End of an Era: Gill Presides Over His Last Council Meeting

The best measure of Council President Peter Gill’s contribution to and impact on the town may be realized with the following question: Is Winthrop a better place than it was four years ago?

Unquestionably, undeniably, indisputably – it is.

From the newly renovated parks – that sprung from Gill’s idea to start a parks committee now headed by Linda Bressard – to the $80 million state-of-the-art middle/high school – which Gill supported from the outset – to the new re-developments at the old Winthrop Hospital site, Temple Tifereth Israel, and the Dalrymple School, the town is in a very good place and in sound financial shape.

Peter Gill has been the Council president since 2011, first defeating incumbent Jeffrey Turco and then winning a rematch in two of the most hotly contested elections in town history. For the past four years Gill has presided over a council that has worked closely with Town Manager and town employees to improve all areas of town life. Many longtime residents agree the town has never looked better.

“The town looks beautiful,” said Gill. “We had a tremendous team effort. I’m proud to be part of the team but many did the work that made our parks beautiful. I never lifted a shovel.”

As for the new developments in the town, Gill credits the boards and committees who worked collaboratively with the council and town manager’s office.

“The cooperation of the Planning Board, the Board of Appeals, the Licensing Commission – all of our boards have worked together to smooth the process and facilitate the positive things happening,” said Gill. “Our Finance Commission is just so professional.”

Gill directed his last Town Council meeting as president Tuesday night. Robert Driscoll Jr. will take over the reins of the nine-member Council in January.

“I really like our new form of government with a council and the town manager,” said Gill. “It has worked well. We really value the services and appreciate what Mr. McKenna has done for our town. I wish Bob Driscoll well. I’m very confident that Bob will carry the ball and continue our town in a positive direction. ”

Gill’s family history dates back more than a century. His mother, Alice Donovan, arrived in town in 1912 and graduated from Winthrop High in 1923. Gill is the youngest of five brothers. He graduated from the old Winthrop High School on the site of the former Middle School. His children attended Winthrop High while his granddaughter Gretchen Howard, a superstar goaltender for the girls hockey team, is a junior and will graduate with the new high school’s first senior class in 2017.

Gill compares the town’s success and resurgence to that of the New England Patriots.

“We’ve had our share of fumbles and incomplete passes making it a challenge to move forward, but our first downs, our field goals, our touchdowns and extra points have far outweighed any difficulties. If there were a Super Bowl for communities in Massachusetts, Winthrop will be the Super Bowl town.”

Finally Gill thanked his wife, Maureen, and his family for their tremendous support during his reign as president of the Town Council.

“I thank my family – my kids and my grandchildren for all their support and encouragement, but most of all, a special thanks to my wife, Maureen, for your encouragement, support, for listening  patiently as I expressed my town-related concerns and pondered solutions, and for the many evenings you spent home alone. Love ya.”