TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 230
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:03 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 Delgado moved to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2025 regular meeting; 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. Memorial bench on Fennel Street
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Bench Continuance at the July 8, 2025 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. 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 Thornquist moved to remove the memorial bench on Fennel Street; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee or the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. The question was noted. 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.)
B. Plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th
This item was tabled at the September 2, 2025 regular meeting. 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 Hasegawa 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 amend the motion to add the words "pending review by the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission"; 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, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Delgado.) The pending amendment went with it.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Splash pad
The Council considered whether the hours of use for the splash pad should end at 8:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Wendell Prue. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to set the hours of use for the splash pad to end at 8:00 p.m.; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to table the item; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist.)
B. Gazebo
The Council considered whether the gazebo should be re-roofed in cedar shake or asphalt shingle. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Thornquist moved to specify asphalt shingle for the gazebo; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space or the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. The question was noted. 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 Gazebo Materials was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
C. Fence around the retention pond
The Council considered whether the fence around the retention pond falls under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space or the Bureau of Water Features. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. Councilmember Thornquist moved, for purposes of discussion, to assign the fence around the retention pond to the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to strike "the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space" and insert "the Bureau of Water Features"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the amendment to add the words "or as near thereto as is practicable" after "the Bureau of Water Features"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment to the amendment carried, 4–2. The amendment failed, 3–3. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stating that a quorum was not present, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 40. Chairperson Kessling noted that 6 members were present. The objection was overruled. The motion failed, 0–6. (Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
D. Mulch beds outside Town Hall
The Council considered whether the mulch beds outside Town Hall falls under the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee or the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. Councilmember Tassel moved to assign the mulch beds outside Town Hall to the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion to table carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.)
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:39 p.m.
Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng spoke in opposition to the motion to remove the memorial bench on Fennel Street. Ms. Hollingsworth-Ng stated that things had been better when there was a form for this. Councilmember Tassel asked when this had been. Ms. Hollingsworth-Ng stated that it had been before.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town handed the mulch beds outside Town Hall to a different department, the mowing schedule would change. Mr. Prue stated that if the mowing schedule changed, the grass would come in differently, and that if the grass came in differently, the birds would leave.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of ten pages concerning the mulch beds outside Town Hall. Mr. Brummett exceeded the three-minute limit and was advised accordingly. He stated that he was nearly finished and then continued for an additional 2 minutes. Copies were provided to the Clerk and are on file.
Mr. Brummett left the chamber at 8:51 p.m.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the gazebo. Ms. Pletz stated that the site faces the retention pond and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She asked that the record reflect that she had raised drainage.
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 asked that this be entered into the record. Mr. Aldaco stated that he had raised the matter for fourteen years and would raise it again.
Stan Oberle, 223 Saffron Avenue, addressed the Council for the first time. Mr. Oberle stated that the hedge at the corner of Saffron Avenue and 4th blocks the view of oncoming traffic. He stated that he had called Town Hall about it twice.
Tammy Haldane, 34 Thyme Road, addressed the Council for the first time. Ms. Haldane stated that her recycling bin on Thyme Road was not emptied last Thursday. She stated that she had called Town Hall about it twice.
Wayne Stroud, 452 Saffron Avenue, addressed the Council for the first time and stated that he had recently moved to the Town. Mr. Stroud proposed that the Town consider a community composting program. Chairperson Kessling thanked Mr. Stroud and noted the 2011 pilot program.
Denny Frawley spoke in strong support. Mr. Frawley stated that the Town's new community composting program was exactly what the Town needed. He asked where he could sign up.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed the week of October 6 as Gazebo Appreciation Week.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Division of Seasonal Decoration: The Division reported that seasonal banners will be installed beginning the first week of next month.
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space: The Department reported that the goose count was not completed this period.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Delgado reported for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Materials that the subcommittee has adopted its rules of procedure.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Tassel moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Whitcomb. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.