Minutes
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 6, 2024 President Letterie calls meeting to order at 6:30 PM ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Munson, Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor DeMarco PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor DaRos MINUTES Motion by Councilor Munson to Approve the Approval of Minutes, July 16, 2024 as circulated 2 nd by Councilor Tassinari Motion Passed Motion by Vice President Belcher to Approve the Approval of Minutes, Ex. Session 2-21-23 as circulated. 2 nd by Councilor Swope ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Munson, Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor DeMarco Abstain: Councilor Tassinari Motion Passed GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Proclamation-Winthrop a Purple Heart Community-VA Director Phil Ronan Discusses that Winthrop qualifies as being a Purple Heart Community of which a proclamation once signed will allow the town to place signs to this effect coming in and out of town. Town Council President Letterie reads this Proclamation The Town Council approves this proclamation and Purple Heart Day will be annually on August 7 th . ROLL CALL Accept: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Munson, Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor DeMarco Mothers Out Front Christina Kinsley discusses National Gas and problems this is having with our climate and several other problems and why we should consider clean heat…. Please See Copy of Presentation Councilor DaRos reports that him and Karina Campobasso attended a session with the state in reference to the gas problem….The Climate Commission will also have this presentation. He highly recommends we consider request. Councilor Munson big fan of geo thermal…he looks forward to turning greener…he would like more info on costs… TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 6, 2024, PAGE 1 Councilor Swope-She went to a MMA about geo thermal and very interesting Mary Alice Sharkey P1-Past week a letter went to the Transcript She is asking that the citizens contact your state reps in reference to this problem with methane gas Karina Campobasso P3-Reviews the Geo Thermal Project- Deer Island contemplating a geo thermal project that is in very early stages of discussion. Councilor Tassinari-Is there more info on how to have the electricity delivered? How would we survive if our electricity was knocked off ? All the lines on poles would have to be put underground… The expense will be worth the change to geothermal but lower income cannot handle this and this is why we need the state to help us out Carol Walker P5-Hoped to make presentation before the legislation acted. Need more cities and towns to step forward and ask the legislature that we are in favor it would help with funding. This will be further discussed at our Climate Commission Meetings PUBLIC COMMENT Carol Facella P4- She has serious concerns about 3A and her opposition to 3A… Designated Zones…not enough info on these zones for residents. Two zones…Gov. Park and Seal Harbor-she has a problem with how these are being presented The impact on 3A has different outcomes for Seal harbor which is including Fort Heath… Betty Peabody P4 -Discusses Hannaford Park and suggests to keep safe and clean, would like that camera’s be considered as during the night not good things are happening. She has called the police , the DPW….messes to be cleaned…broken alcohol, trash bags. This is such a great place…we have to keep this more beautiful. Lenora Foley P6 …Reads letter she wrote to the Town Council on June 6 t.h . She is upset as this letter was sent to the Facebook Group Say NO to 3A? Why was this shared she feels the TC is not being bias on this item and it should not have been sent. She asks that the Town Council be more transparent…. Jack Dowd P1 -Discusses Councilor Aiello letter….believes it is a tough time to be bringing demands about transportation. He has been talking about the sea wall and it has been ignored, why is that? Mike P2 -Support of the letter to the MBTA by Councilor Aiello. We are underserved by transit, and we should be better served if the state and MBTA paid closer attention to our needs as a community. Would like to know why our MVP grants were denied by the state? We need flood mitigation as the flooding is only getting worse…its becoming quite a safety issue…. Believes the Town council should vote on MBTA 3A Julia Wallerce P3 -Thanks the Mothers out Front for a great presentation, express support on School Override. Approves the MBTA letter….Winthrop is underappreciated by the MBTA…The new Ferry schedule is terrible…Quincy is definitely favored over Winthrop. Wants to push for bus shelters.. push for more MBTA for funding TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 6, 2024, PAGE 2 John Vitagliano P2 —Supports Councilor Aiello letter to the MBTA…. Requests Point Shirley elimination of the bus service be restored. Kathleen Cappuccio P3 -Approves the MBTA letter….Hoping we get shelters for our bus stops. She has concern with 3A in the sense, that would it be prudent for town to review the definition of Ferry, is that it is a yr. long service, which this is not. Mr. Halverson sent a response to Mr. Boyce about guidelines change with MBTA 3A RKG consultant response… No current plans therefore no formalized process outlined for this scenario Diana Viens P2- So proud of our community for the representation the residents has shown. We asked for a Town wide Forum and we did not get it, we had our own and time was not limited to 3 minutes. They have collected information that the Town Council has not with dept. heads, Fire Fighters union, they collected information and shared. Discusses the petition that is being signed as it informs the residents of what is being represented. Bill Schmidt P5 - Approve override for schools Shannon Poulos P3 - Speaking as a citizen…We need to do a better job to help the citizens to know what is happening with our budget and how our funds are being used. People need answers in layman terms. Supportive of Fire house and Schools, against 3A but have to acknowledge that