Winthrop Town public meetings in 2022

Winthrop Housing Authority

The Board approved disbursement records for bills totaling $242,751.82 and updated banking resolutions for Bank of America accounts. Members voted to increase the budget for stairway repairs at 667-3 Overlook Drive and elected the 2023 officer slate.

• Approved November 28, 2022 meeting minutes (4-0)
• Approved bills totaling $242,751.82 for period Oct 24 to Dec 26, 2022
• Approved updated Banking Resolution and Certificate of Incumbency for Bank of America accounts
• Approved budget increase for Project 346118 Overlook Drive Rear Egress
• Elected 2023 Officers: Frank R. Ferrara (Chairman), Richard D. Honan (Vice Chairman), Peter A. Caggiano (Treasurer), Marylou Heighton (Vice Treasurer), Peter T. Gill (Member)

Town Council

The Finance Committee will discuss and recommend action on four items: a $750,125 appropriation to replace lead water service lines, a vote to increase the retiree cost-of-living adjustment base from $12,000 to $13,000, the FY23 tax classification, and police body cameras. All items are up for discussion and possible recommendation to the Town Council.

• $750,125 to replace lead water service lines
• Vote to increase retiree COLA base from $12,000 to $13,000
• FY23 tax classification
• Police body cameras

Town Council

The Town Council will hold a public hearing and vote on appropriating $750,125 to replace lead water service lines, and will also set the FY23 tax classification. Other votes include increasing the retiree COLA base from $12,000 to $13,000, appropriating $989,542 from certified free cash, and transferring funds for non-union COLAs and employee recognition. A presentation on police body cameras is scheduled.

• Public hearing and vote to appropriate $750,125 for lead water service line replacement
• Vote on FY23 tax classification
• Vote to increase retiree COLA base from $12,000 to $13,000
• Vote to appropriate $989,542 from certified free cash
• Vote to transfer $54,800 for non-union COLAs and $5,000 for employee recognition

The Town Council approved funding for lead water line replacement and a five-year contract for police body cameras. The council also maintained a uniform tax rate for FY2023 and increased the COLA base for current retirees.

• Appropriated $750,125 to replace lead water service lines (7-0)
• Authorized 5-year contract with Axon Enterprises for police body cameras, cloud storage, and redaction software for $291,443.40 (7-0)
• Maintained a Uniform Tax rate for all property classes for FY2023 (7-0)
• Increased current retirees COLA base from $12,000 to $13,000 (7-0)
• Accepted minutes of December 6, 2022 (Unanimous)

Winthrop Retirement Board

The Board approved the December 2022 Retirement System Warrant and several new employee acceptances. It voted to stop payments of a $3,000 ex-officio stipend to the CFO/Accountant due to procedural defects. The Board also approved a salary increase for the Retirement Coordinator.

• Approved Retirement System Warrant for December 2022 in the amount of $438,224.80 (unanimous)
• Approved Eastern Bank Statement and Reconciliation for November 2022 (unanimous)
• Approved retirement acceptances for Frank Ferrara, Erin Kelly, Jaclyn Sernavsky, and Michael Brown (unanimous)
• Approved Stephen Babcock's Application for Voluntary Superannuation Option B (4-0)
• Approved Kelli Conway's request to buyback service time from 2018-2022 (4-0)
• Approved $3,000 salary increase for Retirement Coordinator retroactive to Nov 1, 2022 (4-0)
• Voted to cease $3,000 stipend payments to CFO/Accountant due to procedural defects (4-0)
• Extended retiree affidavit deadline to January 12, 2023 (4-0)

Board of Health

The Board of Health unanimously approved a new regulation for keeping animals, specifically prohibiting chickens in front yards. The regulation will take effect on April 1, 2023. The board also reviewed a community health needs assessment and various departmental updates.

• Approved new Keeping of Animals regulation (3-0)
• Approved amendment to implement animal regulation on April 1, 2023 (3-0)
• Approved meeting minutes (3-0)
• Agreed upon meeting schedule for January-June 2023
• Approved adjournment (3-0)

Board of Assessors

The Board of Assessors approved the distributed meeting minutes. Members discussed the upcoming Classification Hearing and the process for finalizing information in RRC and Vision.

• Approved minutes as distributed (3-0)
• Set abatement date for February 1, 2023

Conservation Commission

The Commission issued negative determinations of applicability for two projects and an order of conditions for a project at 40 Triton Avenue. The board also scheduled a site walk for 23 Seaview Avenue following abutter concerns.

