Minutes
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 1, 2020
7:00 PM.....Via Zoom
CALL TO ORDER
Council President Opens Meeting at 7:00PM and reads Zoom Information for participation
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilor Demarco
MOMENT OF SILENCE:
Amy Gallagher-
A very valuable member of our community, she will be missed by all.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor
Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice
President James Letterie, President Philip Boncore
MINUTES
Approval of November 24, 2020 Minutes
Motion by Councilor Ferrino
2" by Councilor Christopher.
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara F lockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco,
Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
GENERAL INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS
Council President reports on the town having 51 positive Covid tests during the Thanksgiving Holiday, this
is not a great number and request citizens to continue socially distancing. We need to lower these numbers.
CFO Anna Freedman requests that we take out of order the Public Hearing for the Tax Rate Classification
Motion by Councilor DeMarco to take the Public Hearing for the Tax Classification out of order
2™ by Councilor Honan
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor
Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING OPENED-TAX CLASSIFICATION
Deputy Assessor Steve Roche, along with Chair of the Assessor Committee, Alan Marruzzi review the
Current town property assessments and how they are determined... (Please see attached information)
Avg. home base rate on $501,249 represents a .6% increase from last year. Tax Bill is now and average of
$635.55 about a 1% increase from last year, approx. +$70 for each household. Proposed will be $12.68 last
year $12.62
No Public Comment on this information.
Vice President Letterie reflects that the Finance Committee did meet, and this was voted with a Positive
Recommendation.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 1, 2020 PAGE 1
Councilor Ruggiero asked if condo conversions could possibly dry up and our new growth numbers
dwindling?
Deputy Assessor believes there are an ample supply, but he sees this market continuing.
People are staying home and investing in their properties. Mortgage rates all time low allowing people to
remodel.
Motion by Vice President Letterie to close continued public hearing
2" by Councilor Ruggiero
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara F lockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco,
Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
RETURN TO THE WATER SEWER PRESENATION FROM DICK HINGSTON AND CFO
ANNA FREEDMAN.
CFO supplies a Water Sewer Fund Overview...
Please see copy of slides attached to minutes and any other information requested can be done through a
Public Records request through the Town Hall.
Councilor Christopher asks how a same rate could be used when this year is so different.
CFO Anna Freedman believes it is fair for the town to reach out to MWRA and ask about their budget rates.
Will MWRA reevaluate any of the community’s rates?
Vice President Letterie asks about the water going down in public buildings that are not being used?
Asks about our loss water, has it come down at all to be more in line with other municipalities.
Director Calla reflects we are about 18-20%, we are considered higher than other communities. As for the
schools and different public buildings, their usage is being abated.
Community has increased about 6.6%.
Vice President asks about new water meters and asks about the schools and public buildings do not have
water bills built into their budget. Town loses the revenue; it is not accounted for it is unbilled.
Director Calla continues meter project. Have about 1200 meters left to install, about 2/3 through project.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Leo Rodriguez asks how the pipe relocation works at the local level. Are we comparing contracts, checking
what contractor using...? etc.
CFO Freedman, states that we follow the State Procurement Projects.
Director Calla responds that yes, all contracts are completely reviewed, they create the bid tabs, everyone is
estimating the same information.
Kurt Millar asks if we have identified 29% of department expense any cost savings?
CFO Freedman replies that every expenditure if reviewed in detail and work with the finance committee.
She feels strongly these expenditures are sufficiently budgeted.
Karin Chavis-Understand residential has increased, but why has the public buildings closed increases?
Why is our assessment level funded and not increased?
Director Call reflects that as a whole, our community has increased 6%, this does not necessarily mean that if
the usage is down in public buildings it does not reflect on the increase.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 1, 2020 PAGE 2
10.
Karin asks even with other buildings closed we are up 6%. Yes, due to mainly people working from home.
Victor Imparato-Community as a whole, our water rates are crazy and a lot of families out of work, cannot
afford these?
Is there any assistance for families that cannot afford their water bills?
CFO Anna Freedman agrees some communities have a hardship waiver and currently we do not. Therefore,
we would like an outside resource to guide us on this.
What is Winthrop’s rate above and beyond the MWRA is?
Dick Hingston replies is an equivalent rate, it is based on whatever total assessment is. It is based on this
percentage.
CORRESPONDENCE
Received several emails pertaining to Councilor Honan’s Pledge
COMMITTEE REPORTS
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Met on two motions:
1-Declare DPW Surplus Vehicles
2-Maintain a uniform tax rate for FY21
Both were voted with a positive recommendation from the Finance Committee
Finance Committee will be having another meeting discussing the Town Trash Fees
Rules & Ordinance
Councilor Christopher reports that they reviewed Councilor Honan’s Diversity Statement which was voted
with a positive recommendation.
Council President reflects that we have lost several members on the Airport Hazards and if anyone has
questions, please contact Attorney Falbo for information.
He is currently meeting with Massport about Home Soundproofing
FAA has approved their share but Massport funding has been affected by the economy, right now there is a
freeze.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Town Manager Faison asks Chief Delehanty to comment on the loss of our citizen Amy Gallagher.
Chief Delehanty reflects what a plus she was in helping identify needy families, the food bank, ran the Santa
Breakfast every year. Amy who called every year and helped for families to be able to go on school trips.
She and her sister Ellen helped home people in need during Covid. Amy has always been here for the
community; it is a great loss to our community.
Town Manager Faison reflects this is a sad day for Winthrop, she was someone who helped this town.
Public Health Director Meredith Hurley reflects on Amy and how she will be missed, the community will
feel this loss.
She continued with a report on the current Covid Situation. Please see town web for any information.