people need to be education we need transparency now more than ever… Unless we start to think about things in a collective manner, nothing will ever get passed. Ultimately we need people to go to ballot and vote…cannot work against each other… Katelyn Burroughs P6 -Comments that she fully supports the School Override and asks Town Council to approve this and put on ballot. Superintendent Lisa Howard P2 -Speaks on the service budget….the most transparent ever done… She is aware of the towns budget and grateful for what received but it is lower than what is needed. Discusses the need for this override for the schools and reasonings on why it is so necessary….. A huge reason is the state mandates that have to be done but yet the state supplies no funding…. Grants are getting lower. This over ride is detrimental to our schools to survive and asks for this to be voted for positive. C arl Rothenhouse P6 -Thanks for purple heart Proclamation and agrees we need more Ferry Service. Also thanks the MOF for their presentation. Annie Ferrara P3 -Supports School override…no children in schools but believes in Winthrop and the children are our future….we do not want to see any education decreased. CORRESPONDENCE None TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 6, 2024, PAGE 3 COMMITTEE REPORTS Vice President Belcher discusses that the Shor Term Rental Ordinance is still being reviewed. Councilor Swope speaks on pad splits….this works for short term rentals…it is an opportunity for people just getting started, have we considered this? Vice President Belcher states these should not be included in short term rentals….this would eliminate splitting ….Councilor Swope would like to review this SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UPDATE President Letterie address how the process of how the override would be done….. School Committee votes to support an override of 4.9 million The send the Town Council a letter that this be considered to ballot The Town Council cannot make amendments, just either approve or disapprove There were any facts that went into the thought of this override. The town has not have one in over 15 years. Covid funding artificially maintained funding. Town Council President reads letter sent from the School Committee requesting an Override Question be put on the Election Ballot for the 11-5-24 Election.…(See Attached) It is explained this override is for the schools operating budget only….. Town Council President asks the Town Council to consider this override: Motion by Vice President Belcher to include a question for a School Override of $4.9 Million to be placed on the 11-5-24 Ballot. 2 nd by Councilor Aiello Discussion Councilor Swope discusses we will be back in 3 years…It is not just the schools…we have to think about this for our entire community. We need a Fire House also…she is going to work hard to get this approved… Councilor Aiello-Supports override but suggests communication strategies…he understands the rising costs, the revenue stream…but people are questioning why only 3 years? People need to be educated on this override prior to voting. Town Council President encourages people to discuss this with each other…ask questions…..know what you are voting for and why.. ROLL CALL Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Munson, Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor DeMarco Motion Passes Unanimously TOWN MANAGER REPORT Reminds all Sat. 8-24 from 9-12 Hazardous Household day. More info on website…at DPW Veterans memorial for PFC Robert Shepherd Aug. 16 th ..Loring and Court Rd Notification that our two MVP Grants were not approved…$1.2 Morton & Banks and $400,000 Pico He had concerns as we were notified later than some municipalities, MVP thoughts were we should have fine tuned our application. There will be a meeting to further discuss. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 6, 2024, PAGE 4 Councilor DaRos states our first climate meeting 8-12 Had a meeting with consultant on Yirrel Beach and DEP to finalize Beach plan…. Waiting for final draft plan and will update the Town Council and citizens Town Council President states he is disappointed on not getting MVP grants as Revere and Boston both got them….FYI: Revere passed 3A Boston does not have to vote…seems political. Has question on scooters and e-bikes…there has to be something that can be done on the safety aspect of these scooters, can this be reviewed? Vice President Belcher…Discusses Yirrel Beach mgt. plan…requests another community meeting for citizens concerned of their home safety . DEP would like to see dune against sea wall have less material. Vice President Belcher-Concern feels the water coming closer with the decrease reveal? Town Manager states that plantings should hold…. Requests another community meeting. Councilor Aiello updates on public comments…Ms. Peabody has been here before requesting a gate be installed, has the gate been investigated Councilor Swope met with Ms. Peabody and most parks are not locked, therefore, can we consider camera’s Councilor Aiello would like this to be reported to council Councilor Aiello chain with the DCR can we give an update… Asks about any update on intersection of Washington, Pleasant and Winthrop…recommendation TSAC for potential modifications….DPW did do ADA updates…. Look at configurations Town Manager is looking for additional funding… Councilor Swope…variances? Concerned about parking….understands 2 per unit except CBD… But still allowing variances on parking…we need to discuss this and make changes… Still confused she would like to know we can look at this and make it harder as we have no parking in this town as it is… Town Council President states school is starting, the schools are looking for crosswalks to be done and construction under control during school hours. Councilor Costigan discusses a safety issues at Magee’s Corner lights, the pedestrian lights are not working.. DPW Calla states this is no easy fix…part of the Tips project, it will not be done prior to school…if we do not want to wait the year…it will be a costly repair as it is part of this project and whatever is done will be ripped out and redone. Town Council President states that trying to get crossing guards is very hard to do….maybe the superintendent could help…maybe town could help on financial end…. Superintendent states this would be very costly for someone to do this , crossing guards do not stay long… Students are educated how to cross the streets on a safety level. