Officials Prepare for Tall Ships Visit on June 17

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

The weather may be wintery now,  but soon a hopefully sunny June 17 will be here ushering in the Tall Ships to Boston and Town officials need to plan ahead for the impact.

Town Manager James McKenna asked the Town Council Tuesday night to set up a task force and start thinking how the Town is going to deal with the visitors expected to come to Town.

“There’s a lot to do and we have to think about the best position for the community,” McKenna said about the ships that will be moored right off the Winthrop shores. A view of the parade of ships is also expected. “Several ships will be parked right at the door steps of the town. The task force needs a dedicated focus.”

McKenna noted that topics such as public safety, cleanliness, the ferry and economic partnership possibilities need to be looked at. The task force would work with the town administration.

In other business:

• Work at the town landing is expected to begin soon. About one-third of the public landing stonework is being reconstructed. The $130,000 to $160,000 project is being done by the state fish and game department and Winthrop must pay 25 percent of the project. FEMA has also put in funding for the project.
• The town has finalized a 20-year lease agreement with the Winthrop Golf Club. The new lease will allow for public golfing on Sundays after 3 p.m. and Mondays (except holidays).
• Resident and Library Trustee Betty Peabody asked the council to please consider the graffiti and trash problems at Hannaford Park. She asked to have a camera installed to document the activity.