[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6360146,"mediaKeyId","2175200-ef146240da3bee9e7ff74127c1815442","parentId",2175200,"title","Votes at a glance: key actions from the Woburn City Council, Jan. 7, 2025","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2413000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175200-ef146240da3bee9e7ff74127c1815442&start=2413&end=2413","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175200-ef146240da3bee9e7ff74127c1815442/thumbnail_2413000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6360146/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-key-actions-from-the-Woburn-City-Council-Jan-7-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360146-cb02fcc319fc6bd1df5c9d85fea95dd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201272&Signature=Oz9r1WRzvFKks4pnrjfhH2gHmoFxnA2db4zvQX-6X1Pz-w7Szkhx-IL3k52RQeIz-UHeu2SrAPnORABVQJ8pwJmbOvufoc253jyOjMtgzzLfCMNZ-tcOTdNbqgw8X~RVkn8kCWmKFbq5MUJOGeJucjBHOjtr~jlT-86GfagpOkhVCswJAqEou-w6xdGLDTdhG~61QRJ5qmqXD3ea-w5hPzhJsIEKyI8PKdRa6PFyvFdJhWhgRWTi5Roq7tScVmLet3b5nArQ3Sb2j8XrGqBEtaltt4-o3QR5fDBmc4hYNEf9GdGK3T9oiSuakRIkiDX9U829VBtGerqsCgfHEQ5LBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Woburn City, MA","date","2025-01-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Woburn City Council on Jan. 7, 2025 took a series of formal actions. Below is a summary of the principal outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes and on the record. Where the transcript did not capture a named mover the action is recorded as entered in the public record.

- Mayor’s State of the City: Council voted to receive a copy of Mayor Michael P. Concannon’s state of the city address and to place it in the permanent record (motion passed, voice vote recorded as \"Aye\").

- PFAS update (Horn Pond): Communication from the mayor and staff on PFAS monitoring and the Horn Pond PFAS treatment plant was received; the council voted to place the matter on file (motion passed, voice vote recorded as \"Aye\").

- Hurled Park playground grants: An order authorizing the city to file and accept grants from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for construction of a Hurled Park playground was adopted (motion passed, voice vote recorded as \"Aye\").

- Transfer to Pine Street Crossing Light accounts: A transfer from U Haul Olympia Avenue accounts to Pine Street Crossing Light accounts was referred to the Finance Committee (motion passed).

- National Grid, New Boston Street (grant of location): The public hearing was opened and continued to Feb. 18, 2025 to allow additional coordination with the DPW and DOT; no grant of location was issued at this meeting.

- G. R. Development LLC (325 Montvale/Monaville Ave): The applicant’s request to withdraw the special-permit petition without prejudice was granted (motion passed, voice vote recorded as \"Aye\").

- 20 Sonar Drive LLC: The council granted a modification to an existing special permit (sections 7.3 and 5.1) with two conditions and made a finding that the proposed use was consistent with past use; motions passed (voice vote recorded as \"Aye\").

- Treetop Home LLC (5 Bennett St.): The matter was continued to the Jan. 21 council meeting at the petitioner’s request.

- Auto Works Inc. (921 Main St.): The council voted to request legal advice from the city solicitor on denial options and continued the public hearing to Jan. 21, 2025.

- Fort Maywood Terrace nuisance inquiry: The council opened a public hearing and continued it to Jan. 21, 2025 to allow the building commissioner to obtain written permission and inspect the property.

- Appointments to Council on Aging: Reappointment of Eleanor Collins and appointment of Susan Kolako to the Woburn Council on Aging were referred to the Personnel Committee (motions passed).

