Watertown City Council (Tuesday February 24, 2026)

I'd like to call the meeting to order. This is a meeting of the City Council of February 24th, 2026. This meeting is being broadcast and recorded by Watertown Cable Access. There is also Zoom access available. That information is on the city website, as well as an email address and a telephone number. I'm going to ask the clerk to please call the roll.

Councilor Bays?

Present.

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

President, thank you. Before I begin, I just want to say that Councilor Offei is joining us by Zoom this evening as well as the city manager. due to some weather-related issues. And all of the votes we take this evening will be by roll call because of that. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is public forum. Clyde Younger, you're welcome to speak.

Clyde Younger, 188 Acton Street. And first of all, I want to say that Congratulations to the DPW. They have done another outstanding job. You travel around the other communities and you can see the difference in terms of providing clean streets for us. So I do want to go on record as thanking them for the work that they've done and that was very difficult. Mr. President, I'm in receipt of your email stating that you set the agenda. I am acutely aware that the President of the Council sets the agenda since I previously sat in your position, yet you failed to mention that in the email. that you and your colleagues also operate under Robert's Rules of Order.

Unless you stopped and do not operate under Robert's Rules of Order anymore, that also is that by Robert's rules of order, any councilor can make a motion to suspend the rules in order to give someone in public forum additional time to present their point of view and their program as to the approach that they're doing. if you make the motion and you have a second, there's discussion. But my first question is, and I know that forum you don't answer the questions, but is there any written criteria as to when and what is acceptable for a resolution to come forth before your board?

and as you know, I've served as council in the city since 1968 until 2010, whether it was in school committee or as council president. Mr. Younger, your time is up.

I have a few things to say. I'm addressing also the community, okay? Mr. Younger, your time is up. Unfortunately, you can speak in the next public forum at the end of the meeting. Thank you. Jolly Tiger.

I'm asking the council to indulge in me for a few minutes. Mr. Younger. Mr.

Younger, your time is up. Mr. Younger.

I'm asking for a special. I'm sorry. No, I'm not. Mr. Manor.

Mr. Younger, wait one second.

Mr. President, I have never asked for anything for myself.

Mr. Younger, I'm sorry, but the lady that's speaking after you asked for more time, too. Well, she can go forward and I'll come back after. I'm not allowing that. I'm sorry. I'll come back later. Thank you. Charlie, you're up.

I'll come after her then. And if I leave the floor, you know what's going to happen. is not going to be anyone that is going to come back to me, so I refuse to leave the floor.

I'm just following the rules of the council. Jolly?

You can cut off the video, whatever you want to do. Okay? But one of the things I want to bring up, I'm gonna skip to the bottom, to the end of it, okay? You have decided not to have this on the agenda, and I indicated to you that... for those who want to stay, okay? And this was my last comment was gonna be, for those who wish to stay, and I don't know if there's gonna be a ruling or anything else, but the agenda that I asked for is regarding a resolution regarding black people and the children. We have worked towards having it so that Our children are our most important.

And the President has indicated that we have come from shithole countries. You can all walk out on me if you want, but I'm going to continue to speak. the, I'm sorry? And what? Yes, yes, you could.

Mr.

Younger, I'm going to advise you that if you continue, I'm going to have to have you removed from the chamber. I have, she has relented two minutes to me, okay? Okay, Charlie, you're up first, and then Mr. Younger, you can have her two minutes. All right, thank you.

My name is Jocelyn Tager. I'm a resident of Watertown. In 2022, City Council unanimously passed a climate and energy plan which calls for a three-year review. Palomba. A couple of sessions ago, Councilor Palomba gave the report with metrics. The metrics I'm going to mention were not in that report. Under building and energy, we were to adopt a Commonwealth net zero building code, but the state didn't give us a net building code. The Commonwealth gave us a specialized opt-in stretch code. We are the first municipality in the state to adopt that code. Yes, but it is not net zero. It has a fossil fuel pathway and only incentivize electricity. Given this, the second action item in buildings and energies is important and it is the BRDO. Unlike Boston, Cambridge and Newton who have passed Berto's, we have not. And unlike Acton, Arlington, Brookline, Cambridge, Lexington, Newton and Somerville cities that can't build with gas, Watertown can build with gas. and in fact the Housing Trust has just said that all new ADUs can use fossil fuels.

Three, we will not reach our natural resources goal which includes our urban forest goal if we do not have a tree protection ordinance. Unlike Somerville, Newton, Lexington, Concord, Brookline, Swampscott, Springfield, and Acton, cities that do have tree protection ordinances, and although a tree protection ordinance was submitted years ago by WE3C, we still do not have a tree protection ordinance for. The plan calls for an expanded solo ordinance. One has been with the city for over a year and a half. Five, banning the use of gas driven lawn and care equipment in Watertown was submitted a while ago. Unlike Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Marblehead, Newton, and Winchester, we have no such ban. Tonight, the stuff comes before you. We could join Newton, Wellesley, and others if we were... were to adopt this, which will help us to reduce our solid waste and greenhouse gas emissions. 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. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Is there anyone else at home who wishes to be speaking in public forum before I move to Mr. Younger? Seeing none, Mr. Younger you have two more minutes.

Since I offered the resolution, Jesse Jackson has died. He was a lifetime civil rights leader in this country. I'm haunted by what I saw on TV. and it ties into the resolution that had been filled to put on the table. He had a group of young black kids telling them to repeat after him, I am somebody, I am somebody, I am somebody. I had hoped that the council would have adopted the resolution, not only in terms of his calling our ancestors from shithole countries to putting the president of the United States who was black, the former president, the highest office in this country, were faced on apes.

I thought that at least the president would have at least considered. I've never put anything regarding something of this nature at all. I did it as a personal favor. to me as far as personal respect for black people. And we had a president that we could be as a hero, that academic hero, instead of the football players or the basketball players.

Is there anyone else that wishes to speak in public forum? Seeing none, I close the public forum and move on to the next item, which is the President's Report. And I have a request for a referral to the Committee on Human Services to meet with the Director of Human Services to review the current work and upcoming goals, and in particular pertaining to how the human services study is being implemented. Can I get a motion to refer to human services? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Roll call, please.

