Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 7 pages · 127 KB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 3, 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 DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor DaRos MINUTES Motion by Vice President Belcher to Approve the Minutes of May 6, 2025, as circulated. 2 nd by Councilor Tassinari Motion Passed Motion by Tassinari to Approve the Minutes of May 20, 2025, as circulated. 2 nd by Councilor Swope Discussion and Amended to include in the minutes that Tree Committee Donations are Tax Deductible Motion Passed GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Matt Gorzkowicz, Chair of the Finance Commission, presented the Finance Commission’s recommendations on the FY25 Budget to the Town Council. Please see copy of Power Point on the Town Web Site The Town Council Matt Gorzkowicz and the entire Finance Commission for their hard work and dedication on the FY25 Budget. The Council then proceeded with questions regarding the budget details and the contents of the presentation. PUBLIC HEARING Public Hearing Open FY26 Budget Discussion Shannon Poulos, a member of the Finance Commission, reiterates that to make good decisions you need good data and feels we are not arming the people behind these decisions with the best technology and this should be considered. Councilor Tassinari states even with School Override, it is a level service budget, we are not adding anything new to their budget, in the future, we can fall behind in ratings. If we want to stay in this ranking, more investment will be needed. Public Hearing Closed Public Hearing Open Town Council appropriate $1,465,356 Free Cash / Stabilization Funds Councilor DaRos discusses the Finance Committee had a meeting and voted this motion with a Positive Recommendation Discussion Opened No Discussion Public Hearing Closed Public Hearing Open Town Council appropriate $200,000 from Retained Earnings/Wate Sewer Capital Stabilization Fund Councilor DaRos discusses the Finance Committee had a meeting and voted this motion with a Positive Recommendation Discussion Opened No Discussion Public Hearing Closed TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 3, 2025 PAGE 1 Public Hearing Open Town Council appropriate $130,000 Free Cash / Compensated Absences and OPEB Trust Councilor DaRos discusses the Finance Committee had a meeting and voted this motion with a Positive Recommendation Discussion Opened No Discussion Public Hearing Closed Public Hearing Open Town Council appropriate the sum of $38,500,000 for the demolition of the Old Middle School & Auditorium and Design of New Fire House. Finance Committee had a meeting and voted this motion with a Positive Recommendation Discussion Opened No Discussion Public Hearing Closed PUBLIC COMMENT Mike Kinlin P2-Asks the Town Council to put forth the vote for Precinct 2. Communication is needed for this seat. Karin Chavis P2-Personally thanks Laurisa Wojcik for her help with the Finance Committee in scheduling all the dept. heads to meet with the Finance Commission. Thanks Robert Powers and Sarah Johnson of Finance for their attendance at all meetings. Thanks the Clerks Office for their help on scheduling all meetings and setting up agendas to be posted. Vasili Mallios P1-Thanks Phil Ronan, VA Agent for a great Memorial Day Events and the DPW for the landscaping making the grounds so nice during this event. Carol Mietzch P-Point of clarification on the budget and asks how many trash receptacles we have in town. Regarding P2, she mentions that Karin Chavis has also sent the Town Council a letter of interest for Precinct 2 and she feels Karin is more than experienced and should most definitely be considered for this appointment. Diana Viens P2-Echo’s comments that Karin Chavis should be considered for the appointment of Precinct 2 Erin Barcello P5-States Mike Kinlin has been requesting about Precinct 2 appointment and has been very active in requesting this seat be filled. CORRESPONDENCE None to report COMMITTEE REPORTS Rules & Ordinance Vice President Belcher reports committee met to continue discussion & review on the Town Council Rules & Procedures. Recommendations will be sent to the Town Council for review. Finance Committee Councilor DaRos reports that the committee met and all motions discussed were voted with a positive recommendations and in addition Councilor Tassinari has another motion that will be discussed further into meeting. FHBC Council President reports that the committee has chosen an OPM which is P3 Group out of Norwell, MA and they will be at next meeting discussing what the next steps will be. Demolition should begin in the late fall. