Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 13 pages · 2.5 MB
open the file ↗ · original at the source ↗
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Council Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore 1. CALL TO ORDER Town Council President calls meeting to order at 7:00 PM and reads Zoom Info for any Public Comment or Public Hearings PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Christopher MOMENT OF SILENCE William “Bill” Fury HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TOWN MANAGER FAISON HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO COUNCIL PRESIDENTS GRANDAUGHTER LUCY MINUTES Motion by Council Vice President James Letterie 2™ by Councilor Rich Ferrino. ROLL CALL Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara F lockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Council Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Motion Passed 9-0 GENERAL INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS The Covid Pandemic is still in effect, please be safe, social distance, masks. Board of Health new regulation is mask wearing on all public properties, fines will be issued. A fine was issued to a local party that did not adhere to the social distancing. PUBLIC HEARING PUBLIC COMMENT Julia Wallerce discusses the new bike sharrows and for biking in the community to keep going at a good pace. Looking forward to continued funding. Keep routes safer for bikers. Lowering speed limit is a good beginning. Bike friendly and pedestrian safe. CORRESPONDENCE Names read ...please see attached list of correspondence. COMMITTEE REPORTS 9.a -Public Works Committee-Meeting canceled as National Grid withdrew petition -SBAC-Tennis Courts are 90% ready to go, still discussing the lighting. -Rules & Ordinance-Councilor Christopher reports the motions that were discussed, there were 6 and 5 will be motioned with a positive recommendation. There will be another Rules & Ordinance Meeting, public are welcome. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 PAGE 1 10. 11. TOWN MANAGER REPORT Discusses re-opening Town Hall & Library municipal staff and Library staff will be returning. Looks like an October 5" opening, not open to public yet. Town Hall, good amount of staff returning. There will be a QR Code that the staff will complete to make sure no Covid sickness enters building. Encouraging staff to get tested on a weekly basis. DPW Director Calla updates on the Center Business Project-Please see town website for all updated information-https://stories.opengov.com/winthropma/published/cqK 8p3 KPe Town Managers office and DPW have been working together to work on bike paths in street with painted sharrows. Making progress to make streets safer for bikes and pedestrians. A Sharrow is not a bike lane and does not create road space for bikes, it lets the driver know where the bikes will be. There will be 385 sharrows, 250’ apart, there will be 4 nights to complete painting of the sharrows. Please see map on website for bike Sharrows will be installed. Received grant for Park Let systems, build out park seating, adding more public seating. Applied for a 2™ grant and for bicycle storage, will know shortly if we have received. Received grants for way finding, this is very exciting for our community as for town information for future foot traffic. Solid waste contract increased significantly and must be addressed. Want to try and set up dual stream recycling...one-week paper...one week glass, etc. Capital Waste will provide bins. Also looking at individual solid waste totes. Black Earth Compost from Arlington is looking for people to sign up for this service. We need to get closer to 100 for the best rate available and to make sure community is interested. Very important the community begin reviewing this information to take advantage. BlackEarthCompost.com to reach. Town is not promoting business, they are just the preferred vendor if town does go this route. The Zero Waste Committee and Finance Committee will have a joint meeting to discuss. Public Health Safety Director Meredith Hurley gives Covid Update....Please see website for all Covid Updates..... Total Cases 391 , 1 case reduction from yesterday as | case was not from Winthrop 24 deceased, 15 isolated, 352 recovered. Please see information for age breakdown. FLU CLINIC BEGINNING OCTOBER 3, 2020 Assistant Town Manager Anna Freedman gives update on our Bond Rating and it is good news that we have maintained our AA rating and have been updated with our management score from good to strong. Our budget performance budget is same as most municipalities going through same with Covid Affecting budgets. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UPDATE Council President reports on School- Schools have opened remotely, chrome books requested, have been delivered, free lunches and breakfast for any in need of this. It can be picked up at school and landing for point people. Reviewing Hybrid learning on November 13, 2020, TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 PAGE 2 12. OLD BUSINESS Motion by the Rules & Ordinance that the Town Council accept the recommendation of the TSAC Committee to reduce town-wide speed limit to 25 mph...(See Attached Motion) No 2" Needed Discussion Chief Delehanty would like to keep signs posted until the town hears from the State to be in agreement with the roads owned by them in the town. Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Against-Councilor LoConte Motion Passes 8-1 Motion by the Rules & Ordinance that the Town Council accept the recommendation of the TSAC Committee to implement 15 Mins. Parking on Shirley St. in the vicinity of Shirley Hardware....(See Attached Motion) No 2" Needed Discussion Motion tables until next Town Council meeting Motion by the Rules & Ordinance that the Town Council accept the recommendation of the TSAC Committee to amend Resident Parking Sticker Program...