Councillor Feltner.

Yes.

Councillor Gannon. Yes. Councillor Gardner.

Yes. Yes.

Councillor Izzo.

Yes.

Councillor Offei. Yes. Councilor Palomba.

Yes.

Councilor Piccirilli. Yes. Councilor Bays. Yes. President Sideris.

Yes. Thank you. Next, I just have two other items. Number one. I also want to thank Public Works, Mr. Brady, and your staff for a very challenging few days here. And I know we're still trying to catch up, and it's going to be some time. please express our appreciation for so far what you've done. The public safety units as well, police and fire. I actually saw a police officer this afternoon shoveling a driveway on Union Street. So, I mean, we're going above and beyond. So thank you to everyone involved. But I also want to remind someone, right now there's a working fire going on in Watertown. and if you saw some of the news reports, they were digging out looking for the fire hydrant. my request to the city is, and anybody that's listening, if you have a fire hydrant and you know where it is and it hasn't,

been dug out yet. Please, please do your best to try to get you and your neighbors to dig out the fire hydrant. It's critical in days like this. And you'll go to, I know I saw it on the Channel 5 News and it was there a few times. This fire was a significant fire and they show four people looking for a hydrant so please pay attention and find the hydrant and get it shoveled. The fire department usually goes around and does that but they're still trying to catch up with all the issues that are going on, so thank you. The next item is a public hearing and 5A is a public hearing and vote on a petition from NSTAR doing business as Eversource for a grant of location in Pleasant Street, easterly from manhole MH-23549, approximately 120 feet west of Cross Street, to install approximately 100 feet of two four-inch conduit.

This work is proposed to provide electrical service for 104 Main Street. and we have the proponent on Zoom this evening because of the weather conditions I allowed and as you know, we've been requiring them to come in. So I'm going to recognize Eversource at this point. You're allowed to speak. Joanne? Joanne, you are allowed to speak. Sorry, I thought I promoted you to, I did. Joanne.

Yes, I'm sorry, I'm going to lower my hand now, but I just became unmuted. Good evening, and thank you for allowing me to attend virtually tonight. As you mentioned, we are seeking a green location to install approximately 100 feet of conduit into Pleasant Street, and that is to provide service to a new apartment building at 104 Main Street in Watertown. Thank you.

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

Mr. President I make a motion that we approve the petition for NSTAR for the grant of location on Pleasant Street.

Is there a second? Second. Any discussion?

Roll call, please. Councilor Gannon. Yes. Councilor Gardner.

Yes.

Councilor Izzo.

Yes.

Councilor Offei. Yes. Councilor Palomba.

Yes.

Councilor Piccirilli. Yes. Councilor Bays. Yes. Councilor Feltner. Yes. President Sideris.

Yes, thank you. Next item is a public hearing and vote on a proposed ordinance, Skip the Stuff Waste Ordinance Reduction. I'm a little concerned this evening because at the very last minute we get a letter from the Commission on Disability requesting a change. And in conversations that I've had with the city attorney, this proposed request, is a little bit complicated and... I'm a little also concerned that this came this late and I don't want to dismiss it, but I also don't feel that this is where we should be discussing it when the Commission on Disability should be coming in explaining why. And they've had many opportunities to do that.

and I want to ask Attorney Rich to help me with the language here and the request that was being made as we discussed it. Attorney Rich.

Yes, thank you Mr. President. I know this request came in very late. I know there's a lot of time and effort has been spent on putting together this ordinance. I've spoken with and other Councilors about the provisions and this has been an evolving process to bring it to where it is. The amendment that's being requested by the Disability Commission is significant in that it would have a significant impact on this specific ordinance, how it would be implemented and how it would be enforced. and based on that concern and the discussions with the council president, there was a concern that this has not been considered in the committee. It also has not been, the commission has not had an opportunity to speak with the committee and discuss what language should be used. there was a certain language that was proposed, but at this point not having representatives from the commission here before, the Council to present that language and explain it and give the Council an opportunity to craft language as we know

We usually don't draft the language at the Council meeting. It goes through the subcommittee process and is brought forward for consideration and discussion. This late submission, as I discussed with the Council President, puts us in a difficult position and so the suggestion that we discussed and based on the authority of the chair was that this matter be sent back to, unfortunately back to the subcommittee for further review and consideration in consultation with the Disability Commission and then be brought back and the Council President would be proposing a date and time certain so that the process for the public hearing can continue. So I would suggest, Mr. President, that you recommend a date and time certain for this to be brought back and then a referral back to the committee for consideration of the proposed amendment by the Commission on Disabilities.

Let me point out that Councilor Feltner is a member of the Disability Commission but we just got this this afternoon and I'm a little as the attorney, stated, I'm a little concerned, and as the process goes, it goes to committee, they work out all the details, which typically we do, we send it to KP Law for review, and the committee approves that, and then we bring it to the city council. So I'm proposing that because the Rules and Ordinance Committee has taken on the noise ordinance, which has been languishing for five plus years, that I'm going to give them some time and put a date certain of April 28th, which is the council meeting on the second council meeting in April, giving the committee time to finish up with the noise ordinance and I know they were discussing a pet shop ordinance this evening and then bringing this back but making sure

that members of the Commission on Disability are also notified when the hearing and specifically request that they have people attend that hearing. So this is going to be moved to date certain, which is April 28th of this year. The next item is motions, orders, and resolutions. and 6A is a resolution approving expenditures for snow and ice removal pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 31D of Mass General Law. And I'm going to ask the manager to speak on this. or the deputy manager, I'm not sure. By the way, the deputy manager's here with us this evening at the table, welcome.

Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm happy to speak to this item. So we are requesting the council's approval to authorize the provisions of Chapter 44, Section 31D. in order to allow the city to incur liability and make expenditures in excess of available appropriations for snow and ice removal for the remainder of the fiscal year. Attached to the item is a report from the auditor which shows certain budgeted funds for snow and ice removal are or will soon be exhausted and this report was prepared prior to the most recent storm. So prior to the end of the fiscal year, we will bring a request to the council to address the snow and ice removal deficit. But in the meantime, we're requesting the council's approval through a resolution to, again, authorize the provisions of Chapter 44, Section 31D. And DPW Director Tom Brady is available to answer any questions about the city's snow and ice response efforts. Thank you.

Thank you. As we are aware, this is the only budget that the state law allows us to overexpend. So we do have to have a vote of the city council to do that. So can I get first a motion on the resolution to approve the excess expenditures for snow and ice?

So moved.

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

Thank you, Mr. President. Just curiosity, how long would the deficit be satisfied? Would it be pushing into the next fiscal year?

We have a couple of options here. after the snow and ice is finished, the manager would have the option of either adding it on to next year's tax bill or finding funds in this year's fiscal year budget to ask for either a transfer or something to fund this so it wouldn't go on the tax bill and add an added burden when he's already told us that we're going to have potentially significant increases without a home rule petition. So as the chair or president of the city council, I would be advocating that we find the funds in this year's budget to cover the deficit. but that wouldn't happen until April or May when maybe it stops snowing. I hope that answers your question.

And just a follow up to that. it's anticipated essentially that we'll pay in this fiscal year but there will be no impact on our credit rating as a result of pushing off a deficit.

Okay. I would venture to say that many cities and towns after this snowstorm are going to be in the same position that we're in. Very good. Thank you. Are there any other questions? Councilor Bays.

Yeah, I'm just curious because it didn't feel like there were this large number of snowstorms. but I noticed that we are salting when there's less than an inch of snow and like a quarter of an inch of snow is on the ground. I'm just wondering what the necessity of that is.

Thank you for the question. Tom Brady, Department of Public Works Director. The reason for that is that if you don't treat those services, it creates a a frozen layer between the asphalt and your tire. So it becomes slick and travel. So the effort is made, the vast majority of these are icing events. So, and there was a stretch of eight or 10 days where it was freeze thaw, freeze thaw, freeze thaw, freeze thaw. So it's rinse, repeat, rinse, repeat, rinse, repeat, rinse, repeat. So that's the purpose for it.

Okay, thank you.

Are there any other questions? Roll call, please.

Gardner. Yes. Councilor Izzo.

Yes.

Councilor Offei.

Yes.

Councilor Palomba. Piccirilli, yes, Councilor Bays, yes, Councilor Feltner, yes, Councilor Gannon, yes, President Sideris.

Yes, thank you. Next is the first reading on a proposed loan order 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. Madam Deputy Manager.

Thank you, Mr. President. So this is the annual request to borrow $750,000 for sewer improvements, which is consistent with conceptual recommendation 51. And we look forward to discussing in further detail with the council at the March 10th meeting.

Thank you. This will be placed on the next agenda for a public hearing. We want the committee reports. Committee 7A is a committee on public safety report regarding its meeting on February 10th. Councilor Gardner.

Thank you, Mr. President. The committee convened on Tuesday, February 10th at 5.30 p.m. in the City Council office. Present were Nicole Gardner, Chair, Vinnie Piccirilli, Vice Chair, and Emily Izzo, Secretary. The purpose of the meeting was to conduct an interview for the Traffic Commission. The committee interviewed Mr. Jason Mergen. Mr. Merkin has worked at various biotech companies in the area for around 12 years. Mr. Merkin moved here for school to complete his PhD and currently works in Cambridge. He has lived in Watertown with his family, including three young children and a dog. Mr. Birkin drives his car, takes the bus, bikes, walks, and his kids all bike, walk, and take buses. So public safety and traffic calming measures are very important to him. He understands the need to balance people who need to drive and those who do not drive and how everyone who uses the roads and sidewalks has an impact on the community.

Mr. Merkin wants to be sure that the streets serve everyone and he wants to try and help make the community as accessible as possible. He feels as though he will make a difference in the traffic commission by bringing an analytical approach to problem solving. He believes it is important to have a commission with a diversity of views and experiences on ways to get around the city. He has been happy He has been happy seeing movement on the public safety considerations and wants to continue the work on traffic flow and non-car options, including lighted crosswalks, which he'd like to see factored into development and construction projects. Izzo. Action item. Councilor Piccirilli made a motion seconded by Councilor Izzo to appoint Jason Merkin to the Traffic Commission with a term expiring May 15th, 2027. The motion passed three to zero. The meeting concluded. I'm sorry, I don't have the time here. And I want to thank Councilor Izzo for these minutes and a quick turnaround.

Thank you. Can I get a motion to accept the report?

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Roll call, please.

Isow, Yes, Councilor Isow, Yes, Councilor Offei, Yes, Councilor Palomba, Yes, Councilor Piccirilli, Yes, Councilor Bays, Yes, Councilor Feltner, Yes, Gannon, yes, Councilor Garner, yes, President Sideris, yes, thank you.

Can I get a motion to confirm Jason Merkin for appointment to the Traffic Commission for a term to expire May 15, 2027?

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Roll call, please.

Councilor Izzo. Yes. Councilor Offei. Okay. Yes. Councilor Palomba. Yes. Councilor Piccirilli. Yes. Councilor Bays. Yes. Councilor Feltner.

Yes.

Councilor Gannon. Yes. Councilor Gardner. Yes. President Sideris.

Yes, thank you. 7B is the Committee on Economic Development and Planning Report regarding its meeting on February 12th. Councilor Gannon.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. President. The committee convened on Thursday, February 12th, 2026 at 5 p.m. in the Louis P. Andrews Conference Room on the third floor. present were myself as chair, Vincent Piccirilli as vice chair, and Lisa Feltner as secretary. The purpose of the meeting was conduct interviews with residents who serve on the Community Preservation Committee, Planning Board, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Amy Plovnik is seeking reappointment to the Community Preservation Committee. She still feels new to the CPC as she was a new appointee last August, but she is getting her bearings as she learns from other members and she also appreciated the recent training provided by the Community Preservation Coalition. There hasn't been interest in one person serving as a long-term chair beyond three months yet. and they plan on rotating until after more time has passed with a fully appointed committee.