Where the meeting recorded only a voice vote of \"Aye,\" the summary here records the council action as adopted. The clerk’s official minutes and any formal roll-call records should be consulted for itemized vote tallies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Woburn City Council 1/7/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal actions taken at the Jan. 7 Woburn City Council meeting, including receipt of the mayor’s address, grant actions, continuances and permit decisions.","taxTitle","Woburn City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",78425,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6360150,"Residents and councilors oppose Auto Works spray booth near homes and school; council seeks legal advice and continues hearing",879,6032000,6911000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175200-ef146240da3bee9e7ff74127c1815442&start=6032&end=6911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175200-ef146240da3bee9e7ff74127c1815442/thumbnail_6032000.jpg","/articles/6360150/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Residents-and-councilors-oppose-Auto-Works-spray-booth-near-homes-and-school-council-seeks-legal-advice-and-continues-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360150-ffd419911691847813cf0bfc5ec2141a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201272&Signature=QVGAOu6hslQOE3NyypgEZ9gAWIeVSokFP-NoQAamQXKvI6aIhMzfsmWxw02s5tvaDXMg3h8s5yCXn3o4t6GUtkIUXBK0x1o4pneGD3XbHSfWEs00angHuxNWvEnqrvgAEeK4wfwOrQJuipUfGUic0WATW~IP02vqKqo83ghW2jzl8yQQvZ~ctwscKdoARMirZEKRMNeIxV25Uv0dk9rVDC1yTcPV4cKUKrX01tpy1y~t2pTE3t9oifEfbzC1dS8hsqZAcWzUQdGL3XNzc746ZVhOPN6L7~hJ3BmN7Rnlt6Q~6cImoTjT3YgqRaoJDlU73Q6mJLBK2cel9I4E-Vqn4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An application from Auto Works Inc. to amend a special permit and add spray booths at 921 Main St. prompted extensive comment and concern at the Jan. 7 Woburn City Council meeting, with councilors and at least one resident opposing the proposal because of smell, emissions and proximity to homes and a preschool.

Attorney James Giuliano appeared for the applicant and said the business is pursuing technical controls but acknowledged the council’s concerns and the need for expert testimony to demonstrate emission control and odor prevention. “The big thing…is the smell,” Giuliano said; he told the council his client intends to seek expert presenters if the matter continues.

Councilor Lou D’Amambro and others argued the location is inappropriate for a spray booth. “There’s no way to contain the odor of a spray booth from a body shop,” Councilor Lou D’Amambro said, citing conversations with the EPA and paint manufacturers and raising concerns about fugitive VOCs from masking, rags and disposal. Councilors also noted nearby uses including a daycare and elementary school and elderly housing.

Residents and councilors asked for information about afterburner technologies and filtration; Councilor D’Amambro said published material and federal guidance cast doubt on the reliability of afterburners in routine, long‑term service and highlighted operation and maintenance challenges. A resident, Ken Parley, spoke in support of the council’s caution while also praising other improvements at the site.

After discussion the council voted to request legal advice from the city solicitor and appropriate counsel on the options for denying the application and to continue the public hearing to Jan. 21, 2025. Councilors said they want independent technical and legal review before making a final decision.","A proposal to add spray booths at Auto Works Inc., 921 Main St., drew strong opposition from councilors and residents over odor, emissions and proximity to homes and a preschool; the council asked the solicitor for legal advice on denial and continued the public hearing to Jan. 21.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6360155,"National Grid seeks gas-main relocation on New Boston Street; DPW superintendent says project not ready — public hearing continued",1096,4181000,5277000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175200-ef146240da3bee9e7ff74127c1815442&start=4181&end=5277","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175200-ef146240da3bee9e7ff74127c1815442/thumbnail_4181000.jpg","/articles/6360155/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/National-Grid-seeks-gas-main-relocation-on-New-Boston-Street-DPW-superintendent-says-project-not-ready-public-hearing-continued","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360155-23fb94b9386207a685754b026f16cfe1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201272&Signature=SecMQOc1TL2wwo4nUDdb6iD7TOQ8xs9RJvnm30yCyemT5bnTGPjyYenL9u4bxaooKNmJRLbHe9ey82RCBFkNnNKDMqwVNxYREBYxdEYru94T9nMdygEmbAVYwIYtmZbNPjg2zWdy5FTAb6QXUb61vEmy~23D9npdC2L5NNCS0u5uQKcRi61wDMAt8DxJIJFsNzPdpA1v4qUYK~f50gUHWt3g93RmlsqxctjWl9CQMAz~MAXS~gK-0~B0U96CrGHBcfyvdfJp8C7KwFY9S3WRDZZBb3Pew660yvEq4KbDnfik3sYeB6ONBFNKUO28hOEkPjXd89VZRdVzTx-MPq0qig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","National Grid representatives appeared before the Woburn City Council on Jan. 7 seeking a grant of location to replace and extend gas mains on New Boston Street, but the council continued the public hearing after the superintendent of public works said work should wait until the city’s water, sewer and drainage construction is sufficiently advanced.

Diana Cutting, representing National Grid, said the company overlaid its proposed gas-main replacement on the city’s utility plans for a reconstruction tied to a new MBTA parking-lot project and a state Department of Transportation bridge project. Cutting said the DOT contractor may do trenching and utility installation for city water and sewer and that National Grid hoped to piggyback on that work so all utilities could be installed and paved as a single operation. Cutting also said a removal of an Eversource utility pole is needed to allow grading to continue.

