Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 7 pages · 38 KB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 25, 2025 President Letterie calls Town Council Meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Harvey Hearing Room ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Munson, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Munson MOMENT OF SILENCE Jack VanBuskirk MINUTES Motion by Councilor Munson to Approve the Approval of Minutes of February 11, 2025 as circulated. 2 nd by Vice President Belcher Motion Passed GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS N/A PUBLIC HEARING Town Council discuss a New Finance Policy regarding Free Cash-Public Hearing will be Continued PUBLIC HEARING OPENED Town Council vote to approve the Amended Tree Ordinance Discussion Vice President Belcher reads into the record the amendments to the Tree Policy…(Please see website) Amendments were voted with a positive recommendation to be approved by the Rules & Ordinance PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING OPENED Town Council vote to approve $158,500 for the funding of Phase II of the engineering at Tileston, Girdlestone and Pico Discussion DPW Director Calla reviews this Phase II of project Finance Committee voted with a positive recommendation PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENT Council President opens Public Comment with a reminder that comments are limited to 3 minutes and any disrespect will not be tolerated Jack Dowd P2-Discusses Article 97 in reference to Ingleside Park Council President warns Mr. Dowd that disrespect will not be tolerated Diane Sands P5- Questions why the MBTA Action plan letter was mailed after Town Council voted not to comply and we currently have an exemption law suit pending. Mark Sennott P2-Lack of manpower did not help the flooding during our last storm. Would like what plan B will be to help out the DPW in this case. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2025 PAGE 1 CORRESPONDENCE Several emails in reference to the reaction of the 2-11-25 Town Council Meeting Several emails in reference to the MBTA Action Letter COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Committee Councilor Daros reports on the motion heard and it was voted with a Positive Recommendation SCHOOL DEPARTMENT REPORT N/A TOWN MANGER REPORT Report Attached… Town Manager once again explains the procedures of the MBTA 3A Action Plan Letter and the effects is has on our community. All information pertaining to this is located on our Town Website Chelsea has joined the 911 Call Center. This will benefit for future funding. Councilor Swope had question on the letter from the Commission on Disability and their ability to obtain grant funding if the community does not comply with MBTA 3A. There is a current exemption pending, why would this letter be written? Does not feel this letter was written for the best interest of the Town Council or Town. The new Ferry schedule will be on the town website in the very near future. Good news is the MBTA will be adding another Ferry Service for Winthrop. Vice President Belcher inquires about an update on Yirrell Beach, the Town Manager reports we are still awaiting further information from the consultants. Councilor Costigan discusses the MBTA 3A. Has a question on actual time of being able to “opt in” and questions the MBTA 3A Action Plan letter. Councilor DeMarco questions why the subject of the MBTA 3A Compliance is even being discussed as it has already been voted on by the Town Council. Councilor Aiello states good with Coastal Communities getting other towns involved. It helps us with more Representatives towards our town. Great News on Ferry…. OLD BUSINESS Town Council discuss a New Finance Policy regarding Free Cash-CONTINUED Motion by Rules & Ordinance that the Town Council vote to approve the Amended Tree Ordinance No 2 nd Needed Discussion ROLL CALL VOTE Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Munson, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher No: President Letterie MOTION PASSES TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2025 PAGE 2 Motion by the Finance Committee that the Town Council vote to approve $158,500 for the funding of Phase II of the engineering at Tileston, Girdlestone and Pico No 2 nd Needed ROLL CALL VOTE Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Munson, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Abstain: Councilor DeMarco MOTION PASSES NEW BUSINESS Town Council approve Memorial Committee recommendations- President Letterie refer to the Appointments, Commission & Committees Town Council President Appointments the following on the Ordinance