Watertown City Council (Tuesday February 24, 2026)

The meeting was called to order by Council President Mark S. Sideris on February 24, 2026.

Attendance:

• Councilors Present: Caroline Bays, Lisa J. Feltner, John G. Gannon, Nicole Gardner, Emily Izzo, Theophilus Offei (via Zoom), Anthony Palomba, Vincent J. Piccirilli, and President Mark S. Sideris.
• Staff Present: City Manager (via Zoom), Deputy City Manager, City Attorney Rich, and DPW Director Tom Brady.

Note: Due to remote participation by Councilor Offei and the City Manager, all votes were conducted via roll call.

The following residents provided testimony during the first public forum:

• Clyde Younger (188 Acton Street): Commended the DPW for snow removal efforts. He questioned the Council's agenda-setting process and adherence to Robert's Rules of Order, specifically regarding the time allotted for public comment. He requested a resolution regarding civil rights and the legacy of Jesse Jackson, asking: "Is there any written criteria as to when and what is acceptable for a resolution to come forth before your board?"
• Jocelyn Tager (Watertown Resident): Discussed the 2022 Climate and Energy Plan. She noted that Watertown is lagging behind neighboring communities in adopting a net-zero building code, a Tree Protection Ordinance, and a ban on gas-driven lawn equipment. She stated, "Despite our fantastic schools and our climate leader designation, we are behind our neighboring communities, but most importantly, we are behind in meeting the goals of our climate and energy plan."

President Sideris presented the following items:

1. Referral to Committee on Human Services: A request to meet with the Director of Human Services to review goals and the implementation of the human services study.
   • Action: Motion to refer passed 9-0. (Roll Call: Bays, Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Piccirilli, Sideris - All Yes).
2. Snow Removal Acknowledgments: Thanked the DPW and Public Safety units for their work during the recent storm.
3. Public Safety Request: Urged residents to shovel out fire hydrants, citing a significant active fire on Flint Street where firefighters struggled to locate a hydrant.

A public hearing was held on a petition from NSTAR (d/b/a Eversource) for a grant of location to install approximately 100 feet of two four-inch conduits in Pleasant Street, easterly from manhole MH-23549, to provide electrical service for 104 Main Street.

• Proponent: Joanne (Eversource) appeared virtually to confirm the project details.
• Action: The Council voted 9-0 to approve the petition. (Roll Call: Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Piccirilli, Bays, Feltner, Sideris - All Yes).

The Council considered a proposed ordinance to reduce single-use waste. President Sideris noted a late request for amendments from the Commission on Disability.

• Legal Counsel Advice: Attorney Rich recommended referring the matter back to the subcommittee to consult with the Commission on Disability, as the proposed amendments were significant and had not been vetted.
• Action: The matter was referred back to the Rules and Ordinance Committee with a 'date certain' for a public hearing on April 28, 2026.

The Council considered a resolution to authorize deficit spending for snow and ice removal.

• Resolution Title: "Resolution approving expenditures for snow and ice removal pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 31D of Mass General Law."
• Financial Context: The Deputy Manager reported that budgeted funds for snow and ice were nearly exhausted prior to the most recent storm. DPW Director Tom Brady explained that frequent 'freeze-thaw' cycles required repeated salting to prevent ice layers on asphalt.
• Action: The Council voted 9-0 to approve the resolution. (Roll Call: Gardner, Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Piccirilli, Bays, Feltner, Gannon, Sideris - All Yes).

The Council conducted the first reading of a proposed loan order for sewer improvements.

• Order Language: "That the sum of $750,000 is appropriated to pay costs of sewer system improvements for the Department of Public Works as more fully described in line 51 of the annual budget for fiscal year 2026."
• Action: The item was placed on the agenda for a public hearing on March 10, 2026.

Councilor Gardner presented the report from the February 10, 2025, meeting regarding the interview of Jason Merkin for the Traffic Commission.

• Action 1: Motion to accept the committee report passed 9-0.
• Action 2: Motion to confirm Jason Merkin to the Traffic Commission (term expiring May 15, 2027) passed 9-0. (Roll Call: Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Piccirilli, Bays, Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Sideris - All Yes).

Councilor Gannon presented the report from the February 12, 2026, meeting regarding reappointments to various boards.

Confirmed Reappointments:

1. Amy Plavnik: Community Preservation Committee (Term: Feb 1, 2029).
2. Dennis Duff: Community Preservation Committee (Term: Feb 1, 2029).
3. Payson Whitney: Planning Board (Term: Feb 15, 2029).
4. Sarah Baker: Zoning Board of Appeals (Term: Feb 15, 2031).

• Action: All reappointments were confirmed via unanimous roll call votes (9-0).

Councilor Gardner presented the report from the January 20 and February 9 meetings regarding the update of City Council Rules.

Key Amendments Discussed:

• Rule 5.2: Added language that discussion must be limited to the subject of the agenda item in compliance with the Open Meeting Law.
• Rule 7.1: Clarified that responses to Requests for Information (RFI) must be emailed to all Councilors.
• Rule 11.7: Changed the word "citizens" to "residents."

Floor Amendments:

• Rule 11.7: Councilor Feltner moved to change "residents" to "community stakeholders." Passed 9-0.
• Rule 7.5: President Sideris moved to change the agenda delivery deadline from 5:00 PM to 12:30 PM on the Friday preceding a meeting. Passed 9-0.

Action: The Council voted 9-0 to adopt the 2026-2027 City Council Rules as amended.

The City Manager provided an update on storm recovery:

• Parking Ban: The overnight parking ban is extended until further notice to allow for snow bank removal.
• Sidewalks: The city will temporarily pause strict enforcement of the shoveling ordinance for residential properties due to the extreme height of snow banks, though commercial enforcement continues.
• Trash: Collection is delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.
• Public Safety: Confirmed that all residents were safely evacuated from an active fire on Flint Street.

The following individuals provided comments:

• Lena Bai: Expressed concern over the treatment of Clyde Younger during the first public forum and urged the Council to take preventative action to protect community members from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
• Alyssa Clements (Pet Advocacy Network): Submitted written testimony via email in opposition to a proposed pet shop ordinance.