Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 5 pages · 87 KB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 2, 2024 President Letterie calls meeting to order at 7:00PM ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Munson, Councilor Belcher, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Fucillo PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope & Councilor DaRos MINUTES Motion by Councilor DeMarco to Approval of Minutes, December 19, 2023, as circulated. 2 nd by Councilor Belcher Motion Passed GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS PUBLIC HEARING Town Council appropriate $ 40,000 from Retained Earnings in the Rink Enterprise Fund/Repairs Mechanically Equip Open Public Hearing The majority of these repairs were from a freon leak. The rink does not maintain a high budget for maintenance, therefor this is from retained earining Close Public Hearing PUBLIC COMMENT John Morgan P4-Welcomes the new councilors and want’s them to know that he will be watching and listening. CORRESPONDENCE - None COMMITTEE REPORTS None SCHOOL DEPARTMENT REPORT There was no meeting. TOWN MANAGER REPORT Wishes all a Happy New Year…. He has working on the capital plan, per the Charter, will be meeting with the Capital Plan Committee. Will be having the Planner Rachel Kelly to review the 3A Zoning Report, along with the Grant information and have Utile Archetecutral Planners review their information on the 3A Zoning locations. Councilor Aiello discusses the 3A Zoning and would like more information to the residents available and refer to it as the MBTA Zoning as there is no confusion on what is being discussed. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 2, 2024 PAGE 1 Continues to discuss he would like the Town Council to have more information on what other communites have done and how this will be represented to the residents.Requests until housing is figured out around this town, the Old Middle School should not be left out. Where is the best strategic place for this 880 units that have to be done. Discusses the zoning at the Old Middle School RFI, and believes this should be recalled. He believes this will not be passed by the Council and would like this RFI withdrawn as he states it is not an RFI but and RFP and would like more information. States this council will not accept anything with a flawed process. Asks about presentation of Capital Liability and will there be a presentation at the next meeting? The Town Manager will work with the Town Council President and discuss. If there is a 2 ½ override with the schools, it is going to be very hard to ask our residents for funding for a Firehouse without having priorties with our financial liabilities. Believes this new Countil needs to be walked througfh the Free Cash Certification and discuss how this should be distributed. Discusses the Enterprise Funds, he requests a comprehensive discussion on how these Enterprise Funds work. He thanks the Town Manager for the speed signs around town. Would like a briefing on outher transporation items: 1-TSAC recommended a study of intersection of Washinginton, Pleasant and Winthrop St. Is this study happening? 2-Where are we on Belle Isle to Magres Corner to look at the problamatic entrance to Winthrop. Councilor Munson, applauds Councilor Aiello comprenesiveness. He would have preferred an RFI with all included but would like to have what might come in to be reviewed. Important to make sure that the residents know that there won’t be 880 units built but the zoning will be reviewed. Town Manager reports that Planner Rachel Kelly we will have a presentation to the Town Council. Councilor Swope agrees with Councilor Aiello and would like an overview of what the town is facing with funding. The community has to be more aware of the happenings of this town. She believes this community is for a Firehouse, the just would like more communication. Councilor Tassinari thanks the Town Managerf for his work . Wants to know if we will be going back to Zoom. Town Council President states we will be going back to zoom but with different actions on the Public Comments. We will have more control over the zoom by having Webinars. The wil have a member comes to meeting. They have new resignations and new members coming on board. Had discussion about zoom incident which was informative. Town Council has not discussed the 2 ½ override. Many communities are now feeling how they used their covid funds. He encourages all the Town Councilor to participate in all the Finanacing Meetings to get involved and educate themselves on our town budget. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 2, 2024 PAGE 2 As for the Middle School RFI, it was an RFI which was referred to by another community. He is not in favor or putting more units atr the Middle School but he is open to all ideas for this property. He has asks Kessle and Booth to return and discuss the Old Middle School. Ulitmtately the citizens decide where their money will be spent. OLD BUSINESS Motion by Councilor DeMarco that the Town Council appropriate $ 40,000 from Retained Earnings in the Rink Enterprise Fund/Repairs Mechanically Equip….. 2 nd by Coucilor Belcher Discussion Councilor Munson asks if this is a reoccurring expense? No, it is not. Motion Passes NEW BUSINESS Town Councilor Elect Vice President Motion by Councilor DeMarco to nominate Councilor Belcher as Vice President to the Town Council 2 nd by Councilor Aiello Nomination Closed Motion Passes-Councilor Belcher Abstains Congratulations Vice President Belcher Appoint Town Council Sub Committees- This will be tabled until the Jan. 16 , 2024 Meetring Motion by the Town Council President to appoint Vice President Belcher to the CAPIC Board 2 nd by Councilor DeMarco Motion Passes-Councilor Belcher Abstains PUBLIC COMMENT None PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS- Board Members Needed -Contact Town Clerk’s Office January 18, 2024 Old Middle School Gym-International Night Before asking for motion to adjourn, Council President Letterie asks each Town Councilor if they have anything further to discuss Councilor DeMarco- None Councilor Fucillo- Absent Councilor Munson- Saturday Jan. 6, 2024 OddFellows having Veterans Appreciation Lunch 12PM Lodge offering donations to the Winthrop Food Pantry M-F 10AM to 5PM Councilor Tassinari- None Vice President Belcher- None TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 2, 2024 PAGE 3 Councilor Swope- Thanks former Councilor Flockhart for all her help Councilor Aiello- Reminder this Sat. is the 3 rd yr. anniversary of the Insurrection agains the United States-asks all to reflect on this Councilor DaRos- Shout our to former VP Ruggiero, he has to fill some pretty big shoes and thanks the members of the Town Council and Town Manager. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Vice President Belcher to adjourn at 7:42PM 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 JANUARY 2, 2024 PAGE 4