Minutes
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2022 President Letterie calls meeting to order at 7:00 PM also announcing Zoom information ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Aiello, President Letterie Absent: Vice President Ruggiero PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Belcher MINUTES Motion by Councilor Flockhart to accept Minutes of June 7, 2022, as circulated 2 nd by Councilor DeMarco Passed Unanimously SWEARING IN OF FIRE CHIEF SCOTT WILEY Interim Fire Chief Wiley was sworn in as Fire Chief for the Town of Winthrop GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Board of Health – Black Plastic & Semi Public Swimming Pools Board of Health Chair, Bill Schmidt discusses the difficulty is black plastic recyclables Please see information attached and on Town Website CBD Revitalization Presentation-Town Planner Rachel Kelly Winthrop Town Planner discusses along with Urban Planner & Designer Emily Ennis Grants available to CBD Business Owners Please see information attached and on our Town Website Town Council President Letterie reads a statement as follows: Yesterday, as the Town of Winthrop and others around the Commonwealth recognized for the first time the federal holiday of Juneteenth. He continues as to address some residence’s concerns of not flying a Juneteenth Flag or a Pride Flag this month. He assures all that the Town of Winthrop is an inclusive community and will not tolerate hatred at any level and the Town Council and he will continue to work to continue this stay true. Due to the recent Supreme Court ruling that just came down regarding the city of Boston law suit, we felt we would continue with our current Flag Policy which states the USA Flag, POW Flag and State Flag would be flown on town property. This is a policy that has been in place for 3 years. Our town manager is reviewing a flag policy with the town’s legal policy as well as Vice President Ruggiero who is also awaiting legal guidance to continue this through our Rules & Ordinance. He and our Town Manager has reviewed different flag policies to bring to the Council for review at a future meeting. They must be very cognizance about law suites potential law suits and must be aware of the town’s money. If the Counsel wants to enact a Flag policy, they can. In lieu of this, if the Town Manager wants to create a flag policy he can also do this. This is how our current policy is in effect. It needs to be a policy that is transparent and does not leave the town open for any potential litigation. With regards to showing support to Juneteenth and Pride month, the Town Manager will have tables at our Parks & Rec and community policing event and will be passing out information for each, this to celebrate and educate the public. We will show our support for each and encourage all to come to celebrate all the great people in our town. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2022 PAGE 1 PUBLIC HEARING(S) Public Hearing Opened That the Town appropriates the sum of TWO MILLION NINE HUNDRED TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,912,000) to pay costs of constructing reconstructing water mains on Revere Street, Crest Avenue and Grover’s Street, including all costs incidental and related thereto; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Town Manager, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. c.44, §8(5) and/or M.G.L. c.29C, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor; that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Town Manager, is authorized to borrow all or a portion of such amount from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (the “Trust”) established pursuant to M.G.L. c.29C and in connection therewith the Treasurer is authorized to enter into a loan agreement with the Trust and the Town Manager is authorized to enter into a project regulatory agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection; and that the Town Manager is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this project Discussion DPW Director Calla discusses he work this motion entails within our community Councilor Belcher asks about the cost for the design and engineering and what the time frame would be? DPW Calla states it could cost towards $291,000 and time frame approx... 6 months Councilor Aiello once again is concerned with major construction and bad congestion of traffic. He believes we must notify the public more accurately, we need better public transparency. Chair of the Finance Committee reports this motion was approved with a positive recommendation and will be voted on in Old Business Public Hearing Closed Public Hearing Opened That the Town appropriates the sum of ONE MILLION SIX HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($1,633,750) to pay costs of reconstructing and making extraordinary repairs to the Revere Street pressure regulating valve station, including the replacement of equipment at the station and all other costs incidental and related thereto; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Town Manager, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. c.44, §8 and/or M.G.L. c.29C, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor; that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Town Manager, is authorized to borrow all or a portion of such amount from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (the “Trust”) established pursuant to M.G.L. c.29C and in connection therewith the Treasurer is authorized to enter into a loan agreement with the Trust and the Town Manager is authorized to enter into a project regulatory agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection; and that the Town Manager is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this project. Discussion DPW Director Calla discusses work this motion entails Chair of the Finance Committee reports this motion was approved with a positive recommendation and will be voted on in Old Business The main concern from the community is the disruption these projects are causing not only to the streets but to the traffic and detouring. They would like better communication when certain streets are closed and there will be detours. Town Council President replies that we can make sure on our website and look into doing a town wide email notification. Donna Segretti Reilly P5 finds the Town Managers Blog extremely effective for information. Karin Chavis P2-Discusses that these two motions are two separate projects, so there are two separate borrowings, the first one ( $2,912,000 )will cost .35 to .43 cents on the rate, what will the other ($1,633,750) cost on the rate. As it has not gone out for bid yet, there will probably be a water increase rate prior to this. Asks what the estimate will be in total for the next several years. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2022 PAGE 2 Town Council President Guesses with rate could increase .50 to .60 cents increase for these two projects. This does not include a potential annual increase that is set by the Town Manager. Karin states that between these increases and a potential increase, our water rate would be increased close to .75 cents to $1.00. Town Council President believes the increase on the projects may not be done for the next two FY. Public Hearing Closed Public Hearing Opened Free Cash Appropriation for Year End Close Out Discussion Chair of the Finance Committee reports this motion was approved with a positive recommendation and will be voted on in Old Business Public Hearing Closed Public Hearing Opened Year-End General Fund Inter-Budgetary Transfers Discussion Chair of the Finance Committee reports this motion was approved with a positive recommendation and will be voted on in Old Business PUBLIC COMMENT Lee Foley P2-Appreciates Town Council President statement on Juneteenth and Pride month but does not understand the Flag issue and some very disappointed our community should support. A few had asked the Town to make a statement in support of transgender youth as well and LGBTQ youth and still not statement, will this be done? Would like Winthrop to be a Community that acknowledges Pride Month and Juneteenth. Town Council President acknowledges that there are many ways to celebrate our great people in our great country. Annie Mahoney P2-Requests the town to reconsider the WPD as coordinating a community event as the relationship between the police and the queer community is not a healthy one. Celeste Hewitt (P1)-Director of the E.B. Flag raising event and would like the community to offer more of a celebration and flag raising for Pride and Juneteenth. Please adopt a very clear and concise Flag Policy. The following believe that Winthrop should adopt a Flag Policy and fly the Pride Flag Proudly along with celebration of Juneteenth. Also, wants to make sure that all people can step up and be involved in this community. Ian Page (P2)- Katrina Donovan (P3) Suzanne Leonard (P4) Debbie Kneeland (P4) Lisa Alberghini (P4) Lucy Floyd (P5) Donna Segretti Reilly (P5) Todd Sacco comments on the fact that he might be videoing but not for any public use and comments the way he is looked at in this particular room Kelly Gaule (P2)-Asks why neither one of Pride month or Juneteenth were acknowledged? Town Council President has no answer for this but do have a Flag Policy to still be reviewed but other than that has no excuse. Councilor Aiello states that we have failed as a Town Council for these individuals, we should have done more and we need a Flag Policy sooner than later. Councilor Honan wanted to discuss these matters with an agenda item that was not put on due to the Town Council President’s discretion of what is placed on the agenda. There are no excuses waiting for legal counsel, they should not be taking this long. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2022 PAGE 3 Town Council President replies that if items are not placed on the agenda it does not stop any counselor from discussing. At the end of every Town Council meeting, he goes to each counselor and asks if they have anything they would like to discuss and no one has brought anything up. He refused to put a certain item on the agenda as it had nothing to do with the state of mass. COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Chair Councilor Fucillo reports that the following motions were discussed and passed with a Positive Recommendation and will be voted on in Old Business Town appropriates the sum of $2,912,000 to pay costs of constructing and reconstructing water mains on Revere Street, Crest Avenue and Grover’s Street Town appropriates the sum of $1,633,750 to pay costs of reconstructing and making extraordinary repairs to the Revere Street pressure regulating valve station, Free Cash Appropriation for Year End Close Out Year-End General Fund Inter-Budgetary Transfers TOWN MANAGER REPORT Ferry down for maintenance Meeting about tunnel closure Looking for additional funds for the Ferry VSO Rose Mazzuchelli is leaving there is a farewell to her on June 23 rd . 12 PM in the Harvey Meeting with Castle Booth on Public Safety Building Union Negotiations are beginning Parks and Rec study is underway Memorial for David Green and Ramona Cooper on June 26 th at 9AM by Expert Auto Councilor Aiello states that he would like public safety sites to be reviewed for separate buildings And that the Fire House is in need of immediate help, they are in a horrible state. Councilor Flockhart echoes Councilor Aiello’s above statement Councilor Munson asks about cost of trees of which were donated by public funding but we are paying DPW for their help in planting SCHOOL COMMITTEE UPDATE Council President reports there was no meeting but graduation took place and was very nice. OLD BUSINESS Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town appropriates the sum of TWO MILLION NINE HUNDRED TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,912,000) to pay costs of constructing reconstructing water mains on Revere Street, Crest Avenue and Grover’s Street, including all costs incidental and related thereto; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Town Manager, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. c.44, §8(5) and/or M.G.L. c.29C, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor; that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Town Manager, is authorized to borrow all or a portion of such amount from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (the “Trust”) established pursuant to M.G.L. c.29C and in connection therewith the Treasurer is authorized to enter into a loan agreement with the Trust and the Town Manager is authorized to enter into a project regulatory agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection; and that the Town Manager is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this project No 2 nd Needed Roll Call Yes: Councilor Honan Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Aiello, , President Letterie Absent: Vice President Ruggiero Motion Passes TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2022 PAGE 4 Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town appropriates the sum of ONE MILLION SIX HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS ($1,633,750) to pay costs of reconstructing and making extraordinary repairs to the Revere Street pressure regulating valve station, including the replacement of equipment at the station and all other costs