Winthrop Town Council approves $1.1 million water infrastructure bond unanimously

WINTHROP -- November 5, 2025, Winthrop Town Council unanimously authorizes $1.1 million in bonds for water system upgrades while teacher contract talks remain far apart. The November 5 vote covers year two of a five-year capital plan, with $300,000 earmarked for water meter replacement, $300,000 for valve exercising, and $500,000 for valve replacement, as recommended by the finance subcommittee under Councilor Costigan. The council also opened and referred a fiscal year 2026 tax classification hearing to the finance committee, with staff noting the town's commercial base sits below 8 percent. Three Winthrop Police officers were sworn in during the meeting, including newly promoted Lieutenant Delehanty and Sergeant Daniel Stone, as well as new full-time Officer Jay Silva. Resident Tonsago warned the council that the Winthrop Teachers Association's current contract ask is roughly three times the $650,000 to $700,000 allocated through a community-passed override, with Councilor Costigan confirming a "sizable gap" and no settlement in sight.