City Council

Waltham City Council Minutes of the Meeting of April 14, 2025 President McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present: Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Dunn, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley, Vidal and President McLaughlin. Absent: None. Vivian Ainomugisha of the Waltham Times was recognized as recording the meeting. City Clerk Vizard recited the Council Prayer followed by President McLaughlin leading all present in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councillor Durkee asked for a moment of silence for all the military that have served past and present. Councillor LaCava moved approval of the regular meeting minutes of 3/24/25. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the matter was approved. Clerk Vizard read Rule 86. First Public Hearing: 17-25 Street Opening for 64-66 Orange Street Reality Trust at 64-66 Orange Street Councillors LaCava and Brasco recused themselves. Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Attorney Brett Francis, 10 Hammond Street, Waltham representing the petitioner, spoke in favor of the matter. With no one else in favor, no one 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 Harris 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. Second Public Hearing: Grant of Location for Eversource at 1131-1133 Main Street Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Jacqui Duffy, 69 Russell Street, Quincy, MA representing the petitioner, spoke in favor of the petition. With no one else in favor, no one 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. Councillors LaFauci and Katz spoke on the matter. With no further questions President McLaughlin closed the public hearing and referred the matter to the Licenses & Franchises Committee. Third Public Hearing: Grant of Location for Nationalgrid at Waverly Oaks Road and Linden Street Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Mary Mulroney, 201 Rivermore Street, West Roxbury, MA representing the petitioner, spoke in favor of the petition. With no one else in favor, no one 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. Councillors Durkee, LaFauci, Vidal and LeBlanc spoke on the matter. With no further questions President McLaughlin closed the public hearing and referred the matter to the Licenses & Franchises Committee. 1 Fourth Public Hearing: Fuel Storage License for BXP – BP Reservoir Place LLC at 1601 Trapelo Road Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Attorney Phillip McCourt, 272 Bacon Street, Waltham representing the petitioner spoke in favor of the petition. With no one else in favor, no one 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 Hanley spoke on the matter. With no further questions President McLaughlin closed the public hearing and referred the matter to the Licenses & Franchises Committee. Communications from the Mayor 1. The Mayor respectfully requested a small black and gold plaque be placed on one of the benches at 200 Trapelo Road field area for Kathleen B. McMenimen. Referred to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. 2. The Mayor respectfully requested authorization to grant Charles River Canoe & Kayak a Section 10A permit to put a temporary dock on the Riverwalk next to the Cronins Landing Dock. Referred to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. 3. The Mayor respectfully requested acceptance of the revised license for 92 Felton Street which has been reviewed by the Law Department. This has been requested without Committee reference. Councillor Logan moved to suspend Rule 39 to act on the matter without Committee reference. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Logan moved approval. Roll Call requested. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Dunn, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley and Vidal. Opposed: None. Absent: None. Presiding: McLaughlin. The matter was approved 14-0-0-1. 4. The Mayor respectfully requested acceptance of a FY25 Round 2 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant in the amount of $17,154 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the Department of Fire Services to purchase firefighter safety equipment. This has been requested without Committee reference. 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 that was approved by a voice vote to hear from off-committee member Waltham Fire Department Chief Andrew Mullen. Chief Mullen spoke on the matter. Councillor LaFauci moved approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the FY25 Round 2 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant was approved. 5. The Mayor respectfully requested acceptance of two grants from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: one in the amount of $8,500.00 for the student awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) Program and the other in the amount of $2,900.00 for the Senior SAFE program. Referred to the Finance Committee. 6. The Mayor respectfully requested Acceptance of a Waltham Pocket Watch and Waltham wristwatch from Carol Watts for the City Hall Museum room. Referred to the Finance Committee. 2 Applications and Licenses All Applications and Licenses referred to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. 