incidental and related thereto; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Town Manager, is authorized to borrow said amount under and pursuant to M.G.L. c.44, §8 and/or M.G.L. c.29C, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor; that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Town Manager, is authorized to borrow all or a portion of such amount from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust (the “Trust”) established pursuant to M.G.L. c.29C and in connection therewith the Treasurer is authorized to enter into a loan agreement with the Trust and the Town Manager is authorized to enter into a project regulatory agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection; and that the Town Manager is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this project. No 2 nd Needed Roll Call Yes: Councilor Honan Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Aiello, , President Letterie Absent: Vice President Ruggiero Motion Passes Chair of the Finance Committee reports this motion was approved with a positive recommendation that the Town Council vote to modify the following General Fund Budgets (See Attached Motion) to facilitate the June 30, 2022 closing for the FY 2022 Fiscal Year No 2 nd Needed Roll Call Yes: Councilor Honan Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Aiello, , President Letterie Absent: Vice President Ruggiero Motion Passes Chair of the Finance Committee reports this motion was approved with a positive recommendation that the Town Council vote to appropriate Certified Free Cash and transfer it to the below funds that are anticipated to end the year in a deficit No 2 nd Needed Roll Call Yes: Councilor Honan Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Aiello, , President Letterie Absent: Vice President Ruggiero Motion Passes Zone Flood Resilience Language Change (Received Recommendation from the WPB)- Winthrop Town Planner Rachel Kelly along with MAPC representative Annie presents a slide show on this grant and how it was awarded to the Town CBD Crosswalks-This was discussed and a decision must be made on the process of the crosswalk for the CBD. There are 19 crosswalks that need to be addressed, we have planned from our street scape designer to use a surfacing technique that could cost close to $130,000 and only last for about 5-10 years and would cost the same to replace. We have the decision to do all crosswalks as painted, we can do all surface crosswalks and the third is to do proper hybrid surface crosswalks which would be 9 and would cost approx...$65,000 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2022 PAGE 5 Motion by Councilor DeMarco to do the hybrid (9) crosswalk design including the old railroad tracks in the CBD and the outliners corner to corner and the remaining to be painted 2 nd by Councilor Aiello Roll Call No: Councilor Honan Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Belcher Yes; Councilor Munson, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Aiello, President Letterie Absent: Vice President Ruggiero Motion Passes Motion by Councilor Fucillo to include on the Commission on Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations Committee liaisons to the committee of the Police, Fire Designees and Town Managers Office 2 nd by Councilor Discussion Councilor Belcher states the Superintendent was also asked Town Council President reports this has to be discussed with her and can appoint at a later meeting. Passed Unanimously Motion by Councilor Belcher to approve the Town Manager to declare the real property located at 413 - 415 - Shirley St. available for disposition Councilor Fucillo Passed Unanimously Trash Enterprise Fund / Trash Abatement / Trash Enforcement-This will be kept on agenda for further discussion NEW BUSINESS Motion by Councilor Munson to approve Precincts 3 & 6 Polling locations to move from the Senior Center to the Old Middle School Gym, so now Precincts 1-2-3-5-6 will be at this location and the Precinct 4 will remain at Golden Drive for the Sept. 6, 2022 & Nov 11, 2022 Elections 2 nd by Councilor Aiello Passed Unanimously Discussion on Public Ways – Will keep on agenda for future discussion Discussion on Old Technology Equipment -Will keep on agenda for future discussion PUBLIC COMMENT Discusses the email that she sent to the Planning Board, Town Council and Town Manager in reference to 5 Fremont St. that she feels is conflicting with the new CBD Map of which the Cross house next door is now not in. Questions why a permit was issued? Pamela Cross Hinckley distributes pictures and statement on 5 Fremont which is right next to her parents’ house and the expresses the extreme difficulty this project has been to her parents, especially while her father being so ill. She also does not understand how this permit was issued as it is as close as 14” to her home. Town Manager Marino explains that the Building Inspector did include this project in the previous CBD Map and was grandfathered in. Town Council President requests the Town Manager to review this. Lisa Alberghini discusses a number of building permits being issued incorrectly She is happy about the tree planting for the memorial of Green and Cooper but has question about the program and who is speaking. Feels it would be nice if a neighbor or someone more involved be able to speak, not just a political theme. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2022 PAGE 6 Town Council President asks each councilor if they have anything to say prior to adjournment Councilor Honan-She mentions that her statement did not mention other laws around the county it was very much about Winthrop. Councilor Fucillo-No Councilor Munson-Glad about the memorial event and should include inclusiveness and diversity Councilor Belcher-June 29 th 6:30 Senator Lydia Edwards having a Pride Pot Luck dinner at Ingleside Park Better bus project has meeting if you would want to oppose new bus schedule. Thanks Bob Carroll and all for their help with the tree donations. Councilor DeMarco-Listening to tonight’s Public Comment really hit him and he will go home thinking about tonight and all that was said from the group. People are people and should all be respected Councilor Aiello-Thanks Councilor DeMarco for last meeting Councilor Flockhart-No Vice President Ruggiero-Absent PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS July 4 th Celebration will be held on July 3, 2022 at the Point beginning with Horrible Parade and Fireworks that evening June 23, 2022 – Town Council Special Meetin g ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor Belcher to adjourn at 10:30PM 2 nd by Councilor Munson 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 MINUTES OF JUNE 21, 2022 PAGE 7