The CPC has started talking about the process of updating their five-year plan and looks forward to hearing from the Watertown community about what they feel their priorities should be. She appreciates in-person meetings with a remote option for the public. Dennis Duff is seeking reappointment to the Community Preservation Committee and thoroughly enjoys serving on the CPC, and he helps provide needed historical context for preservation priorities in their discussions, given his lifelong residency and involvement in other Watertown redevelopment projects. He hopes the long-term chair will be identified this year to provide more continuity and momentum for the committee. Ongoing coordination provided by Lynnae Handy continues to be welcomed and appreciated by members. Limited quality and passive open space remains a concern. There is excitement about the approach to preservation efforts at the Commander's Mansion

and affordable housing efforts are receiving a lot of support, but not everyone realizes how complex projects such as Willow Park are. Pace and Whitney is seeking reappointment to the planning board. He is grateful to be working with staff on developing specific rules for developers and bringing projects forward for review and or approval. He thinks it's important to ask hard questions and having access to some history of applicants' work with the Gamble associates would provide better context and help inform their decisions. He also feels the community meeting reports should be improved, even if it was just a transcript, along with the renderings that reflect a project's surroundings or neighborhood. Most applications for ADU so far have been rather straightforward, but he looks forward to seeing proposed regulations for Watertown and see what things could be streamlined versus what might need more public review.

he feels it would benefit everyone to have a joint meeting with the historic district commission as part of the HTC process and the public also more closely watches the calendar with regularly scheduled planning board meetings compared to occasional and remote HDC meetings. Sarah Baker is seeking reappointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals. She is thoroughly enjoying serving on the ZBA even though she initially started out feeling nervous because she feels the caliber of her ZBA colleagues is so high. She finds herself noticing more about the built environment when she drives around or walks in different neighborhoods, especially as she thinks about the continued investment with her children growing up in Watertown. Sarah tries to ask good questions that others haven't thought of, and they're not afraid to ask the petitioner to come back with more information if they don't provide enough detail or have important answers.

We definitely see a variety in quality from different developers and Sarah feels the ZBA tries to balance the economic trade-offs with potential costs and keeps an eye out for enhanced beautification. This winter has also been a reminder about important considerations for landscaping, snow removal, or storage in ways to minimize impacts to abutters from trash recycling services and fencing. there were four action items voted upon by the committee. The first action item, Councilor Piccirilli made a motion, seconded by Councilor Feltner, to recommend City Council confirm Amy Plavnik for reappointment to the Community Preservation Committee for a term expiring February 1st, 2029. That vote was approved three to nothing. The next action item, Councilor Piccirilli made a motion, seconded by Councilor Feltner, to recommend the City Council confirm Dennis Duft for reappointment to the community

Preservation Committee for a term expiring February 1st, 2029. That motion was approved three to nothing. The next action item, Councilor Piccirilli made a motion, second by Councilor Feltner, to recommend that the city council confirm Pace and Whitney for reappointment to the planning board for term expiring February 15th, 2029. That motion was approved three to nothing. and the final action item, Councilor Piccirilli made a motion seconded by Councilor Feltner to recommend City Council confirm Sarah Baker for reappointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term expiring February 15th, 2031. That motion was approved three to nothing. and the meeting adjourned at 6.43 p.m. And I respectfully thank my colleague Lisa Feltner for preparing the minutes this evening.

Thank you. Can I get a motion to accept the report?

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Roll call, please.

Councilor Offei? Yes. Councilor Palomba? Yes. Councilor Piccirilli? Yes. Councilor Bayes?

Yes.

Councilor Feltner? Yes. Councilor Gannon? Yes. Councilor Gardner?

Yes.

Councilor Izzo?

Yes.

President Sideris?

Yes. Yes, thank you. Can I get a motion to approve, to confirm Amy Plovnik and Dennis Duff for reappointments to the Community Preservation Committee for terms to expire on February 1st, 2029? So moved. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Roll call please.

Bates, Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, Sideris.

Thank you. I get a motion to confirm Payson Whitney for reappointment to the Planning Board for a term to expire on February 15, 2029.

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Roll call, please.

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

Yes, thank you. I get a motion to confirm Sarah Baker for reappointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire on February 15, 2031.

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Roll call, please.

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

7C is a Committee on Rules and Ordinance report regarding its meeting on January 20th. Councilor Gardner.

Thank you, Mr. President. The meeting was called to order at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chamber. Present were Nicole Gardner, Chair, Lisa Feltner, Vice Chair, John Gannon, Secretary, President, Council President Mark Sideris, Councilor Caroline Bayes, Residents Linda Scott, and Elodia Thomas via Zoom, and Council Analyst Doug Newton. on the agenda was a review of the list of referrals to the committee of rules and ordinances and to review and update the city council rules. First we turn to outstanding referrals and the committee reviewed the following rules regarding counselor annual meetings, noise ordinance, excuse me, referrals, rules regarding councilor annual meetings, noise ordinance, appointment process for boards, commission and committees, skip the stuff ordinance, building emissions reduction disclosure ordinance, Berto, and the City Council 2026-2027 rules.

Councilor Gardner made a motion, Councilor Gannon made a motion, seconded by Councilor Feltner, to remove the referral regarding the appointment process for boards, commissions and committees. Gannon, the motion passed unanimously. Councilor Gannon then made individual motions seconded by Councilor Feltner to continue each of the remaining outstanding referrals. Each motion passed unanimously. Feltner noted that a referral for a tree ordinance had been dropped in error. After confirming this, the chair added the tree ordinance back to the list. We then turn to City Council 2026-2027 rules. Councillors were invited to submit proposed edits or additions to the rules before the meeting. See attachment one. The committee reviewed the rules and discussed the proposed changes. All proposed changes and final decisions are summarized in attachment one. Rule 2.6, Councilor Gardner proposed simplifying the language about scheduling special meetings. After discussion, she withdrew the proposal.

