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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 4, 2021
Council President calls the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and gives Zoom information for Public Comment.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor LoConte,
Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilor DeMarco
MINUTES
Motion by Councilor Letterie to accept Minutes of April 20, 2021
2" by Councilor Ferrino
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor LoConte,
Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore
GENERAL INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS
Citation: Larry Powers, Harbormaster
PUBLIC HEARING
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Craig Mael-Discusses references Committee Openings and would like to mention that back in about 2013, the
Town Council voted for an advisory committee for IT and he asks the Council President to try and generate
members for this committee. In the Presidents new infrastructure bill, this would allow us to look for other
funding methods....
CORRESPONDENCE
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance Committee
Councilor Letterie discusses the meeting, one topic is the potential trash fee, much conservation about this, many
hours of work, thanks Director Calla for his work on this.... trying to begin an Enterprise Fund is not an easy
task...
Discussed 3 alternatives:
New contract 7-1-2020 raised our trash allotment from $1.2 M to $1.7M
Trash and recycling have gone through the roof.
Town appropriated $1.2 we will have a deficiency of $500,000.
TC took money out of stabilization for FY21 and need a concrete decision for FY22.
Committee thinks because of this to have an Enterprise Fund and maybe a fee for citizens.
1-Implement a Fee
2-Money out Stabilization-Most thought this was not right thing to do financially, impact on Bond rating
3-Cut Budget -We are known with a revenue problem not spending problem...cutting $600,000 out of budget
could cut personal...
Police Dept /WFD/DPW- are already running with a smaller employee list.
Consider an override? Any thoughts, discussions would be discussed in public.
Did discuss why type of fee, how much...make up difference from old to new contract.
Enterprise would have admin cost.
Fee would be for only users that have curbside services...
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2021 PAGE 1
There was a Motion by the Finance Committee for an annual Trash Fee of $160 Voted 2-1
This will make up the difference from old to new and create an Enterprise Fund.
This will not stop discussion; it will continue as far as educating town and what new implications are of this
contract...
Councilor Honan encourages Town Councilors to ask the Finance Committee about what Councilor Letterie just
went over, please review...
Councilor DeMarco -What happens if someone cannot afford fee?
Councilor Letterie-Did discuss this process, abatements.. .etc.
Also questions if someone opts out of trash pickup, opt out clause in but use would have to show they have
another certified hauler.
Follow Up DeMarco-Budget is $56M and we are talking about $600,000.
Councilor Letterie approx. yes.
Councilor Flockhart asks if this can be paid monthly?
Councilor Letterie, it will be a onetime bill and would like it paid on its own...it will be able to be broken up but
still reviewing...as of now it would be an annual bill going out in early to mid-August for FY22.
Councilor Ferrino-States he voted against this, basically there are still a lot of questions to be answered....no
specific plans on how to be implemented apart from a FEE...the public needs to know if there was no fee what the
consequences would be.... he hopes this motion does not go through tonight until we realize the entire impact on
budget.
Council President...Fee or no fee, the administrator will do this policy.
Councilor Honan...reiterates, the $600,000 comes from those who have curbside pickup only.
If we took from our budget, we must have a public finance meeting and if anyone can find $600,000 to cut, please
let us know....
What about an override? It cannot happen by July 1“, we would have to wait until fall, with the budget we cannot
let this deficit be allowed ....
Cannot take out of stabilization as it would be extremely irresponsible and a harm the community especially with
the bond issued...
We looked at all facts and made the best decision we thought for the citizens,
Councilor Ruggiero asks about the calculations of $160 per household? Bill divided by current users.
We are not going with the pay as you throw.... buckets per household...
Councilor Letterie, states he did go through numbers with the DPW and the Assessors Dept. we did come up with
number of users...if it is a 2-family condo separate bills to owners....2 family house, 2 bills sent to owner of
home....
Administration cost, education, mailings, etc.....
Fee is like a water/sewer bill, if not paid a lien will be applied.
