MWRA Forum Draws Officials and Residents

WINTHROP – Officials from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority met with Winthrop residents and officials last Wednesday evening as part of its regular community outreach.

The first thing announced by MWRA Executive Director Fred Laskey, was that the Deer Island facility has had no permit violations for eight years in a row. He also shared that the MWRA would be building a 250-foot “T” shaped pier for fishing. The MWRA also plans to add a 40-space public parking lot to supplement the current 34-space lot.

Laskey said the pier would have navigational lighting on the end and possibly lights along the pier. He explained that these would point down on the pier and not up so as not to disturb residents.

But what residents really wanted to hear was how parking, use of the pier and undesirable activity were going to be tackled. Resident Kathleen Cappuccio asked who was responsible for enforcing the laws in the Deer Island area.

Laskey said it is the state police who have jurisdiction over Deer Island. “Unless we ask they don’t come around everyday,” he said. He said the MWRA does have its own patrol. He explained that they have been loosely enforcing the parking because of Winthrop residents who might want to take an evening walk.

         “Every now and then we get some kids with a bonfire and a six pack,” Laskey said, adding that yes, they have found hypodermic needles and nips. He admitted the MWRA has been soft on enforcing the dusk to dawn closure on the island. There also has not been a lot of enforcement when it comes to salt water fishing licenses.

“If you can’t enforce (it) then don’t build it,” said resident Dave Johnson.

Laskey also told those at the meeting that the idea of barging material has been put on hold. He said they don’t have a plan to do anything different, but they just have to work it out. It was hoped that barging could reduce the number of truck visits cutting through Winthrop.

Resident Kathleen Cappuccio brought up the subject of the mitigation payments to the town. The town receives $800,000 each year for having the Deer Island facility in its backyard. Town Council Peter Gill said if the MWRA did not give the town the money then the town would have to find the money elsewhere. From 1988 to 2014 the town has received $48.3 million from the MWRA.

Other residents voiced concern over the upkeep of the roads, especially in the Point neighborhood. Fire Chief Paul Flanagan said the MWRA was also a huge help during the winter with snow removal.

“We were kind of like the little town who could,” Flanagan said.