Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 8 pages · 2.1 MB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 24, 2020 CALL TO ORDER Council President Opens Meeting at 6:00PM and explains meeting is early than normal as we will be going directly into the Town Council Fall Forum at 7:00 PM PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Christopher MOMENT OF SILENCE: Judge Joseph Ferrino Jim Soper Charles Northrup ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte, Council Vice President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor Ferrino MINUTES Approval of November 10, 2020 Minutes Motion by Vice President Letterie 3" by Councilor Rich Ferrino. Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara F lockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor Ferrino Motion Passes 8-0 GENERAL INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS —_,-"'_ [VN SENN & RECOMMENDATIONS PUBLIC HEARING 6.a Tax Classification FY21 Motion by Vice President Letterie to continue Public Hearing 2" by Councilor Flockhart Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor Ferrino Motion Passes 8-0 6.b Town Council appropriate $750,025 / Replacing Lead Water Service Lines FY21 Finance Committee will move forward with this in old business with a positive recommendation PUBLIC COMMENT Colleen Murphy- Discusses any thoughts on children getting back to school, maybe the town should be shut down for all to realize the importance of the Covid spread Leo Rodrigues-Discusses the Massport mitigation funding and believes it should be used for soundproofing and questions the donation to the dog park. He is not against the dog park but believes funding should be going towards airport activity. Jeremy Mahoney Wright-Believes the Passport funding should be used for other uses, not the dog park TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 24, 2020 PAGE 1 10. Town Manager -Winthrop foundation is a 501c, anything they decide to fund, should be appropriated to them directly. Town Council President Thanks Senator Boncore & Speaker DeLeo for helping with soundproofing, working to get the homes that were already soundproofed allowed to re-apply. Massport is losing money due to the current state of the economy and hopes this funding continues. Donna REilly- Thanks the CDIRC for their work and the entire committee. Looking for ex officio members from WPD and the schools and possibly One Winthrop. CORRESPONDENCE Received several emails about the schools opening Received several emails pertaining to Councilor Honan’s Pledge COMMITTEE REPORTS CDIRC-John Morgan reports on this meeting and felt it went very smooth and efficient, couple of questions on the incident on Shirley St., which was addressed by the Chief of Police, another issue with a resident who had a problem that the COVID site being tested and claiming wrong nationality, this was reviewed and reported positively by Chair Baez. Town Council President reports the committee sent a recommendation motion to the Town Council to adopt the pledge from Councilor Honan FINANCE COMMITTEE Town Council appropriate $750,025 / Replacing Lead Water Service Lines FY21 Finance Committee will move forward with this in old business with a positive recommendation Reports on Ingleside Park Playground that had significant damaged due to a fire, has been roped off.t Thanks to CFO Anna Freedman and Sean Driscoll, Director Parks & Rec. who have been on top of the insurance coverage this since the fire. It is a costly repair and with different policies all must be reviewed. The structure itself will be paid for by the town, the ded. is large and is not covered by ins. Initial cost is $60-80,000 range. The rubber surface had serious melting, cost is substantial, but an ins. policy with a lower ded should cover this and the fencing. This will be a substantial cost for the town. Time frame will not begin until the spring., to install a rubber surface temps must be above at least 50 degrees. ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE-Councilor Ruggiero reports on the last meeting which was a Public Hearing on 11-21-20, and another meeting was first on 11-19-20...former Town Council Presidents were asked to attend and reflect their opinions on the current charter and what could be changed. Thanks all that attended and gave their focus on the current changes needed within the Charter and or Ordinance. Now the ORC will take all info received at the 11-21-20 meeting and work with information they have received. Every meeting is open to the public, please call in and join discussion. TOWN MANAGER REPORT With Fall Forum coming up, he will focus on the Covid situation. Public Health Director gives an updated report / We should still stay in yellow with our current numbers. Tomorrow Wed. 9-1pm for testing Flu clinic Dec. Sth, more info TBA -hopefully using CaresAct $ Town Council President asks how many people have gotten tested? Director Hurley will review and get back with a number...max