Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 5 pages · 25 KB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 4, 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 Aiello, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor DeMarco PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Munson MINUTES Motion by Vice President Belcher to Approve the Approval of Minutes of February 25, 2025, as circulated. 2 nd by Councilor Munson Motion Passed GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Fire Chief Wiley brings the town and council up to date with the 911 Update and Response Information and brings up to date our Metro North Regional Emergency Communications Center, training process and assure rapid and familiarizing dispatchers with all areas. PUBLIC HEARING None PUBLIC COMMENT Jack Dowd P1-Concerned if there was an emergency, is there a shelter in place? More information would be helpful. Discusses handouts were given on elevation and footprint on the Middle School 6-7-17. Scott Mahoney Wright P3-Thanks all that have put together the election information on the upcoming 4-5-25 Election. Concerned about flights waiting to come into logan…what would happen if one went down on Point Shirley. Our Fire Department has to be prepared and at this time, with our old station, we are not prepared with equipment or a new station. Please remember this when voting. Tom Derderian P3-Comments on a draught, how this affects our trees. DPW is limited, we need help to make sure our trees are correctly watered if needed. The town does offer “adopt a tree” and he hopes our residents will help with this. Karin Chavis P2-Informational question asks why the Trash, Water and Excise were all due same time. Can these dates be reviewed? CORRESPONDENCE None COMMITTEE REPORTS None SCHOOL DEPARTMENT REPORT President Letterie reports discussion on the Election and the Override Question #2 if is not passed, how this could possibly affect our school systems. Potential loss of (2) teaching positions per grade K-8 Class size from low 20’s to high 20’s / 30 students per class Cuts in AP Programs, special programs, foreign languages Elimination of up to 12 additional staff positions TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 4, 2025, PAGE 1 Potential Loss to School Athletics User Fee Increase Reductions in instructional materials, technology textbooks, license Extra-Curricular Activities Pre School Cuts Question #3 is the $1.45 Stabilization. This will allow the school to maintain for unexpected costs. Councilor Swope explains the school has been short on a level service budget for the past 5 years, this is the reasoning for requesting $3.5 million. We must have to fund mandated programs and will have to go into the towns budget if the school is unable to do this. TOWN MANGER REPORT Report Attached… Need to know impact on Unfunded Mandates…. Councilor Munson discusses the fire station on Pauline St. floor. The Town Manager reports this is a substantial repair. Ask if there is any plan with our old fire stations if the election is approved. A Re-use committee may be set up. Councilor Swope discusses the petition to the superior court on the unfunded mandate on the auditors’ recommendation. Town Manager, we are waiting to get the actual cost of the unfunded mandate would be for further review. We are in compliance until July 14, 2025 Councilor Tassinari-Discusses how many units we would provide as a “plug n play” we currently have 900 unbuilt units. Can we say it is 900 and add another 880 units? We need to plan for this now. Councilor Aiello-In terms of current zoning, how are the unit size mix being dealt with per ex: 100 units.? The Town Manager believes a past analysis would most probably be done. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Discuss Town Council Rules & Procedures Council President refers to the Rules & Ordinance Committee Councilor Swope would like an opportunity to also discuss any amendments to the Town Council Rules & Procedures Councilor Tassinari requests that the Town Council should enter into an Ex. Session for any candidate for a committee, more investigation should be done for committee members. Does not believe these committee appointments are being processed by the Charter, as they should be. Would like further discussion on this issue. PUBLIC COMMENT Jack Dowd P1-Asks if there is an actual count on people watching on zoom and WCAT? Reiterates that a letter was sent demanding that shelters be put in place in our community. Discusses Article 97 …. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 4, 2025, PAGE 2 Karin Chavis P2-Asking if every person that applies for a non-elected committee and an Ex. Session is requested, doesn’t this person have to be present? Kathleen Cappuccio P2-Addresses the school reductions if the override does not pass and the importance for the town residents to realize. Feels the Town Council is not spending enough time on discussing the election of 4-5-25. PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS 3-7-25: Vote by Mail Ballots will begin to go out for completed Absentee Applications Received in the Town Clerks Office 3-19-25: Commission on Disability hosting Transitioning into Adulthood / WHS Shapiro Auditorium 6:30-8:00 PM 3-26-25: Last Day to Register for Vote 3-31-25: Last Day to apply for a Vote by Mail Application 4-4-25 Town Clerks Office will be open. DPW Director reports that the DPW will be replacing valve exercising town wide, you might see water discoloration, this is really harmless, let your water run. If you have any questions, please contact DPW. Councilor Aiello discusses a town outreach for all to be well aware of this 4-5-25 election. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor Swope at 7:35 pm 2 nd by Councilor Munson 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 MARCH 4, 2025, PAGE 3