Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 7 pages · 1.9 MB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 21, 2020 Under the Rules and Procedures of the Winthrop Town Council, Council President Boncore called the Remote Participation Town Council Meeting to order at 7:05 PM Notifies Public that all involved in this meeting are from a remote setting. Notifies Public of email address https://www.town.winthrop.ma.us or phone 646-558-8656 for any questions concerning this meeting Zoom ID 493667460758 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice President Letterie MOMENT OF SILENCE Requests moment of silence for the first Winthrop Covid-19 death victim, the current people with the virus and our first responders. ROLL CALL Councilor Ruggiero Present-Remote Councilor Flockhart Present-Remote Councilor DeMarco Present-Remote Councilor Christopher Present-Remote Councilor Honan Present-Remote Councilor LoConte Present-Remote Councilor Ferrino Present-Remote Council Vice President Letterie- Present-Remote Council President Boncore Present-Remote MINUTES Motion by Vice President Letterie 2™ by Councilor Ferrino Motion Passed: 9 - 0 Voting For: Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte-Councilor Rich F errino, Councilor Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore, Councilor Stephen Ruggiero — GENERAL INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS President Boncore requests the Director of Health Meredith Hurley to update an emergency order from the Board of Health at their meeting this evening at 5:00 pm of mandating face coverings at essential businesses... (Please see copy of order) President Boncore thanks all that is working in the town with the EOC, Foodbank, Winthrop people have come forward to help. Chief Delehanty thanks all that is involved helping. Chief Flanagan thanks his department for all they are doing. Vice President Letterie thanks all... PUBLIC HEARING None TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 21, 2020 PAGE 1 PUBLIC COMMENT Suzanne Swope requests age breakdown in isolation It will be included in the budget presentation Councilor DeMarco requests ages of people who passed today Over the age of 75 Director of Health Meredith reports back during meeting that the highest bracket is ages 50-59 and with 16 cases currently ages 60-69. CORRESPONDENCE None COMMITTEE REPORTS Appointments, Commission & Committees Councilor DeMarco reports that evaluation forms will be sent to the Town Council Employees Joint Committee Rules & Ordinance and Economic Development Councilor Christopher reports that the committee will be corresponding with the Middle School Engineering Firm to get recommendation on how to proceed. Will be scheduling a meeting. MAPC will also be scheduling a public meeting. Finance Commission Vice President Letterie reports the committee reviewed the FY21 Budget The committee will be meeting every week on these procedures. SBAC Vice president Letterie reports that a meeting will be scheduled and there may be emergency motions from the school. Return to Public Comment Q&A What is the towns involvement with the nursing home on Sturgis St? Director Hurley reports she has been in contact with the Dr. at the nursing home and all residents were being tested today. TOWN MANAGER REPORT Town Manager Faison presents the proposed Budget of FY21. This process is obviously very different, and this presentation is probably one of the most unique presentation he has done. Assistant Town Manager/CFO Anna Freedman has been very involved with this budget. Town Manager reviews the Town Hall being closed; the schools closed rest of academic year. This has been a trying time for all, and we are working very hard to provide service in this town. Technology has been set up for employees to be able to work at home. We are relying on the expertise of all putting in their hard work, more hours than should be expected and weighs heavily on him that he must ask employees to leave their homes and put their health in harm’s way. Town Manager Faison has a presentation on the COVID-19 and how the town is available for any resident questions or concerns with our town departments, first responders, schools, public health officials. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 21, 2020 PAGE 2 Town Manager Faison and Assistant Town Manager / CFO Anna Freedman have done a presentation on our Town Budget PLEASE SEE COPY OF ENTIRE PRESENTATION ON THE TOWN WEBSITE - https://www.town.winthrop.ma.us (Budget Presentation on main website) Director of DPW updates on the CBD project- Phase I: Project began on April 6" all on schedule, demolition of French Sq. complete, Temp. parking lot, 9 isolation valves installed with no interruption of water. Temp valves are being disinfected to be able to put system online. Phase II will begin sewer, water, drain of Pauline to Woodside to French Sq. Councilor Letterie requests if the compost hours could change since most people are home? DPW Calla explains that he can only review this, but crews are divided, and facility is manned but he will review the schedule. President Boncore is not requesting questions on the FY21 Budget as it still must be reviewed. Councilor Flockhart, asks if there is a glossary that goes with Budget Town Manager replies, yes, in the books that will be delivered this week. Assistant Town Manager Freedman reaches out to all if there are any questions on the budget, please reach out to her. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UPDATE Superintendent Howard is working with Seniors as to not lose their Senior Year activities, graduation...etc.... It was announced today that the schools are closed for the rest of the year. New guidelines for remote learning will be available online for students and parents. PLEASE SEE ALL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE WINTHROP SCHOOLS AND DEPT. OF EDUCATION UPDATE ON OUR SCHOOL WEBSITE https://www.winthrop.k12.ma.us Town Manager reports that we still under advisement until May 4", We will not know what our future holds for summer programming for the children yet. Councilor Flockhart asks Superintendent if every child has home access to a computer? Superintendent states that every child that they know of, they have given out 110 Chrome books for home use. Some students may still not have access, but schools are not aware of, they will know when the online technology is passed in and they can then reach out to the learning technology. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Motion by Vice President Letterie -Emergency Motion, Winthrop Town Council Declaration of Public Health Emergency-Emergency Order —(Please see entire ordered attached) 2NP by Councilor Flockhart Discussion This was an emergency order by the Board of Health at their meeting this evening. Councilor DeMarco requests information on the fines if do not wear a face covering. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 21, 2020 PAGE 3 Councilor DeMarco feels all should follow but his concern is that this could be unconstitutional, he does not believe people should be fined. Councilor Letterie asks if this supersedes the Attorney General’s office that face coverings are optional. Council President reiterates that 17 other communities are doing this and feels it is for the safety of the community. Councilor Ruggiero states the fines that are listed are in relation to littering the safety products. Our ordinance follows the State Laws. Vice President Letterie reiterates that if you do not wear a mask, you could not be waited on. There will be signs on all essential businesses that the public can use. Roll Call Vote on this as an Emergency Motion ROLL CALL Councilor Ruggiero Yes Councilor Flockhart Yes Councilor DeMarco Yes Councilor Christopher Yes Councilor Honan Yes Councilor LoConte Yes Councilor Ferrino Yes Council Vice President Letterie- Yes Council President Boncore Yes Passes 9-0 Roll Call Motion Main Motion ROLL CALL Councilor Ruggiero Yes Councilor Flockhart Yes Councilor DeMarco No Councilor Christopher Yes Councilor Honan Yes Councilor LoConte No Councilor Ferrino Yes Council Vice President Letterie- Yes Council President Boncore Yes Passes 7-2 PUBLIC COMMENT Karin Chavis (P2)-Disappointed in the FY21 Budget, worried about State Funding and how it will affect the town and the budget. Very concerned about water and sewer increases, residents cannot afford this. President Boncore reiterates that the Finance Commission will be reviewing all this information. CFO Freedman hopes that the new online Budget Tool does help. Also acknowledges that any increase is the last thing anyone wants, but in her position, she must report all news, good or bad. Town Manager Faison is reviewing with MWRA the current assessment and trying to work with them in helping our residents. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 21, 2020 PAGE 4 Vice President Letterie requests Town Manager to investigate MWRA assessment as our water usage must be incredibly higher during these times. Q&A-Rosemary McCarthy does not agree with Councilor DeMarco unconstitutional about face coverings. Councilor DeMarco reiterates, he is totally for the face coverings, he realizes it is a health hazard, his only issue is the fine being unconstitutional. Karin Chavis (P2)-Cannot believe the public is not calling questioning budget? President Boncore believes it is because people have not really reviewed it yet. Councilor Flockhart looked briefly and needs more time to review the budget. PUBLIC RELATIONS/ UPCOMING EVENTS Councilor Ruggiero would like to address the class of 202 and everyone is thinking of them with their untraditional last few months at school. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Vice President Letterie to Adjourn at 9:53 pm 2" by Councilor Christopher Motion Passed: 9 - 0 Voting For: Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Councilor Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore, Councilor Stephen Ruggiero Voting Against: None A DVD of this meeting is available from WCAT / www.youtube.com Public Documents used in the meeting are available at Town Managers Office. Documents Used in this Meeting: Handwritten Notes / Committee Openings Documents Roll Call Log Written Motions / Verbal Motions Respectfully submitted, Town Council Clerk Denise Quist TOWN COIUNCIT MEETING MINTITRS AF APRIT 91 INN DAGCH & EMERGENCY MOTION WINTHROP TOWN COUNCIL TOWN OF WINTHROP, MASSACHUSETTS DECLARATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY — EMERGENCY ORDER Please read this order carefully. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is punishable by a fine of up to One Thousand Dollars ($1000) pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 111, Section 122), Pursuant to the declaration of a public health emergency on March 20, 2020, 310 CMR 11.05, 105 CMR 300.200 and all other authorizing statutes and regulations, acting by and through its agent authorized under MGL ce. 111, §31 we, the Town Council President and Board of Health of the Town of Winthrop, Massachusetts, hereby order the following: 1) All members of the public over the age of five (5) entering any essential business as defined by Governor Baker’s Covid-19 Executive Orders, including but not limited to grocery stores, pharmacies, home improvement stores, public transportation, taxis, ride shares, public self-service facilities (such as gas stations, ATMs) and the like must wear a cloth face covering, such as a fabric mask, scarf or bandana, over his or her nose and mouth. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which should be left for medical professionals and first responders. See this link for information on making a cloth face covering: https://www.cde.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-fac.... 2) All members of the public entering a restaurant for the purpose of picking up food for take-out must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth, 3) All employees of all essential businesses shall wear a face covering over their mouth and nose when interacting with the public and within six feet of a co-worker. Employers and employees must use previously prescribed protocols and guidelines for personal protective equipment such as gloves. If food is prepared at the establishment, a face covering shall also be worn by any employee handling food. 4) Any resident, staff or member of the general public entering or exiting a residential or commercial building complex of greater than one (1) unit must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth while in common areas and communal spaces and must exercise social distancing in these spaces in accordance with CDC guidelines. See these guidelines at: https://www.cde.gov/coronavirus/201 9-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social- dis. 5) a. Essential retail establishments as defined by Governor Baker’s Covid-19 Executive Orders must limit the number of customers and staff inside the establishment at any given time so that social distancing of six feet may be maintained. All retail establishments must establish maximum occupancy loads in accordance with the “Guidance for Grocery Stores” issued by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health on April 7, 2020, See this order at: https://www.mass.gov/doc/order-grocery-stores-40-percent/download. Maximum occupancy shall be posted at each entrance to the establishment and shall be readily visible to members of the public. b. An employee of the retailer shall be designated to ensure the maximum number of individuals inside of the store is not exceeded. Customers queued outside of the store must maintain a minimum of six feet distance. c. Any portions of the store requiring extra staffing solely dedicated to services that are deemed nonessential pursuant to Governor Baker’s Covid-19 Executive Orders shall be closed. d. Reusable shopping bags are prohibited. Single-use bags are permitted and shall be provided at no extra cost to customers. 7) Every store, workplace, or other facility subject to this order is authorized to refuse service to any person who fails or refuses to wear a mask or other facial covering while in such facility. 8) Operation of Ice Cream Trucks is prohibited. Ice cream trucks will not be permitted to operate in the Town of Winthrop until the Public Health Emergency declaration issued by the Winthrop Board of Health has been lifted. Brick and mortar establishments serving ice cream will be allowed to operate in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Orders if effective social distancing measures are implemented. 9) All members of the public are required to properly dispose of all gloves, masks and other personal protection equipment in appropriate disposal bins. Penalties for failure to properly dispose of these materials under the Town of Winthrop’s anti-littering and public nuisance ordinances shall be as follows: $50 for first offense; $100 for second offense; $300 for third or subsequent offense. Fines for violation of both ordinances will be imposed. This Emergency Order does not apply to persons who are engaged in permissible outdoor physical activity, riding in a personal vehicle, alone in a separate, single space, or indoors with their own shelter group such as family or household members, although every such person is advised that the use of a mask or facial covering is encouraged. This Emergency Order shall be effective beginning Thursday April 23, 2020 at 6:00 AM and remain in effect until notice is given, pursuant to the Board of Health’s judgment, that the Public Health Emergency no longer exists. To the extent necessary, this Order shall be enforced by Board of Health officials, Winthrop Police Officers and Building Inspectors. For more information: (617) 539-5848 EOC