out at 500 test a day and have been capping TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 24, 2020 PAGE 2 11. Vice President Letterie thanks Director Hurley for her hard work 1-Since incredible amount of action of testing, should this help our positivity rate? 2-Town Manager and Chief Delehanty speak regarding testing is there any thought of traffic pattern due to the immense number of cars waiting to be tested. Chief is waiting to see if this is a surge for holiday, if so, we can revert back to how currently designed, if this will be a long lasting impact, decisions will be made on how to handle this, maybe test appt. only, if not maybe only walk up. Town Manager is involved with several managers within our region and our trends are getting scary with hospitalization, entire contact tracing network is more than 1/3 of people within 24 hrs. 25% not even identifying. Alot of trouble keeping up due to case load. If we lose control, testing is less effective... Unfortunately, as a region there is alot of support of rolling things back.... In terms of this there are only certain things that governement can do to try and intervene in the spread of covid. The holidays are coming up, we can notify people how to handle this within limitations but there is only so much a government can do, it is up to the individuals to handle their situation correctly. There is serious consideration of rolling things back, it will become significantly harder for the economy and this business. This is troubling to hear, but simple things can be done, wear a mask, social distance... Vice President Letterie, thanks Town Manager for comments and we do seem to be trending down a little but that can mean nothing. There is not alot we can do, only hope that people are smart. He has serious concerns about Town Manager not opening Town Hall until Feb. 1, 2020, we have received funding from Cares act to make our own Hall safe. He is extremely disappointed this building will be closed and now we seem to be cutting back staff and not opening. Our numbers are worse than were in the spring but so much more testing. Fear is not the answer, communiciation and following simple rules should be done. Totally unacceptable to close Town Hall until 2-1-2021. Town Manager replies- We have not had a spread due to how I have managed this virus. Unfortunately, even though people say they will not be celebrating the holidays in the normal manner, it might happen and due to this and do not want to spread and there has not been. Our Cares ACt funding has helped with our employee education of technology and we have not missed a beat, employees are still maintaining a high level of service and can do remotely, and still help the community with services, provide the employees not to interact in person. This is not just happening in Winthrop; it is happening within the country. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UPDATE School Committee met for 3 hrs. and over 100 calls in public comment. Schools will be receiving the covid testing kits and get results in 15 mins., there will be covid room for student while determing if they have the Virus. Out of 1831 students surveyed., there are 460 students that will remain remote. Because of the statistics, remote can continue for these students. The School Committee voted to follow the Board of Health recommendation of not opening until Jan 4, 2021. A close eye will be kept on this after the holidays. Councilor DeMarco discusses the return of MIAA sports...it was voted 6-1 to return to sports beginning 12-14-20 and can use the locker rooms Town Council President-Possible practice allowable but cannot compete until kids are in school. Councilor DeMarco does not understand how the locker rooms could be used but classrooms cannot. This is not something the Town Council should not be discussing. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 24, 2020 PAGE 3 12. 13. Vice President Letterie reports that the MIAA has permitted practice to begin on Dec. 15, 2020 but games will not begin until Jan. 9, 2021. Any games might have to be postponed. MIAA not having conference or state championships, in terms of vote, since school not in session until Jan. 4, the athletic director requested a school committee policy change. The voted to let students participate in practices, as far as locker rooms, they have not been allowed. OLD BUSINESS 12.a Town Council appropriate $750,025 / Replacing Lead Water Service Lines FY21 Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation No 2nd Needed Discussion Councilor Christopher wonders if the CBD project could be used towards this mandate? Certain amount of leadline, could we say go towards this or is this separate. Vice President Letterie reflects that there must be 7% of homes every year, but there may not be enough with lead lines in the CBC, but will defer to Director Calla Director Calla states that they will be uti lizing full lead line replacement, partial be covered only the 7% which is full line...there is 1] that need to be done, must come up with remainder of ful Ilines needed. Debt service 10 % interest results in .17 cents in water bill Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor Ferrino NEW BUSINESS 13.a Town Council Declare Surplus DPW Vehicles Town Council President Refers to the Finance Committee 13.b Town Council maintain a Uniform Rate for all Classes of Property for FY21 Town Council President Refers to the Finance Committee 13.