Jay Duran, the superintendent of public works, said directly that he did not recommend the council issue the grant of location at this time because the city’s utilities and DOT work must be in place to ensure proper clearance and avoid conflicts. “If I hold up this grant of location, am I holding up the job? And he said, Absolutely not. I would prefer you do not issue the grant of location tonight,” Duran told the council, explaining his view that issuing the location before grading and city utility work is complete could jeopardize city infrastructure.

Council members asked detailed questions about phasing and discovered National Grid has contractual time constraints with the DOT that require the company to complete its portion within 23 days of a notice to proceed. The council and applicant agreed further coordination was required; the council opened the public hearing and, finding no public comment, voted to continue the matter to the Jan. 18 meeting on Feb. 18 to allow additional coordination and removal of the conflicting utility pole.

The public hearing was continued to the Feb. 18 council meeting.","National Grid asked the council for a grant-of-location to replace and extend gas mains on New Boston Street. National Grid said coordination with MassDOT and removal of a utility pole are time sensitive; the superintendent of public works opposed issuing a grant location now. Council continued the public hearing to Feb. 18.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6360160,"Woburn officials: PFAS test averages below state limit in 2024; construction contract for Horn Pond plant awarded",696,3286000,3982000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175200-ef146240da3bee9e7ff74127c1815442&start=3286&end=3982","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175200-ef146240da3bee9e7ff74127c1815442/thumbnail_3286000.jpg","/articles/6360160/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Woburn-officials-PFAS-test-averages-below-state-limit-in-2024-construction-contract-for-Horn-Pond-plant-awarded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360160-37620193dfc3f86a8afc2c4b79fccbf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201272&Signature=VlTJJcOZfR-d5B3tsK517LeAOzfwAwO1bYS0CT3XugV4kqEYqNcz0SnurwWIEDOx9emCXSTEI~NlttcDsKzhT9GqhPPKaJIV8lG~V2ZSxFTI7r62puIJlfWM0AjXm4-dCsg5Ya29txD5whdmgHegvTDOBO4LQr7W9yGoyNmG17gnNuh3XfQ0Toz3WGq1mO8fC1ZUoJZT-xTzQT8DjfcEXtoN~4h9mtlh1Wj1BDa7fs~HF7E8uZZ85EzuOUC8Y~KyBLfJ9pAyKl86xb6WQOUNj-mQrRbE~BExgTuXEv1C7aWRz7uZfJsqz40eF4T1~ypzWYXgsCY15APQWCQRHT-7QA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Woburn City Council on Jan. 7 that quarterly PFAS monitoring at Horn Pond produced averages below the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection standard in 2024 and that the city has moved forward with construction contracting for a new PFAS treatment facility.

Mayor Michael P. Concannon introduced the item and turned the update over to Carol Rigo, who presented monitoring data dating to 2019. “The average of all of this data since 2019 is 17.3 parts per trillion, and, as you know, the state promulgated regulations for PFAS of a standard of 20 parts per trillion,” Rigo said. She told the council the 2024 quarterly averages ranged from roughly 12 to 17 parts per trillion and that there were no exceedances under the state standard during 2024.

Rigo summarized the procurement and contracting process for the Horn Pond PFAS treatment plant. The low bidder for construction is RH White Companies of Auburn, Massachusetts, the same general contractor that completed an earlier Horn Pond upgrade, she said. A bid protest filed in June was denied by the attorney general’s office, Rigo said, and the contract became effective Dec. 17, 2024. Rigo said the contract has a 590‑day duration and that the city is projecting substantial completion roughly in July following mobilization and construction milestones.

City staff described the project’s funding as a mix of state and federal assistance. Rigo said the total project cost presented to the council was “just under $23 million,” with roughly $22 million to be financed through the Massachusetts State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan program administered by the Clean Water Trust and a federal STAG grant to fund a portion of the work. She said the city expects some principal forgiveness on the SRF loan but that the final forgiveness amount had not been determined. Rigo also identified the owner’s project manager costs as “just under $260,000.” According to Rigo, the construction contract’s low bid for the work at Horn Pond was presented in the meeting materials as approximately $19.04 million.

Responding to council questions, Rigo noted that federal EPA drinking-water limits finalized after the state standard have different (and in some instances lower) numeric proposals; she said Horn Pond’s current annual average would exceed the new federal numeric values for certain legacy compounds. The council was told the Clean Water Trust board is scheduled to vote the next day to approve the SRF financing agreement so the loan can be issued.

