Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 5 pages · 188 KB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 4, 2022 President Letterie calls meeting to order at 7:02 PM also announcing Zoom information ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Honan Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Aiello PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Belcher MINUTES Motion by Councilor Belcher to accept Minutes of September 20, 2022, as circulated 2 nd by Councilor Flockhart Passed Unanimously GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS PUBLIC HEARING(S) Public Hearing Opened Town Council transfer $139,500 Water/Sewer Cap. Improvement Fund/Engineer Work Revere, Crest & Grover’s Discussion DPW Director Calla states this is a SRF Project, necessary and need sooner than later Councilor Fucillo discussed in Finance Committee Meeting and was voted with a positive recommendation Public Hearing Closed Public Hearing Opened Town Council transfer $241,000 from Salary Res. to the WPD Budget / FY20-22 Collective Bargaining Agreement Discussion Public Hearing Closed PUBLIC COMMENT John Morgan P4—October is White Cane Month, actual date to remember is October 14, 2022 Corinna Camposaro-Does not agree with Ordinance Review Committee of the Town Councilor’s change of term. Does not agree with recall provision….no one will want to run, it makes it very worrisome for someone’s reputation. Council President Letterie gives a glimpse of how procedures will take place. We will begin discussion tonight, the next meeting is Fall Forum so discussion may wait until the November Town Council meeting of which a public hearing will be held. We will invite other past charter commissioners for their input. Each item will be reviewed, voted on by Council. Each item will require a super majority vote (6) then to state legislator for approval. Finally, it will be on a regular scheduled town election. It will not be voted on until November of 2023. There will be ample input from public. Celeste Barrett Huet- Opposed to do away with Precinct Councilors. Asks what is motivating these changes. Council President states there will always be an overlap with councilors. As far as why, every (5) years the Ordinance Review Committee goes through this process per the charter and makes recommendations to the Town Council Lee Foley P2-Agrees with previous speakers…concern is recall question? Seems that voting every two years is comparable to being recalled. Bar should be very high for a recall. Council President states if it were a two year term, a recall would not be necessary. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 4, 2022 PAGE 1 CORRESPONDENCE Julia Wallerce wrote she is very happy to hear the town may be considering the Community Preservations Act. Scott Mahoney Wright asks questions, that will be answered by the Town Council Lee Foley wrote about the Ordinance Review Committee John Riley wrote about the Ordinance Review Committee Vasillio Malios questions the new BOH Animal Regulations COMMITTEE REPORTS Rules & Ordinance Joint Finance Committee Vice President Ruggiero reports on this joint committee meeting on the Trash Enterprise Fund Rules & Ordinance Vice President Ruggiero reports on the CBD Parking Signs and will continue discussion on this subject Finance Committee Councilor Fucillo reports on motions that were all voted with a positive recommendations TOWN MANAGER REPORT ADA Grant application has been submitted on time. Working on the Tree Lighting which will be on November 25 th Attended several great events last couple weeks, all successful He will be on vacation on the 11-15-22 Town Council Meeting He would like the Town Council to review the committee handbook Questions and concerns about older vehicles in municipal lot, they are being sent out for bid to hopefully have these vehicles removed. Councilor President mentions he attended the ground breaking for the NE Vocational School He reached out to Senator Edwards about the traffic jam from Winthrop to East Boston. Councilor Flockhart asks Town Manager if flower beds in the CBD will be maintained? Town Manager states he and Director Calla are working on this as the season ends and when it begins. Vice President Ruggiero states that the handicap spot in front of Kids Only be reviewed as to location of this sign. Town Manager discusses the Community Preservations Act with a Slide Show (Please see town website) This would probably be discussed with the town vote on 2024 Discussion on the Community Preservations Act continues. SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT Council President reports that they met last night and major topic was settlement of the teacher’s contract FY23-FY25 Also discussed the surplus of vehicles. OLD BUSINESS Trash Enterprise Fund / Trash Abatement / Trash Enforcement –Will be kept as a placeholder on Agenda DCR Presentation-Council President is requiring a presentation from the DCR as for the beach cleanup and other items of the beach. Discussion-CBD Parking Requirements/Signage-Will continue Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town Council transfer $241,000 from Salary Res. to the WPD Budget / FY20-22 Collective Bargaining Agreement No 2 nd Needed ROLL CALL VOTE Approve: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Aiello Motion Passes TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 4, 2022 PAGE 2 Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town Council transfer $139,500 Water/Sewer Cap. Improvement Fund/Engineer Work Revere, Crest & Grover’s No 2 nd Needed ROLL CALL VOTE Approve: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Aiello Motion Passes Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town Council transfer $2,400 Finance Dept. Salary Line to Planning Dept. Consulting Line/Intern new GIS System No 2 nd Needed ROLL CALL VOTE Approve: Councilor Honan,Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Aiello Motion Passes Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town Council vote to accept Provision of MGL Ch.40 S13D/Compensated Absence Reserve Fund No 2 nd Needed ROLL CALL VOTE Approve: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Aiello Motion Passes Ordinance Review Committee Recommendations-Town Council President gives an update of procedures of this committee and their recommendation. Vice President Ruggiero continues with update of procedures and how recommendations were voted