City Council

Waltham City Council Minutes of the Meeting of September 8, 2025 President McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Artie Kronenfeld of the Waltham Times was recognized as recording the meeting. Present: Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Dunn, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley, Vidal and President McLaughlin. Absent: None. Board of Survey & Planning Present: M. Justin Barrett, William Creonte, Wayne Keefner, S. Anthony DeVito and Mila Tarallo. Absent: Brian Moroney. 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 Harris moved to Suspend Rule 8 to take the Resolution Honoring the Fire Department and the Residents of 49-51 Brown Street out of order. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillor Harris moved to suspend Rule 9 to hear from off Committee members. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Waltham Fire Department Chief, Andrew Mullin spoke on the matter. Councillor Harris presented the Resolutions and a Proclamation from Mayor McCarthy to Robert Gosslin a resident of 49-51 Brown Street and Chief Mullin for the Waltham Fire Department. 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 moved approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the Resolution Honoring the Fire Department and the Residents of 49-51 Brown Street was approved. Councillor Hanley moved suspend Rule 8 to take the Resolution Honoring Waltham Youth Baseball 10-Year Old District Champs out of order. The motion was approved by a voice vote. President McLaughlin declared a one-minute recess at 7:45 p.m. to allow the team to enter the Chamber. Council reconvened at 7:47 p.m. Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillor Hanley spoke on the matter. Councillor Hanley moved to suspend Rule 9 to hear from off-committee member Waltham Youth Baseball Coach Andrew Hogan. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Mr. Hogan spoke on the matter. Councillor Hanley read a Proclamation from Mayor McCarthy. Councillor Hanley moved to Suspend Rule 39 to act on the matter without Committee reference the motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Hanley moved approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the Resolution Honoring Waltham Youth Baseball 10- Year Old District Champs was approved. Councillor LaCava moved approval of the regular City Council meeting minutes of 8/4/2025. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the minutes were approved. Councillor LaCava moved approval of the Executive Session minutes of 6/9/2025. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the minutes were approved. Councillor LaCava made a motion that was approved 1 by a voice vote to send the Executive Session minutes of 6/9/25 to the Law Dept for review and redaction. City Clerk Vizard read Rule 86. First Public Hearing: Zoning Amendment for Fast Food Establishment Clerk Vizard read the Amendment. Councillor Robert Logan, 109 Taylor Street, Waltham, Ma spoke in favor of the Amendment. 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 questions from Councillors President McLaughlin open up questions to the Board of Survey and Planning. Mr. Keefner and Mr. Barrett spoke on the matter. With no further questions President McLaughlin referred the matter to the Ordinances and Rules Committee. The Board of Survey and Planning will meet on September 24, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. President McLaughlin declared a one-minute recess at 7:59 p.m. Council reconvened at 8:00 p.m. Second Public Hearing: 17-80 Street Resurfacing at Milner Street Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Nathan Low, 7 Milner Street, Waltham, MA spoke in favor of the petition. Twelve people stood 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 Dunn, Katz, LeBlanc and McMenimen spoke on the matter. With no further questions President McLaughlin referred the matter to the Public Works and Public Safety Committee. Third Public Hearing: Fuel Storage license at 180 Third Avenue for BP Third Ave LLC. Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Attorney Philip McCourt, 272 Bacon Street Waltham, MA representing the petitioner and Edwin Torres, 33 Gale Street Waltham, 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 LaFauci, Bradley- MacArthur and Logan asked questions. Attorney McCourt and VHP Engineer Nick Skoly, 10 Walnut Street, Watertown, MA provided answers. With no further questions President McLaughlin referred the matter to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. Communications from the Mayor 1. The Mayor respectfully submitted an update of the draft Zoning Map and Zoning Table as well as Proposed Definitions. Referred to the Ordinances and Rules Committee. 2. The Mayor respectfully requested the acceptance of a Declaration of Surplus for the former Lawrence School at 258 Trapelo Road. Referred to the Committee of the Whole. 