Rule 2.10, the committee approved the following language, quote, the city council president and the city attorney shall report to the city councilor to the city council, their findings after each periodic review, close quote. The committee also reviewed rule .79 in this context and determined that the addition to rule 2.10 was sufficient. Gardner. Rule 7.1. The committee then turned to the rules governing formal requests for information by Councilors. Councilor Gardner proposed revising Rule 7.1 by removing the words and questions from the following sentence. Request for information and questions raised by the Council members and accompanying responses and answers will be posted to the Council web within a 14-day period. After discussion, the Committee agreed to remove and questions. The Committee also agreed to add language stating that responses to requests for information must be emailed to all members of the City Council, not just the Councilor who submitted the request. New Rule 7.11.

The Council approved a new rule stating that referrals to committee will be posted to the City Council webpage within 14 days. Rule 11.1, the committee agreed to remove the word and before public works. The meeting was continued to February 9th and adjourned at 5.54 p.m. The committee reconvened on February 9th in the third floor conference room at 7 p.m. Present were committee members Nicole Gardner, chair, Lisa Feltner, vice chair, John Gannon, secretary. Also present were councilors Bayes and Piccirilli and council analyst Doug Newton. Rule 5.2, Councilor Bays proposed adding the following sentence to the end of the rule, quote, discussion shall be limited to the subject of the agenda item currently before the council, end quote. She explained that although the open meeting law already prohibits discussion of items not on the posted agenda, adding this language would help keep the council discussions focused. After discussion, Councilor Feltner made a motion seconded by Councilor Gannon to add the proposed sentence.

Councilor Feltner then made a second motion seconded by Councilor Gannon to insert the phrase, quote, in compliance with the open meeting law, end quote, before the new sentence. Both motions passed unanimously. Rule 8.8, the committee discussed whether to clarify if and how a request for information may be made outside of a formal council meeting, particularly by email. Feltner expressed concern that waiting until the next council meeting could create unreasonable delays. No change was made at this time. The committee agreed to continue the discussion with the council president. Rule 10.1, the committee reviewed the process that occurs after an ordinance is recommended by committee for consideration by the full council. It was agreed that the existing language incorrectly described the sequence of events. the committee approved the following language to replace rule 10.1 quote upon introduction every proposed ordinance shall be referred for hearing and consideration to the committee on rules and ordinances singly

or jointly with another appropriate committee or singly to another appropriate committee. Referrals shall be made by the council president unless a motion is made and a vote of the council determines otherwise." Rule 10.3, the committee discussed clarifying the process for sending ordinances from committee to the full council for consideration. The committee agreed on the following language, quote, when a proposed ordinance is reported out of committee for a recommended first reading, it will be published in a future agenda as a first reading. At a subsequent meeting, it will be subject to debate and vote by the City Council. End quote. Councilor Gannon made a motion, seconded by Councilor Feltner, to approve this language. The motion passed unanimously. Gardner suggested that appointments to the Board of Health and Biosafety Committee should be referred to the Committee on Public Safety rather than Public Health. Sorry, yeah.

The committee discussed how responsibilities of the Board of Health and Biosafety Committees relate to both committees. No change was made. Rule 11.7. Excuse me, I think I need to make a correction on Rule 11.1. I believe that is Human Services. I'm confused. I'm sorry. I'm going to continue going. Cancel that. Rule 11.7, Councilor Gannon proposed adding the following language, quote, chairs of committees shall endeavor unless urgent circumstances exist to schedule committee meetings to provide residents with seven or more days posting notice, end quote. After discussion, the committee decided not to include this language. Councilor Gannon also raised proposed change in the word citizens to residents in rule 11.7. Councilor Gannon made the motion seconded by Councilor Feltner. The motion passed unanimously. Gardner.

Rule 15.3, Councilor Gardner proposed making the second public forum language consistent with the first public forum as follows. at the second public forum a member of the public shall state their name and address before making any remarks or asking any questions shall limit their remarks or questions to the matters of city business or to items that are posted on the agenda for the meeting but are not scheduled for public hearing. And she'll speak for no more than two minutes. Councilor Piccirilli explained that this is by design to allow residents disappointed in the outcome of a vote after a public hearing to express their thoughts on the second public forum. Board and commission appointments. The committee then discussed how appointments to the city boards and commissions will be referred to council committees for review. Feltner made a motion, seconded by Councilor Gannon, to adopt the language shown in blue in attachment two. The motion passed unanimously. Feltner. Final actions. Action item. Councilor Feltner made a motion seconded by Councilor Gannon to recommend the council rules as amended by the committee to the full council.

The motion passed unanimously. Feltner then made a motion seconded by Councilor Gannon to seek a referral to continue examining the Board and Commission appointments after the adoption of the Administrative Code. The motion passed unanimously. the meeting is adjourned at 9 14 p.m and the minutes were prepared by Doug Newton and Nicole Gardner and thank you to Doug who did the yeoman's work on this

Thank you. Can I first get a motion to accept the report?

So moved.

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

Thank you, Council President. I'm using the proposed change language. Some of these are very small, Council President.

You can do that when we do the action item.

This is just on the report itself. No, my bad.

That's okay. Is there any other discussion? Roll call, please, on the report itself. Accepting the report.

Sorry. Councillor Palomba. Yes. Piccirilli? Yes. Councilor Bates?

Yes.

Councilor Feltner? Yes. Councilor Gannon? Yes. Councilor Gardner?

Yes.

Councilor Izzo? Yes. Councilor Offei? Yes. President Sideris?

Yes. First action item is to to recommend the amended rules to the full City Council.

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Councilor Palomba, now. you can ask.