• Issued negative determination with special conditions for 30A Main Street (Unanimous)
• Issued negative determination of applicability for Revere Street/Winthrop Street/Grovers Ave (Unanimous)
• Issued order of conditions for 40 Triton Avenue (Unanimous)
• Scheduled site walk for 23 Seaview Avenue

Town Council

The Finance Committee reviewed and issued positive recommendations for three separate motions. These included a water main master plan, a Veteran Memorial transfer, and a Sewer enterprise fund budget amendment.

• Positive recommendation given to water main master plan and CIP motion
• Positive recommendation given to Veteran Memorial transfer
• Positive recommendation given to Sewer enterprise fund budget amendment

Town Council

The Winthrop Town Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a $247,775 transfer for a Water Main Master Plan and Long-Term Capital Improvement Plan, and consider appropriating $750,125 to replace lead water service lines. Other items include an ordinance review committee charter, Center Business District signage, and a vote to increase the retiree COLA base from $12,000 to $13,000.

• Appropriate $247,775 from Water Sewer Retained Earnings for Water Main Master Plan and Long-Term Capital Improvement Plan
• Appropriate $750,125 to Replace Lead Water Service Lines
• Vote to increase current retirees COLA base from $12,000 to $13,000
• FY 23 Tax Classification vote
• Public hearings on Ordinance Review Committee Charter, Center Business District signage, and Municipal Lots

The Town Council approved funding for a water main strategic plan and passed motions regarding municipal and business district parking. Several financial requests, including lead water line replacement and retiree COLA increases, were referred to the Finance Committee.

• Appropriated $247,775 from Retained Earnings for Water Main Master Plan and Long-Term Capital Improvement Plan (Unanimous)
• Approved CBD parking motion (Unanimous)
• Approved Municipal Lots parking motion (Unanimous)
• Transferred $2,873.00 from Town Council Reserve/Memorial Fund for Cooper-Green Memorial Bench (Unanimous)
• Amended June 7, 2022 Water/Sewer Enterprise Budget (Unanimous)
• Accepted November 15, 2022 minutes with one spelling amendment (Unanimous)
• Referred $750,125 lead water service line replacement to Finance Committee
• Referred retiree COLA base increase from $12,000 to $13,000 to Finance Committee

Town Council

The Subcommittee on Appointments, Commissions, and Committees reviewed a draft of committee guidelines, discussing chair elections, annual reporting, and remote meeting rules. The subcommittee voted unanimously to send the revised draft to the Town Manager and Town Clerk for administrative review.

• Approved motion to send revised draft guidelines to Town Manager and Town Clerk for review (Unanimous)
• Requested feedback on guidelines from Town Manager and Town Clerk by January 17th (Unanimous)

Town Council

The Council unanimously approved an ordinance establishing parking time limits for municipal lots. Business district lots are limited to four hours, while non-business district lots are limited to two hours, with specific exceptions for certain lots and snow emergencies.

• Approved municipal parking ordinance establishing 2-hour limits for non-business district lots and 4-hour limits for business district lots (Unanimous)

Winthrop Retirement Board

The Board approved the November 2022 Retirement System Warrant and several new employee enrollments. It also authorized a deduction transfer to the MWRA Retirement System and approved creditable service for one officer.

• Approved November 2022 Retirement System Warrant for $448,804.86 (Unanimous)
• Approved transfer of George Quilty’s accumulated deductions to MWRA Retirement System (Unanimous)
• Approved acceptance of Juliahna Losano, Courtney McSwiney, Nicholas Woytaszek, and John Lyons (4-0/Unanimous)
• Approved 10 months of creditable service for Officer David Brown (4-0)
• Approved September and October 2022 Trial Balance, Cash Receipts, Cash Disbursements and Adjustments (4-0)
• Approved October 2022 Eastern Bank Statement and Reconciliation (Unanimous)
• Approved meeting minutes from September 27, 2022 (3-0, 1 abstention)
• Approved meeting minutes from October 25, 2022 (3-0, 1 abstention)

Winthrop Housing Authority

The Board approved two DHCD ARPA contracts for financial assistance and authorized the Chairman to execute the documents. The Board also approved the October 2022 meeting minutes and disbursement records for bills totaling $230,211.97.

• Approved ARPA Formula Funding Contract (CFA 4001) for $428,426.00 (4-0)
• Approved ARPA Targeted Award Contract (CFA 4050) for $453,751.00 (4-0)
• Authorized Chairman Peter T. Gill to execute contract forms (4-0)
• Approved disbursement record for bills totaling $230,211.97 (4-0)
• Accepted minutes from October 24, 2022 meeting (4-0)

Town Council

The Town Council will hold a continued public hearing and vote on transferring $247,775 for a Water Main Master Plan and Long-Term Capital Improvement Plan. Other items include a vote on a $2,873 transfer for a memorial bench, a $2,000 transfer for Board of Appeals stipends, a vote to declare surplus fire department vehicles, and discussion of the sale of land at 15-17 Walden Street.

