City Council

Waltham City Council Minutes of the Meeting of February 10, 2025 President McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present: Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Dunn, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley, Vidal and President McLaughlin. Absent: Durkee, LaCava. City Clerk Vizard recited the Council Prayer followed by President McLaughlin leading all present in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councillor Brasco asked for a moment of silence for all the military that have served past and present. Aubrey Hawke of the Waltham Times was recognized as recording the meeting. Councillor McMenimen moved approval of the regular meeting minutes of 1/13/25. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the matter was approved. Councillor LeBlanc moved approval of the Executive Session Meeting Minutes of 1/13/25. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the matter was approved. Councillor LeBlanc made a motion to send the Executive Session Meeting Minutes to the Law Department for review. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the minutes were sent to the Law Department. Councillor LeBlanc moved approval of the Special City Council meeting minutes of 1/21/25. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the matter was approved. Councillor LeBlanc moved approval of the regular meeting minutes of 1/27/25. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the matter was approved. Clerk Vizard read Rule 86. First Public Hearing: Private to Public Way on Lory Drive Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Susan Kahn, 43 Raffaele Drive, representing all the petitioners, spoke on the matter. Ms. Kahn explained why the residents want to move from private ways to public ways explaining she was representing 72 homes and over 150 people from the five locations. Twenty-nine people stood in support of the matter. With no one else in support, no one else in opposition and no one in a neutral position of the petition President McLaughlin closed that part of the public hearing and opened the hearing up to questions from Councillors. Councillor LaFauci asked questions. Ms. Kahn provided answers. With no further questions President McLaughlin closed the public hearing and referred the matter to the Public Works and Public Safety Committee. Second Public Hearing: Private to Public Way on Matthew Lane Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Twenty-nine people stood in support of the matter. With no one else in support, no one else in opposition and no one in a neutral position of the petition President McLaughlin closed that part of the public hearing and opened the hearing up to questions from Councillors. Councillor LaFauci spoke on the matter. With no further questions President McLaughlin closed the public hearing and referred the matter to the Public Works and Public Safety Committee. Third Public Hearing: Private to Public Way on Michaelchris Drive Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Twenty-nine people stood in support of the matter. With no one else in support, no one else in opposition and no one in a neutral position of the 1 petition President McLaughlin closed that part of the public hearing and opened the hearing up to questions from Councillors. Councillor LaFauci spoke on the matter. With no further questions President McLaughlin closed the public hearing and referred the matter to the Public Works and Public Safety Committee. Fourth Public Hearing: Private to Public Way on Raffaele Drive Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Twenty-nine people stood in support of the matter. With no one else in support, no one else in opposition and no one in a neutral position of the petition President McLaughlin closed that part of the public hearing and opened the hearing up to questions from Councillors. Councillor LaFauci spoke on the matter. With no further questions President McLaughlin closed the public hearing and referred the matter to the Public Works and Public Safety Committee. Fifth Public Hearing: Private to Public Way on Roseanna Park Drive Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Twenty-nine people stood in support of the matter. With no one else in support, no one else in opposition and no one in a neutral position of the petition President McLaughlin closed that part of the public hearing and opened the hearing up to questions from Councillors. Councillor LaFauci spoke on the matter. Councillor Hanley made a request that was approved by a voice vote to have CPW Director Michael Chiasson or his designee, provide a list to all Councillors of any private ways in the City for which the City still holds a bond. With no further questions President McLaughlin closed the public hearing and referred the matter to the Public Works and Public Safety Committee. Communications from the Mayor 1. The Mayor respectfully requested acceptance of the recommended changes to the Trash Ordinance Amendments, City Ordinance 7.6 and 7.7. Councillor Harris made a request that was approved by a voice vote to have Mayor McCarthy, and the City Solicitor Katherine Laughman attend the next Ordinances and Rules Committee to discuss the recommended changes to the Trash Ordinance Amendments. The Matter was referred to the Ordinances and Rules Committee. 