Minutes
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 23, 2021 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 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor DeMarco MINUTES Motion by Councilor Letterie to accept Minutes of March 9, 2021 2 nd by Councilor Rich Ferrino. Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0 GENERAL INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS Astrid Weins from the Board of Health presents the new Body of Art Regulations....Please see attached. Ordinance information. Also, the authority of the BOH is reported and why this new regulation came into effect. Very important to update information especially for safety issues. Councilor DeMarco asks what difference between permanent makeup and tattoo is.... Permanent is lipstick, eyeliner, etc... where tattooing is actually an ink into body. Councilor Ferrino-Are these permit fees and license fees in line with other communities Astrid-On the cheaper sides...will be reviewing fees at another BOH Meeting. Councilor Honan-Fully supports tattoo artists to the town and thanks BOH. Councilor Letterie-Is there a limit to the number of licenses we can give out. Astrid - No there is not. Vice President Christopher-What is the difference today for process from earlier... Astrid-Actually same but now much clearer and guidelines more informative. President Boncore will send this to the R&O to add to the Towns Ordinances. Astrid commends Meredith Hurley and her entire team for their incredible work. President Boncore agrees and is very impressed with Meredith Hurley and her team and the phenomenal job they have been doing with the vaccinations. PUBLIC HEARING $506,163 Transfer from General Stabilization /Trash Contract Public Hearing Opened Town Manager reports that the new figure is $524,363. Increase due to Cost of resin and size of bins. Councilor Letterie reports from the Finance Committee did meet twice on this item and it was passed with a positive recommendation to the Town Council. We have 3.5 months left of FY21 and 0 money in the trash line. There really is no alternative. Only one was to initiate a fee for FY21 and FC does not recommend that. Other than that, there is nothing that can be done...Contract cannot be approved unless this motion approved. No Comments from Town Council of Public Comment Public Hearing Closed TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 23, 2021 1 $29,000 From Water & Sewer / Water Rate & Water Loss Study Public Hearing Opened Councilor Letterie reports on the Finance Committee and that it voted this with a positive recommendation and thanks Town Manager for bringing this to the town to review. This will greatly help with our water loss. Understanding is this is something that can be put in place in a relatively short time. CFO Anna Freedman states this is correct, they went through process of quotes to find the most comprehensive study and feels this can be expedited. No Town Council or Public Comments Public Hearing Closed PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment-President Boncore gives the Zoom information No Public Comment CORRESPONDENCE Library Information-Please see town website for more information. COMMITTEE REPORTS FINANCE COMMITTEE Many attendees addressed the two meetings.... Public Comment on the Trash Fee Motion to transfer $29,000 from Water/Sewer retained earnings for water rate and water loss study. Positive Recommendation Motion to transfer $10,460 from Water/Sewer retained earnings for remote water monitoring equipment. Positive Recommendation Motion to direct the Town Manager to provide a 25% discount on License Fee for FY22 Negative Recommendation Motion to transfer $506,163 from General Stabilization Fund to appropriate funding for new trash contract. Positive Recommendation Town Council Vote to Increase Retirees Cost of Living from $12,000 to $13,000 A lot of Trash Fee conversation.... decided that no trash fee for FY21. Many different fee discussions .... Educate public / recycle more, grants, Winthrop Housing, School recycle etc. Councilor Ferrino is very interested in Pay as you Throw.... Direct Town Manager to include as part of his budget presentation. to include an Enterprise Fund for Trash Hopefully, it will enable clarity to the Town Manager and CFO as to investigate a Trash Enterprise Fund, Town Appropriation and User fee roughly a 1/3 Cost. Vice President Christopher asks if we currently have any Enterprise Funds that the town appropriate funds too? Councilor Letterie reports no, but we did help Parks and Rec in the past... Roughly $500,000 we funded the Ferry Fund. when it began Ultimately if there is ever a shortfall, the town must make appropriations. RULES & ORDINANCE Park Ave. Proposal-Passed with a PR Discussion on parking mgt., TSAC asked that this memo be passed on to the WPB and BOA as parking has been taken up in neighborhoods and we need to address parking. R&O will forward to Boards. Pt. Shirley Parking Program discussion Issues-Enforcement Parking other neighborhoods Visitor Parking- give residents more Visitor Parking Permits or designate parking passes R&O-This is an issue not necessarly unique to the Pt. Shirley. Will contact the Planner and encapulate the entire town and review other areas in town. