Watertown council approves settlement in Walgreens excessive-tax case after closed-session review

The Watertown Common Council authorized execution of a settlement in litigation brought by Walgreens alleging excessive local tax assessment after deliberating in closed session.

The council voted to convene under state statute to consult with legal counsel regarding Walgreens v. City of Watertown, an excessive-tax claim. Following private deliberations, a motion "to approve and execute the settlement recommended by external counsel" was made and, after a roll-call vote, the motion carried on the record when the body returned to open session.

City officials did not disclose the settlement terms in the public session. The motion to approve the settlement was described in closed session as following external counsel’s recommendation and was seconded before the roll call that recorded the council’s approval. The meeting minutes show the vote as carried; individual roll-call ‘‘aye’’ votes were recorded but the public record did not include the settlement amount or further negotiated conditions.

The council’s authority to deliberate in closed session was cited under the statutory provision allowing counsel consultations on litigation strategy. No additional public controversies or dissenting commentary about the settlement were recorded in the open portion of the meeting.

The next procedural step will be any necessary execution of settlement documents as authorized; no public hearing or further council action on this specific matter was announced at adjournment.