Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 4 pages · 611 KB
open the file ↗ · original at the source ↗
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 18, 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 Nov. 5, 2025, as circulated. 2" by Councilor Swope Abstain: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Aiello Motion Passed GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FY26 Tax Classification: Nate Cramer and Deputy Assessor Kathy Hickey discuss the town of Winthrop’s Tax Classifications- (Please see town website for presentation) Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the town maintains a Uniform Tax rate for all classes of Property for FY26 Shift of 1 Single Tax Rate No 2" Needed Roll Call Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari Councilor Swope, Councilor Daros, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Motion Passes Motion by Councilor Tassinari to exclude an open space discount to exclude a residential exemption and to exclude small commercial exemption. 2"4 by Vice President Belcher Roll Call Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari Councilor Swope, Councilor Daros, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie No: Councilor DeMarco Motion Passes Northeast Vocational School: Winthrop Representative of the Northeast Vocation School and Superintendent Dave DiBari discuss the current situation of the Northeast Vocational School and what to expect with the building and education. with the new School that is due to be completed in the fall of 2026. Please see the Northeast Vocational Website for further information (https://www.northeastmetrotech.com) BLIC Hi G None PUBLIC COMMENT Marci Hamilton P2- Discusses what is currently being done with broken pipes. This has been promised to be done, and she awaits information as to when this funding will be available. Thanks, the council for the appropriation that is currently on the agenda but requests more to be done. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2025, PAGE 1 Celeste Ribeiro Hewitt P1-Discusses the town does not have funding for their needs. What is the future of this funding that is needed? Karin Chavis P2-Discusses the FY27 Budget is already being discussed. A question on increases will be health insurance. Requests the Town Council considering a Health Commission to explore different health insurance companies. CORRESPONDENCE- None COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Committee Councilor DaRos reports on meetings with Deputy Assessor and Nate Cramer on discussion of FY26. Tax Classification information. Discussion also included is the teleconferencing capabilities funding for the Senior Center. A current quote is $32,750 and a funding source will be explored. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT REPORT Union negotiations continue. Assistant Superintendent, Laurie Gallivan has resigned, she will be missed. UPDATE POLICY MAKING COMMITTEES- None up to date TOWN MANGER REPORT-Please see attached copy of report. Town Water Bills have been sent and there are questions from citizens about the increase in their bills. Many of these bills were considered “estimated” in lieu of “actual.” DPW Director comments on the lighting issue on Revere St, and they are currently being improved. The cause was National Grid and Contractor had confusion internally with coding as a demo and removal and unfortunately wires were removed...they have not been reinstalled. OLD BUSINESS FY26 Tax Classification previously discussed. NEW BUSINESS Council President refers to the Finance Committee to Transfer $58,000 from Cap. Stabilization / Engineering Cost of the storm water system-Tileston, Girdlestone & Pico Motion by Vice President Belcher to Accept the Appointment made by Council President Letterie of appointing Christian Buonopane to the Citizens Finance Commission for a term to expire June 30, 2028 2" by Councilor Tassinari Passed Unanimously PUBLIC COMMENT Erin Barcello P5-Invites people to try and cross at the intersection of Pleasant and Main. It needs work, it is not safe. What is the plan before 3A, what is currently happening with funding? Brendon Cooney P5-Any discussion of marsh dredging at Fisherman’s Bend. Thanks Councilor Aiello for his past work as Councilor. Jennifer Jones P1-Reiterates, what is the plan for Morton St. flooding? PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS Dec. 2, 2025, Joint Meeting with Winthrop Housing — Appointment to Winthrop Housing, Local Tenant TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2025, PAGE 2 Councilor DaRos announces that he will be resigning from his councilor seat effective today. It has been an honor, and he wishes nothing but the best for the town. He thanks all the councilors, and all involved in his tenure as councilor as it has been an amazing journey. He looks forward to a prosperous future with our town. He thanks the Board of License as this is where he began working with the town. He currently thanks the Climate Commission and all members. He wishes the incoming council much success. Council President thanks Councilor DaRos as each Councilor also did in commending him for his hard work and dedication to the Winthrop Town Council. Councilor Swope added that she appreciated his respectful descent from the Town Council. Tree Lighting Ceremony is Friday 4-6PM ADJOURNMENT. Motion to adjourn by Councilor DaRos at 7:45pm 2"4 by Councilor Tassinari 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 NOVEMBER 18, 2025, PAGE 3 TOWN OF WINTHROP OFFICE OF THE TOWN MANAGER Town Hall, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA 02152 Telephone: 617-846-1077 Anthony Marino Town Manager Town Manager Report 11-18-2025 e The Revere Street TIP project will continue with sidewalk and curb installation for the remainder of the season, which they plan to wrap up in late November. Work will resume in the Spring of 2026. e The Fire Station work continues as Kestle Boos continues to work on the design plans, and the Asbestos abatement work has started at the Old Middle School and Auditorium. The fencing has been installed, and the Pest Control System and Controls have been installed. We continue to work on isolating and rerouting the utilities to ensure that the Ice Rink and Gymnasium remain operational, allowing demolition to begin on the Old Middle School and Auditorium. e We have seen an increase in water/sewer bill complaints as we work towards installing new meters and addressing the estimated water bills due to the meter reader devices not communicating with our billing software. We are investigating each complaint and will make adjustments as warranted. However, some of these increases have been attributed to water leaks in homes and irrigation systems, as well as an increase in the number of occupants in homes and apartments. Often, meter reader devices stop working due to work being done on homes or apartments, wires being inadvertently cut, or simply due to normal wear and tear. We also offer payment plans to our residents, allowing them time to get caught up once their water usage is accurately documented. e Special thanks to Phil Ronan and the American Legion for another successful Veterans Day Ceremony. The turnout this year was impressive and showcases Winthrop’s Patriotism and support for our Veterans! e The dredging work to be completed by Northeast Mosquito Control at Fishermen’s Bend is being coordinated for the Winter 2026 months. The logistics and material hauling costs are being coordinated with the DPW. The Town will have to contribute to this project, as we will be responsible for hauling and disposing of the dredged material. Please contact me directly if you have any questions about the items listed above or any other concerns. Thank you. Anthony Marino Winthrop Town Manager amarino@winthropma.gov