(See Attached Motion) No 2" Needed Discussion Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0 Motion by the Rules & Ordinance that the Town Council accept the recommendation of the TSAC Committee to eliminate parking on a portion of South Main St....(See Attached Motion) No 2™ Needed Discussion Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Rich Ferrino, President Philip Boncore Against: Council Vice President Jim Letterie, Motion Passes 8-1 Motion by the Rules & Ordinance that the Town Council accept the recommendation of the TSAC Committee to install a Stop Sign Quincy/Cliff Ave.....(See Attached Motion) No 24 Needed Discussion Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0 Motion by the Rules & Ordinance that the Town Council accept the recommendation of the TSAC Committee to improve traffic and pedestrian safety on Almont, Cross & Locust St. ..... (See Attached Motion) No 2™ Needed Discussion Motion tabled until next Town Council Meeting Town Council to extend Point Shirley Pilot Parking Program-No Motion TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 PAGE 3 13. NEW BUSINESS Motion by Council President Boncore to appoint John Eade, Jeremy Mahoney Wright and Ben Schad to the TSAC Committee. 2™ by Councilor Ferrino Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0 Motion by Council President Boncore to appoint Kyle Gagin to the Scholarship Committee. 2"* by Councilor Ferrino Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0 14. PUBLIC COMMENT Karin Chavis-Saturday small house fire caused by a bathroom fan, the firefighters were professional in their handling of this situation. Cleaned up and helped homeowner. Discusses Trash Contract and does not want Social Media to condemn what needs to be discussed Upset member of Planning Board stated they did not know the Town Manager was hiring a Planner, this is upsetting that the Planning Board members do not read the budget. Wished more committee members would review the town budget. Shannon Poulos-Requested what overtime will be to paint the sharrows? DPW Director Calla anticipates 4 nights of painting, approx.. 5 hrs. layout done during day, no OT. Discusses that since town cannot meet other needs, why are bike sharrows being paid for? Town Manager reports most is from a grant from the state. 15. PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS 16. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Council Vice President James Letterie to adjourn at 8:51 2"¢ by Councilor DeMarco ROLL CALL Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Council Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Motion Passed 9-0 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 SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 PAGE 4 TOWN OF WINTHROP OFFICE OF THE TOWN MANAGER Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1077 Fax: 617-846-5548 Austin Faison Town Manager Town Council Motion September 2, 2020 Fiscal Year 2021 Text of Motion MOTION: That the Town Council accept the recommendations of the Transportation Safety Advisory committee from their September 2, 2020 meeting to reduce the town-wide speed limit to 25MPH by taking the following action: The Winthrop Town Council accepts the provisions of MGL Chapter 90, Section 17C authorizing the establishment of a 25 MPH speed limit for all roads under the jurisdiction of the town, and only on roads where a lower speed limit is not otherwise posted. Additionally, requests shall be made to the appropriate agencies of the Commonwealth to request reduction of the speed limit to 25 MPH on roads under their jurisdictions, including, but not limited to Route 145 and Winthrop Shore Drive. TOWN OF WINTHROP OFFICE OF THE TOWN MANAGER Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1077 Fax: 617-846-5548 Austin Faison Town Manager Town Council Motion August 30, 2020 Fiscal Year 2021 Text of Motion MOTION: I move that the Town Council amend Chapter 10.48 of the town ordinances titled “Resident Parking Sticker Program,” as follows in order to eliminate most walk-in transactions, increase the fee for online permits, and correct typographical errors, or take any other action relative thereto. Substantive Changes Amend section 10.48.020 (A) by inserting after “town hall,” the words “or other designated location” so the second sentence of the section reads “The location for the distribution of the resident sticker shall be the office of the tax collector, revenue collections, town hall or other designated location...” Amend section 10.48.020 by deleting section F entirely Amend section 10.48.030 (A) by deleting “and a self-addressed stamped envelope. A self- addressed, stamped envelope shall not be required for applications submitted online or in person after the new permits are released” Amend the last sentence of section 10.48.030(A) by inserting the words “as requested” so it reads “If applying via the online system, applicants shall provide both their driver's license number and registration number(s) as requested as proof of residency and vehicle eligibility.” Amend section 10.48.030 (B)(2) by deleting all text after “By mail” Amend section 10.48.030 (B)(3) by deleting “only after the release of new residential parking stickers are in effect, or after January 1” and inserting “by appointment in cases where additional information is required and cannot be submitted electronically, or where the circumstances of an exception require an in-person transaction,” in its place Amend section 10.48.030 (D) by inserting after “shall be issued,” the words “if all other eligibility requirements are met.” Amend section 10.48.030 (D)(1) by inserting after “tax collector” the words “or his or her designee.” Amend section 10.48.030 (D) 1) by deleting the words “Walk-in applicants will receive stickers at the time of application after the new stickers are released.” Amend section 10.48.040 (A) by replacing “given” with “issued” Amend section 10.48.040 (A) by