Pay as you through is still being discussed... contract is based on tonnage, fee for this service of pick up and part
b cost is disposing of trash town allowed so much tonnage, when exceed, we must pay.
Hoping tonnage surplus is due to the Covid and more people being at home.
After discussing with other towns, we have been very lucky not to be having a trash fee.
Councilor Ruggiero glad to hear a surplus was kept in mind, know fees can increase...we signed a 5-year contract
and glad we do not have to anticipate an increase...
Councilor Letterie did include a surplus to help with this, but there are many other areas to review.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2021 PAGE 2
MILLER FIELD COMMITTEE
Meeting next week but going to get into bidding for the Golf Shed and Dog Park...should be bid out in early
June... Talking about first activity in Sept. for any dedications...
Director Calla agrees, anticipate a bid opening late May...looking to award and begin project...
Site work for maintenance shed and full installation of the Dog Park...
Building kit already been purchased...and ready to bid out.
Councill President asks when Tennis courts will be dedicated.
Councilor Letterie believes it might be able to be used by June 4" for parking, believe they will be finished by July
4". have not discussed a rededication of the Tennis courts but will be shortly.
RULES & ORDINANCE
Councilor Christopher will schedule a meeting to discuss the Middle School Zoning and the recommendation from
the Winthrop Planning Board.
Charter Review Committee
Councilor Ruggiero reports that there has been a drafted report to send to the TC for
Report was sent to the TC President and committee will continue meeting until the end of the year...
Councilor Fetrino agrees, wishes the committee had more time but there has been a good packet book together for
Town Council to send to the Rules & Ordinance for review....
Council President will read under new business and send to R&O.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Interim Town Manager Terry Delehanty asks Direct Director Hurley for an update on Covid...
No new cases...2270 35 deceased 12 isolated, very good and 2223 recovered.
Vaccine 54% total residents at least 1“ vaccine
There will be local sites for vaccinations as it is for allover 16.
Councilor Honan...how do testing #’s look.
Director Hurley...much lower.... approx. 2000 a week statewide
Councilor Honan...are we missing positives? Director Hurley...not sure, wonder if people got fatigued and
hearing positive news that effects people getting tested...
Councilor Letterie...based on 54% about 65% are numbers based on over 60 or total population.
Director Hurley...total population...
*Please see COVID Update on our Town Website.
Interim Town Manager congratulates Larry Power, and it has been a pleasure working with him.... congratulations
to Arthur Hickey as he retires from WPD and is now our new Harbormaster.
North Suffolk Public Health Collaborative was awarded a significant grant for epidemiologist for Winthrop,
Revere and Chelsea and will be very helpful to our Public Health Department.
Signed letter for grant for Belle Isle Marsh, MVP Action Grant, hopefully we will grant this award.
Taft & Shirley St. construction will be soon completed, this was done by the MWRA, Point Shirley to make more
define, one ways and safety issues.
Ferry...has had many questions... he is advising the council that we have no commitments from DEP for any
funding and this was the largest contributor of $150,000, the MBTA $80,000 we will also not be receiving.
Funding last year they may not be able to give us this year....
It does cost $455,000; the majority must be made up on grant money...feels confident get money from DEP but
need patience. There is money is reserves to start but does not want to have to close right after opening if funding
not received. Enterprise accounts, are self-sufficient, have reserves and handle their own financials. We need to
keep personnel cost in general fund.... cannot use our grant opportunities for this, very important it is not a
recurring cost. look for one-time projects...make sure it is just one time not a recurring cost.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2021 PAGE 3
Grant opportunities:
Violence against Women Act...social worker with Director Hurley office
Parks and Recreation-Ingleside park equipment should be going to state bid list to have for the summer.
Summer programs will resume this year.... please go to website and sign up for these programs...this is also an
Enterprise Fund and should be self-sufficient.
Winthrop Police Department (WPD) Police academy will be running for citizens...
Cyber security mentioned by Craig Mael.... the MIT Cyber Security has asked us to engage and look at our IT and
give information on how they can help...
