August 12, 2025

“MOTION: That the Town Council vote to accept the Ordinance review Committee recommendation to amend the Town Charter Section 2-1 (d) ABANDONMENT to read 1. Any elected council member shall be considered to have abandoned their office if that person fails to attend either three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings of the full council or if that person fails to attend 50% of the regularly scheduled meetings of the full council over a three-month period, unless such absences are determined by the council to be for goodcause. 2. The Clerk of the Town Council shall be responsible for maintaining official attendance records of all councilors and shall notify the Town Council President in writing when a councilor meets the attendance criteria for abandonment. 3. Within thirty (30) days of receiving such notification, the Town Council shall hold a public hearing to determine whether the councilor meets the attendance criteria for abandonment, whether there was good cause for the absences, and whether such absences constitute abandonment under this charter. 4. At the hearing, the councilor shall have the opportunity to present evidence and testimony regarding the absences and to show good cause why the office should not be · declared abandoned. 5. Following the hearing, the Town Council shall make a formal finding by a two- third vote as to whether the councilor has abandoned the office. If abandonment is found, the office shall thereupon be declared vacant effective immediately and the vacancy shall be filled inaccordance withtheprovisions ofSECTION 2-11; or take any other action thereto. 8-12-25 Motion by Vice President Belcher to Waive Reading 2nd by Councilor Tassinari Motion Passed.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

“Motion to amend by Councilor Aiello that the only change to the current ordinance is that it will be amended from a one year term to a two year term. 2nd by Vice President Belcher Discussion Councilor Tassinari has question on existing that is currently a one year term. In years past, it has been whose turn is it, who is qualified, this gives more of a process of other organizations. Roll Call Vote on Amendment Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari No: Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Swope, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor DaRos Motion Does Not Pass.” (Motion: Aiello, second: Belcher)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

“Roll Call Vote on Main Motion Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor DaRos Motion Passes.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

“MOTION: That the Town Council vote to accept the Ordinance Review Committee recommendation to amend the Town Charter Section 2-4 (a) COMPENSATION EXPENSES-TOWN COUNCIL to be read (a) Salary -The council president and the members of the town council shall receive such salary for their services as may from time to time be set by ordinance. The Town Council to review and vote on compensation adjustments eve1y two years, prior to June 30TH. Any proposed increase must then be placed on the ballot at the next scheduled biennial election for approval or rejection by the voters. The council president and the members of the town council shall not be considered employees for the purpose of chapter thirty-two B of the General Laws. 2nd by Vice President Belcher Discussion This Town Council compensation has not been changed since 2003 Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor DaRos Motion Passes.” (second: Belcher)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

“MOTION: That the Town Council vote to accept the Ordinance Review Committee recommendation to amend the Town Charter Section 2-6 (ii) EXERCISE OF POWERS, QUORUM RULES to be read that Special meetings of the Town Council shall be held on the call of the Council President, or, on the call of any four or more members. Notice of meeting shall be at least forty-eight weekday hours in advance of the time set, which shall contain notice of the subjects to be acted upon and location of meeting. In the event that a meeting is considered an emergency meeting, notice of an emergency meeting shall be posted as soon as reasonably possible ahead of the emergency meeting. A copy of the said notice shall also be posted on the town bulletin board and on the Town of Winthrop Web Page. Except as may otherwise be authorized by law, all meetings of all multiple member bodies shall at all times be open to the public and the media. 2nd by Councilor Tassinari Discussion This Town Council compensation has not been changed since 2003 Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor DaRos Motion Passes.” (second: Tassinari)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

“MOTION: That the Town Council vote to accept the Ordinance Review Committee recommendation to amend the Town Charter Section 9-7 (a) UNIFORM PROCEDURES GOVERNING MULTIPLE MEMBER BODIES to be read that(a) Meetings - All multiple member bodies of the town, whether elected, appointed or otherwise constituted, shall meet regularly at such times and places as they may by their own rules prescribe, unless some other provision is made by ordinance or by law. Special meetings of any multiple member body shall be held on the call of the chair or by one third of the members. Notice of meeting shall be at least forty-eight weekday hours in advance of the time set, which shall contain notice of the subjects to be acted upon and location of meeting. In the event that a meeting is considered an emergency meeting, notice of an emergency meeting shall be posted as soon as reasonably possible ahead of the emergency meeting. A copy of the said notice shall also be posted on the town bulletin board and on the Town of Winthrop Web Page. Except as may otherwise be authorized by law, all meetings of all multiple member bodies shall at all times be open to the public and the media. 2nd by Vice President Belcher Discussion Roll Call Vote Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope Vice President Belcher, President Letterie Absent: Councilor DaRos Motion Passes.” (second: Belcher)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

“Motion by Vice President Belcher by Council President for the Town Council to approve his appointment of Susan Gerow and Michael Bacon to the Cultural Council 2nd by Councilor Tassinari Discussion Councilor Swope asks about the new appointees to have an orientation Motion Passes.” (Motion: Belcher, second: Tassinari)

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“Motion by Councilor Tassinari by Council President for the Town Council to approve his appointment of Katherine Garrow to the CDICR. 2nd by Councilor Swope Motion Passes.” (Motion: Tassinari, second: Swope)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

“Motion by Council President Letterie to have the circular drive in front of the Basketball Courts to be named the Jerry DeFranza Way. 2nd by Councilor Swope Council President thanks John Morgan for his help on this memorial Motion Passed.” (Motion: Letterie, second: Swope)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)