There has been a flu clinic also set up.
Town Manager Faison reflects that Town Hall is closed and hoping to keep employees safe.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 1, 2020 PAGE 3
11.
12.
13.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Council President reports on the School Committee that did not meet this past week. Everything is the same,
the plan is for students to go back to school by Jan. 4, 2021.
OLD BUSINESS
12.a Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation to Declare DPW Vehicles Surplus,
Vice President Letterie reads motion into the mins... Please see copy of motion
No 2™ Needed
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco,
Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation the Town maintain a Uniform Tax
Rate for all Classed of Property for FY21
No 2" Needed
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco,
Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
Motion by the Rules and Ordinance Committee to adopt a resolution on the original language of Councilor
Honan’s Pledge for Diversity-Please see copy of our Towns Resolution on Diversity and Inclusion.
No 2" Needed
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco,
Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
NEW BUSINESS
CITATIONS:
Robert Wynn-Citizens Advisory Committee on Finance
Barbara Flavin-Citizens Advisory Committee on Finance
Motion by Council President to accept these Citations
2" by Councilor Christopher
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara F lockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco,
Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
Motion by Council President Boncore for the Town Council to approve Citations for the following Airport
Hazards Committee retirees
Gina Cassetta
Josephine Fatta
Tino Capobianco
Linda Cargill
2 by Councilor Christopher
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco,
Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor F errino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 1, 2020 PAGE 4
14.
15.
16.
Motion by Council President Boncore to approve his appointment to the Board of Health of Marianne
Dalton
2" by Councilor Honan
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Peter Christopher,
Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 8-0
Councilor DeMarco Abstain
Motion by the Council President for the Town Council to accept his appointment of Joseph Hanlon to the
Citizens Finance Committee
2™ by Councilor Ferrino
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco,
Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
Motion by the Council President for the Town Council to accept his appointment of Shannon Poulos to the
Citizens Finance Committee
2" by Councilor DeMarco
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco,
Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
Motion by the Council President for the Town Council to accept his appointment of Sean Doherty to the
Conservation Committee
2™ by Councilor Ferrino
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco,
Councilor Peter Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS
-Immediate Committee Openings for Airport Hazards & Diversity Inclusion Committee
-Councilor Ferrino mentions WPD is having a Toy Drive
-Rules & Ordinance Review Committee Meeting
-Thanks Chamber and Winthrop Foundation for lighting of trees up highland and the center of town.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn by Vice President Letterie at 9:08 PM
2"! by Councilor Ruggiero
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Peter
Christopher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 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 DECEMBER 1, 2020 PAGE 5
Austin Faison
Town Manager
Submitted by: Austin Faison, Town Manager
TOWN OF WINTHROP
OFFICE OF THE TOWN MANAGER
MOTION
Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1077 Fax: 617-846-5458
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
Truck #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
Thereby authorizing the Treasurer Collector to
K2500 Pick-up Truck
site; or take any other action relative thereto.
#1GBJK34R5YFO1164
post for sale through an approved auction
11-24-20
Council President refers motion to the F inance Committee for recommendation
12-1-20
12.a Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive
No 2™ Needed
Approve: Councilor Stephen Ru
Demarco, Councilor Peter Chris’
Councilor Ferrino,
Council Vice President Jim Letterie, President Philip Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
ggiero, Councilor Barbara F lockhart, Councilor Rob
topher, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor LoConte,
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
12-1-20
Motion Approved with a Positive Recommendation by the Finance Committee
No 24 Needed
Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Christopher,
Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Jim Letterie,
Council President Boncore
Motion Passes 8-0
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What I am about to read is my statement alone. I am not speaking for the entire Council,
Winthrop has always been a strong community of immigrants. As we know, over
generations, in our America, the faces, languages, and the countries-of-origin of
immigrant’s change, but our stories do not. Our pursuit of those inalienable rights, of life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, written in our Declaration of Independence, should
never be impeded by bigotry or xenophobia. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
men are created equal.
Before every Town Council meeting, we join to say the Pledge of Allegiance, which
avers Liberty and Justice for ALL. Not for some, not for the majority, not for a particular
race, creed, sexual orientation, political party or political affiliation but for ALL.
The 14% amendment of our Constitution avers equal protection under the law for
ALL Americans, ALL Americans should feel safe to pursue their lives, to feel safe driving
their cars, to feel safe in their own homes, to feel safe going for a run in their
neighborhoods. We must adopt an attitude, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, that injustice
anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Brutal assaults and murders, blatant crimes
which have been captured on tape, the perpetrators of which are then treated with
impunity: that is injustice.
Why am I quoting our Constitution, our Declaration of Independence, and our
Pledge of Allegiance to our flag? Because I love my country, and I believe in its ideals, but
I recognize that we are imperfect. As James Baldwin once said, “I love America more than
any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize
her perpetually.”
Today, Winthrop is a resilient and diverse community of people in race, culture, and
gender identity and we must continue our work together toward an anti-racist, and anti-
xenophobic Winthrop. It is what we should aspire to, not only as citizens of Winthrop, but
as Americans. We must not become complacent in this regard, nor can we sit idly by while
Voices of hate and intolerance rise unchallenged. I ask my fellow Winthrop Town
Councilors to join with me in a pledge of allegiance to these American ideals: that hate has
no home here, that diversity is a source of our pride and strength, that black lives do
matter, that the freedom to worship who we chose, and love who we chose to love, are
freedoms that we Americans should not take for granted, and should not ever be
disparaged, that ALL are welcome to live their lives in peace and acceptance within our
community, and that we are stronger together. I ask that you support me in pushing for a
united, just, and equitable Winthrop.