Minutes
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 7, 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 DaRos MINUTES Motion by Councilor DeMarco to Approve Minutes, April 16, 2024, as circulated. 2 nd by Councilor Swope Passed Unanimously GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS PUBLIC HEARING Public Hearing Opened That the Town Council appropriate $100,000 Free Cash/$50,000 Compensated Absence Res. Fund & $50,000 OPEB Trust Fund Discussion Public Hearing Closed Public Hearing Opened Delivery of FY25 Proposed Budget by Town Manager Town Manager Marino updates the Town Council on the proposed budget (See Town Website for Complete Proposed Budget) https://ma-winthrop.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/296/Town-Of-Winthrop-FY24- Proposed-Budget-PDF PUBLIC COMMENT Jack Dowd P-1-Concerned about the Sea Walls on both the north and south side of town. This has been told to the Town Council that he personally went and reviewed this wall, and it must be maintained. He recently looked again, and chunks are falling out to the sidewalk. Once steel rusty it will deteriorate the concrete and only get worse. He is asking for the Town to send an engineer down and see if this wall will be falling down. The South end of Yirrel Beach is causing a problem. The DEP wants something done on Yirrel Beach, not sure how many times berms up and down, these are protections for the homeowners. DEP is more concerned about the Plovers than the people’s houses. Maybe they don’t understand but this has to be brought to their attention. CORRESPONDENCE Kathleen Cappuccio Diane Sands COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Committee Councilor DaRos reviews the Finance Committee meeting of which motions were voted with a Positive Recommendation and will be read in Old Business TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 7, 2024, PAGE 1 Rules & Ordinance Vice President reports the committee is still reviewing the short-term rentals, air bnb and will have report for Town Council SCHOOL DEPARTMENT REPORT Continued discussion of the school Budget New reading curriculum for elementary school. TOWN MANAGER REPORT -Fencing is on Yirrel Beach for Plovers -Administrated commence orders with the DEP, they will not allow us to put up the berms, it is not in compliance with the Wetlands Compliance act. We have hired a consultant to review this. The Town is planning a meeting at the beach and discuss a Beach Management Plan in place. No heavy equipment is allowed per the DEP. 2 MVP Grants were applied for 1.2Million Morton & Banks & Fisherman’s Bend Pico -There were two good meetings to report with the neighborhood on Morton and Banks. They are looking for relief, maybe sandbags…something to help with the flooding. Would like to look into something immediately for relief. -Reports on Tileston & Girdlestone…there was a sleeve put on Pleasant St. so pipes can be connected easier and not shut road down. -Sumner Closer July 5 th to Aug. 5 th -W/E. closures…5-17 / 5-31 /6-7/ 6-14 /6-21 -He attended several town events • The First Ferry Ride was on 4-29, it was crowded. They cut down on 8am and took out logan airport. • Chamber Event Award Night • Little League Opening Day • Town Council will be having a Special Meeting 7:00 PM on 5-14-24 at Sr. Center RKG new consultant for 3A -Council Munson-Requests Sumner Tunnel information to be on our website Asks Town Manager what financial obligation the town will have after applying for MVP grants. Town Manager, replies grants are layered in, it is too soon to determine. -Councilor Tassinari requests follow up on existing MVP Grant -Councilor Swope mentions Ane Leary who helped on the $400,000 grant, these are the people that we need to help pitch in and we are very grateful for her help. -Councilor Aiello-Great work on getting planner and getting grants applications out -NE Mosquito control has been hired. They did the initial review. They have to go back and talk to Army Core with a plan. -Councilor DaRos wanted to ducktail on Councilor Swope as we do need people to help with grants. Ana and her friend took all day and a Sunday to help pitch in with this grant. Were able to submit right on deadline… Rather than rely on the Town Manager and does not have an Assistant we can use people like Ana Leary. -Councilor Aiello comments on Jack Dowd Seawalls. Asks him to describe what the Town Council can actually do. This is actually through the DEP. -Vice President Belcher-Would like the By Laws that were sent to the Sec. Augustus office. CDICR There was no meeting, but they did have a zoom call. The date for the Pride Potluck at Ingleside Park will be on June 15, 2024 12-5pm TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 7, 