Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 5 pages · 62 KB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 21, 2026 President Letterie calls the meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Winthrop High School Shapiro Auditorium ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano Councilor Reardon, Councilor Finn, Vice President Swope, President Letterie PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chief Calendra GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Swearing in New Winthrop Firefighters: Jean Suazo Diaz Derek Goodwin Christopher Beranger Winthrop Firefighters Promotion Erik Cusack from Lt. to Captain Philip Lundberg from Pvt. To Lt. Kevin Gorman from Pvt. To Lt. Citations-Professionalism Under Pressure Captain David Higginbotham Firefighter Michal Moro Firefighter Aileen Kane President Letterie comments on how lucky our community is to have these people protecting us 24/7 and appreciates all that they do. MINUTES Motion by Councilor Dimes to Approve the Minutes of April 7, 2026, as circulated. 2 nd by Councilor Romano Motion Passed PUBLIC HEARING FY27 Budget Public Hearing Open FY 27 Budget is July 1, 2026, until June 30, 2027 The Spring Forum is to begin after meeting and the FY27 Budget will be discussed. Town Manager reports this budget is on the Town Website The Finance Commission will be having meetings until middle of May of which when completed with submit their recommendations to the Town Council No Comments Public Hearing Closed TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 7, 2026, PAGE 1 PUBLIC COMMENT Terry Delehanty P6-Comments about the last meeting of which democracy took place, people compromised and a solution was made on a lawsuit. He comments on social media that an untrue remark was made on him writing a statement for Councilor Dimes. He did not and her statement written by herself should be appreciated. He wants to address what is before the Town Manager is now that the Town Council has voted to get involved in current litigation, wants to caution all how to enter into a litigation suite. This is a significant step…though going into pro bono does not necessarily mean it is cost free for the town. He mentions a pro bono litigation attorney took a case from the Manchester Community Center which was in a lawsuit with the Harbor Point Condo Assoc. An agreement was made with the town to support the Manchester Community Center however a pro bono attorney took the case away from the town and took it to court. The case was lost and cost the judgement for the Manchester Community Center was issued for $200,000. Pro bono attorney’s means their services are free, litigation is not. He requests the Town Manager to vet the partners of this suit the Town Council has voted to enter into and do it with caution. CORRESPONDENCE None COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Committee Councilor Tassinari reports on the Finance Committee Meeting and had discussion on one motion that was voted on with a positive recommendation from the committee: • Town Council vote to Adopt the Retirement Boards recommendation to increase the Retirees COLA from $14,000 to $16,000 Councilor Tassinari reads motion in full Motion by Councilor Romano to take this motion out of order. 2 nd by Councilor Dimes Motion Approved Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council vote to Adopt the Retirement Boards recommendation to increase the Retirees COLA from $14,000 to $16,000 Discussion This amount will bring each retiree approx. a $40-$50 monthly increase. ROLL CALL VOTE Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano Councilor Reardon, Councilor Finn, Vice President Swope, President Letterie Motion Passes SCHOOL DEPARTMENT REPORT There has not been a meeting due to school being on vacation. UPDATE ON POLICY MAKING COMMITTEES Please see attached. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 7, 2026, PAGE 2 TOWN MANAGER REPORT -Councilor Romano requests a review on the Shirley St. work currently being done. -Vice President Swope asks for a follow up on the motion made by the Town Councilors at the last meeting on the exemption case and would like a follow up in completion of where the town stands as any action happens. -Councilor Tassinari has questions about the results of the Special Town Council when the Town Council voted to enter the exemption case and hopes that this will not bring any financial burden on the town. Under no circumstances should the involvement of this suite cost the town nothing. Ask the Town Manager if his thoughts are if there will be any financial burden on the town. The Town Manager does not feel at this time there will be a financial burden on the town. He asks the Town Manager for an update of Attorney Cipoletta’s hourly rate and how much time he has dedicated himself to entering this suit. Looking forward to the time spent by our town’s attorney on someone else’s lawsuit. -Councilor Costigan asks the Town Manager what the costs would be for the town if they were to abide by MBTA 3A Law. The exemption case is to hopefully avoid the burden of these costs and believe no matter how the town has to deal with this law; there will be a cost. OLD BUSINESS Town Council discuss Ordinance Amendment 17.52.030 Use Variance (In Committee- Rules & Ordinance & WPB) Town Council vote to Approve Video Recordings of Committee Meetings to be Posted (In Committee-R&O) Motion to Amend Town Council Rules & Procedures Rule 2 (b) (In Committee- Rules & Ordinance) NEW BUSINESS • Town Manager Proposed FY27 Budget- To Be Further Discussed • Town Council Appropriate and Transfer $85,617.41/ Fund 527 Health Cycle Program to the Tipping Fees-Solid Waste Enterprise Fund- Councilor President refers the Finance Committee by the • Town Council Appropriate $30,000 from the Handicap Parking Fines Account /Expenses Benefit Persons with Disabilities -Councilor President refers this motion to the Finance Committee • Town Council Review Ordinance Committee Recommendations on Town Ordinances -Councilor President refers this motion to the Rules & Ordinance Committee • Town Council Review Ordinance Recommendation from the Tree Committee- Councilor President refers this motion to the Rules & Ordinance Committee Motion by Councilor Romano that the Town Council approve the appointment of Jerry Falbo to the Board of License for a term to end June 30, 2029 2 nd by Councilor Swope Motion Passed Unanimously PUBLIC COMMENT Marcy Hamilton P2 -Asks the Town Council, now what, she is here and she would like dates on continuation of the Girdlestone / Tileston Rd. project. We need the work done and this is not the only area in Winthrop that needs help. Celeste Ribeiro Hewitt P1 -Does not agree with Special Town Council Meetings, think they limit public involvement. Has a question on the costs that joining this exemption lawsuit will cost the town. We are losing out of grants, close to $2 Million dollars. Discuses the MBTA 3A involvement with Seal Harbor. She takes exception that Councilors naming themselves on this exemption case and then not recusing themselves for any vote, another issue of another Town Councilor being way to involved in this case and should have removed themselves. Discusses the Climate Commission and grants how it is not self-sufficient. She has not seen any argument that supports our plan by the Planning Board for not being submitted. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 7, 2026, PAGE 3 Terry Delehanty P6 -Clarifying Councilor Tassinari’s comments on the Manchester Community Center and explains how it cost them close to $200,000 and asks the town once again to vet these partners we are joining, look at their track records…make sure the town controls the end results of this lawsuit. There is a lot of damage and not necessarily monetary. Erin Barcellos P5 -Wants to share that this coming Saturday is one year since our community members being taken into custody from ICE and a year since their bridge standout on this event has taken place. Come Join… PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS 4-29-26 Vice President Swope will have her Listening Post and Public Health Safety & Works Meetings 4-25-26 9-11am Friends of Belle Isle Marsh & DCR at the Mary Kelly Pavilion at the Belle Isle Marsh for an Earth Day Clean-up 4-25-26 11am – 1:30 pm Winthrop Improvement & Historical Association Arbor Day Celebration at the Deane Winthrop House 4-29-26 6:00 pm Harvey Hearing room Vice President Swope Listening Post Meeting 4-29-26 Sr. Center 1:00 PM-Discussions on ADU’s The Town Council Spring Forum will follow this meeting. No further business in front of the Town Council, President Letterie considers this meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL 7, 2026, PAGE 4 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES APRIL PAGE 5