Town Manager Tony Marino provided updates on the new fire station project and the Revere Street TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) project to the town council this week.
The new fire station project at the old middle school continues to work on the design plans as the asbestos abatement work continues at the old middle school and auditorium.
“The fencing and the Pest Control System and Controls have been installed,” stated Marino. “The water utility work has been completed, and the gymnasium and ice rink are now operating on the new water main service installed in the rink parking lot. The existing water main supplying the Old Middle School and Auditorium has been shut off on Pauline Street and will be cut and capped on December 5.”
The Revere Street TIP project will continue as the work on switching over to the new traffic lights and installing solar controls on the streetlights, so they go off during the daytime hours, said Marino. The curb and concrete work will resume next spring.
In other issues, Marino said town officials continue to meet with residents over their water/sewer bill complaints as the town works towards installing new meters and addressing the estimated water bills due to the meter reader devices not communicating with its billing software.
“We are investigating each complaint and will adjust as warranted,” Marino stated. “However, some of these increases have been attributed to water leaks in homes and irrigation systems, as well as an increase in the number of occupants in homes and apartments. Often, meter reader devices stop working due to work being done on homes or apartments, wires being inadvertently cut, or normal wear and tear.”
The town also offers payment plans to its residents, allowing them time to get caught up once their water usage is accurately documented, Marino added.
Marino handed out special thanks to the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce for a successful and well-attended tree lighting ceremony last Friday, as well as to the police, fire, and DPW departments who participated in making this event a success.
Finally, Marino stated that the dredging work to be completed by Northeast Mosquito Control at Fishermen’s Bend is being coordinated for the winter months of 2026.
“The logistics and material hauling costs are being coordinated with the DPW,” Marino stated. “The Town will have to contribute to this project, as we will be responsible for hauling and disposing of the dredged material.”