TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 233
Tuesday, November 11, 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 Thornquist moved to approve the minutes of the October 28, 2025 regular meeting; seconded by Councilmember Whitcomb. 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 of North Ashby noting a faded center line on the boundary road, and asking which town would prefer to address it. The matter was placed on the agenda under New Business.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Posted hours of the community garden
This item was tabled at the September 2, 2025 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the resolution concerning the posted hours of the community garden should say "maintained" or "kept". The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Wendell Prue. Councilmember Tassel moved to adopt the resolution concerning the posted hours of the community garden using the word "kept"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-AC.
B. Splash pad
This item was tabled at the June 10, 2025 regular meeting. 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 Whitcomb moved to retain the splash pad; 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, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Whitcomb.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Continuance was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Faded center line on the boundary road
The Council considered whether the faded center line on the boundary road is for the Town or for North Ashby to address. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to have the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee address the faded center line on the boundary road; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. The motion to table carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
B. Seasonal banner on Fennel Street
The Council considered whether the seasonal banner on Fennel Street should be painted Municipal Gray or Pewter Gray. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng. 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 agenda was posted 86 hours before the meeting, as required. The objection was overruled. Councilmember Tassel moved to specify Pewter Gray for the seasonal banner on Fennel Street; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. 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, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Thornquist, Hasegawa.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Banner Color Selection was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 8:25 p.m.
C. Plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th
The Council considered whether the plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th falls under the Office of Signage Compliance or the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission. The item was placed on the agenda by the Office of Signage Compliance. Councilmember Delgado moved to assign the plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th to the Office of Signage Compliance; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 51 minutes. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 4–3. (Ayes: Kessling, Fenstermacher, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Tassel, Thornquist, Hasegawa.)
D. Sign at the splash pad entrance
The Council considered whether the sign at the splash pad entrance should face northbound traffic or southbound traffic. 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 sign at the splash pad entrance from his kitchen window. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to have the sign at the splash pad entrance face southbound traffic; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion failed, 1–5. (Ayes: Whitcomb. Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Delgado.)
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 9:28 p.m.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Denny Frawley spoke in support of the item. Mr. Frawley stated that a festival at the splash pad was exactly what the Town needed. He offered to volunteer for the demolition.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of ten pages concerning the frequency of leaf collection. Mr. Brummett exceeded the three-minute limit and was advised accordingly. He stated that he was nearly finished and continued for an additional 5 minutes.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town changed the wording on the posted hours of the community garden, people would stop to read it. Mr. Prue stated that if people stopped to read it, the crumbs would end up somewhere else. He further stated that if the crumbs ended up somewhere else, the birds would leave.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed the week of November 17 as Water Features Appreciation Week.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Bureau of Water Features: The Bureau reported that the splash pad has been winterized.
Division of Seasonal Decoration: The Division reported that the decorations at the gazebo are complete.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilmember Delgado reported for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Materials that the subcommittee continues to gather information.
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Color Selection has recorded no activity since the May 27, 2025 regular meeting. Councilmember Tassel moved to dissolve the subcommittee for inactivity; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Delgado.)
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Tassel moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 7–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:48:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.