Meeting Agenda
INAUGURAL EXERCISES AND ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
JOHN T. FLAHERTY AUDITORIUM
WOBURN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS
MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2014 AT 7:00 P.M.
The following were present:
MAYOR-ELECT: Scott D. Galvin
ALDERMEN-ELECT:
| Michael D. Anderson | Mark E. Gaffney | |
| Michael P. Concannon | Richard F. Gately, Jr. | |
| Rosa DiTucci | Richard M. Haggerty | |
| Raymond B. Drapeau | Darlene Mercer-Bruen |
Michael L. Raymond
SCHOOL COMMITTEE-ELECT
Patricia E. Chisholm Joseph E. Demers
Ellen Crowley Michael P. Mulrenan
John M. Wells
CURRENT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Christopher T. Kisiel Frederick J. Metters
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Master of Ceremonies was Larry Rideout and the Invocation was by the Rev. Timothy J. Shea, Pastor, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Woburn, Massachusetts.
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The official returns of the Municipal Election held on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 were read by the City Clerk, William C. Campbell. The oaths of office were administered to the Mayor-Elect, the Aldermen-Elect and to the Members-Elect of the School Committee.
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I, Scott D. Galvin, do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and will support the Constitution thereof, so help me God.
I, Scott D. Galvin, do solemnly swear and affirm that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as Mayor, according to the best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably to the rules and regulations of the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth, so help me God.
I, Scott D. Galvin, do solemnly swear that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that I will oppose the overthrow of the government of the United States, or of this Commonwealth, by force, violence or by any illegal or unconstitutional method, so help me God.
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Scott D. Galvin, Mayor
Sworn to before me, by the above-named Scott D. Galvin.
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William C. Campbell, City Clerk
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I, Michael D. Anderson, Michael P. Concannon, Rosa DiTucci, Raymond B. Drapeau, Mark E. Gaffney, Richard F. Gately, Jr., Richard M. Haggerty, Darlene Mercer-Bruen, Michael L. Raymond do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and will support the Constitution thereof, so help me God.
I, Michael D. Anderson, Michael P. Concannon, Rosa DiTucci, Raymond B. Drapeau, Mark E. Gaffney, Richard F. Gately, Jr., Richard M. Haggerty, Darlene Mercer-Bruen, Michael L. Raymond do solemnly swear and affirm that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as Alderman, according to the best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably to the rules and regulations of the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth, so help me God.
I, Michael D. Anderson, Michael P. Concannon, Rosa DiTucci, Raymond B. Drapeau,
Mark E. Gaffney, Richard F. Gately, Jr., Richard M. Haggerty, Darlene Mercer-Bruen, Michael L. Raymond do solemnly swear that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that I will oppose the overthrow of the government of the United States, or of this Commonwealth, by force, violence or by any illegal or unconstitutional method, so help me God.
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Michael D. Anderson Mark E. Gaffney
_________________________________ __________________________________ Michael P. Concannon Richard F. Gately, Jr. _________________________________ __________________________________
Rosa DiTucci Richard M. Haggerty
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Raymond B. Drapeau Darlene Mercer-Bruen
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Michael L. Raymond
Sworn to, before me, by the above named Michael D. Anderson, Michael P. Concannon, Rosa DiTucci, Raymond B. Drapeau, Mark E. Gaffney, Richard F. Gately, Jr., Richard M. Haggerty, Darlene Mercer-Bruen, Michael L. Raymond.
__________________________________ William C. Campbell, City Clerk
and Clerk of City Council
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I, Patricia E. Chisholm, Ellen Crowley, Joseph E. Demers, Michael P. Mulrenan, John M. Wells, do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and will support the Constitution thereof, so help me God.
I, Patricia E. Chisholm, Ellen Crowley, Joseph E. Demers, Michael P. Mulrenan, John M. Wells, do solemnly swear and affirm that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as a member of the School Committee, according to the best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably to the rules and regulations of the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth, so help me God.
I, Patricia E. Chisholm, Ellen Crowley, Joseph E. Demers, Michael P. Mulrenan, John M. Wells, do solemnly swear that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of the United
States of America and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that
I will oppose the overthrow of the government of the United States, or of this
Commonwealth, by force, violence or by any illegal or unconstitutional method, so help me God.
_________________________________ __________________________________
Patricia E. Chisholm Joseph E. Demers
_________________________________ __________________________________
Ellen Crowley Michael P. Mulrenan
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John M. Wells
Sworn to, before me, by the above named Patricia E. Chisholm, Ellen Crowley, Joseph E. Demers, Michael P. Mulrenan, John M. Wells.
