City Council

Waltham City Council Minutes of the Meeting of April 28, 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, Vidal and President McLaughlin. Absent: Stanley. Board of Survey & Planning Present: Brian Moroney, Wayne Keefner, and Mila Tarallo. Remote: M. Justin Barrett. Absent: William Creonte, S. Anthony DeVito. 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 4/14/25. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the matter was approved. Councillor Katz rose and moved to suspend Rule 8 to take the Resolution Honoring Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra on the Occasion of Their 40th Anniversary out of order. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Katz made a motion that was approved by voice vote to suspend Rule 9 to hear from off committee members. Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra president David Salstein and Vice President Karen Walz spoke on the Orchestra. Councillor Katz read the Resolution. Councillor Katz moved to suspend rule 39 to act on the matter without Committee reference. The motion was approved by voice vote. Councillor Katz moved for approval. The motion was adopted by voice vote and the Resolution Honoring Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra on the Occasion of Their 40th Anniversary was approved. Clerk Vizard read Rule 86. First Joint Public Hearing: Zoning Amendment Medical Marijuana Extended Hours and Transfer of Ownership Attorney Valerio Romano, 10 Brook Street #1, Cohasset representing the petitioner, spoke in favor of the matter. One person stood in favor. 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, Harris, McMenimen and Bradley Mac-Arthur spoke on the matter. Board of Survey and Planning members Keefner, Tarallo and Moroney spoke on the matter. Attorney Romano gave rebuttal on the matter. With no further questions President McLaughlin closed the public hearing and referred the matter to the Ordinances and Rules Committee. The Board of Survey and Planning Committee will meet May 7, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. President McLaughlin declared a one-minute recess at 8:24 p.m. to allow the Board of Survey and Planning members to clear the Chamber. Council reconvened at 8:25 p.m. 1 Second Public Hearing: Grant of Location for Eversource at Ash Street Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. There were no representative available from Eversource. President McLaughlin recessed the public hearing to May 12, 2025. Third Public Hearing: Special Permit application for 1265 Main Street, LLC at 1265 Main Street The Clerk gave an update on the latest filings and discussions. 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. Councillors LaFauci, Logan and Katz spoke on the matter. Asking about plans, height and variance from the ZBA. Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to have the public hearing be continued to a date and time certain of May 27, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Fourth Public Hearing: Special Permit application for Ferris Development Group at 1432 Main Street The Clerk gave an update on the latest filings and discussions in Committee. Attorney Michael Connors was present. With no one 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 made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to have the public hearing be continued to a date and time certain of May 27, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Fifth Public Hearing: Special Permit ALP PHOP Manager LLC at 460 Totten Pond Road The Clerk gave an update on the latest filings and discussions in Committee. Attorney Jack Mula was present. With no one 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 made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to have the public hearing be continued to a date and time certain of May 27, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Communications from the Mayor 1. The Mayor respectfully requested that a plaque for Pat Azadi be placed on the back of the council chair where she always sits/has sat. The Mayor would also respectfully like confirmation regarding plaques on the back of some of the Council chairs for Dave Sanderson, Pat Dileso, Mary Early, Doris Donovan. Referred to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. 2. The Mayor respectfully requested an appropriation in the amount of $650 from the Unreserved Fund Balance to the City Council Ritcey Award account. 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 moved approval. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the appropriation was approved. 3. The Mayor respectfully requested an appropriation in the amount of $6,602 from the unreserved Fund Balance to the City Council Operating Expense Account. The additional funding need is for higher than anticipated costs related to advertising costs and various other expenses during FY2025. Referred to the Finance Committee. 2 4. The Mayor respectfully requested an appropriation in the amount of $18,500 from the Unreserved Fund Balance to the City Clerk Operating Expense Account. The additional funding need is for higher than anticipated costs related to the Malone Archive Center and various other expenses during FY2025. Referred to the Finance Committee. 