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.