Policy Decision...continuity of government... we need to layer our government, make sure people can step in if
any one person is out.,.. need to look at offices.... there is a sheet that if this one out, this falls to this person...ete.
Superintendent Howard is asking that the polling locations do not return to the schools...does not want any days
off during the school year.
Trash Fees,... thinks we should be looking at $800,00 -900,00 and free up revenue for other services.
Director Calla reports on CBD update...focus wrapping drainage work from previous calendar year...
Approx. 6 weeks, will be claiming roads, pulverization of existing asphalt...all streets in a binder course, curb
resetting, new lighting...temp. parking lot will start being disassembled...
Still confident we will meet project end is meeting their goals...
*Please see CBD update on our Town Website.
Councilor Ferrino...thanks Town Manager for report. Requests an update on the Conservation Agent.
Had conversation with Chair Karen Winn and she is very anxious.
Town Manager there will not be a definite Conservation Agent with this new Resilience.
We do need a Conservation Agent, but cost is not in the budget. An agent will be necessary, but this is not a
separate agent for Winthrop. Town Manager will be bringing back to council after further review.
Councilor Ferrino was under impression that the Barr grant was going towards a Conservation.
Maybe conservation fees can help with an Agent....
Council President was led to believe we would have a shared Agent with Revere & Chelsea, but this now seems
incorrect.
Town Manager will be reviewing the grant award letters and the application. He will update Town Council.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UPDATE
School Committee met on 4-26-21 -The school purchased new touch screen tv for rooms and now most rooms will
have tv’s.
Graduation will be on Miller Field June 4, 2021
Fall Sports.
Football is now champs...
Cheerleaders took 2" place...
All teachers back but one, due to an ADA issue must continue remote.
School mitigation protocols have been working great.... not one school has had a virus spread.
There will be a Senior only prom June 1, 2021.
Summer program from K-8" in Math, English
Summer program for MS and HS on class basis for makeups
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2021 PAGE 4
OLD BUSINESS
Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council vote in the
amount of $37,750 for the Use of Retained Earnings Water/Sewer Fund.... (See attached motion)
No 2" Needed.
Discussion
This motion was brought before the Council and Finance Committee previously but unintentionally not voted on
during Town Council Meeting
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor
LoConte, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
Motion by the Finance Committee, with a Positive Recommendation to create a user fee of $160 a year for
users of curb side pickup starting FY 22.
No 2",
Discussion
Councilor DeMarco understands this but town looking at tax bill increase, water bill increase...etc....now trash...
when does this stop...?
He does not want to vote and look at other alternatives...
Councilor Letterie agrees... Not looking for bill until August but will be voting on a budget beginning of June.
He would be happy for a recommendation of the severity of cuts it there is not trash fee.
Residents have some responsibility to help pay for this trash fee, we know the town does not have more than the
$1.26M, we are trying to do this as easy as we can on the trash users...
Councilor Ferrino would like to exercise Town Council privilege and put off until next Town Council Meeting
Council President states this cannot be done as it is not New Business, he can make a motion to table.
Motion by Councilor Ferrino to table until the next Town Council Meeting
Would like Public Comment can be reviewed on fee and get feedback now that citizens know they will be
charged.... this is a fee that will never go away.
2" by Councilor DeMarco
Discussion
Councilor Ruggiero, what is repercussions of delaying this? Will it affect budget?
Council President must be done by June....
Councilor Letterie reports there have been several meetings on trash fee and had Joint Meetings with WPB and
this was not brought up.
The Fin Com meets many times.... had 3 hrs. meeting.... will still have but if talking about coming back to Town
Council, talking about the interim Town Manager now coming up to change the budget that will affect every dept.
every line item.... every Town Councilor has been invited to the trash committee meetings...everyone has had
their chance to speak.
Disapprove: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Honan, Councilor Letterie,
Vice President Christopher, President Boncore
Approve: Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Ferrino, Councilor LoConte
6-3 Motion does not carry to be tabled.
Councilor DeMarco would like to know how this effects budget if trash fee not go through...
