MassVoter.com← Winthrop Town CouncilWinthrop Town Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
September 7, 2021
10 recorded votes, 8 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Note on these minutes: The attendance line leaves out Stephen Ruggiero, who is named in roll call votes and speaks or acts in the minutes at this meeting, so Stephen Ruggiero is counted present.
Present: Barbara Flockhart, Rob DeMarco, James Letterie, Tracey Honan, Rich Ferrino, Peter Christopher, Philip Boncore, Stephen Ruggiero
Absent: Nick LoConte
Every vote, in order
MINUTES
Accept Minutes of September 7, 2021
Motion by Councilor DeMarco to accept Minutes of September 7, 2021
The minutes write the count as 8-1 and name Stephen Ruggiero as abstaining, so the second number is the abstention, not a no vote; the names and count do not add up to the 8 councilors present, so we show 8 yes votes and no names.
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor DeMarco to accept Minutes of September 7, 2021 2"4 by Councilor Honan Passed 8-1 (Councilor Ruggiero Abstain).” (Motion: DeMarco, second: Honan)
OLD BUSINESS
Authorize a 7-yr lease -purchase 2022 Seagrave Marauder Pumper Engine/$689,996.00
Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council authorize a 7-yr lease -purchase 2022 Seagrave Marauder Pumper Engine/$689,996.00
The minutes write the count as 8-1; the roll call shows 8 yes, and Nick LoConte absent, so the second number also counts councilors who did not vote yes or no. The motion came from a council committee, so no mover or seconder is named.
From the minutes
“Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council authorize a 7-yr lease -purchase 2022 Seagrave Marauder Pumper Engine/$689,996.00 ROLL CALL VOTE Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Christopher, President Boncore Absent- Councilor LoConte Motion Passed 8-1.”
Waive reading of Finance Memorandum
Motion by Christopher to waive reading of Finance Memorandum
From the minutes
“Motion by Christopher to waive reading of Finance Memorandum 2" by Ferrino Passed Unanimously.” (Motion: Christopher, second: Ferrino)
Amend the 2013 Reserve Policy by increasing the distribution to the General Stabilization Fund from 30% to 40% adding language that the cap to the stabilization fund at 10%upon reaching the target...
Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town Council amend the 2013 Reserve Policy by increasing the distribution to the General Stabilization Fund from 30% to 40% adding language that the cap to the stabilization fund at 10%upon reaching the target of 10% the fund balance can be adjusted annually by increasing the fund by the same percentage increasing the operating budgets which is far less than the 40% the excess free cash can be distributed to other strategic reserves , the annual distribution to the Capital Stabilization would adjust to 30%.
The minutes write the count as 8-1; the roll call shows 8 yes, and Nick LoConte absent, so the second number also counts councilors who did not vote yes or no. The motion came from a council committee, so no mover or seconder is named.
From the minutes
“Motion by the Finance Committee with a positive recommendation that the Town Council amend the 2013 Reserve Policy by increasing the distribution to the General Stabilization Fund from 30% to 40% adding language that the cap to the stabilization fund at 10%upon reaching the target of 10% the fund balance can be adjusted annually by increasing the fund by the same percentage increasing the operating budgets which is far less than the 40% the excess free cash can be distributed to other strategic reserves , the annual distribution to the Capital Stabilization would adjust to 30%. No 2"! Needed ROLL CALL VOTE Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Christopher, President Boncore Absent- Councilor LoConte Motion Passed 8-1.”
Be it resolved that the Winthrop Town Council encourages the Winthrop Tree Committee not to approve the fouling of any otherwise healthy trees that should be put before it until a permanent...
Motion by the Rule & Ordinance that be it resolved that the Winthrop Town Council encourages the Winthrop Tree Committee not to approve the fouling of any otherwise healthy trees that should be put before it until a permanent ordinance is adopted
The minutes write the count as 8-1. 8 councilors were present and 1 absent, so the second number counts the absent councilor; every councilor present voted yes. The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motion by the Rule & Ordinance that be it resolved that the Winthrop Town Council encourages the Winthrop Tree Committee not to approve the fouling of any otherwise healthy trees that should be put before it until a permanent ordinance is adopted No 2™ Needed Passed 8-1 (Councilor LoConte Absent).”
