Winthrop Council Refers National Grid Pole Permit, Hears Growing Grant Loss Tally

WINTHROP — March 24, 2026 — Winthrop Town Council referred a National Grid utility pole permit to subcommittee and heard warnings of escalating grant losses tied to the town's MBTA Communities Act non-compliance. The council sent National Grid's request to install a new pole and 325 kVA transformer at 22-24 Pauline Street to its Public Health and Safety subcommittee after a public hearing in which representatives identified as Raphael and Moses explained the overhead installation plan and acknowledged a separate, unresolved safety issue involving a live cable draped over an oak tree behind the fire station. Town Manager Marino confirmed he is tracking grant losses attributable to 3A non-compliance; documented losses described Tuesday include a $1.2 million MVP grant denied two consecutive years, a $17,000 DESE supplemental grant, a $9,950 IEP enhancement grant, a $20,000 summer learning grant, and a potential $420,000 three-year 21st Century grant for which the district cannot apply. Councilor Tessinari stated bluntly, "We are the ones breaking the law right now of our own volition." The town's 21-page response to the Attorney General's lawsuit was filed the prior Thursday.