Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 6 pages · 42 KB
open the file ↗ · original at the source ↗
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 12, 2025 President Letterie calls the meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the ROLL CALL TOWN COUNCIL Present: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor DaRos PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Swope MINUTES Motion by Councilor Swope to Approve the Minutes of July 22, 2025, as circulated. 2 nd by Councilor Tassinari Motion Passed GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Citations: Winthrop Explorers – Competing in the 2025 National Public Safety Cadet Competition in California Captain Adriana Rizzotto Joshua Johnson-Magee Dax Sabin Matthew Nowalk James Morrissey Charles Stockbridge Presentation: RKG Presentation-Erik Halvorsen- Potential Fiscal Impacts on the Town of Winthrop Please see entire presentation on our Town Web Page PUBLIC COMMENT Celeste Ribeiro Hewitt P1 -Comments on the RKG Presentation and what development she would like to see in this community as for the impact it will have. Believes developer should be dealing with the infrastructure. Mark Sennott P2 -Comments on the kids on their e-bikes and that there is a safety problem with these bikes, there has to be some control with these bikes. Marci Hamilton P5-Discusses the safety of our town. Discusses what items can be added to the agenda by the Town Council President, issues need to be discussed. Jack Dowd P1 - Asks about the information on the tree that was cut down on Bowdoin St., Is there a report? Lee Foley P6- Discusses the Standout of Bridge for Immigrants, asks all to join. Would like 3A to come to a vote. Vasili Mallios P1 -Thanks President Letterie and Councilor Swope to for attending the State House in reference to Rep. Turco Bill on 3A. Thanks Councilor Costigan for writing on behalf of this bill and thanks Vive President Belcher for her promise to write in approval of this bill. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 12, 2025 PAGE 1 CORRESPONDENCE Tom Reilly -Opposed to the ORC Change Recommendation of the change of composition of the Town Council Julie Wallerce -A letter stating her goodbyes to the town as she has moved back to CA. COMMITTEE REPORTS Fire House Building Committee Introduced the architect from Kessle and Boos. Inside assessments have been done. Next couple of weeks an RFQ will be going out for asbestos removal. By October windows will be out, and in November there will be full demolition. By end of calendar year hope to have a clean site and ready for the Spring to begin construction. There will be may public hearings and still want resident input. SCHOOL COMMITTEE TOWN MANAGER REPORT-See Attached Report Please see copy attached….. Working on the TIPS Project and hope to have area within the schools completed as soon as possible. Please see Town Website for all updates on the TIPS Project Councilor Swope asks for copies of Union Contracts Still awaiting further information on the tree removed on Bowdoin St. Discusses there should be a permit for tree removal. Town Manager discusses the Water Report- Please see complete report on our Town Website DPW Director Calla discusses the importance of hydrant flushing . This is a requirement of the DEP Permit This is unbilled but not unaccountable water. Vice President asks if this water could be used over? It could but hard to catch the water flushing out. OLD BUSINESS Ordinance Review Recommendations on the Town Charter: MOTION : That the Town Council vote to accept the Ordinance review Committee recommendation to amend the Town Charter Section 2-1 (a) TERM OF OFFICE to read that there shall be a town council consisting of six (6) at large councilors, which shall exercise the legislative powers of the town, with three (3) elected at each biennial election for four-year staggered terms. They shall be nominated and elected by and from the voters. The seventh member shall be a council president chosen as provided in section 2-2; or take any other action relative thereto. This motion is still under review with the Town Attorney and will be discussed at our next meeting. MOTION: That the Town Council vote to accept the Ordinance review Committee recommendation to amend the Town Charter Section 2-1 (d) ABANDONMENT to read 1. Any elected council member shall be considered to have abandoned their office if that person fails to attend either three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings of the full council or if that person fails to attend 50% of the regularly scheduled meetings of the full council over a three-month period, unless such absences are determined by the council to be for good cause. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 12, 2025 PAGE 2 2. The Clerk of the Town Council shall be responsible for maintaining official attendance records of all councilors and shall notify the Town Council President in writing when a councilor meets the attendance criteria for abandonment. 3. Within thirty (30) days of receiving such notification, the Town Council shall hold a public hearing to determine whether the councilor meets the attendance criteria for abandonment, whether there was good cause for the absences, and whether such absences constitute abandonment under this charter. 4. At the hearing, the councilor shall have the opportunity to present evidence and testimony regarding the absences and to show good cause why the office should not be · declared abandoned. 5. Following the hearing, the Town Council shall make a formal finding by a two- third vote as to whether the councilor has abandoned the office. If abandonment is found, the office shall thereupon be declared vacant effective immediately and the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of SECTION 2-11; or take any other action thereto. 8-12-25 Motion by Vice President Belcher to Waive Reading 2 nd by Councilor Tassinari Motion Passed Motion will be tabled until the 9-2-25 for further review MOTION: That the Town Council vote to accept the Ordinance Review Committee recommendation to amend the Town Charter Section 2-2 (c) COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT to be read that the Council President will nominate a Vice President from the membership to serve a two-year term, subject to confirmation by majority vote of the Council who shall act as council president during the absence or disability of the council president and, if a vacancy occurs, shall become council president for the remainder of the unexpired term. The powers of an acting council president shall be limited to only those powers of the office indispensably essential to the performance of the duties of the office during the period of such temporary absence or disability and no others and shall include acting as a member of the school committee only when the absence or disability continues for more than thirty days. Vice President Belcher agrees with this motion as she is on the ORC Committee, and it was voted unanimously to send to the Town Council Councilor DeMarco discusses amending the motion to allow all councilors to nominate Councilor Aiello would like to make an amendment Councilor Costigan does like a more democratic process and asks what is nominee is not accepted? Town Council President reiterates another nomination would be made. Vice President believes that this will ensure that the Town Council President would nominate a Vice President that would be acceptable to all Councilor Swope does believe that the Town Council President should be able to nominate another person they will work well with during their time in office. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 12, 2025 PAGE 3 Motion to amend by Councilor Aiello that the only change to the current ordinance is that it will be amended from a one year term to a two year term. 2 nd by Vice President Belcher Discussion Councilor Tassinari has question on existing that is currently a one year term. In years past, it has been whose turn is it, who is qualified, this gives more of a process of other organizations. Roll Call Vote on Amendment Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari No: Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Swope, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor DaRos Motion Does Not Pass Roll Call Vote on Main Motion Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent : Councilor DaRos Motion Passes MOTION: That the Town Council vote to accept the Ordinance Review Committee recommendation to amend the Town Charter Section 2-4 (a) COMPENSATION EXPENSES-TOWN COUNCIL to be read (a) Salary -The council president and the members of the town council shall receive such salary for their services as may from time to time be set by ordinance. The Town Council to review and vote on compensation adjustments eve1y two years, prior to June 30TH. Any proposed increase must then be placed on the ballot at the next scheduled biennial election for approval or rejection by the voters. The council president and the members of the town council shall not be considered employees for the purpose of chapter thirty-two B of the General Laws. 2 nd by Vice President Belcher Discussion This Town Council compensation has not been changed since 2003 Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent : Councilor DaRos Motion Passes MOTION: That the Town Council vote to accept the Ordinance Review Committee recommendation to amend the Town Charter Section 2-6 (ii) EXERCISE OF POWERS, QUORUM RULES to be read that Special meetings of the Town Council shall be held on the call of the Council President, or, on the call of any four or more members. Notice of meeting shall be at least forty-eight weekday hours in advance of the time set, which shall contain notice of the subjects to be acted upon and location of meeting. In the event that a meeting is considered an emergency meeting, notice of an emergency meeting shall be posted as soon as reasonably possible ahead of the emergency meeting. A copy of the said notice shall also be posted on the town bulletin board and on the Town of Winthrop Web Page. Except as may otherwise be authorized by law, all meetings of all multiple member bodies shall at all times be open to the public and the media. 2 nd by Councilor Tassinari Discussion This Town Council compensation has not been changed since 2003 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 12, 2025 PAGE 4 Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent : Councilor DaRos Motion Passes MOTION: That the Town Council vote to accept the Ordinance Review Committee recommendation to amend the Town Charter Section 9-7 (a) UNIFORM PROCEDURES GOVERNING MULTIPLE MEMBER BODIES to be read that(a) Meetings - All multiple member bodies of the town, whether elected, appointed or otherwise constituted, shall meet regularly at such times and places as they may by their own rules prescribe, unless some other provision is made by ordinance or by law. Special meetings of any multiple member body shall be held on the call of the chair or by one third of the members. Notice of meeting shall be at least forty-eight weekday hours in advance of the time set, which shall contain notice of the subjects to be acted upon and location of meeting. In the event that a meeting is considered an emergency meeting, notice of an emergency meeting shall be posted as soon as reasonably possible ahead of the emergency meeting. A copy of the said notice shall also be posted on the town bulletin board and on the Town of Winthrop Web Page. Except as may otherwise be authorized by law, all meetings of all multiple member bodies shall at all times be open to the public and the media. 2 nd by Vice President Belcher Discussion Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent : Councilor DaRos Motion Passes NEW BUSINESS Motion by Vice President Belcher by Council President for the Town Council to approve his appointment of Susan Gerow and Michael Bacon to the Cultural Council 2 nd by Councilor Tassinari Discussion Councilor Swope asks about the new appointees to have an orientation Motion Passes Motion by Councilor Tassinari by Council President for the Town Council to approve his appointment of Katherine Garrow to the CDICR. 2 nd by Councilor Swope Motion Passes Motion by Council President Letterie to have the circular drive in front of the Basketball Courts to be named the Jerry DeFranza Way. 2 nd by Councilor Swope Council President thanks John Morgan for his help on this memorial Motion Passed TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 12, 2025 PAGE 5 Town Council President asks the Town Council to approve a statement by Councilor Swope All in Favor Councilor Swope discusses the RKG Presentation and would like to know more on Capital Expenses. The Town Manager replies that this is not what we asked RKG to report on. He has asked the Town Council to send all questions and concerns to this report to him and it will be presented at our next meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT Celeste Ribeiro Hewitt P1 -Discusses the education that will be needed for citizens to understand the removal of trees. Is there an insert we could add this information too? Maybe the bills that go out to the residents. Also is there any way to help the businesses that are located on the TIPS Project construction…can the town help out? Mark Sennott P2 -In reference to the flushing water. Could we get the MWRA to back this out of the towns billing from them? Erin Barcello P5- Asks all to attend their standout on the bridge to support their cause. Thoughts on the MBTA Schedule changes. Has the town thought about E-Bikes? PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS o Nomination Papers for the Local Election 11-4-25 Available Clerks Office o Farmers Market Every Sunday June through Sept. 9-1pm-Ingleside Park o Next Town Council Meeting is September 2, 2025 o Committee Opening for the Board of License ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor Tassinari at 8:55 pm 2 nd by Councilor Swope 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 AUGUST 12, 2025 PAGE 6