Return to the Trash Ordinance
Motion by Vice President Christopher to return to the Trash Ordinance
From the minutes
“Motion by Vice President Christopher to return to the Trash Ordinance 2™ by DeMarco Passed Unanimously.” (Motion: Christopher, second: DeMarco)
Move that the Winthrop Town Council add the following section to the Code of Ordinances, "Section 13.12.110 - Solid Waste Fees. Property owners shall be charged an annual fee and any other fees...
Motion by Rules & ordinance to move that the Winthrop Town Council add the following section to the Code of Ordinances, "Section 13.12.110 - Solid Waste Fees. Property owners shall be charged an annual fee and any other fees relative thereto per unit as determined by the Town Manager or their designee, subject to approval of the Town Council, before the annual budget is presented to the Town Council by the Town Manager. The Town Manager or their designee may at their discretion determine whether circumstances exist for a property owner that they shall not be required to pay an annual trash fee. Such circumstances might include an extended period of vacancy ata property where solid waste pickup is not necessary, a private solid waste pickup contract is in place between the property owner and a third party to pick up trash or other circumstances as they may arise. Fees not collected shall be subject to all collection remedies as provided by law,
The roll call lists Nick LoConte as absent. The motion came from a council committee, so no mover or seconder is named.
From the minutes
“Motion by Rules & ordinance to move that the Winthrop Town Council add the following section to the Code of Ordinances, "Section 13.12.110 - Solid Waste Fees. Property owners shall be charged an annual fee and any other fees relative thereto per unit as determined by the Town Manager or their designee, subject to approval of the Town Council, before the annual budget is presented to the Town Council by the Town Manager. The Town Manager or their designee may at their discretion determine whether circumstances exist for a property owner that they shall not be required to pay an annual trash fee. Such circumstances might include an extended period of vacancy ata property where solid waste pickup is not necessary, a private solid waste pickup contract is in place between the property owner and a third party to pick up trash or other circumstances as they may arise. Fees not collected shall be subject to all collection remedies as provided by law, including but not limited to collection procedures for unpaid water or sewer fees pursuant to G.L. c.40, §§42A-42F or G.L c.83, §§16-16F, respectively, including interest and demand fees. Any fee not paid 30 days from the date of the electronic transmission or mailing of each bill may be subject to a lien in accordance with these statutes. Such liens shall remain valid to the extent allowed by law." No 2™ Needed ROLL CALL VOTE Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Christopher, President Boncore Absent- Councilor LoConte Motion Passed 8-.”
NEW BUSINESS
Appoint Tim Duplin to the Tree Committee and to appoint John DaRos to the Board of License
Motion by Council President to appoint Tim Duplin to the Tree Committee and to appoint John DaRos to the Board of License
The minutes write the count as 8-1; the roll call shows 8 yes, and Nick LoConte absent, so the second number also counts councilors who did not vote yes or no.
From the minutes
“Motion by Council President to appoint Tim Duplin to the Tree Committee and to appoint John DaRos to the Board of License ROLL CALL VOTE Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Christopher, President Boncore Absent: Councilor LoConte Motion Passed 8-1.” (Motion: Boncore)
Appoint Vincent Amara and Steven Strianese to the Airport Hazards Committee
Motion by the Council President to appoint Vincent Amara and Steven Strianese to the Airport Hazards Committee
The minutes write the count as 8-1; the roll call shows 8 yes, and Nick LoConte absent, so the second number also counts councilors who did not vote yes or no.
From the minutes
“Motion by the Council President to appoint Vincent Amara and Steven Strianese to the Airport Hazards Committee ROLL CALL VOTE Approve: Councilor Ruggiero, Councilor Flockhart, Councilor Demarco, Councilor Letterie, Councilor Honan, Councilor Ferrino, Council Vice President Christopher, President Boncore Absent: Councilor LoConte Motion Passed 8-1.” (Motion: Boncore)
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn
Motion by Councilor Ferrino to adjourn at 8:45 PM
The minutes say only "Motion Passed", with no count and no names.
From the minutes
“Motion by Councilor Ferrino to adjourn at 8:45 PM 2°4 by Councilor DeMarco Motion Passed.” (Motion: Ferrino, 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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