Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 6 pages · 160 KB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 1, 2022 President Letterie calls meeting to order at 7:00 PM and gives Zoom information ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Aiello, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Flockhart Councilor Flockhart has a moment of reflection of Delbrook Binns MINUTES Motion by Councilor Honan to accept Minutes of February 15. 2022, as circulated 2 nd by Councilor Fucillo Roll Call Vote: Approve: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Aiello, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Motion Passes GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Council President Letterie explains that the Water Study was to take place tonight and due to a scheduling conflict will be scheduled at our next Town Council Meeting Councilor Aiello is deeply disappointed that we do not have a presentation tonight on the Water Audit Study, he has asked the Town Manager to provide a written memo clearly describing why this has been postponed, copies of emails and any other communication so that this does not happen again. He believes the Water Study Report should be on the Town Webpage as it claims we have lost close to a million dollars that should be discussed immediately. Council President describes the reasoning of why rescheduling has occurred: first the snow storm caused a reschedule, then they had to reschedule then a lack of communication setting a date for this meeting as we are all interested in this study. PUBLIC HEARING Town Council vote to appropriate $109,841/Replacement Municipal Boilers-Library & WPD Finance Committee voted with a positive recommendation Public Hearing Closed National Grid # 30571298-Relocate 1 Pole Mugford St. Public Hearing Closed National Grid # 30529098-Hillside/Crystal Cove/Allow underground service to 600 Shirley St. Director Call requests that Infrared Paving be used Public Hearing Closed Town Council vote to increase the Winthrop Taxi rates from $6.00 to $8.00 for regular fares. Senior rates will go from $5.00 to $6.00 positive recommendation John Morgan speaks on the taxi drivers having to pay for their own fuel, he would like to suggest that residents that frequent the cabs give a little extra for the cost of such high costing gas. Public Hearing Closed PUBLIC COMMENT None CORRESPONDENCE None TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 1, 2022 PAGE 1 COMMITTEE REPORTS Capital Assets- Councilor Aiello reports on meeting: The Water Study was discussed and he feels strongly that we need to be as transparent to the public as possible. Discussed what happening within the Water Dept. and Public Works Department and the pay scales. Director Calla explains departments are under one structure with 6 difference grades and steps…the pay are not bringing in craftsmen’s that are needed. Councilor Aiello also discusses the Phase II of the CBD project and the capital needs still warranted for completion of project. Councilor Aiello would like to invest in the IT of the town departments Councilor Aiello would like information on town buildings to work and prioritize the work needed presently and in the future. Public Health & Safety Councilor Flockhart discusses the committees visit to the fire stations and the deteriorations of these buildings. Renovations were discussed, feasibility of combing WFD and WPD were also discussed and the conclusion is that the WFD is in great need of replacement much sooner than later. Committee met to review National Grid, Mugford St and Crystal Cove, she has also contacted them about removing the 98 double poles in our town. Committee voted for a positive recommendation on both National Grid projects. Committee also reviewed the severe back up of traffic on Saratoga St.and Main St. when the floodgates in Beachmont are closed. Due to safety concerns it was suggested the traffic light at Bennington St be re-timed as for handling the traffic back up. A letter was drafted in reference to this by the DCR director and Representative Turco for review by our Town Manager. DPW Director requests that Infrared Pavement be used on 600 Crystal Cove, which Councilor Flockhart will review. Finance Committee Councilor Fucillo discusses the Finance Committee that voted with a positive recommendation that the Town Council vote to appropriate $109,841/Replacement Municipal Boilers-Library & WPD Enterprise Fee study is tabled IT project management study voted with a positive recommendation Rules & Ordinance Councilor Ruggiero reports on meeting and taxi rate increase and was voted with a positive recommendation. TOWN MANAGER REPORT Interim Town Manager is away and DPW Director Calla will make a report. First, congratulations to Andrew Biggio is the United States Marine Core Vet and is being awarded for their years of support to the military, veterans and their families. DPW thanks his staff and Aaron Armistead for their handling of the storm during his absence. FKO has moved out of the E.B Newton space and the Town Manager will be moving the Public Health Dept. to this space to help them work more efficiently. Thanks Public Health Team and inspectional Services on a collaborating on a dangerous situation which has made the people involved much safer. Docusign software has been purchased by the town and will help streamline the town with signatures and documents. Assistant Town Assessor will be leaving his position and it will be posted. The city of Quincy is looking for a commitment to the Ferry and the Town Council will have to identify a funding source for the Ferry if this is the direction they wish to go. There are projects that will be resuming once the weather permits…CBD 2 nd phase with National Grid and Bartlett Road Phase I will begin Outstanding trash bills need to be paid, delinquent bills have been reissued and interest will accrue. Councilor Munson asks about FKO moving and has it already happened? DPW Director answers it has already happened but there is small work needed prior to the Public Health moving in Councilor Munson asked about the local Art Association will be able to use the E.B. Newton Councilor Honan asks what percent of trash bills delinquent. DPW Directors states over 6,000 has been sent and 960 are outstanding Councilor Aiello states a point of additional information that the city of Quincy has made a request to Mass DOT for funding this year and are waiting for a response that would ideally fund the whole financial issue. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 1, 2022 PAGE 2 Councilor Flockhart asks when the projects will begin. DPW Director believes not before March 15 th Councilor Aiello discusses the correction of the parking signs DPW Director replies that all the signs being put back are the signs that are on the ordinance and this is how the project was bid and this is how the signs must be put back up. The CVS no parking in front is due to the size of trucks we must oversee the size of the trucks due to accidents that can occur do to the new landscape design. Council President Letterie asks when projects will end DPW Director states their end date is June 30 th . and could be done before. DPW Director discusses due to manpower, covid and scheduling, the last group of water meters are moving slower than wanted. SCHOOL COMMITTEE Council President reports on the School Committee who met last evening and , the schools are back in session after break. Masks restricted but some still wearing. Safe practice still being used. Several winter athletes that have made conference teams Basketball NEC Chris Cappuccio, Girls NECC all conference Maddie Stiglets, Grace Fleuriel , Julia Marcoccio, Reese Brodin, Kaylee Farrell. Hockey NEC, Pete Sileverman, JD Parker, Jack Hayes, Summer Tallent, Julia Holmes, Emma Holmes, Abby Holmes Mia Martucci, Talia Martucci, Elle English, Mia Norris 2 Coaches Recognized, Girls Basketball Coach Joe Lowe, Girls Hockey Anthony Martucci, first tournament games kick off tomorrow. OLD BUSINESS Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council vote to appropriate $109,841/Replacement Municipal Boilers No 2 nd Needed Discussion Councilor Aiello asks about the smaller one and what does this include as for the boiler, removal, warranty…etc…, one is a rather healthy amount that included both, what is the history of this and the length of the warranty? DPW answers with warranty information and discussion continues with price and inclusion of price. Roll Call Vote: Approve: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Abstain: Councilor Aiello Motion Passes Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation the Pay and Class Study and amend the amount to $46,000 No 2 nd Needed Discussion Approve: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor Flockhart , Councilor Aiello ,Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Motion Passes Enterprise Fee Study-Tabled in Committee Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation the Pay and Class Study and amend the amount to $46,000 No 2 nd Needed Discussion Approve: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor Flockhart , Councilor Aiello ,Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Motion Passes TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 1, 2022 PAGE 3 Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation IT Plan and Project Management No 2 nd Needed Discussion Roll Call Vote Approve: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor Flockhart , Councilor Aiello ,Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Motion Passes Motion by the Rules & Ordinance with a positive recommendation that the Town Council vote to increase the Winthrop Taxi rates from $6.00 to $8.00 for regular fares. Senior rates will go from $5.00 to $7.00 Winthrop to Winthrop….(See Attached Information) No 2 nd Needed Roll Call Vote Approve: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor Flockhart , Councilor Aiello ,Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Motion Passes Motion by the Public Health & Safety Committee that the Town Council allows National Grid # 30571298- Relocate 1 Pole Mugford St. No 2 nd Needed Roll Call Vote Approve: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor Flockhart , Councilor Aiello ,Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Motion Passes Motion by the Public Health & Safety Committee that the Town Council National Grid # 30529098- Hillside/Crystal Cove/Allow underground service to 600 Shirley St. No 2 nd Needed Discussion DPW Director would like National Grid to commit to using Infrared Paving. Roll Call Vote Approve: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor Flockhart , Councilor Aiello ,Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Motion Passes NEW BUSINESS Council President Letterie refers to the Finance Committee that the Town Council votes to authorize $2290.50 in Unpaid Bills PUBLIC COMMENT Karin Chavis P2-Asks about money owed to us from Quincy in reference to the Ferry. She believes the Ferry is still in deficit of approx... $170,000 and this will just pay for last year’s bill, not towards this year. Council President states that we are in the deficit and we are trying to work with Quincy to at least pay last year and take care of the deficit. Shannon Poulos P3-General comments in reference to the budget. None of her comments reflect the hard work our assistant CFO & Interim Town Manager have been doing, she continues to comment on her reflection of the budget for FY22 and going into FY23 and the need to make sure we have FY22 on track to assure that FY23 is an adequate budget and covers the towns needs for revenue and especially grants that the town could be applying for. Comments on the fact that the town is short staffed and working double duty on larger projects. Kurt Millar comments on the parking lot in the back of the Methodist Church and the no parking signs DPW Director states there have been no changes to this parking lot, the signage may be up but not in ordinance and he will look to make sure not on public property as this is public municipal parking. Shannon Poulos refers to her request for a Financial Update TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 1, 2022 PAGE 4 PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS Committee Members Needed for Board of Assessors, Conservation and Retirement ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor Aiello to adjourn at 8:15PM 2 nd by Councilor Ruggiero Passed Unanimously 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 Motion Respectfully submitted Denise Quist Town Clerk Council Clerk TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 1, 2022 PAGE 5