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City Council

Regular Meeting

Waltham, MA · June 9, 2025

AgendaMinutes

Minutes

Waltham City Council Minutes of the Meeting of June 9, 2025 President McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Vivian Ainomugisha of the Waltham Times was recognized as recording the meeting. Present: Bradley-MacArthur, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley, Vidal and President McLaughlin. Absent: Brasco, Dunn. 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. First Public Hearing: Special Permit application at 51 Hall Street for Hall Street Partners LLC (Recessed 6/9/25) Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Attorney Joseph Connors, 404 Main 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. With no further questions President McLaughlin recessed the public hearing until a date certain of June 23, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Second Public Hearing: Grant of Location at Cutter Street and Newton for NationalGrid Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Mary Mulroney, 201 Rivermore Street, West Roxbury, MA and Steve DiLorenzo, 160 Newton Street, Waltham, MA both representing the petitioner, spoke in favor of the petition. Katherine Pinney, 41 Bolton Street, Unit 1 Waltham, MA spoke in a neutral position of the petition. With no one in favor, no one in opposition and no one else 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 Logan, Vidal and LeBlanc asked questions. Ms. Mulroney and Mr. DiLorenzo provided answers. With no further questions President McLaughlin referred the matter to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. Councillor Vidal announced the meeting would be held Monday, June 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hoover Room. Third Public Hearing: Grant of Location at Day Street and Newton Street for NationalGrid Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Mary Mulroney, 201 Rivermore Street, West Roxbury, MA and Steve DiLorenzo, 160 Newton Street, Waltham, MA both representing the petitioner, spoke in favor of the petition. 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. Councillors Logan, LeBlanc, Harris, Katz, LaFauci and McMenimen asked questions. Ms. Mulroney and Mr. DiLorenzo provided answers. With no further questions President McLaughlin referred the matter to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. Councillor Vidal announced the meeting would be held Monday, June 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hoover Room. Fourth Public Hearing: Second Hand Dealers License at 139 Moody Street for L&V Collections Jewelry LLC 1 Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Levon Terzian, 6 Howe Street Watertown, MA and Varden Aghajanvan, 11 Elton Avenue, Watertown, MA 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 Logan and Vidal spoke and asked questions with Mr. Terzian and Mr. Aghajanvan provided answers. President McLaughlin referred the matter to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. Councillor Vidal announced the meeting would be held Monday, June 16, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hoover Room. Communications from the Mayor 1. The Mayor respectfully requested a transfer in the amount of $35,000 to fund the increase in utility costs for the traffic lights and street lights. Referred to the Finance Committee. 2. The Mayor respectfully requested the acceptance of a grant in the amount of $29,460 from the Department of Mental Health for the Jail Diversion Grant FY2025. Referred to the Finance Committee. 3. The Mayor respectfully requested an appropriation in the total amount of $170,000 to pay overtime expenses and general expenses (medical) for the Fire Department for the remainder of the fiscal year. Referred to the Finance Committee. 4. The Mayor respectfully requested a transfer in the amount of $20,000 to fund the expected deficit in the Pre-Employment Services account for FY2025. Referred to the Finance Committee. 5. The Mayor respectfully requested a transfer in the amount of $3,700 to fund the cost of the promotional exam for Dispatch Supervisors. Referred to the Finance Committee. 6. The Mayor respectfully requested an appropriation in the amount of $250,000 to fund the expected deficit in the Worker’s Compensation account for FY2025. Referred to the Finance Committee. 7. The Mayor respectfully requested acceptance of photos of Nutting on the Charles donated by Karen O’Brien for the City Hall Museum Room. Referred to the Finance Committee. 8. The Mayor respectfully requested acceptance of a draft ordinance for Floodplains and Floodways. Councillor Harris moved to suspend Rule 39 to act on the matter without Committee reference. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Harris made a request to Clerk Vizard schedule a joint hearing with the Board of Survey and Planning. 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 draft ordinance for Floodplains and Floodways was tabled on the Council Floor. 9. The Mayor respectfully requested a transfer in the amount of $110,700 to provide additional funding for the overnight patrol and security camera monitoring at the property located at 200 Trapelo Road. Referred to the Finance Committee. 2 10. The Mayor respectfully requested funding in the total amount of $394,200 for the retaining wall project at the property located at 48 Chestnut Street. Referred to the Finance Committee. 11. The Mayor respectfully requested acceptance a confidential communication regarding 66 Brewster Road. Councillor Hanley made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to table this matter until the end of the meeting. Resolutions, Orders and Ordinances • Waltham at Bunker Hill Resolution Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillor Durkee spoke on the Resolution. 