Minutes
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 President Letterie calls meeting to order at 6:30 PM ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Costigan, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Munson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Swope MOMENT OF SILENCE Four Shooting Victims of the Apalachee High School MINUTES Motion by Vice President Belcher to Approve the Approval of Minutes, August 20, 2024 as circulated 2 nd by Councilor DeMarco Discussion-Spelling Corrections Motion Passed PUBLIC COMMENT Town Council President limiting each speaker to 3 mins and last public comment will be limited to 15 minutes in total Karin Chavis P2-Comments on how successful the 9-3-24 State Primary Election especially with the new poll pads being used. Dianne Sands P5-Questions the final public comment being 15 mins. She also addresses that prior to going forward with the Citizens Petition, it would have to be referred to the Planning Board and she feels this is different information than was first given. Cathy Witouski P1-Discusses a public request 24-286 that concerns 3A and discusses the concerns of the condo docs, compliance, grants…etc… Paul Carruccio P4-Discusses MBTA 3A zoning. He discusses the opposition that the Republican Town Committee currently has for this zoning. Marci Hamilton P2-Dicusses the MBTA 3A Zoning and that the town should work together in making a decision on what our town needs and can handle. Jack Dowd P1-Dicusses Councilor Aiello and his interest in the town now that he is a Town Councilor. Requests a list of grants that the town will be in jeopardy of if MBTA 3A is voted NO Carl Rothberg P3-Discusses MBTA 3A and if it passes, would we have to have an election for anything that wants to be done within these zoning areas? The answer is NO Mark Sennot P2-Asks the Town Council to put a motion forward on MBTA 3A, we have spent too much time on this one particular issue. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 4, 2024, PAGE 1 John Vitagliano P2-Discusses MBTA 3A Zoning and his opposition to it. Sheryl Howard P5-Discusses the MBTA 3A Zoning and her opposition to it. Celeste Robeiro Hewitt P1-Questions if there is a referendum preference vote, do we have information on this, what is the potential lawsuit from the state? We need to know more facts on this zoning. Kurt Millar P2-States it is a citizen’s right to present a petition. Citizens have a right to hear their voices heard. Cheryl Eagan P2-Urges Town Council to vote on the issue of MBTA 3A Zoning and also asks that the people have their right to vote. Diana Viens P2-Discusses the Citizens Initiative Petition and discusses the passages of this petition. Mike Killam P2-Discusses it is the people’s right to vote. We are not voting on a state law, we are voting on a plan. Asking the Town Council to do what they believe is right. Kathleen Cappuccio P5-Referes to comment on who signs a petition. If you would like to change the charter only certain people could sign it. Discusses the condo documents and they do not get superseded by MBTA 3A. Continues to discuss MBTA 3A. Carol Facella P4-Discusses MBTA 3A Zoning in reference to specifically Seal Harbor. Should be addressed Seal Harbor and Fort Heath. Christian Buonopane P5-Echos Kathleen Cappuccio and agrees about the condo docs and MBTA 3A Zoning. Town Council President reiterates the process: The Planning Board has their recommendations of which they are waiting to hear back from RKG Assoc. Once they vote on their recommendation, they will send it to the state for a cursory review of which they will get back within 3-4 weeks. After this it will be sent to the Town Council. We do not have anything to vote on yet. We cannot vote on 3A, this is a state law. The Council is voting on accepting or rejecting the Planning Boards Recommendation. If we do not accept, we are out of compliance with the law. If we vote yes, we are in compliance and the citizens can then go forward with a request for a Special Election. Motion by Vice President Belcher to take the agenda out of order to vote on the Citizens Initiative Petition 2 nd by Councilor Munson Motion Passed Council President reads the Citizens Petition (See Attached) and requests Town Attorney Cipoletta to discuss this petition. Attorney Cipoletta discusses this petition and what the next steps are: Speaks on the narrow issue of the direction may take and what the Town Council can and cannot do with it. This petition should be accepted, rejected or amended. Tonight starts the clock on the timing. In his understanding of the petition, this petition is asking the Twon Council to adopt an amendment to section 17 of our zoning by laws which are directed by State law 40A. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 4, 2024, PAGE 2 Yes, the Town Council can grant this petition but due to this petition requesting an amendment in our zoning section 17, this must be referred to the Planning Board of which they will hold a joint public hearing with the Town Council and they will then send their recommendation to the Town Council. The Town Council can accept or reject it after we receive from the Planning Board. Council President refers this Citizens Petition to the Planning Board for a recommendation and a Joint Public Hearing to expedite this recommendation. CORRESPONDENCE See Attached COMMITTEE REPORTS Economic Development-Will Schedule a Meeting Public Works -Will Schedule a Meeting Appointment Committees & Commissions completed reviews on the Town Manager, Town Council and Town Clerk. Vice President Belcher reports that both Town Manager Marino and Town Council/Clerk Quist have received. good reports and have been re-appointed. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UPDATE No Meeting TOWN MANAGER REPORT West Nile Report of a mosquito testing positive and confirms this mosquito was a bird biting insect, not a human. At this point since it is not critical the town spraying will not be done. If you would like to get your home sprayed, please contact the Town Managers office. Obviously be safe while outside. Visited Morton St. for sandbags around the homes to help with flooding. Also getting pricing on a flapper valve. Thanks all for attending Kathy Dixon retirement party and Matt Roades has been named the new Director. Town Manager appointed Tom Derderian to the Climate Commission to be the Town Manager Designee We have a joint dispatch with Revere, Rec is looking for grant money to expand the current location. At this point we are reviewing different communities in hopes of adding in as the more the better the grants. Town Council President reports that Water Tower Hill needs help with pest’s. Congratulates Kathy Dixon as well on her retirement. There will be a Fire House Questionnaire Councilor DaRos- Asks if still advisable to have his yoga classes on Sunday mornings… Director Hurly feels this should be fine. Councilor Swope is disappointed in the Town Council decision on sending the Citizens Initiative Petition to the Planning Board for their recommendation. She asks if this is a rejection on this petition and she is told No, it is not. She disagrees that this changes any zoning issues. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 4, 2024, PAGE 3 Councilor Aiello asks about the Charter Changes that were voted on and is informed these can now be acted on. Requests these be put on the website as a reminder for the residents. Asks about making sure on that on state letterhead the wide variety of questions in reference to the owners at Seal Harbor are answered about their condo documents. Agrees with Carol Facella that the Fort Heath apartments and Seal Harbor should be referred to as separate building and grounds in reference to this zoning. Councilor DeMarco discusses that we are a community that we should all work together. He disagrees that this petition is a zoning issue and should not have been referred to the Planning Board. Vice President Belcher asks for any updates on Yirrel Beach. Town Manager replies none as of yet. Also, wants to keep update on ConCom and other policy making boards in the agenda. Councilor Munson thanks DPW for all the sidewalk repairs. He requests if anyone has any problems, notify See Click Fix to report any problems. Would like to ask for an injunction from the state regarding the deadline for 3A as we are waiting for Rockport and Milton case results. He supports the citizens’ rights to vote. Councilor Costigan requests an update on the Magee’s Corner pedestrian crosswalks. Town Manager replies waiting for the state to get back to us. He also does not think this petition was a zoning amendment and should not have been sent to the Planning Board for their recommendation. He discusses the MBTA 3 zoning in reference to Seal Harbor and Fort Heath. Councilor Tassinari thanks the Town Clerk and Town Manager for the good job they do for the town. Would like a Financial Impact Analysis on how MBTA 3A zoning would impact the town. “As I’ve recused myself from the 3A issue in its entirety, I was asking for a financial impact analysis to the town based on what is currently allowed for by existing zoning bylaws today (pre 3A), and what is currently in production - building on Somerset, etc.” CDICR Town Manager reports they have their first Speaker Event, Rabbi Benjamin Flax would be speaking Tuesday Sept. 24, 2024 at the DeLeo Sr. Center at 6:00 PM Looking to do another Beach Clean up UPDATE POLICY MAKING COMMITTEES No Meetings OLD BUSINESS Fire House Update- We have site plans for the basketball courts and the middle school The plan is to get a town questionnaire out. Town Manager gives a breakdown of both of these sites on a power point presentation. Please see Presentation on the Town Website. • Councilor DeMarco asks why the basketball courts cost so much to relocate. • Councilor Tassinari asks about the demo and storm water costs. • Councilor Munson asks about current flooding on Walden St., if this is included in this mitigation? TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 4, 2024, PAGE 4 • Vice President Belcher asks when the survey is sent out that total amounts are included. Also plans are different from the original so notify the residents of the difference of plans. • Councilor Costigan reviews the costs, and they are similar. • Town Council President wants to give the citizens a chance to review an insight on both sights. Need more education and articulate the plusses and minuses to all the citizens. • Town Manager reiterates this survey will be sent out in all directions to our citizens. NEW BUSINESS Health Director Meredith Hurley updates on the West Nile Mosquitos in Winthrop. She knows it has been in the media but states the NE Mosquito Control samples mosquitos in several spots in the town and keeps us up to date on the virus. Do not have any human cases but other communities do and we still have to be careful and watchful on how we treat the outdoors. Be mindful of it, also if you leaving our community, know where this community stands with this virus. Be aware! Vice President Belcher asks signs of virus Director Hurley reports that the West Nile Virus is like a flu like symptom, very low chance of syphilitics….very low chances. NE Mosquito Control number is on our website and can be reached at any times for any questions. PUBLIC COMMENT John Vitagliano P5-Reports on concerns of the state holding grants. He believes this would never happen. Diana Viens P2-Discusses the Citizens Petition that this is not a zoning change and it follows the Charter. This is not a zoning ordinance and totally disagrees sending to the Planning Board. Tom Derderian P3- Newly appointed to the Climate Commission and discusses the climate change before us and what needs to be discussed. Jack Dowd P2-Disagrees with sandbags at Morton St. We need sea walls. Carol Facella P4-Discusses the opposition of MBTA 3A, interested in what grants will be affected? Sheryl Howard P2-Urges all to read Diana Viens exemption 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 Early Voting for 9-3-24 State Primary at Town Hall- 8-24-24 until 5:00 PM then 8-26-24 through 8-29-24 Town Hall Hrs 8-27-24 Joint Meeting Town Council & Winthrop Planning Board at Senior Center 9-26-24 Winthrop Recovery Event at Town Hall 5:30-8:30 ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Vice President Belcher at 8:50 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 SEPTEMBER 4, 2024, PAGE 5