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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 18, 2021
President Boncore calls the Executive Session Meeting to order at 6:30 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor
LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Christopher, President Philip Boncore
Absent: Councilor Flockhart
Pledge of Allegiance
Councilor DeMarco
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Council anticipates going into Executive Session pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, §21(a)(3), To discuss
strategy with respect to collective bargaining and an open meeting may have a detrimental effect
on the bargaining position of the public body if the chair so declares.
Motion by Councilor Letterie to enter Executive Session.
2™4 by Councilor Honan
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor
LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Boncore
Absent: Councilor Flockhart
Motion Passes: 8-1
Motion by Councilor Honan to adjourn Executive Session at 7:03pm
2" by Councilor Ferrino
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor
LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Boncore
Absent: Councilor Flockhart
Motion Passes: 8-1
Return to Open Session
Council President Opens Meeting and gives zoom information.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor
LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore
Absent: Councilor Flockhart
MINUTES
Motion by Councilor Letterie to accept Minutes of May 4, 2021
2™ by Councilor Honan
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor
LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Boncore
Absent: Councilor Flockhart
Motion Passes: 8-1
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MAY 18, 2021, PAGE 1
GENERAL INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS
President Boncore reports on the Governors New Orders for the State
PUBLIC HEARING
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CORRESPONDENCE
None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Finance Committee
Councilor Letterie reports on the Finance Commission meetings with each department head to discuss
their budgets.
Miller Field Committee
Councilor Letterie reports on meeting, tennis courts moving along well and on time to be finished by end
of June.
Bids for dog park and golf shed will be opened this Thursday and hope to award and begin work.
Miller Field house nonskid paint completed...fencing finished, bathroom complete, concession stand info
in, hoping to open Labor Day Weekend.
Rules & Ordinance
Vice President Christopher reports on the meetings including the Ordinance Review Committee
recommendations and Middle School Zoning.
Middle School zoning will be handled by coming up with a soft recommendation, adopted off Planning
Board recommendation, include the Town Council and Legal Counsel. Once this completed, a public
hearing will be held, and final approval will be sent to the Town Council.
Councilor Ruggiero
ORC-Update
Established last year and met throughout year with the leadership of Jeff Turco now State representative.
It is the will of the committee to continue meeting as members feel there was more to “sink it’s teeth if”.
Per the charter but a report needed to be issued by 5-1-21 to committee met obligations, which was done.
It is still being reviewed in Rules & Ordinance and final recommendation will be completed for Town
Council.
Vice President Christopher states all charter changes a vote on the ballot would be needed...he would
rather take all at once and have several on ballot. This would be the first attempt at changing charter and
important to do all at once.
Council President...we did change couple of lines in charter about election and pay raises...
Vice President Christopher states there has been a couple of MGL updates...the Housing Board...Open
Meeting Law, Charter does need some administrative items reviewed.
Councilor Ferrino states that the -Housing Authority must be done.
Council President asks if this is an actual ballot question since it.is the law or could the Town Council
just accept.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MAY 18, 2021, PAGE 2
Councilor Letterie-Ask Council President if we can ask for a motion to continue for the Ordinance
Review Committee to continue. If changes being made it would be good for committee to have more
time to review especially for a ballot.
Does this require a motion?
Councilor Ferrino states there is still grant money to be used with the Collins Center to use.
Council President states that this committee can stay in existence until a new one formed in 5 years.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Interim Town Manager Delahanty request Public Health Director Hurley for Covid update which our
overall percent has dropped successfully. Going forward updates will be sent out on Mondays only.
Winthrop Vaccinations....59% 1% dose at least 49% complete vaccinations
May 26" Schools for ages 12 + up and their families
May 27 Community Vaccinations at St. Michaels (St. Johns) 4-7 pm
Town can hold weekly clinics on Thursday.
4" of July discussed, and Interim Town Manager Delehanty agrees that the Horrible’s Parade should be
allowed for our town but has doubts on Fireworks...no other communities will be participating in
Fireworks, and we do not want to have our town overcrowded if we only community close having them.
