Winthrop Town Council Approves $1.6 Million in Year-End Transfers, Hears Drainage Plan

WINTHROP -- June 30, 2026, Winthrop Town Council approves $1.6 million in fiscal year-end transfers and hears $4.5 million drainage overhaul plan. The council voted unanimously on four measures to close the FY26 books on June 30, including a $250,000 transfer from the General Stabilization Fund, leaving a balance of $5,837,690, to cover a snow and ice deficit that pushed total winter spending to roughly $633,000 against a $135,000 original budget. Engineers from Woodward and Curran presented a plan to replace aging 8- to 10-inch clay pipes along Tileston and Girdlestone Roads with lines up to 48 inches in diameter and relocate the stormwater outfall to the Pleasant Park Yacht Club at 562 Pleasant Street, fitted with a duckbill tide gate to block tidal surcharge; the estimated construction cost is $4 to $4.5 million, with a construction start targeted for October 2027. The council also split on board reappointments, with Councilor Romano and Vice President Swope abstaining on multiple votes citing the absence of updated applications, causing the reappointment of John Young to the Board of Appeals to fail 4-0-4, short of the required five affirmative votes. Town Counsel ruled a proposed moratorium on parking variances unenforceable under MGL Chapter 40A, which grants exclusive variance authority to the Zoning Board of Appeals.