Minutes

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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 21, 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 
Zoom: Councilor Finn 
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE- Councilor Romano 
MOMENT OF SILENCE 
Joseph Clark, Mary Alice Sharkey and Sandra Hurley 
MINUTES 
Motion by Councilor Dimes to Approve the Minutes of June 30, 2026, as circulated. 
2 nd by Councilor Romano 
Discussion-Correction on a spelling of a public comment resident 
ROLL CALL 
Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano, 
Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie 
Zoom: Councilor Finn, 
Motion Passes 
PUBLIC HEARING(S) 
PUBLIC HEARING OPEN 
Town Council Appropriate $1,666,000 Cost of Sewer Main Rehabilitation on Winthrop St. & Others Identified 
Discussion 
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED 
Motion by Councilor Romano to suspend Town Council Rules and take this motion out of order. 
2 nd by Councilor Dimes 
ROLL CALL VOTE 
Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano, 
Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie 
Zoom: Councilor Finn, 
Motion Passes 
Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that Town Council Appropriate
$1,666,000 Cost of Sewer Main Rehabilitation on Winthrop St. & Others Identified…. 
No 2 nd Needed 
ROLL CALL VOTE 
Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Romano, Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, President
Letterie 
Abstain: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Finn 
Motion Passes 
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 21, 2026, PAGE 1 
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED 
Town Council Appropriate $1,500,000 Cost of Water Main Replacement at Winthrop St. 
Discussion 
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED

Motion by Councilor Romano to suspend Town Council Rules and take this motion out of order. 
2 nd by Councilor Dimes 
ROLL CALL VOTE 
Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano, 
Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie 
Zoom: Councilor Finn, 
Motion Passes 
Motion by Councilor Romano to waive the reading. 
2 nd by Councilor Dimes 
ROLL CALL VOTE 
Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Romano, Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, President
Letterie 
Abstain: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Finn 
Motion Passes 
Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council Appropriate
$1,500,000 Cost of Water Main Replacement at Winthrop St…... 
No 2 nd Needed 
ROLL CALL VOTE 
Yes: Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Romano, Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, President
Letterie 
Abstain: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Finn 
Motion Passes 
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED 
Electric Bike and Motorized Scooters Ordinance 
Discussion 
Councilor Millar reports this was a recommendation from the Charter Review Committee which was referred to
Rules & Ordinance who had been in discussion with the WPD in determining particulars in this ordinance. 
Surface Trails, Parkland and Sidewalk protection and are in conjunction with MGL. Safety Risks are being
considered. 
It does not prohibit any ADA Compliant being issued. 
Public Comment 
Mark Sennot P2-Remarks that the State House is currently reviewing a MGL to this effect and if the new laws
may affect our vote? 
Motion by Councilor Romano to suspend Town Council Rules and take this motion out of order. 
2 nd by Councilor Dimes 
Roll Call Vote 
Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano
Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie 
Zoom: Councilor Finn 
Motion Passes 
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 21, 2026, PAGE 2

Motion by the Rules & Ordinance with a positive recommendation that the Town Council adopt the following
policy (See Ordinance in Full) 
Discussion 
Councilor Romano discusses the fees as set by this ordinance and who will set them, who will be responsible
for signage and when and what the effective date would be? 
The fees would eventually be set and not sure when the signs could be ordered? 
DPW Director states signs depend on locations, needs idea for exact language, how many… 
Council President believe Oct. 1 st could be an effective date. 
Parks & Rec will decide where signs will be posted. 
Considering time frames and also the state does have guidance on fees. 
Signs would be considered included in the sign ordinances. 
Motion by Councilor Romano to amend motion to include the effective date of September 1, 2026. 
2 nd by Councilor Tassinari 
Discussion 
Councilor Tassinari thinks this date may be too early if we still have to decide on language for signs…. 
Councilor Finn asks if this includes Ingleside Park? 
Yes, it does include all parks. 
Councilor Dimes is concerned about the 9-1-126 deadline; feels it is too soon prior to signs. 
Council President agrees with the effective date of 9-1-16. 
ROLL CALL VOTE ON AMENDMENT 
Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano, Councilor
Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie 
Zoom: Councilor Finn 
Motion Passes 
ROLL CALL VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED 
Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano, Councilor
Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie 
Zoom: Councilor Finn 
Motion Passes 
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED 
Taxi Fares 
Motion by Councilor Romano to continue public hearing. 
2 nd by Councilor Dimes 
ROLL CALL VOTE 
Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano, Councilor
Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie 
Zoom: Councilor Finn 
Motion Passes 
PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED 
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 21, 2026, PAGE 3 
Motion by Councilor Romano to suspend Town Council Rules and take this motion out of order
2 nd by Councilor Dimes
ROLL CALL VOTE 
Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano,
Councilor Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie
Zoom: Councilor Finn, 
Motion Passes

