Regarding the Fire House
Dear Editor,
At the recent Town Council Meeting, December 17, 2024, held at the DeLeo Center, 16-20 Winthrop Firefighters stood at the back and were certainly noticed by those in attendance and viewers on WCAT. The first speaker, President of Local 1070, spoke of the disappointment in the council after the last meeting. Deputy Chief Calanda next reminded the council of the Town’s promise “you are next” after the completion of the last 7 major new builds in the last 35 plus years. Captain Higginbotham was next and after a descriptive accounting of the job of a Winthrop Firefighter, and then proceeded to call out each councilor on their choice not to second a motion at the last council meeting. What the Captain said in his 5-8 minute comment was more impressive than any letter to the Transcript or email to the council that I have sent. One councilor brought up “Rehab” as neighboring Cities and Towns have done. Those projects had the mandated square footage that comes from OSHA and National Fire Associations. Our VERY old stations do not meet those requirements.
The Debt exclusion for building a new Fire Station will be brought to the voters of Winthrop in the next few months. The total cost for Walden Street is $34,669,000.00. I understand that this project will be in the vicinity of the now under used Baseball area.
Debt Exclusion is not a onetime hit to the tax base. It is done in increments as the project needs funding. The Town will go out for bonding as the money is needed. Please don’t ‘confuse this with an override.
I am asking every voter in Winthrop to go to the Polls and vote YES for this project. As I said before, when you call WFD whether medical or Fire they come! Now they need us, the citizens of Winthrop to come.
Karin Chavis