Letter to the Editor

Almost Tree Season

Dear Editor,

We are quickly approaching tree planting season, and Tree Warden O’Donnell and DPW Director Calla will be quietly at work planting new street trees in the coming months. Last Fall 25 new trees were planted, and I expect the efforts to be very similar this Spring thanks in large part to Council President Letterie and Town Manager Marino introducing a line item in the town budget for trees last year.

In addition to the yearly plantings conducted by the town, Winthrop residents can also donate street trees to be planted in front of their home (general donations to Tree Fund are also welcome), and now is a great time of year to do so. To donate a tree simply deliver a donation check for $350, payable to The Town of Winthrop Tree Fund, to the Department of Public Works located at 100 Kennedy Drive to initiate the process. Please indicate where you would like the tree to be planted, and also be sure to include your contact info. Both Director Calla and Tree Warden O’Donnell may be consulted as to what type of trees may be both available and appropriate for a planting location. Our street trees provide an immeasurable public benefit, and tree donations are wonderful way for us to create a greener town for the next generation.

Sincerely,

Chris Aiello

Chairman of the Winthrop Tree Committee

Regarding the MBTA Community Housing Act

Dear Editor,

Members of the Town Council,

I have been following the issue of the MBTA Community Housing Act, Chapter 161A, Section 3A with growing concern. Although addressing affordable housing is a noble idea, I do not believe this bill will do any such thing.

If accepted by the town the reality is that the only beneficiaries will be the residents who sell their properties to developers and the developers themselves. A small group of people will make a lot of money and the character of our town will be destroyed forever.

To those who say, it is not a development bill but only deals with zoning, you are misguided if not delusional. If zoning safeguards are removed, development will absolutely occur, and it will not be beneficial.

I have spent nearly my whole life living in and working for the town. Over the years I have witnessed many changes, some good, some not so good. Some benefitted the town and others were a detriment. This bill is certainly the latter, and may have at least as much, if not more, impact to the town than the airport and the MWRA. Increased traffic, additional students to a school system that is already at capacity and increased calls for service from underfunded and understaffed town agencies, with no compensation from the state.

Winthrop already shoulders more than its fair share of state needs with the airport and MWRA, enough is enough.

Furthermore, for the state to use heavy handed tactics, to quote Senator Edwards “The state has to crush MIlton” , and Attorney General Campbell “ We’ll use every tool in the toolbox to bring them into compliance” smacks of authoritarianism and a “let them eat cake” attitude. I was always under the impression they worked for us and not vice versa. I fro one will certainly remember what was said at the next election.

The decision on this issue is not complicated. The Town Council needs to ask “ Will accepting this be a benefit or a detriment to the town?” and base their decision on that simple question. I believe the answer is extraordinarily clear and I am asking you to do what is in the best interest of the town.

Sincerely,

Larry Powers

Chief (Ret.) Winthrop Fire Department