Minutes

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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 10, 2020

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilor Ruggiero

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

3. MINUTES

4.a Approval of October 20, 2020 Minutes, as circulated

Motion by Council Vice President James Letterie
24 by Councilor Rich 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

5. GENERAL INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS

President Boncore discusses the Covid Cases in Winthrop and that the Governor has amended the
"metric system" for determining your town. Winthrop has since changed from Red to Yellow.

The Governor has issued a new order for the inside gatherings are supposed to be 10 people and outside are
25:

The town will be adopting this order.

Order #53 changes time and stay at adds a stay at home

advisory beginning at 10:00 pm

Order #55 defines that all persons in MA over the age of 5 must wear a mask, whether indoors or outdoors...

These are orders of the Governor and our Board of Health will be abiding by them for our Town.

6. PUBLIC HEARING
6.a Town Council transfer $25,000 for the Dog Park Funding

pp Letterie reports this was heard at the Finance Committee Meeting and will be voted on in
usiness

7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Astrid Weins from the BOH very concerned of the Covid Cases in the town.
Our rate is continuing to grow and is very concerning. New confirmed cases are up by 800% in

comparison to end of July. We need to do everything we can to have our citizens follow the rules.... stop
blaming demographics...we need to step up to support the effort to stop the spread.

Includes WPD, and all involved...Meredith is doing the best she can do...the Health Dept. will need more
help.

Two of Meredith's students have tested positive and she lost their help.

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 10, 2020

CORRESPONDENCE

None from Council Clerk ; ; ;
Councilor Flockhart received a letter to thank Joanne DeMato for her hard work with this election.

President Boncore agrees, she and her staff did a fantastic job. The fact that we had our count by 11 pm
that evening was amazing.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

9.a Finance Committee

Joint SBAC & MFC Finance Sub
Ordinance Review Committee
Virtual Town Hall with Councilor Demarco

Finance Committee -2 items: Transfer of $25,000 Dog Park -Positive Recommendation.

OPEB Funding-Will take months to be processed, and down road we will have to have a

mechanism in town to adopt. We will have to look different alternatives as to how to be able to fund.
This motion begins the process.
Positive Recommendation

Joint SBAC & MFC

Vice President Letterie reports on this meeting of the Tennis Courts. Meeting will continue and thanks
ConCom for their approval of project.

More recommendations will be coming back. Should take about 6-8 months, hoping to begin at the
beginning of the new year.

This will be a state-of-the-art tennis court.

Ordinance Review Committee
Councilor Ruggiero gives update, going to have multiple forums for people to participate.
Committee will most likely reconvene soon.

Virtual Public Safety Meeting

Councilor Flockhart reports on this meeting and the input from Kaestle Boos Engineering that have two

designs, the A Field, and the Golf Course 7th Hole. Information can be found on website for entire
presentation.

Councilor Ferrino, agrees with Councilor Flockhart but must do more review on funding.

Vice President Letterie, very impressed with presentation, believes many people in town know we need
this building, but can the town afford? There will be several meetings over next months to give costs and
funding information. There is a lot to consider.

President Boncore states a committee will be appointed for financial information and placement of
building.

Councilor DeMarco asks if the Golf Course would be salvagable if they take
the 7th hole.

President Boncore reports that this is still under review...
Virtual Meeting with Councilor DeMarco went very well, had Councilor Flockhart for questions along
with Superintendent Howard who answered many questions concerning the schools...all in all a very

informaive meeting.

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 10, 2020

10.

11.

TOWN MANAGER REPORT

Town Manager Faison reports on the importance of the Covid Spread and restrictions. It will be some time
before a vaccine is available.... we must follow the rules and hopes that people will continue to try and put
the community first.

It is not one group or one site, it is including all. This is one of the oldest demographic communities in
Boston, ...connect dots, we put ourselves in a precarious position with these numbers. Asking community,
try as hard as possible to get out of this position. We need to stress personal responsibilities for all, only so
much the town can do without everyone's cooperation.