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 adopted by a voice vote and the Waltham at Bunker Hill Resolution was approved. • 250th Anniversary of the United States Army June 14, 1775 Resolution Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillors Durkee and McMenimen spoke on the Resolution. 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 adopted by a voice vote and the Waltham at Bunker Hill Resolution was approved. • Fast Food Establishment Resolution Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillors Logan, Harris and LaFauci spoke on the Resolution. Referred to the Ordinances and Rules Committee. • Solar Compactable Trash Cans for Waltham’s Public Parks and City Land Resolution Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillors Harris and Logan spoke on the Resolution. Referred to the Economic and Community Development Committee. Committee Reports Committee of the Whole 1. The Committee of the Whole recommended the Resolution for Waltham Pride Day 2025 be approved. Councillor LaCava 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 Extension of Time for Order # 36287 for King First West Owner, LLC at 55 First Avenue be approved. Councillor Logan spoke on the matter. Clerk Vizard read the Order. Councillor Harris moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. Roll call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley and Vidal. Opposed: None. Absent: Brasco, Dunn. Presiding: McLaughlin. Approved 12-0-2-1. 3 2. The Ordinances and Rules Committee recommended the Zoning Amendment for marijuana retail hours and days and to allow ownership to be transferrable 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. Councillor Harris moved to suspend Rule 45 to have a third and final reading. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Harris moved for approval of the matter. Roll call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley and Vidal. Opposed: None. Absent: Brasco, Dunn. Presiding: McLaughlin. Approved 12-0-2-1. Finance 1. The Finance Committee recommended an appropriation for $181,500 to relocate the Waltham Schools Facilities Department from 258 Trapelo Road to 617 Lexington Street 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. 2. The Finance Committee recommended an appropriation for $812,688 to fund numerous department requests for minor capital items for 2025 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. The Finance Committee recommended the Trust Agreement for the Joseph and Harriet N. Kingsbury Temperance Scholarship Trust 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 recommends the Class Two License for Global Lease Group Co. at 260 Bear Hill Road 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. 2. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommends the approval of the Mayor’s recommendation that a plaque be erected at the entrance of the area where the former Activity Center was located at 200 Trapelo for Jerry LeBlanc, the founding member of the Waltham Disability Services Commission 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. 3. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended that Grant of Location at Moody Street and Carter Street for Eversource be approved as amended. 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. 4 Long Term Debt and Capital Planning 1. Community Preservation Committee requested for funds in the amount of $2,842,612.00 to be allocated from the CPA Housing account ($482,851.50) and CPA Undesignated account ($2,359,760.50) for the renovation of existing structure and construction of an addition at 15 Fiske Avenue. (The Long Term Debt & Capital Planning Committee is meeting June 9, 2025 prior to the City Council Meeting.) Councillor McMenimen rose and spoke about the Long Term Dept and Capital Planning meeting held earlier that evening. Councillor McMenimen moved that the action of the Committee be the action of the Council. Roll call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen and Vidal. Opposed: None. Absent: Brasco, Dunn, Stanley. Presiding: McLaughlin. Approved 11-0-3-1. Tabled Items • 995 Main Street • Kevin M. Ritcey Award for Outstanding Public Service Resolution – Jack Cox • City Ordinance for Building Inspections Department (1st reading 5/27/25) 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. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councilor Harris made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to table the matter. Councillor Hanley made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to take the Mayor’s communication regarding 66 Brewster Road off the table. Councilor’s Harris and Durkee escorted the Mayor into the Chamber. Councillor Hanley made a motion to go into Executive session regarding 66 Brewster Road. Roll Call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen and Vidal. Opposed: None. Absent: Brasco, Dunn, Stanley. Presiding: McLaughlin. The special permit was approved 11-0-3-1. City Council went into Executive Session at 9:05 p.m. and will reconvene in public session only to adjourn the meeting. City Council reconvened at 9:40 p.m. Councillor Hanley made a motion to table the Mayor’s Communication regarding 66 Brewster Road. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter was tabled on the Council floor. With no further matters Councillor Hanley made a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved by a voice vote. President McLaughlin declared the meeting adjourned at 9:41 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Cathy Magliarditi, Executive Assistant to the City Clerk, June 16, 2025 5