3. The Mayor respectfully requested acceptance of a gift of Light Guard Crosswalk for the South Street crosswalk from Brandeis University. Councillor Katz rose to speak on the matter. Councillor Katz moved to suspend Rule 39 to act on them matter without Committee reference. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Katz moved approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the gift of Light Guard Crosswalk 2  for the South Street crosswalk from Brandeis University was approved. Councillor Katz moved approval to send a Thank you note to Brandeis University. The motion was approved by a voice vote. 4. The Mayor respectfully requested a memorial on Prospect Hill from Fritz Nataly for Pastor Hoaglander of Lakeview Congregational Church. Referred to the License and Franchises Committee. 5. The Mayor respectfully requested a transfer in the amount of $80,000 from the Library State Aid Special Revenue account to the Library – Educational Supplies account. Referred to the Finance Committee. 6. The Mayor respectfully requested a transfer in the amount of $9,460.50 from the Library State Aid Special Revenue account to the account for the Library Bookmobile. Referred to the Finance Committee. Applications and Licenses 1. Tables and Chairs application – 265 Moody Street – Inspired Concepts, LLC dba In A Pickle Restaurant Referred to The Licenses and Franchises Committee. 2. Massport License application – 44 Lafayette Street – Manot Mannan Councillor Vidal moved to suspend rule 39 to act on the matter without Committee reference. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Vidal moved to suspend Rule 9 to hear from off Committee members. The motion was approved by voice vote. Mr. Mannan spoke. Councillor LaCava spoke. Councillor LaCava moved approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the Massport License for Manot Mannan was approved. Councillor Vidal moved to suspend Rule 43 to accept a late filed Massport application for Pawan Mannan at 88 Lura Lane, Waltham, MA. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Referred to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. Resolutions, Orders and Ordinances • Youth Baseball Resolution This matter was handled earlier in the meeting. • Mary Waddick Resolution Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillor LaFauci spoke on the Resolution wishing Mrs. Waddick, an avid viewer of City Council a very Happy Birthday. Councillor LaFauci moved to suspend Rule 39 to act on the matter with Committee reference. The motion was approved by voice vote. Councillor LaFauci moved approval of the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the Mary Waddick Resolution was approved. Tabled Items • 995 Main Street • Kevin M. Ritcey Award for Outstanding Public Service Resolution – Jack Cox (Tabled 5/12/25) • 66 Brewster Road (Tabled 6/9/25) 3 • Loan Authorization in the amount of $6,420,000 for the exterior renovations to the Howe & Administration Buildings located at 200 Trapelo Road (8/4/25) Councillor Durkee made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to take the matter off the table. Councillor McMenimen recused herself. Councillor Durkee moved for a second and final reading. Roll call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Dunn, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, Stanley and Vidal. Opposed: None. Absent: None. Recused: McMenimen. Presiding: McLaughlin. The Loan was approved 13-0-0-1-1. • Draft Ordinance for regulating Cryptocurrency ATMs (8/4/25) 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 and final reading. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Harris moved to suspend Rule 45 for a third and final reading. Roll call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Dunn, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, Katz, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley and Vidal. Opposed: LaCava. Absent: None. Presiding: McLaughlin. The Ordinance was approved 13-1-0-1. • Loan Authorization of $6,753,695 for a water service replacement project to remove lead gooseneck connections within City (8/4/25) Councillor LaFauci made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to take the matter off the table. Clerk Vizard read the authorization. Councillor LaFauci moved for a second and final reading. 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. The Ordinance was approved 14-0-0-1. Councillor LaFauci made a motion that was approved by a voice vote to take 995 Main Street off the table. Councillor LaFauci explained the property had been sold. Councillor LaFauci moved to file the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the matter regarding 995 Main Street was filed. With no further matters Councillor Brasco 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 September 18, 2025 4