[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6344803,"mediaKeyId","2250202-0307a30cb36506ff0acf95d6b44ba438","parentId",2250202,"title","Council continues hearing on Fort Maywood Terrace nuisance; owner given deadline to remove unregistered vehicle or face fines","audioSeconds",811,"startMs",2677000,"endMs",3488000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250202-0307a30cb36506ff0acf95d6b44ba438&start=2677&end=3488","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250202-0307a30cb36506ff0acf95d6b44ba438/thumbnail_2677000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6344803/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Council-continues-hearing-on-Fort-Maywood-Terrace-nuisance-owner-given-deadline-to-remove-unregistered-vehicle-or-face-fines","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344803-c59b11204fc9a1afcd5fdd8abfe5f27b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775392815&Signature=PV9H9bnGoaA50nXWpAEeNThpgPZk9rVcPs83qsEMW05wov8CvjITtTeX4y2ZMRFJjRzyCfXjmhukEKpSkveBpzlRkeicNo6sOJ~61NHUhvrwugOGpv2enKl~a2jb4Pbx6fKtVL8~q6KAoU9VqMbChqXD-htU-FtRYY24wljtfLlrENF7SuwFMv6X1jpaQuRpQK18IDHU95PwuUWWmFsbUmN-hjOu6MUDBf8byG2oqL5PCS-mczG4-E-qfYAl-gS1nnJUCv-3I8tAq8XD-rAVIJtR-NjqA0D1QFnPFxTHH3Vx54hzjE73PSc3CTAob1XPRfwAJLlBIaxVmspSOgnr3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Woburn City, MA","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","The Woburn City Council on Feb. 4 heard renewed complaints from neighbors and housing‑code officials about conditions at Fort Maywood Terrace and agreed to continue the public hearing to Feb. 18 for further action.

Councilor Marceau Bruin said the petition — first raised in November — stems from long‑running complaints including structural issues, persistent trash, an unregistered vehicle on site and repeated police and fire calls. Building Commissioner Thomas (Tom) Quinn’s memo to the council listed three outstanding items: missing rear deck stairs (later installed), a grading issue and unsecured trash. Quinn confirmed a site visit that morning found trash barrels secure but an apparent unregistered Cadillac SUV still on the property and advised that zoning enforcement would issue fines of $300 per day until violations are resolved if the vehicle remains.

Neighbors told the council the problems persist despite earlier promises. Ben Kortic, an abutter at 36 Beach Street, said trash recurs, cited a recent police call involving an apparently impaired resident and urged the council to impose fines and further enforcement. Another neighbor at 12 Maywood Terrace said the property’s visible deterioration is a constant community burden and asked the council to hold the owner accountable.

Owner Deborah McLaughlin told the council she is in the process of packing and moving and that some work has been done; she said the vehicle’s owner was “getting rid of the vehicle.” The city’s building inspector said if registration proof is not produced, inspection staff will begin enforcement fines at $300 per day.

Action and next steps: The council accepted communications into the permanent record, opened the public hearing and voted to continue the matter to the Feb. 18 council meeting. Councilors warned that if outstanding violations are not resolved by the next meeting they will consider declaring the property a public nuisance, which could trigger further enforcement steps.

Context: Commissioner Quinn’s memo (01/29/2025) and a follow‑up inspection report documented both corrections (rear stairs installed) and continuing issues (unregistered vehicle, recurring trash). The city can levy daily fines for zoning and registration violations and pursue further enforcement if conditions persist.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Woburn City Council 2/4/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Woburn City Council on Feb. 4 heard renewed complaints from neighbors and housing‑code officials about conditions at Fort Maywood Terrace and agreed to continue the public hearing to Feb. 18 for further action.","taxTitle","Woburn City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",78425,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344809,"Council continues public hearing on 5 Bennett Street special-permit application after residents raise drainage, density and character concerns",2425,248000,2673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250202-0307a30cb36506ff0acf95d6b44ba438&start=248&end=2673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250202-0307a30cb36506ff0acf95d6b44ba438/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6344809/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Council-continues-public-hearing-on-5-Bennett-Street-special-permit-application-after-residents-raise-drainage-density-and-character-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344809-a27fa4da89d52f932b69cff196b68574/orig.mp4?Expires=1775392815&Signature=BXtTgyrV5QmOaiFdsP~kjUHAr9cjCamtWPOYlCh2WqlpRvBM16GW3vCHwuT0xiRnqPmfif7kyWL13H77RRxayM8-EckGHlX8U25xKkcQpP8zUNqxnJxCuZvjP8ftaxA4P0YRQVG027Vr7tNeeGoAD0m6F~j5ralP8qcU61akg0EJDmaA0z1WaSuVRRmnEHSGa0wdqmtJ~02zfAz9nFrFlxiVSyQQodKxhTW~Rl5RdlBWQgOTXPd3-0aWlGKu3OYwYWV4FWd6A3l28VGzr3RtL7kYMMOzlPFM4SgSErWtEVjLJbkeP7wbE~-tz66E4yE8bI7XN8OaN7YiDlNz7hhPfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Treetop Home LLC asked the Woburn City Council on Feb. 4 to grant a special permit under zoning section 7.3 to replace a preexisting nonconforming four‑family at 5 Bennett Street with a new four‑unit building. Attorney James Giuliano, representing the petitioner, said the revised plan reduces the building footprint and increases on‑site parking to eight spaces, and that all new pavement will be pervious to reduce runoff.

