Winthrop Town Council Unanimously Approves Chelsea Joining Regional Dispatch Center

WINTHROP -- March 18, 2025, Winthrop Town Council unanimously adds Chelsea to its regional emergency dispatch agreement, cutting the town's annual assessment. The council voted 9-0 Tuesday to authorize Town Manager Tom Marino to execute an amended intermunicipal agreement adding the city of Chelsea as a third partner in the Metro North Regional Emergency Communications Center, extending the pact through June 30, 2040. Metro North Executive Director Whitney Morgan told the council that Winthrop's projected FY26 assessment drops to roughly $373,000, down from a pre-Chelsea projection of $463,877, as the net three-community assessment of approximately $2.6 million is redistributed, with Chelsea carrying about $980,000 and Revere about $1.3 million. General counsel Terry Dalahunty said State 911 will cover 100 percent of Chelsea's costs for the first three years under its incentive program, at no cost to Winthrop or Revere, and projected conservative annual savings to Winthrop of at least $90,000. State 911 has already awarded the center $900,000 toward relocating operations to the McKinley School in Chelsea, with eligibility for up to $15 million in additional capital grants.