Winthrop Says No to 3A Committee, Files Petition for Ballot Vote on 3A

By Adam Swift

Last Wednesday, the Winthrop Town Clerk’s office accepted a Citizen’s Supplementary Petition, containing 1,089 signatures. This petition triggers an automatic town-wide election on the question that was previously before the town council – the question of who has the final say when it comes to 3A compliance, according to Diana Viens of the Winthrop Says No to 3A Committee.

Last Tuesday, the council voted not to support a petition that would change the town’s zoning laws and force a town-wide ballot vote every time there is a decision to be made on the MBTA 3A Communities Act.

The council voted 6-1 to support the recommendation from the planning board not to back the petition submitted by the Winthrop Says No to 3A Committee.

The acceptance of the supplementary petition came 12 days after the Town Council’s 60-day deadline (dictated by Section 8.5(d) of the Winthrop Town Charter) to act on the July 23rd Citizens Initiative Petition expired. The second set of 771 signatures for the initial petition was submitted on August 19, 2024, according to Viens.

“While the election could have aligned with the November 5th national election, it will instead take place within 30 to 90 days,” stated Viens. “This delay is attributed to the actions of the Town Council President, Town Manager, and Town Attorney, who worked to prevent the issue from reaching voters by November. Councilors’ statements shared in last week’s Winthrop Transcript article on the Initiative Petition were demonstrative of the disconnect between elected officials and citizens — one which has led to the public’s erosion of trust in the Council’s decision-making.”

During last week’s meeting, several councilors stated that the zoning petition would have triggered costly elections every time there was any potential issue or change regarding the MBTA 3A Communities Act.

The planning board is expected to make its final recommendation on a 3A compliance plan at a Nov. 12 meeting, with the council scheduled to take up the recommendation at a special meeting on Nov. 14.

Council Vice President Hannah Belcher has said she intends to make a motion that will send that recommendation from the planning board to voters for a referendum.

“Despite the delays, residents are pleased the election will proceed,” stated Viens. “And the process has underscored the urgent need for significant reform in Winthrop’s town government.

Viens said Massachusetts is one of 26 states allowing citizens to propose legislation through Initiative Petitions. In Winthrop, she said residents invoked this right regarding the 3A compliance issue after the town council, facing conflicts of interest among three members (one of whom has since recused themselves), failed to adequately represent community interests.

“The first petition, submitted on July 15th, was rejected by the Town Attorney,” Viens stated. “A second petition followed on July 23rd. Despite strictly adhering to Section 8.5 of the Town Charter, the Town Attorney introduced unauthorized steps, diverting the petition to the Planning Board, causing further delays.

“The Town Council President ratified this action on September 4th, violating the Charter’s requirement for the Council to pass, reject, or propose an alternative measure within 60 days.”

Viens said the upcoming town-wide election will decide whether the Town Council or Winthrop Citizens will have the final say (by ballot vote) on 3A matters.

“This decision will have significant implications for housing, safety, education, and the overall quality of life in Winthrop,” she said.

Viens said the  process has highlighted critical governance issues, where the actions of a few have overridden the will of the many.

“It underscores the importance of adhering to the Town Charter and respecting the democratic process,” Viens added.