MassVoter.com← Winthrop Town CouncilWinthrop Town Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
March 9, 2021
16 recorded votes, 11 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Stephen Ruggiero, Barbara Flockhart, Rob DeMarco, Peter Christopher, Tracey Honan, Nick LoConte, Rich Ferrino, James Letterie, Philip Boncore
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Approval of February 16, 2021 Minutes, as circulated
Approval of February 16, 2021 Minutes, as circulated
Motion By Councilor Ferrino
From the minutes
“Motion By Councilor Ferrino 2™ By Councilor DeMarco Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0.” (Motion: Ferrino, second: DeMarco)
Approval of February 9, 2021 Ex. Session Mins. as circulated
Motion By Councilor Letterie
From the minutes
“Motion By Councilor Letterie 2" By Councilor DeMarco Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0.” (Motion: Letterie, second: DeMarco)
Town Council transfer $ 696,568.02 from Free Cash to the Capital Stabilization Fund
Close Public Hearing
Motion by Councilor Letterie to Close Public Hearing
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Letterie to Close Public Hearing 24 by Councilor Ferrino Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0.” (Motion: Letterie, second: Ferrino)
Motion by Councilor Letterie to Close Public Hearing
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Letterie to Close Public Hearing 2" by Councilor Ferrino Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0.” (Motion: Letterie, second: Ferrino)
Motion by Councilor Letterie to Close Public Hearing
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Letterie to Close Public Hearing 24 by Councilor Ferrino Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Motion Passes 9-0.” (Motion: Letterie, second: Ferrino)
OLD BUSINESS
Grants permission to excavate Madison Ave. and to run and maintain electric conduits together with such sustaining and protecting fixtures as it may find necessary for the transmission of...
Motion by the Public Safety Committee grants permission to excavate Madison Ave. and to run and maintain electric conduits together with such sustaining and protecting fixtures as it may find necessary for the transmission of electricity while maintaining all safety conditions for vehicular and pedestrian traffic and replacing the pavement using an infrared process at the expense of National Grid.
Yes: Boncore, Christopher, DeMarco, Ferrino, Flockhart, Honan, Letterie, RuggieroNo: LoConteThe motion came from a council committee, so no mover or seconder is named.
From the minutes
“Motion by the Public Safety Committee grants permission to excavate Madison Ave. and to run and maintain electric conduits together with such sustaining and protecting fixtures as it may find necessary for the transmission of electricity while maintaining all safety conditions for vehicular and pedestrian traffic and replacing the pavement using an infrared process at the expense of National Grid. No 2nd Needed. Roll Call Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore Against: Councilor LoConte, Motion Passes 8-1.”
The petition by National Grid and Verizon, Inc. be denied permission to install a new pole on Bowdoin St. until substantial progress has been made by Fall 2021 to remove all double poles in the...
Motion by the Public Safety Committee that the petition by National Grid and Verizon, Inc. be denied permission to install a new pole on Bowdoin St. until substantial progress has been made by Fall 2021 to remove all double poles in the Town of Winthrop at which time an additional pole on Bowdoin St. will probably be unnecessary.
The motion came from a council committee, so no mover or seconder is named.
From the minutes
“Motion by the Public Safety Committee that the petition by National Grid and Verizon, Inc. be denied permission to install a new pole on Bowdoin St. until substantial progress has been made by Fall 2021 to remove all double poles in the Town of Winthrop at which time an additional pole on Bowdoin St. will probably be unnecessary. No 2nd Needed. Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore Motion Passes 9-0.”
Grants permission to National Grid to excavate Winthrop St. and to run and maintain underground electric conduits together with sustaining and protecting fixtures as it may find it necessary for...
Motion by the Public Safety Committee grants permission to National Grid to excavate Winthrop St. and to run and maintain underground electric conduits together with sustaining and protecting fixtures as it may find it necessary for the transmission of electricity while maintaining all safety conditions for vehicular and pedestrian traffic and replacing the pavement using infrared process at the expense of National Grid.
Yes: Boncore, Christopher, DeMarco, Ferrino, Flockhart, Honan, Letterie, RuggieroNo: LoConteThe motion came from a council committee, so no mover or seconder is named.
From the minutes
“Motion by the Public Safety Committee grants permission to National Grid to excavate Winthrop St. and to run and maintain underground electric conduits together with sustaining and protecting fixtures as it may find it necessary for the transmission of electricity while maintaining all safety conditions for vehicular and pedestrian traffic and replacing the pavement using infrared process at the expense of National Grid. Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore Against: Councilor LoConte, Motion Passes 8-1.”
Transfer $ 696,568.02 from Free Cash to the Capital Stabilization Fund.... (See Attached Motion)
Motion from the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town Council transfer $ 696,568.02 from Free Cash to the Capital Stabilization Fund.... (See Attached Motion)
Yes: Boncore, Christopher, DeMarco, Ferrino, Flockhart, Honan, Letterie, RuggieroNo: LoConteThe motion came from a council committee, so no mover or seconder is named.
From the minutes
“Motion from the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town Council transfer $ 696,568.02 from Free Cash to the Capital Stabilization Fund.... (See Attached Motion) No 2nd Needed. Roll Call Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore Against: Councilor LoConte, Motion Passes 8-1.”
