TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 221
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chairperson Kessling.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Kessling, Councilmembers Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, and Hasegawa.
Absent: Councilmember Fenstermacher.
Also present: Bud Coolidge, Mayor; Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.
A quorum was present.
3. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
Councilmember Hasegawa moved to approve the minutes of the May 13, 2025 regular meeting; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence was received.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Welcome sign at the town line
This item was tabled at the February 4, 2025 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the welcome sign at the town line should be painted Heritage Green or Colonial Green. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Connie Vandersloot. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to specify Heritage Green for the welcome sign at the town line; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 20 minutes. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Tassel.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Color Selection was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Bench outside the gazebo
The Council considered whether the bench outside the gazebo should be dedicated to the late Harold Pruitt or to the volunteers of the 2011 pilot program. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. Councilmember Tassel moved to dedicate the bench outside the gazebo to the late Harold Pruitt; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Delgado.)
B. Mulch around the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th
The Council considered whether the mulch around the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th should be pine bark nuggets or pine bark mini-nuggets. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to specify pine bark mini-nuggets for the mulch around the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 49 minutes. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Tassel, Hasegawa.)
C. Plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th
The Council considered whether the plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th should read "Norway Maple" or "Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)". The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. Councilmember Tassel moved to have the plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th read "Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel, Thornquist.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Nomenclature was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
D. Flag at the gazebo
The Council considered whether the hours during which the flag at the gazebo is flown should end at dusk or 8:00 p.m. The item was placed on the agenda by the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to set the hours during which the flag at the gazebo is flown to end at 8:00 p.m.; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-P.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:50 p.m.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th. Ms. Pletz stated that the site faces the retention pond and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She reminded the Council that she had been right before.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of five pages concerning the mulch around the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th. Mr. Brummett exceeded the three-minute limit and was advised accordingly. He stated that he was nearly finished and continued for an additional 2 minutes. Copies were provided to the Clerk and are on file.
Gus Aldaco stated that the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th is still there and asked that this be entered into the record. Mr. Aldaco stated that the Council knows why.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Denny Frawley spoke in strong support of the item. Mr. Frawley stated that a parade for the bench outside the gazebo would bring the community together. He stated that he would bring folding chairs.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed May 31 as Norway Maple Day.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee: The Subcommittee reported that crack sealing on Fennel Street is complete.
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that fourteen signs were inspected this period and all were found compliant.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Posted Hours Continuance requested an extension of 90 days to complete its review. Without objection, the extension was granted.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Tassel moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:19 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.