Winthrop Council Deadlocks 4-4 on 3A Compliance, Precinct 2 Appointment

WINTHROP -- June 17, 2025, Winthrop Town Council deadlocked 4-4 on the MBTA Communities Act compliance plan and again on a Precinct 2 council appointment, leaving both unresolved. The June 17 vote on the Planning Board's 3A proposal, which would have created two overlay zoning districts covering Seal Harbor Road, Fort Heath, and Governor's Park while contributing existing CBD units toward compliance with zero net new housing, fell short of the five votes required to pass, with Vice President Max Belcher, Councilor John Tassaneri, Councilor Chris DeRoss, and Councilor Aiello voting yes and Council President Jim Leteri, Councilor Rob DeMarco, Councilor Paul Costigan, and Councilor Swope voting no. Councilor Tassaneri warned the no vote jeopardizes $10 million in state firehouse funding and billions in bond-bill grants tied to compliance, while Leteri said "a vote no tonight is a vote to raise taxes." A subsequent 4-4 split between Karen Chavez and Michael Kinlan for the vacant Precinct 2 seat left that position empty, drawing sharp criticism from residents and the council president, who called the outcome "the biggest disgrace I've ever seen." The council unanimously adopted two sections of the HEROES Act expanding veteran property tax exemptions effective July 1, 2025, at a cost of $30,400 within an existing $225,000 abatement allowance fund.