• Vote to transfer $247,775 for Water Main Master Plan and Long-Term Capital Improvement Plan
• Vote to transfer $2,873 for a Cooper-Green Memorial Bench
• Vote to transfer $2,000 for Board of Appeals stipends
• Vote to declare surplus Winthrop Fire Department vehicles
• Discussion of sale of land at 15-17 Walden Street

The Town Council determined that the Winthrop Tips Project will move forward as designed to avoid project delays and the potential loss of funding. Several other financial transfers and land sale requests were referred to the Finance Committee for review.

• Approved minutes of November 15, 2022 (Unanimous)
• Decided Winthrop Tips Project will proceed as designed
• Referred $2,873 transfer for Cooper-Green Memorial Bench to Finance Committee
• Referred Water/Sewer Budget Amendment to Finance Committee
• Referred sale of land at 15-17 Walden St. to Finance Committee
• Held transfer of $2,000 for Board of Appeals Stipend
• Continued public hearing on $247,775 transfer for Water Main Master Plan

Town Council

The council reviewed proposed changes to the handbook regarding committee chair elections, reappointment processes, and staff support. No final votes were taken on the handbook edits; a revised draft will be presented at the next meeting.

• Tabled handbook revisions pending a new draft from Councilor Belcher
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

Planning Board

The Planning Board approved the site plan for a 22-unit housing project at 5 Fremont Street, including three variances for side yard setback, rear yard setback, and maximum stories. Approval was granted with four special conditions regarding fencing, landscaping, and structural cutbacks to protect the abutter at 15 Fremont Street.

• Appointed Chris Boyce as Planning Board Chair (unanimous)
• Approved site plan for 5 Fremont Street inclusive of three variance requests (unanimous)
• Approved variance for Minimum Side Yard Setback (0' proposed vs 10' required)
• Approved variance for Minimum Rear Yard Setback (5' proposed vs 15' required)
• Approved variance for Maximum Stories (3 stories proposed vs 2.5 required)

Board of Health

The Board of Health approved the minutes from the October 11, 2022 meeting. The board held a public hearing regarding the updating of animal keeping regulations and reviewed a report on the condemnation of 76 Sunnyside Avenue.

• Approved October 11, 2022 minutes (2-0)

Conservation Commission

The Commission voted to continue the hearing for a proposed garage and living quarters at 40 Triton Avenue to the next meeting. Other items including dock replacements and enforcement orders were discussed, with several site visits to be scheduled.

• Continued hearing for 40 Triton Avenue Notice of Intent (Unanimous)
• Scheduled site walk for 40 Triton Avenue
• Scheduled site visit for 41 Court Road dock and seawall project
• Scheduled site visit for 3-5 Johnson Terrace regarding work without permit
• Corrected enforcement letter for 251 Court Road to be sent to owner

Town Council

The Town Council will hold public hearings and vote on several financial transfers, including $247,775 for a Water Main Master Plan and $101,786 for a facilities needs assessment for town and school buildings. They will also consider a $100,000 amendment to the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund and recommendations from the Ordinance Review Committee.

• Public hearing and vote on Solid Waste Enterprise Fund Amendment, $100,000
• Vote to transfer $247,775 for Water Main Master Plan and Long-Term Capital Improvement Plan
• Vote to transfer $101,786.04 for Brightly (School Dude) Facilities Needs Assessment
• Ordinance Review Committee Recommendations
• Trash Enterprise Fund, Trash Abatement, and Trash Enforcement discussion

The Town Council unanimously approved a $100,000 amendment to the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund and a $101,786.04 transfer for a facilities needs assessment. The council also accepted two commission appointments and updated its rules of procedure. A vote on the Water Main Master Plan was continued to the next meeting.

• Approved $100,000 Solid Waste Enterprise Fund Amendment (Unanimous)
• Approved $101,786.04 transfer for Brightly Facilities Needs Assessment (Unanimous)
• Appointed Bybiose LaRochelle to the Commission of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Relations (Unanimous)
• Appointed Karin Chavis to the TSAC Committee (Unanimous)
• Approved amendment to Town Council Rules & Procedures Rule #4 to include CDICR reports (Unanimous)
• Referred Committee Handbook to Appoints, Committees and Commissions (Unanimous)
• Continued vote on $247,775 Water Main Master Plan and Long-Term Capital Improvement Plan to next meeting
• Accepted October 18, 2022 minutes (Unanimous)

Winthrop Retirement Board

The Board approved the October 2022 Retirement System Warrant and the acceptance of 16 employees into the system. It also approved a voluntary superannuation application and a service time buyback. The Board voted to waive certain benefit overpayments and to withhold a pension check for a retiree with excess earnings.