Transfer $447,047.10 from Free Cash to the General Stabilization Fund.... (See Attached Motion)
Motion from the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town Council transfer $447,047.10 from Free Cash to the General Stabilization Fund.... (See Attached Motion)
Yes: Boncore, Christopher, DeMarco, Ferrino, Flockhart, Honan, Letterie, RuggieroNo: LoConteThe motion came from a council committee, so no mover or seconder is named.
From the minutes
“Motion from the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town Council transfer $447,047.10 from Free Cash to the General Stabilization Fund.... (See Attached Motion) No 2nd Needed. Roll Cali Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore Against: Councilor LoConte, Motion Passes 8-1.”
Transfer $48,510.48 from Free Cash to the Building Stabilization Fund.... (See Attached Motion)
Motion from the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town Council transfer $48,510.48 from Free Cash to the Building Stabilization Fund.... (See Attached Motion)
Yes: Boncore, Christopher, DeMarco, Ferrino, Flockhart, Honan, Letterie, RuggieroNo: LoConteThe motion came from a council committee, so no mover or seconder is named.
From the minutes
“Motion from the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town Council transfer $48,510.48 from Free Cash to the Building Stabilization Fund.... (See Attached Motion) No 2nd Needed. Roll Call Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore Against: Councilor LoConte, Motion Passes 8-1.”
NEW BUSINESS
Transfer $10,460 from Water/Sewer retained earnings for remote water monitoring equipment. Town Council Vote to Increase Retirees Cost of Living from $12,000 to $13,000 Proposed Trash Fee
Motion to transfer $10,460 from Water/Sewer retained earnings for remote water monitoring equipment. Town Council Vote to Increase Retirees Cost of Living from $12,000 to $13,000 Proposed Trash Fee
Yes: Christopher, DeMarco, Ferrino, Flockhart, Honan, Letterie, LoConte, RuggieroThe minutes list this roll call but do not write down the result. The roll call does not list Philip Boncore, who was present; this councilor is not shown as voting. The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion to transfer $10,460 from Water/Sewer retained earnings for remote water monitoring equipment. Town Council Vote to Increase Retirees Cost of Living from $12,000 to $13,000 Proposed Trash Fee Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher,.”
Approve the items read under Old Business (water monitoring transfer and related items)
President Boncore-Temporarily absent
The roll call lists eight councilors and says President Boncore was temporarily absent. The minutes give the count as 8-0, but 9 councilors were present (Philip Boncore, Peter Christopher, Rob DeMarco, Rich Ferrino, Barbara Flockhart, Tracey Honan, James Letterie, Nick LoConte and Stephen Ruggiero). Showing the count only. The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“President Boncore-Temporarily absent Motion Passes 8-0.”
Approve the TSAC and parking items read under Old Business (Park St., parking discussion, Pt. Shirley resident parking)
Council President refers the following to the Rules & Ordinance for their recommendation. Town Council vote to Accept recommendation from TSAC/Park St. Town Council to Address Discussion of Parking / TSAC Town Council to Address Report from TSAC/Pt. Shirley Res. Parking
The minutes list the items and a roll call; the motion is not written out. The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Council President refers the following to the Rules & Ordinance for their recommendation. Town Council vote to Accept recommendation from TSAC/Park St. Town Council to Address Discussion of Parking / TSAC Town Council to Address Report from TSAC/Pt. Shirley Res. Parking Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Councilor Ferrino, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore- Motion Passes 9-0.”
PUBLIC COMMENT
Appoint Matthew Gorzkowicz to the Citizens Finance Committee
Motion by Council President Boncore to appoint Matthew Gorzkowicz to the Citizens Finance Committee
The minutes give the count as 7-0, but the roll call reads: Stephen Ruggiero yes, Barbara Flockhart yes, Rob DeMarco yes, Tracey Honan yes, Nick LoConte yes, Peter Christopher yes, Philip Boncore yes, James Letterie no, Rich Ferrino no. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Motion by Council President Boncore to appoint Matthew Gorzkowicz to the Citizens Finance Committee 2™ by Councilor DeMarco Discussion Councilor Letterie did not receive application and will not vote. Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Honan, Councilor LoConte, Vice President Christopher, President Boncore- Against: Councilor Letterie, Councilor Ferrino Motion Passes 7-0.” (Motion: Boncore, second: DeMarco)
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn
Motion by Councilor Letterie to adjourn at 8:42 PM
The minutes list this roll call but do not write down the result.
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Letterie to adjourn at 8:42 PM 2"¢ by Councilor DeMarco Voting For: Councilor Stephen Ruggiero, Councilor Barbara Flockhart, Councilor Rob Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Tracey Honan, Councilor Nick LoConte, Councilor Rich Ferrino, Council Vice President Peter Christopher, President Philip Boncore Voting Against: None.” (Motion: Letterie, second: DeMarco)
From the Winthrop Town Council’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center. We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Member photos: Winthrop Sun Transcript (candidate announcements for Letterie, Millar, Dimes and Romano; Costigan and Swope from a captioned June 2026 Strawberry Festival photo by Salza). Former members and Tassinari, Reardon and Finn show initials for now.
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