Public Health Director Meredith Hurly reports on the current town's Covid statistics and
presents information. All updated information is available on website at
https://www.town.winthrop.ma.us/board-health

Tomorrow will be a flu clinic from 10-2 pm across street from town hall, Cummings School. Also
planning on doing pediatrics clinic.

President Boncore asked if the high dose will be avaialbe for the seniors.
Yes, there will be 25 and more are being ordered.

Councilor DeMarco questions spelling errors on paperwork for Covid testing while enduring long lines.
Have we given thought that people can fill their own info out online to avoid these problems?

Town Manager Faison replies it is currently being explored, as Suffolk Downs is doing, we are working
with Fallon to have this testing go smoother.

Councilor DeMarco questions the UNH Halloween party and do these cases count in
Winthrop. Meredith answers only ones that come back to Winthrop

Vice President Letterie asks about positivity tests, if someone test pos. and then goes several times, is this
still considered a positivity test.

Meredith answers that though people get tested several times after testing positive and then gets tested
again and name wrong, statistically is does not matter but does factor into the final count of this. If people
get tested postive then test within a certain amount of time and it comes back postitive it will be considered

in our denominator factor.

Covid Testing Site will be open until 12-31-20

Councilor Flockhart reports that it is on the form if you have gotten tested previously.
Meredith answers that this info is more important to Fallon other than the states multiple testing.

President Boncore asks people to please get tested.
Meredith replies that multi generations within families are testing very quickly and it spreads.

DPW Director Steve Call gives an update on the CBD Project. Updated information can be answered on the
Town’s Website at https://www.town.winthrop.ma.us

SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UPDATE

President Boncore reports on School Committee meeting and their review of the metric change. The
school must stay in the yellow for at least 3 weeks prior to opening school. Superintendent Howard
looking at Jan. for a Hybrid schedule.

You must have feasibility to bring students in, we may not have the feasibility within our schools.

School Dept. will be meeting with the BOH at their next meeting and hoping that Jan. 4, 2021 school will
be opening.

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 10, 2020

12. OLD BUSINESS

13.

14.

12.a OPEB Trust Fund Adoption
Vice President Letterie reads motion in full for the record of these minutes (See Attached Motion

Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation

Discussion

CFO Anna Freedman gives background on OPEB

No 2nd Needed

Voting For: 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 Voting Against: None

12.b Town Council transfer $25,000 for the Dog Park Funding (See Attached Motion)
Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation
No 2nd Needed
Discussion
Councilor Ferrino asks if ConCom has approved.

DPW Director answers that the ConCom has agreed that a walk thru has been done and an OOC will

be written by the ConCom.

Town Council can vote on this as the OOC will still have to be done.

12.c Town Council vote to create a Special Article for the proceeds of the Sale of
Buses Due to Free Cash not being certified yet, we must amend this motion.

Motion by Vice President Lettiere to rescind original motion voted on at our 10-20-20

2nd by Councilor Ferrino

Motion by Council Vice President James Letterie to Approve Main Motion as Amended

2™ by Councilor Rich Ferrino.

NEW BUSINESS
13.a Town Council Transfer for Lead Line Replacement Project

Motion by Councilor Rich Ferrino to Refer to the Finance Committee.
24 by Councilor Peter Christopher.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Wendy Page -Thanks Councilor DeMarco for his Virutal Meeting and encourages other councilors to
also have one.

Questions the current situation with the MBTA, are we as a town looking at the ramifications if the bus lines

are cut which could cause many issues of transportation within our town.

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 10, 2020

15.

16.

Town Manager Faison reports that they were announced yesterday, and our local service could be reduced,
our Ferry will not be as it is not funded by the MBTA.

DPW Director Calla, comments on dog park maintenance to be as friendly as possible, will rely on
residents being responsible, bags and barrels type of park. More P stone areas. A successful dog park is
both the towns and people responsibility.

