Minutes
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 21, 2020 1. CALL TO ORDER Council President brings meeting to order at 7:00 pm Meeting will be shown on WCAT to call in and join 312-626-6799 ID #84924121157 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Honan leads the Pledge of Allegiance 3. ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Rich Ferrino, Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor Nick LoConte 4. MINUTES 4a Approve Minutes of July 7, 2020 Page 2 under committee report Public Safety change sentence to read: Saturday & Sunday during church and will have placards for Point Shirley Association during any events. Motion by Councilor Tracey Honan to accept minutes as amended 2" by Council Vice President Jim Letterie Voting For: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor Nick LoConte Motion Approved 8-1 5.GENERAL INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS 5.a Citation(s) Council President reads citations for Michael Rinaldi Conservation Commission David Stasio Chair Winthrop Planning Board Vincent Zappulla, Winthrop Planning Board Joe Clark Board of License Congratulates town that there were no new C-19 cases, people did listen and are doing social distancing better, thank you...continue wearing a mask, we are still in a C-19 situation. 6. PUBLIC HEARING 7. PUBLIC COMMENT John Morgan P4-Asks TC if they will consider a citation for Gerry DeFranzia and has been an advocate for the handicap. Council President will consider 8. CORRESPONDENCE Harbormaster Larry Powers acknowledge a boat that was stuck at Deer Island light that no one could get to except Assistant Harbormaster DeCarney and Deputy Michael Chavis and helped boat and people aboard to safety. Marc Chapedelaine, Chair of the Board of License has a discrepancy against Joe Clark not being re-appointed to the Board of License and asks the Town Council to reconsider. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 21, 2020 PAGE 1 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS -a Finance Committee Have not met since last meeting 9.b Rules Met on the HRC and will be presenting in Old Business 9.c Joint Meeting Rules & Ordinance and Economic Development Councilor Honan reports that they had a public meeting with VHB first of 2 workshops to discuss the zoning of the Middle School site. A poll was taken and had a lenghtly question & answer ..... there will be another workshop in August 9.d Miller Field Committee MFC met July 13 to discuss the field house, dog park and golf shed, along with misc. items. Hoping dedication would be at 1st football game but now they will be delayed with MIAA changing season during covid. Dog Park and Golf Shed have been discussed with determination that cost is higher than had anticipated On golf shed and will continue discussion, Graduation July 23"... unfortunate how different it must be but no matter congratulations to our Seniors. 9.e WIN 2030 COMMITTEE Councilor Christopher discusses the poll results from last meeting, will schedule a final advisory committee meeting prior to the public meeting that will be scheduled. Ordinance Review Committee- Councilor Ruggiero discusses a very successful meeting and the expertise on some matters from the public, committee members and members of past. 10. TOWN MANAGER REPORT Public Health Director Meredith Hurley discusses up to date health information. She shares screen with information There have been concerns with town, she goes back to March to compare month cases of COVID Get copy of information from Meredith on graphs and Q&A... why is this increasing? (See entire presentation on town website) Teens bored and tired False sense of safety Community socializing must be watched Mass DPH reports testing, if someone tests positive in Winthrop, it is logged, and Meredith is sent an immediate email as to any positives. She can get all information on the person that was tested. Some problems are we are not receiving information on positive cases in enough time to quarantine and isolate. Some cases may be under informed. We need to have more enforcement. A verbal warning, and then up to a fine of $300, businesses can be made to cease and desist. Inform is the best practice, try to get community on board. Community is nervous and since we have not had a case since Friday, it does not mean that we should not continue our social distancing, we have to still be aware of this disease. Our community has interpreted the guidance of what we have the right to do, what we can what we should? Why hasn't Winthrop set up a testing site. it is because there are too many in our vacinity Inconsistancies in reporting. If people get tested multiple times it could show up 3 times as being positive. Asking anyone that has been in touch with anyone with symptons, quarantien and get tested. Council President feels tht the beach and house parties were not the thing to do. Parents got to their children and stopped this behavior. Talked to Al Legee, he has been doing restaurant covid checks to make sure they are following the rules. