TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 243
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:01 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 March 17, 2026 regular meeting; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence was received.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Splash pad
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Hours at the January 20, 2026 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. 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 Thornquist moved to set the hours of use for the splash pad to end at 8:00 p.m.; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. Discussion continued for 45 minutes. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to table the item; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Whitcomb.)
B. Welcome banner for the delegation from Muștăreni
This item was tabled at the January 6, 2026 regular meeting. 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 Tassel. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 42 minutes. 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, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Welcome Banner Nomenclature was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Bench near the retention pond
The Council considered whether the bench near the retention pond should be constructed of cedar or recycled composite. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to specify recycled composite for the bench near the retention pond; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to strike "recycled composite" and insert "cedar"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion to table carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Thornquist.) The pending amendment went with it.
B. Plaque on the gazebo
The Council considered whether the plaque on the gazebo should be cast in bronze or brass. The item was placed on the agenda by the Office of Signage Compliance. Councilmember Tassel moved to specify brass for the plaque on the gazebo; 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, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist, Whitcomb.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Materials was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
C. Community garden sign
The Council considered whether the community garden sign should read "Community Garden" or "Community Gardens". The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Marjorie Pletz. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to have the community garden sign read "Community Gardens"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Delgado.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-N.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 9:12 p.m.
Marjorie Pletz addressed the Council on the splash pad. Ms. Pletz stated that the site is downhill from Town Hall and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She stated that she would not elaborate, as the Council was aware of her position.
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.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng spoke in opposition to the motion to have the welcome banner for the delegation from Muștăreni read "Welcome to Flavortown". Ms. Hollingsworth-Ng stated that things had been better when the welcome banner for the delegation from Muștăreni was simply left alone. She did not specify when this had been.
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 have a leader and that she knows which one. She thanked the Council again.
Phil Fitch, 222 Fennel Street, addressed the Council for the first time. Mr. Fitch stated that the storm drain at the end of Fennel Street makes a noise when it rains. He thanked the Council for its time.
Hal Nakamura, 170 Thyme Road, addressed the Council for the first time and stated that he had recently moved to the Town. Mr. Nakamura proposed that the Town consider a recycling drop-off at the gazebo. Chairperson Kessling thanked Mr. Nakamura and noted the 2011 pilot program. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stated that new business may not be introduced during public comment, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 10. The point was well taken.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed the week of April 20 as Water Features Appreciation Week.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee: The Subcommittee reported that the sidewalk outside Town Hall was measured.
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that fourteen signs were inspected this period and all were found compliant.
Bureau of Water Features: The Bureau reported that the retention pond is fine.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Mulch Jurisdiction has recorded no activity since the December 23, 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.)
Councilmember Delgado reported for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Jurisdiction that the subcommittee has requested additional information from the department concerned.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Hasegawa moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.