He believes full heartedly the Town deserves Fireworks but will address later...
Fear & Impartial policing training and covered a diverse group in community along with Chief, Deputy
and Director of Health...Limited in the amount of people...35 people with law enforcement, but this is a
beginning of law enforcement and policing is done in Winthrop, thanks WYC for their running this.
Thanks St. Michaels, St. Johns for cooperation with using their space...Parks & Rec there while covid
testing......
Ingleside Park contract out last Thursday and construction will begin.
Conversation with Interim CFO, to help with work.
Bike Winthrop Partnered
Director Calla updates on the Revere St. Tips Project and would like National Gird to come to a Town
Council meeting to discuss this project.
National Grid has awarded the contract and will be coming into Winthrop as early as summer
months...several phases, duration of project is 2-3 years.
Overlap in final phase will be our Revere St. Tip Project, we want bulk of National Grid out of the way
as to not tie up Revere St. for long time......
Councilor Ferrino asks will any other utilities be worked on while street open.
Director Calla answers some but no water or addition sewer work, can do some lining and video it.
Interim Town Manager reports stop signs at Shirley and Taft’s will be installed.
Tennis Court traffic island and will have TSAC evaluate.... people park after cemetery gates causing
parking problems...
Trash meetings Zero Waste still being reviewed on fee and will keep updated.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MAY 18, 2021, PAGE 3
DEP confirmed they have received letter from Winthrop in reference to the Ferry, but has not promised
funding, and still in talks with Quincy on their funding, working on the Landing places, Marina Bay,
Seaport District, Aquarium...once these are in place the Ferry should be up and running.
Councilor Ruggiero asks the Interim Town Manager about the incident that happened in Winthrop on the
MBTA bus. Town Council would like a meeting with the MBTA especially in reference to the incident
that happened on the bus. Interim Town Manager will set up for them to attend a Town Council
Meeting.
Council President states maybe first meeting in July....
Councilor Letterie thanks the Interim Town Manager for opening and reopening Town Hall 9 and a
library opens...
Picking up expired landing agreements greatly appreciated.
Dealing with budget, would like more guidance on the American Relief funds that will be allocated to
the Town.
Interim Town Manager states that we do have an expert that the Assis. CFO and does have a relationship
and they will let us know what is allowable and what is not...border line expenses...
Assistant CFO Robert Powers states we can work with the current companies with this information.
Councilor Letterie assumes since restriction lifted, we could do in person meetings in June...
Interim Town Manager states that are up to TC any decision will be supported.... he plans on increasing
the opening of Town Hall to a full schedule.
Council President agrees but asks if we can meet and the public can still attend via zoom.
Interim Town Manager believes that we should start at Sr. Center as we must have public seating
available and keep a distance. He will make sure Sr. Center set up for Town Council Meetings
Councilor DeMarco questions on logistics... things have changed before pandemic...working on
handbook....no remote participation allowed from councilors... wants to make sure that when back in
person if there is a councilor that cannot make it, they could log in remote. Can we investigate this and
make sure remote would be available?
Council President agrees, yes, that will be permitted...
Vice President Christopher remembers this being brough up before Covid, but with Covid happening, no
orders have been repealed and feels we can still meet remote until Governor changes orders.
Councilor DeMarco asks if Governor rescinds the pandemic will the OML be affected?
Interim Town Manager will send information.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Council President reports from the May 10" Meeting
New | yr. contract to Superintendent
Presentation Mike Kearney and Kati Miller Diversity Equity, Inclusion and Human Resource Center
Superintendent has taken down to make sure more educational then political.
Informed of vandalism at Gorman Fort Banks and have people on video, smashed bottles broke b-ball.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MAY 18, 2021, PAGE 4
Summer school classes 6 for each 4 buildings M-TH one session in July and August...Math and English
and Special Needs, if needed.
