By Adam Swift
Town Manager Tony Marino highlighted a number of the hot topic issues in Winthrop during Tuesday night’s fall forum, but much of the night was given to highlighting several town departments that don’t always get the spotlight.
The directors of the council on aging, library, and veterans services departments all had the opportunity to give an update to residents on the accomplishments and plans for their departments.
Among the big issues in town, Marino highlighted the nearly $5 million school override, which will be on the November general election budget. He said he recently did an informational program on WCAT on the issue along with school officials, and that the school department is hosting several online forums on the override.
“So keep an eye out for that, the information is out there if you want it, certainly it is an important vote that is happening on Nov. 5,” said Marino.
The town manager said the town is also working on gathering information from the current fire station survey which asks residents where they would prefer to see a new fire station. The survey includes information on the two options, the old middle school and the Walden Street basketball court site.
“We’ve had over 1,000 responses so far, it does close at the end of the week, so if you haven’t voted, please vote, it is on the website, there’s information in my office, so please take the opportunity to vote and have your voice heard on the preferred location,” said Marino.
On the MBTA 3A Communities Act, Marino said the planning board has sent a proposed compliance plan featuring an overlay district to the state for a review before it is officially presented to the town council.
“Once the review is back, the planning board will then schedule their hearing, answer any questions on it, and they anticipate making their vote and recommendation to the council,” said Marino.
Also, Marino said the planning board is having a public hearing on the citizens’ petition from the Winthrop Says No to 3A Committee to change the zoning laws at its Oct. 23 meeting.
“Basically, this will just force any MBTA plan or anything that comes forward with regard to the MBTA it would have to go to a ballot vote,” said Marino. “After that hearing is done, they will vote their recommendation that night for the council, the council is then required to have a public hearing on it, which they are scheduling and have advertised for Oct. 29. After that, the council will have to have one more meeting to vote on the petition, and that will happen more than likely one week after that.”
The town has also been working to address stormwater and flooding issues in a number of areas of the town, Marino said.
“We’ve had many meetings with the new climate commission and with many residents, so more to follow on that,” Marino said.
Marino said the town gets to highlight several departments each year at the fall forum, but he thanked all the town’s department heads and staff for their hard work and dedication.
New Council on Aging Director Matthew Rodes said the mission of the COA is to encourage and promote the independence of seniors in the community and enhance the quality of life, and we do this through programming,” said Rodes.
Rodes said the COA offers a number of varied programs in fitness, language, and art as well as hosting social events throughout the year.
“We also offer a number of different services, including medical screenings, blood pressure, and we have a podiatrist who comes in. Basically everything is focused on socialization or some sort of service to help people with whatever they need.”
Over the past year, Rodes said the COA has registered 15,000 visits to the senior center.
Rodes also highlighted the COA’s Meals on Wheels and transportation programs.
“We have a van that runs four days a week to take seniors to appointments, grocery shopping, and it’s not just a local thing, we take folks out to Reading, to Stoneham, as well,” said Rodes. “We’ve provided a few thousand rides there, as well.”
Winthrop Public Library and Museum Director Greg McLay likewise highlighted the programs and services his department offers, focusing on the many online and virtual services that patrons can take advantage of.
“We’re spending more on digital than on print,” said McLay. “That doesn’t mean that print is going away, it just means that there are more materials available online to us.”
In addition to the always popular children’s programming, McLay noted that there are a number of adult programs at the library, including non-fiction, mystery, and the authors’ literary club book clubs.
“Starting next week, we will be starting a series of programs in the Lyceum Room,” said McLay. “First will be the Delvena Theatre performing Bon Voyage Forever, followed by the return of Ted Reinstein to discuss his new book, Travels Through the Heart and Soul of New England. Then an American history program called Popular Music for Veterans, and then finally, the return of another favorite author, Stephen Puleo and his new book on Charles Sumner called The Great Abolitionist.”
McLay also encouraged patrons to stop by and wish assistant library director Mary Lou Osborne well. Osborne is retiring at the end of the year.
Veterans’ Services Officer Phil Ronan said that his department’s main job is assisting veterans with Chapter 115, which assists needy veterans with financial assistance. Ronan said he also helps veterans get the VA healthcare that they need, as well as assist veterans to get compensation for any injuries they may have received during their service.
Ronan also spends time visiting veterans who are shut-ins or don’t get out much.
“I go and visit them, a little bit more than on a monthly basis,” said Ronan. “It may mean going over, having a cup of coffee, playing a game of cards, watching TV, just spending time with them. They are generally widowers, and you know they are lonely and they want some companionship, and we have a lot in common, and it is a nice way to spend part of your working day.”
Over the past several years, Ronan said his department has worked to establish memorials and street dedications to the town’s veterans.
“We’re lucky, a small town like this, 18,000 people, we’ve got a tremendous, tremendous history of service to this country by a lot of our citizens,” said Ronan.