Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 8 pages · 2.1 MB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINTUES FEBRUARY 2, 2021 CALL TO ORDER Council Vice President Christopher calls meeting to order at 7:00 pm and includes all zoom information for the public. ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher Absent: Council President Philip Boncore PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Ferrino MINUTES Approval of Jan 5, 2021 Minutes, as circulated Motion by Council James Letterie to Approve. 2" by Councilor Rich Ferrino. Voting For: Councilor Ruggiero, Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher Absent: Councilor President Philip Boncore GENERAL INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS Vice President Christopher reports that Council President could not make meeting tonight but will be back next week. Citations:Michael Goldberg-Citizens Advisory Committee over 15 years Diane Wallace-Library Director PUBLIC HEARING National Grid- Plan #28198398-Madison Ave. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED Socrates Perez represents National Grid to discuss this petition on Madison Ave. About 7 ft. of conduit onto bldg. #30 on Madison Ave. (2) 4” conduits. DPW Director Calla asks if the existing pole is being reused or will this be another double pole. Socrates, the pole will be replaced but there will be no double pole, pole will be done and then the other pole will be removed. Director Calla states this process is not a quick process, is there a commitment to how soon this double pole will be removed. Socrates cannot guarantee time frame. Director Calla asks if it is just a sidewalk to be opened. Socrates Yes, just the sidewalk Director Calla states if Town Council approves, would like a cement panel not a pavement replace. Town Manager requests this gets moved to the Sub Committee for recommendation, there has been a question on the state questioning double poles. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 2, 2021 Plan #29672409-Bowdoin St. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED Socrates discusses that this project will be a pole for reliability purpose, all other poles are being used. Want to put another pole up near 178 Bowdoin St. Director Calla states that poles are already separated and there looks like there is room on these poles. By putting this 3" pole in, it could cause crowding. If anyway this equipment could be used on another pole, it would make more sense in our town. Councilor Letterie, have people, abutters been contacted that there will be a new pole put in front of their house. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED Plan # 29993191-Winthrop St. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED Socrates discusses the proposal of two sections on Winthrop St. need to do some trenches for new conduits, (2) 4” conduits approx. 100 feet from pole to existing manhole. Yard Dr. & Winthrop St. existing manhole to a new transformer at 233 Winthrop St., the rest is existing conduits. Two sections will be 100’ each. Director Calla happy to see no new poles, has concerns with trench to Yard Dr. this is a road that was repaved in the last 5 years and expected to infra-red repairs and would like to see the same treatment on Jefferson Ave. Socrates will send this information over to National Grid. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENT Karen Chavis asks for information about Ferry and very concerned about the FY21 Budget, hoping Town Manager can address these issues. Requesting start date of Planner and copy of contract. CORRESPONDENCE Shannon Poulos concerned about the concern on the bike sharrows and feels that the town could be working on more important issues. COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Committee Councilor Letterie reports on agenda items and will report on the items in Old Business. Town Council transfer $44,000 for Town Clerk’s Office for upcoming election costs-Positive Recommendation with an amendment Town Council vote to authorize $2012.37 to pay unpaid bills of prior year -Positive Recommendation. Rules & Ordinance Committee Councilor Ruggiero reports on item agendas and will address in Old Business. Town Council adopt Council Rules to include permanent Zoom participation at all future meetings — Committee agreed to wait until the Attorney Generals guidance is submitted after the State of Emergency due to Covid. Discussion-Election Polling Location(s)-Committee agrees to change locations. Traffic Safety on Locust St.-Has sent to TSAC. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 2, 2021 Joint Rules & Ordinance / Economic Development Town Council move to the Joint Committee recommendation on the Middle School Zoning Vice President Christopher reports on meeting for this recommendation and there were several zoning ideas discussed. Recommendation will not be final, would like more public comment and would like to discuss more with new Planner, Rachel Kelly. TOWN MANAGER REPORT Town Manager Faison answers Karen Chavis- Ferry-Still plan on operating the Ferry until another operator is available and will engage with other management possibilities. CFO Anna Freedman reports on the FY21 Budget, it is being closely monitored and this time of year, / through she meets with all Dept. Heads and discussing all spending rates, what is left, future costs: 2€tC sco: She is constantly working on this budget and micromanaging and any savings that can be done, is what she is doing. Planner Position-Job description will be sent to Karin and notifies Rachel Kelly started on Feb. 1, 2021; her priority is the Middle School. Updates on the internet and the schools, well aware it is an issue. Problem since Jan. 16, 2021, have had multiple help working extensively on this problem. We are working to systematically work off a list. Discusses an outside satellite dish, wireless internet. Working through several different ways to avoid any further problems. Verizon Jet Packs will be delivered to the school staff. Public Safety Director Meredith Hurley gives a Covid Update-Please see attached...also on Town Website. There have been concerns with the 75-year-old getting their vaccinations and where people can go, there will be more discussion on helping this situation. Discusses that she and Sgt. Gregorian have been working on the Clear Program and were invited by the Justice Dept. to share what Winthrop does with our Clear Project. Were approached to mentor other police departments and a larger audience. Good Feedback... SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UPDATE Council President will report all updates at next Town Council Meeting OLD BUSINESS Town Council transfer $44,000 for Town Clerk’s Office for upcoming election costs Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation and amendment The Town Council vote to transfer $44,000 from the Town’s Free Cash to Town Clerk account #0116151-512005 to fund the costs associated with the March 2, 2021 primary and March 30, 2021 special election costs; or take any other action thereto. No 2"! Needed. Voting For: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher Absent: Council President Boncore Motion Passes 8-1 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 2, 2021 Town Council vote to authorize $2,012.37 to pay unpaid bills of prior year (See Attached Motion) Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation No 2™ Needed. Voting For: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher Absent: Council President Boncore Motion Passes 8-1 Town Council adopt Council Rules to include permanent Zoom participation at all future meetings -Committee Voted unanimously to wait until upgraded guidance from the Attorney General’s Office Election Polling Location (s). Please see attached Motion Motion by Councilor Ruggiero that the Election Polling Location(s) be changed. (See Attached Motion) 2" by Councilor Letterie Voting For: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher Absent: Council President Boncore Motion Passes 8-1 NEW BUSINESS National Grid- Plan #28198398-Madison Ave. Plan #29672409-Bowdoin St. Plan # 29993191-Winthrop St. Council Vice President refers these Petitions to the Public Safety Committee Winthrop Zoning Map Update-Memo Winthrop Planning Board Council Vice President Christopher would like this process to begin, the cost, the details... French Sq. Parking Lot /Overnight/ Emergency Parking Councilor Letterie discusses this lot being treated as other town municipal lot. Need guidance on how people should park, especially during snow emergencies, Director Calla relates this lot being designated for snow emergencies. If a storm ends during daylight hours, people should be moving their cars immediately. If overnight they are allowed so many hours of daylight to remove car. While this parking lot still in place, give it the same regulations as other municipal lots. Should just be this winter as lot is only temporary. Resolution Urging Fair & Full Employment Opportunities at Amazon Town Council Authorize $37,750.00 for the Use of Retained Earnings- Water/Sewer Fund PUBLIC COMMENT Michael DiMento P2-Discusses the 2021 Parking Sticker Program and those who have not paid, should be ticketed. Regarding the Middle School, the site should just be 2 % stories. This site should be developed but not detrimental to the neighborhood. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 2, 2021 Wendy Millar Page-How did we go from $300,000 to $400,000 potential capital shortage? Also, will there be more public with potential trash fees? Middle School rezoning...when is next meeting and will it be for the public Ferry-Have we received our funding, will there be a shortfall. Town Manager, no shortfall and Quincy has paid. Is Zero Waste Committee working with maybe regionalizing. Town Manger reports he has investigated this, and it may not work. Karin Chavis-Questions the budget, Parks & Rec in red already (not due to them) and far as Ferry concerned does not know how they are not in the red but needs fi gures. Wonders if any dept. encumbered more than what they had, what happens. We are very fortunate that our departments do it and still get job done. What is happening with the FY21? The town has the right to know what is happening with our towns budget, especially to educate people, especially in how to handle trash and maybe we would not have these increases. PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS Immediate Committee Openings for Airport Hazards Committee, Commission for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations and Winthrop Planning Board Boston Logan International Airport Environmental Date Report-Please see Town of Winthrop Website EXECUTIVE SESSION Executive Session Pursuant to G.L. ¢.30A, §21(a)(2)—To conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel: Town Manager. Meeting will return for Adjournment only. Motion by Council President Christopher to go into Executive Session. 