Meeting Agenda
INAUGURAL EXERCISES AND ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER
WOBURN CITY HALL
WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016 AT 7:30 P.M.
The following were present:
MAYOR-ELECT: Scott D. Galvin
ALDERMEN-ELECT:
| Michael D. Anderson | Richard F. Gately, Jr. | |
| Joanne E. Campbell | Richard M. Haggerty | |
| Michael P. Concannon | Lindsay E. Higgins | |
| Mark E. Gaffney | Darlene Mercer-Bruen |
Edward Tedesco
SCHOOL COMMITTEE-ELECT
Ellen Crowley Christopher T. Kisiel
Joseph E. Demers Frederick J. Metters
John M. Wells
CURRENT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Patricia E. Chisholm Michael P. Mulrenan
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Master of Ceremonies was Larry Rideout and the Invocation was by the Rev. Timothy J. Shea, Pastor, St. Charles Borromeo Church, Woburn, Massachusetts.
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The official returns of the Municipal Election held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 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, Joanne E. Campbell, Michael P. Concannon, Mark E. Gaffney,
Richard F. Gately, Jr., Richard M. Haggerty, Lindsay E. Higgins, Darlene Mercer-Bruen,
Edward Tedesco 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, Joanne E. Campbell, Michael P. Concannon, Mark E. Gaffney,
Richard F. Gately, Jr., Richard M. Haggerty, Lindsay E. Higgins, Darlene Mercer-Bruen, Edward Tedesco 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, Joanne E. Campbell, Michael P. Concannon, Mark E. Gaffney,
Richard F. Gately, Jr., Richard M. Haggerty, Lindsay E. Higgins, Darlene Mercer-Bruen,
Edward Tedesco 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.
_________________________________ __________________________________ Michael D. Anderson Richard F. Gately, Jr.
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Michael P. Concannon Richard M. Haggerty
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Joanne E. Campbell Lindsay E. Higgins _________________________________ __________________________________
Mark E. Gaffney Darlene Mercer-Bruen
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Edward Tedesco
Sworn to, before me, by the above named Michael D. Anderson, Joanne E. Campbell, Michael P. Concannon, Mark E. Gaffney, Richard F. Gately, Jr., Richard M. Haggerty, Lindsay E. Higgins, Darlene Mercer-Bruen, Edward Tedesco.
__________________________________ William C. Campbell, City Clerk
and Clerk of City Council
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I, Ellen Crowley, Joseph E. Demers, Christopher T. Kisiel, Frederick J. Metters, 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, Ellen Crowley, Joseph E. Demers, Christopher T. Kisiel, Frederick J. Metters, 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, Ellen Crowley, Joseph E. Demers, Christopher T. Kisiel, Frederick J. Metters, 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.
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Ellen Crowley Christopher T. Kisiel
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Joseph E. Demers Frederick J. Metters
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John M. Wells
Sworn to, before me, by the above named Ellen Crowley, Joseph E. Demers, Christopher T. Kisiel, Frederick J. Metters, John M. Wells.
__________________________________ William C. Campbell, City Clerk
and Clerk of City Council
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Former Mayor the Honorable John C. Curran, State Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly, State Representative James J. Dwyer and State Representative Jay Kaufman were acknowledged and the Mayor presented his Inaugural Address. The Mayor’s Inaugural Address was as follows:
Thank you all for coming tonight to take part in Our City’s proud inaugural tradition. I am honored to begin serving a fourth term as Mayor of our great City. Thank you to the citizens of Woburn for your support and confidence in my ability to lead our City forward, together.
Congratulations to members of the City Council, School Committee and New England Regional Vocational School – both newly elected and re-elected. Thank you as well to outgoing Aldermen Drapeau, Ditucci and Raymond for their service. We are also happy to have our state delegates, Representative Jim Dwyer, Representative Jay Kaufman and Senator Ken Donnelly here this evening. I look forward to working with each of you over the next two years, to ensure Woburn remains affordable, progressive and prosperous.
Thank you to Marie Lingblom, Lori Medeiros, Paul Medeiros, Tucker Quinn, and DPW crews, Bill Campbell, Sandy Heimlich for the poinsettias, Ed Bobeck of Joseph’s Catering, and our Inaugural Committee for preparing City Hall and organizing the agenda for tonight’s Inaugural Exercises.
Thanks also to my re-election committee for their dedication and assistance during the campaign season, and to all those who supported me in the recent municipal election. A special thank-you to my wife Eileen and our children for their unwavering support, loyalty and love.