Retirement of Sue Eccles... School Business Manager for several years.
New Principal named for Cummings...Andrea O’Leary....
OLD BUSINESS
Both items were addressed and will be kept on old business for next meeting
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Council President Boncore to name John Vitagliano and Nick Ivansi and to the Airport
Hazards Committee
2"4 Councilor Letterie
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor
LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Boncore
Absent: Councilor Flockhart
Motion Passes: 8-1
Motion by Council President Boncore to name Sarah Jane Fourness to the Winthrop Planning
Board
2"4 Councilor Letterie
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor
LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Boncore
Absent: Councilor Flockhart
Motion Passes: 8-1
Council President refers to the Finance Committee that Town Council vote to authorize unpaid
bills of a prior year in the amount of $1,570.78.
Council President refers to the Finance Committee that the Town Council transfer $72,456.70
from the Insurance Recovery Fund to General Fund Special Article for Ingleside Park Playground
Repairs
Motion by Councilor Ferrino that the Town Council vote to accept into the Town Donation Fund
(906) a donation in the amount of $2,750.00 collected by Seth Williams and subsequently
transfer/appropriate to the General Fund Special Article #0196058-588193 FY21 Ingleside Park
Playground Repairs
2"4 by Councilor Letterie
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor
LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Boncore
Absent: Councilor Flockhart
Council President refers to the Rules & Ordinance that the Town Council vote to accept the
provisions of Chapter 44, Section 53F’4 of the Massachusetts General Laws establishing the “Solid
Waste Enterprise Fund” as an enterprise fund effective fiscal year 2022.
Discussion
Councilor Ferrino asks on Enterprise fund.... $1.2 Million transferred ...why not put in this motion.
Interim Town Manager states it was voted on for the FY22...we need account before funds approved.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MAY 18, 2021, PAGE 5
PUBLIC COMMENT
Karin Chavis thanks the Council for the members appointed to the Finance Commission, they have been
a great help and thanks Robbie Powers for his help in the budget year. The Finance Commission has
been working very hard and will continue but wants Town Council to realize that any recommendations
made are not to punish or do detrimental to anyone, they are just trying to balance this budget.
Julia Wallerce....happy about Ingleside Park and very Happy to hear that the Revere St. Tips going
forward...please have public meetings....
Asks if Super Signs could be moved to bus stops, put out information. Would like to see Parklets placed
where citizens would like, activate space.
Suzanne Leonard asks about more context on School’s website, there has been a group that is looking
for this resource guide to be put back up on the web. Very concerned that this has become more political
than should be.
Council President believes that the School Dept. received complaints...it was taken down for the
Superintendent to revise some of the wording in the site...
Suzanne hopes the schools have not bowed to pressure from people who want information shielded, this
is not right and makes her very disturbed. This is a website that is a resource guide, if you do not want to
review this website, then do not you have a choice. We would like the resource guide to put back up.
Feels that this site was taken down due to loud, ignorant uneducated citizens.
Alexis Teevens, shares the same thoughts at Suzanne and is very upset that this website was taken down,
please consider this decision.
Interim Town Manager would like these messages passed onto the School Committee and
Superintendent.
Wendy Millar Page was on School Committee meeting and sent information to the school and received
an answer that it was taken down to review for the Schools Diversity, reflect and see what some
comments are. This is an external research for parents and teachers to utilize...it is not political; she
trusts in this response that the school wants to make sure it is being rolled out smoothly. This will be a
vital resource as Winthrop moves forward, we need to be aware of Diversity in our town.
Sharon Poulos discusses grants and if not given by a someone with funds, they are coming from the
government. These fall upon the resources of our town. Grants can cost the town money whether town
resource or state or federal taxes.
States that being a loud ignorant and uneducated citizen who questioned the School Website, people
who are calling for Inclusion and Diversity do not want to hear anything but what they are saying. Iam
not upholding white supremacy, everyone’s voice must be listened too, this means opinions and parental
rights...1 do not want anyone telling me how to parent and I will not tell anyone how to parent either.