Noted that under the Cares Act, an enforcement officer has been hired.

Cares act money must be used by end of year. Still advocating for additional work from the the
Federal Government.

Leo Rodrigues-new resident to Winthrop as of 2019.

Thanks Councilor DeMarco and Councilor Christopher for responding to his emails. He discusses the water
and sewer rates and per his review we are among the top 10 in mass for water and sewer rates. He continues
to discuss the rates and his investigation in them.

He believes an audit is necessary and what the issues are. Urges all to look at this issue.

Colleen Murphy-Thanks all

Asks why street sweeping stop, shouldn’t it continue to keep streets and sewers clean?

DPW Director Calla answers it is hard during winter to do street sweeping but that the catch basins are
cleaned on a regular basis.

Public Hearing Closed.

PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS

Vice President Letterie reports that two citizens Bob Wynn & Barbara
Flavin have been invaluable to the Citizens on Finance Advisory
Committee are resigning.

President Boncore reports committee openings and asks public to please consider and complete an aplication.

Fall Forum- November 24, 2020 at 7:00 PM Via Zoom
Happy 245 Year to the Marines
Veterans Day small ceremony honoring the VEts at TH, but due to Governors Orders it will be small.

Committee Openings for Board of Health and Citizens Finance Advisory

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Council Vice President James Letterie to Adjourn at 8:39 PM
2" by Councilor Rich Ferrino.

Voting For: 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

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 COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 10, 2020

TOWN OF WINTHROP
OFFICE OF THE TOWN MANAGER

Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1077 Fax: 617-846-5458

Austin Faison
Town Manager

October 14, 2020 Fiscal Year 2021

Motion Summary
Title: OPEB Liability Trust Fund Adoption
Motion ID: TCM21-003

Motion Details
Motion Type: Adopt
Submitted by: Austin Faison, Town Manager
Date Submitted: 10/14/2020

Text of Motion:

RESOLVED: That, the Town of Winthrop hereby accepts the provisions of Chapter 32B, Section
20 of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended by Chapter 218, Section 15 of the Acts of
2016 (the “Act’); and establishes an Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund (the
“OPEB Fund”);

RESOLVED: That, in accordance with the Act, the Town of Winthrop hereby designates the
Treasurer of the Town of Winthrop to serve as Custodian of the OPEB Fund (the “Custodian”;

RESOLVED: That the Treasurer/Custodian be designated as the Trustee of the OPEB Fund, with
all the powers and responsibilities identified under the Act and this vote;

RESOLVED: That the Treasurer/Custodian, as Trustee, be authorized to employ investment
consultant(s), as well as outside custodial service(s) to hold the monies in the Fund, and to pay for
those services from the OPEB Fund;

10-20-20
Council President Boncore refers this motion to the Finance Committee

11-10-20

Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation

No 2nd Needed

Voting For: 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 Voting Against: None

Town Council Motion

October 15, 2020

Motion Summary

Title: Dog Park Matching Funds
Motion ID: TCM21-004

Motion Details

Motion Type: Transfer from Reserve
Submitted by: Councilor Jim Letterie
Date Submitted: 10/15/2020

Text of Motion

Fiscal Year 2021

I move that the Town Council transfer $25,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund to General
Fund Special Article #019605-581XX FY20 Dog Park Matching Grant to provide a 20% funding
contribution towards the Winthrop Foundation’s awarding of a grant of $100,000 (80% Winthrop
Foundation / 20% Town of Winthrop) for a Dog Park; or take any other action thereto.