PUBLIC COMMENT 
Marci Hamilton P2- Thanks for the presentation of the flooding for Tileston and Girdlestone and wants to
remind the Town Council of their promise and Climate Change is real…. would like our town’s infrastructure to
move forward due to this climate change. Please reinstate the Climate Commission 
Mark Sennot P2- Noticed a water line on the construction on the new Fire House, who is paying for this water?
Why is it not on their own meter? Has complaint about the sidewalks and the trees that are causing problems
with their roots, he believes there will be several lawsuits, these have to be addressed. 
Discusses the Rules & Ordinance Meeting and recording of a meeting. 
Celeste Hewitt P1 -Do we have a mechanism that people can report these sidewalk problems? Yet. See Clix Fix
is available for use by the residents. 
Jack Dowd P1 -Reflects that Pennyworth’s is having a clearance sale. Discusses Ingleside Park and open space. 
Money received from the state years ago was to build passive parkland. It is anything but that now. What about
all the activity at the park, you can not only get hurt by a motorized bike, but you can also get hit by a ball. 
Continues to discuss open space and by building the Fire House on parkland something should be done with
this open space. 
Ask if the Fire House is on schedule and on budget. 
Erin Barcello P5 -Discusses she was present at the Rules & Ordinance meeting that is being discussed as for a
recording prior to the beginning of the meeting. Prior to the meeting beginning she was conversing with
another member of the audience, Councilor Millar and Councilor Dimes were setting up the meeting and she
was in a private conversation. Someone noticed another audience member was recording private conversations. 
When this was noticed, something was said to this person. The outcome was not good. Asks, where is the
maintaining of people engaging in a civic meeting in a safe manner. No one is standing up when someone is
out of line. Do not see any Councilors commenting when this happens. Are we just supposed to watch this,
what will be done, it is not OK…people must be held responsible for their actions. 
Rob DeMarco P4- Comments on the Councilors abstaining from the MWRA Motions, thank you…. 
He does not like the electric scooters and is completely happy with new ordinance. 
Tom Derderian P3-Comments on meeting addressing the problems with the tree roots causing problems. 
This has been reviewed and it is very complicated. If this was a design from the beginning our sidewalk would
ab 8’ wide…The Winthrop Foundation has given the town a grant to buy trees and plant. He urges our Town
Council to vote to be in compliance with 3A so we will not be deprived of any grants. We are losing funding
and it is hurting us. 
Karin Chavis P2- The FHBC last meeting was July 7 th, and next meeting is on August 10 th . The committee is
meeting regularly as scheduled. 
CORRESPONDENCE 
Names reported on who is opposed to a motion on the agenda to delete the Rules & Ordinance Committee 
Also comments on issues currently facing town to be reviewed and dealt with 
COMMITTEE REPORTS 
Finance Committee 
Councilor Tassinari reports on meetings and reviews of motion that were all voted on with a positive
recommendation. The Taxi Fares were continued. 
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 21, 2026, PAGE 4