Elizabeth Jones discusses conversations have been going on since the DEI website was up. These
conversations do get heated, but they can also get uncomfortable. Therefore, she appreciated the DEI
website for all different individuals... all could digest is own way. Yes, it can be uncomfortable as you
may challenge your own thoughts... she appreciates it can be very difficult but to move forward these are
conversations needed. Does not want anyone feelings to be hurt and this is not the intention of anyone.
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MAY 18, 2021, PAGE 6
Kati Belle also discusses the DEI website, that it is a resource page and if you do not want to review, you
do not have too......finds this very troubling that it was taken down for revisions. Agrees that some of
these conversations can be very difficult but this is a resource page only. Wants to make sure that it is
made public she has requested through the Town Council and School Superintendent, to Laurie in
support and wants it made public that you are not obligated to use this website, it is very important
whether we are ready for these conversations or not.
Suzanne Leonard states all the website is doing is providing information... if you do not want to watch
or talk to your children about site, don’t... this is really talking censorship and find it very disturbing.
PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS
Immediate Committee Openings for Airport Hazards, Board of Appeals, TSAC, Conservation
Commission.
Committee members expiring on June 30" and some will be re-appointed and some not, we need
committee members.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilor DeMarco to adjourn at 8:44 PM
2™ by Councilor Ruggiero
Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor
LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Boncore
Absent: Councilor Flockhart
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 18, 2021, PAGE 7
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
May 13, 2021 Fiscal Year 2021
Motion Summary
Title: Ingleside Park Playground Donation
Motion ID: TCM21-024
Amount: $2750.00
Funding Source: Donation
Motion Details
Motion Type: Gift Acceptance
Submitted by: Terence Delehanty, Interim Town Manager
Date Submitted: May 13, 2021
Text of Motion
MOTION: I move that the Town Council vote to accept into the Town Donation Fund
(906) a donation in the amount of $2,750.00 collected by Seth Williams and subsequently
transfer/appropriate to the General Fund Special Article #0196058-588193 FY21
Ingleside Park Playground Repairs; or take any other action thereto.
Funding Details
Funding Source Funding Destination
Account Description Amount Account Description Amount
906 [Town Donations $2,750.00 |0196058-588193 |FY21 Ingleside Park {$2,750.00
Playground Repairs
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
May 13, 2021 Fiscal Year 2021
Motion Summary
Title: Ingleside Park Playground Repairs
Motion ID: TCM21-023
Amount: $72,456.70
Funding Source: Special Revenue - Insurance Proceeds
Motion Details
Motion Type: Transfer from Special Revenue
Submitted by: Terence Delehanty, Interim Town Manager
Date Submitted: May 13, 2021
Text of Motion
MOTION: I move that the Town Council vote to transfer $72,456.70 from the Insurance
Recovery - Recreation Fund (#720) to General Fund Special Article #0196058-588193
FY21 Ingleside Park Playground Repairs; or take any other action thereto.
Funding Details
Funding Source Funding Destination
Account Description Amount Account Description Amount
720 nsurance Recovery - [$72,456.70 (0196058-588193 FY21 Ingleside Park [$72,456.70
Recreation Playground Repairs
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
May 13, 2021 Fiscal Year 2021
Motion Summary
Title: Unpaid Bills of a Prior Year (Third Round)
Motion ID: TCM21-022
Amount: $1,570.78
Funding Source: Current Year Departmental Budgets
Motion Details
Motion Type: Budgetary
Submitted by: Terence Delehanty, Interim Town Manager
Date Submitted: 05/13/2021
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
Parks and Rec _| Joseph's Transportation (Bus for Nashoba Valley Ski) | 675.00 | 67163053-535100
MIS Northeast Electrical (Network Project) 358.60 | 0115557-579100
Ferry Cummins Sales and Service (Filters, Coalescing) 537.18 | 66066052-524106