Winthrop Council Transfers $85,600 to Cover Solid Waste Shortfall, Declares Pride Month

WINTHROP -- May 5, 2026, Winthrop Town Council approved an $85,617 transfer to shore up its solid waste enterprise fund and unanimously adopted a Pride Month proclamation at its May 5 meeting. The council voted to move $85,617.41 from the dormant Fund 527 Health Cycle Program, unused for nearly five years since the enterprise fund was established, to the tipping fees account, after Finance Committee Chair Councilor Tassineri reported that recycling costs had spiked from roughly $37 per ton to $137 per ton. The council also appropriated $30,000 from the handicap parking fines account, which carries an $87,575 balance, for disability-related programs including the health department's safety net program. Seven ordinance amendments covering traffic definitions, lead pipe removal, and meter tampering passed unanimously, with a new provision requiring accessory dwelling units to have full copper water service; a developer tree-plan ordinance was referred to the Planning Board for a required zoning public hearing. Councilor Dimes moved the Pride proclamation, designating June 2 through June 15 as the Town of Winthrop Pride Celebration and authorizing a flag raising at the E.B. Newton School on June 2 at 5:30 p.m., drawing unanimous support.