Minutes
Town Council · from the Town's website · 5 pages · 55 KB
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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 President Letterie calls the meeting to order at 6:30 PM in the Harvey Hearing Room ROLL CALL Present: Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Millar, Councilor Dimes, Councilor Romano, Councilor Reardon, Councilor Finn, Vice President Swope, President Letterie Resident Jack Dowd reported he will be recording Town Council Meeting PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE- Vice President Swope MOMENT OF SILENCE Leanne Silverman Pat Connors MINUTES Motion by Councilor Romano to Approve the Minutes of September 8, 2026, as circulated. 2 nd by Councilor Reardon Abstain: Councilor Tassinari Motion Passed Unanimously GENERAL INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS None PUBLIC HEARING(S) None PUBLIC COMMENT Marci Hamilton P2- Have heard rumors that the funding for the flooding will not be approved. Asks the Town Council for their promise that these flooding problems will be addressed. Unless you life in a flood zone, you have no idea the stress it causes, especially knowing there is a North Easter coming. Mark Sennot P2 -His personal observations on the vote for the ZBA Position. He states that there were 3 applicants for this position. He feels no one person should be in charge of any committee appointments. Questions the current open positions and applicants that have not been appointed. Comments on the Town Councilors and the Sub Committees he feels they should be appointed on. Council President responds that everyone in Winthrop does have a say. He has never stated that there were only 2 applicants for the open position of the ZBA. He encourages all to apply for committees. Jack Dowd P4 - Jack asks if this is a new rule that the Town Council President can respond? Yes, it has he is told. Comments he has been on the Parks Committee for years and comments on the new Fire House of which he believes is on Park Land and nothing should be built on this land, including the new Fire House. Council President responds that Article 97 has been addressed in the past about the Fire Station. Erin Barcello P5 -Questions the Posting Motions and disagrees CORRESPONDENCE None TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 22, 2026, PAGE 1 COMMITTEE REPORTS Rules & Ordinance-Sept. 21, 2026 Councilor Millar reports on Rules & Ordinance Meeting discussing the items on the agenda and will continue with their review of several items that will be reported at the Town Council meeting(s) Public Health Safety & Works Committee- Sept.16 2026 Discusses the Tree Ordinance that has been in discussion and instead of adopting a small portion of the Tree Ordinance, they have decided to re-write it and present to the Town Council. There is so much that is needed for the town and the protection of trees. Discusses private homeowners and developers… SCHOOL DEPARTMENT UPDATE Beginning of school going well. Staffing is at good level. Fall Sports have started, grade assessments have begun. UPDATE ON POLICY MAKING COMMITTEES Zoning Board of Appeals Next Meeting: September 24th @ 6:30pm 312 Shirley St Applicant seeks a permit to convert the current lodging-hotel to a 30 unit apartment building. Relief is required to establish an apartment building in a B-A Zone which does not allow preexisting multiple units and a variance regarding parking. 17 Winthrop St . Status update Conservation Commission : none Board of License -Bourbon & Breeze have received their full Liquor License WPB-Sept. 8, 2026 Tree Ordinance Discussed. Council President thanks the DPW for their work on the Court Road issue of it now being a One-Way Asks, is there a way for the town to contact anyone/business as their GPS will now be changed that this is a one way….. TOWN MANAGER REPORT Please see attached Town Manager Report- Discusses there will be a North Easter Storm this weekend and asks all to prepare. Discusses items in his report and asks if any questions…. Councilor Finn asks if the E-Bikes Ordinance is in place and where signs are. The Police will be taking more notice. Councilor Romano asks about the Rip Raf Policy on Grandview that will propose a more permanent solution. Vice President Swope asks if there is any update on Winthrop Beach with DCR? Town Manager along with Rep. Turco is still working on this. TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 22, 2026, PAGE 2 Councilor Millar thanks all for the E-Bike Signs but feels the public needs more notification on this new ordinance. Councilor Tassinari thanks the DPW for the Court Rd. signs…congrats Robert Powers on his new town position as CFO and looks forward to working with him in Finance. Congrats to Chief Rogers… Asks if Town Councilor could respond during committee reports. Councilor Costigan states as E-Bikes also relates to safety where will this be noticed to our public. Town Manager reports this will be on the Town Website. OLD BUSINESS Motion by Councilor Dimes to accept the appointment made by Council President of Scott Bocchio to the Board of Appeals for a Term of 3 years to expire on June 30, 2029 2 nd by Councilor Finn 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 NEW BUSINESS Motion by Councilor Romano to waive council rules and schedule one Town Council Meeting for the month of November which will be held November 10, 2026. 2 nd by Councilor Dimes Motion Passes Motion by Council President to refer to Rules & Ordinance the motion of Postings of Proposed Ordinances, Appropriation Order or Loan Order except Emergency Ordinances Councilor Romano states this motion is to see that all notices are on the town website, not just the newspaper, wants more transparency for the public PUBLIC COMMENT Lee Foley P6-Asks about the Private Way of the Crest Ave Stairs from Quincy Ave to Crest Ave. and asks when this might be addressed, as she saw some small repairs and was disappointed. DPW Director states this was part of the Tips Project to fix just this amount up to stairs. Asks if the lights at Magee’s Corner could have a sign No Right on Red Discusses the Taxi rates and proposes the town may be able to fund some subsidize for the seniors. Asks about update on 3A. Town Manager reports our case against the AG, has not been decided upon. DPW Director Calla reports the private ways are being prioritized with the Town Manager. Marci Hamilton P2- States maybe the school could notify information on E-Bikes & WCAT with diverse languages. Jack Dowd P4-Seems like every meeting trees are mentioned but claims the Tree Committee has private meetings, requests the Tree Committee maybe have their meetings in the Harvey Room TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 22, 2026, PAGE 3 John Morgan P4-Asks for help in researching the stairs in the highlands and for all stairs, wheel chair accessibility. Councilor Finn said he will help Mr. Morgan with his questions and research. Max Correa P3-Follows up on Flock Surveillance Cameras and wants to bring up concern of the implementation of these camera’s and will also bring up with our new Chief of Police Steve Rogers. Erin Barcellos P5-Update on Main and Pleasant there was an accident and knocked down one of the poles, when this pole is replaced can it have a pedestrian light added? She brings up her bridge stand and it is because she is angry about what is happening in our country. PUBLIC RELATIONS / UPCOMING EVENTS o 10-3-26 Cellucci Tree Dedication-Cellucci Field 9:00AM o Fall Forum Oct.6, 2026-DeLeo Senior Center 7PM o Early Voting October 17 th -30 th -Town Hall Lobby o Please call the Town Clerks Office to verify your voting status-617-846-1852 o Coastal sweep revolution which will be held Oct. 3 rd . meet at Donovan’s Beach o Last Farmers market this weekend, please visit ADJOURNMENT With no Further business for the Town Council, the Town Council President Adjourns Meeting at 7:30 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 SEPTEMBER 22, 2026, PAGE 4