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 3, 2025 PAGE 2 SCHOOL COMMITTEE Council President reports that the High School graduation on May 30 th was well attended. Reports his wife after being a teacher for 40 years has retired and it was a bitter sweet event. TOWN MANAGER REPORT-See Attached Report Councilor DaRos thanks the Finance Team and Town Manager for their great job on the FY25 Budget Councilor Belcher thanks the Town Manager for his meeting on Yirrell Beach Councilor DeMarco acknowledged Pride Month Councilor Aiello thanks the Town Manger for being transparent on the two trees that were illegally cut down in the town recently. Councilor Swope comments on the trees and reiterates that this is a serious issue that someone has violated town property. This should not happen again. Council President reports that the Town Manager did receive a response from the MWRA of a post incident report for the problem of the truck that caused an unruly odor. Councilor Costigan asks if there will be any problems anticipated with the Tips Project and the roads being torn up? Town Manager reports yes, there will be impacts but they will do their best to minimize any problems. Councilor DaRos acknowledges Pride Month and Pot Luck Pride is this Saturday. Councilor Swope asks if there is a safety precaution that MWRA does have to make sure trucks are safe. Town Manger reports, yes, this problem was an unfortunate one. Councilor Tassinari brings up a point of order that we do have a Councilor that is in violation of the abandonment clause, Councilor DeMarco. He has missed 3 out of the last 6 meetings after the passing of the May 20 th minutes. This is for March, April and May and he has missed 50% of the meetings. He expected to hear something from the Council President on this issue as it is the President duty to uphold the Charter but seeing as the agenda is continuing, this will not happen and brings this issue up as a point of order and asks for the Council Presidents opinion in ruling. Council President states that Councilor Tassinari is correct, it is the Council Presidents responsibility and if you look back at dates, Councilor DeMarco was on zoom during one of those meetings. Councilor Tassinari states that the minutes do not reflect that and that they were voted on as Councilor DeMarco being absent. Council President will review and have Town Clerk review with WCAT and also Zoom to check on this matter. Council President reiterates if there was a mistake in the minutes and understands Councilor Tassinari believes there was no mistake, they will still be reviewed. OLD BUSINESS MBTA-3A -Council Presidents discusses the procedures for the Town Council to vote. Town Council will be voting on this at their June 17, 2025 Meeting. Councilor Swope is voting No, but discusses the reasoning why. There is a major density issue and the Commonwealth should not be deciding on our municipality and hopes we will be found exempt. Councilor Costigan is voting No. He feels the projects now being built is far more than Winthrop should have to handle. Councilor Aiello refers that the potential number of units Councilor Costigan is referring to has nothing to do with MBTA 3A. Short Term Rentals- Vice President Belcher states this is still in review and will be sent to the Town Council for review. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 3, 2025 PAGE 3 Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation to approve the Town Managers Free Cash Policy No 2 nd Needed Discussion Councilor Tassinari would like this passed and not be held up Councilor President approves this policy ROLL CALL TOWN COUNCIL Approve: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council vote to adopt the following update to the town’s Free Cash allocation policy to read as listed below and become effective July 1, 2025…. No 2 nd Needed Discussion ROLL CALL TOWN COUNCIL Approve: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council appropriate $200,000 from Retained Earnings/Wate Sewer Capital Stabilization Fund No 2 nd Needed Discussion ROLL CALL TOWN COUNCIL Approve: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council appropriate $1,465,356 Free Cash / Stabilization Funds No 2 nd Needed Discussion ROLL CALL TOWN COUNCIL Approve: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council appropriate $130,000 Free Cash / Compensated Absences and OPEB Trust No 2 nd Needed Discussion ROLL CALL TOWN COUNCIL Approve: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council appropriate $20,000 Retained Earnings / Ferry Enterprise Fund Costs No 2 nd Needed Discussion ROLL CALL TOWN COUNCIL Approve: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 3, 2025 PAGE 4 Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town appropriates the sum of THIRTY- EIGHT MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($38,500,000) for the demolition of the Old Middle School and Auditorium and for the design, engineering, constructing, equipping, and furnishing of a new Fire Station, including the payment of costs incidental or related thereto; and to meet this appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Town Manager, is authorized to issue bonds or notes under the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44, section 7, or any other enabling authority. No 2 nd Needed Discussion ROLL CALL TOWN COUNCIL Approve: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Motion Passed Precinct 2 Councilor Update Town Council President reiterates process…Letters of interest up until May 30 th . Two letters have been received and reviewed and a vote could take place at our next Town Council meeting of June 17, 2025 Council Tassinari would like to move the question and have the nominations for Precinct 2 done now at this meeting so that Precinct 2 can be fully represented as we continue to vote for the FY26 Budget and Capital Plan. Precinct 2 is the most area affected by the flooding and they should have a say in where they are going. Council President considers this motion out of order since he has stated the process several times and Precinct 2 is not being neglected. Discussion continues…Council President