TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 254
Tuesday, September 1, 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 Hasegawa moved to approve the minutes of the August 18, 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
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 7:05 p.m.
A. Hedge bordering the retention pond
This item was referred to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Hedge Materials at the June 9, 2026 regular meeting and has returned from subcommittee. The Council considered whether the hedge bordering the retention pond should be replanted in American boxwood or English boxwood. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Marjorie Pletz. Councilmember Delgado moved to specify American boxwood for the hedge bordering the retention pond; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 37 minutes. The motion failed, 3–4. (Ayes: Fenstermacher, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Hasegawa.)
B. Loan of the two folding tables to North Ashby
This item was tabled at the March 17, 2026 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the loan of the two folding tables to North Ashby falls under the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee or the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. Councilmember Thornquist moved to assign the loan of the two folding tables to North Ashby to the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 6–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Whitcomb.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Equipment Loan Jurisdiction was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. Community garden sign
The Council considered whether the community garden sign should face northbound traffic or southbound traffic. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. Councilmember Tassel moved to have the community garden sign face southbound traffic; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 5–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Whitcomb, Hasegawa.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Placement was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
B. Banner over the Town Hall entrance
The Council considered whether the banner over the Town Hall entrance should be painted Hunter Green or Forest Green. The item was placed on the agenda by the Office of Signage Compliance. 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 50 hours before the meeting, as required. The objection was overruled. Councilmember Fenstermacher moved to specify Hunter Green for the banner over the Town Hall entrance; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Office of Signage Compliance or the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. The question was noted. The motion carried, 4–3. (Ayes: Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb. Nays: Kessling, Delgado, Hasegawa.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 26-AA.
C. Memorial bench on Fennel Street
The Council considered whether the memorial bench on Fennel Street falls under the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee or the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Connie Vandersloot. Councilmember Fenstermacher moved to assign the memorial bench on Fennel Street to the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Discussion continued for 17 minutes. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to table the item pending additional information; seconded by Councilmember Fenstermacher. The motion to table carried, 5–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Tassel, Hasegawa.)
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:38 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 noted that this was the fourteenth year he had raised the matter.
Marjorie Pletz spoke regarding the loan of the two folding tables to North Ashby. 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.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of eight pages concerning the memorial bench on Fennel Street. Mr. Brummett exceeded the three-minute limit and was advised accordingly. He stated that he was nearly finished and continued for an additional 6 minutes. Copies were provided to the Clerk and are on file.
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 the installation of the community garden sign was exactly what the Town needed. He stated that he would bring folding chairs.
Patrice Hollingsworth-Ng spoke in opposition to the motion to specify American boxwood for the hedge bordering the retention pond. Ms. Hollingsworth-Ng stated that things had been better when nobody had needed to discuss the hedge bordering the retention pond. She stated that a number of people remember.
Kathy Abernathy provided the Clerk with three photographs of the drinking fountain in Town Hall. Ms. Abernathy stated that the photographs were taken over the past month.
Colleen Castellano, 172 Nutmeg Lane, addressed the Council for the first time. Ms. Castellano stated that a neighbor's wind chimes on Nutmeg Lane could be heard from her kitchen with the windows closed. She thanked the Council for its time.
Kent Varga, 26 Thyme Road, addressed the Council for the first time and stated that the crosswalk signal at Fennel and 4th did not allow enough time to cross. Mr. Varga stated that he did not wish to make a fuss.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed the month of October as Seasonal Decoration Awareness Month. The Mayor proclaimed September 5 as Adjacent Green Space Day.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space: The Department reported that leaf collection is proceeding on schedule.
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that fourteen signs were inspected this period and all were found compliant.
Division of Seasonal Decoration: The Division reported that seasonal banners will be installed beginning the first week of next month.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Banner Continuance requested an extension of 90 days to complete its review. Without objection, the extension was granted.
Councilmember Delgado reported for the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Signage Jurisdiction that the subcommittee continues to gather information.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Whitcomb 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 9:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.