deleting the words “at the revenue collections department, town hall” and inserting in its place “at another time in accordance with the provisions of section 10.48.030 (B) of this ordinance. A resident may apply for a visitor placard even if they do not have a resident permit or a vehicle.” Amend section 10.48.050 by inserting after “revenue collections department” the words “or their designee.” Amend section 10.48.060 (C) by inserting after “revenue collections department” the words “or their designee.” Amend section 10.48.060 (C)(1) by deleting the words “real estate” from the second sentence, and inserting after “document” the words “as listed in section 10.48.030 (A) of this ordinance” so the sentence reads “The new resident must provide proof of residency in the form of a lease or other valid document as listed in section 10.48.030 (A) of this ordinance. Amend the fee schedule in section 10.48.100 by replacing “$0.00” with “$5.00” for Resident Parking Sticker (online) Amend section 10.48.100 by deleting the words “temporary placard is returned, prior to expiration, with the sticker application” and inserting “application for the resident parking sticker is received prior to the expiration of the placard, provided the vehicle meets eligibility tequirements at that time” so the sentence teads “There will be no charge for a resident Amend section 10.48.120 (A) by inserting after “visitor placard.” the words “temporary placard” Non-Substantive Changes Amend section 10.48.010 (A) by replacing “traffic” with “transportation” to reflect the newly renamed Transportation Safety Advisory Committee Amend sections 10.48.020 (A) and 10.48.130 (D) by replacing “Cable” with “Community” to reflect the correct name of WCAT as Winthrop Community Access Television” Amend the ordinance by replacing “bylaw” with “ordinance” in each location where it appears Amend section 10.48.030 (A)(1) by inserting an apostrophe so “drivers license” becomes “driver’s license” Amend section 10.48.030 (A)(4) by replacing “An” with “A” so it reads “A rental or lease agreement for rental where applicant resides” Amend section 10,48.030 (E) by replacing the first instance of “side” with “comer” so it reads “The resident sticker shall be affixed to the lower ri ight-hand corner of the driver's side front window... Amend section 10.48.030 (F) by deleting extraneous punctuation after the word “supplied” Amend section 10.48.060 (C)(2) by replacing the first instance of “but” with “and” so it reads “A resident who is eligible for a resident sticker and chooses not to have one, but needs to park their vehicle on the street for a limited amount of time...” TOWN OF WINTHROP OFFICE OF THE TOWN MANAGER Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1077 Fax: 617-846-5548 Austin Faison Town Manager Town Council Motion August 30, 2020 Fiscal Year 2021 Text of Motion MOTION: That the Town Council accept the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Advisory committee from their August 19, 2020 meeting to eliminate parking on a portion of South Main Street and amend section 10.16.090 of the town ordinances titled “Parking prohibited on certain streets,” as follows, Insert the following line into the table: Name of Street Side Location South Main Street West From the Southern terminus of the roadway to a point 220 feet Northerly TOWN OF WINTHROP OFFICE OF THE TOWN MANAGER Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1077 Fax: 617-846-5548 Austin Faison Town Manager Town Council Motion August 30, 2020 Fiscal Year 2021 Text of Motion MOTION: That the Town Council accept the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Advisory committee from their August 19, 2020 meeting to install a stop sign at the Easterly intersection of Quincy Avenue and Cliff Avenue and amend section 10.20.020 of the town ordinances titled “Schedule of stop intersections” as follows. Insert the following line into the table: Name of Street Direction of At Intersection of Travel Quincy Avenue Northbound Cliff Avenue Town Hall, 1 Metcalf, Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1077 Fax: 617-846-5548 Austin Faison Town Manager Town Council Motion August 30, 2020 Fiscal Year 2021 Text of Motion MOTION: That the Town Council accept the recommendations of the Traffic Safety Advisory committee from their August 19, 2020 Meeting to improve traffic and pedestrian safety on Almont, Cross, and Locust Streets and amend the town ordinances as follows: Amend section 10.24.010 of the town ordinances titled “Schedule of one-way streets,” as follows Insert the following line into the table: Name of Street At Intersection of Almont Street From Revere Street to Cross Street Cross Street From Shirley Street to Locust Street Locust Street From Cross Street to Revere Street If Almont Street is added to the table of one way streets, amend section 10,12.090 titled “Right turns prohibited at certain intersections,” by deleting section D “No vehicle going westerly on Almont Street shall make a right turn onto Revere Street from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and from 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on school days.” Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1077 Fax: 617-846-5548 Austin Faison Town Manager Town Council Motion September 2, 2020 Fiscal Year 2021 Text of Motion MOTION: That the Town Council accept the recommendations of the Transportation Safety Advisory committee from their September 2, 2020 to implement 15-minute parking on Shirley Street in the vicinity of Shirley Hardware and amend section 10.16.100 of the town ordinances titled “Parking limited on certain streets during certain times,” as follows: Insert the following lines into the table: Name of Street Side Location 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fifteen- minute parking Shirley Street East From the Northeast corner of the intersection of Sturgis Street to a point 80 feet Northerly