2"4 Councilor Letterie Voting For: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher Absent: Council President Boncore Motion Passes 8-1 Town Council Enters Executive Session 8:59 PM Town Council Returns to Open Session 9:03 PM ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor Flockhart at 9:03PM 2" by Councilor DeMarco Voting For: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher 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 FEBRUARY 2, 2021 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 January 14, 2021 Fiscal Year 2021 Motion Summary Title: ISD Purchased Services Replenishment Motion ID: TCM21-009 Amount: $44,000.00 Funding Source: Town Council Reserve Mouton Details Motion Type: Budgetary Transfer Submitted by: Austin Faison Town Manager Date Submitted: 1/14/2021 Text of Motion MOTION: I move that the Town Council vote to transfer $44,000 from Free Cash Reserve to Town Clerk account #0116151-512005 to fund the costs associated with the March 2, 2021 primary and March 30, 2021 special election costs; or take any other action thereto. Funding Details Funding Source Funding Destination Account Description Amount Account Description Amount (0111057-578100 [Town Council Reserve [$44,000 __[0116151-512005 [Election Personnel $44,000 TC Reserve Balance: $55,000 Amount Requested: $44,000 TC Reserve after motion approval: $11,000 2-2-21 Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation and amendment to transfer from Free Cash in lieu of Town Council Reserve No 2™ Needed. Voting For: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher Absent: Council President Boncore Motion Passes 8-1 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 ; January 14, 2021 Fiscal Year 2021 Motion Summary Title: Unpaid Bills of a Prior Year Motion ID: TCM21-010 Amount: $2,012.37 Funding Source: Current Year Departmental Budgets Motion Details Motion Type: Budgetary Submitted by: Austin Faison, Town Manager Date Submitted: 01/14/2021 Text of Motion MOTION: I move that the Town Council vote to authorize Unpaid Bills of a Prior Year to be paid from current year departmental budgets as noted below; or take any other action thereto. Funding Details Department Invoice Description Amount Account Shred-it (document Police shredding) 168.00 | 0121053-538201 W.B. Mason (office Human Resources | supplies) 219.77 | 0115354-542300 Clean and Safe (paper Parks and Rec towels and Soap) 236.00 _| 67163055-558900 Epic Sports (basketball Parks and Rec hoops) 1,089.43 | 67163053-535100 Police GEM Auto Parts (battery) 152.01 | 0121054-548200 Police GEM Auto Parts (oil filter) 8.62 | 0121054-548200 Police GEM Auto Parts (battery) 138.54 | 0121054-548200 1-19-21 Council President refers to the Finance Committee for their recommendation. 2-2-21 Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation No 2"4 Needed. Voting For: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher Absent: Council President Boncore Motion Passes 8-1 TOWN OF WINTHROP OFFICE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1852 MOTION Submitted By: Town Council Date: 2-2-21 TEXT OF MOTION MOTION: That the Town Council vote to authorize the following Change of Election Polling Location(s) for the State Primary Election to be held on March 2, 2021 and the Special Election to be held on March 30, 2021 Whereas there exists an unexpected vacancy in the office of State Representative for the Town of Winthrop; Whereas the state has issued an election calendar for a special election to fill that vacancy; Whereas the special state primary will be held on March 2, 2021, and the special state election will be held on March 30, 2021; Whereas the Winthrop School location(s) is unavailable to be used in connection with such special primary and election; and Whereas the Council has designated the Winthrop Gymnasium 151 Pauline St. for as the voting location for Precinct 1 , Precinct 2 and Precinct 5 Whereas the Council has designated the Robert DeLeo Senior Center for as the voting location for Precinct 3 and Precinct 6 Whereas the Council understands that the following locations are appropriate for such purposes based upon its close location to the existing polling place(s), handicap accessibility, and particular physical characteristics; Now, therefore, the Winthrop Town Council votes as follows: It is hereby declared and designated that voters from Precinct 1, Precinct 2 & Precinct 5 will vote at the Winthrop Gymnasium, 151 Pauline St. Precinct 3 and Precinct 6 will vote at the Robert DeLeo Senior Center, 35 Harvard St.for the Special State Primary and Special Election to fill a vacancy in the office of State Representative, to be held on March 2 and March 30, 2021, respectively. And, further, the Town Council directs that the Town provide notice by mail to all households with one or more registered voters; and, further, that the notice be posted on the Town’s website generally and on the Town Clerk’s election page. 2-2-21 Motion by Councilor Ruggiero 2" by Councilor Letterie 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