Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 6 pages · 358 KB
open the file ↗ · original at the source ↗
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 18, 2021 President Letterie calls meeting to order at 7:00 PM ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco (7:10), Councilor Aiello, Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Flockhart MINUTES Motion by Councilor Belcher to accept the Minutes of April 4, 2023 2™ by Councilor Munson Passed Unanimously GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS None PUBLIC HEARING(S) Open Public Hearing: Review Board of Appeals Composition Discussion on each motion on the review of the Board of Appeals, both were passed with a Positive Recommendation Karin Chavis (P2)- Asks for explanation of the Board of Appeals Motions Council President responds that right now we have 6 members and 3 members sit on a particular case on the BOA and if absent, this case must be continued. If we can go from 6-7members it will give more flexibility for meetings and members to vote as to not have to continue cases. Also adopting MGL 39 S23...literally adopting and using this as another tool for a more efficient committee. Public Hearing Closed PUBLIC COMMENT None CORRESPONDENCE: Councilor Flockhart received a request about keeping door at EB Newton opened. And also a complaint of the construction at the Highlands Councilor Munson was asked to address the cross walk signal on Main St. @Douglas & Main Council President received correspondence about the public way on Sagamore and Summit. Trying to resolve this issue of the public ways in the town and we should be maintaining better and we are looking into maybe the homeowner taking it over on their land. Councilor Flockhart states these are actually public sidewalks. She believes these walkways that were originally put in for the trains and they should be kept. Councilor Aiello explains some are easements and some are owned by the town and these should be kept for the town’s walkability and charm. Councilor DeMarco uses these paths but also understands the importance of privacy for these neighbors. These walkways need to be maintained as they have not been and they need to be safe. Councilor Ruggiero feels this is a much bigger conversation but a neighbor did offer to sponsor a pathway. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 18, 2023 PAGE 1 COMMITTEE REPORTS Public Health & Safety: Councilor Flockhart discusses the committee discussed the current pest infestation in the town and will continue on this subject. Rules & Ordinance Vice President Ruggiero reports on the Rules & Ordinance meeting on the motions for the Board of Appeals which were passed with a positive recommendation SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT Council President reports on the meeting: Schools met last Monday evening on the 10" and the FY24 budget will be voted on April 24" and on April 25" they will be meeting with the Finance Commission on their current funding. Councilor DeMarco mentions that School Committee member Layne Petrie ran and completed the Boston Marathon. TOWN MANAGER REPORT DPW Calla and the Tree Warden have reviewed where the donated trees for the Green/Cooper Memorial will be planted and done and have been planted with water bags, there will be a memorial bench also installed. Proposed FY24 Budget is online and on the Towns Website Formal presentation on May 2, 2023 to the Town Council Ferry is scheduled for permits and inspections to hopefully have it up and running as soon as possible. Old Middle School site plan will be done shortly. Had first meeting with Finance Commission to begin budget discussion Will have Parks and Rec program analysis from Berry & Dunn discussed in the next couple meetings with the Town Council. Had meeting in reference to the Pride Pot Luck Dinner. More to follow but should be in June. List of easements for temp. and permanent for the taking on the Revere St. Tips Project will be available for a public hearing at a Town Council meeting. Councilor Munson request update on sidewalk review and crosswalks. Town Manager reports theses are in the budget and Capital Plan. There will be a sidewalk study for the town. Councilor Aiello comments on how good the Ferry is being kept and looking great. Discusses the BOA Motion and is looking for a target date on our Air BnB Ordinance Review. Town Manager states it is currently being reviewed by our Town Counsel and we are researching it further. COMMISSION ON DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND COMMUNITTY RELATIONS Town Manager was not present at this meeting but Chief Delehanty did attend. Fr. Walter and John Morgan of the CDICR Committee are in our audience and the Town Manager asks if they could discuss the meeting. The CDICR did write an email on the Flag Policy in reference to the Town Councils vote on the Flag policy of which Councilor Munson read. Councilor DeMarco believes that since we are talking about the flag poles being in front of the Cultural Center not the Town Hall and feels most flags will offend some people. Fr. Walters’s concern is this as sentiment is opinion or feeling and the Town Council or Town Manager makes this decision. Where are the guard rails? John Morgan asks Councilor DeMarco who he is referring to as “you” and would like him to address his remarks to the committee. Fr. Walter states that the CDICR was not invited for any input on the flag policy and the Town Council passed it and the CDICR will not stand behind this Flag Policy. As of now, the CDICR will stand behind the American Flag, POW and the State Flag. Fr, Walter reports that there was a Planning Committee Meeting that he feels only some of the commission were invited to. Town Manager makes it clear that this meeting was mentioned at the CDICR meeting and only two of the members showed interest so they were formally invited but it is a public meeting of which anyone could attend. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 18, 2023 PAGE 2 OLD BUSINESS Motion by the Rules & Ordinance with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council review Section 17.50.010, entitled Board of Appeals, be amended by striking the first sentence and inserting in its place: “There shall be established a board of appeals, consisting of five members and 2 associates members appointed by the council president and confirmed by the Town Council” The balance of this section shall remain as currently written ROLL CALL Approve: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco (7:10), Councilor Aiello, Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Motion by Rules & Ordinance with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council adopt the provisions of MGL Chapter 39 §23, entitled “Effect of the Member Attendance on Vote Adjudicatory Matter” with respect to all municipal adjudicatory hearings conducted by the Town of Winthrop No 2™ Needed Discussion ROLL CALL Approve: Councilor Honan, Councilor Fucillo, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco (7:10), Councilor Aiello, Councilor Flockhart, Vice President Ruggiero, President Letterie Winthrop Beach Access Points-Continued for Representation Councilor Aiello believes that DCR may not be honoring their contract with taking care of Winthrop Shore Dr. and asks for agreement. MBTA Review-Continued for Representation Town Council Evaluation Forms, Employees-Evaluations will be sent for feedback by Town Council and then will be sent to the employees. ORC-Charter Review Recommendation(s) Ballot Discussion — These will be coming to the Town Council for review of ballot questions. NEW BUSINESS None Councilor Ruggiero requests that on the next Town Council, Proclamations be added to the agenda PUBLIC COMMENT Karin Chavis discusses the future meetings of the Finance Commission and what dept. heads will be reviewed PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS- Mental Health First Aid Training- April 20" & 21% —8am to 4 pm at the E.B. Newton Building Mental Health And for the Last Time ---April 29, 2023 10am to 12pm Annual Rabies Clinic-Old Middle School Auditorium Council President wishes her daughter Jenna a Very Happy Birthday TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 18, 2023 PAGE 3 Before asking for motion to adjourn, Council President Letterie asks each Town Councilor if they have anything further to discuss Councilor Honan- Councilor Fucillo- Councilor Belcher- Councilor Munson Councilor DeMarco- Councilor Aiello- Councilor Flockhart- Vice President Ruggiero- Remind not to throw textiles in bins, there are several bins in town and there is also a book donation bin. Contact GreenDayRecyclingMA.com for trash days of Hazardous waste and Electronic wastes None None None None April 29" & 30". Winthrop Arts Festival Library-Ted Reinstein will be book signing May 7" Deer Island, WINARC will have their annual walk and roll May 17". Winthrop Engages at the EB Newton Cultural Center ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor Munson to adjourn at 7:45 PM 2" 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 APRIL 18, 2023 PAGE 4 TOWN OF WINTHROP OFFICE OF THE TOWN MANAGER Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1852 MOTION Submitted By: Council President Letterie Date: 3-17-23 TEXT OF MOTION Motion : That the Town of Winthrop adopt the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 39, section 23, entitled Effect of Member Attendance on Vote in Adjudicatory Matter with respect to all municipal adjudicatory hearings conducted by the Town of Winthrop. Synopsis: This ordinance allows members of adjudicatory boards who were absent from no more than one hearing date of a public hearing to be allowed to vote on the matter before such board provided that such member shall review the proceedings of the hearing (or a transcript of the hearing) and the evidence submitted during the missed sessions. Such member shall also certify in writing that the member has complied with the requirements of the statute. Further, since most adjudicatory boards in Winthrop have alternate or associate members who substitute for regular members, the chair of the board involved would be able to designate alternate or associate members to be assigned to a particular case and to vote in the absence of a regular member so long as the alternate or associate member was present for all proceedings. A full text of the statute is attached. TOWN OF WINTHROP OFFICE OF THE TOWN MANAGER Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1852 MOTION Submitted By: Council President Letterie Date: 3-17-23 TEXT OF MOTION Motion: That section 17.52.010, entitled Board of Appeals, be amended by striking the first sentence of said section and inserting in its place the following: There shall be established a board of appeals, consisting of five members and two associate members, appointed by the council president and confirmed by the town council. The balance of this section shall remain as currently written.