City Council

Waltham City Council Minutes of the Meeting of September 22, 2025 President McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Isabella Lapriore of the Waltham Times was recognized as recording the meeting. Present: Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Dunn, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley, Vidal and President McLaughlin. Absent: Katz. 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 City Council meeting minutes of 9/8/2025. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the minutes were approved. Councillor Brasco moved approval of the Executive Session minutes of 9/13/2021. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the minutes were approved. Councillor Brasco moved approval of the Executive Session minutes of 10/25/2021. The motion was adopted by a voice vote and the minutes were approved. Councillor Harris moved to suspend Rule 8 to take the Kevin Ritcey Award Resolution Honoring Jack Cox out of order. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Harris moved to suspend Rule 9 to hear from off Committee members. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Mr. Cox and family approached the podium. Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillor Harris spoke on the matter. Mr. Cox spoke to the Council. Councillor Harris presented the Resolution to Mr. Cox. 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 Kevin Ritcey Award Resolution Honoring Jack Cox was approved. Councillor Dunn moved to suspend Rule 8 to take the Resolution Honoring Waltham Resident Zachary Bourque, Founder of Hydrate our Heroes out of order. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillor Dunn spoke on the matter. Councillor Dunn moved to suspend Rule 9 to hear from off Committee members. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Zachary Bourque spoke on his personal journey and starting Hydrate our Heroes. Mayor McCarthy spoke on the matter. Councillor Dunn moved to suspend Rule 39 to act on the matter without Committee reference the motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Dunn moved approval. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the Resolution Honoring Waltham Resident Zachary Bourque, Founder of Hydrate our Heroes was approved. City Clerk Vizard read Rule 86. First Public Hearing: Special Permit application at 62 Fourth Avenue MSPCA-Angell Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. 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 close the hearing. Councillor Harris made a motion 1 to suspend Rule 8 to take matter #1 from the Ordinance and Rules Committee report out of order. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor Harris moved approval of the application. Roll call required. In favor: Councillors Bradley-MacArthur, Brasco, Dunn, Durkee, Hanley, Harris, LaCava, LaFauci, LeBlanc, Logan, McMenimen, Stanley and Vidal. Opposed: None. Absent: Katz. Presiding: McLaughlin. The Ordinance was approved 13-0-1-1. Second Public Hearing: Special Permit application at 305 Second Avenue for Middlesex Integrated Medicine, Inc. Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Attorney Nicholas Carte, One Federal Street, Boston, 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. With no further questions President McLaughlin continued the public hearing to a date certain of November 10, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Third Public Hearing: Class II Motor License at 215 Lexington Street for New England Transit Sales, Inc. Clerk Vizard read the public hearing notice. Attorney George Logan, 30 Progress Avenue, Tyngsboro, 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 and Logan asked questions. Attorney Logan provided answers. With no further questions President McLaughlin referred the matter to the Licenses and Franchises Committee. License and Franchises will meet October 6, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. Communications from the Mayor 1. The Mayor respectfully requested a transfer in the amount of $2,901 between Auditor – Copy Machine account and Auditor – Office Equipment/Furniture. Referred to the Finance Committee. 2. The Mayor respectfully requested the approval of a loan authorization in the amount of $6,356,860 for funding of the fourth (Amphitheater/Arts) and fifth (Athletic) (final) areas of the 200 Trapelo Road Recreation Plan. Referred to the Long Term Debt and Capital Planning Committee. 3. The Mayor respectfully requested in the amount of $9,704 to purchase and install a BigBelly Solar receptacle on Newton Street. Referred to the Finance Committee. 4. The Mayor respectfully requested a transfer of traffic funds in the amount of $9,700 to purchase a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) to be installed on Farwell Street. Referred to the Finance Committee. 5. The Mayor respectfully requested funding in the amount of $140,000 for the Owner’s Project Management (OPM) services for the move of Public Works to the former Fernald Property. Referred to the Finance Committee. 