Winthrop Council Rejects Immigrant Welcoming Resolution in 4-3 Vote

WINTHROP — September 2, 2025 — Winthrop's Town Council rejected a welcoming-community resolution for immigrants 4-3 and voted to support three state bills seeking exemption from the MBTA Communities Act at its September 2 meeting. Vice President Hannah Belcher's resolution — prompted by the April 25 ICE detention of two Winthrop residents — was backed by Councilors Joseph Aiello, Max Tassaneri, and John DeRoss but opposed by Councilors Robert DeMarco and Patrick Costigan and Council President Jim Letary, who warned the measure could draw federal attention to the town; DeRoss countered that "we can't change the federal government from the Harvey Room" but could signal support for all residents. The meeting was dominated by public comment over $1.2 million in denied state climate grants — a $819,829 Resilient Warren Street award and a $405,000 Fisherman's Bend grant — both rescinded because the town is out of compliance with 3A; speakers cited total drain-work costs of $13 million to $14 million for Morton Street, Fisherman's Bend, and Pico with a September 5 state deadline to restore eligibility passing without council action. All three of Representative Jeff Turco's bills — a full repeal of 3A, a safe-harbor exemption tied to Chapter 40B compliance, and an exemption for towns under two square miles — passed the council, with House Bill 2344 carrying unanimously 8-0.