Rules & Ordinance 
Councilor Millar reports on the meeting that included the Ordinance of the Scooters and Electric Bikes
that was voted on with a positive recommendation. Continuing progress on reviewing the Town Council
Rules & Procedures 
FHBC 
Next meeting Aug. 10 th . Project is on budget and on schedule. Suitable material has been placed and
compacted strategically. 
PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY & WORKS COMMITTEE 
Vice President Swope reports that the tree problem with the sidewalks were discussed. It did compare
ordinances with other communities as for the approaches of this problem. Costs, replacements…etc... A policy
on private trees was discussed. Financial constraints that would be included in these expenses. This is an item
that will have to be considered in our future budget. 
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT 
Council President reports it was a short “summer” meeting. Warrants signed. 
UP TO DATE POLICY MAKING COMMITTEES- (See attached) 
TOWN MANAGER REPORT- (See Attached) 
Council thanks all for everyone’s hard work during our celebration of July 4 th and the Tall Ships, great success. 
Councilor Romano comments on the trash fee and asks the Town Manager to explain. 
Town Manager reports that there has been an increase in trash removal. Our trash invoices will be increasing
by $20. 
All information will be sent with the increase. 
Comments on the window program. 
Town Manager reports 7 houses done this year. Total will be 26 houses. Mass Port will be at the August 4 th
Meeting. 
Vice President Swope has a question about a grant and is wondering if it was received? 
Assistant Town Manager will inform us of this grant information. 
Council President thanks all for the wonderful holiday celebrations that took place in our town. The Horrible
parades is a memory of almost a 100 years back. 
OLD BUSINESS 
Resident Parking Stickers-Councilor Millar reports this is currently being reviewed. 
Town Council Rules & Procedures are currently being reviewed. 
NEW BUSINESS 
Town Council Appropriate $1,100,000 Water Meter & Valve Replacement Project -Year 3- Councilor President
refers to the Finance Committee 
Town Council Vote to Adopt the Hazard Mitigation Plan- Council President refers to Public Health Safety &
Works 
Town Council vote to move Election Polling Locations 
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 21, 2026, PAGE 5

Motion by Councilor Romano to discuss this motion as new business. 
2 nd by Councilor Tassinari 
ROLL CALL VOTE 
Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano, Councilor
Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie 
Zoom: Councilor Finn 
Motion Passes 
Motion by Town Council vote to relocated polling locations (See Attached Motion) 
2 nd by Councilor Romano 
ROLL CALL VOTE 
Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano, Councilor
Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie 
Zoom: Councilor Finn 
Motion Passes 
Town Council requests the Town Manager to seek proposals and funding opportunities for a comprehensive 
parking study of the Town of Winthrop and to report back to the Council with recommendations for
implementation. 
Town Manager will review and report back to the Town Council on progress. 
Vice President Swope discusses her review of the parking. 
Town Council Discuss Town Council Meeting Calendar (Summer/Fall) 
Council President discusses summer schedule of Town Council and the election in September. 
Motion by Councilor Romano to suspend council rules and re-schedule Town Council Meetings in 
September from September 1 st and 15 th , 2026 to September 8 th and 22 nd , 2026. 
2 nd by Councilor Dimes 
ROLL CALL VOTE 
Yes: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano, Councilor
Reardon, Vice President Swope, President Letterie 
Zoom: Councilor Finn 
Motion Passes 
Town Council President Requesting a Public Comment Answer Period to Previous Public Comments/Questions 
Council President discusses that he would like to be able to answer resident inquires at the next Town
Council Meetings 
Council President refers to Rules & Ordinance 
Town Council discuss Deletion of the Rules & Ordinance Sub Committee 
Council President declares Council Privilege to table this motion until the next Town Council Meeting 
PUBLIC COMMENT 
Mark Sennot P2 -He has asked that the Town Council can answer questions, the resident’s questions should be
answered by whoever is asked… 
Jack Dowd P4 -Discusses the Rules & Ordinance Meetings seem to be getting more complex. Part of the
meeting that was video taped was very controversial, very intimidating, and now when will this end? Comments
on the sub committee meetings being shown on YouTube. When will these be on for view? 
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 21, 2026, PAGE 6

Celseste Hewitt P1 -Wants to hear more information on discussing the Rules & Ordinance Sub Committee, does
not want this to involve town losing transparency. 
Joe Romano P3- He is a proponent of deleting the Rules & Ordinance Sub Committee and would like to pass
out information for review prior to next meeting. 
Erin Barcellos P5-Reads email she sent to the Town Council in reference to procedural disputes, ongoing drama
during meetings, what is going to happen. How can this be resolved to not happen in our meetings. Economic
Development is needed, infrastructure, flooding, tax increases, long term financial plan, climate resilience, grant
funding, strategy, involving the public in committees with transparency. How can the residents help? Winthrop
Works best when we all work together. 
Vice President Swope wanted to mention Robin’s Nest and how much her business has meant to this
community and wishes her the best of luck in the future. 
PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS 
8-11-26 5:30 PM—Public Meeting-Girdlestone/Tileston Drainage Project 
8-29-26 Deer Island 12-3PM -Accessible Adventures-Commission on Disabilities 
ADJOURNMENT 
With no Further business for the Town Council, the Town Council President Adjourns
Meeting at 8:15 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 JULY 21, 2026, PAGE 7