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 21, 2020 PAGE 2 Town Manager Keep wearing masks, social distance, no congregating. It is difficult for the municipality to enforce; we have to count on people to make sure they enforce themselves; we will continue to inform the public to be safe. Chief Delehanty gives update. Continues to work with Public Health every day...Asking all parents & adults to participate with their children, do not share vapes, do not share anything as it will be passed on through this way. STill working as a team. Parking Pilot Program. 159 Warning issued in point shirley. Its an educational process, give people warnings...maybe another week of warnings then begin ticketing. Warnings were not to be given out during church services and will be corrected. Complaint by Harboramster that pilot progam forcing more people in the Landing taking spots that are needed by boaters. Can park on Veterans Rd and be taxied into beach areas. People are requesting parking passes for people that are visiting their homes. Council Ruggiero received feedback tht there has been an influx of cars parked on streets off the Winthrop Beach. Chief has heard of this parking complaints and feels that restrictions in Marblehead, Gloucester and Beverly beaches could be an influx to our beach. Town Manager-Steve Calla gives update on CBD, please see website for all information. Water and sewer main on Woodside complete now continuing onto Adams between woodside and bartlett, should be complete by end of this week, then start bottom bartltts to pleasant. water main crew working on Pauline St. Maintain access points in center during all work. Councilor Christopher asks if Bartlett will be closed? Yes, it will be closed during this construction. Is project currently on timeline. It is not, time was lost on Pauline and French Sq. production cut down due to water flow. Maybe about a month and al/2 behind. They will be making a request for winter work. Town Manager, water sewer rate. Wants to make sure exact number is publicized. It is $23.65 it is up .75 cents. Small changes in lieu of big increases. He will make same committment that he will not bring up rate again until June 2021 VP Letterie-Update on library TM-right now through website materials can be picked up, digitally to public and exploring how to bring building online and retrofit the building to make safe for all. Miller Field-Totally unacceptable that it is not open to the public. Why is it not happeniing? Town Manager-we cannot staff that is delay. Last year we did with Sr. with Sr. work off program. Massport youth just coming online. Laurisa working with School officers on this, Scheduling, is all back to a full work week? Is he available all week? Is he at town hall on a daily basis, are dept. heads available to be working on site? People are working in shifts and doing their work. Council President-When will Town hall be opened. TM-Once all offices plexi glassed and safe, it will be open. Wants all to know, this is not going back to normal very soon. No good example of towns doing business with public, Opening town hall is a priority, he is terriifed of people congregating in a building. Working out of his office while pandemic going on has not been easy. Whether butts in seats in office or not, work is getting done. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 21, 2020 PAGE 3 Council President Boncore discusses about the TSAC and the Transportation Committee be combined. Suggest how this should be done. Town Manager-TAC losing members should be combined and have remaining members to TSAC and committee come under Town Council. Councilor Letterie requests from Town Manager and DPW Director Steve Calla on signage on French Sq. so people will be aware of the time of this parking and when French Sq. will return. Town Manager-signs are done by Woodard and Curran and will be put up shortly. No parking sign on George St., this needs to be put up Councilor Ferrino-Parking on one side South Main St. Speed limit in town reduce to 20mph. Any progress. Town Manager will talk to Mike Diluiso, Parking Clerk on this subject. Councilor Ruggiero asks what are cleaning steps that have been done to disinfect Town Manager -we bought cleaning equipment, have allowed people in office not wear masks as there is disinectant in air, plexi glass in most Town Hall offices. Still must procure and sanitizing stations, desks min. of 6' of each other. Hand sanitizer being distributed. Upgrade of bathrooms Using CARES money for installtion. Town Hall is not centralized air systems so shared spaces are questionable since this is an airborn virus. Continuing to learn about how to circulate air with an older building. Getting up to date info from state. How are we going to keep voting booths sanitzed? Everyday is new with what we can accomplish with disinfecting. Still working with remote and what we can do and do better. Hopefully, September office can open. Councilor Ruggiero, requests information of Pick up and drop off with library on library website. 11. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UPDATE July 9th...discussion of opening of schools, state health dept. education dept. has many discussions. Several different plans being discussed as for opening the schools. Have been re-establishing residency that it is in Winthrop and get proper aid. MIAA has not decided on when sports will begin. July 23 gradution. Asking parents, no parties after graduation. Have it at your own home with your own family, do not spread this viurs, do not need another spike. No big congregations. 