Thank you. Some of these are really picky on, but some I'm just looking for rationale for why they were presented. using this format that was presented in the minutes where it says Council proposed change existing language and so forth. I'm just wondering if number 7.9, when we're removing the language of Sorry, I think that may be 10. Two point. There's a... In... In 7.10, there's a request that we remove the language questions from the existing language, which was approved removing. And I'm just wondering if we're going to remove that.

the questions, why don't we remove the word answers since those seem to be why you would have answers if there's no questions. I'd like the rationale for 11.1, why we want to move of the Board of the Health Committee, in which the committee oversight of the board of health and other communities, the committees for board of health and public safety or human services. I don't understand that. I recognize that the fire department has some knowledge and information on what happens But it seems to me that the Board of Health is the primary committee that should be reviewing that the Committee on Human Services should be the primary board to review the Board of Health recommendations. And then on 11 point.

I don't know if I have these numbers correct because they bounced around a little bit. But there's the word, unless I'm misreading this, the Committee on Public Works to consistent of three members of the Council to consider matters pertaining to the Department of Public Works, the Stormwater Advisory Committee, and the Solid Waste and Recycling Committee. I don't see the additional word and in there, so I'm not sure why it's being deleted. I'm unclear about why we needed to add under 5.2. why we needed to add that in compliance with the open meeting law. Discussion shall be limited to the subjects on the agenda item. I'm unclear about why we needed to add that. We know that no member should speak more than two minutes unless the council president decides to allow that.

the members shall have or hold the floor for more than 10 minutes. I'm not sure why we needed to include limited to the subject of the agenda item currently before the council. Is there some rationale for why we did that? And I think there is just one more. No, I think that's it. Thank you, Council President Sideris.

Councilor Gardner is going to try to help us with this.

Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Councilor Palomba. I did not keep a complete list of your questions, so I'll take the first one, and then if you could just remind me what the rest of them are, I may, Lena, my colleagues or other Councilors may want to comment as well. but to start with 7.10, I propose removing the word end questions because our charter calls out Request for Information, and there's a specific thing called that on the Charter. We keep a log of that. It's available to the public. It's on our website. and the word in questions to me seemed extraneous. Either it's a formal request for information, people ask questions all the time in meetings, but request for information has a specific meaning, it's capitalized and so those words felt unnecessary for clarity, I propose taking them out.

and by the way, with regard to the word answers, there are answers that are provided by the city manager to the request for information and so the notion there was simply that those answers to formal requests for information get shared across the council.

and the other one was the word, the removing of the word and before Public Works.

I have to get the rule in front of me, but it looked like a typo to us that it was in there, an unnecessary, it was an unnecessary and, so. It'll take me a minute to find the draft.

Mr. President, I can help.

Yes, Councilor Feltner.

To that point, you have to look at the red line copy, but there was an extra and, and we just took out. So there is an and there now, but there used to be two.

And then another one I heard you asking about, Councilor Palomba, was about 5.2. Bayes. And I don't know if, Councilor Bayes, you'd like to comment on 5.2. If you weren't asking about that, I think he was only asking about the addition of the words consistent with open meeting law or compliance. Do you want to respond to that, Councilor Feltner?

Attorney Rich, could you help us with that? They wanted to add the words subject to the open meeting, in compliance with the open meeting law.

If I understand correctly, Mr. President, I think that's just an acknowledgement of the application of the open meeting law. I think I heard in Councilor Gardner's report that that was intended just to essentially remind Councilors and emphasize the need to stick to the agenda.

And then did you have any others?

Sears, I had one regarding why the rationale of moving analysis of the Board of Health rather than moving it to the public. of Public Safety, but rather than keeping it in human service. And again, I acknowledge the fire department within public safety has some knowledge of these issues, but primarily it's the Board of Health that has primary knowledge of them.

Gannon.

Yeah, that was my proposal. And to be 100% clear, it is not being recommended to the council. There's no proposal to change it. However, I will say that in my mind, human services is different than health, and health deals with issues that have to do with public safety. If you think about, when we think about the SARS, whether it's SARS or COVID, those are public safety matters when we think about dealing with, for example, the recent issue with massage parlors or spas being used for illegal purposes, those are public safety matters. And so I actually think of public health as a third leg of the stool myself for overall public safety, police, fire, and public health. Human Services is different. And I think when the study was done, that was acknowledged and they're drawn apart.

So it was my own philosophical perspective. The counselors who sat on the committee with me didn't concur, and so we didn't recommend it going forward, but that was my logic.

Are there any other questions? Councilor Feltner.

Thank you. And just to add to that, partly why we didn't move forward with that is because with the update to the administrative code that addresses the biosafety committee, we felt like once those changes are adopted, if people wanted to revisit this issue of what referrals go where that we could do at that time. I do have one amendment I'd like to propose as well.

Okay. Councilor Palomba, that was the best they could answer all your questions.

Councilor Feltner. Thank you.

Thank you. Just on rule 11.2 where we, or I'm sorry, 11.7 where we changed the word from citizens to residents. I remembered that it wasn't just about residents, though, where we say it's the goal of the city council to actively involve residents. I propose changing that to community stakeholders because the idea is that we want to we're making a statement here that we're open to working with individuals and groups of businesses property owners etc so just to be more are inclusive and clear that my amendment is to change the word from residents to community stakeholders.

Is there a second to that amendment? Second. Any discussion on the amendment itself? No? Are there any other comments? I have one amendment. It's minor, but it's on Rule 7.5.

That was 11.7.

Hold on.

That was 11.7.

Yeah, that was, but this is, I'm specifically going to 7.5. where it states the agenda for each regular meeting of the city council together with the copies of matters to be considered should be delivered by the council clerk to the members no later than 5 p.m. on Friday preceding such regular meeting. I'm proposing that we change that to 1230 because the City Hall closes at 1230. So that would be, I would like a motion to change that to 1230. So moved. Is there a second? Second. Let me get a roll call on both of these. Can I get a roll call on both of the amendments?

Pardon me, Mr. President, are we doing them separately or together?

There's two amendments. One was the wording on community stakeholders, and the other one was changing the time on this one.

That's 11.7 residents to community stakeholders and 7.5, 5 p.m. to 12.30 p.m. Perfect.

Councillor Palomba. Yes. Bates, Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, Offei, President Sideris.

