Town Manager Provides Update on Grant Funding, Fire Station Bidding

Staff Report

In his report to the town council this week, Town Manager Tony Marino said the town continues to look into issues surrounding a grant the state denied.

“The Winthrop Parents Network program has been denied grant funding for FY27 from the Department of Early Education and Care due to Winthrop’s non-compliance with the MBTA/3A Communities law,” stated Marino. “This was a multi-year grant they were awarded, so we continue to look into this denial and what our recourse could be regarding the withdrawal of grant funding that was approved before the MBTA/3A Communities Law compliance was required for Winthrop. The yearly grant allotment since FY23 has been $45,700.” Marino said state Representative Jeff Turco has reached out to the governor’s office to see what assistance it can provide in restoring the funds for FY27.

In other business, Marino said that the Revere Street TIP project continues with sidewalk restoration work.

“They are resetting and installing new curbing in accordance with the approved plans,” the town manager stated. “They have also started planting street trees in accordance with the approved plan. There have been a few concerns about tree placement that we are currently looking into.”

The two-week update and the locations where work will be done are up on the town’s website.

“We look forward to getting this work completed and wrapping up this important project this upcoming Fall season,” Marino stated.

Marino also informed the council that the bid documents for the new fire station will be out to bid as of July 1.

“This is an exciting next step as we are getting ready to start construction … in early September,” he stated. “The pre-bid walkthrough for interested bidders will be held on July 7, 2026, and the filed sub-bids will be due on July 29th, with the General Contractor bids due on August 12, 2026. Please check our website for the up-to-date plans and other related documents.”

Finally, Marino said the town received a thank you email from some of its friends from Scotland who stayed in Winthrop for the World Cup games.

“Alan, Gary, Kyle, and Ruairidh Hendry from Scotland thanked us for our hospitality and shared the following picture from their good times at Blackstrap BBQ,” Marino said.