Council Seeking Members for New Design Review Board

By Adam Swift

The town is looking for volunteers for its new Design Review Board, preferably those with architectural or design experience.

“Talking with the town manager, this is something we have both wanted to do, I know it is something he has wanted to do since he has been here,” Council President Jim Letterie said of the new board at last week’s council meeting.

The advisory board would be able to look at development plans when they come into the town.

“They would get to look at the aesthetics of those plans, they would get to look at the neighborhoods of the town of Winthrop, the character and such, and they would make recommendations to the planning board,” said Letterie. “The planning board is not obligated to take their recommendations, but I think it is something that a lot of residents have long asked for, so I hope to be taking applicants for that. We will be going through a screening process on the council, and then we would name the board.”

Town Manager Tony Marino said Winthrop is the first town he has worked in that has not had a design review board.

“It has been really helpful in the last two towns I have worked in, they bring a lot of thoughtfulness and consider the history of the town and the architecture of the buildings,” said Marino. “It’s worked out really well and has been very positive for the towns, and on the planning boards, in the past, they have usually taken their advice.”

Precinct 4 Councilor Suzanne Swope said she was delighted about the new design board and its potential ability to help shape what people want the town to look like.

Swope did ask how soon the board could be established and if it would be able to consider projects that are currently in the pipeline, such as the development of the former Kirby site.

“Hopefully we’ll get multiple applicants in and we will go through the process of screening through the committee,” said Letterie. “Let’s say, by late August, you have a board together. I’m sure whatever they could do in terms of help if they are in that stage … I think we could use them.”

Precinct 6 Councilor John DaRos asked about the process for projects to come before the review board.

“As the first presentation is coming forward, they’ve already maybe had their notes and will be able to offer updates and potential changes, and things they would like to see differently to the planning board early in the process,” said Marino.

Precinct 1 Councilor Pat Costigan said he was excited that the board would help give the town additional oversight on development. Costigan said he would also like to see the council given more information about all potential and ongoing development projects in the town so that councilors could better answer questions from constituents.