Yes, thank you. Can I get a motion on the second action item, which was to seek to...

So the rules is amended.

Oh, I'm sorry. The rules is, now... I'd like to get a motion and a second on the rules as amended.

So moved.

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

Palomba? Yes. Councilor Piccirilli? Yes. Councilor Bayes?

Yes.

Councilor Feltner?

Yes.

Councilor Gannon? Yes. Councilor Gardner?

Yes.

Councilor Izzo?

Yes.

Councilor Offei? Yes. President Sideris?

Yes, thank you. The second action item was a referral to the Rules and Ordinance Committee to continue examining board and commission appointments after adoption of the administrative code.

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Questions or discussion? Roll call, please.

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

Yes.

Councilor Feltner? Yes. Councilor Gannon? Yes. Councilor Gardner?

Yes. Yes.

Councilor Izzo.

Yes.

Councilor Offei. Yes. President Sideris.

Yes. Thank you. 7D is a Committee on Rules and Ordinance report regarding its meeting on February 11th. Councilor Gardner.

Thank you, Mr. President. The members present were Nicole Gardner, Chair, Councilor Lisa Feltner, Vice Chair, Councilor John Gannon, Secretary. Also present, Councilor Veni Piccirilli, Mia Cagna, Sustainability Planner, Department of Community Development and Planning, Max Wolf, Charles River Regional Chamber, John J.D. Donahue, Donahue's Restaurant. Chair Gardner called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and introduced the other committee members present. The meeting agenda was to continue discussion of a draft ordinance relative to food and beverage single use items commonly known to skip the stuff. which is part of a nationwide campaign by waste reduction advocates. Chair Gardner began by explaining the procedural history relative to the amended ordinance, namely On October 7, 2025, the Committee on Rules and Ordinances approved a draft of Skip the Stuff Ordinance and recommended it sending to the City Council. On November 12, 2025, the City Council accepted the Committee's report and moved the ordinance forward.

On December 9, 2025, City Council President Sideris said the Council would delay a final vote so the City Attorney could review the ordinance. He also noted that the original referral focused only on reducing use of single-use plastics, and the current draft ordinance included a materials ban. For that reason, the ordinance was sent back to the committee to allow for more input from local business owners. Before this meeting, the City Attorney provided an amended version of the ordinance. Chair Gardner then welcomed members of the public to provide their comments. J.D. Donahue stated his concerns with the ordinance. He is concerned that the compliance in finding alternatives for materials that would be banned would increase costs to local businesses, including his own. He showed various takeout packaging materials used by his and other businesses that would be banned. He also said that eliminating the plastic type pre-bundled package containing a knife,

Fork, Spoon, and Napkins, and instead giving customers only the utensils they wanted would create a higher risk of cross-contamination, creating health effects. Max Wolf of the Charles River Regional Chamber said that the Chamber has seen Skip the Stuff work well in other communities. He stated that the three other Chamber municipalities, Wellesley, Newton, and Needham, have adopted versions of the ordinance. He noted that the materials band provided for by the Watertown ordinance could increase business costs and possibly reduce the amount of local taxes produced by Watertown restaurants. He is also concerned about the potential for excessive fines being imposed on restaurants for the violations of this ordinance. Mia Cagna, sustainability planner with the city's Department of Community Development and Planning, stated that the city plans a six-month education campaign for both restaurants and patrons on what the ordinance means to them. She also discussed health concerns arising from the use of black plastics for food.

Councilor Piccirilli stated that he was surprised that Skip the Stuff referral resulted in a proposed ordinance that also included a ban on food service materials. He feels the ordinance should just address reducing the original intent, which is to reduce the use of unwanted single-use plastic utensils and food wear accessories and condiments. He feels the ordinance should be limited to skip the stuff. Gardner next commenced a review of each section of the ordinance. Councilor Feltner made a motion to strike 118.5 restricted packaging in its entirety. Gardner stated her preference that specific revisions to the ordinance proceed on a consensus basis rather than a call for formal vote on each change deemed appropriate by the committee. The committee then engaged in a detailed review and robust discussion of amendments to the ordinance, reaching consensus on the final language. The key changes from the last version are

the provisions to prohibit single-use food containers and packaging materials made in whole or part from foam polystyrene, black plastic, and materials lined with polyethylene or other petroleum-based plastics was removed. It was agreed that cup lids would not be defined as a single-use food accessory. The rationale was the safety of patrons getting hot beverages. the definition of a food establishment was amended to refer to the state sanitary code and retail food code on the advice of council. Food establishments will receive verbal and written warnings for the first two offenses, and the fines will be 50 for the third offense, 100 for the fourth offense, and 200 for the fifth offense and all subsequent offenses. Gannon asked whether city ordinance enforcement personnel have the technology to track subsequent offense violations leading to higher fines. Councilor Gardner researched this following the meeting and was assured by the health director that they have what they need. Feltner. Action item.

Councilor Feltner made a motion to adopt the ordinance amendments and to refer the ordinance to the City Council. Gardner seconded, the vote was three to zero. Councilor Gardner made a, Councilor Gannon made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Councilor Feltner. The vote was three to zero and the meeting adjourned at 9.07. and these minutes were prepared by Secretary John Gannon. I want to thank him for turning them around so quickly.

Thank you. Can I get a motion to accept the report?

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Roll call, please.

Feltner, Gannon, Gardner, Izzo, Offei, Palomba, Sideris.

Yes, thank you. The action item we won't be taking up as was stated earlier. The next item on the agenda is communications from the city manager. and I think Mr. Prelakis was going to speak at this point. Mr. Manager. Yes.

Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you all for Your patience and support through the course of the recent snowstorm on top of the one that we had just before this. I also just want to echo the thanks to our public works and our public safety departments for the work. that they've done relative to this particular storm. This has been a bit of an awkward situation for me because I ended up stranded far away from Watertown in the middle of this particular storm. Storm, but I have been in touch with and working with our DPW and our city staff over the course of the last few days, beginning with the preparation work on Saturday and Sunday leading into the the major work done by our public works team on starting during the day on Sunday. Thanks to everyone in the community for moving vehicles and making sure to stay off the roads.

