Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 7 pages · 80 KB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 20, 2025 President Letterie calls the meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Harvey Hearing Room ROLL CALL TOWN COUNCIL Present: Councilor Aiello, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor DeMarco PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Costigan GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS CITATION - The Town of Winthrop proudly recognizes Officer Guy Prather for an extraordinary act of heroism performed while off duty and out of the country on vacation. CITATIONS- Learn to Skate 40Yr. Anniversary Sean Donahue George Barker CITATION-Retirement Marylou Osborne PRESENTATION : MAPC-Hazard Mitigation Presentation-Martin Pillsbury Please see a copy of PowerPoint on Town Website Councilor Tassinari would like to see in the draft plan, especially if this will allow the Town to apply for grants for something about micro grids to connect hazard central sights in our town. I would like these areas to be connected to power. Councilor Daros discusses the Climate Commission has been developing a climate resiliency plan that does have a decarbonation component to look at 8 specific hot spots around town. There is a need for an updated plan, so this does qualify our town to apply for grants. Would like to add a member of the Climate Commission to the Hazard Mit. Team. Councilor Aiello discusses how our town exits are compromised by climate change, which limits our town exits to only 1. Our town does not have any ER Hospitals, clinics and I hope this plan may help with this condition and strengthen and prioritize our needs during an emergency. Councilor Swope asks for a successful approach to help our town with funding these projects. PUBLIC COMMENT Tom Derderian P3-Discusses the trees can help during storms. Lee Foley P6-Approves by Proclamations the Town Council will be approving this evening, Jack Dowd P1-Concerning the MWRA Truck that leaked while driving down the Point. He would like a report from MWRA that has been corrected. Marci Hamilton P2-Would like to thank Councilor Munson for his leadership while serving the Town Council. She now asks who she should contact in case of problems in the area of Tileston and Girdlestone Rd. Bill Schmidt P5-Comments on the MBTA 3A Zoning the state has imposed on city and towns. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2025, PAGE 1 CORRESPONDENCE None to report COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Committee Councilor DaRos reports on a motion that was discussed during the meeting on the updating of the Towns Free Cash Policy to: The General Stabilization Allocation Fund will be reduced by 3% from 40% to 37%. 3% will be added to the Education Stabilization Fund. Maintain the 30% of the Capital Stabilization Allocation and maintain the Building Stabilization Allocation Fund at its current 10% with a cap of $300,000 and to set aside 10% prior to those for emergencies to help guarantee that we will have a Free Cash amount for the following year should something unexpected occur. Councilor Tassinari discusses the Free Cash policy states 30% stabilization. Councilor President states the recommendation is to allocate 40% of the annual certified free cash to General Stabilization Account, 30% to Capital Stabilization Fund and there was a request for $250,000 annual to be set aside which was changed to 10% Town Manager Marino states in the past it has been 40%/30%/10% with a $300,000 Cap These recommendations will be forwarded to the Finance Committee for discussion at their next meeting to determine whether any adjustments should be made. SCHOOL COMMITTEE Councilor President reports meeting was short due to going into an Executive Session Meeting. Graduation is May 30 th …Senior Week activities next week. TOWN MANAGER REPORT-See Attached Report Yirrel Beach Meeting rescheduled to May 28 th at 6PM in the PSA Hall DPW Director Calla reports on the Point Shirley area National Grid gas work to begin. Interviews for Project Managers of the Fire Station will take place tomorrow evening at the Sr. Center Vice President Belcher asks if there is signage going out prior to any shut downs of roads. Will the OPM Project Manger meeting be recorded? Yes, they will be. Councilor Swope discusses 12 Sewell Ave and surprised to see that this is now Condo’s. Discusses a long history of this property being different unit amounts. Believes as sold, bypassed the Planning Board and Board of Appeals. It did receive inspections but did not go through a process. Warns that the town should be careful with these properties. Councilor Aiello discussed the process for contributing to the Tree Fund, noting that individuals can make a donation by bringing a check directly to the Department of Public Works (DPW). These donations are also Tax deductible Additionally, the date has been scheduled for the 2nd Annual Greater Boston Track Club “Twilight by the Sea” event, which will take place on June 28, 2025, at Miller Field. Councilor DaRos discusses the Physical Impact report and does this apply to 3A. Town Manager reports, no this is for the overall percentages of the town considering the town will have a housing impact with or without 3A. Asks if there is any consideration in the OPM selectin process on the Firehouse about including alternative green energy power? TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2025, PAGE 2 OLD BUSINESS MBTA 3A – Discussion and Procedure-Town Council President discusses the process: July 14 th is deadline for compliance/non-compliance date. There is a joint meeting with a Public Hearing on June 10 th with the WPB at the Sr. Center for a discussion of which the WPB will then send their recommendation to the Town Council for a vote by July 14 th . ADUs and Short-Term Rentals – Councilor Swope requested a clear and complete distinction between Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Short-Term Rentals . Additionally, Councilor Swope strongly recommended that no variances be allowed for ADU requirements. NEW BUSINESS Proclamation Recognizing Pride Month - Prior to reading into the record by Councilor DaRos he reports an email from the Chair of the CDICR, Aaron Williams of thanking the Town Council for accepting these Proclamations. Discussion of why the Flag should or should not be flown for these dates. Proclamation Town Council Recognize June 19, 2025, as Juneteenth National Independence Day Vice President reads this proclamation into the record. Town Council President asks All in Favor of Flying a Flag Passes One No-Council President Please see both Proclamations on the Town Council Web Site Council President refers the following motions to the Finance Committee: Town Council appropriate $1,465,356 Free Cash / Stabilization Funds Town Council appropriate $200,000 from Retained Earnings/Wate Sewer Capital Stabilization Fund Town Council appropriate $130,000 Free Cash / Compensated Absences and OPEB Trust Town Council appropriate $20,000 Retained Earnings / Ferry Enterprise Fund Costs Town Council appropriate the sum of $38,500,000 for the demolition of the Old Middle School & Auditorium and Design of a New Fire House Discuss next procedure on appointing councilor for P2- Letters of Interest will be accepted until May 31 st . Will be voted on in June or the first meeting in July. PUBLIC COMMENT Erin Barcello P5 -Thanks, the Town Council for the Proclamations Jack Dowd P1 -Requests information on the Massport Contract with the Town. Discusses the ADU’s and the 900 sq. ft. and the regulations. Scott Mahoney Wright P3 -Discusses the Pride Flag being flown. Karin Chavis P2- Discusses the Citations given and has nothing but pride and respect for all. There will be a public comment meeting on Tuesday May 27 th with the ORC. Public Hearing on June 178, 2025 Cassie Witthaus P- Thanks Town Council for the Proclamations Discusses ADU’s and information available. Shannon Poulos P3- Discusses how very few people attend the Finance Commission meetings in reference to the Town Budget discussions but yet will speak and meet on Proclamations. Asks that all Councilors attend a Finance Commission Meeting. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MAY 20, 2025, PAGE 3 PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS Nomination Papers for the Local Election 11-4-25 Available Clerks Office Please participate in the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment-Town Website Winthrop Ferry Up & Running: Schedule on Winthrop Website / Weekends begin May 24, 2025 June 7, 2025, Pride Potluck -Ingleside Park 2-6 PM June 14, 2025, Pride Pub Crawl-Drop Zone Brewery 4PM June 21, 2025 – Strawberry Festival-Winthrop Deane House Callahan Tunnel will be closed from 11pm to 5Am tomorrow evening. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor Swope at 8:30 pm 2 nd by Councilor DaRos 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 MAY 20, 2025, PAGE 4