The next two years will be highlighted by tremendous civic pride and enthusiasm as we celebrate the 375th anniversary of the incorporation of Woburn in 1642.
Keeping with tradition, plans are being made and an anniversary committee will be formed to organize a yearlong tribute, beginning with an ecumenical service in January 2017, and followed by celebratory themed events in each month of 2017 that can be shared by all of Woburn’s citizens. The exciting year of celebration will culminate with a Gala Event on the 375th anniversary.
During our anniversary year, we will celebrate and rediscover our rich history and honor the great contributions of the founding settlers, including their commitment to public service, sacrifice and a vibrant, cohesive community.
The 375th anniversary festivities will also proudly recognize and celebrate Woburn’s continued prosperity, charity, public service, diversity, and community spirit. This will be an outstanding anniversary celebration year that will be remembered fondly for years to come—everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate.
WOBURN PUBLIC LIBRARY AND HURLD WYMAN
In addition to these fun community celebrations, there is also much hard work to be done, and substantial progress to be made on multiple fronts, including the launch of construction on two major capital projects—the new Hurld Wyman Elementary School and the preservation and expansion of the Woburn Public Library. These projects are critical steps in strengthening and enhancing our community.
After years of failed attempts, we will begin the much-needed rehabilitation and construction of a new addition to the historic Woburn Public Library in the Spring of 2017. The estimated $32-million project is being funded through a combination of state, private and City funds. The Library project will invigorate and revitalize the downtown, serve as a treasured community asset and meeting place, enhance cultural and artistic opportunities, and reinforce our strong commitment to education for all Woburn residents.
As a result of the continued strong spirit of collaboration among the Mayor’s office, the Superintendent of Schools, School Committee, and City Council, I am proud to announce that we are poised to break ground at the new Hurld Wyman Elementary School in early 2017. This will be the sixth new school that we have built over the past 20 years, with invaluable state grant funding assistance from our partners at the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
WOBURN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Superintendent Mark Donovan is fond of saying, “a great education is there for the taking,” and as a parent of three children who graduated from WMHS and a fourth attending Woburn High School now, I wholeheartedly agree.
Students are currently achieving continued improvement in MCAS scores in English, math and science. A healthy percentage of students are graduating and attending excellent state and private colleges. Students at all grade levels are encouraged to, and in fact, participate in meaningful community service. We continue to offer a robust variety of sports, clubs and activities to all students—with no user fees charged.
But there is still more work to be done. Many of you may have heard that Woburn Memorial High School was recently designated as a Level 3 performer—this designation is not acceptable. We can do better, and we will do better.
The School Department is reviewing the multitude of data used by the Department of Education in making this determination. The initial analysis indicates a limited number of students are not improving as required, which has affected the overall designation.
I can assure you that I will continue to work with Superintendent Donovan and the School Committee to ensure our students have the resources they need to improve their performance, and receive the kind of first-class education they deserve so they may realize their true potential.
Our unwavering commitment to provide our children with the resources to attain a solid and meaningful education, coupled with our continued investments in state-of-the-art school facilities will continue to positively affect Woburn’s reputation as a desirable place to live and raise a family.
Schematic Design Plans for another important capital project—the construction of a new fire station—will be developed over the next two years, with anticipated construction to begin after the completion of the Woburn Public Library and Hurld Wyman Elementary School projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE
When it comes to infrastructure, we have completed an aggressive street paving schedule over the last year, which included 22 residential streets and five major roadways— including the third phase of Main Street running through Woburn Center. Work through the Center included upgrading traffic signals, upgrading handicapped access and crosswalks and providing marked parking spaces.
This critical road work was funded entirely by Chapter 90 monies from the State — and I would like to take this moment to thank our State delegation for their diligence and hard work in helping to secure these funds.
I am currently working with City Engineer Jay Corey and Superintendent of Public Works Jay Duran on this year’s paving list, which includes plans for the next phase of Main Street to be ready for construction this summer.
We will also continue to make important cost-effective improvements in our water and sewer system that optimize the highest quality of our drinking water, and hold the line on MWRA sewer assessments.
In the area of water system infrastructure improvements, we recently completed the cleaning and lining of old cast iron piping underneath Warren Avenue, North Warren Avenue, a portion of Pleasant Street and a portion of Mishawum Rd.
The Shaker Glenn Booster Pump Station, constructed in 1954, was replaced with a modern facility that will serve the West Side well into the future.
This spring, we will also begin the cleaning and lining of Boline Place, Fairmount Street and a portion of Montvale Avenue.
