Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 4 pages · 148 KB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 21, 2021 President Letterie calls meeting to order at 6:00 PM ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Honan, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Aiello, Councilor Fucillo PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Flockhart MINUTES Motion by Councilor Belcher to accept the Minutes of March 7, 2023 as amended 2 nd by Councilor DeMarco Passed Unanimously GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Grace Kingsbery-Donation for the Cooper / Green Memorial for Trees to be planted in honor of both PUBLIC HEARING(S) None PUBLIC COMMENT Jack Dowd (P2)-Comments at last meeting he attended he asked Councilor DeMarco to help with the cause of Winthrop Shore Dr. Councilor DeMarco is making attempts to have someone from DCR visit the Town Council to answer some questions. Mr. Dowd questions the sand that was brought down to this project that is now rag weed our town never had to deal with before. He asks what the quarterly rate will be for the residents of Winthrop with the Highlands project beginning. Comments on the Tips Project and has concerns with the open space and hopes engineering firm is aware of this open space. The incline of the bike paths on Revere St. He has talked to some people and they think this is too much of an incline. He would like the engineering firm to confirm that this is not too much of an incline? Council President reiterates that we are in the process of having a representative from DCR visit a Town Council Meeting and the water rate will be .48 cents and approx.. 2% increase. Tom Dederian (P3)-Thanks for the tree donation and makes note that the town needs more trees and would like the Town Manager and Town Council to consider how to fund. CORRESPONDENCE : Ron Vecchia, Chair of the Board of License writes in that the towns ordinance for their Livery Service must be reviewed. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 21, 2023 PAGE 1 COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Commission: Councilor Belcher gives an update that a draft budget has been received and will be reviewed in the next several weeks. The Finance Commission has an opening for anyone that is interested. Please contact either Council President or Council Clerk. Rules & Ordinance Vice President Ruggiero reports on the Rules & Ordinance meeting on the review of the Solid Waste Ordinance and a new motion will be submitted in old business Capital Assets and Economic Development Councilor Munson reports that the committee met in reference to the Town Manager Capital Assets Report Appointments, Commission & Committees Councilor Belcher reports that they will be sharing the Town Council Employee Evaluation Procedures SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT Council President reports on the meeting: The Schools FY24 Budget is in review. Superintendent Howard has hired a new principal for the Gorman Fort Banks School, Mark McKinney who is from the Arlington Public School Systems. He will be taking over for current principal Eileen Pearson who is retiring. TOWN MANAGER REPORT Town Manager Marino reports he has received base budget presented from the School Committee. He had a meeting with John O’Rourke in reference to aggregating our electric rates and looking to buy in bulk and reduce our rates. Good time as Revere and Weymouth are also doing this and since it is in bulk, gives us more buying power. Met with DOT about appraisals for the temporary and permanent easements Met with CASA had a good talk about their goals and funding needs. They have new space at the EB Newton and have more room for the kids to go to. Met with Rachel Kelley, the Town Planner and the Green Community Collaborative Group for the town, looking to request $500,000 for roof top units and converting, where we can to electric. Participation in the Sumner tunnel Projects to keep up to date with tunnel closures and safety precaution. Conversing about the Ferry and the MBTA being involved. Councilor Honan asks about the roof top solar units at the High School, is this generating any revenue? Town Manager reports this is and will have information on this. Councilor Munson asks if there is any development on the survey at the old middle school. Town Manager reports that Brady Consulting has been over the old middle school and beginning survey. CDICR Town Manager Marino reports on the meeting about parking in CBD and happy to hear they are being installed. Discussed the International Women Day Involvement in the schools Discussed the Book Bans and would like to discuss if this does come to Massachusetts Senator Edwards would like to do an event again at Ingleside Park during Pride Month A member is currently leaving CDICR and a one member may not wish to be re-appointed. We will have one immediate opening and one in the near future. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 21, 2023 PAGE 2 OLD BUSINESS Flag Policy- Town Council Presidents refers this to the Rules & Ordinance Solid Waste Ordinance- Continued Motion by the Appointments, Committee and Commissions that the Town Council ratifies the version of the Committee/Board Handbook as attached herein and request that the Town Manager update the Handbook with the current Human Resources policies Discussion Councilor Honan reiterates the appreciation of the hard work that went in to this Handbook. There is a lot of work , thought and time that went into this handbook Passed Unanimously Winthrop Beach Access Points- Continued MBTA Review- Continued Town Council Evaluations-Committee is meeting and their goal is entire Town Council to give Feedback on the Town Council employees, Town Manager, Town Clerk, Council Clerk and Town Auditor NEW BUSINESS Town Council vote to transfer $18,000 from the Town Attorney Legal Services/Town Attorney Personnel Line- Council President refers to the Finance Committee Town Council Appointed Committees Ordinance Review Town Council review June Meeting Dates Motion by Councilor DeMarco to waive Town Council Procedures rule 2A and amend the June Town Council Meetings to June 6 th and June 13 th in lieu of June 6 th and June 20 th . This will enable voting on the budget per the Charter. 2 nd by Councilor Belcher Passed Unanimously Town Council discuss Revere St. TIPS Project Motion by Vice President Ruggiero the Town Council that will allow Town Manager Marino to negotiate on temporary and permanent easements on the Revere St. Tips Project 2 nd by Councilor Munson ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Honan, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Aiello, Councilor Fucillo Abstain: Councilor DeMarco Motion Passes Town Council President refers the following to the Rules & Ordinance: Town of Winthrop Adopt the provisions of the MGL Chapter 39 S 23 entitled “Effect of Member Attendance on Vote Adjudicatory Matter”….(See Attached Motion in Full) Section 17.52.010 entitled Board of Appeals be amended by striking the first section…. (See Attached Motion in Full) Vice President Ruggiero requests the Board of Appeals Committee to review and give feedback TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 21, 2023 PAGE 3 PUBLIC COMMENT None PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS- April 29, 2023 10am to 12pm Annual Rabies Clinic-Old Middle School Auditorium Applications until April 7, 2023-Sr. Work Off Program-Applications available from the Sr. Center Before asking for motion to adjourn, Council President Letterie asks each Town Councilor if they have anything further to discuss Councilor Honan- None Councilor Munson- None Councilor Belcher- None Councilor DeMarco- Today is World Down Syndrome Day Councilor Aiello- None Councilor Flockhart- Library –Author William Martin signs new Book 1941 on March 22 Vice President Ruggiero- LaSiesta-Friends on Winthrop Council on Aging Fundraiser on March 22 ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor DeMarco to adjourn at 7:00 PM 2 nd by Councilor Belcher 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 MARCH 21, 2023 PAGE 4