2. The Mayor respectfully requested that a small black and gold plaque be placed on three available benches in the field area at 200 Trapelo Road. One will be for Tom Curtin, one for the Battaglino/Durkee families, and one for Thomas E. and MaryAnn Centofanti. Referred to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. 3. The Mayor respectfully requested the acceptance of a donation of $5,000 worth of car wash tickets to the public servants of Waltham from Prestige Car Wash. They are aiming to provide the Waltham Police Department with unlimited car wash stickers to maintain their fleet. Referred to the Finance Committee. 4. The Mayor respectfully requested the re-appointment of David Joseph McGann of 73 Rockridge Rd as Constable for a three-year term. Referred to the Committee of the Whole. 5. The Mayor respectfully requested acceptance of a Waltham Historical Calendar from Tim Kelly. Referred to the Finance Committee. 2 6. The Mayor respectfully requested acceptance of a 50th Anniversary Waltham Police Book from Charles McCarthy Sr. for the Waltham Museum Room. Referred to the Finance Committee. 7. The Mayor respectfully requested an opportunity to go into Executive Session at the earliest possible date to discuss 995 Main Street. Councillor LaFauci made a motion to table the matter until the end of the meeting. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was tabled. 8. The Mayor respectfully requested approval for the acceptance of a grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners in the amount of $100,000. Referred to the Finance Committee. 9. The Mayor respectfully requested the acceptance of a Grover Cronin bag from Darren Aucoin for the City Hall Museum Room. Referred to the Finance Committee. Applications and Licenses All Applications and Licenses referred to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. Lodging House Renewal – 94 Adams Street – A.M.G. Beech Road LLC. Resolutions, Orders and Ordinances • DOER Presentation on the MA Municipal Opt-in Specialized Stretch Code Resolution Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillor Bradley-MacArthur spoke on the Resolution. Acknowledging the Mothers Out Front Chapter members present in the Chamber. Councillor Bradley-MacArthur made a request to have Dillan Patel from MA DOER, Building Inspector Brian Bower, Wires Department Inspector Tim Kelly, Planning Director Robert Waters and Principal Planner Frank Nakashian attend the next Committee of the Whole meeting. The request was approved by a voice vote. The matter was referred to the Committee of the Whole. • Elm Street Train Crossing Councillor Logan made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to table the matter on the Council Floor. • Dog Grooming Resolution Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillors LeBlanc and Harris spoke on the Resolution. Referred to the Ordinances and Rules Committee. Committee Reports Economic and Community Development 1. The Economic and Community Development Committee recommended approval of the acceptance of a state grant in the amount of $120,590 from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program for the Planning Department be approved. Councillor Brasco moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the matter was approved. Ordinances and Rules 1. The Ordinances and Rules Committee recommended the Outside Dining Ordinance Amendment be approved for a first reading. Councillor Harris moved that the action of the 3  Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter first reading of the matter was approved. The matter was tabled on the Council floor. Finance 1. The Finance Committee recommended the acceptance of a 50-year anniversary Warrendale Little League Red Sox baseball cap for the City Hall Museum Room from Alan D. Humbert be approved. Councillor LaFauci moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was approved. 2. The Finance Committee recommended the acceptance of an appropriation in the amount of $36,000 to fund environmental surveys for two non-contributing buildings; Withington Hall and Farrell Hall located at 200 Trapelo Road be approved. Councillor McMenimen recused herself. Councillor LaFauci moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was approved. 3. The Finance Committee recommended the approval of the acceptance of a grant in the amount of $35,000 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to purchase fire safety equipment for the Waltham Fire Department be approved. Councillor LaFauci moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was approved. 4. The Finance Committee recommended a transfer of funds in the amount of $31,000 to pay for the rental of a sewer jet truck for two months for the DPW be approved. Councillor LaFauci moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was approved. 5. The Finance Committee recommended the approval of an appropriation in the amount $57,015.13 from the Unreserved Balance Fund for building improvements at the Senior Center Building be approved. Councillor LaFauci moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was approved. 6. The Finance Committee recommended an appropriation in the amount of $236,160 from the Unreserved Fund Balance to renovate the exterior of Trapelo Cottage, a contributing building (historic), located at 190 Trapelo Road be approved. Councillor McMenimen recused herself. Councillor LaFauci moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was approved. Licenses and Franchises 1. