Minutes
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 2, 2024 President Letterie calls meeting to order at 7:00PM ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Munson, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor DaRo s MOMENT OF SILENCE Robert “Bobby” Oliver Last Winthrop D-Day Veteran in WWII Normandy Winthrop Police Officer 30+ years serving as a Firearms Instructor , Patrol Officer and FBI Task Force MINUTES Motion by Councilor DeMarco to Approve Minutes, March 12, 2024, as circulated 2 nd by Councilor Swope Passed Unanimously GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Autism Awareness T-Shirts $20 from Police Station All Star Hockey Game for Autism Awareness Precinct One Council Seat Open-3 Applicants Next Council Meeting would like to have nominations and vote for Precinct One Councilor Blue Line Closing Temporarily between stops-Please see Town Website to keep up to date PUBLIC HEARING Public Hearing Opened Town Council modify Section 10.24.010 of Town Ordinance– Schedule of one-way streets (Somerset) Discussion Vice President Belcher reports this came out of Rules & Ordinance with a negative recommendation to the Town Council Public Comment on this issue: -Donna Reilly P5 Discusses the importance of eliminating this one way as it is only used for the people who live on the street and now with the Center Business District and new projects, trucks are finding their way to be in the way of having to turn around and causing a safety issue. -Mike DiLuiso -Chair of TSAC is in favor of eliminating the one way as if not, parking could have to be eliminated an no one wants this. -Vasilli Mallios P5-Is not in favor of eliminating this one way and would like to wait until new projects to review then how the traffic is. There have been no accidents and this street has been this way for years. -Jack Dowd P2-Agrees with Donna and thinks this is a safety issue -Phyllis Hardgrove P5-Feels since trucks must back up into neighbors driveways this is a safety issue. -Julia Wallerce P5-Feels this street current one way should be eliminated for safety issues. -Marc McClellard P5-Lives on Somerset and works from home and has never witnessed a safety issue with the street as is. He feels speeding is the main problem and if changed to a one way, feels this will now be an issue. Open to Town Councilors -Councilor Aiello states in speaking to former Town Council President Bob Driscoll this has become a safety issue especially with the driveways that are being used. -Councilor Swope asks if the Town is doing an analysis of all streets in Winthrop as many have this problem. Public Hearing Closed TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 2, 2024 PAGE 1 Public Hearing Opened Town Council vote to appropriate Certified Free Cash Discussion Public Hearing Closed Public Hearing Opened Town Council accept recommendation of TSAC to add 15 min parking zone Walden St. Discussion Public Hearing Closed PUBLIC COMMENT -Mark Sennot P4-Would like to thank the town for their help with the flooding on Girdlestone Ave. -Kathleen Cappuccio is asking why the Town Council is meeting secretly with Senator Edwards? This does not look good for the town especially meeting with lobbyists that are interested in voting yes for MBTA Zoning 3A. -Jack Dowd P2-Sppeding is an issue in town, cars need to control their speed. -Vasilli Mallios P5- Thanks the town for the sign on Pleasant St. notifying the drivers a curve up ahead -Kim Dimes P2 Discusses that distracted drivers are not going to not speed, speeding is a definite problem in this town. -Diana Viens P2-Speaks about 3A Zoning and has every confidence that this will be squashed by Supreme Court once heard in October….The AG Office had asked this be expedited and was denied. Once the experts review this it will be denied and other towns have also voted against this. There is wrong information being supplied to the public and Senator Edwards letter in the Winthrop Transcript was sketchy? CORRESPONDENCE None COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Committee- Councilor DaRos reports that two motions came out of the Finance Committee with Positive Recommendations Rules & Ordinance- Vice President Belcher reports that both motions already discussed in public hearings were discussed and also short term rental ordinance draft. This will available soon Appointments, Committee & Commissions Vice President Belcher reports that the annual evaluation for Town Manager and Town Clerk is being reviewed SCHOOL DEPARTMENT REPORT School Calendar for 2024-2025 was voted on and approved by School Committee Teachers return August 26, 2024 Students return August 28, 2024 then off for Labor Day Weekend TOWN MANAGER REPORT Reports that town is preparing for upcoming storm and the pumps will be in use and ready. Did receive two larger pumps but did not have attachments. Have ordered them and they will soon be ready. Blocking of the street was a little issue, this will be reviewed. Town Planner has left making grants a little confusing but will be reviewed and a new town planner