1. Tables & Chairs Application – 474 Moody Street - Tempo 2. Tables & Chairs Application – 475 Moody Street – Little India Restaurant 3. Secondhand Dealers Application – 681 Main Street – Finely Find IT Vintage 4. Secondhand Dealers Application – 100 River Street – Four Jwaze LLC 5. Secondhand Dealers Application – 322 Moody Street – Opus Tiger Thrift 6. Lodging House Renewal – 415 South St – Brandeis – East Quad (Pomerantz Hassenfeld) 7. Lodging House Renewal – 415 South St – Brandeis – North Quad (Scheffres, Gordon, Reitman, Cable) 8. Lodging House Renewal – 415 South St – Brandeis – Ridgewood 9. Lodging House Renewal – 415 South St – Brandeis – Massell Quad (Deroy, Shapiro, Renfield, Usen) 10. Lodging House Renewal – 415 South St – Brandeis – The Village 11. Lodging House Renewal – 415 South St – Brandeis – The Skyline 12. Lodging House Renewal – 415 South St – Brandeis – Rosenthal Dorms North, South, East Resolutions, Orders and Ordinances • World IBS Day Resolution Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillors Stanley and McMenimen spoke on the matter. Councillor Stanley moved to suspend Rule 39 to act on the matter without Committee reference. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Stanley moved approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the World IBS Day Resolution was approved. Councillor Stanley requested to have a copy of the Resolution sent to Ardelyx. • 250th Anniversary of the Alarm of April 19, 1775 Resolution Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillors Durkee spoke on the matter. Councillor Durkee moved to suspend Rule 39 to act on the matter without Committee reference. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Durkee moved approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the 250th Anniversary of the Alarm of April 19, 1775 Resolution was approved. Councillor Durkee presented the Resolution to Waltham Historical Society President Wayne McCarthy. • Resolution to Formally Opt-In to the Municipal Opt-In Specialized Energy Code Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillor Bradley-MacArthur spoke on the matter. President McLaughlin referred the matter to the Ordinances and Rules Committee. • High Street Fire Resolution Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillors Harris, Logan and Bradley-MacArthur spoke on the matter. Councillor Logan moved to suspend Rule 39 to act on the matter without Committee reference. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Logan moved approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the High Street Fire Resolution was approved. Councillor Logan requested to have a copy of the Resolution sent to all involved. • Earth Day Arbor Day Resolution Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to take the Resolution off the table. Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillor Harris spoke on the Resolution. Councillor Harris moved to suspend Rule 39 to act on the matter without Committee reference. 3  The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Harris moved approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the Earth Day Arbor Day Resolution was approved. The date for the tree planting would be April 25, 2025 at Northeast Elementary School at 10 am. Ordinances and Rules 1. The Ordinances and Rules Committee recommended the Complete Streets Policy be approved as amended. Councillors Logan and McMenimen spoke on the matter. Councillor Harris moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. Roll Call requested. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Dunn, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley and Vidal. Opposed: None. Absent: None. Presiding: McLaughlin. The Complete Streets Policy was approved as amended 14-0-0-1. 2. The Ordinances and Rules Committee recommended an Amendment to Chapter 17 of General Ordinance to add Section 17-85 Regulation of On Street Parking on Private Ways be approved for a first reading. Councillors Harris spoke on the matter. Councillor Harris moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. On the motion Councillors LaCava, Brasco and LeBlanc spoke on the matter stating they would not be supporting the first reading. Councillor McMenimen and Logan spoke on the matter. Councillor Harris had Clerk Vizard read the Amendment. Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to withdraw the request. Councillor Harris made a request to schedule a Citizens Input meeting before the Council’s summer break. On the motion Councillors Katz, Durkee, LaFauci, Hanley, Logan, LeBlanc and McMenimen spoke. Councillor Harris made another request to have Attorney Laughman and Attorney Learned attend the Citizen Input meeting. On the request Councillor Harris accepted a friendly amendment to include Waltham Police Chief O’Connell, Waltham Fire Chief Mullen and Traffic Engineer Garvin. The request was approved by a voice vote. Councillors Harris moved to table the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the recommendation of the first reading of the Amendment to Chapter 17 of General Ordinance to add Section 17- 85 Regulation of On Street Parking on Private ways was tabled. 3. The Ordinances and Rules Committee recommended the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance be approved for a second reading. Councillor Harris 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. Councillor Harris moved to table the matter on the Council floor. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was tabled on the Council floor. 4. The Ordinances and Rules Committee recommended the Ordinance Amendment of Chapter 1 of the General Ordinances of the City of Waltham entitled, “Enforcement of Noise Pollution” be approved for a first reading. Councillor Harris 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. Councillor Harris moved to table the matter on the Council floor. