TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 237
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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 Whitcomb moved to approve the minutes of the December 23, 2025 regular meeting; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk read into the record a letter from the Mayor of Muștăreni, Romania, advising that a delegation of six from the village will visit Flavortown the week of February 9, and that they look forward to seeing the gazebo. A letter of welcome will be sent over the signature of Mayor Coolidge. The matter was placed on the agenda under New Business.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Fence at the splash pad
This item has been tabled since the February 18, 2025 regular meeting, most recently at the December 9, 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 Hasegawa moved to specify Hunter Green for the fence at the splash pad; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-A.
B. Posted hours of the splash pad
This item was tabled at the November 25, 2025 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the posted hours of the splash pad should be rescinded. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to retain the posted hours of the splash pad; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 38 minutes. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-B.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Welcome banner for the delegation from Muștăreni
The Council considered whether the welcome banner for the delegation from Muștăreni should read "Welcome to Flavortown" or "Welcome to the Town of Flavortown". The item was placed on the agenda by the Division of Seasonal Decoration. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to have the welcome banner for the delegation from Muștăreni read "Welcome to Flavortown"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Division of Seasonal Decoration or the Bureau of Water Features. The question was noted. Discussion continued for 52 minutes. Councilmember Thornquist moved to table the item; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion to table carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Whitcomb.)
B. Gazebo
The Council considered whether the gazebo falls under the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission or the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. The item was placed on the agenda by the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission. Councilmember Thornquist moved to assign the gazebo to the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 53 minutes. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Delgado.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-C.
C. Plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th
The Council considered whether the Town should have the plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th at all. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to remove the plaque beneath the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 47 minutes. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist, Delgado.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-D.
D. Flag at the gazebo
The Council considered whether the flag at the gazebo falls under the Division of Seasonal Decoration or the Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Wendell Prue. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to assign the flag at the gazebo to the Division of Seasonal Decoration; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Discussion continued for 35 minutes. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Whitcomb.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-E.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 11:05 p.m.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of nine pages concerning the gazebo. Mr. Brummett exceeded the three-minute limit and was advised accordingly. He stated that he was nearly finished and continued for an additional 8 minutes.
Wendell Prue stated that if the Town repaints the fence at the splash pad, heat will come off it. He stated that if heat comes off it, the grass will come in differently, that if the grass comes in differently, the worms will go deeper, and that if the worms go deeper, the birds will leave. Mr. Prue stated that he did not know what else to tell the Council.
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 noted that the tree has now outlasted three members of the Council.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the gazebo. Ms. Pletz stated that the ground there stays soft well into June and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She reminded the Council that she had been right before.
Kathy Abernathy stated that there had been no change regarding the drinking fountain in Town Hall and asked that the record reflect it. Ms. Abernathy thanked the Council.
Donna Pruitt, 213 Fennel Street, addressed the Council for the first time. Ms. Pruitt stated that the hedge at the corner of Fennel Street and 4th blocks the view of oncoming traffic. She asked that someone look into it.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed the month of February as Sidewalk Awareness Month.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission: The Commission reported that the plaque inventory is complete.
Bureau of Water Features: The Bureau reported that the retention pond is fine.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Hedge Continuance requested an extension of 60 days to complete its review. Without objection, the extension was granted.
Councilmember Delgado reported for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Continuance that the subcommittee has requested additional information from the department concerned.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Tassel moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The meeting was adjourned at 11:31:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.