• Approved October 2022 Retirement System Warrant for $464,204.89 (unanimous)
• Approved 16 employee acceptances at 9% + 2% (3-0)
• Approved John Nalen’s Application for Voluntary Superannuation Option C (3-0)
• Approved Nikolas Beshere’s request to buyback 1.0833 years of service (unanimous)
• Voted to withhold John Hayes' pension check, minus health insurance and dependent payments (unanimous)
• Voted to waive repayment of benefit overpayments for two retirees (3-0)
• Approved fund transfers for Carmine Bordonaro and Monica Ford (unanimous/3-0)
• Tabled approval of September 27, 2022 minutes and Eastern Bank to PRIT fund transfer

Winthrop Housing Authority

The Board approved two operating budgets for State-Aided Housing for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, and authorized the Executive Director's annual salary. The Board also approved disbursement records for bills totaling $66,260.00.

• Approved September 26, 2022 meeting minutes (5-0)
• Approved $66,260.00 in bills for period 9/25/2022 through 10/23/2022
• Approved FY 2023 Operating Budget (Program 400-1) with $2,917,469 revenue and $3,169,531 expenses (4-0)
• Approved FY 2023 Operating Budget (Program 689-1) with $35,320 revenue and $39,278 expenses (4-0)
• Approved Executive Director annual salary of $105,883 for FY 2023 (4-0)
• Decided not to pursue Resident Service Coordinators funding opportunity
• Tasked Executive Director to seek more information on Town of Winthrop Revere Street reconstruction easements

Town Council

The Winthrop Town Council will consider several financial transfers, including $247,775 for a Water Main Master Plan and $101,786 for a facilities needs assessment for town and school buildings. The council will also discuss a Solid Waste Enterprise Fund amendment of $100,000, trash enforcement, and committee appointments.

• Vote to transfer $247,775 for Water Main Master Plan and Long-Term Capital Improvement Plan
• Vote to transfer $101,786.04 for Brightly (School Dude) Facilities Needs Assessment for Town and School Buildings
• Solid Waste Enterprise Fund Amendment, $100,000
• Discussion of CBD parking requirements and signage
• Ordinance Review Committee Recommendations

Town Council

The Town Council will review multiple fund transfers involving the police, fire, and water/sewer departments. The meeting also includes a vote to award an outside auditor contract and accept funds into the Compensated Absence Reserve Fund.

• $241,000 transfer to WPD Budget for FY20-22 Collective Bargaining Agreement
• $195,000 Fire Union Retro Transfer from Salary Reserve/Coll. Bargaining
• $139,500 Water/Sewer Cap. Improvement Fund for engineer work at Revere, Crest & Grover’s
• $2,400 transfer from Finance Dept. to Planning Dept. for new GIS System
• Vote to award the contract of an Outside Auditor

Town Council

The Town Council will hold public hearings regarding parking prohibitions, time limits, and the installation of stop signs. The body will also review recommendations from the Charter Review Committee and discuss Town Clerk fee increases.

• Public hearings on parking prohibitions and time limits on certain streets
• Proposed authority for DPW to install stop signs without Town Council approval
• Proposed designated taxi cab stand at Public Landing
• Discussion on Town Clerk fee increases
• Review of Charter Review Committee recommendations presented by Marc Chapdelaine

Town Council

The Town Council will discuss various matters including a potential land sale on Faunbar Ave. and tree removal at 190 Somerset. The meeting includes discussions on ARPA funding, water rates, and a proposed Town Clerk fee increase.

• Sale of Land: Faunbar Ave.
• Tree Removal: 190 Somerset
• Fee Increase: Town Clerk
• Water Rate Presentation
• Vote to name corner of Shirley St. & Veterans Rd. after David Green/Ramona Cooper

Town Council

The Town Council is holding a special meeting to review previous minutes and address old business. The primary topic of discussion is the CBD crosswalks.

• Discussion of CBD Crosswalks

Town Council

The Town Council will meet to discuss the proposed FY 23 Town Manager Budget. The meeting also includes a discussion regarding CBD Striping.

• Discussion of FY 23 Town Manager Proposed Budget
• Discussion of CBD Striping

Town Council

The Unit C Educational Support Personnel (E.S.P.) Bargaining Sub-committee will meet on May 19, 2022. The Chair anticipates entering Executive Session to conduct collective bargaining sessions regarding the Unit C Collective Bargaining Agreement.

• Collective bargaining for Unit C: Educational Support Personnel (E.S.P.)