Councilors thanked staff for the update; a motion to place the communication on file passed. The council received the PFAS update and voted to place the matter on file.","City staff reported Horn Pond quarterly PFAS averages were under the Massachusetts 20 ppt standard for 2024; the city signed a construction contract Dec. 17 and staff outlined funding from the SRF loan program and a federal STAG grant.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6360165,"Mayor Concannon says 'state of the city of Woburn is strong' in 2025 address",2234,154000,2388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175200-ef146240da3bee9e7ff74127c1815442&start=154&end=2388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175200-ef146240da3bee9e7ff74127c1815442/thumbnail_154000.jpg","/articles/6360165/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Mayor-Concannon-says-state-of-the-city-of-Woburn-is-strong-in-2025-address","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360165-50590edd06fabd0697418b1ee6752d3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201272&Signature=Lbeh1BJkFYgjLUOa1plb1rJhxcDKmXOJMdT8o21DOQnfbt6OtSLZz01cJ3O1UWpPd2oZRj~Y91zJKnNWrWU7tTuG4k~e164QSl1EAQdhSWONTxezR5uIiU1guwt-dFT-UPJNKS~wNcif8yO0NodpmOsjkopNBjBhyKEgDO5mitsL-0VKGUmEImxP2juNBpcGX6~YjNAinWaSqviJBB8yxayllTJsqj1Gso5CWASe-jlNm0wbpB4m6tMUOxE6kMQnewnXCpJ3aMxAdVvKsCiQh2sfuUG00pLl5m~3IuPnu~VWKBQwiImPwcrqJ2cwUBJqJiuvBt3~VTKbezMenwPyLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Michael P. Concannon delivered the annual state of the city address to the Woburn City Council and school committee on Jan. 7, 2025, saying “the state of the city of Woburn is strong” and outlining priorities for the year ahead.

In a speech lasting roughly an hour, Concannon emphasized increased cooperation among the mayor’s office, the city council and the school committee and described weekly project-update meetings that include department heads such as the city engineer, DPW superintendent, planning director and the city auditor. He said the city recently acquired the building at 6 Common Street and plans to use it as a City Hall annex and to provide office space for the city council president and members.

The mayor said the school budget drove most of the city’s FY25 operating increase, accounting for “more than 80% of the increase,” and cited a combination of factors including settled collective bargaining increases, the loss of ESSER COVID-era funds, state-mandated special-education costs and rising utility and transportation expenses. Dr. Crowley, identified in the address as the school superintendent, was described as attending regular school tours with the mayor and council members as part of efforts to improve budget transparency.

Concannon announced several grant and staffing items aimed at bolstering municipal and community services: a $46,000 state grant to study potential efficiencies in school and city facility maintenance, a three‑year grant funding an energy‑advocate position at $85,000 per year, and a community outreach and communications position created in the mayor’s office to connect residents to local service providers. The mayor said the new community resource center will be housed in donated space from Cummings Properties and will operate at no cost to the city.

On public safety and capital projects, the mayor recounted a recent city council approval (he said) of a $30 million bond authorization to build two new fire stations and to refurbish Station 1; he also described progress on a federally and state-funded $20 million downtown traffic improvement project. He noted an imminent PFAS water‑treatment plant project at Horn Pond and said construction has been awarded and will start soon (the council heard a separate PFAS update later in the meeting).

Concannon thanked city negotiators for settling five of seven expired union agreements and credited department heads, the city auditor and other staff for fiscal oversight. He closed by noting continued residential and commercial growth and by announcing the formation of a committee to plan Woburn’s participation in the nation’s 250th anniversary activities.

The council voted to receive a copy of the mayor’s address and to place it on the permanent record.","Mayor Michael P. Concannon delivered the Jan. 7 state of the city address, highlighting increased intergovernmental coordination, school budget pressures, recent grants and capital projects including acquisition of a City Hall annex and an energy‑advocate grant.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key actions from the Woburn City Council, Jan. 7, 2025

Residents and councilors oppose Auto Works spray booth near homes and school; council seeks legal advice and continues hearing

National Grid seeks gas-main relocation on New Boston Street; DPW superintendent says project not ready — public hearing continued

Woburn officials: PFAS test averages below state limit in 2024; construction contract for Horn Pond plant awarded

Mayor Concannon says 'state of the city of Woburn is strong' in 2025 address