__________________________________ William C. Campbell, City Clerk
and Clerk of City Council
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Former Mayor the Honorable Robert M. Dever, State Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly, State
Representative James J. Dwyer, State Representative Jay Kaufman and Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan were acknowledged and the Mayor presented his Inaugural Address. The Mayor’s Inaugural Address was as follows:
Thank you all for coming out tonight to take part in our City’s proud Inaugural tradition. I am truly honored to serve as your Mayor in this community I have always believed to be the greatest little City in the world. We are privileged to have Mayor Robert Dever and his wife, Lanie, here, Mayor John Curran’s wife, Kelly and his father Richard, and wish to send our warmest regards to former Mayors John Curran, Jack Gilgun, Jack Rabbitt, and Tom McLaughlin, who could not be here this evening.
Congratulations to City Council, School Committee and Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School Committee members—both newly elected and re-elected. I look forward to working together with all of you to continue our mission implementing the highest quality initiatives and programs to ensure Woburn remains affordable, progressive and prosperous.
Woburn’s true and unique strength is found in the hard-working and caring people who don’t just live here—they participate and make a difference.
Whether it’s volunteering via civic and social groups, organizing cleanups in neighborhoods and areas such as Horn Pond or our beautiful sports fields, our citizenship is unmatched. We take care of one another. Public and community service is given like few others.
Neighbors host fundraisers to help neighbors in need – parents drive cars full of kids to sports practice and help their children with homework – coaches across the City volunteer their time and play such an important role in the growth and development of our children—and many people volunteer their time on our City boards and commissions to ensure we continue to thrive as people who care about the health, happiness and wellbeing of one another and our community.
We are grateful to have representation of that community spirit here tonight through the participation of our young athletes leading the Pledge of Allegiance, the Woburn Memorial High School Band, Acapella Choir, and Saint Barbara’s Junior Choir – here to share their impressive musical talents and add some sparkle to this evening’s 125th anniversary of the first organization of Woburn City government.
This anniversary is particularly important considering how fortunate we are here in this city and this country to have a peaceful transition of power – that is not the case in other parts of the world. I was just speaking with Larry Guiseppe, City Veterans Agent, and George Poole, Commander of the local United Veterans Council, about the sacrifices made by our Veterans to ensure our well-being and a peaceful transition and community gathering here tonight. I’d like to ask all of our Veterans here tonight to please stand up, and for all of us to give them as well as all of our Veterans a special round of applause to show our gratitude and appreciation for their service and sacrifice on our behalf.
Thank you to School Superintendent Mark Donovan and all of his staff as well as Tucker Quinn and the DPW for their assistance in organizing tonight’s event.
I am also grateful to have my good friends, Father Timothy Shea and Fred Domenici, participate in tonight’s ceremony.
It’s this kind of cooperation and sense of greater purpose that has allowed us to make some bold and positive moves that have created great improvements over the last four years – and now our work continues in order to ensure the City of Woburn stays with this progressive philosophy to deliver the kind of quality services our residents expect and deserve – without breaking the backs of our taxpayers.
My heartfelt thanks to the voters of Woburn for their confidence in my ability to serve a third term as your Mayor, and continue the important work we’ve started.
My family and I are truly grateful and humbled by your support.
Special thanks to the members of my re-election committee for their tireless efforts during a long campaign season, and also to everyone who supported me during the recent municipal election.
My door remains open – as it has for the past four years – to all of Woburn’s residents.
CITY FINANCES
We have worked hard to ensure Woburn remains the most affordable, unique and desirable community in the area.
I will continue to lead aggressive programs and policies that address and streamline inefficiencies, increase our cash reserve savings and strengthen our financial standing.
As a result of our efforts, we’ve been successful leveraging those improvements in our financial position to conservatively borrow and refinance existing debt at historically low interest rates – saving taxpayers millions of dollars in interest.
There have been hard decisions to make along the way; that comes with the territory. We face every challenge without ever losing sight of our goals – which include not only keeping Woburn affordable, but also supporting our public schools, delivering the highest quality services and customer service, operating efficiently, investing in our City, saving, supporting smart growth, protecting our neighborhoods, and preserving our most valuable resources.
Technology and innovation continue to play a critical role in identifying and implementing cost-saving efficiencies.
For instance, by tracking and analyzing public safety operations data, we are uncovering areas where we excel as well as identifying areas where we can improve.
