Letters to the Editor

Schedule appointment for new water meter

Dear Editor:

In an effort to expedite the completion of the town wide water meter replacement project that was implemented in 2014, to better serve the community, with enhanced customer support capabilities, the Winthrop Water Department is asking residents to call the DPW office at 617-846-1341 (please press 3) to schedule an appointment to have a new meter installed in your home.  The installation takes approximately 30 minutes and needs to be performed to ensure that the new radio read technology will continue to communicate with the meter and avoid any future estimated readings that could result from old meters being incompatible with our new system.  If a new meter has already been installed in your home, we thank you for your cooperation and you can disregard this notice.

Steven R. Calla, Director

 

 

Forum on gas pipeline leaks being planned

Dear Editor:

Winthrop Mothers Out Front and WCAT are planning an upcoming forum on gas pipelines. Just because Kinder Morgan and Spectra haven’t sought Winthrop as a site for new gas pipelines doesn’t mean we can ignore what is happening with our community neighbors and elsewhere in our state. We in Winthrop will surely bear the cost of any new or expanded pipeline — environmentally, physically, and economically. Forum details will be available soon.

The recently released study  http://www.synapse-energy.com/about-us/blog/access-northeast-pipe-dream by Synapse Energy Economics, Inc., an independent research consulting firm, concludes that by 2023, existing environmental and energy laws will require New England’s use of natural gas for electric generation to decrease by 27%. Furthermore, the cost of just one of the pipelines will be $6.6 billion, double what was previously reported. Massachusetts electric ratepayers (us!) will pay additional millions over the lifetime of the pipeline.

We members of Winthrop Mothers Out Front met with Senator Boncore to advocate for no new or extended fracked-gas pipelines. We urge Speaker DeLeo, Senator Boncore, and Governor Baker to support passage of related bills HD3204/SD1727 and HD2527/SD1674.

Now, more than ever, the only way forward is to commit to renewable energy and expand our sustainable infrastructure. Fossil fuels are just that — fossils and new pipelines should be considered the same.

Suzanne Hitchcock-Bryan

Corina Campobasso

Hanna Gerhard

Maryalice Sharkey

Carol Walker

Kathi Young

Winthrop Mothers Out Front

 

On the state payraises

Dear Editor:

Our Legislators voted themselves an appalling $18 million in raises, stipends and expense account increases. This was done with lightning speed under the cover of the Patriots Super Bowl win and a national political hysteria. This act avoided public debate or opposition, and it increased compensation by up to 70% in some instances.

Did our Legislators’ support this taxpayer affront? … Rep DeLeo-Yes;  Senator Boncore-Yes;  Rep RoseLee Vincent-Yes.   Who actually defended working families in Massachusetts? … every Republican in both the House and Senate yet only nine Democrats.

There are multiple reasons to abhor this attack on our tax receipts, public programs and our families:

It was underhanded. This pay raise was intentionally attached to Judicial and Court matters. This maneuver rendered these pay raises un-appealable.

It violated the State Constitution. By a 61% to 28% margin in a valid state election in 1998 MA voters tied Legislators’ salaries to median household income. This became part of our State Constitution.

This is their second raise in just weeks. The Legislature received a 4% automatic pay raise just weeks before they again fattened their own compensation.

MA has one of the highest per capita debts in the nation. This raise adds to the current year budget gap, it adds to every successive year’s expenses, and it means long term pension obligations will increase.

MA revenues are currently running below anticipated levels. Cuts are now being made to adjust for sagging revenues. The Legislature already cut the August Sales tax Holiday. These cuts will hurt children, families and working poor.

In 2000 MA voters overwhelmingly passed a law to reduce the state income tax from 5.95% to 5% by 2003. Our taxes were never reduced by our Legislators as mandated by law.  Conclusion: They believe they are more important than us.

In 2008 our leaders slapped the public with a sales tax increase of 6.25% from 5%. Reason “we” (read “they”) need the money.

Our politicians were already the highest paid in the nation before they increased their own pay.

We all know our local leaders. We grew up with them and they know our names. However, this is what happens when you lack a viable two party system and have lifetime Democrat Legislators. Vote fresh representation and political balance to protect your families at every trip to the polls, and try Republican next election!

You can find the Winthrop Republican Town Committee on Facebook.

 

Paul Caruccio-Chairman Winthrop Republican Town Committee

S.Belmonte-Vice Chair