Winthrop Council Approves Retiree COLA Hike, Previews $68.4 Million FY27 Budget

WINTHROP -- April 21, 2026, Winthrop Town Council unanimously raised the retiree cost-of-living adjustment base and previewed a $68.4 million FY27 budget at its April 21 meeting. The council voted 9-0 to adopt the Retirement Board's recommendation increasing the COLA calculation base from $14,000 to $16,000, a change CFO Sarah Johnson said will cost the fully funded Retirement Fund approximately $12,000 annually with no operating budget impact, translating to roughly $30 to $50 more per retiree per year. Town Manager Tony Marino and Johnson presented a balanced $68,361,037 proposed budget drawing its largest share from the property tax levy, with $41,259,738 allocated to the schools and $27,101,299 to the town side. A proposed capital plan totals $1,396,020, including $250,000 in road resurfacing and a final $70,000 truck lease payment. Public comment was dominated by debate over the town's involvement in 3A-related litigation, with resident Terry Delahanty warning that pro bono legal partnerships carry real financial risk and Councilor Tassaneri demanding a prorated accounting of Town Counsel's hours spent on the suit.