By Ana Tavares Leary and Celeste Ribeiro Hewitt
Massachusetts boasts some of the most beautiful and accessible coastal communities in the nation. However, this distinction brings with it various challenges. As one of the 78 municipalities within the state’s Coastal Zone Boundary, Winthrop’s position in Boston Harbor puts us on the front line of storm and climate concerns. Even without the specter of rising sea levels and increasing temperatures on the horizon, this small town, with only two points of egress, remains vigilant regarding potential flood risks.
Recognizing the immediate need for the creation of a comprehensive and dynamic climate resiliency and mitigation strategy to “futureproof” the seaside community of Winthrop, the Town of Winthrop formed the Citizens Advisory Commission on Climate (CACC) to support the Town as an advisory board to municipal officials through education, awareness, and recommended courses of action.
In August of 2024, the Town of Winthrop appointed the following community representatives and local experts to join the CACC:
• Norm Hyett, Co-Chair
• Ana Tavares Leary, Co-Chair
• Celeste Ribeiro Hewitt, Secretary
• Councilor John DaRos, Precinct 6
• Councilor Pat Costigan, Precinct 1
• Kim Dimes, Conservation Commission Chair
• Tom Derderian, Town Manager Designee, Tree Warden
Since its inception, the CCAC has held monthly, public hearings that have included diverse presentations from local organizations and partners, such as the North Suffolk Office of Resilience and Sustainability (NSORS), the Woods Hole Group, Winthrop’s Mothers out Front, and Winthrop Working Together.
The chief mission of Winthrop’s CCAC is to serve in an advisory role to town officials to catalog, prioritize, identify and track mitigation initiatives. In addition, the Commission is focused on relationship building and identifying opportunities to position Winthrop for state and federal funding to support the implementation of mitigation strategies.
During a recent public hearing on February 4, 2025, the CACC presented its draft Climate Action Plan that comprised of the short-, medium-, and long-term objectives needed for tackling climate change in Winthrop. During the meeting, Town Manager Tony Marino and DPW Director Steve Calla provided an update on each of the seven hot spot areas of greatest vulnerability and answered questions from both CACC members and residents.
The draft Climate Action Plan focuses on adaptation measures to protect Winthrop from flooding and increasingly frequent and severe weather events. In each of the seven hot spots—Morton Street, Short Beach, Fisherman’s Bend, Girdlestone Street, Yirrell Beach, Ingleside Park, and Shirley Street—the plan identified the project phase, situation, solution, desired outcomes, permitting requirements, and funding status of each vulnerable area.
As the Commission continues to work with municipal officials to make progress on this Plan, we invite Winthrop residents to get involved, provide feedback, and bring ideas to our upcoming public hearings, which are held both in person and over Zoom.
The draft Climate Action Plan, a list of upcoming meetings, and more information about the CACC and its initiatives can be found at the link below:
Winthrop residents can also contact the Winthrop CACC via email at: CACClimate@winthropma.gov.Ana Tavares amd Celeste Ribeiro Hewitt are both members of the Town of Winthrop’s Citizens Advisory Commission on Climate