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Grant of Location at Warren, School and Church Streets for NationalGrid be approved. Councillor Vidal moved the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was approved. 2. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended that a small black and gold plaque be placed on the three benches in the Memorial Area (lower circle) - one for the former Fernald resident’s, guardians, and employees (3 separate plaques) at 200 Trapelo Road be approved. Councillor McMenimen recused herself. Councillor Vidal moved the action of 4  the Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was approved. Councillor Vidal made a request that was approved by a voice vote to act collectively on matters 3-12. Councillor Vidal moved approval on matters 3-12. The motion was approved by a voice vote and matters 3-12 were approved. 3. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the lodging house renewal at 175 Forest Street for Bentley University - Copley Hall North Lower be approved. 4. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the lodging house renewal at 175 Forest Street for Bentley University - Copley Hall South Lower be approved. 5. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Class 2 renewal at 175 Forest Street for Bentley University - Fenway Hall be approved. 6. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the lodging house renewal at 175 Forest Street for Bentley University - Forest Hall Upper be approved. 7. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the lodging house renewal at 175 Forest Street for Bentley University - Kresge Hall Upper be approved. 8. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the lodging house renewal at 175 Forest Street for Bentley University - Nathan R. Miller Hall Upper be approved. 9. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the lodging house renewal at 175 Forest Street for Bentley University - Slade Hall Upper be approved. 10. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the lodging house renewal at 175 Forest Street for Bentley University - Stratton House Beaver be approved. 11. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the lodging house renewal at 175 Forest Street for Bentley University - HUD Tree Dorms Upper be approved. 12. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the lodging house renewal at 175 Forest Street for Bentley University - Castle Hall Upper be approved. Councillor Vidal made a request that was approved by a voice vote to act collectively on matters 13-16. Councillor Vidal moved approval on matters 13-16. The motion was approved by a voice vote and matters 13-16 were approved. 13. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the lodging house renewal at 11- 13 Walnut Street for Martin Reilly Realty Trust be approved. 14. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the lodging house renewal at 118- 120 Robbins Street for Martin Reilly Realty Trust be approved. 15. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the lodging house renewal at 44- 46 Chester Avenue for Martin Reilly Realty Trust be approved. 5 16. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the lodging house renewal at 20- 22 Adams Street for Martin Reilly Realty Trust be approved. 17. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the second hand dealers license at 471 Main Street for The Tool Shed be approved. Councillor Vidal moved the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was approved. Unfinished Business & Other Business • 2025 Election Calendar Councillor LaFauci moved to suspend Rule 39 to act on the matter without Committee reference. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor LaFauci made a motion to approve the 2025 Election Calendar. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was approved. Councillor LaFauci made a motion to take the Mayor’s Communication regarding an opportunity to go into Executive Session at the earliest possible date to discuss 995 Main Street off the table. the motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillors Dunn and Harris escorted the Mayor into The Chamber. Councillor LaFauci moved to go into Executive Session and that the Mayor, City Clerk Joseph Vizard and Assistant City Clerk Kara Wilson attend. Roll Call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Dunn, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley and Vidal. Opposed: None. Absent: Durkee, LaCava. Presiding: McLaughlin. The matter was approved 12-0-2-1. City Council went into Executive Session at 8:21 p.m. and will reconvene in public session only to adjourn the meeting. City Council reconvened at 8:36 p.m. Councillor LaFauci made a motion to table the Mayor’s Communication regarding an opportunity to go into Executive Session at the earliest possible date to discuss 995 Main Street. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was tabled on the Council floor. With no further matters Councillor LaFauci made a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved by a voice vote. President McLaughlin declared the meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Cathy Magliarditi Executive Assistant to the City Clerk February 14, 2025 6