Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 9 pages · 55 KB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 30, 2026 President Letterie calls the meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Harvey Hearing Room ROLL CALL Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano, Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Finn, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE- Vice President Swope MOMENT OF SILENCE Joseph “Larry” Powers-Previous Winthrop Fire Chief MINUTES Motion by Councilor Romano to Approve the Minutes of June 9, 2026, as circulated. 2 nd by Councilor Dimes Motion Passed GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Veterans Service Agent – Phil Ronan discusses the Memorial Committees unanimous vote to have the name of Manny Coutinho honored in the Old Middle School Gym and Richard Honan honored by a street corner sign near Mr. Honan’s home. Also notes a discussion on the name of the new Fire House honoring our Veterans. Motion by Councilor Romano to take this motion out of order 2 nd by Councilor Tassinari Motion Passed Motion by Councilor Romano to approve the Memorials Committee recommendation to name the Middle School Basketball Court after Manny Coutinho and to have a street sign named for Richard Honan 2 nd by Vice President Swope Discussion Motion Passed Unanimously Presentation Woodard & Curran-Storm Engineering-Tileston & Girdlestone Engineers, Bob Angelo, Jim Ravi & Daniel Scott from Woodard and Curran update on the current infrastructure improvement update to Tileston and Girdlestone Rd areas. PLEASE SEE PRESENTATION ON TOWN WEBSITE – https://ma-winthrop.civicplus.com/727/FY-2027-PRESENTATIONS Discussion PUBLIC HEARING(S) Public Hearing Opened Town Council Transfer $250,000 from General Stabilization Fund to Snow & Ice Account Councilor Tassinari, Chair of the Finance Committee reports this motion passed with a positive recommendation Discussion No Public Comment Opposing or Approving Correction on Motion-Should Read General Stabilization Account after Motion Approval = $5,837,690 Public Hearing Closed TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 30 , 2026 PAGE 1 Motion by Councilor Romano to waive council rules and take this motion out of order 2 nd by Councilor Tassinari Motion Passed Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that Town Council Transfer $250,000 from General Stabilization Fund to Snow & Ice Account No 2 nd Needed Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Finn Motion Passes Public Hearing Opened Town Council Vote to Modify General Fund Budgets to Facilitate Closing of the 2026 Fiscal Year Councilor Tassinari, Chair of the Finance Committee reports this motion passed with a positive recommendation Discussion No Public Comment Opposing or Approving Public Hearing Closed Motion by Councilor Romano to waive council rules and take this motion out of order 2 nd by Vice President Swope Motion Passed Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that Town Council Vote to Modify General Fund Budgets to Facilitate Closing of the 2026 Fiscal Year No 2 nd Needed Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Finn Motion Passes Public Hearing Opened Town Council Vote to Appropriate $110,000 Certified Free Cash Councilor Tassinari, Chair of the Finance Committee reports this motion passed with a positive recommendation Discussion No Public Comment Opposing or Approving Public Hearing Closed Motion by Councilor Romano to waive council rules and take this motion out of order 2 nd by Councilor Dimes Motion Passed Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that Town Council Vote to Appropriate $110,000 Certified Free Cash No 2 nd Needed Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Finn Motion Passes TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 30 , 2026 PAGE 2 Public Hearing Opened Town Council Vote to Appropriate $800,000 from Retained Earnings in the Water-Sewer Fund/Transfer to the Water- Sewer Capital Stabilization Fund Councilor Tassinari, Chair of the Finance Committee reports this motion passed with a positive recommendation Discussion No Public Comment Opposing or Approving Public Hearing Closed Motion by Councilor Romano to waive council rules and take this motion out of order 2 nd by Vice President Swope Motion Passed Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that Town Council Vote to Appropriate $800,000 from Retained Earnings in the Water-Sewer Fund/Transfer to the Water-Sewer Capital Stabilization Fund No 2 nd Needed Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie Absent: Councilor Finn Motion Passes PUBLIC COMMENT John Morgan P4- Asks whoever responsible for the Cross Walk Signals on Crest Ave if the audio could be turned up Marci Hamilot P2- Thanks the Town Council for the Woodard & Curran Presentation and feels this work needs to be done to protect our future. Mark Sennot P2- Discusses the infrastructure in the Girdlestone Rd. area and could not get past a house due to the tree in the sidewalk causing a problem with the depth of the sidewalk. This is not ADA Compliant. Another problem across the street, a man tripped on a raised sidewalk. This area needs to be addressed. Scott Mahoney Wright P3 -Emailed the Town Council in regards to a CT. Airport and their report on air quality. He reached out to Massport and they were unaware that there were multiple airports now doing this and they will review. Erin Barcello P2- Dicusses that there is no limit on parking passes for residents except for the visitors pass. Could there be a study to review to see how many permits are issued per household, per precincts…etc…There are multiple parking issues in this town. Maybe increase permit costs? Thanks for the Cross Walks on Pleasant St. Jennifer Jones P1- Happy for Tileston and Girdlestone but what is going to happen to Morton St., Pico area. She has heard nothing on these addresses? What about the rest of us? CORRESPONDENCE None COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Committee- Councilor Tassinari has reported on this meeting prior. Discusses the Joint Meeting with Rules & Ordinance on the Taxi Fares and no recommendation came out of committee, this will be discussed further at the next Town Council Meeting in a Public Hearing. