and contains references to a town meeting moderator and a personnel board, as well as holiday schedules and overtime systems that violate federal law.
- Non-Union Protections: Councilor Gannon expressed concern regarding the rights of non-union employees (e.g., longevity pay, sick leave, vacation) if the ordinance is repealed.
- Administration Response: The City Manager stated that non-union benefits are currently managed via offer letters and HR policies. He noted that a 2.25% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) was recently applied to non-union staff to match union contracts.
- Follow-up: The Manager agreed to provide an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining these benefits in ordinance versus administrative policy before the scheduled repeal vote on April 28, 2026.
Multi-Member Bodies (MMBs) and Administrative Policies
The Council reviewed specific sections governing MMBs and general administration:
- Staff Liaisons (Section A301K): The language was changed from "may" to "shall," requiring the City Manager to designate staff liaisons for every board or commission.
- Communications (Section A301M & A603): External communications from MMBs must be reviewed by staff liaisons to ensure individual members do not speak for the entire board without authorization.
- Compensation (Section N): Clarified that members of MMBs receive no compensation unless provided by charter or ordinance. A friendly amendment was suggested to clarify that city employees serving on boards (e.g., Police Chief on Traffic Commission) are compensated for their primary roles, not the board seat.
- Volunteers (Section A606): Establishes an aspirational framework for the city to provide support, training, and leadership for volunteers helping in city departments.
Official Actions and Votes
The Committee took the following formal actions:
Motion to request that the CPC coordinator report to the City Auditor.
- Moved by: Councilor Piccirilli
- Seconded by: Councilor Gannon
- Vote: 9-0 (Unanimous)
- Roll Call: Palomba (Yes), Piccirilli (Yes), Bays (Yes), Feltner (Yes), Gannon (Yes), Gardner (Yes), Izzo (Yes), Offei (Yes), Sideris (Yes).
Motion to send the Administrative Code, as amended with minor edits, to the City Council for a vote.
- Moved by: Councilor Piccirilli
- Seconded by: Councilor Gannon
- Vote: 9-0 (Unanimous)
- Roll Call: Piccirilli (Yes), Bays (Yes), Feltner (Yes), Gannon (Yes), Gardner (Yes), Izzo (Yes), Offei (Yes), Palomba (Yes), Sideris (Yes).
Motion to Adjourn.
- Vote: 9-0 (Unanimous)