Letters to the Editor

What’s the Plan?

Dear Editor,

Last week, on July 14, the deadline passed for compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, aka 3A.  Winthrop is now officially a non-compliant community, and if we don’t make a “demonstrable and good-faith effort” to fulfill our legal obligations, then the state will take legal against us after December 31.  Also extremely concerning is that we are right now ineligible to even apply for a significant number of state grants, funds that will help us combat climate change, improve infrastructure, and develop housing. We are potentially losing millions of dollars in support, even though residents have already dug deep into their pockets and voted for the override to support our schools and the new fire station.

At the Town Council meeting on Tuesday, 3A was not on the agenda. This begs the question: what the heck is the plan?  If we don’t comply with 3A, where will we get the money to fund a lawsuit?  How will we make up the funds lost in grants? 

This question has been asked many times of council leadership, and the answers have been vague at best.  Another override was even mentioned.  Are residents ready for this?

I hope the town councilors will take a step back from the public debate and think about the most practical and sensible action for our financial future.  We are digging ourselves into a hole over a simple planning exercise that yields zero new units for our town.

I encourage residents to write to the council, speak in public comment, and spread the word to friends and family that you do not support paying the price for inaction.  Remember, every single lawsuit opposing 3A has lost in court.

We need brave and decisive leadership right now.

Leonora Foley

Scott Mahoney-Wright

Cassie Witthaus

For Winthrop Working Together

Best Wishes to Chris and Julia Wallerce

I recently learned that Chris and Julia Wallerce and their family will be moving from Winthrop to tend to family in California.

I just wanted to thank Chris for his friendly and competent management of Winthrop Marketplace and Julia’s efforts to improve inclusion, justice, and public health and wellbeing for our Winthrop community.

In just the 9 years that Julia has lived here, she’s been a vital part of One Winthrop, Bike Winthrop, Winthrop Mothers Out Front, Tinkergarten in Winthrop, Winthrop Girl Scouts, Winthrop Transportation Advisory Committee, the Winthrop Planning Board, Project Play (for the youngest of our residents), and Winthrop Working Together.

Thank you, Chris and Julia, and best wishes to you and your family!

Donna Segreti Reilly