TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 251
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:02 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 July 7, 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. Memorial bench on Fennel Street
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Bench Placement at the June 23, 2026 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. The Council considered whether the memorial bench on Fennel Street should face the gazebo or Fennel Street. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to have the memorial bench on Fennel Street face Fennel Street; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion failed, 3–3. (Ayes: Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Hasegawa.)
B. Gazebo
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Gazebo Placement at the June 23, 2026 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. The Council considered whether the gazebo should be relocated fifteen feet to the north. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Tassel moved to keep the gazebo in its current location; seconded by Councilmember Whitcomb. Councilmember Thornquist moved to refer the item back to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Gazebo Placement; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion to refer carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel, Delgado.)
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Banner over the Town Hall entrance
The Council considered whether the banner over the Town Hall entrance falls under the Office of Signage Compliance or the Division of Seasonal Decoration. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Dale Brummett. Councilmember Delgado moved to assign the banner over the Town Hall entrance to the Office of Signage Compliance; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 30 minutes. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to table carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist.)
B. Community garden sign
The Council considered whether the community garden sign should be made of aluminum or routed cedar. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Marjorie Pletz. Councilmember Delgado moved to specify aluminum for the community garden sign; 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, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Tassel, Hasegawa.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Materials was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
C. Mulch in the community garden
The Council considered whether the mulch in the community garden should be pine bark nuggets or pine bark mini-nuggets. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Hasegawa recused himself from discussion and voting on the item, explaining at some length that his late father once helped paint the mulch in the community garden. Councilmember Whitcomb moved, for purposes of discussion, to specify pine bark nuggets for the mulch in the community garden; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to strike "pine bark nuggets" and insert "pine bark mini-nuggets"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The amendment carried, 3–2. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space or the Bureau of Water Features. The question was noted. Councilmember Tassel stated that he was "just asking," and asked again. The motion failed, 0–5. (Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado.)
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:47 p.m.
Ray Tolliver stated that he would be brief, and asked where everyone is supposed to park.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of eleven pages concerning the memorial bench on Fennel Street. Chairperson Kessling advised Mr. Brummett that his three minutes had expired. Mr. Brummett expressed surprise. He was permitted to conclude and finished at 5 minutes and 52 seconds. Copies were provided to the Clerk and are on file.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the banner over the Town Hall entrance. Ms. Pletz stated that any change there would alter the grade of the surrounding area and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She stated that she would not elaborate, as the Council was aware of her position.
Russ Teague of 77 Thyme Road addressed the Council for the first time. Mr. Teague stated that a parking ticket he received on Fennel Street was issued four minutes before the posted restriction began. He stated that he had called Town Hall about it twice.
Donna Varga of 448 Nutmeg Lane addressed the Council for the first time. Ms. Varga stated that the streetlight in front of her house on Nutmeg Lane had been flickering for five weeks. She stated that she did not wish to make a fuss.
Joyce Kowalczyk of 264 Thyme Road addressed the Council for the first time and stated that she had recently moved to the Town. Ms. Kowalczyk proposed that the Town consider a recycling drop-off at the gazebo. Chairperson Kessling thanked Ms. Kowalczyk 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 August 8 as Historical Preservation Day.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Division of Seasonal Decoration: The Division reported that seasonal banners will be installed beginning the first week of next month.
Bureau of Water Features: The Bureau reported that routine testing at the splash pad was completed.
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that a sign at the splash pad was found facing the other direction and has been corrected.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Plaque Jurisdiction has recorded no activity since the March 31, 2026 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 Welcome Banner Nomenclature has recorded no activity since the April 28, 2026 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 Delgado moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.