¢ Adopt Councilor Honan Pledge of Justice Statement Town Council President Refers to the Rules & Ordinance Motion by Councilor DeMarco to recess the Town Council Meeting and enter the Fall Forum at 7:06 2nd by Councilor Christopher Discussion Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor Ferrino Motion Passes 8-0 VP Letterie will we go back into TC Meeting for Public Comment Town Council President-Yes and for adjournment Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor Ferrino FALL FORUM BEGINS-PRESENTATION BY TOWN MANAGER FAISON-PLEASE SEE TOWN WEBSITE FOR FULL PRESENATION TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 24, 2020 PAGE 4 TOWN COUNCIL BACK IN SESSION-8:36 PM 14. 15. 16. PUBLIC COMMENT Jeremery Wright disagrees with the Winthrop Foundation using the Massport money for the duog park. he lives in the point and after extensive research he has found that other communities have used their mitigation funding for soundproofing, air quality, insulating schools, improving the hvac systems air quality is better. Why are we not doing this? His house is 65 years old and he is not eligbile due to his house getting windows in 19802? Unsderstand the importance of the dog park, but funding should not be going to this. Found out Gina resigns, who does he speak too? Town Manager reports that the committee is being advertised for members. Again, the Winthrop Foundation is a 50 1c it is up to them who they allocate funding too. Shannon Poulos-discusses that she sees a shift in community and address the pledge of justice Statement... wants to read what she wrote.... fundamentally 100 % justice for ALL, ... (See correspondence) Council President reiterates he has sent to the R&O for review and any changes could be discussed in this meeting. Councilor Honan replies it included a pledge, just her statement not the entire Town Council The pledge was only the last part of the statement. PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS -Immediate Committee Openings for Board of Health, Citizens Finance Advisory & Airport Hazards -Holiday Lighting Special Nov 27 to air on WCAT (Time TBA) Send personal greetings to be aired-Contact Chamber of Commerce for questions 617-846-9898 ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Vice President Letterie at 8:43 PM 2™ by Councilor Ruggiero Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara F lockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor Ferrino Motion Passes 8-0 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 NOVEMBER 24, 2020 PAGE 5 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. ¢.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 MWRA 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 12-1-20 Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation No 2nd Needed Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, President Philip Boncore Absent: Councilor Ferrino 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 MOTION Submitted by: Austin Faison, Town Manager Date: November 17, 2020 TEXT OF MOTION MOTION: I move that the Town Council declare as surplus the following vehicle inventory: DEPARTMENT YEAR MAKE MODEL VIN PLATE # Public Works 1986 Ford New Holland VIN #UV29145 M43749 Tractor Public Works 1990 International 4900 VIN M43516 Dump Truck #1HTSDDBN3LH693491 Public Works 1996 Chevrolet GMT 400 VIN M98387 Pick-up Truck #1GCGK24R4TE240513 Public Works 1997 Chevrolet K3500 Dump VIN M52707 Trick #1GBJK34F7VF040681 Public Works 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van VIN M95798 #1GCDM19W5WB202493 Public Works 2000 Chevrolet K3500 Pick- VIN M53903 up Truck #1GBJK34R5YFO1164 Public Works 2000 Chevrolet K3500 Dump VIN M53909 Truck #1GBIK34R2YF500327 Public Works 2005 Chevrolet Silverado VIN M48311 K2500 Pick-up Truck #1GBJK34R5YFO1164 Thereby authorizing the Treasurer Collector to post for sale through an approved auction site; or take any other action relative thereto. 12-1-20 Council President Boncore refers to the Finance Committee 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 MOTION TEXT OF MOTION Submitted By: Town Manager Faison Date: 11-24-20 Subject: Uniform Tax Rate TEXT OF MOTION That the Town Council maintains a Uniform Tax rate for all classes of Property for FY2021, authorize Town Manager Faison to sign and electronically submit the LA-5 to the Department of Revenue and the Town Council approves Electronic Signature to this document on behalf of the Town Councilors. 11-24-20 Council President Boncore refers to the Finance Committee