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was tabled on the Council floor. 4  5. The Ordinances and Rules Committee recommended the Ordinance Amendment of Chapter 10 of the General Ordinances of the City of Waltham entitled, “Noise Pollution” be approved for a first reading. Councillor Harris 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. Councillor Harris moved to table the matter on the Council floor. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was tabled on the Council floor. Finance 1. The Finance Committee recommended the acceptance of memorabilia from the 100th Anniversary of Supreme Court Justice, Louis Dembitz Brandeis appointment to the United States Supreme Court from Kathleen B. McMenimen 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 donation of a Handbook for Commissioners and Code Book from Kathleen B. McMenimen for the City Hall Museum 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. 3. The Finance Committee recommended the donation of a Waltham Trivia Game for the City Hall Museum from Therese Ricci 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 the appropriation of $15,500 for the Disability Services Commission 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. Licenses and Franchises 1. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommends pursuant to the City Ordinance Section 17-19 (c) that the room known as Large Group Instruction Room at Waltham High School be renamed The Waltham Room be approved. Councillor Vidal 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 Licenses and Franchises Committee recommends a small black and gold plaque be placed on one of the benches at 200 Trapelo Road in the field facing the pond for George A. Darcy III, former Ward 3 City Councillor and Conservation Commission Member be approved. Councillor McMenimen recused herself. Councillor Vidal 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 Licenses and Franchises Committee recommends the Tables & Chairs permit at 265 Moody Street for Inspired Concepts, LLC DBA In A Pickle Restaurant be approved. Councillor Vidal 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 4. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommends the Lodging House renewal at 77 Prospect Street for Vibrant Estate Management, Company be approved. Councillor Vidal 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. Unfinished Business & Other Business • Extension of time for Winter Street, LLC. at 850 Winter Street, 910 Winter Street, and 920-930-940 Winter Street (Order #31842) Referred to the Ordinances and Rules Committee. • Extension of time for King First West Owner, LLC.45, at 55 First Avenue (Order #36287) Referred to the Ordinances and Rules Committee. Tabled Items • Earth Day & Arbor Day Resolution (tabled 3/24/25) This motion was handled earlier in the meeting. • Special Permit Ordinance Amendment (1st reading 3/24/25) Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to take the matter off the table. Councillor Harris moved for a second reading of the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to table the matter. The matter was tabled on the Council floor. • 995 Main Street • Dumpster Ordinance Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to take the matter off the table. Councillor Harris moved to file the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote and that matter was filed. • Zoning amendment for marijuana retail hours and to allow ownership to be transferrable be scheduled for a Joint Public Hearing with the Board of Survey and Planning • Chapter 7 of the General Ordinances of the City of Waltham, entitled “Garbage, Trash and Refuse” amendment (2nd reading. 3/24/25) Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to take the matter off the table. Councillors Brasco, Logan and LaFauci spoke on the matter. Councillor Harris made a motion for a third and final reading of the matter. Roll call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Dunn, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley and Vidal. Opposed: Brasco, LaCava. Absent: None. Presiding: McLaughlin. The Chapter 7 of the General Ordinances of the City of Waltham, entitled “Garbage, Trash and Refuse” amendment was approved 12-2-0-1. • Chapter 1 of the General Ordinances of the City of Waltham, entitled “GENERAL PROVISIONS,” Section 1-13 entitled “Enforcement of municipal ordinances, by-laws and 6  regulations,” as most recently amended, is hereby amended by adding the following after the provisions for Sec. 7-18. (2nd reading. 3/24/25) Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to take the matter off the table. Councillor Harris made a motion for a third and final reading of the matter. Roll call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Dunn, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley and Vidal. Opposed: None. Absent: None. Presiding: McLaughlin. Chapter 1 of the General Ordinances of the City of Waltham, entitled “GENERAL PROVISIONS,” Section 1-13 entitled “Enforcement of municipal ordinances, by-laws and regulations,” as most recently amended was approved 14-0-0-1. Councillor LaFauci wished a Happy 50th Birthday to Councillor Vidal. The Council sang Happy Birthday. With no further matters Councillor Vidal made a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved by a voice vote. President McLaughlin declared the meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Cathy Magliarditi Executive Assistant to the City Clerk April 23, 2025 7