We’ve also rolled out a successful Citizens Connect Mobile Application with the support of state funds. The software allows citizens to quickly and easily report issues such as a broken streetlight or the location of a pothole directly from their mobile phones.
We have also made smart investments in energy efficiency to help save money and resources.
For instance, the City earned state designation as a “green community,” and utilized $233,000.00 in grant money to help replace 1,900 street lights with energy-efficient LED fixtures—a move that will save 825,000 kilowatt hours each year, which translates to more than $100,000.00 in annual savings for taxpayers.
CONTINUED INVESTMENT
We also continue to invest progressively in public safety, education, infrastructure and open space.
These investments are necessary to ensure Woburn remains a desirable community to live, start a business, work and raise a family.
Working collaboratively with the School Committee and the City Council, we have continued to provide educational funding that exceeded State spending requirements, while supporting the School Department’s educational mission to provide a quality education for our children.
These investments are beginning to reap the rewards with the help of our dedicated teachers and School administrators.
Recent data of our City’s improvement in Statewide testing has us going in the right direction, and we will take the necessary next steps to ensure these improvements continue.
The safety of every resident remains a top priority and is always an imperative to the well-being of any strong, vibrant community. Strong leadership and appropriate equipment are prerequisites to ensuring and enhancing public safety.
The FY 2014 Capital Budget includes a continued commitment to a safe community by delivering funds for state-of-the-art equipment for the Police Department, Fire Department and Public Works. In addition, with the recent appointment of Fire Chief Tim Ring – I have now appointed strong, capable leaders in our public safety departments.
We have invested in new parks and equipment, which are important in encouraging and maintaining a healthy, active community.
The recent completion of the multipurpose sports field at the 75-acre Whispering Hill site – supported by a $500,000.00 State grant – will serve as an excellent recreational facility and preserve its surrounding walking paths and nature for generations to come.
We are excited for the opening of the field this spring. We will – with great honor – dedicate and name the field in memory of John D. McElhiney.
John was one of Woburn’s most distinguished historians and scholars. He was a great friend and a widely respected gentleman and statesman who cared deeply about the City of Woburn.
In terms of infrastructure – significant, critical investments in public infrastructure move forward such as upgrades and maintenance to water lines, wells, public ways, lights, drains, sewers, school buildings, and municipal buildings – all of which are improving quality and saving money.
We have also taken progressive steps to foster economic development, the creation of jobs and growth of our tax base. Along with other select communities, Woburn worked for, and earned, official designation as an Economic Target Area. The State program supports local business and developers by helping them obtain State and other tax incentives in exchange for various employment and other economic commitments.
Being designated an ETA is an important step toward smart growth where it makes the most sense – in our commercial district. These opportunities help grow our tax base and better compete with neighboring communities for the highest quality businesses and developments.
As we move forward into the next two years and beyond – we must remain committed to the same solid work ethic and shared vision, which will ensure a strong and vibrant Woburn.
We must continue to invest in our infrastructure, schools, recreation,
innovation/technology, energy efficiency and public safety. At the same time, as elected officials, we must have the courage to adopt policies that will allow us to continue on a path of sustainability, affordability and prosperity for the benefit of Woburn residents, now and in the future.
We must work inclusively and cooperatively on important capital projects that will positively move Woburn forward.
Mayor Dever and Mayors who preceded me understand the hard work and necessity of taking on important capital projects – whether it is the new elementary school buildings, our state-of-the-art high school or the new state-of-the-art water treatment facility – all required vision, leadership and collaboration – and all continue to make Woburn a better place to live.
My five-year capital plan recently submitted to the City Council includes three major capital projects that will transform the City to an even higher place, and positively affect our entire community for generations to come:
- Construction of a new Wyman/Hurld Elementary School; • Preservation and rehabilitation of the Woburn Public Library; and
- Construction of a new Woburn Fire Station.
All three of these important projects will require elected officials and City Department heads to offer the best of themselves and work cooperatively and inclusively with my administration and taxpayers to determine the best way to accomplish our goals.
Success will require inclusion, respect and compromise – long familiar to all of Woburn’s residents who have always made room for business districts in our unique and central geographic location as a way to share costs and expand opportunities.
These three much-needed construction projects present an exciting opportunity to elevate the City. At the same time, I am mindful of difficult decisions that await in order to complete these projects.
