Council Still Hears Residents Express Center Concerns

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

In the last few months, anytime there is a Town Council meeting the residents and business owners in the central business district stand up and voice their concerns about their neighborhood.

 

Tuesday night was no different.

 

Resident Mary Alice Sharkey said that she is “pro” development within reason, but her concerns are for the whole community and she believes it is time to hire a planner.

 

So far the center has endured infrastructure construction, a failed traffic study, discussion over parking and rumors of big development coming to the center, and a lack of communication about what was happening in the center.

 

There is a master plan for the district but there are no plans from a developer at this time. Infrastructure work has happened during the summer, and more will happen with the rehabbing of French Square in the spring.

 

Resident Ana Bakos gave an impassioned speech about the neighborhood her family has been in since the 1920s. She likened the last few months to being in front of a steam roller, or acting out a scene between David and Goliath.

 

“Our trust has been abused, misguided and misplaced,” Bakos said. “You have to earn back my trust.”

 

She said the concerns and goals are simple, and the town needs to think what any development will mean in the long term.

 

Evoking her father’s memory, the young Greek man who settled his family in Winthrop in the 1920s, “You are tinkering with the American Dream,” Bakos said.

 

She also questioned why the town would bring in new development when the town needs a new fire and police station.

 

Donna Reilly said she felt like the residents were being left out and agreed with Sharkey that the town needs a planner.

 

Precinct 5 Councillor Peter Christopher said he would like to have a community meeting for those in the center district.

 

Former town council president Tom Reilly said the zoning map for the area has to be redrawn and should take out any residential properties.

 

“Obviously we missed out mark,” said Town Council President Russ Sanford.

 

Resident Nick Tsiotis said he thinks the zoning issue goes back to 2014 when ordinances were changed.

 

Reilly called for a moratorium to go back to the old zoning in the district.

 

“I think a Pandora’s box has been open,” Tsiotis said. “Winthrop was built out 10 years ago.”

 

Then he referenced the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” and the notion of realizing the world around you without you in it. He even jingled a bell to the council, and asked them to think of a time they hear the bell ring.