Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 6 pages · 32 KB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 16, 2024 President Letterie calls meeting to order at 6:30 PM ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Munson, Councilor Aiello, Councilor DaRos Vice President Belcher (Zoom,) President Letterie Late: 7:20 Councilor Swope Absent: Councilor DeMarco Councilor President begins the ceremony of the Swearing in of Chief John Goodwin to the Winthrop Police Department Town Clerk Quist swears in our new Chief of Police, John Goodwin 5 Minute Recess MINUTES Motion by Councilor DaRos to Approve the July 2, 2024, as circulated. 2 nd by Councilor Tassinari Discussion Motion Passed GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Water Rate Presentation- Town Manager Marino presents the Towns Water Rates for FY25 with a Power Point Presentation -Please see presentation at https://ma-winthrop.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/1451/FY25- Water-Rate-Presentation-at-07162024-Town-Council-Meeting . Town Council President states doing a small annual increase in lieu of larger ones if not done annually it much better for the residents. Councilor Munson asks to reiterate what the indirect costs are. Town Manager reports that these are charges that the town charges back to the Enterprise Funds PUBLIC HEARING Open Public Hearing Town Council transfer $80,000 from Cap. Stabilization / Stormwater Engineering Phase II Discussion The Finance Committee met on this item and it was voted with a Positive Recommendation All thanks to the DPW, Town Manager and staff for the work they have done in these areas of flooding in town. Public Comment Tom Schlichting thanks all for their hard work down at Pico Councilor DaRos attended the Save the Harbor, Save the Bay Climate Workshop and very informative. Close Public Hearing PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Aiello TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 16, 2024, PAGE 1 PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED Open Public Hearing Short Term Rental Discussion Public Comment-Ken Goodwin looking forward to this new ordinance and feels we are going in the right direction. Councilor Munson asks to review the light manufacturing zoning in the town. Councilor Tassinari asks about the penalties and violations, if they are included? Vice President Belcher reports they are in but are currently being reviewed. Councilor Aiello reiterates this is the last follow up, if you have any further comments, please follow up with Vice President Belcher. Councilor Munson will take this last round of feedback and get back to the Town Council as soon as possible. Public Hearing Closed PUBLIC COMMENT Diana Viens P2-Announces that on Monday July 15 th the citizens served an initiative petition to the Clerk’s Office The Petition is that the question on Zoning MBTA 3A go directly to a ballot vote and not have the Town Council vote on this matter. CORRESPONDENCE Katelyn Burroughs requests the Town Council to move quickly to bring out town into zoning compliance with MBTA 3A. Winthrop Historical Commission opposes MBTA 3A Zoning due to districts being in a historical district. Donna Segretti Reilly writes on the opposition of the MBTA 3A Zoning. COMMITTEE REPORTS Intergovernmental Strategies Councilor Tassinari reports on update and review of the MWRA Mitigation a traffic study of cars coming on and off Island does not include personnel vehicles, therefore the committee is waiting for an update on the increases number of vehicles. Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope and Councilor DaRos report on the Massport mitigation contract and want to make sure that the health of the community comes first. Review the existing payment vs. inflation rate. Would like to discuss with Attorney as to have an Ex. Session for discussion. Between both these contracts, it is felt money was lost due to inflation. Would like to discuss with our town counsel an Ex. Session on these contracts. Would like to review professional negotiators for these contracts. Councilor Aiello reports that the rate of inflation was not included in these past contracts and feels the town lost close to $1 Million Dollars TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 16, 2024, PAGE 2 Appointments Commission & Committees Vice President Belcher reports that the same evaluation process will take place as last year and asks Town Council to look for these and answer eval form. SCHOOL DEPART UPDATE Town Council President reports the major topic was a 2 ½ Override. Prior to next meeting there will be a School Dept. Sub committee on Finance and Budget, and they will review in more detail the numbers that will be requested and forecast for the next 3-5 years. A number will be discussed and sent to the Town Council for review and the Town Council will make a decision to accept or