Winthrop Council Approves 15-Year Massport Pilot Deal, $3 Million in Year One

WINTHROP -- June 9, 2026, Winthrop Town Council approves $84 million in FY27 budgets and a 15-year, $3 million Massport pilot deal on a 6-3 vote. The council unanimously adopted a $68.4 million general fund operating budget submitted by Town Manager Jim Marino, representing a roughly $1.9 million increase, along with five enterprise fund budgets covering the rink, recreation, harbormaster, water and sewer, and solid waste, bringing total appropriations to approximately $83 to $84 million. The council also appropriated $1.15 million to the Education Stabilization Fund, bringing its balance to $1,582,917. The Massport payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement, running July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2041, raises Winthrop's annual payment from $2.1 million to $3 million in year one, a 42 percent increase, with 1 percent annual escalators for the first decade and 1.5 percent thereafter, yielding a projected final payment of $3,517,217 in FY41. Councilor Costigan, who voted no, called the process rushed and argued the town was "approving this proposal under duress," with rejection potentially costing Winthrop $500,000 to $900,000 in lost revenue before June 30; Vice President Spoke and Councilor Reardon also dissented, each raising concerns about inflation erosion and the 15-year term length.