rules Out of Order, continue meeting. FY26 Budget Councilor Tassinari states this is a good budget and thanks the Town Manager, Finance Commission, and the Finance Dept. for their hard work. Council President refers to the Finance Commission recommendations and asks the Town Council to review so all are prepared for the vote on the budget at the next Town Council Meeting. NEW BUSINESS Council President Refers the following to the Finance Committee for Review: Town Council vote to adopt two sections of the Hero’s Act Town Council Adopt Annual General Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 Town Council Adopt Annual Revolving Budgets for Fiscal Year 2026 Town Council Adopt Annual Capital Plan for Fiscal Year 2026 Town Council Adopt Larson Rink Enterprise Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 Town Council Adopt Recreation Enterprise Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 Town Council Adopt Harbormaster Enterprise Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 Town Council Adopt Water & Sewer Enterprise Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 Town Council Adopt Solid Waste Enterprise Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 206 Town Council Vote to Authorize Unpaid Bills of a Prior Year to be paid from the current Dept. Budgets Town Council Vote to Transfer $75,000 an appropriation from the General Fund to a Revolving Account to close out FY25 Town Council Vote to Modify the General Fund Budgets to facilitate the June 30, 2025 closing of FY25 Town Council Vote to place the Harbormaster/Waterways Enterprise Fund under the Authority of the Winthrop Police Chief beginning in FY26 Town Council appropriate $1,450,000 for Allocation of Education Stabilization Fund Town Council Meeting Schedule-June & July There will be a Special Meeting to vote on the budget June 10, 2025 Town Council President reviews the current July Town Council Meeting on July 1 st and July15th and Asks if there will be any discrepancies with dates as they are vacation dates? There is none, meeting will stay scheduled. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 3, 2025 PAGE 5 PUBLIC COMMENT Carol Mietzch P-Would like to know the Town Council rules on decorum, this meeting was getting out of hand, and would like to know the rules. Vasili Mallios P1-Winthrop Says No to 3A Stand Out Thursday at the E. B. Newton. Also comments on the cell phone use by Town Councilor during the meetings and should be more attentive. Kurt Millar P2-Notifies the sad news that Drop Zone Brewery is closing. They have been a big supporter of Winthrop and they will be missed. Jack Dowd P1-If there is vandalism or destruction on town property, is there an insurance policy to cover this? Reflects discussion on transparency and that the boards will have more of it but as it is now, there are still no minutes recorded or on line , will this be corrected. Erin Barcello P5-Follows up on the say no to 3A Stand Out. She was not sure of location but now knows it is E.B. Newton..Also lets talk about housing, a community conversation forum that has nothing to do with 3A but please come to discuss. Mike Kinlin P2-Regarding MBTA 3A as it came up tonight, he believes it would be hard pressed to go back as this has colored everything in our community. The time is now that everyone needs to work collaboratively and work together not against one another. Kaitlin Burroughs P1-Reflects on the Community Pride Events 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. Councilor DaRos reports that due to the weather, the Pride Pot Luck Dinner will be rescheduled for the next day Sunday. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor Swope at 8:45 pm 2 nd by Vice President Belcher 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 JUNE 3, 2025 PAGE 6 TOWN OF WINTHROP OFFICE OF THE TOWN MANAGER Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1077 Fax: 617-846-5458 Anthony Marino Town Manager Town Council Motion June 3, 2025 Fiscal Year 2025 Motion Summary Title: Adopt Update to Free Cash Policy Motion ID: TCM25-0## Motion Details Motion Type: Adopt Submitted by: Max Tassinari, Councilor at Large Date Submitted: June 3, 2025 Text of Motion MOTION: I move that the Town Council vote to adopt the following update to the town’s Free Cash allocation policy to read as listed below and become effective July 1, 2025. Winthrop Town Council Free Cash Policy Following Division of Local Services certification of free cash, the town council will appropriate according to the following percentages: First 10% shall be set aside to remain in free cash for the following fiscal year (should the Council choose not to allocate the free cash in the current fiscal year) Of the remaining 90%: ● General Stabilization Fund shall receive an appropriation of 30%. ● Capital Stabilization Fund shall receive an appropriation of 37%. ● Building Stabilization Fund shall receive an appropriation of 10%, up to the $300,000 fund cap. Any residual amount from this allocation shall be an additional appropriation to the Capital Stabilization Fund. ● Education Stabilization Fund shall receive an appropriation of 3%. The remaining 20% shall remain in free cash to be appropriated at the discretion of the council. 6-3-25 Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation No 2 nd Needed ROLL CALL TOWN COUNCIL Approve: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Motion Approved