The City recently completed a major undertaking, mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection, to replace outdated water meters with new meters and a stateof-the-art technology network to automatically read the meters. Meter monitoring will begin soon, followed by the formulation of an equitable way to charge for water consumption.
We continue to hold the MWRA annual sewer assessment in check in spite of hefty annual rate increases. This is due to our multiyear capital program to reduce infiltration and inflow to the sewer system.
MASTER PLAN
In November of 2014, we kicked off a yearlong process to update the City’s
Comprehensive (Master) Plan. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and a steering committee of citizen volunteers have spent the past 15 months gathering information, conducting public workshops and assessing Woburn’s needs and interests on a variety of important issues such as economic development, housing, open space and transportation.
A draft of the updated Plan is under review by City staff, and will be presented to the Planning Board for consideration and adoption within the next two months. Among other things, the Final Plan will identify specific goals and objectives for each area of study and include a detailed list of specific recommended actions to achieve them.
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
The City also revised its Hazard Mitigation Plan during the past year. The Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages communities to adopt a Hazard Mitigation Plan identifying major natural and manmade hazards and tactics that can be implemented to mitigate them. FEMA rewards communities for adopting hazard mitigation plans by offering grants for local mitigation projects. Woburn’s revised Plan is now under final review.
OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN
In addition, the City took advantage of the recent Master Planning process to update Woburn’s Open Space and Recreation Plan. This document provides a list of goals and objectives relative to the City’s future needs in terms of open space, as well as active and passive recreational facilities. It identifies specific actions and improvements the City can take to accomplish the Plan’s goal and enables the City to qualify for grant funding from the Commonwealth, to assist in this endeavor.
FORMER KRAFT SITE
One of the last vestiges of the City’s heavy manufacturing days will soon be transformed when the old Atlantic Gelatin site owned by Kraft Foods is redeveloped into modern uses. The current owners of this 50+ acre site have ceased manufacturing operations and are actively trying to sell the site.
I intend to take a proactive role to ensure the parcel’s economic development potential is maximized. It is an ideal site for a mixed use and biotech development with supporting retail uses, but the current industrial zoning designation does not reflect the City’s hopes for this parcel in the future. For that reason, I will submit a proposal to change the zoning of the property to facilitate the kind of redevelopment that will meet the City’s economic goals. I look forward to working closely with the newly-constituted Council to affect this change in a timely manner.
DOWNTOWN PARKING
Our historic downtown remains an important center of business and civic activity and we must actively support its continued prosperity. It has undergone a significant and positive transformation over the past decade in terms of both its physical appearance and the vibrancy of the establishments located there. The Center will continue to improve as owners invest in their buildings and property. The former Masotta building has been renovated, reconstruction of the Armory will begin in a few months and several other private redevelopment projects will soon be under way.
The City must do its part to support the downtown through wise investment and policies. The City’s Redevelopment Authority (WRA) has played a particularly important role in this effort by funding and administering renovation grants and sign improvement programs, encouraging outdoor dining and entertainment opportunities, and advocating for needed parking improvements.
Recently, we were able to negotiate an easement agreement with The Woburn Housing
Authority that will allow for the construction of a new 100-space parking lot behind the Library. The new municipal lot will provide ample parking for the Library and create an additional source of much-needed downtown parking. Thank you to Bob McNabb and the Housing Authority board of directors for their support in this endeavor.
The recent Main Street repaving project included striping of the parking spaces along part of Main Street. Merchants have applauded the fact that on-street parking is now much more efficient, and they look forward to the City implementing the remaining elements of the downtown parking plan.
The next phase of the plan calls for installing parking meters on some downtown streets and off-street municipal lots and installing needed way-finding signage for motorists and pedestrians. Over the next 120 days, we will conduct a number of public hearings regarding the installation of parking meters in the downtown area. Public input will be critical.
GREEN COMMUNITIES GRANTS
Since the City of Woburn was designated a Green Community by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) in 2011, we have received more than $750,000 in grant funds to pursue a multitude of projects that reduced the City’s energy costs.
These projects included converting all of the City’s streetlights to light emitting diode (LED) fixtures, replacing older municipal vehicles with hybrid gas/electric cars and upgrading lighting at several municipal buildings to high efficiency LED bulbs. Together these projects have resulted in an 8-percent decrease in our energy consumption since 2011. The decrease earned the City financial incentives that have been used to create an energy fund earmarked for future projects that cut the City’s energy consumption.
