TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 226
Tuesday, August 5, 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 July 22, 2025 regular meeting, specifically the word "repeatedly." Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the minutes to read "again"; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The amendment carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Hasegawa.) Councilmember Delgado 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
No correspondence was received.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Gazebo railings
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Paint Materials at the May 13, 2025 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. The Council considered whether the gazebo railings should be painted in latex paint or oil-based paint. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Wendell Prue. Councilmember Hasegawa recused himself from discussion and voting on the item, explaining at some length that his sister-in-law has used the gazebo railings. Councilmember Delgado moved to specify latex paint for the gazebo railings; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion failed, 2–3. (Ayes: Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb.)
B. Fence at the splash pad
This item has been tabled since the February 18, 2025 regular meeting, most recently at the April 15, 2025 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the fence at the splash pad should be painted Hunter Green or Forest Green. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Delgado moved to specify Hunter Green for the fence at the splash pad; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. 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, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Hasegawa.)
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Mulch beds outside Town Hall
The Council considered whether the mulch beds outside Town Hall should be black or charcoal. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Delgado moved to specify black for the mulch beds outside Town Hall; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion failed, 2–4. (Ayes: Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Hasegawa.)
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 8:07 p.m.
B. Plaque on the gazebo
The Council considered whether the plaque on the gazebo falls under the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission or the Office of Signage Compliance. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Wendell Prue. Councilmember Fenstermacher moved to assign the plaque on the gazebo to the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to add the words "pending review by the Office of Signage Compliance"; 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, 6–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Fenstermacher.) The pending amendment went with it. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Jurisdiction was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:30 p.m.
Denny Frawley spoke in support of the item. Mr. Frawley stated that a community mural on the mulch beds outside Town Hall was the best idea he had heard in some time. He offered to volunteer for the demolition.
Connie Vandersloot thanked Chairperson Kessling, Councilmember Tassel, Councilmember Thornquist, Councilmember Whitcomb, Councilmember Delgado, Councilmember Hasegawa, and Councilmember Fenstermacher individually for their service. Ms. Vandersloot stated that she prays for each of them. She then stated that the geese move as a unit and that this is not normal. She thanked the Council again.
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 he has raised the matter for fourteen years and will raise it again.
Arlene Ormsby, 333 Clove Street, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that a neighbor's wind chimes on Clove Street can be heard from her kitchen with the windows closed. Ms. Ormsby thanked the Council for its time.
Neil Varga, 306 Saffron Avenue, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that he had recently moved to the Town. Mr. Varga asked where Town Hall is located. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stated that public comment is not a question-and-answer period, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 43. The point was well taken, and the question was not answered.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed August 23 as Retention Pond Day.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space: The Department reported that the goose count was not completed this period.
Division of Seasonal Decoration: The Division reported that the decorations at the gazebo are complete.
Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission: The Commission reported that the Commission reviewed one application and took no action.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Materials 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 Plaque Nomenclature that the subcommittee continues to gather information.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Fenstermacher moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.