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 30 , 2026 PAGE 3 Rules & Ordinance Councilor Millar discusses last two meetings and the Ordinance on Scooters and has been approved with a positive recommendation Reviewed Sections 1-4 on Town Council Procedures Reviewed motions from Councilor Romano Will be putting a full package together on the TC Rules & Procedures Would like to see a parking study move forward FHBC Councilor Dimes reports bids will be going out July 1 st and a walk thru on July 7 th . Demo will start removing unsuitable materials and storm water pipe being replaced. Notified abutters of vibrations from work to be done. Listening Posts Vice President Swope discusses the meetings and discusses complaints on the lack of minutes on the website. This must be improved and keep on this issue. Discussed strategies on the Tall Ships visit. Would like to look into Welcoming Packages to new residents/ Tree Plantings and relocating. Town Council President discusses an Agenda Disclaimer that is a quorum of Town Councilors attend a sub committee, this does not mean there any Town Council Deliberation would take place. Attorney Cipoletta discusses a Town Council Quorum and maybe a “footnote” be put on Sub Committee Agenda’s. Town Council Presidents asks if this should be done? Attorney Cipoletta believes it might help. UPDATE ON POLICY MAKING COMMITTEES Please see attached SCHOOL DEPARTMENT REPORT Short Meeting…9 Mins!! Schools out. Discussed Superintendents Contract Compensation FY27 TOWN MANAGER REPORT Please see attached-Also reports on current events for July 4 th and Sail Boston, July 11 th Councilor Tassinari requests update on Grant Tracking’s Town Council President thanks our Financial Director for all her past work as she retires from her current role but will be returning as a consultant. OLD BUSINESS Voted on Town Council Transfer $250,000 from General Stabilization Fund to Snow & Ice Account- Town Council Vote to Modify General Fund Budgets to Facilitate Closing of the 2026 Fiscal Year Town Council Vote to Appropriate $110,000 Certified Free Cash Town Council Vote to Appropriate $800,000 from Retained Earnings in the Water-Sewer Fund/Transfer to the Water- Sewer Capital Stabilization Fund Taxi Fares- Schedule Public Hearing TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 30 , 2026 PAGE 4 Re-Appointments /Non-Policy / Policy Making Committees Motion by Councilor Tassinari to accept the re-appointments of the following policy making committee members: Conservation Committee Stephen Machinski Board of Appeals John Young Jason Wright-Advance to Full Member from Associate Board of Assessors Peter Gill Historical Committee Judi Buone 2 nd by Councilor Dimes Discussion Councilor Romano would like to take these individually Motion by Councilor Tassinari to accept the re-appointment of Stephen Machinski to the Conservation Committee 2 nd by Councilor Dimes Discussion Councilor Romano requested applications from each Attorney Cipoletta discusses that the Charter refers to appointment not re-appointments Council President discusses Mr. Machinski’s experience with the Conservation Committee Attorney Cipoletta refers to the Charter 10-2 and if a current sitting member is not renewed, their seat is to continue as to continue government. Councilor Romano agrees but wants to see applications and resumes on every appointment. Councilor Tassinari states that appointment / re-appointment means same thing Attorney Cipoletta discusses that in the Charter there is a policy / non making policies may require presence at the meeting but not a resume. Councilor Romano states a resume can still be requested. Councilor Romano reiterates that if these people are not re-appointed they will continue on their committees until a re-appointment is done. Attorney Cipoletta reports yes, as in the case of the Board of Appeals we must have quorum to keep with expiring dates with projects, could cause legal issues. Councilor Romano asks Councilor Tassinari and Councilor Dimes to withdraw their motion until applications are received Councilor Dimes refused. Council President reiterates the procedures of re-appointments, and we do not have a flood of people waiting to be appointed. Councilor Dimes discusses that she has worked with Mr. Machinski and he is very qualified to be on the Conservation Committee Councilor Romano does not disagree but does not understand why new resumes and applications cannot be obtained. Vice President Swope feels we as a new council are not necessarily familiar with these committee members and applications, resumes and a presence at our meetings would be very helpful. Councilor Tassinari does not want to see the board lose any members but believes appointment/re- appointments should be considered the same and an application should be requested. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 30 , 2026 PAGE 5 Councilor Romano does not want to insult anyone, he just thinks this is a procedural matter that should be completed. Councilor Romano will abstain from any votes until applications and resumes are received. Roll Call Vote: Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Reardon, Council President No: Abstain: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Romano, Vice President Swope Absent: Councilor Finn Motion Passes Motion by Councilor Tassinari to accept the re-appointment of John Young to the Board of Appeals 2 nd by Councilor Dimes Discussion continues with Councilor Romano asking what is the quorum on the Board of Appeals Attorney Cipoletta reports currently it was increased by statue from 3 members to 5, a quorum would be 4 Councilor Romano for same reasons will abstain Roll Call Vote: Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Council President No: Abstain: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Romano, Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope Absent: Councilor Finn Motion Does Not Pass Motion by Councilor Tassinari to accept the re-appointment of Jason Wright to the Board of Appeals and also advance to Full Member 2 nd by Councilor Dimes Discussion Councilor Romano requests difference full member / associate members, if they can vote Attorney Cipoletta replies yes. Councilor Romano for same reasons will abstain Roll Call Vote: Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Council President No: Abstain: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Romano, Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope Absent: Councilor Finn Motion Does Not Pass Motion by Councilor Tassinari to accept the re-appointment of Peter Gill to the Board of Assessors 2 nd by Councilor Dimes Discussion Councilor Romano for same reasons will abstain Council President reports that knowing Mr. Gill, nothing for his experience should have to be requested Roll Call Vote: Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Reardon, Council President No: Abstain: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Romano, Vice President Swope Absent: Councilor Finn Motion Passes TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 30 , 2026 PAGE 6 Motion by Councilor Tassinari to accept the re-appointment of Judi Buono the Historical Committee 2 nd by Councilor Dimes Discussion Councilor Romano for same reasons will abstain Roll Call Vote: Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Reardon, Council President No: Abstain: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Romano, Vice President Swope Absent: Councilor Finn Motion Passes NEW BUSINESS • Motion that the Town Council approve the recommendation(s) of the Memorial Committee- Voted On • Town Council Discuss One-Way on Court Road- Council President refers to TSAC • Town Council Discuss Stop Sign Corner Lincoln St., Brookfield Rd. & Beal St. Council President refers to TSAC - • Phase I MWRA Loan Authorization Funding LWSAP Winthrop St. Water Main and • MWRA I/I Funding for Sewer Main Rehabilitation.- Council President refers to Finance Committee • New Appointments / Non-Policy / Policy Making Committees submit applications and resumes- Council President refers to Rules & Ordinance • Committee New /Re-Appointment Application- -Policy Making/Non-information be submitted to the Town Council 48 Hrs. Prior to Meeting- Council President refers to Rules & Ordinance • Councilor Romano requests Board of Appeals Members attend next Town Council Meeting • Suspend Any Current Parking Variances Pending/Planned- Council President refers to Rules & Ordinance Discussion on Parking Councilor Romano asks about his motion that was not voted for with a positive recommendation, he asks if this will still go before the Town Council. Should this be sent to the Town Council with a negative recommendation Attorney Cipoletta states yes Motion by Councilor Romano to accept the appointment made by Council President of Lisa Stefano and Heidi Fantasi to the Board of Health 2 nd by Councilor Costigan Discussion Councilor Romano appreciates the applications being sent in Roll Call Vote: Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano, Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, Council President Motion Passes Motion by Councilor Romano to accept the appointment made by Council President of Merril Frank and Ila Brown to the Board of Health 2 nd by Councilor Costigan Discussion Councilor Romano appreciates the applications being sent in TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 30 , 2026 PAGE 7 Roll Call Vote: Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano, Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, Council President Motion Passes PUBLIC COMMENT Mark Sennot P2- Believes if an Associate is changing to a Full Member, they should do an application and resume. Asks if CORI checks are done and if not, why? Karin Chavis P2 -Direcotr Calla had to leave but he wanted to remind trash pick up same and Transfer Station will be open. Mark Sennot P2 -Do we have an anticipation of the number of people who will visit for the Tall Ships? PUBLIC RELATIONS / UP COMING EVENTS July 4 th and July 11 th Scheduled are all on Town Website ADJOURNMENT With no Further business for the Town Council, the Town Council President Adjourns Meeting at 9:25 PM 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 30 , 2026 PAGE 8