Winthrop Town Council Tables MBTA Communities Act Exemption Vote Until February

WINTHROP -- January 20, 2026, Winthrop's Town Council tabled a motion to join an MBTA Communities Act exemption lawsuit and approved three board appointments at its January 20 meeting. Vice President Swope moved to join the legal case, which argues the town's extreme density warrants an exemption from the state's zoning law, but Councilor Dimes invoked council privilege to lay the motion on the table, deferring it to February after the town has already passed its December 31 compliance deadline. Town Manager Tony Marino reported that the town has formally requested two state budget earmarks totaling $3 million for the new fire station: a $2 million Affordable Homes Act earmark and a $1 million Mass LEADS earmark, with both letters forwarded to Senator Edwards and Representative Turco. The council accepted the suspension of the Climate Commission, which cited exhausted grant options and called for $5 million in stormwater work at Morton Street before resuming operations. The appointment of Debbie Chavez to the Board of Registrars passed on a 4-3 vote, with Councilors Romano and Reardon and Vice President Swope opposed and Councilor Costigan abstaining.