Councilor Honan asks Councilor DeMarco to attend the Finance Meetings...she would love to find this money....
she will take any opportunity for anyone to help with what can be cut...any ideas would be grateful.
Town Manager reminds the Council that $451,000 is Misc. revenues that we anticipate using from Arbors Grant
money...this year’s budget uses all our revenue and our misc. revenue...we are already borrowing money. There
will be personnel cut if no trash fee.... he has no CFO and no Assistant Town Manager this year.... supply lines
have all been cut....
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2021 PAGE 5
Councilor Christopher. ..appreciates Councilor DeMarco but we are coming close to the end of the year and say
we do not have a plan and tell the dept. heads must decide how they will cut their departments and cover this
$600,000...does not see any other alternative plan....
We must present a budget in early June.... this does not give town administrators much time to find $600,000.
If answer no, then we need to give them a month.... we must act on this...
Main Motion
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie,
Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore
Disapprove: Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino,
7-2 Motion Passes
NEW BUSINESS
Received report from the Ordinance Review Committee that addresses our current Charter and Ordinance for
review.... Council President reads the report letter and the changes that need to be addressed...
Motion by Councilor Letterie to accept this recommendation from the Ordinance Review Committee and
refer to the Rules & Ordinance Committee
2" by Councilor Ruggiero
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor
LoConte, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
Motion by Council President Boncore to appoint Craig Mael on the Town Council’s IT Committee
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor LoConte,
Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore
Motion Passes 9-0
PUBLIC COMMENT
Shannon Poulos...discusses that there have been many meetings on the trash fee but does point out that Town
Council members voted to approve an extension of a Town Manager contract and must look at root cause as to
why we are in the predicament we are in....
Believes there are other areas in the budget that are not popular to union negotiations that could be discussed, these
are very significant contributions the town makes to these line items...what makes these up, unless you are
focused it is hard to ask the right questions... asks people to realize what these negotiations mean in the budget...
Kathleen Cappuccio-Thanks Chief for stepping up for the town....
Question... maybe address next Town Council meeting with regards to the trash containers and new system, they
could address, is $160 per yr. one container per residential unit? Will this be enough.... some families will need
more than | container.,..and if do, would an additional fee apply?
Wendy Millar Page-Knows this trash fee is not popular and the Zero Waste committee is working hard on how to
and is also discussing the hybrid...
Council President states we will still have recycle & trash barrel.
Public Comment Closed
14. PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS
Immediate Committee Openings for Airport Hazards, Board of Appeals, Planning Board, & TSAC
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MAY 4, 2021 PAGE 6
16.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilor Letterie to Adjourn at 8:30 PM
2" by Councilor Ferrino
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor
LoConte, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President 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 MAY 4, 2021 PAGE7
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 28, 2021 Fiscal Year 2021
Motion Summary
Title: Revere Street Sewer Repairs
Motion ID: TCM21-011
Amount: $37,750
Funding Source: Water/Sewer Fund Retained Earnings
Motion Details
Motion Type: Transfer from Reserve
Submitted by: Austin Faison, Town Manager
Date Submitted: January 28, 2021
Text of Motion
MOTION: I move that the Town Council vote the Use of Retained Earnings, Water/Sewer Fund, in the
amount of $37,750 for costs associated with Revere Street sewer repairs resulting from a sewer collapse
on December 24, 2020; or take any other action thereto.
Funding Details
Funding Source Funding Destination
Account Description Amount Account Description Amount
(901-359000 Retained Earnings 37,750 190144052- Repair/Maintenance {$37,750
|Unreserved Fund 1524108
Accounts Impacted
Water/Sewer Fund Retained Earnings 901
Starting Balance 7/1/2020 $671,931
Balance as of: 1/27/2021 $37,750
Projected Balance After Motion $634,181
2-16-21
Public Hearing Opened
Discussion:
Finance Committee Meeting Postponed, this motion is tabled until next Town Council Meeting
Public Hearing Closed
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