2024, PAGE 2 OLD BUSINESS Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council appropriate $100,000 Free Cash/$50,000 Compensated Absence Res. Fund & $50,000 OPEB Trust Fund 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 Passes Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council appropriate $20,000 Retained Earnings in the Ferry Enterprise Fund to cover Ferry exp. For FY24 No 2 nd Needed. Passed Unanimously Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council appropriate $13,656.56 from Rideshare Fund to the Capital Project Account for the ADA Sidewalk Study 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 Passes NEW BUSINESS Nominations for Precinct 1 Town Councilor Council President Letterie introduces both candidates for Council Precinct 1: Celeste Ribeiro Hewitt and Patrick Costigan The process of nomination is reviewed. The Town Councilors discuss and interview with several questions to each candidate of which are answered prior to any nominations. Motion by Vice President Belcher to nominate Patrick Costigan for Precinct 1 Councilor 2 nd by Councilor DeMarco Motion by Councilor Swope to nominate Celeste Ribeiro Hewitt for Precinct 1 Councilor 2 nd by Councilor Tassinari Roll Call Vote for each candidate. Councilor Tassinari Celeste Ribeiro Hewitt Councilor Munson Patrick Costigan Councilor Demarco Patrick Costigan Councilor Aiello Patrick Costigan Councilor Swope Celeste Ribeiro Hewit Councilor DaRos Patrick Costigan Vice President Belcher Patrick Costigan President Letterie Patrick Costigan Motion Passes for Patrick Costigan as Precinct 1 Councilor Delivery of FY25 Proposed Budget by Town Manager-Discussed TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 7, 2024, PAGE 3 PUBLIC COMMENT Devin Fields P5-Cannot make meeting on 3A. She is expressing her support for this zoning. There is not enough housing for the people in Massachusetts. This is forcing people to make a change in their community for the better of allowing housing that we need. Mark Aubuchon P1-Talked about water mitigation. Empty spaces, cemeteries, parks, etc.… there are very little places to build in our town. We don’t have the level of infrastructure to endure 3A zoning. He opposes it and asks TC where they stand. Diana Viens P2- Charlie Baker signed this into law, it’s been changed 5 times. She opposes 3A zoning. Impressed with community engagement with this issue. Paul Carruccio P2-He opposes 3A..he understands housing crisis…how do we know? Look at government data that in last 5 years we have built 1 new house for 1.4 residents…. Mark Sennot-When will Town Council let us know their decision. Council President-We have until December but will do sooner and waiting to hear from state. Sec. Augustus Judy Hanlon P5-If you listen to the Fire Chief…. we don’t have the man power or the schools don’t have room, we do not have the ability to have 880 more units Jack Dowd P1-Attended an intergovernmental Strategy meeting and it was stressed by all how important the issue of our renewal of the MWRA and MassPort Pilot Contracts are to review He wants to know why another meeting has not been scheduled. Shannon Poulos-Opposed 3A . It is how people prioritize and we made a choice to live in Winthrop. Increasing the density will change our community, it will become unsafe. Significant flooding. The largest sewage plants in the country. Her father had an emergency and was in the ER for over 50 hrs. due to capacity…not shortage off staff. There are too many people. Vasilios Mallios P1-There are no incentives for 3A zoning. If there is a housing crisis…why are just MBTA communities stepping up? If you disagree with this, the Town Council should be going to our state rep now. Kurt Millar P2-There are no states that have implemented this that have been successful. Low income housing is not as plentiful as it was in the beginning. You are at the risk of losing it. He Opposes 3A Zoning. School budget and money change…hopes the Town Council will look more into the school budget. Why are we making these changes. Should not be taking money away from school. What are the misc. items in the budget? Can we get more specific. There is still no line item for the rink water. PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS- • 6-27-24-Winthrop Public Library Celebrates it’s 125 th Anniversary from 5-9 pm • Winthrop Farmers Market Dates: June 16 th & 30 th / July 14 th & 28 th / August 11 th & 25 th / Sept. 8 th & 22 nd and Oct. 6 th Ingleside Park 9Am – 1PM TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 7, 2024, PAGE 4 ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Vice President Belcher at 8:45 pm 2 nd by Councilor Tassinari 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 MAY 7, 2024, PAGE 5