TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 222
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:05 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 Tassel objected to the characterization of his remarks in the minutes of the May 27, 2025 regular meeting, specifically the word "insisted." Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the minutes to read "stated"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Whitcomb, Hasegawa.) Councilmember Tassel moved to approve the minutes as amended; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk read into the record a letter from the Town Clerk of North Ashby asking on which side of the boundary road the Town intends to place its boundary sign, so that North Ashby may place its own sign accordingly. The matter was placed on the agenda under New Business.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Splash pad
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Continuance at the May 13, 2025 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. The Council considered whether the Town should have the splash pad at all. The item was placed on the agenda by the Bureau of Water Features. Councilmember Delgado moved to retain the splash pad; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 16 minutes. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb. Nays: Delgado, Hasegawa.)
B. Plaque on the gazebo
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Nomenclature at the December 10, 2024 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. The Council considered whether the plaque on the gazebo should read "Dedicated" or "Rededicated". The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Connie Vandersloot. Councilmember Tassel moved to have the plaque on the gazebo read "Rededicated"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Delgado moved to amend the motion to strike "Rededicated" and insert "Dedicated"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment carried, 5–1. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-Q.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Town boundary sign on the boundary road
The Council considered whether the Town boundary sign on the boundary road should read "Entering Flavortown" or "Now Entering Flavortown". The item was placed on the agenda by the Office of Signage Compliance. Councilmember Delgado moved to have the Town boundary sign on the boundary road read "Now Entering Flavortown"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Office of Signage Compliance or the Division of Seasonal Decoration. The question was noted. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist, Whitcomb.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-R.
B. Gazebo
The Council considered whether the gazebo should be relocated fifteen feet to the east. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. During discussion, Mr. Brummett withdrew the request.
C. Sign at the splash pad entrance
The Council considered whether the sign at the splash pad entrance should be painted Hunter Green or Forest Green. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stating that the item had not been properly noticed, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 9. The Clerk confirmed that the item was added to the posted agenda after the notice deadline. The objection was sustained, and the item was removed from the agenda to be re-noticed for the next regular meeting.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 9:16 p.m.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town repainted the sign at the splash pad entrance, the light would change. He stated that if the light changed, the grass would come in differently, that if the grass came in differently, the insects would move, and that if the insects moved, the birds would move. Mr. Prue stated that he did not know what else to tell the Council.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the sign at the splash pad entrance. Ms. Pletz stated that the ground there stays soft well into June and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She stated that she would not elaborate, as the Council was aware of her position.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Gus Aldaco stated that the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th was still there, and he asked that this be entered into the record. Mr. Aldaco stated that the Council knew why.
Trish Grabowski, 290 Nutmeg Lane, addressed the Council for the first time. Ms. Grabowski stated that the crosswalk signal at Fennel and 4th does not allow enough time to cross. She stated that she had called Town Hall about it twice.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed June 28 as Adjacent Green Space Day.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Division of Seasonal Decoration: The Division reported that the decorations at the gazebo are complete.
Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee: The Subcommittee reported that the sidewalk near the splash pad is level.
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that a temporary sign at the splash pad has been removed.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Dedication requested an extension of 90 days to complete its review. Without objection, the extension was granted.
Councilmember Delgado reported for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Materials that the subcommittee continues to gather information.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Whitcomb moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.