on. Council President addresses a question that was asked of him from Councilor Aiello, questioning the Council President on a subject back in January and February about the review process of the Ordinance Review Committee that happens on the years ending in 0 & 5. During our last Ordinance Review Committee of 2020, there were several obstacles that prevented a full recommendation from this committee, due to this Council President Letterie requested a legal opinion about continuing the original Ordinance Review Committee or forming a new one. He chose to form a new one. It was Councilor Aiello’s thought that the report submitted by the original ORC on May 3, 2021 was valid and a new committee and their recommendations were not valid. He requested clarification of this by our legal counsel. Council President Letterie did request the legal authorization by KP Law Firm and though the report was submitted to the Town Council, it was never voted on and the 2020 ORC requested more time. KP did offer their legal opinion that the actions of Council President Letterie were correct in forming a new ORC Committee and accepting their current recommendations. Council President Letterie introduces the Chair of the Ordinance Review Committee, Marc Chapdelaine to discuss the procedures of this committee. Mr. Chapdelaine introduces the facts of how the recommendations were discussed and the committee’s involvement with them. Discussion on the Ordinance Review Committee recommendations are continued, but Councilor Letterie reaffirms that there will be ample public input. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 4, 2022 PAGE 3 Councilor Honan makes a comment on what she thinks is a misrepresentation of the Charter Section 9-6, Periodic review of Charter Ordinances, the recommendations of the Special Committee shall appear on the Council Agenda for action. Just as the recommendations received from any appointed committee, these recommendations are sent to and acted upon by the Council, not sent to be rubber stamped, they are sent to review and to vote per the Charter. There is nothing in the Charter that states they need to go to the voter, they go to the Council first, so the accusation that the Council is behaving tyrannically or trying to undermine citizens is nonsense and a misrepresentation. The Town Council receives recommendations from appointed committees all the time and those recommendations are just that, they are recommendations to be considered, recommendations are not decrease or rulings. Councilor Fucillo believes there is no harm in having the citizen’s vote on these citizens. Councilor Munson, believes all recommendation were will improve our Charter, but does not feel there is a problem with the Council as it is now, ultimately the council will vote on their opinions. Councilor Belcher clarifying questions, recommendation #1, all at once? Another question, what percentage of At Large election were unopposed? Each precinct being similar as #3, she feels this is inadequate, as point includes airport. Councilor DeMarco, thanks ORC for their hard work. He respects Councilors opinions…. Councilor Flockhart knows a lot of thought was put into, she would like to request more discussion and hopefully important ones goes to the voters, but we need more input. Vice President Ruggiero, nothing additional to add, he has discussed this for a better part of two years now looks forward to public comment. NEW BUSINESS Motion by Councilor DeMarco that the Town Council accept the Provisions of MGL Chapter 653 S40 of the Acts of 1989 to commence with FY23 (Assessors) 2 nd by Councilor Fucillo Motion by Councilor DeMarco that the Town Council accept the Provisions of MGL Chapter 59 S (5)54 and exempt $1,000 of Fair Cash Value on Personal Property Taxes to be taxed beginning FY23 (Assessors) 2 nd by Councilor Fucillo ROLL CALL VOTE Approve: Councilor Honan,Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Aiello Motion(s) Pass Motion by Council President to appoint Kim Dimes to the Conservation Commission 2 nd by Councilor Fucillo Passed Unanimously Discussion(s): o Tips Project discussion/update-Director Calla gives update on comments made on this project and the main question being the bike lane, this has been submitted to the state for review and we must wait for their answer, question on the bus stops will also be reviewed. o David Green / Ramona Cooper Sq.-Memorial is still being discussed and our concern is to make sure the families are satisfied with what we would like to do. o Dog Park Dedication- Will be dedicated to Mike McDuffee TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 4, 2022 PAGE 4 PUBLIC COMMENT Karin Chavis P2-First reaches out to all of the Councilor who offered their condolences on the loss of her husband Alvin. She discusses that she has been part of the past committees of the Ordinance Review Committee and the present and discusses her thoughts on the recommendations. Susan Hitchcock Ryan P3-Discusses she is very much against the ORC recommendations with changes of Town Council. John Morgan discusses that in the paperwork that was submitted for the White Cane Law is an update for the pedestrian laws. PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS Fall Forum : October 18, 2022 7:00 PM Delivery of Services by the Town DeLeo Senior Center Motion by Councilor DeMarco to suspend Town Council rules and the meeting on October 18, 2022 will begin at 6:00 PM 2 nd by Councilor Fucillo Passed Unanimously Council President thanks Beacon Photography and Councilor Munson for framing articles on the Town of Winthrop giving good recognition. Before asking for motion to adjourn, Council President Letterie asks each Town Councilor if they have anything further to discuss: Councilor Honan No Councilor Fucillo (Zoom) No Councilor Munson Proud to do the work of framing Winthrop’s Articles, also Friday, is conversations with the Councilor at Beacon Photography Councilor Belcher Saturday Oct. 8, Parks & Rec Fall Fair Councilor DeMarco Trudy Macero, students and friends honored her with a retirement party of which he had the honor to present a a citation and it was his honor to do so. It is Italian Heritage Month Councilor Flockhart No Councilor Aiello No Vice President Ruggiero No ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor Belcher to adjourn at 9:25PM 2 nd by Councilor Fucillo 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 OCTOBER 4, 2022 PAGE 5