With this year’s grant, the HVAC systems at the High School, White and Reeves schools will be upgraded as well as the energy management system at the Police Station. These projects are slated to be completed in the first quarter of 2016. During the upcoming Green Communities grant round in March, the City will be applying for funds to install energy efficient interior and exterior lighting at the Kennedy School and exterior lighting at the Woburn Memorial High School.
In addition, we now have all the necessary permits and approvals secured to begin the construction of the solar farm at the Woburn Landfill. We anticipate the solar farm will be completed before the end of this calendar year, and should generate substantial yearly savings and further reduce our carbon footprint over the next 20 years.
We are hopeful that once the current year’s projects are completed, and with the Kennedy and High School lighting projects, Woburn will have achieved the impressive goal of reducing its municipal energy consumption by 20 percent in just five years. That translates directly into savings for every Woburn taxpayer, in addition to the important environmental benefits.
MAYOR’S SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM
Like every city and town in Massachusetts, and in all States across the country, Woburn has been affected by the growing nationwide opioid epidemic. In response to this serious matter, which has destroyed families and taken lives in our own community, we established the Mayor’s Substance Abuse Program Coordinator position.
Retired Woburn Police Officer Rick Jolly was appointed to the position. Rick quickly moved forward to form the Mayor’s Coalition Against Substance Abuse. This coalition is comprised of members who have a stake in the community, and bring a wealth of knowledge and resources to the table.
Members are from organizations such as the Boy’s and Girl’s Club, the HEAT program,
Justin’s Voice Foundation, Lahey Health Services, Woburn Public Health, Woburn
Police and Fire departments, Woburn Public Schools, Community Substance Abuse Services, Middlesex Sherriff’s Office as well as Woburn residents working in the substance abuse field in other communities.
Over the past year, the coalition has worked tirelessly to raise community awareness of the opioid addiction crisis by sponsoring a number of well-attended programs on the subject. The coalition has also worked as an advocate by helping those in need find services to help with their addiction, and served as strong source of support to families suffering through the addiction of a loved-one.
We are committed as a community to continue the battle against the ravages of opioid addiction through educational and awareness programs, advocacy and networking with local groups other community coalitions. Saving lives and families, and caring about each other, matters.
FINANCES
Since being elected Mayor, I have worked with department heads to implement more efficient ways to operate, reduce inefficient and wasteful spending, and, at the same time, strive to deliver the highest level of affordable quality services to the residents of Woburn. By embracing conservative budgeting practices and improving reserves and liquidity levels, we recently achieved the highest bond rating in the City’s history Aa1, which is also the second highest rating available. The improved bond rating will help save thousands of taxpayer dollars by lowering our borrowing costs on the Libray and Hurld /Wyman bonds.
To further solidify our financial position, we will be updating our five-year capital plan with the assistance of a grant through the Baker/Polito Administration’s Community Compact Program.
During the next two years, we must remain mindful of the ways in which our hard-earned solid financial position will be challenged and affect our budgetary decisions—not just by additional debt incurred from new construction but also the settlement of Union Contracts.
All labor contracts have expired and are at different stages of negotiation. We recently settled the Teamster’s contract, which is now a public document on file with the City Clerk. Negotiations with the Teamsters were conducted in a fair and respectful manner by both sides. As always, it is my goal and the City’s goal to treat all of our employees fairly, and with respect. I have offered contract packages to every union that are fair to both the employees and the taxpayers of the City.
Before closing, I would like to thank The Brickyard for hosting tonight’s inaugural reception, where you are all invited to join us immediately following the conclusion of the ceremony.
As I have stated before, it is our fiduciary duty to ensure the City of Woburn remains affordable, sustainable, desirable and progressive for all of us, and for future generations. And I remain committed to working openly and cooperatively so that, together, we take the action necessary to achieve these goals.
Thank you, God bless you, and goodnight.
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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
COUNCIL CHAMBER
WOBURN CITY HALL
WOBURN, MASSACHUSETTS
JANUARY 4, 2016
Members Present
Michael D. Anderson Richard F. Gately, Jr.
Joanne E. Campbell Richard M. Haggerty. Michael P. Concannon Liindsay E. Higgins
Mark E. Gaffney Darlene Mercer-Bruen
Edward Tedesco
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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, Campbell – Haggerty, Concannon – Haggerty, Gaffney – Haggerty, Gately – Haggerty, Haggerty – Haggerty, Higgins – Haggerty, Mercer-Bruen – Haggerty, Tedesco – 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 2014-2015 be ADOPTED as the Rules of the present City Council until otherwise Ordered.
s/President 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 8:30 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD ATTEST:
William C. Campbell
City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council