12. OLD BUSINESS Motion by the Rules and Ordinance that the Town Council establishes the Commission for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations (“Commission” or “CDICR”) ... (See copy of entire motion) No 2nd needed Discussion Councilor Ferrino would like a 9-person commission to be changed to 5 or 7 and if people want to participate, they can be alternits. Motion by Councilor Ferrino to make amendment to change the amount of members from 9-7 2nd by VP Letterie Discussion Councilor Flockhart would like to keep at 9 considering the different people we are tying to include. Councilor Honan agrees Councilor DeMarco it is a committee of inclusiion, bring as many people as possible. Ruggiero-he thinks with 9 it allows flexability. Councilor Ferrino withdraws amendment Vice President Letterie withdraws his second, TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 21, 2020 PAGE 4 Motion by Councilor Christopher to amend the 3rd paragraph, strike Aug. 31° and insert June 30". 2"4, Vice President Letterie Discussion Motion Approved 8-1 Voting For: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte-Councilor Rich Ferrino, Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent- Councilor Nick LoConte- Main motion as amended Discussion Councilor Christopher asks for Town Council Support as there have been many years of advocating for this diversity 9 Members This is an advisory committee May include non-voting members from out of town that have substantial connection to our community and there may be under 18 involved. Thanks, many people that have reached out for this committee. Motion Approved 8-1 Voting For: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte-Councilor Rich Ferrino, Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent- Councilor Nick LoConte- 13. NEW BUSINESS Motion by Town Manager to disband the Transportation Advisory Committee and merge members to the TSAC Committee and report to the Town Council 2nd by Councilor Ferrino Discussion Vice President Letterie asks how many members are currently in TSAC and who will be added Councilor Honan, will this still involve bikers, etc. Town Manager yes it will continue but group maybe broken up to their expertise. Motion Approved 8-1 Voting For: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara F lockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte-Councilor Rich Ferrino, Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent- Councilor Nick LoConte- Motion by Council President Boncore to re-appoint Joanne Hillman and Larry Huntoon to the Cultural Council 2"! by Councilor Ferrino Motion Approved 8-1 Voting For: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte-Councilor Rich Ferrino, Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent- Councilor Nick LoConte- Motion by Council President Boncore to appoint Lori Staknis and Kathleen Cappuccio to the Airport Hazards Committee, non-policy committee 2"4 by Councilor Ferrino Motion Approved 8-1 Voting For: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara F lockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte-Councilor Rich Ferrino, Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent- Councilor Nick LoConte- TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 21, 2020 PAGE 5 Motion by Council President Boncore to appoint Jeremy Mahoney Wright to the TSAC, non-policy making committee 2 by Councilor Ferrino Motion Approved 8-1 Voting For: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte-Councilor Rich Ferrino, Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent- Councilor Nick LoConte- Motion by Council President Boncore to appoint Julia Wallerce to the Winthrop Planning Board, policy making committee 2™ by Councilor Ferrino Motion Approved 8-1 Voting For: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte-Councilor Rich Ferrino, Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent- Councilor Nick LoConte- Motion by Council President Boncore to appoint Mark Paulson to the Conservation Committee, policy making committee 2 by Councilor Ferrino Motion Approved 8-1 Voting For: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte-Councilor Rich Ferrino, Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent- Councilor Nick LoConte- Motion by Council President Boncore to appoint the following on the Commission for Diversity, Inclusion Community Relations Committee Fr. Walter Connelly Jr. Anthony Williams Nasarge Patel Lydia Ramos John Bentley Andrea Baez 2™ by Councilor Ferrino Motion Approved 8-1 Voting For: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte-Councilor Rich Ferrino, Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent- Councilor Nick LoConte- Motion by Council President Boncore to appoint Hannah Belcher to the Scholarship Committee, non-policy making committee 2"4 by Councilor Ferrino Motion Approved 8-1 Voting For: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte-Councilor Rich