Agenda

City Council Docket June 9, 2025 The Waltham City Council will meet in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 610 Main Street, Waltham, MA on Monday, June 9, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. The following matters and others may be considered. Approval of Minutes Regular Meeting of May 27, 2025 Public Hearing Special Permit (Recessed 5/27/25) Hall Street Partners LLC, 275 Lexington Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02452, as Petitioner, hereby petitions the City Council for a modification and/or amendment to the special permit issued in Order # 35982 for an increase in floor area ratio (FAR) to 1.22 with additional units per acre pursuant to §3.5, § 3.51 and § 3.552 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Waltham. The modification is sought to amend so much of the approved site plans approved in the special permit. The modification shall allow for minor site changes to the approved plans affecting 637.42 square feet of land. The locus is known and numbered as 51 Hall Street, aka 61 Hall Street and is shown in the “Atlas, City of Waltham, Massachusetts 1988”, as Map 69 Block 18 Lot 4. The property is situated in a Residence C Zoning District. The Legal Owner of the locus is Hall Street Partners LLC, 275 Lexington Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02452. Public Hearing Grant of Location The Nationalgrid hereby respectfully requests your consent to the locations of mains as hereinafter described for the transmission and distribution of gas in and under the following public streets, lanes, highways and places of the City of Waltham and of the pipes, valves, governors, manholes and other structures, fixtures and appurtenances designed or intended to protect or operate said mains and accomplish the objects of said Company; and the digging up and opening the ground to lay or place same: Due to Water work by the City of Waltham, National Grid recommends the replacement of: Approximately 685 feet of 4-inch Cast Iron (1915) and 5 feet of 4-inch Plastic (2003) main in Bolton St from Newton St intersection to end of Bolton St with 690 feet of 6-inch Plastic Approximately 195 feet of 4-inch Cast Iron (1917) and 45 feet of 4-inch Plastic (2005) main in Day St from Bolton St to Clinton St with 240 feet of 6-inch Plastic Approximately 556 feet of 4-inch Cast Iron (1917), 10 feet of 4-inch Plastic (2017), and 110 feet of 4-inch Plastic (unknown install year) main in Clinton St from Newton St intersection to end of main at #20B Day St with 676 feet of 6-inch Plastic. 1 City Council Docket June 9, 2025 Public Hearing Grant of Location The Nationalgrid hereby respectfully requests your consent to the locations of mains as hereinafter described for the transmission and distribution of gas in and under the following public streets, lanes, highways and places of the City of Waltham and of the pipes, valves, governors, manholes and other structures, fixtures and appurtenances designed or intended to protect or operate said mains and accomplish the objects of said Company; and the digging up and opening the ground to lay or place same: Due to water work proposed by the City of Waltham, National Grid recommends the replacement of approximately 788 feet of 4-inch Cast Iron (1913), 10 feet of 4- Plastic (2005), and 5 feet of 4- inch Plastic (2016) gas main in Cutter St from the intersection of Newton St and Cutter St to Cedar St with 803 feet of 6-inch Plastic. Public Hearing Secondhand Dealers License Levon Terzian, 6 Howe Street, Watertown, MA 02472 and Varden Aghajanyan, 11 Elton Ave, Watertown, MA 02472, owners of L&V Collections Jewelry LLC located at 139 Moody Street Unit 1, Waltham, MA 02453 petition the City Council for a Secondhand Dealers License to sell all types of jewelry at this location. Communications from the Mayor 1. The Mayor respectfully requests a transfer in the amount of $35,000 to fund the increase in utility costs for the traffic lights and street lights. 