Funding Details
Funding Source Funding Destination
Account Description Amount Account Description Amount
964 Capital Stabilization [$25,000 /0196052- FY20 Dog Park $25,000
[Fund S881XX Matching Grant

Capital Stabilization Balance before pending Motions: $ 2,390,966.03

Motion Pending: 25,000.00
Balance: $ 2,365,966.03

10-20-20

Council President Boncore refers this motion to the Finance Committee

Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation

No 2nd Needed
Discussion

Voting For: 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 Voting Against: None

TOWN OF WINTHROP
OFFICE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL

Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1077 Fax: 617-846-1742

MOTION
Submitted By: CFO, Anna Freedman Date: 11-10-20

TEXT OF MOTION

Text of Motion

MOTION: I move that the Town Council amend the motion adopted at the October 20, 2020 Town
Council meeting for a transfer of $21,275 from Free Cash to strike that motion text and replace it with the
following text: The Town shall transfer $21,275 from Fund 853 Sale of Town Property Fund to a Special
Article in the General Fund to be titled FY21 Bus Sale Supported Programs; or take any other action
thereto.

Funding Details

Funding Source Funding Destination

Account [Description Amount {Account Description |Amount

853 (Transfer Out $21,275 0196058- IFY21 Bus Sale pee
S88xxx Supported Programs

10-20-20

Motion by Finance Committee

No 2™4 Needed

Motion to Amend by Vice President Letterie that the Town Council create a Special Article from
Free Cash totaling no more than $21,275 to be used for school purposes for activities concerning
athletics or co-curricular activities

Main Motion as Amended

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

11-10-20
Town Council vote to create a Special Article for the proceeds of the

Sale of Buses Due to Free Cash not being certified yet, we must amend
this motion.

Motion by Vice President Lettiere to rescind original motion voted on at our 10-20-20
2nd by Councilor Ferrino

Voting For: 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 Voting Against: None

Motion by Council Vice President James Letterie to Approve Main Motion as Amended
2"¢ by Councilor Rich Ferrino.

Voting For: 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 Voting Against: None

TOWN OF WINTHROP
OFFICE OF THE TOWN MANAGER

Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1077 Fax: 617-846-5458

Austin Faison
Town Manager

Town Council Motion
November 4, 2020 Fiscal Year 2021

Motion Summary

Title: FY21 Lead Line Replacement Project (Contract 8)
Motion ID: TCM21-005

Amount: $750,025

Funding Source: MWRA Lead Line Replacement Program

Motion Details

Motion Type: Borrowing Authorization
Submitted by: Austin Faison, Town Manager
Date Submitted: 11/4/2020

Text of Motion

MOTION: I move that the Winthrop Town Council adopt the following order:

ORDERED: That the Town appropriates the sum of SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY
THOUSAND TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS ($750,025) to pay costs of replacing lead water
service lines, including all costs incidental and related thereto; that to meet this appropriation, the
Treasurer, with the approval of the Town Manager, is authorized to borrow said amount under
and pursuant to M.G.L. c.44, §7(1), or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue
bonds or notes of the Town therefor; that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Town Manager,
is authorized to borrow all or a portion of such amount from the Massachusetts Water Resources
Authority (the “Authority”) and in connection therewith to enter into a loan agreement and/or
financial assistance agreement with the Authority and otherwise to contract with the Authority
with respect to such loan and for any grants or aid available for the project or for the financing
thereof; that the Town Manager is authorized to accept and expend any grants or aid available for
the project or for the financing thereof, provided that the amount of the authorized borrowing for
the project shall be reduced by the amount of any such grants or aid received; that the Town
Manager is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this project; and that any
premium received upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this order, less any such
premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, may be applied
to the payment of costs approved by this order in accordance with M.G.L. c.44, §20, thereby

reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount.
Funding Details

Funding Source Funding Destination
Account | Description Amount Account Description Amount
IMWRA BORROWING $750,025 New- FY21 Lead Line {$750,025
Water/Sewer [Replacement
Project (Contract 8)

11-10-20
Motion by Councilor Rich Ferrino to Refer to the Finance Committee.
2" by Councilor Peter Christopher.
Voting For: 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 Voting Against: None