Minutes
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 16, 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 Present on Zoom: Councilor Daros PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilor Swope MINUTES Motion by Vice President Belcher to Approve the Minutes of September 2, 2025, as circulated. 2 nd by Councilor DeMarco Motion Passed GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Swearing In: Newly Appointed in the Winthrop Fire Department Fire Chief Stephen Calandra Deputy Chief Paul Montgomery Captain Michael O’Keefe Lieutenant Aaron Smith Lieutenant Devon Racow PUBLIC COMMENT Diane Sands P5 -Discusses would like Recall Petition for Max Tassianari to be on 11-4-25 Ballot. Kim Dimes P2 -Thanks DPW for the buffer zone painted on Walden St. Irena Dow P4 -Discusses immigration. Mike Kinlin P2 -Discusses the Climate Commission meeting, and we are essentially “stuck” for funding as we await the design phase for Morton St. Project. Discusses the Federal Environmental programs for funding. Discusses the building of the gazebo and park on the Morton St. Mark Sennot P2 -Requests further information to be discussed on the Recall Petition on our Agenda. Carina Campobasso P3 -Discusses the Councilors that voted against MBTA 3A and the grants that have been denied. Bob Carroll P6 -Requests Board of Registers to be immediately removed due to their actions on our election process. Todd Sacco P2- Disagrees with previous comments and over 2200 people signed the Recall Petition along with 100’s that claimed they would not sign the petition but would vote for it. Celeste Ribeiro Hewitt P1 -Member of the Climate Commission who just celebrated a year of this committee. It has come a long way. Grants have been factored in and unfortunately may not be received. What is plan B if the Town Councilors who voted NO on MBTA 3A and know our town would be denied grants. Erin Barcello P5 -States that a FOIA should be done to get the correct information. There are emails that she has received that the Board of Registrars were aware of their responsibilities and did not follow legal representation they were given. Lisa Alberghini P4- Submitted a letter to the Town Council with residents signatures and would like to add a couple of names….asks why the Board of Registrars did not follow their legal representation, how they did not notify the public of their signing the petition, and if the town will be taking any action against the Board for their actions. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 16, 2025, PAGE 1 Jack Dowd P1 -No matter how you look at voting in November. To receive 2000 signatures on this petition was a major undertaking. Asks voters to really put their hearts in to their votes in November as the Council did not have Precinct 2 in their hearts as they did not put a councilor that was in the running in this office that would of only been the right thing to do. They left a prestigious person out of this office, and it was wrong. Diane Sands P5 -Believes there was a good argument in the Recall Petition and wherever it goes, it is not over. She agrees to file FOIA requests for information. Believes the Charter is impossible to follow for the number of voters needed to sign Recall Petition. Kim Dimes P2 -Comments on the topic of removing the Berms on Morton St. The decision was approved by the Mass Dept. of Environment and Conservation, and they should be held responsible for this. DCR and the Town went into agreement further with Berms. Kaitlyn Burroughs P1- As a resident of Precinct 1, vote against the proposed Charter Change to change our government. CORRESPONDENCE- Please see attached. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT REPORT Major topic was that the School Committee and the Teachers Union have decided to make the Union process open to the public. UPDATE POLICY MAKING COMMITTEES- Please see attached. TOWN MANGER REPORT- Please see attached copy of report. Comments that on September 11, 2025, the Committee to Recall Councilor Max Tassinari filed a petition in Mass Supreme Judicial Court seeking an order to put the language on the November Ballot. Our opposition is currently being drafted, and ruling will be decided. Councilor Aiello requests any Public Requests with the Board of Registrars, Secretary of State and the Town should be put on the town website. Believes it will be helpful and understanding to all interested parties. Town Manager reports this is not the normal procedures but will discuss with Town Attorney. Council DeMarco states that grant information is incorrect. Asks Town Manager that when we were complying with the MBTA 3A, did we receive the MVP Grant? Town Manager reports No, but there are several factors that should be included on this … Vice President Belcher requests temporary lighting on Revere St. during construction. DPW Director states this has been reviewed, and lighting will begin shortly. Councilor Tassinari asks about the demo on the Middle School about the earmark on Chapter 151 and the $2 Million Dollar grant that might be available. Councilor Swope thanks Kim Dimes for the beach cleanup. OLD BUSINESS Town Council vote to approve the draft of the ADU Ordinance without a recommendation from the Planning Board: Vice President Belcher reports on the Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance and that it has been vote on through the Rules and Ordinance with a Positive Recommendation. The state has ruled on the ADU regulation and has allowed municipalities to review what is best for their community. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 16, 2025, PAGE 2 Please see copy of Accessible Dwelling Unit Ordinance that is being discussed…. Motion by the Rules & Ordinance that the Town Council accepts the ADU Ordinance No 2 nd Needed Discussion Discussion with Town Council and Town Attorney. There is question on the number of single-family homes, how many are in the flood zone area…etc… Councilor Aiello would like to delete the wording in section 17 (a)12 after the word prohibit. Each property owner should only be able to have One ADU, this is not a business, should not be able to appeal to the Board of Appeals for another. Motion by Councilor Aiello to amend the original motion to delete the wording in section 17 (a)12 after the word prohibit. 