Large Crowd Attends Republican Town Comm. Meeting on MBTA Communities Act

It’s hard to determine which was the most impressive development at Tuesday night’s forum hosted by the Winthrop Republican Town Committee: the larger-than-expected turnout of more than 100 residents; the comprehensive set of questions presented by the attendees that examined the MBTA Communities Act and its impact on the Town of Winthrop from every angle; or the amazingly in-depth and direct responses from the panelists, Rep. Jeff Turco and Town Council President James Letterie.

In responding to more than 90 minutes of questions from the audience, both Turco and Letterie showed that they had “done their homework” and then some on the controversial MBTA Communities Act, known simply as “[Section] 3A,” and how the law will impact Winthrop.

Forum moderator Paul Caruccio, chair of the Winthrop Republican Town Committee, was elated by the size of the turnout at the two-hour session and the diversity of the questions posed by members of the audience. He said he was grateful for the dedication of Turco and Letterie.

Caruccio also mentioned at the outset, “Jeff’s wife, Melissa, is having her birthday tonight, and he is spending it with his community. I think that deserves a round of applause.”

The MBTA Communities Act, which became state law in 2021, requires that 177 cities and towns, including Winthrop (The City of Boston is exempt from the law, which “sticks in my craw”, said Turco), create new zoning districts and establish a certain number of multi-family housing units. Under the law, Winthrop would be required to add 882 multi-family housing units.

Letterie said that new units cannot be built on town-owned properties such as Ingleside Park or the old Middle School building.

One observation from Tuesday’s meeting is that Winthrop residents will be closely watching the Town of Milton’s lawsuit seeking to overturn the MBTA Communities Act. That case will go before the Mass. Supreme Judicial Court in October.

“I think the Milton lawsuit is really critical in this issue,” said Turco. “I expect the SJC to make a decision by the end of the year. The court knows how important it to come up with a decision because cities and towns are struggling to comply or not comply with the law.”

Turco made it clear that he is opposed to the implementation of the law.

“I’m opposed to the law. I want to be crysyal clear,” Turco told the audience. “I think it’s bad for Winthrop. I think it’s a bad fit for this town. I don’t think it recognizes the good, thoughtful efforts of development that Winthrop has done over the last 20 or 30 years. It doesn’t acknowledge the development that’s in the works in the town.”

Noting the many new residential developments in Revere over the past decade, Turco said, “The Commonwealth should be respectful of towns like Winthrop who want to build in a thoughtful, deliberate way.”

One resident asked whether the new residences would affect school enrollment and create an increased demand for police, fire, and DPW services and necessitate major infrastructure improvements.

“I don’t want to say we’re at capacity, but the Middle/Senior High School was built for 960 kids and there’s 1,100 kids in there now,” said Letterie. “The way the town is constituted now, I don’t think we can support an additional 882 units on top of what we already zone.”

Letterie, who said he is opposed to the new law, cited the fact that Winthrop is in the top five of densest communities in the state.

“We are what the state wants everyone else to be. We shouldn’t be punished again for being proactive and doing the right thing, understanding our community, and growing in a responsible and effective way. I am dead set against this law,” said Letterie.

One resident suggested that a community advisory council be formed to keep the community well informed and to help the town address the issue. Letterie said he would consider the proposal, while suggesting that residents attend Town Council meetings and stay informed on the issue.

Turco said he was impressed by the turnout at the meeting.

“To have this many people come to a public forum like this is wonderful,” said Turco. “What’s most important is that people have been very diligent going to Town Council meetings listening and expressing their concerns. It’s a sign that democracy is alive and well in the town.”

Winthrop officials meet with Sec. Augustus on MBTA Communities Act

A delegation of Winthrop officials met with Mass. Sec. of Housing and Livable Communities Edward M. Augustus Jr. at his offices in Boston Monday to discuss the MBTA Communities Act and its impact on Winthrop, Rep. Jeff Turco and Town Manager James Letterie said at the Winthrop Republican Town Committee Forum.

Town Manager Anthony Marino, Sen. Lydia Edwards, Town Council Vice President Hannah Belcher, and Councilors Joseph Aiello and John DaRos joined Turco and Letterie at the meeting.

Letterie and Marino made a presentation at the meeting that was also attended by Sec. Augustus’ staff.

Turco said Augustus was receptive, but no commitments were made.

“We advocated that the town is different from other communities and needs to be accommodated accordingly,” said Turco. “Sec. Augustus said he understood our argument. He told us that he wants to review more information so he can evaluate it in the context of the 177 communities being impacted by the law. He basically said to us, ‘If we make an adjustment for one, what does that look like for the other 176 communities?’”