Minutes

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TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING 
EXECUTIVE SESSION 
FEBRUARY 9, 2021 6:00 PM 
REMOTE-VIA ZOOM MEETING 
Open Session 
Council President Calls the Meeting to Order at 6:00 PM 
Roll Call 
Councilor Stephen Ruggiero- Present 
Councilor Barbara Flockhart- Present 
Councilor Rob Demarco- Present 
Councilor Peter Letterie- Present 
Councilor Tracey Honan- Present 
Councilor LoConte- Present 
Councilor Ferrino- Present 
Vice President Christopher- Present 
President Boncore- Present 
Town Manager Faison is also Present. 
Pledge of Allegiance 
Councilor Honan 
Motion by Councilor DeMarco to enter Executive Session. 
Executive Session Pursuant to G.L. c.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. 
2 nd by Councilor Letterie 
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor
Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore 
Motion Passes 9-0 
All attendees are removed from meeting and if anyone during this meeting enters, they will be removed. 
TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2021 PAGE 1

Council President Boncore discusses the reasoning for this Executive Session, which is to discuss the
Town Manager’s current contract. Per this contract, the Town Manager must be notified 6 mos. prior to
renewal (8-20-21) of the Town Council’s decision on whether to renew his contract. 
Council President was under the false assumption that the Council President would be the individual that
would deliver a letter to the Town Manager of the decision made, but it is the entire Town Council that
must vote on this decision. 
Council President has met with Town Manager Faison several times on this item and with our Legal Labor
Counsel as for the procedures. 
A vote must be taken by Town Council as for the decision made on the current Town Manager Contract. 
The Town Manager begins that if there is nothing done, his contract automatically renews for One Year. 
Currently, he discusses first entering the office of Town Manager for the Town of Winthrop. He was
under the impression the departments were more advanced than they were and has worked to improve this.
He has worked very hard to be transparent with the entire community and Town Council. He has worked
with professional services with each department to work in a more efficient manner, especially with the
public. Goes on to discuss Town Manager’s compensation of other communities. 
His job is to perform and facilitate, run the municipal government, and have a level of productivity. He
has tried very hard with these matters. With the increase of the public participation and the new Planner it
will be very beneficial to the town and gives the town something to look forward. There were several
projects that when he entered this position were not moving, since his involvement, he feels he has begun
to get these projects on tract- (CBD, Middle School, Tennis Courts, Dog Park, Maintenance Shed) 
He would like to continue his employment here to continue with these projects. 
Council President reiterates what steps can be done on the Town Managers Current Contract 
1- Renew Contract 
2- Nothing and contract automatically extend for 1 year. 
3- Vote to give a different contract. 
A decision must be made by the Town Council. 
Floor is open to the Town Council for discussion 
Councilor Honan agrees with the Town Manager, it is not an easy job, she believes he does not shy away
from decisions and some are very hard and unpopular. She believes it would be a bad idea, during a
middle of a pandemic and projects that are going on to let him go. He has a good r with report with the
department heads and works well with them. Not living in this town helps with his decision making in a
positive manner. His focus is on the job and not personalities. He is making real changes and repairing
problems from previous office holder(s). He may not make everyone happy but doing what must be done. 
Councilor DeMarco asks the Town Manager if he would like another 3-year term or a year to complete his
current work. 
Town Manager states this is difficult question, whatever is voted for 3 years or 1, is a vote of confidence
for him. In reality not sure if 3 years makes sense, he can only make progress on things for so long.
Sometimes people just wear out their welcome. Personally, would like a vote of confidence in his work. 
TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2021 PAGE 2