2. The Mayor respectfully requests the acceptance of a grant in the amount of $29,460 from the Department of Mental Health for the Jail Diversion Grant FY2025. 3. The Mayor respectfully requests an appropriation in the total amount of $170,000 to pay overtime expenses and general expenses (medical) for the Fire Department for the remainder of the fiscal year. 4. The Mayor respectfully requests a transfer in the amount of $20,000 to fund the expected deficit in the Pre-Employment Services account for FY2025. 5. The Mayor respectfully requests a transfer in the amount of $3,700 to fund the cost of the promotional exam for Dispatch Supervisors. 6. The Mayor respectfully requests an appropriation in the amount of $250,000 to fund the expected deficit in the Worker’s Compensation account for FY2025. 7. The Mayor respectfully requests acceptance of photos of Nutting on the Charles donated by Karen O’Brien for the City Hall Museum Room. 8. The Mayor respectfully requests acceptance of a draft ordinance for Floodplains and Floodways. 2 City Council Docket June 9, 2025 9. The Mayor respectfully requests a transfer in the amount of $110,700 to provide additional funding for the overnight patrol and security camera monitoring at the property located at 200 Trapelo Road. 10. The Mayor respectfully requests funding in the total amount of $394,200 for the retaining wall project at the property located at 48 Chestnut Street. 11. The Mayor respectfully requests acceptance a confidential communication regarding 66 Brewster Road. Applications and Licenses Resolutions, Orders and Ordinances Committee Reports Committee of the Whole 1. The Committee of the Whole recommends the Resolution for Waltham Pride Day 2025 be approved. Ordinances and Rules 1. The Ordinances and Rules Committee recommends the Extension of Time for Order # 36287 for King First West Owner, LLC at 55 First Avenue be approved. 2. The Ordinances and Rules Committee recommends the Zoning Amendment for marijuana retail hours and days and to allow ownership to be transferrable be approved for a second reading. Finance 1. The Finance Committee recommends an appropriation for $181,500 to relocate the Waltham Schools Facilities Department from 258 Trapelo Road to 617 Lexington Street be approved. 2. The Finance Committee recommends an appropriation for $812,688 to fund numerous department requests for minor capital items for 2025 be approved. 3. The Finance Committee recommends the Trust Agreement for the Joseph and Harriet N. Kingsbury Temperance Scholarship Trust be approved. Licenses and Franchises 1. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommends the Class Two License for Global Lease Group Co. at 260 Bear Hill Road be approved. 2. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommends the approval of the Mayor’s recommendation that a plaque be erected at the entrance of the area where the former Activity Center was located at 200 Trapelo for Jerry LeBlanc, the founding member of the Waltham Disability Services Commission. 3 City Council Docket June 9, 2025 Long Term Debt and Capital Planning 1. Community Preservation Committee request for funds in the amount of $2,842,612.00 to be allocated from the CPA Housing account ($482,851.50) and CPA Undesignated account ($2,359,760.50) for the renovation of existing structure and construction of an addition at 15 Fiske Avenue. (The Long Term Debt & Capital Planning Committee is meeting June 9, 2025 prior to the City Council Meeting.) Unfinished Business & Other Business Tabled Items • 995 Main Street • Kevin M. Ritcey Award for Outstanding Public Service Resolution – Jack Cox • City Ordinance for Building Inspections Department (1st reading 5/27/25) Rule 58 Recessed Public Hearings • SP application at 1265 Main Street to a date certain of 5/27/25 at 7:30 p.m. (5/27/24) 4

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