Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 5 pages · 357 KB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 20, 2022 President Letterie calls meeting to order at 7:00 PM ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Honan, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Aiello PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Town Manager Marino MINUTES Motion by Councilor Flockhart to accept Minutes of December 6, 2022, as circulated 2 nd by Councilor DeMarco Passed Unanimously GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Presentation given by Christian Gardner of Axon Body Camera’s for the WPD This is a State Act that the police must now reform to. The Town has received a grant of which a part of the funding can be applied to the cost. Chief Delehanty gives a quick overview of why Axon….he has reviewed several other candidates and has come to a decision that Axon is the best camera use along with computer use. Also the redaction is included with all public requests that need to be addressed. Negotiating with the Unions with a policy be in place and Police Reform with body Cams and will be included in our policies. In 5 years all camera’s will be replaced and updated and if during that time there is a problem, they will be replaced. Vice President Ruggiero asks why are we here talking about body camera’s….It is not a yes or no…it’s are we going with Axon or not. Council President answers that any contact over a 3 year period must involve the Town Council, this is a 5 yr. contract, other than that the Town Manager can negotiate it. Councilor Munson inquires if these have been mandated by state or fed’s. Terry-Not yet…but some communities have found it is the best practice for policing. Grant was applied for and we received and this makes the police department responsible for any actions…would like full effect from the police officers story….not all is textbook and this will tell the full story Terry-The docking station will keep the cameras up to date and upgrade. Damaged cameras will be replaced and within 5 years with a renewed budget…. 84,000 Grant towards these expenses. Councilor DeMarco…is Cloud tech Dejour software and if redact, is the original still in the cloud? Christian-Yes, and after redaction, original will be in cloud TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 20, 2022 PAGE 1 PUBLIC HEARING(S) Public Hearing Opened Town Council appropriate $750,125 to Replace Lead Water Service Lines Discussion Public Hearing Closed Public Hearing Opened FY 23 Tax Classifications Discussion-Interim Assessor Patrick Haring reviews values Information will be on website Public Hearing Closed Motion by Vice President Ruggiero to take agenda out of order the old business item for FY Tax Classification Motion 2 nd by Councilor Flockhart Passed Unanimously Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation That the Town Council maintains a Uniform Tax rate for all classes of Property for FY2023, authorize Town Manager Marino to sign and electronically submit the LA-5 to the Department of Revenue and the Town Council approves Electronic Signature to this document on behalf of the Town Councilors. No 2 nd Needed ROLL CALL VOTE Yes: Councilor Honan, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Aiello Motion Passes CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance Review Committee Recommendations PUBLIC COMMENT Bill Schmidt P5-Inf favor of increasing COLA increases for the retirees and commend the work on the Committee Handbook CORRESPONDENCE : John Stanley-Opposes ORC recommendation of Change of Use COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Committee Councilor Belcher reports on the finance committee meeting and motions reviewed were passed with positive recommendation and will cover in Old Business SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT Council President reports on the School Committee Meeting. Had a presentation from Principal Brian Curley of the WMS. Discussed academic and athletic programs. Discussed upcoming Xmas break. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 20, 2022 PAGE 2 TOWN MANAGER REPORT Sent out draft of Trash Ordinance for review, will be on Jan. Town Council Meeting Attended Metro Mayor Meeting…good ideas, housing, funding, more to follow Brightly is starting their building assessments. DPW ready for plow season and getting ready for any snow removal Met with MIAA rep and renewed all policies, reviewed each policy. CFO Interviews , 3 candidates, focusing on one Meeting with Law Firms with RFP that went out. Union Contract Update Councilor Munson asked about negotiations with schools and it was reiterated this is negotiations with the schools only. Council President talked to representative from Mass Dot about a PILOT project going on, on Bennington St. The project is from Orient Heights down towards Beachmont School. He requested this rep. to attend a Town Council meeting and he agreed for hopefully the 2 nd meeting in Jan. 2023 CDICR REPORT There was not meeting to report OLD BUSINESS Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town appropriates the sum of SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($750,125) to pay costs of replacing lead water service lines, 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, §7(1), 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 Water Resources Authority (the “Authority”) and in connection therewith to enter into a loan agreement and/or financial assistance agreement with the Authority and otherwise to contract with the Authority with respect to such loan and for any grants or aid available for the project or for the financing thereof; that the Town Manager is authorized to accept and expend any grants or aid available for the project or for the financing thereof, provided that the amount of the authorized borrowing for the project shall be reduced by the amount of any such grants or aid received; and that the Town Manager is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this project. No 2 nd Needed Discussion ROLL CALL VOTE Yes: Councilor Honan, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Aiello Motion Passes TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 20, 2022 PAGE 3 Motion by the Finance Committee with Positive Recommendation that the Town Council Vote to Increase Current Retirees Cola Base from $12,000 to $13,000 No 2 nd Needed Discussion ROLL CALL VOTE Yes: Councilor Honan, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Aiello Motion Passes Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that Town Council vote to authorize the Town Manager to enter into a 5 yr. contract with Axon Enterprises for police body cameras, cloud storage and redaction software. Total cost of contract over 5 years is $291,443.40 No 2 nd Needed ROLL CALL VOTE Yes: Councilor Honan, Councilor Munson Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Aiello Motion Passes Ordinance Review Committee Recommendations- Continued Committee Handbook-Continued NEW BUSINESS The Following is referred to the Finance Committee: Town Council vote to appropriate $989,542 Certified Free Cash as listed Town Council vote to transfer $24,232.64 from Salary Reserve and appropriate $30,567.36 ($54,800) from Free Cash /Non Union COLA’s Town Council vote to transfer $5,000 from the Town Council Reserve to Town Manager Gen. Office/Employee Recognition PUBLIC COMMENT Chief Delehanty thanks the Town Council for their support for the body camera’s and thanks them for the positive recommendation on the retirees COLA. Kenneth Goodwin P2-Discusses the Recommendations from the Ordinance Review Committee and asks the Town Council to bring knowledge to the town residents and educate the residents that could be captured to our town. Highly recommends this information to be reviewed. PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS Santa Clause is coming to Town 12-24-22 beginning at 4:30PM / Route will be on WCAT and Town Website Energy Bill Check Up Event-Winthrop Public Library December 21, 2022 from 1-4PM Town Council wishes all a very happy safe holiday Before asking for motion to adjourn, Council President Letterie asks each Town Councilor if they have anything further to discuss Councilor Honan- None Councilor Fucillo – Absent Councilor Munson- Thanks this town with the committee volunteers and the employees Councilor Belcher- None TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 20, 2022 PAGE 4 Councilor DeMarco- Happy Holidays Councilor Aiello- Absent Councilor Flockhart- Happy Holidays and thanks all that comes to our meetings to join in, shows good faith on our residents to be involved Vice President Ruggiero- Reports tomorrow 9:30 -12:00 Capic is at the COA reviewing Fuel Assistance and will be several more to follow Gives a congratulations to the Chair of The Finance Commission, Matt Gorzkowicz for his being recently named as the Secretary for the Executive Office of Administration and Finance in the Healy Administration. This is quite an honor and he agreed to stay as the Chair of the Finance Commission for the town. Council President also wished him the best. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor DeMarco to adjourn at 9:00 PM 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 DECEMBER 20, 2022 PAGE 5