2 nd by Councilor Swope Discussion Roll Call Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie, Councilor DaRos (Zoom) Amendment Passes Main Motion as Amended that the Town Council accepts the ADU Ordinance Discussion Councilor Swope would like more of an explanation of parking to the public. Discussion on Bus Stop and Bus Station clarifications Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie, Councilor DaRos (Zoom) Main Motion Passes as Amended Motion by the Rules & Ordinance Review Committee with a positive recommendation No 2 nd Needed Discussion Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie, Councilor DaRos (Zoom) Amendment Passes NEW BUSINESS Motino by Councilor Tassinari to move New Business Out of Order and take Dedication request first 2 nd by Vice President Belcher Passed Unanimously • Dedication request by Council President Letterie for Jim Evans o VA Agent Phil Ronan discusses dedication request of Jim Evans by Council President Letterie, he had asked that the Veterans Field Baseball Diamond be named after Jim Evans. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 PAGE 3 The Memorials Committee voted with a positive recommendation on all 4 requests for dedication. Jerry DeFranza Col. Mugford Col. Tucker Jim Evans Motion by the Town Council President that the Town Council accept the dedications that came out of the Memorials Committee with Positive Recommendations that: The semicircle in front of Walden St. be named for Jerry DeFranza A memorial for Col. Robert Tucker, the most decorated WWII Veterans. A memorial for Col. Mugford on the corner of Mugford & Taft’s Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie, Councilor DaRos (Zoom) Motion Passes Motion by the Town Council President that the Town Council accept the dedications that came out of the Memorials Committee with Positive Recommendations that: The baseball diamond at Veterans Field be named the Jim Evans Diamond Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie, Councilor DaRos (Zoom) Motion Passes Dates of dedications will be announced. Appointment(s)-Have been tabled until October 7, 2025, Meeting. Motion by the Town Council President that the current election polling place of the Old Middle School Gym, Precincts 1-2-3-5-6- be temporarily moved for the Nov. 4, 2025, Local Election to the following location: Precincts 1-2-5 New High School Cafeteria Precincts 3 & 6 New Middle School Cafeteria Precinct 4 Remains at Golden Dr. 2 nd by Vice President Belcher Discussion There will be information to follow on these locations. Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie, Councilor DaRos (Zoom) Motion Passes President Letterie comments that Kim Dimes was right on the point with the Morton St. Berms and he has discussed this with Rep. Turco who will be reviewing and going over with the DCR, and they will be working with them for hopefully a solution. Sale of Land (Crescent St. Lot): Town Manager Marino discusses that this land will be reviewed the town may decide not to sell this as Director Calla discusses that this is a non-conforming lot and a natural collection site of ponding water, it is part of the lowest elevation in the town. This land could also be a possible storage area for The towns flooding areas and could be used as a possible pumping station. He believes selling land that may benefit our town with engineering and storm water mitigation may be a mistake. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 16, 2025, PAGE 4 Councilor DeMarco invokes his right to privilege, and discussion will stop. It will be further reviewed by Town Counsel. PUBLIC COMMENT Diane Sands P5 -Requests understanding on how the ADU’s and who is responsible for the utilities of these dwellings? Attorney Cipoletta states that any ADU will receive their utilities from the existing single-family dwelling. Mike Kinlon P2 -Commends Town Council for intention and collaboration of the ADU’s. These will have an effect on density and population of the town. Ask for a perspective of what laws we opt to make for of a cultural move. Mark Sennot P2 -Asks if there is a limit of black top that your property can have and asks that the ADU don’t abuse this. We cannot allow parking anywhere on the property. Scott Mahoney Wright P3 -Reflects on the last meeting of the Climate Commission and must look at how the climate change is affecting our entire town. He lives in one of the most vulnerable areas in town. These areas must be looked into. Erin Barcello P5 -She states she does not live in the flood zone and had no idea how drastic this flooding is and what these people that live in these areas are going through. She believes that since we are one town that cares about each other, we should all be aware of how people are affected in different ways. We as a town should make sure these areas are being taken care of. What are the plans for these areas? Jack Dowd P2 -Discusses the bus shelters that we have been discussing for years. Why? Why have these not been addressed and done. We need to find our own resources to get these shelters. Why not buy kits and do it ourselves? Kathleen Cappuccio P2 -Comments on Councilor Aiello on his request that the Recall info be posted on the website. She believes this should be considered carefully as there is no need for all public requests to be posted on the website and if so, there are a few she would also like to post. Anyone interested in a public request can easily request to see it on their own. Vasili Mallios P5 - Asks about any supplies in the Old Middle School that maybe we could sell off or see if other departments need them. Karin Chavis P2 -As far as Athletics on 11-4-25 there are no games as to worry about traffic. About the (2) ORC recommendations in front of the Town Council, she is unaware of what Councilor Aiello would like to add. She states how hard the ORC Committee worked and why some still linger. Ordinances will begin on October 1, 2025, if anyone is interested in attending, please attend. Mike Kinlin P2 -Understands that once a new public request is released it should be released to the entire public. PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS 9-28-25 Winthrop Art Association-EB. Newton 9-17-25 Friends on the Council of Aging holding a fundraiser- La Siesta 9-19-25 Movie Night of Jaws at Ingleside Park TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 16, 2025, PAGE 5 ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Councilor Swope at 9:21 pm 2 nd by Councilor Tassinari Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie, Councilor DaRos (Zoom) No: Councilor Costigan Motion Passes -Meeting is Adjourned 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 SEPTEMBER 16, 2025, PAGE 6