will be hired. Fire Union Contract was negotiated and signed Had Successful meetings at the Sr. Center to review the TIP’s Project Working diligently on the FY25 Budget TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 2, 2024 PAGE 2 Councilor DaRos thanks the town for their hard work on Girdlestone and Tileston Rd. He wants to address the larger issue which are the areas of town that flood all the time. We are working as hard as we can to help with these problem areas. The costs are real for these residents as well as mental health for these residents. Will work to help update our residents on what the town is doing. Asks the Town Manager if we can fast track grant money? Town Manager replies that it is currently in committee and unfortunately we have to wait Councilor Swope reports in the last 10 years, we’ve received close to 3M in grants and is interested in making sure the town is ready for these grants and applications. Councilor Aiello agrees and if we need more funding for the new planner we should invest in this. Discusses the grant amount we’ve received from CZM and states they have more money meaning more grants…Would like to consider a Citizens Advisory Committee on Climate to help with these grants Councilor Munson endorses a Citizens Advisory Committee on Climate. There is so much out there you can’t be everywhere. We need to be kept up to date and get a good grasp on what we can and cannot do. Asks when we anticipate a Fire House Proposal, time, date ..when will Old Middle School info be presented. Councilor Tassinari discusses the Mass port and MWRA PILOT agreements and would like a more comprehensive detailed report and would like this to be on website. CDICR No Meeting POLICY MAKING COMMITTEE REPORT Town Council President reads update on past meetings OLD BUSINESS Motion by Vice President Belcher that the Town Council modify Section 10.24.010 of Town Ordinance– Schedule of one-way streets (Somerset) 2 nd by Councilor Aiello Discussion ROLL CALL Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie No: Councilor Munson, Councilor DeMarco, President Letterie Motion Passed 5-3 Motion by the Rules & Ordinance with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council accept recommendation of TSAC to add 15 min parking zone No 2 nd Needed ROLL CALL Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Munson, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Motion Passed Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council vote to appropriate Certified Free Cash No 2 nd Needed ROLL CALL Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Munson, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Motion Passed TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 2, 2024 PAGE 3 Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council vote to increase Retirees COLA to $14,000 No 2 nd Needed ROLL CALL Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Munson, Councilor DeMarco Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Motion Passed Town Council discuss Committee for Community Preservation Act NEW BUSINESS None PUBLIC COMMENT -Vasilli Mallios P5-Discusses the fatal fire in E.B. and if our housing increases with 3A Zoning we could be looking at a problem that we have too many people and not enough safety. -Donna Reilly-Questions how much land is really buildable considering the 3A Zoning. -Jack Dowd P2-Agrees with Donna and has requested information on the GIS of each parcel of land in Winthrop. -Bill Schmidt-Surf Cleaners will be a 20 unit building and at the end of Somerset close to 20 more units. We need a master plan on Winthrop Development . -Colleen Murphy P2-Thanks everyone for the help with the flooding on Girdlestone Rd but she lives on Tileston and is still having a major flooding problem. Can this be investigated as to help these residents. -Mark Sennot P2-Address traffic concerns during flooding on Girdlestone flooding. PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS- Town Council Precinct 1 Councilor needed to fullfil term until 12-31-2025 Board Members Needed -Contact Town Clerk’s Office 4-16-24 Town Council Spring Forum-Sr. Center 4-27-24 Town Rabies Clinic – Old Middle School Auditorium Front Door 10-1PM 4-27-24-Chamber of Commerce Community Awards-CPYC 6-8 PM Before asking for motion to adjourn, Council President Letterie asks each Town Councilor if they have anything further to discuss Councilor DeMarco- Councilor Munson- Capital Assets Plan Councilor Tassinari- Tuesday April 9 th , Intergovernmental Affairs Meeting Vice President Belcher- Scholarship Committee-you can donate to the Rona Mael Scholarship Councilor Swope- Councilor Aiello- Concern tonight in respect that the MAPC is a board that includes a Winthrop Seat Councilor DaRos- TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 2, 2024 PAGE 4 ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Vice President Belcher at 9:45 pm 2 nd by Councilor Swope 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 APRIL 2, 2024 PAGE 5 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2024 PAGE 4