not to accept an override. TOWN MANAGER REPORT Reports update on Fires Station location of the Basketball Courts. Measurements were taken and it is possible. More information to follow after meeting with Kaestle Boos Engineering for further input. Discusses our Tree Removal process and misspoke of our tree removal company also being the arborist. If a tree is to come down, we will call our tree company, which they call an outside arborist for further information on a tree being removed. A new policy has been issued that a tree will not be removed on the same day. If a tree is identified to be removed it will be reviewed by DPW Director, Town Manager and Tree Warden to determine if an arborist is needed. Wants to be clear on the Charter, the Town Council cannot instruct the Town Manager to fire anyone , he will support his staff and review what is asked. Kathy Dixon COA will be retiring in September. Her Assistant Director will take her position and his position will be filled. First meeting MAPC, Hazard Mitigation update…We did receive a grant of $20,000, the last time we received was 2015, we will be filing for a vulnerability grant, much more involved…. storm water, flooding will be included. The Town Manager will be away from July 26 th through August 2 nd , a memo will be sent our on who will be covering. Councilor Swope-Thanks for report on trees, she asks if we have an arborist? Yes, we have two on the Tree Committee… she would like the arborist to be more involved. Councilor Costigan believes the initial design of the basketball court there should be plenty of parking…he would like this to be re measured to reiterate the parking availabilities. Recommend that with our Mitigation Contracts coming up for renewal, could we ask them to help with the funding of replacement of basketball courts Councilor Aiello praises the Town Manager on his efficiency in applying for grants and how critical these are for the town. We have capital needs in front of us and these grants and funding is very appreciated. Town Manager will follow up on the Fisherman’s Bend Mosquito control. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 16, 2024 PAGE 3 He appreciate Appreciates the Tree removal and would still like to see the last 18 moths of tree removals…. Town Council President has had some calls on people coming out of MWRA and the speed of traffic down Taft’s Ave…could TSAC look into something at Tufts & Otis St… Town Manager reports the new slide was installed on Crest Ave park…. Town Manager reports there will be a building re use committee in reference to the old Fire Station UPDATE POLICY MAKING COMMITTEES None OLD BUSINESS Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council transfer $80,000 from Cap. Stabilization / Stormwater Engineering Phase II No 2 nd Needed Roll Call Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Munson, Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher (Zoom,) President Letterie Absent: Councilor DeMarco Motion Passes NEW BUSINESS None PUBLIC COMMENT JACK DOWD P1-Has been a resident for 72 years. Has helped this town plenty of times….he knows the seawall is a big issue so he took it upon himself to review the seawall, it was built in 1935, life expectancy is 30-50 yrs. This needs to be investigated and repaired. Sheryl Howard P2-Hopes that when the basketball courts are looked at for Fire Station…also hopes we look at the Middle School, would like all information on this too. Town Council President reports -We do have the info on the Middle School Marci Hamilton—P2—Thanks all for the support on Girdlestone and Tileston with the flooding issues. Looks forward to job being complete… Thanks Ken & Jess for the beautiful Air Bnb they currently have on the street and enjoys meeting these different people… Missed the Save the Harbor meeting, if there is any info, please report this. Councilor DaRos did ask Chris Mancini to send us all the information which he will share. Brendan Cooney P5-thanks for passing motions…. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 16, 2024, PAGE 4 Councilor Munson wants to apologize for using the word and referring to immigrants…he is sorry for saying this and never meant to hurt anyone or their nationalities. Town Council President talks about information going on in our community. There are big things happening…. we can only do one thing at a time….all Town Councilors may not agree but we all want to work together….we encourage the public to get more involved in our elections…vote informed… PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS Winthrop Farmers Market Dates: June through October- 2 nd & 4 th Sunday of the month Ingleside Park 9AM – 1PM 8-24-24 Accesible Adventures Fun Day at Deer Island ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor Munson at 8:03 pm 2 nd by Councilor Aiello 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 JULY 16, 2024, PAGE 5