Ferrino, Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent- Councilor Nick LoConte- TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 21, 2020 PAGE 6 Emergency Motion by Vice President Letterie to transfer $4500 from the Town Council Reserve to the Town Clerks Supply line for the purchase of voting booths 2"! by Councilor Ferrino Motion Approved 8-1 Voting For: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte-Councilor Rich Ferrino, Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent- Councilor Nick LoConte- 14. PUBLIC COMMENT Nick Bracy P1-ask Town Council what the policy is on reading correspondence or can it be summarized? Council President usually summarizes, and letter is on record. Katrina Donovan-Thanks Public Director Meredith Hurley for her report and thinks library can help with gathering information and get out to public There are many things they do to help serve the community. Karin Chavis (P2) Kudos to Public Director Meredith Hurley, outstanding presentation. Made great choices on new diversity committee, she is from a diverse family. there is more than one family that has married into African American families. The chief is doing as much as he can with beach parking and shore drive. Thank for recognizig the deputy harbormasters that did rescues, one happens to be a Chavis! Rich Allen-Checked library website and no mention of curbside service. Town Manager will have director fix in morning. What is current budget situation? MMA is waiting for state numbers. Town Manager we do not know what final budget is yet. do not knw for FY21 yet. What happaned to the library money diverted Town Manager directs that no money has been taken from library fund. Councilor Christopher-Maintain commitment that we give same funding. No money has been diverted away from library funding. majority of TC still wants the library funded as previously and community should be aware. > CFO Anna Freedman -Clarification on funding of library. There is a letter that details the upcoming FY21. adjustments were done and accepted by the TC. the library funding was not cut. Kathleen Capuccio-P1-Very happy with Samantha Bracy-P6-Library mis information that is not true. People don't know the facts and asks fora larger format to keep people involved. It is frustrating that public comment is not answered, and people are waiting 2 hrs and withholding a public letter intentionally is a great example of not being transparent. Need to be more open to the public. Wendy Millar-P2-Very happy and applaud all of Town Council and moving forward with Inclusion Diversity Committee. A thoughtful and well-defined motion. Cappuccio...happy with Public Director Meredith Hurley presentation. Public Comment Closed 15. PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS 15.a Committee Applications are Available in doorway of Town Hall at Hermon St. entrance by parking lot TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 21, 2020 PAGE 7 Denise Quist From: Marc Chapdelaine <marc@chapdelainelaw.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2020 4:36 PM To: towncouncil@town.winthrop.ma.us; Denise Quist Ce: Nick Bracy; Richard Ackerman; Ron Vecchia; Joe Clark; Steve Rogers Subject: Correspondence, re: Tonight's Town Council Meeting Denise: !am unable to attend tonight's meeting. | request that the following read into the record at tonight's Town Council meeting as part of Correspondence: Dear Members of the Winthrop Town Council: As many of you know, | serve as the Chairperson of the Board of Licensing. | have served with Joe Clark since my appointment in 2018. Not only our most tenured member, his vast wealth of knowledge provided the Board with both perspective and precedent. His appointment dates back to the transition from the Selectmen to Town Council. His decades of service are unparalleled. As Chair, | thank him for his service and dedication to our Town. As a citizen, | have concerns and questions about the re-appointment Process. It is my understanding that Joe Clark timely notified the Town of his desire to be reappointed. At the last Town Council meeting, the Town Council replaced Mr. Clark despite his willingness and ability to serve. The application was promptly allowed by the by the unanimous vote of the Town Council, without any inquiry. What is the Process when a long- standing member of a Board seeks re-appointment? It would have been in the best interests of our Town for Mr. Clark’s term to be extended. Once the decision not to extend Mr. Clark's term was made, the vacant seat should have been posted--it was not. In fairness, and by all accounts, the newly appointed member seems like a great person and member of our community. It is of note that the file maintained by Denise Quist also contains the application of another, well-qualified applicant, who has spent the first 20 years of his career in virtually every level of the liquor industry. He filed his application in 2019 for the then vacant seat. It also appears that pertinent and material It is my hope that the Town Council reconsiders its decision and reappoint Joe Clark to the Board of Licensing. Respectfully Submitted, Marc E. Chapdelaine, Chair Town of Winthrop Board of Licensing