TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 232
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:00 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 October 14, 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. Plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th
This item has been tabled since the September 2, 2025 regular meeting, most recently at the September 30, 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 Delgado moved to have the plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th read "Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. 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 carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-AB.
B. Hedge along the Town Hall walkway
This item was tabled at the August 19, 2025 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the Town should have the hedge along the Town Hall walkway at all. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Delgado moved to retain the hedge along the Town Hall walkway; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 35 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: Kessling, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel, Thornquist.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Hedge Continuance was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Bike rack outside Town Hall
The Council considered whether the bike rack outside Town Hall falls under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space or the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng. Councilmember Hasegawa recused himself from discussion and voting on the item, explaining at some length that he can see the bike rack outside Town Hall from his kitchen window. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to assign the bike rack outside Town Hall to the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 56 minutes. The motion failed, 2–3. (Ayes: Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist.)
B. Sign at the splash pad entrance
The Council considered whether the sign at the splash pad entrance should read "Splash Pad" or "Spray Park". The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Tassel moved, for purposes of discussion, to have the sign at the splash pad entrance read "Splash Pad"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion failed, 0–6. (Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 9:01 p.m.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the bike rack outside Town Hall. Ms. Pletz stated that the site sits at a low point and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She stated that she would not elaborate, as the Council was aware of her position.
Connie Vandersloot thanked Chairperson Kessling, Councilmember Tassel, Councilmember Thornquist, Councilmember Whitcomb, Councilmember Delgado, and Councilmember Hasegawa individually for their service and commended them for their dedication to the community. Ms. Vandersloot then stated that the geese keep a schedule and that she has written it down.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town does anything to the hedge along the Town Hall walkway, heat will come off it. He stated that if heat comes off it, the insects will move, and that if the insects move, the birds will have nowhere to go.
Denny Frawley spoke in strong support of the item. Mr. Frawley stated that a contest to rename the plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th would bring the community together. He offered to volunteer for the demolition.
Jerry Bixby of 313 Clove Street addressed the Council for the first time. Mr. Bixby stated that the crosswalk signal at Fennel and 4th does not allow enough time to cross. He thanked the Council for its time.
Vern Duquette of 297 Nutmeg Lane addressed the Council for the first time. Mr. Duquette stated that his recycling bin on Nutmeg Lane was not emptied last Thursday. He stated that he did not wish to make a fuss.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed November 15 as Bike Rack 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 the signage on Fennel Street is legible.
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space: The Department reported that leaf collection is proceeding on schedule.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Posted Hours Continuance has recorded no activity since the July 8, 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 Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Paint Materials has recorded no activity since the May 13, 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.)
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Thornquist moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.