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 23, 2021 2 APPT. COMMISSION & COMMITTEES Councilor DeMarco have understaken the Town Council employee evaluations. Will have a meeting Friday3-26 and will give a full report at next TC Meeting April 6, 2021. TOWN MANAGER REPORT Town Manager Report....Thanks the FC for all their hard work with their meetings and discussion of the Trash Fees and Contract. Will adding to the Zero Waste Committee and looks forward to working with them. Meredith Hurly presents the current Covid information...Please see Town Website for information Please continue wearing masks, though it is getting better we want to keep it from spreading.... all good news going in right direction... Councilor Letterie--Thanks so much for all your help with our community...... thanks, EBNHC have really stepped up for our town. How is Europe in relation to USA.... MH-Not 100% sure also because they were rolling out the Astrodenic as a one dose, though it is a two dose...trying to bring down the epidemic. We have been hearing of more Covid variances. Councilor Ferrino-Also, thanks.... Noted on sites for Vaccination is the Wonderland Ballroom....she will add on. Project Beacon site will be closing in Winthrop for testing. Councilor Ruggiero-Winthrop closing but is Suffolk Downs staying open? Meredith Hurley-Yes...both will be open until mid June. Will CVS be receiving vaccination. Meredith Hurley...there has been talks of potential. President Boncore thanks again for taking his calls and keeping him informed of all that is going on.... also thanks, the MRC for their clinics and their help...ladies helping Meredith Hurley going door to door along with the WFD.... Town Manager....continues...concerning bringing back employees to be on sight 4-1-21...May 1, 2021 will. Begin public interaction in the Harvey Room open from 9-12 M-Th and in person public will be allowed per appointment. Do not want people congregating in building.... Concerning meetings and in person...not opposed, the Harvey Room will be available, will need masks and there are not remote camera's that can do both room and zoom, it can be in person and zoom.... must make. decision. Working as he does understand that people would like to have in person meetings.... but zoom has been very accomodating to the public. Town Boards and Committees will still be meeting remotely. this is for Town Council and School Committee.... Trying to limit our interaction with people. Councilor DeMarco-Very happy with in person ...referring to Library and 5-1-21 being opening, this would be good for library. Board of Trustees have been made a screening committee to hire a Library Director... Still working with a plan to open library and have more interaction. Material quarantine is getting better as for curb side pick up and limited in person interaction. Councilor Flockhart-Asks about election Town Manager-Same voting locations Old Middle School, Sr. Center and Golden Dr. this is for the Seat of State Representative Councilor Ferrino asks for update of D=CBD work beginning. Director Calla reports that work has resumed. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 23, 2021 3 Councilor Ruggiero-Update on Tennis Court Project Councilor Letterie reports tandem project with SBAC and MFC. It is going well, demo done, target to complete by July 4th. Councilor Letterie reports that CBD construction will not be parking in the lot on day of election. Town Manager is still getting information from the American Rescue Plan, there is still local aid and county aid.... still reviewing how funding can be used. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UPDATE President Boncore reports April 5th all children going back to school... problem was maintaining the social distance while in cafeteria, this is currently being reviewed. Ordered new tables and chairs. Dept. of Education had meeting with Superintendent, and they are trying to give a plan on how to seat children. right seat, right time...and be comfortable for these children’s Sports teams have begun.... Very proud of our winning teams. OLD BUSINESS Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation to transfer $506,163 from General Stabilization Fund to appropriate funding for new trash contract. (Please see attached motion) No 2 nd Needed. Motion by Councilor Letterie to amend to $524,363. 2 nd by Councilor Ferrino Discussion Councilor Letterie asks if we already had a contract signed by Capitol Waste, how can they increase contract. Town Manager states contract did talk about the cost of the bins but no numbers in contract. Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Disapprove: Councilor Letterie Motion Passes 8-1 Main Motion as amended Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Disapprove: Councilor LoConte Motion Passes 8-1 Motion for the Town Council to approve the Town Manager to sign a 5 Year Contract with Capitol Waste Motion by Councilor Letterie to refer to the Finance Committee. 2 nd by Councilor Ferrino Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0 Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation to transfer $29,000 from Water/Sewer retained earnings for water rate and water loss study No 2 nd needed. Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0 Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation to transfer $10,460 from Water/Sewer retained earnings for remote water monitoring equipment No 2 nd needed. Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 23, 2021 4 Motion from the Finance Committee with a Negative Recommendation that the Town Council Vote to Increase Retirees Cost of Living from $12,000 to $13,000 No 2 nd needed. (Yes, vote agrees with Finance Committee and will not pass / No vote disagree with Finance Committee) Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0 Proposed Trash Fee-Direct TM to go with the Budget Process and add an Enterprise Fund for Trash...but do have questions that will be addresssed in the FC Meeting. President asks how much public interest during the FC meetings... Councilor Letterie reports that has been some interest and questions have been answered... Still discussing what the fee will be.... want to work out logistics. Obviously, no one wants this but there is not choice. Motion by Councilor Letterie to table until our April 6, 2021 TC Meeting 2nd Councilor Ferrino Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0 Motion by the Rules & Ordinance with a Positive Recommend amending Park St. No 2nd Needed. Discussion This is a language correction. Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0 Rules & Ordinance will refer the parking memo to the Committees requested in memo. Mike DiLuiso discusses that in some issues the BOA or WPB allowed parking and the neighbors cannot handle this... TSAC asking Boards to please look at available parking and involve the TSAC with this decision. Mike DiLuiso reports on the Pt. Shirley Resident Parking. In short TSAC looked at Pilot and Public input and beleive this will come down to a policy decision for the Town council or TM, residents were in favor but there are several concerns. By enacting this, anyone that lives in town is limited to parking Councilor Ferrino asks no stickers at Landing? Mike that is correct Director Calla-There is parking there and feels he can get parking at Yirrell Beach... Motion from the Finance Committee with a Negative Recommendation to direct the Town Manager to provide a 25% discount on License Fee for FY22 Councilor Christopher feels this is irresponsible to turn a blind eye on. We licensed them for something they could not do. The fact of the matter is almost sure at every budget process we fund different things in different. ways... This is a gesture of good will from the Town for those who have had a hard year.... Not reduced capacity people that could not open.... Councilor Letterie asks Councilor Christopher if he were looking at businesses that could not open. Councilor Christopher feels that if you had to shut your doors, you are entitled...you were given a license to do something that you could not do. Councilor Letterie-it was discussed, there were businesses that were shut down for a day, different time...vs. carry out...etc... the feeling on the Finance Committee is that there a device, TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 23, 2021 5 Councilor Ruggiero-Do we have a calculation. Anna Freedman-Focused on restaurant is approx. $10,000, for next year we would need to come up with an estimate on what impact this would have, and cuts would have to be cut out of FY22 budget proposal. American Rescue Plan money might provide an opportunity to help with relief to businesses. Town Manager respects VP Christopher thoughts on this and this is very tricky, and he can investigate and maybe define at exactly what businesses his is to help support. He does not want a lot of interpretation to determine a case-by-case basis. He would like to review the American Rescue and would not like to have to cut our budget. Rebate on fee may not be best, but he is open to review, some judgement calls must be made.... Motion by Councilor Christopher to send back to the Rules & Ordinance for recommendation as to help the Town Administrators Administrate a program 2nd by Councilor Ruggiero Discussion Councilor Letterie any finance motions must go through the Finance Committee. will have joint or have Town Manager to review the new resources through the government for small businesses. Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Disapprove: Councilor Letterie, Councilor Ferrino Motion Passes 7-2 NEW BUSINESS Council President Boncore refers the following to the Finance Committee for their recommendation: Motion to transfer $15,000 for Pest Control. Motion to transfer $19,211 for Harbormaster Engine Replacement Motion to transfer $50,000 transfer from capital stabilization for Ingleside park playground repairs. April 20, 2021 -Spring Forum and Budget Proposal CFO Freedman will have information available to the Citizens Finance prior to the 4-20-21 Meeting. for the proposal of the budget CFO Freedman can commit to first week in April. 4-22-21 Joint Public Hearing with the Planning Board Motion by PB to appoint Kevin Janelis as a Constable for the Town of Winthrop No 2 nd needed for Council President. Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0 Motion by PB to appoint Mi X Nguyen, owner of Star Nails to the Commitee on Diversity No 2 nd needed for Council President. Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0 Motion to appoint Stephen Ruggiero to the Board of Capic No 2 nd needed for Council President. Approve: Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Abstain: Councilor Ruggiero Motion Passes 8-1 PUBLIC COMMENT Wendy Millar Page-Thanks Town Manager for adding to Zero Waste Committee....one of the things in Revere that was. done for relief money was take the renewed Common Victuallers license and waive it.... Discussion about Trash...alot of feedback is that is that it is being crammed down our throats...but we must get more education.... have zero waste and Finance Committee joint meeting. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 23, 2021 6 PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS Immediate Committee Openings for Airport Hazards Committee, Board of Appeals Commission for Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations, Winthrop Planning Board, & TSAC 16. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Adjourn by Councilor Letterie at 9:18pm 2 nd by Councilor Ferrino Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, 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 MARCH 23, 2021 7