TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 245
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
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 April 14, 2026 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. Seasonal banner on Fennel Street
This item was removed from the agenda of the April 14, 2026 regular meeting to be re-noticed. 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. Councilmember Hasegawa recused himself from discussion and voting on the item, explaining at some length that his sister-in-law has used the seasonal banner on Fennel Street. Councilmember Thornquist moved to specify Pewter Gray for the seasonal banner on Fennel Street; seconded by Councilmember Whitcomb. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to add the words "on a trial basis"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Thornquist moved to amend the amendment to strike "trial" and insert "pilot"; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The amendment to the amendment failed, 1–4. The amendment failed, 1–4. The motion carried, 3–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Whitcomb.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-Q.
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 7:38 p.m.
B. Plaque on the gazebo
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Materials at the March 31, 2026 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. 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. Discussion continued for 35 minutes. The motion carried, 5–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Thornquist, Hasegawa.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-R.
C. Hedge along the Town Hall walkway
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Hedge Continuance at the October 28, 2025 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. 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 Hasegawa recused himself from discussion and voting on the item, explaining at some length that his sister-in-law has used the hedge along the Town Hall walkway. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to retain the hedge along the Town Hall walkway; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. Discussion continued for 56 minutes. The motion carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-S.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Bench near the retention pond
The Council considered whether the bench near the retention pond should be painted Hunter Green or Forest Green. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. Councilmember Hasegawa moved to specify Hunter Green for the bench near the retention pond; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion carried, 6–1. (Ayes: Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-T.
B. Fence around the retention pond
The Council considered whether the fence around the retention pond should be painted Hunter Green or Forest Green. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng. Councilmember Tassel moved to specify Hunter Green for the fence around the retention pond; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Discussion continued for 23 minutes. The motion failed, 3–4. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Hasegawa. Nays: Kessling, Fenstermacher, Whitcomb, Delgado.)
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 9:38 p.m.
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 the tree had now outlasted three members of the Council.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Denny Frawley spoke in strong support of the item. Mr. Frawley stated that a paint-your-own day at the fence around the retention pond was the best idea he had heard in some time. He asked where he could sign up.
Earl Oberle, 88 Anise Way, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that the storm drain at the end of Anise Way makes a noise when it rains. Mr. Oberle stated that he had called Town Hall about it twice.
Nadine Varga, 477 Caraway Court, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that the hedge at the corner of Caraway Court and 4th blocks the view of oncoming traffic. Ms. Varga stated that she had called Town Hall about it twice.
Phil Quist, 473 Saffron Avenue, addressing the Council for the first time, stated that he had recently moved to the Town. Mr. Quist proposed that the Town consider a bike-share program. Chairperson Kessling thanked Mr. Quist and noted the 2011 pilot program. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stating that new business may not be introduced during public comment, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 10. The point was well taken.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the proposal for a bike-share program. Ms. Pletz stated that it would need a site, that any site in the Town sits lower than people think, and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She reminded the Council that she had been right before.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed the month of May as Banner Awareness Month.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee: The Subcommittee reported that the sidewalk outside Town Hall was measured.
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space: The Department reported that the benches were counted and all are accounted for.
Flavortown Historical Preservation Commission: The Commission reported that the gazebo remains historically appropriate.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Welcome Banner Nomenclature requested an extension of 60 days to complete its review. Without objection, the extension was granted.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Whitcomb moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.