The city council continued the public hearing to Feb. 18 to allow further review after councilors and neighbors raised unresolved issues about drainage, parking logistics and how the new structure would fit the block.

Why it matters: The property sits in an R‑2 district and is substantially nonconforming across setbacks and lot area. Councilors and neighbors said the neighborhood already experiences chronic drainage problems and argued the council must ensure any redevelopment is “not substantially more detrimental” to the neighborhood — the standard for a section 7.3 special permit.

Giuliano told the council the existing building dates to about 1910 and that the proposed structure would keep four three‑bedroom units but reduce the footprint from about 2,359 square feet to about 2,063 square feet and reduce gross living area from roughly 6,932 to 5,764 square feet. He said the plan adds eight parking stalls (six in the rear formed by grading and two on the side) and uses 9-by-18 stalls, “pursuant to the ordinance.” Giuliano also noted the lot’s disturbance is under the city’s threshold for mandatory stormwater management (the petitioner’s figure: about 7,000 sq. ft. disturbed vs. a 20,000 sq. ft. trigger in the ordinance) and said pervious pavement will “alleviate” but not solve Bennett Street flooding.

Councilors sought more information. Councilor DeMearns and others asked whether the proposed measures will meaningfully improve drainage in a low spot that collects runoff from surrounding higher streets; they pressed for DPW input and records of catch‑basin cleaning, pipe condition and any CCTV inspections. Councilor Marceau Bruin and Councilor Popolato both said Superintendent of Public Works Jay Duran’s comments must be addressed before the council completes its review.

Neighbors urged caution. Adam Carignan (owner, 6 and 11 Court Street) expressed concern about retaining walls and loss of backyard; Margaret Pinkham (owner of 42 Pleasant Street) said the council must make the express finding that the project is not substantially more detrimental than the existing use, and she criticized inconsistencies in the plans regarding basement egress. Christopher Sylvia (13 Bennett Street) argued the proposal departs from neighborhood character, warned of construction‑period traffic and noise, and described Bennett Street as a naturally occurring affordable neighborhood; Sasha Hernandez (13 Bennett Street) said converting the backyard to a parking lot and adding a retaining wall would harm the block’s character.

Giuliano told the council the petitioner would accept a condition to keep the basement non‑habitable and said egress windows were included so occupants would have an alternate escape route if bulkheads are not provided. The attorney repeated that full drainage upgrades are within the building‑permit review and the city engineer’s jurisdiction if stormwater thresholds were triggered.

Action: The council received the revised plans and departmental communications into the permanent record, opened the public hearing and then voted to continue the hearing to the Feb. 18 council meeting for additional review. No final permit decision was made.

Next steps and context: The petition will return to the council after the petitioner and staff provide additional responses to DPW and engineering comments. If the council later approves a special permit under section 7.3, state and local building and plumbing approvals will also be required before construction.

