Minutes
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 4, 2020 ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara F lockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Councilor Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor LoConte 1. CALL TO ORDER Council President calls the meeting to order at 7:00 pm Meeting held remote 312-626-6799 ID# 874 5095 3951 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Ferrino leads the Pledge of Allegiance 3. ROLL CALL 4. MINUTES Approve Minutes of July 21, 2020 as circulated Motion by Vice President Jim Letterie 2"! by Councilor Rob Demarco Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Rich F errino, Councilor Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor LoConte Motion Passes 8-] 5. GENERAL INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS Council President reports on the resident still must remember that we are still in a pandemic and please continue to follow the socially distance. Mask order is still in effect and still wear a mask out and about and if not 6° from people outside. Did notice beach less crowded, which is a good sign. Citations Read by Council President Boncore for the following: Sister Jane Gerry DiFranza Ellen Nickerson 6. PUBLIC HEARING None TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 2020 PAGE 1 PUBLIC COMMENT Vinny Crossman -Discusses his involvement with Miller Field and the Football program. Agrees with naming the Miller Field Football Field House The Anthony Fucillo Field House. Agrees with re dedicating the Field to Mr. Miller and Pat Magee and also Anthony Fucillo. The authority rests with the Town Council, who has the right. The field is in the possession of the Town Council. Discusses the character of Coach Fucillo and not more than a dedicated coach and public servant. He goes out of his way for past students and athletes. We have received many letters in support of Coach Fucillo Mark D'ambrosio-He is happy to be part of a petition to name the field house after Coach Fucillo that has over 2,000 signatures. He also talks of the character of Coach and how deserving he is of this honor. His influence is reflected in coaches, players, and students, Julia Wallerce-Publicly wants to voice her approval of the merging of the TSAC and Transportation Committees as a good thing as these committees together will be more effective. Shout out to DPW with the Belle Isle Maintenance...go0d job. John Morgan-P4...Thank you very much for the Citation of Gerry DiFranza. Rose Mazzuchelli-Chair of Memorials Committee, please remind that all memorial dedications must go through the Memorials Committee. Anthony DiCato-Agrees that the Miller Field Football Field House should be named after Coach Fucillo, considers him a mentor and good friend. Closed CORRESPONDENCE Numerous correspondence on Coach Fucillo being named for the Miller Field Football Field House. School Committee Chair, Brian Perrin afraid people got the wrong impression at the School Committee, but there is a moratorium that was in place prior to this request. This is a policy situation. The School currently has a moratorium on naming any school buildings, currently, the school does not have the authority to name any buildings. Carol Facella requesting people park at Point Shirley...anyone with a sticker or plaque can park in Point Shirley. COMMITTEE REPORTS Vice President Letterie reports on the preliminary reports of the Tennis Courts and parking. Still waiting for the subcommittee to meet with the golf club. Looking to get some concrete ideas on the golf shed. The dog park is being worked on funding sources by the Town Manager. Would love to be able to include the naming of the field house in the rededication of Miller Field. No sports until at least Sept. 14, 2020. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 2020 PAGE 2 10. MFC-Very proud of recent graduates and school and school committee for all hard work, the athletic director, and the new graduates. TOWN MANAGER REPORT Public access to Miller Field now open, please contact Laurisa for any information. Received update on local aid. Anna Freedman-state does not have approved budget for FY21but did approve an interim budget for local municipalities. Receiving $265,167 & $335,638 above final budget approval. Transfer from Town Council can be lowered for local aid due to the increase in these state funds. We can draw down on our "rainy day" fund. Public Health Director Meredith Hurley give update on Covid....2 additional today 306 confirmed, 24 deceased 13 isolated 269 recovered, Seeing a slowing from July. Our percent positive rate is now the lowest it has been. We are at a 3.41% positive rate. Our demographics since July is now showing an even spread on all age demographics. We will be working with the schools closely to begin the opening of schools. Councilor DeMarco- Isolation cases going down. Does this mean they have been reported a week later and have already been isolated? Meredith answers yes, this is what has been happening with test results and the time of them. Good sign this going down. DPW Director Steve Calla gives update on Center Business Project-Please see town website for complete updated details of current project. Councilor Ferrino asks about pipes that came in tonight. These are drainage pipes for Pauline St. to Hagman to French Sq. to Putnam St. intersection. A lot of capacity with these replacement pipes. Library- The Building will remain closed for the time being, current staffing has been able to handle any demands and provide cards and pins for online ordering. Curb side pickup available. Digital and virtual will be available in the very near future. Just so all know, due to Covid and the budget, there are other departments that have also been impacted. Completely understand and will be attending the Library Trustees Meeting and still working on these dynamics. Introduced to dept. heads how things will be once we must open back to public and have all departments open. Town Manager will not put up with social media "calling" out certain employees and how we are interacting with the town, he wishes people would just take a step back and realize that there is a public health issue that is his priority. He is just asking the public for patience; we are trying our best. He will be working with Northeastern to show that we are working close to 80% of our capabilities. We have made progress, but we are still a long way from being back to normal. Looking forward to bringing Library staff back sooner than later. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 2020 PAGE 3 11. 12. 13. Council Christopher asks on local aid numbers, is this the amount of the allotment for the year or the interim. FY 20, no increases for FY 21. We are certain on these numbers? Anna cannot guarantee any 100% certainty but understands that the state is trying to work with these numbers but the Governor could request local aid cuts which would have to go through legislation. Vice President Letterie very happy Miller Field is open to the public. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UPDATE Council President reports that the School Committee met last night. 3 Recommendations of school opening. Full opening Hybrid Section Full remote Superintendent is offering a Hybrid approach. A blue group and a gold group. Blue in school Monday -Tuesday Gold in Thur-Firday When not in school on remote. All will be on remote on Wednesday Every student will have a device to be able to work online. Special ed and high needs will be in school 4 days a week. This will go on until re-evaluated by the state which will be Friday Nov. 13, 2020 and discuss how it is currently working. Sept.16, 2020 will begin the school year. Sept. 21, 2020 the Hybrid Program will start. School Committee endorsed this program unanimously. This presentation is on the school dept. web site. Vice President Letterie, thanks for comments, the state has put an incredible amount of pressure on these school superintendents and he thanks all for their hard work. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Motion by Council President to designate the Harvey Hearing Room as the Early Voting Site for the Town of Winthrop... (See Attached Motion) Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Councilor Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor LoConte Motion Passes 8-1 > TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 2020 PAGE 4 Motion by President Philip Boncore to Appoint the final three members to the Commission on Diversity, Inclusion Community Relations John Morgan Sid Belghiti Suzanne Martucci Gallo Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Rich F errino, Councilor Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor LoConte Motion Passes 8-1 Town Council discussion to name the new field house at Miller Field after Anthony Fucillo Motion by Vice President Letterie to refer to the Memorial Committee 2" by Councilor Rich Ferrino. Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Councilor Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor LoConte Motion Passes 8-1 Vice President Letterie comments on the petition of the naming the field Anthony Fucillo. A coach, a mentor and incredible role model, work ethics... this is how people feel about him. Speaker DeLeo whole heartedly supports this naming of the field house. Council President reads the Charter responsibilities of the memorials committee. Come back by our next meeting. Council DeMarco reports getting 150 signatures to run for office is near impossible. This petition for over 2,000 signatures is amazing. Councilor Ruggiero requests that all correspondence be sent to the memorials committee. TSAC Committee Discussion Motion by Councilor Peter Christopher from TSAC.... (See attached motion) Council President Boncore refers to the Rules & Ordinance to report back at our next Town Council Meeting Town Council vote to amend section 10.16.90 of the Town Ordinances. (See Attached Motion) Motion by President Philip Boncore to Refer to the Rules & Ordinance Committee TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 2020 PAGE 5 14. IS. 16. PUBLIC COMMENT Karin Chavis apologizes to the DPW as for not being able to get stickers for debris and it was a phone glitch. Thank you to the Fire Dept. addressing the abandoned property committee for taking care of an abandoned property near her address, Suzanne Leonard-Discusses the Library negotiations and attempt to communicate with the Town Manager has been delayed and will lead a large group of citizens to be brought to the town’s attention. There will be a read in rally on Thursday. Mike Diluiso-Clarifies that the visitor’s placards are only valid in the vicinity of whose house they are issued. If someone has a visitor pass in the center it is not useable in the point. Rose Mazzuchelli-Will bring this to the committee but needs the information in writing. Alex Smith Echoes support of Anthony Fucillo being named on the field house. John Morgan Thanks for appointment to the HRC PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS 15.a There will be a parade in honor of Sister Jane on August 9th. If you would like to participate, please meet at the Winthrop High School at 1:00 pm Councilor Ruggiero Class of 20 and because of Covid our 10-year reunion will not be until 2021. Councilor DeMarco thanks Superintendent and the school committee for their hard work. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilor DeMarco to adjourn 8:28 2™ by Councilor Ferrino Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Councilor Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor LoConte Motion Passes 8-1 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 COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 2020 PAGE 6 TOWN of WINTHROP MOTION Submitted By: Carla Vitale Date: __ July 23, 2020 Article Number: Subject: Designation of Early Voting Location TEXT OF MOTION The Winthrop Town Council in accordance with 950 CMR 47.04 and 950 CMR 51.00 designates the Winthrop Town Hall, as the Early Voting Site for the Town of Winthrop for the time period that runs from August 22, 2020 to August 28, 2020. The location will be the Harvey Room. Please see draft voter’s guide for explanation of safety measures taken. This is required by law to be voted and sent to the State by August 7, 2020. https://malegislature. gov/Laws/Generall aws/Partl/TitleVIII/Chapters4/Section6s Check to add 150’ rule so candidates cannot loiter for sigs 8-4-20 Motion by Council President Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Councilor Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor LoConte Motion Passes 8-1