News Briefs

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) Outfall Inspection Program

The Winthrop Department of Public Works (DPW) has commenced an Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) outfall inspection program to find and remove illicit discharges in the Town’s storm drainage system. Illicit discharges are direct connections or indirect discharges into the municipal storm drain system that are not composed entirely of stormwater.

Winthrop is authorized by the State and the EPA to discharge stormwater runoff into local waterways in accordance with the Clean Water Act. It is our responsibility to meet these conditions and prevent leaking septic or other illegal substances from entering our stormwater drainage system.

The Town will begin its IDDE program by monitoring stormwater discharge points (outlets, outfalls, and inter-municipal connections to our neighboring towns) in December 2020 as required by the Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit. The results of this work will be used to direct further IDDE investigations including visual and building inspections to identify and remove confirmed illicit discharges from our drainage system. In order to perform outfall inspections, crews may need to access private property. The engineering firm, Woodard & Curran, along with their subcontractor, SDE Engineering, will be conducting this work on our behalf and will be wearing proper identification.

If you have any questions regarding IDDE outfall inspections or crew activity, please do not hesitate to contact the Town of Winthrop Department of Public Works at (617) 846-1341.

MBA Charitable Foundation Honors MVES with $5,000 Community Grant Award

Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) was recently selected to be a recipient of a $5,000 Community Grant Award from the Massachusetts Bankers Association (MBA) Charitable Foundation. The award was given by the MBA Charitable Foundation, along with the Massachusetts banking industry, to MVES for all its hard work and initiatives throughout the years in supporting the communities the agency serves.

Close community partners Edward Doherty, CEO of StonehamBank, Jeffrey Worth, President and CEO of Wakefield Co-Operative Bank, and William Rivers, Vice President, Community Reinvestment Act Officer for Eagle Bank, nominated Mystic Valley Elder Services to recognize its positive and strong community impact.

“We are very grateful to the Massachusetts Bankers Association and its generous donation to our agency,” said Daniel O’Leary, Chief Executive Officer of Mystic Valley Elder Services. “This donation will be a tremendous benefit to helping those older adults and adults living with disabilities in need. I would also like to thank our community partner banks who nominated us for the grant award.  They too are tremendous assets to the community.”

“On behalf of the entire Massachusetts banking community, we are thrilled to bring our collective strength to supporting organizations that are doing immense good in local communities across the Commonwealth,” said Peter G. Brown, Chairman of the MBA Charitable Foundation, and President and CEO of Dedham Savings. “As we see the impact of the Foundation’s support as well as the broader support from banks’ individual efforts, we are reminded that every gift-giving season amplifies the needs.  As we recognize 49 organizations this year with the 2020 gifts, we do so with the knowledge and renewed focus that our work continues.”

Since its founding in 1996, the Foundation has provided gifts totaling approximately $2.8 million, which is symbolic of the more than $106 million in individual donations banks make on an annual basis to charitable non-profits and social agencies in communities throughout the Commonwealth.

The Massachusetts Bankers Association represents approximately 135 commercial, savings, and co-operative and federal savings banks and savings and loan associations across the Commonwealth. Annually, the Charitable Foundation reaches out to member banks and ask to send in nominations of worthy charities and organizations who are actively addressing the needs of their community.

 Celebrating 45 Years of helping older adults keep their independence, Mystic Valley Elder Services is a non-profit agency located in Malden, Mass., that provides essential home- and community-based care and resources to older adults, adults living with disabilities, and caregivers who reside in Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Revere, Stoneham, Wakefield and Winthrop, regardless of their income level. Agency services include coordination of home care, transportation, Meals on Wheels, and information and referrals. For more information, please call (781) 324-7705 or visit www.mves.org.

Socially Distanced Santa Claus Is Coming To Town For Photos

Join us on Saturday, Dec. 12 or Saturday, Dec. 19, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Memorial Gymnasium on Pauline Street for socially distanced photos with Santa. Photos of your children or your family are available.

Please remember that for “family” for these photos, it is considered only people living in your household. A photo will be emailed to you and you can take your own photo as well.

The cost is $15 per family and you must register one person in the family to hold a spot for a specific hour. You will be emailed back a specific time to attend within that hour. Masks are required until you sit for your photo.