","Woburn City Council continued the public hearing on a special-permit request from Treetop LLC to raze and rebuild a nonconforming four-family at 5 Bennett Street after lengthy testimony from the petitioner, multiple councilors and several neighbors about stormwater, parking and neighborhood character.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344789,"Votes at a glance: transfers, hearings and appointments approved by Woburn City Council on Feb. 4",43,172000,215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250202-0307a30cb36506ff0acf95d6b44ba438&start=172&end=215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250202-0307a30cb36506ff0acf95d6b44ba438/thumbnail_172000.jpg","/articles/6344789/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-transfers-hearings-and-appointments-approved-by-Woburn-City-Council-on-Feb-4","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344789-c58f3347a3f7bb88b84dd5e462a4ca8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775392816&Signature=H8c9nrPPOy4jdgFB70RVpyHxH0H6YSoz-rSFJTAxG~wQFMGosn59EnOFcA46MBSaXTQvGGv3h9UIAEIkniStSOuDY7g7eF5bmb6N9V9ZPcyWl0eBX2eZUUeH-bfMJsc86lEeARg52ZJZMYDBqTefSzN5T~02qhR3CQwtnfxUN8H65VH8bSN1JduLjTMDseRxPfy3-mJGhHwsTu9l9tCgr6KqY9wb-TeapnvL2TIvtKSZuZCYF5MvYbvEH56IZbBiq9X0rdLw-zlclFftPQjmKpAnFKepB8zs5xhE8QfLskyOTHlGI-0K8~Ot4562RV6T-Uiy~u1UUwjcp-OelmX-nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Woburn City Council on Feb. 4 took a series of procedural and administrative votes. Key outcomes:

- Cemetery transfer referred to committee on finance: The council voted to refer an order to transfer $300,000 from the perpetual interest account — $200,000 to a new equipment cemetery account and $100,000 to a burial sections account — to the committee on finance for review.

- Tesla charging‑station matters set for public hearing: The council voted to set two matters for public hearing relating to Tesla stations at 425 Washington Street and one at 300 Mishraum Road.

- Appointments to the Council on Aging: The personnel committee’s recommendations were adopted. Susan Kolako was appointed to the Council on Aging and Ellen (Ellen Eleanor) Collins was reappointed.

- Municipal preliminary auction date set: The council adopted an order establishing the municipal preliminary auction for Aug. 26, 2025.

- Minutes and routine procedural votes: The council approved the prior meeting journal and other routine items.

Votes and next steps: Each item was approved by roll call and referred or adopted as noted; the cemetery transfer now goes to finance committee and the Tesla station matters will be scheduled for public hearings for further comment and possible future votes.","The Woburn City Council approved several procedural and administrative measures at its Feb. 4 meeting, including a referral of a cemetery fund transfer to finance, scheduling of Tesla charging‑station public hearings, appointments to the Council on Aging, and setting a municipal auction date.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344793,"Council adopts amended zoning language for Woburn Landing; exception limited to existing development sites",607,3822000,4429000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250202-0307a30cb36506ff0acf95d6b44ba438&start=3822&end=4429","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250202-0307a30cb36506ff0acf95d6b44ba438/thumbnail_3822000.jpg","/articles/6344793/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Council-adopts-amended-zoning-language-for-Woburn-Landing-exception-limited-to-existing-development-sites","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344793-be8b7e302c99a1ba13a8a91a7ec2c0d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775392816&Signature=Ip~lu5XiJ1FzvlHb9lMrf8-edy2WiBcxxjW5mv2DonRrjXoZRDmKdrF6oiAfPew7IFwdGUPNXXw8M18jXQCcciwfzs~0it2c99OeyEZTq~xQIssQsxe8q4-HfczojVaZ2pw8RrxllArFljifySy~2aKSR8mRy-odYFfFUtcOyCX6Qw2IwuYiuZ95tcAimETozNzSCpJ~a2ydRKTYKZ5neE2k9wHwyFq0XSnAxZsHKV07pD6cFXBxVlAmsVfT7d1dZwVcEDhsx0l6w4g6M0a14JH3Y3U-OA76aXCnxE~8pO9QMrBARpzGKBoFfa-4acZKUf9ectAruP1CjgwySm38zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Woburn City Council on Feb. 4 adopted an amended zoning footnote to clarify the definition of mixed use for the Madison Holdings LLC proposal at Woburn Landing and to limit an exemption to lots that were part of development sites in existence as of Jan. 1, 2025.

Attorney Joseph Tabby of Rubin & Rudman presented a conceptual A & R (approval and release) plan showing two lots — one for restaurants and a separate lot for a hotel — and explained a mapping detail showing a narrow strip that is part of the restaurant lot. He also summarized an agreed amendment: “The exemption herein shall apply only to a lot or lots in one of the above development sites in existence as of 01/01/2025,” meaning the language applies only to already‑developed sites (the presentation named Inwood, Unicorn and Woven Landing as examples).