2 6. The Mayor respectfully requested funding in the amount of $128,000 for structural design services for the Common Street Garage. Referred to the Finance Committee. Applications and Licenses Resolutions, Orders and Ordinances • National Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillor Vidal spoke on the matter. Councillor Vidal moved to suspend Rule 39 to act on the matter with Committee reference. The motion was approved by voice vote. Councillor Vidal moved approval of the matter. The motion was approved by a voice vote and the National Hispanic Heritage Month Resolution was approved. • Handicap Resolution Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillors LeBlanc, Hanley and McMenimen spoke on the matter. Referred to the Ordinance and Rule Committee. • Resolution in Honor of Recovery Awareness Month Clerk Vizard read the Resolution. Councillor Harris spoke on the matter. Councillor Harris made a request that was approved by a voice vote to request Greater Waltham Recovery Solutions lead by Deb Cosgrove Moore and her team along with Chief O'Connell, Capt. Jeff Rodley and their newest employee that just joined Waltham PD doing recovery work attend the next Committee of the Whole to present their important work and services helping people in our Community with Recovery. Referred to the Committee of the Whole. • Resolution Honoring Waltham Resident Zachary Bourque Founder of Hydrate our Heroes This matter was handled earlier in the meeting. Public Works & Public Safety 1. The Public Works and Public Safety Committee recommended that the Mt. Pleasant Street Engineering Assessment Resolution be filed. Councillor LeBlanc 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 filed. Ordinances and Rules 1. The Ordinances and Rules Committee recommended the Special Permit application at 62 Fourth Avenue MSPCA – Little Angells be approved. This matter was handled earlier in the meeting. Finance 1. The Finance Committee recommended the transfer of $80,000 from the Library State Aid account to the Library Educational Supplies account 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 2. The Finance Committee recommended the transfer of $9,460.50 from the Library State Aid Special Revenue account to the Library Bookmobile account 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 recommended the Fuel Storage license at 180 Third Avenue for BP Third LLC. 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 recommended the Massport license application for Pawan Mannan at 88 Lura Lane 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. 3. The Licenses and Franchises Committee recommended the Tables & Chairs application at 265 Moody Street Inspired Concepts dba In A Pickle be filed. 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 filed. Unfinished Business & Other Business • CPC Recommendation for an allocation of CPA funds in the amount of $77,250 for Steeple Preservation and Restoration at First Parish in Waltham Universalist-Unitarian Inc. Referred to the Long Term Debt and Capital Planning Committee. • CPC Recommendation for an allocation of CPA funds in the amount of $942,575 for Window Restoration and Masonry Repointing at St. Mary’s Parish’s St. Joseph Building. Referred to the Long Term Debt and Capital Planning Committee. • 2025 Municipal Election Warrant Councillor LaCava moved to suspend Rule 39 to act on the matter without Committee reference. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor LaCava moved approval the matter. The motion as approved by a voice vote and the 2025 Municipal Election Warrant was approved. • 2025 Early Voting Schedule Councillor LaCava moved to suspend Rule 39 to act on the matter without Committee reference. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Clerk Vizard read the dates of Early Voting. Councillor Bradley-MacArthur asked about voter registration. Clerk Vizard provided answers. Councillor LaCava moved approval the matter. The motion as approved by a voice vote and the 2025 Early Voting Schedule was approved. Tabled Items • Kevin M. Ritcey Award for Outstanding Public Service Resolution – Jack Cox (Tabled 5/12/25) This matter was handled earlier in the meeting. 4 • 66 Brewster Road (Tabled 6/9/25) Councillor LeBlanc moved to suspend Rule 83 to discharge the Fishing Resolution (5/12/2025). from The Public Works and Public Safety Committee. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor LeBlanc spoke on the matter. Councillor LeBlanc made a request to have Mark Rudnick attend the next Public Works and Public Safety Committee meeting. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Councillor LeBlanc made a motion that was approved by voice vote to recommit the Resolution back to the Public Works and Public Safety Committee. President McLaughlin made an announcement about the Waltham Dancing with the Stars dress rehearsal on September 25, 2025 at the Post 440. Councillor Durkee rose and spoke on the REACH Beyond Domestic Violence 5K Road Race on October 4, 2025 at Waltham Common. President McLaughlin recognized Rosh Hashanah and all that all that celebrate. With no further matters Councillor LaCava made a motion to adjourn. The motion was approved by a voice vote. President McLaughlin declared the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Cathy Magliarditi Executive Assistant to the City Clerk September 26, 2025 5