Winthrop Council Censures Aiello 8-1, Approves Seawall Engineering Phase Two

WINTHROP -- February 25, 2025, Winthrop Town Council censures Councilor Joseph Aiello 8-1 and approves $158,500 for seawall engineering. Council President James Letary introduced the formal censure resolution at the February 25 meeting, citing conduct "inconsistent with the highest standards of integrity, respect, and professionalism"; Aiello accepted the rebuke, saying "I was wrong. I felt awful about it. I need to be better." Public comment featured two residents calling the censure insufficient and one urging resignation. The council also unanimously approved Phase 2 engineering funding for flood mitigation at Tyleston, Girdlestone, and Pico streets, the second of four engineering phases in a $396,500 contract, on a positive recommendation from the Finance Subcommittee. An 8-1 vote adopted four amendments to the town tree ordinance, designating all public trees with a trunk diameter of 18 inches or greater as landmark trees and barring their removal for any non-town purpose. Town Manager Tony Marino reported Chelsea voted 11-0 to join Winthrop and Revere in a regional dispatch center, and the MBTA announced a direct Winthrop-Boston ferry route starting April 28 will cut commute time from roughly 50 minutes to about 20 minutes.