Councilor DeMarco opinion coming from an HR background, feels that the Town Manager believes 1
year makes sense. In looking at this contract, he feels new opportunities will be reviewed. 
Councilor Flockhart would like to renew the Town Managers contract for another 3 years. Has found it
very easy to work with him and has done a good job during his time here. 
Councilor Letterie discusses the Town Managers discussion on being vested in Massachusetts. He also
reiterates that we need to do what is best for our community. The pandemic has caused confusion in the
current government and job is difficult but felt that the Town Manager only wanted his initial 3 years here
in Winthrop. Believes many projects have been delayed, slow in making decisions. 
Totally respects the Town Manager but believes it is time to move on, with new leadership. 
Motion by Councilor DeMarco not to renew 3-year contract with Town Manager Faison 
2 nd by Councilor Letterie 
Discussion 
Councilor Ruggiero is not comfortable, if this passes then what about current situation of extending? Our
community needs consistency and extending 1 year would make sense. 
Councilor Ferrino states that we must notify the Town Manager in writing 6 mos. prior to his current
contract renewal or it automatically renews for 1 year. 
Councilor Flockhart thinks it would be very disruptive to not at least extend for 6 mos. 
President Boncore agrees that 1 year extension makes sense, allowing the Town Manager to continue his
work and finish the current projects he has been working on, not only in his office but with his department
heads and their departments. 
Roll Call 
Councilor Stephen Ruggiero- No 
Councilor Barbara Flockhart- No 
Councilor Rob Demarco- Yes 
Councilor Jim Letterie- Yes 
Councilor Tracey Honan- No 
Councilor LoConte- Yes 
Councilor Ferrino- No 
Vice President Christopher- No 
President Boncore- No 
Motion Does Not Pass 6-3 
Motion by Councilor Ferrino to Extend Current Contract for One Year until August 20, 2022 
2 nd by Councilor Flockhart 
Roll Call 
Councilor Stephen Ruggiero- Yes 
Councilor Barbara Flockhart- Yes 
Councilor Rob Demarco- No 
Councilor Jim Letterie- No 
Councilor Tracey Honan- Yes 
Councilor LoConte- No 
Councilor Ferrino- Yes 
Vice President Christopher- Yes 
President Boncore- Yes 
Motion Passes 6-3 
TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2021 PAGE 3

Motion by Councilor DeMarco to Adjourn Executive Session at 7:23PM 
2 nd by Councilor Honan 
Roll Call 
Councilor Stephen Ruggiero- Yes 
Councilor Barbara Flockhart- Yes 
Councilor Rob Demarco- Yes 
Councilor Jim Letterie- Yes 
Councilor Tracey Honan- Yes 
Councilor LoConte- Yes 
Councilor Ferrino- Yes 
Vice President Christopher- Yes 
President Boncore- Yes 
Return to Open Session 
Meeting is Open to Public Session 
Council President requests recommendation from the Town Council on Town Manager Contract Vote 
Councilor DeMarco requests that motions reflected in Ex. Session be announced in public session. 
Council Presidents states it is not necessary as final vote approved will be recorded in open session. 
Councilor DeMarco requests that for the record he made a motion not to renew the Town Managers
Contract for 3 years and Councilor Letterie and Councilor LoConte also voted for this. 
Councilor Boncore reports that a motion coming out of Executive Session to extend the Town Managers
Current Contract for One Year has been accepted. 
All in Favor of offering Austin Faison, Town Manager a One Year Extension on his current
contract. 
Roll Call 
Councilor Stephen Ruggiero- Yes 
Councilor Barbara Flockhart- Yes 
Councilor Rob Demarco- No 
Councilor Jim Letterie- No 
Councilor Tracey Honan- Yes 
Councilor LoConte- No 
Councilor Ferrino- Yes 
Vice President Christopher- Yes 
President Boncore- Yes 
Motion Passes 6-3 
A letter will be drafted with our legal counsel and signed this week. 
TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2021 PAGE 4

Motion by Councilor DeMarco to cancel scheduled Town Council Special Meeting on February 10, 2021 
2 nd by Councilor Ferrino 
Roll Call 
Councilor Stephen Ruggiero- Yes 
Councilor Barbara Flockhart- Yes 
Councilor Rob Demarco- Yes 
Councilor Jim Letterie- Yes 
Councilor Tracey Honan- Yes 
Councilor LoConte- Yes 
Councilor Ferrino- Yes 
Vice President Christopher- Yes 
President Boncore- Yes 
Motion by Councilor Ferrino to Adjourn Open Session 
2 nd by Councilor DeMarco 
Roll Call 
Councilor Stephen Ruggiero- Yes 
Councilor Barbara Flockhart- Yes 
Councilor Rob Demarco- Yes 
Councilor Jim Letterie- Yes 
Councilor Tracey Honan- Yes 
Councilor LoConte- Yes 
Councilor Ferrino- Yes 
Vice President Christopher- Yes 
President Boncore- Yes 
TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2021 PAGE 5