TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 224
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chairperson Kessling.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Kessling, Councilmembers Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, and Hasegawa.
Absent: Councilmember Fenstermacher.
Also present: Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.
A quorum was present.
3. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
Councilmember Hasegawa moved to approve the minutes of the June 24, 2025 regular meeting; seconded by Councilmember Whitcomb. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence was received.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Plaque on the gazebo
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Dedication at the April 1, 2025 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. The Council considered whether the plaque on the gazebo should be dedicated to the volunteers of the 2011 pilot program or to the Flavortown Volunteer Fire Company. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Thornquist moved to dedicate the plaque on the gazebo to the volunteers of the 2011 pilot program; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 56 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, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Thornquist, Hasegawa.)
B. Welcome sign at the town line
This item was tabled at the April 15, 2025 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the welcome sign at the town line falls under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space or the Office of Signage Compliance. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Thornquist moved to assign the welcome sign at the town line to the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Splash pad
The Council considered whether the splash pad 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 Colonial Green for the splash pad; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. The motion failed, 3–3. (Ayes: Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Delgado.)
B. Memorial bench on Fennel Street
The Council considered whether the Town should have the memorial bench on Fennel Street at all. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to remove the memorial bench on Fennel Street; 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 Bench Continuance was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:38 p.m.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of ten pages concerning the splash pad. At the three-minute mark, Mr. Brummett was advised that his time had expired. He stated that he had not been aware there was a time limit and asked to finish. He concluded at 12 minutes and 57 seconds.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town dedicates the plaque on the gazebo, people will stop to read it. He stated that if people stop to read it, people will walk a different way, that if people walk a different way, the crumbs will end up somewhere else, and that if the crumbs end up somewhere else, the birds will leave. Mr. Prue stated that he did not know what else to tell the Council.
Mr. Prue left the chamber at 8:48 p.m.
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 is still there and asked that this be entered into the record. Mr. Aldaco stated that the Council knows why.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor was not present.
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 a temporary sign at the splash pad has been removed.
Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission: The Commission reported that the Commission reviewed one application and took no action.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Placement has recorded no activity since the March 18, 2025 regular meeting. Councilmember Tassel moved to dissolve the subcommittee for inactivity; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Delgado.)
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 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 8:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.