Action: The council voted on an amended motion to change footnote 6.1 in the table of use and dimensional requirements and adopted the language on a roll call.

What changed: The conceptual plan and the clarified footnote were accepted into the permanent record. The amendment restricts the special allowance to lots already developed by the stated date; future assemblages would not automatically qualify under the exemption.

Context: The matter was sent to the council after an ordinance‑and‑rules committee meeting. The council also received communications from the city solicitor and the building commissioner and discussed a mapping clarification requested by Councilor Marceau Bruin prior to final action.","The council approved a zoning-text amendment for the Woburn Landing project (Madison Holdings LLC) clarifying lot definitions and adding an exemption that applies only to development sites in existence as of Jan. 1, 2025. The council also accepted a conceptual A&R plan showing separate restaurant and hotel lots.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344800,"Council rejects mayoral proposal to allow municipal uses as‑of‑right across zoning districts",374,3526000,3900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250202-0307a30cb36506ff0acf95d6b44ba438&start=3526&end=3900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250202-0307a30cb36506ff0acf95d6b44ba438/thumbnail_3526000.jpg","/articles/6344800/Woburn-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Council-rejects-mayoral-proposal-to-allow-municipal-uses-asofright-across-zoning-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344800-86b1cee08e0d47f64ac43491932fe04e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775392816&Signature=egrWXecSvFOcH-cqacY54UQal5zqTk2z9Z6CGS9m-3Ih8BLvOYPCUuk7KQEEvxIyTFa6eDr6ZW-QxzpZxEARDMBL3G9TDrY045BQFgcuUpnL-5sp0ZMmWGn0ux7WulWfAg0HZYy0P6NL3JLR~EwX9mdeQm~Zm7b1SFmEpcL1YuZX9sPQkMk4yltEoQ7Buz8QjbUwrfLCxxP4mg3pXfRqHCFhtVYQXnjLByotLW9FV676DVgzCmxPgp1EuVgE19uzfqO6IHWQ8r0Zj4wRqkkZSubSpvp1u7cKeQio~gHxiixx~8AyrfUUrXi1Ms~bLW6Iksy6sbBhdQ7sCCcbR2KFdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Woburn City Council on Feb. 4 voted to deny a zoning amendment from the mayor that would have allowed municipal uses to be permitted as‑of‑right in all zoning districts. The council acted after the ordinance committee had recommended the measure “ought not to pass.”

Mayor Conkainen — who said the change was intended to streamline construction of municipal projects such as a fire station and 6 Common Street renovations — told the council the goal “was to try to streamline the process” and that there was no intent to silence public voice. He said he respected the committee’s recommendation.

During the public hearing, Christopher Sylvia (13 Bennett Street) said some municipal uses might reasonably be allowed as‑of‑right while others should not, citing fire stations as necessary city infrastructure despite known neighborhood impacts. Councilors engaged the substance in committee and on the floor and ultimately voted to defeat the mayor’s proposal.

Action: On a roll‑call vote the council approved a motion to deny the zoning amendment; the roll call recorded ayes supporting denial from Councilor Campbell, Councilor DeMearns, Councilor D’Amambro, Councilor Ferullo, Councilor Marceau Bruin, Councilor Popolato, Councilor Toro, Councilor Viola and President Dillon.

Context: Proponents said the change could speed municipal capital projects; opponents and some councilors flagged risks to neighborhood review and argued a selective, case‑by‑case approach is preferable. The ordinance committee’s earlier “ought not to pass” recommendation framed the council’s deliberations.","The Woburn City Council voted Feb. 4 to deny a mayoral zoning amendment that would have made certain municipal uses permitted as‑of‑right in all zoning districts, after a committee vote recommended against it and public testimony cautioned selective application.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council continues hearing on Fort Maywood Terrace nuisance; owner given deadline to remove unregistered vehicle or face fines

Council continues public hearing on 5 Bennett Street special-permit application after residents raise drainage, density and character concerns

Votes at a glance: transfers, hearings and appointments approved by Woburn City Council on Feb. 4

Council adopts amended zoning language for Woburn Landing; exception limited to existing development sites

Council rejects mayoral proposal to allow municipal uses as‑of‑right across zoning districts