Spring Forum Shows Unity: McKenna Has Assembled a Great Team of Department Heads

The Town Council’s Spring Forum Tuesday night at the Cummings School certainly accentuated the positive gains that the town has made under the administration of Town Manager James McKenna. But more importantly, the forum highlighted the outstanding staff of professionals who lead our departments across town government. From the impassioned speeches by our public safety department leaders, Fire Chief Paul Flanagan and Police Chief Terence Delehanty, about the dangers of illegal apartments, to the encouraging words from DPW Director Steve Calla and Parks and Recreation Director Sean Driscoll about the improvements underway at Pico Park and other playgrounds, to Town Clerk Carla Vitale’s proposal to digitalize all past birth and death records for the town (Carla said it would cost between $75,000-$100,000 to do that), the forum truly illustrated that “Moving Winthrop Forward” is more than just a clever slogan. McKenna and his leadership team are pointing Winthrop in the right direction and the town is poised for greatness, just as Judith Nee wrote in a letter that was read by Council President Peter Gill at the meeting.

It was also heartwarming to hear our long-time Council on Aging Director Nancy Williams talk about the future for our seniors, the fastest growing segment of the population.

We have seen the benefits of James McKenna’s efforts to consolidate departments and functions such as the maintenance of our town buildings and schools. There is much to be excited about in terms of the future of our town. Our town manager, the Town Council, School Committee, our department heads, and town employees have all shared in setting the foundation to our future growth.

We also would note that our state legislators, Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo and State Sen. Anthony Petruccelli, have been full partners with our town officials in working diligently to ensure that the best interests and opportunities for Winthrop residents are taken care of on Beacon Hill.