Recreational clamming could reopen next year

The town may be able to open its clam beds for recreational clamming next year, according to Town Manager Tony Marino.

“We met with representatives from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries about opening our clam beds for recreational clamming next year,” Marino stated in his town manager’s report to the town council this week. “We will need to establish a Coastal Area Management Plan, which will be filed with the Division of Marine Fisheries, and develop our own local shellfish regulations that include permit fees and designated areas for clamming. However, this is an exciting first step in bringing recreational shellfishing back to Winthrop.” 

In the report, Marino also provided an update on the Revere Street TIP project, as workers have completed the binder installation on Revere Street down to Crest Avenue.

“They will continue sidewalk and curb installation for the remainder of the season, which they plan to wrap up in late November,” Marino stated.

In other business, the bids for the demolition work for the new fire station at the old middle school came in recently, according to the town manager.

“The low bidder was SMI out of Norwood,” stated Marino. “The bid price came in at $2,389,533, which includes the removal of the asbestos. A pre-construction meeting with SMI is scheduled for this Thursday (Oct. 9), and we will have a schedule to send out after this meeting.”

The town will also be advertising and hosting neighborhood meetings to update the neighborhood on when the work will begin and what to expect during the demolition, Marino said.

Marino also informed the council that the water tank on Faunbar Avenue is back online, and the pressure reducing valve work has been completed, along with the roof repairs to the water tank. Additionally, the unidirectional water main flushing program will resume this Wednesday, Oct. 8 and will continue for two months. “Residents may experience discolored water; they can run their tub spouts or faucets to clear the discoloration,” Marino stated. “This work is necessary to maintain our water quality and is part of our ongoing maintenance plan, as required by the DEP.”