We did tow a handful of vehicles I think about 18 or 20 we ended up giving over 100 tickets for the snow emergency parking ban but we also had a lot of people who moved and got got things out of the right way we really needed cars off the road in order to be able to handle this sort of a storm in this sort of a circumstance. And as we've noted, if you haven't heard, trash is one day late for the rest of the week. We appreciate folks, Monday folks, putting their barrels out this morning, giving us one more day to clear. It does help us a little bit when you have that early morning barrel out. We're still doing follow-up work from this storm. and there's still going to be some additional follow-up work to do from this storm. I want to address two quick things related to the storm to make sure everybody is on board and understands where we are with things. First of all, we announced as we released the parking ban, the snow emergency parking ban, that we are going to continue

the overnight parking ban beyond February 28th which is when we really initially intended to end it which was earlier than we usually do and we were trying to do that anticipating the possibility that we'd be able to not have a significant amount of snow on the ground at this point in time. That hasn't worked out. We've been able to end the ban early the last couple of years. At this point, we've announced we're extending the overnight parking ban until further notice. We will assess the circumstances of the snow banks, I will be back in the office on Thursday morning and I'll have a chance myself to work with the DPW director, see what's actually going on out there. And then as we monitor this over the coming weeks, see when we can really safely be in a circumstance where if a car is back at the curb and stays there day and night, that it's not impeding our ability to continue to clear streets, continue to work to make streets better and safer in those overnight hours. So

This was a heavier and slower storm to remove than the last one, even though there was a little bit less snow. But we moved quickly today to clear the school lots to get things open for tomorrow. Library, Senior Center, City Hall, I believe shall be in good position to be open regular hours tomorrow. Like I said, I'll be back in the office Thursday as well and and back in Watertown checking in on where things are going after a somewhat unexpected travel day tomorrow. And that's where we stand. on that particular issue. The other issue which we just recently shared that I wanted to make sure that the council hears as well as we've been doing this is that we're working to address issues surrounding how we address sidewalks. We've cleared the routes to schools as we typically do. And I know a lot of folks have worked hard to clear sidewalks as I always appreciate them clearing sidewalks.

But we added a foot of snow on the existing snow banks left over from the previous storm. A lot of cases, we ended up pushing those old snow banks and new snow banks on top of them onto sidewalks. really starting to move the banks towards the sidewalks themselves. Given this, for the time being, we will not be strictly enforcing the shoveling ordinance against residential properties. I do want to encourage people to continue to shovel your sidewalks. Don't overexert yourself. Take frequent breaks. Be safe when doing so. Be neighborly. Help your neighbors shovel sidewalks. As was mentioned before, we appreciate the help you can do clearing snow around fire hydrants as well as around catch basins, the ADA warning strips. and as always please don't shovel or blow snow into the street we're receiving complaints about that again today that people shovel their driveway out into the street and then we've got to send a truck back to the street that's not the way this is supposed to work we understand there are challenging conditions around this storm

We do still expect that we can enforce on our commercial properties on the sidewalk shoveling. Although again, like I said with the last storm, we're looking to work within the realm of the possible. If we've dumped an eight foot bank at the corner, I know how difficult that can be. I really appreciate when folks can get it done, but we're kind of just keeping an eye on where the residential sidewalk thing is for the time being. As was mentioned before, our fire department has been working on an active fire on Flint Street. My understanding is all of the residents are out. and I'm getting updates on that as well and I again just wish the best to our public works and public safety officers who I know have been working so hard over the last a few days and then into tonight with the fire going on and doing our best here to be supportive and provide what we need.

Mr. President, that is all I have this evening. I'll have more to report when I'm back in person with you at the March Council meeting. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Manager. Requests for information. Any requests for information? Seeing none, announcements. Any announcements? Seeing none, we'll move on to public forum. Is there any member of the public here or at home that wishes to speak? please identify yourself for the record.

Hi there, my name is Lena Bai. Thank you all for being here and for having me. I wasn't planning on speaking tonight, but I was pretty shocked and dismayed at the way one of your constituents was interrupted earlier this meeting during Black History Month, no less. I understand the council members have limited time and I of course want to respect your time and the roles of the city council. However, when our country is falling apart, and violence is being enacted on citizens on a daily basis. And issues of racism and prejudice are ever more important. is it right for the council to walk out on a constituent who is rightfully concerned?

So my question for you, I guess, is how are each and every one of you thinking about the ways in which you are listening to the voices of your community members? especially those members who are black, brown, or have been historically underrepresented. My second question, and I've already written to the council on my views on the immigration and customs enforcement issue but I'll just reiterate my views briefly. I want to urge the council to think critically about what actions you can take to protect the members of our community. Don't wait until ICE is knocking down doors. Take preventative action now so that we can be prepared when ICE does invade our streets. Thank you so much for your time.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else either here at home wish to speak? We do have an email that came in. Councilor Piccirilli?

Yes, thank you, Mr. President. I got an email that says written testimony in opposition to a proposed city ordinance. It's from... Alyssa Clements from the Pet Advocacy Network. She says, I'm emailing you on behalf of the Pet Advocacy Network in respectful opposition to the proposed city ordinance that was discussed this evening and the Committee on Rules and Ordinances, I've attached my letter that outlines our concerns as well as document regarding misconceptions about pet shops. Please let me know if you have any questions. So I believe that actually was in reference to the committee meeting that was held earlier. So I will forward this to the rest of the council.

Thank you. Any other members of the public? Seeing none, can I get a motion to adjourn?

So moved.

Is there a second? Second. Roll call please.

Councilor Bates?

Yes.

Councilor Feltner? Yes. Councilor Gannon? Yes. Councilor Gardner? Yes. Councilor Izzo.

Yes.

Councilor Offei.

Yes.

Councilor Palomba.

Yes.

Councilor Piccirilli. Yes. President Sideris.

Yes. Thank you. Have a good evening.