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 6, 2024, PAGE 5 Councilor Munson would also like to see a crossing guard on Walden St. Maybe just offer morning hours…. Superintendent Howard did have an agency review these areas and the cost would be well over $150,000 Councilor Munson expresses concern of education needed for the Override, the Fire House, what will this cost our tax payers…what is in the future? Councilor Aiello discusses with respect to the concerns at Magee’s Corner. Could more police details be done? CDICR None UPDATE POLICY MAKING COMMITTEES None OLD BUSINESS Fire House Update- Town Council President is still going forward with questionnaire to public… Discussion with Kessle Boos for a plan to review on Basketball courts. The Fire Station only….include infrastructure…underground storage tank….etc…. Price in the $35 million which does not include basketball courts relocating. Councilor Costigan would like to see a line item on this cost…it does not seem that we are saving money on having it at the basketball courts and he was under the impression it would. Councilor Tassinari- Asks about Fire House cement floor replacement…. Town Manager states that the soil samples good….cost of utilities moving up…reviewing less expensive ways to complete this… NEW BUSINESS Councilor Aiello discusses our transit in our town and why the decision to write this letter…(see attached) Town Council President asks for a vote to approve this letter: Town Council approves with Councilor DeMarco absent and Councilor Tassinari recusing himself Councilor Munson asks if the Ferry could be year round? Councilor Aiello believes there is a good chance it could happen…it could be reviewed Councilor Tassinari…read into record, he must recuse himself from this letter NEW BUSINESS Motion by Vice President Belcher to Waive Town Council Rule 2(a) adding a Special Joint Meeting with the Planning Board in reference to the recommendation from the Planning Board on MBTA 3A Zoning on 8-15-24 at the DeLeo Sr. Center 2 nd by Councilor Aiello Discussion Councilor Tassinari recuses himself Councilor DeMarco Absent Councilor Swope No Motion Passes TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 6, 2024, PAGE 6 TRASH DISCUSSION Town Council President believes a meeting with Capital is needed with the Trash pick up and why some barrels are not picked up due to the lids being up and barrels over full DPW Calla states that the trash ordinance makes it very clear these containers must be closed…. He directs them to adhere to ordinance…if they leave the trash they send a picture to DPW and sometimes Capital is called back to pick up the trash…. Director Calla believes this is going good for pick up and homeowners have to realize the top must be closed to avoid animals. Town Council President states we did offer amendments for homeowners to buy another barrel… Town Manager states homeowners have the choice to have a personal barrel and use orange bags… Councilor Swope needs to know where to get the orange bags and would like a review of the trash ordinances… Motion by Vice President Belcher to accept the re-appointment of Allen Meruzzi to the Board of Assessors 2 nd by Councilor Swope Discussion Councilor Swope would like an application from every appointee Motion Passes PUBLIC COMMENT Carol Facella P4—Continues her discussion, has asked for information on condo docs not being superseded by 3A and still have not received. She feels they are losing Petition should be allowed and let the people vote on the ballot…we should be allowed as a town to vote…why should 9 people make such a decision without having the people have a right to vote… People are not being treated fairly…. Town Council President does not want the insinuation that the Town Council is already voted which they have not John Vitagliano P2 - discusses that our dangerous areas that need public safety at intersections, the town should do something immediately….We do not need costly law suits Jack Dowd P1 -Sea Wall , fire house, library, many different types of buildings 141 Pauline st….1.19 acres…we need this to be surveyed….to determine what we can sell for… Put a detour sign at Magee’s corner intersection. Fire House on 141 Pauline St…has anyone talked to the neighbors at this area Maybe neighbors would consider selling their homes…. Mark Sennot P2 -Regards to Tassinari recusal…does this include the vote for it to pass it needs 2/3 votes (6) votes…state changed and need 5 yes votes…. Mike Brema P2 -Echo on long term vision on this override…need to educate the public on how to balance a budget…raise taxes, grow tax base…etc…let people know what growth looks like, tax revenue…etc… TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 6, 2024, PAGE 7 Annie Ferrara P3 -Thank you for voting on school override…. Introduces YES to Winthrop Committee for the School Override….Katelyn Burroughs also on committee….Please follow them and involve yourself…. Bill Scmidt P5 -important issues…caution on trying to do all at once, the public can only grasp so much. Find out court decisions prior to voting on 3A….wait on Fire House until after ….do not put everything on ballot at once…. Kathleen Cappuccio P2 - In Favor of Override and Fire Station…..most people look for school systems when moving in . If both on ballot there is a good chance both could lose Carl Roth P6- Both override and Fire House….should not be on the ballot…. Magee’s Corner should be improved for safety…it needs to be addressed… Shannon Poulos P3 -Town needs the leadership for the future and it should be through the Town Council, not pushed back to individuals. Katelyn Burroughs P3-Dsicusses the tax rate with the Override 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 Vice President Belcher at 9:30 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 AUGUST 6, 2024, PAGE 8