Review Committee for 2025: • KARIN CHAVIS, CHAIR • HANNAH BELCHER-TOWN COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT • DENISE QUIST-TOWN CLERK • KAITLIN BURROUGHS • TIM CALLINAN • VINNY CROSSMAN • MAROLE MIETZSCH • KURT MILLAR • SHANNON POULOS Motion by Town Council President Letterie to Censure Councilor Joseph Aiello for Behavior Unbecoming of Elected Office Whereas , elected officials are entrusted with upholding the highest standards of integrity, respect, and professionalism in their conduct, serving as representatives and stewards of public Whereas , Councilor Aiello in his capacity as Precinct 5 Town Councilor has engaged in conduct that is inconsistent with these standards, including statements, interactions, and demeanor that reflect negatively on the office; and Whereas , such behavior has undermined public confidence in the office and the governing body, detracting from the collective mission to serve the community with dignity and accountability; and Whereas , it is the responsibility of this body to address actions that compromise the integrity of our institution and to affirm our commitment to ethical governance; Therefore, be it resolved that: 1. The Winthrop Town Council President, James Letterie, formally censures Councilor Joseph Aiello for conduct unbecoming of their elected position. 2. This censure serves as a public statement of disapproval and a call for immediate corrective action to restore public trust. 3. A copy of this resolution shall be entered into the official record and communicated to the Town Council and relevant stakeholders. Adopted this 22nd of February, 2025 by the Winthrop Town Council President, James Letterie. Signatures: JAMES LETTERIE Winthrop Council President 2 nd by Councilor Swope Discussion ROLL CALL VOTE Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Munson, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Abstain: Councilor DeMarco MOTION PASSES TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2025 PAGE 3 PUBLIC COMMENT Carol Facella P4-Discusses MBTA 3A and there is a pending exemption, we should be supporting all exemptions on this. Believes the Town Council should have voted on Action Plan Letter. Diane Sands P5-Discusses Rockport suit being appealed. Found the motion on Councilor Aiello being Censored was not enough, he should be removed. Kathleen Cappuccio P2-Will request a FOIA on the emails concerning the MBTA 3A Action Letter. Does agree with concerns of certain councilors. Believes this letter should have been further discussed with the Town Council. The council should have been more involved in this letter. Marci Hamilton P2-Requests more information to be put on the agenda to further discuss Winthrop’s ER Plan. Comments on the disrespect during Town Council Meetings. She should not have to feel unsafe during these meetings. Todd Sacco P2-Comments on the Motion to Censor Councilor Aiello Bill Schmidt P5-Comments that the Town Council does not have the right to name the Ordinance Review Committee, it should be named by the entire Town Council and voted on. Karin Chavis P2-Believes the action taken on the Motion to Censure was not enough. Discusses that voices do not have to be raised to make opinion known. This is not necessary. Believes Town Councilors should be more aware of their actions while sitting at this table. Brendan Cooney P3-Thanks for the motion on Phase II Flooding issue. Jack Dowd P2-Discusses 911 phone call and the dispatchers should be more informed. Cassie Withause P6-Appreciates the 3 mins allowed during public comment. Appreciate the Town Manager finding ways to comply with MBTA 3A or finding ways for our community to be able to apply for grant funding. Diane Sands P5-Asks if anyone has reviewed the respiratory diseases in our town due to the airport. Asks if we do maintenance on the Ferry. Shannon Poulos P3-Comments that more attention should have been paid on the victim of the censorship motion. not the attacker. Spent very little time on the Local Election of 4-5-25 Kaitlyn Burroughs P2-Speaks behalf on Vote Yes for the Kids and School Override Vote. PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS Time to Renew your Parking Sticker & Dog License online on the Town of Winthrop Website Last day to register to vote: March 26, 2025 March 10 th FHBC Meeting Meeting on March 13 th by Councilor Swope in reference to our Local Election 3-13-25 March 8, 2025 9-12 Fire Station Open House for the public viewing TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 25, 2025 PAGE 4 ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor Munson at 8:20 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 FEBRUARY 25, 2025 PAGE 5