5. The Mayor respectfully requested an appropriation in the amount of $38,500 for the Recreation Department to fund the increase in utility costs for the Veterans Memorial Rink this past season. Referred to the Finance Committee. 6. The Mayor respectfully requested an appropriation in the total amount of $29,675 from Unreserved Fund Balance to the Building Department to engage the services of a commercial painter for the Arrigo Farm building on Warren Street. Referred to the Finance Committee. Applications and Licenses All Applications and Licenses referred to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. 1. Tables & Chairs Application – 315 Moody Street – Farmers India Market & Cafe 2. Tables & Chairs Application – 467 Moody Street – Deep Elum 3. Tables & Chairs Application – 484 Moody Street – Amuleto Mexican Table 4. Tables & Chairs Application – 367 Moody Street – Lizzy’s Ice Cream 5. Secondhand Dealers Application – 563 Moody Street – Compustar Inc. Resolutions, Orders and Ordinances • Resolution Honoring Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra on the Occasion of Their 40th Anniversary. This matter was taken out of order and approved earlier in the evening. Ordinances and Rules 1. The Ordinances and Rules Committee recommended the extension of time for special permit (Order # 31842) PD Winter Street, LLC at 850 Winter Street, 910 Winter Street and 920-930-940 Winter Street be approved. Councillor Harris moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. Roll Call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Dunn, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen and Vidal. Opposed: None. Absent: Stanley. Presiding: McLaughlin. The extension of time for was approved 13-0-1-1. Finance 1. The Finance Committee recommended the grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: in the amount of $8,500.00 for the student awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) Program 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. 2. The Finance Committee recommended the grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: in the amount of $2,900.00 for the Senior SAFE program be approved. Councillor LaFauci 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. 3 3. The Finance Committee recommended the acceptance of a Waltham Pocket Watch and Waltham wristwatch from Carol Watts for the City Hall Museum Room be approved. Councillor LaFauci 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. Licenses and Franchises 1. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Tables & Chairs permit at 458-470 Moody Street for RASSA be approved. Councillor LaCava recused himself. Councillor Vidal moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was approved by a voice vote. 2. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Tables & Chairs permit at 419 Moody Street for Common Good Co. be approved. Councillor LaCava recused himself. Councillor Vidal moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was approved by a voice vote. 3. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Tables & Chairs permit at 474 Moody Street for Tempo be approved. Councillor LaCava recused himself. Councillor Vidal moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. The motion was approved by a voice vote. 4. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Tables & Chairs permit at 475 Moody Street for Little India Restaurant be approved. Councillor LaCava recused himself. Councillor Vidal 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. 5. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Grant of Location at 1131-1133 Main Street for Eversource be approved. Councillor Vidal 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. 6. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Grant of Location at Linden Street and Waverly Oaks Road for NationalGrid be approved. Councillor Vidal 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. 7. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended Fuel Storage License at 1601 Trapelo Road for BXP-BP Reservoir Place LLC, be approved. Councillor Vidal 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. 8. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended a small black and gold plaque be placed on one of the benches at 200 Trapelo Road in the field area for Kathleen B. McMenimen be approved. Councillor McMenimen recused herself. Councillor Vidal 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. 9. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended authorization to grant Charles River Canoe & Kayak a Section 10A permit to put a temporary dock on the Riverwalk 4  next to the Cronins Landing Dock be approved. Councillor Vidal 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. 10. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Secondhand Dealers renewal application at 681 Main Street for Finely Find IT Vintage be approved. Councillor Vidal 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. 11. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Secondhand Dealers renewal application at 100 River Street for Four Jwaze LLC be approved. Councillor Vidal 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. 12. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Secondhand Dealers renewal application at 322 Moody Street for Opus Tiger Thrift be approved. Councillor Vidal 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 Councillor Vidal made a motion to act collectively on items numbered 13 – 19. The motion was approved by a voice vote to act collectively on items 13-19 Councillor Vidal moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council on items 13-19. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the matters 13-19 were approved. 13. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Lodging House renewal at 415 South St – Brandeis University for East Quad Dorms (Pomerantz Hassenfeld) be approved. 14. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Lodging House renewal at 415 South St – Brandeis University for North Quad Dorms (Scheffres, Gordon, Reitman, Cable) be approved. 15. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Lodging House renewal at 415 South St – Brandeis University for Ridgewood Dorms be approved. 16. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Lodging House renewal at 415 South St – Brandeis University for Massell Quad Dorms (Deroy, Shapiro, Renfield, Usen) be approved. 17. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Lodging House renewal at 415 South St – Brandeis University for The Village Dorms be approved. 18. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Lodging House renewal at 415 South St – Brandeis University for The Skyline Dorms be approved. 19. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Lodging House renewal at 415 South St – Brandeis University for Rosenthal Dorms (North, South, East) be approved. 5 Public Works and Public Safety 1. The Public Works and Public Safety Committee recommended the 17-25 at 64-66 Orange Street for Lydia Santangelo, Trustee and owner be approved. Councillors LeBlanc and Brasco recused themselves. Councillor Dunn 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. Unfinished Business & Other Business • CPC Recommendation for an allocation of $850,000 of CPA funds for Improvements at the Robert Treat Paine Estate. Referred to the Long Term Debt and Capital Planning Committee. • CPC Recommendation for an allocation of $20,000 of CPA funds for Window Restoration Design Services at Gore Place. Referred to the Long Term Debt and Capital Planning Committee. • CPC Recommendation for $178,229 for Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Referred to the Long Term Debt and Capital Planning Committee. Tabled Items • Special Permit Ordinance Amendment (2nd reading 4/14/25) Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to take the matter off the table. Councillor Harris moved for a 3rd 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 and Vidal. Opposed: None. Absent: Stanley. Presiding: McLaughlin. The Ordinance Amendment was approved 13-0-1-1. • 995 Main Street • Amendment to Chapter 17 of General Ordinance to add Section 17-85 Regulation of On Street Parking on Private Ways (tabled 4/14/25) Councillor Harris moved to suspend Rule 8 to take a matter out of order. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to suspend Rule 9 to hear from off committee members Attorney Katherine Laughman, Waltham Fire Chief Andre Mullin, Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell and Traffic Engineer Michael Garvin. Attorney Laughman spoke on the matter. Councillor Harris made a request that was approved by a voice vote to have Mayor Jeannette McCarthy come into the meeting. Councillors Harris and Durkee escorted the Mayor into the Chamber. Mayor McCarthy spoke on the matter. Councillors LeBlanc, LaFauci, Katz, Dunn, LaCava and Durkee asked questions with Chief Mullin and Mayor McCarthy providing answers. Councillor Harris moved to recommit the matter to the Ordinances and Rule Committee. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was recommitted to the Ordinances and Rules Committee. • Ordinance Amendment of Chapter 1 of the General Ordinances of the City of Waltham entitled, “Enforcement of Noise Pollution” (first reading 4/14/25) 6  Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to take the matter off the table. Councillor Harris moved for a 2nd reading of the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Harris moved to t able the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote. The matter was tabled on the Council floor. • Ordinance Amendment of Chapter 10 of the General Ordinances of the City of Waltham entitled, “Noise Pollution” (first reading 4/14/25) Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to take the matter off the table. Councillor Harris moved for a 2nd reading of the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Harris moved to table the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was tabled on the Council floor. • ADU (second reading 4/14/25) Councillor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to take the matter off the table. Councillor Harris moved for a 3rd and final reading. Roll Call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Dunn, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen and Vidal. Opposed: None. Absent: Stanley. Presiding: McLaughlin. The matter was approved 13-0-1-1. With no further matters Councillor Harris made a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved by a voice vote. President McLaughlin declared the meeting adjourned at 9:57 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Cathy Magliarditi Executive Assistant to the City Clerk May 7, 2025 7