For instance, the debt service associated with library preservation and improvements, a new elementary school and new fire station clearly stretch the budget within the spending limits allowed under Proposition 2 ½. As has been a hallmark in my administration, we will work to earn as much state and federal funding as possible to alleviate the increased tax burden incurred.
Other mounting financial pressures now facing the City of Woburn – as well as other cities and towns across the Commonwealth – include a number of employment-based issues, such as:
- Negotiation of new labor contracts for every union in the City;
- Escalating health insurance premiums;
- Unfunded pension liabilities;
- Unfunded OPEB liabilities (for instance, the City owes $240,000,000.00 to fund payment of health insurance for current employees when they retire); and
- Increasing and unfunded special education mandates and costs.
We must work cooperatively with State government to prudently manage and control the costs of providing these employee benefits.
That means proactively enacting policies that are fair to both our hard-working employees and our taxpayers in a way that ensures the spiraling costs of these benefits do not crowd out crucial investments in public safety, education and infrastructure.
We must also elevate the debate on unsustainable increases in special education costs.
Under both Federal and State law, it is our responsibility to educate every child in the city – we accept and welcome this obligation.
However, many of the unfunded mandates required by special education laws are adversely impacting school department operations and budgeting. We must work together with our State and Federal legislators to obtain the kind of funding that addresses this inequity.
As I stated earlier, it is our duty to ensure the City of Woburn remains affordable, sustainable and progressive for all of us, and for future generations.
I am committed to working openly and cooperatively so that, together, we take the bold steps necessary to ensure our Community remains prosperous and dedicated to one another.
Before I close, I’d like to thank our Inaugural Committee for their hard work organizing tonight’s event. Special thanks to Sandy Heimlich and Heimlich Nurseries for the beautiful poinsettias, and Malvy’s Florist for the lovely boutineers and corsages.
We are also grateful to have the participation of the Woburn Fire Department Color Guard.
Special thanks also to Nick Varano, for graciously hosting tonight’s inaugural reception at Strega Prime, where everyone is invited to join us immediately following the conclusion of the ceremony.
Finally, I want to say a very special thank-you to my children and family for their love and support, and especially my wife Eileen for her love, friendship, and sacrifices she has made over the years in support of my public service.
I am so pleased to be here tonight, and to have all of you here as we move forward together to keep Woburn an affordable, inclusive and desirable place to live today and for generations to come. There’s nowhere else I’d rather live.
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The Benediction was read by the Rev. Timothy J. Shea, Pastor, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Woburn, Massachusetts.
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CITY COUNCIL
MEETING FOR ORGANIZATION
WOBURN MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA
WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS
JANUARY 6, 2014
Members Present
Michael D. Anderson Mark E. Gaffney
Michael P. Concannon Richard F. Gately, Jr.
Rosa DiTucci Richard M. Haggerty
Raymond B. Drapeau Darlene Mercer-Bruen
Michael L. Raymond
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Pursuant to Title 3, Section 11 of Chapter 172 of the Acts of 1897 of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as amended, known as the Charter of the City of Woburn, the City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council called to order the City Council.
Further, pursuant to said Act, the City Council proceeded to the election of a President by roll call vote.
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ROLL CALL: Anderson – Haggerty, Concannon – Haggerty, DiTucci – Haggerty, Drapeau – Haggerty, Gaffney – Haggerty, Gately – Haggerty, Haggerty – Haggerty, Mercer-Bruen – Haggerty, Raymond – Haggerty.
On the first ballot, Alderman Haggerty received nine (9) votes. Alderman Haggerty, having received the necessary majority vote, was declared elected to the position of President of the City Council.
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I, Richard M. Haggerty, do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and will support the Constitution thereof, so help me God.
I, Richard M. Haggerty, do solemnly swear and affirm that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as President of the City Council, according to the best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably to the rules and regulations of the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth, so help me God.
I, Richard M. Haggerty, do solemnly swear that I will uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that I will oppose the overthrow of the government of the United States, or of this Commonwealth, by force, violence or by any illegal or unconstitutional method, so help me God.
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Richard M. Haggerty
Sworn to before me, by the above-named Richard M. Haggerty.
_________________________________ William C. Campbell, City Clerk
and Clerk of the City Council
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ORDERED That the Rules and Orders of the City Council of 2012-2013 be ADOPTED as the Rules of the present City Council until otherwise Ordered.
s/Alderman Haggerty
Motion made and 2nd that the ORDER be ADOPTED, all in favor, 9-0.
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Motion made and 2nd to ADJOURN, all in favor, 9-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD ATTEST:
William C. Campbell
City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council