July 3 bon fire cancelled

By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.

Despite the cancellation of the July 3 bon fire, which has been held in recent years as part of the town’s Independence Day celebration, the town’s public safety departments are still gearing up for a busy week next week.
“My concern,” said Fire Chief Joseph “Larry” Powers, “is that where we’ve had the big bon fire the last couple of years, people this year will feel like they are entitled to have their own smaller bon fires on the beach or in backyards.”
That is something the Winthrop Fire and Police department intend to keep from happening.
“I’m going to keep my staffing levels up where they were last year and we’re going to have a truck down near Yirrell Beach during the evening of July 3, so that we can respond to any problems we have down there,” said Powers. “I know the police are planning to do the same thing.”
In addition, Powers said a dedicated and staffed engine truck will be present at Coughlin Park from the time the fireworks arrive until after the fireworks show on July 4.
“We just want to make sure that things don’t go back to the way they used to be during the 70s, when everyone had their own bon fires going, that can get a little out of control and if the winds shift or if the fires get a little hot, with houses on the Point so close together, we don’t want to have any problems,” added Powers.
According to Powers, the reason for the cancellation of the bon fire has nothing to do with the town or budget concerns.
“My understanding is that the group of volunteers who have built the fire each year for the past few years didn’t want to do it and no one else stepped forward to take it over,” said Powers.
On the police side of the public safety equation, the Winthrop Police are again pulling out all the stops, with extra patrol units both on the evening of July 3 and all day on July 4. In addition to keeping their eyes open for illegal bon fires, Winthrop police will also be strictly enforcing laws regarding the public consumption of alcohol and illegal fireworks.
“The Winthrop Police will be strictly enforcing all laws in the town,” said Lieutenant Frank Scarpa, who is in charge of the department’s holiday response. “Parents should be especially vigilant if they see they’re children leaving the house with back packs and bags and things of that nature.”
Lt. Scarpa said that all illegal fireworks found by Winthrop police will be confiscated and complaints will be sought in court against those found to be in possession of fireworks.
“In serious cases we will arrest those we find to be in possession of fireworks and we will arrest those who are found to be drinking in public,” said Scarpa. “The goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable holiday for everyone in the town. Every year we have someone who sets off illegal fireworks and every year we have injuries caused by those people. Our goal is to keep that from happening.”
Scarpa also said the police will be strictly enforcing a one-way traffic route on Point Shirley, and have asked that residents who intend to have visitors for the fireworks display ask their visitors to arrive early to find parking and avoid the traffic problems that have occasionally plagued the fireworks display in the past.
“There will be some limited parking available on the public landing, but once the landing is full, it will be closed to traffic,” said Scarpa. “On the point, there will be one way traffic starting on Bay View Ave. and traveling in the direction of Grand View to Billows to Triton to Shirley Street to Elliot Street to Tafts Avenue and back to Shirley Street to exit Point Shirley.
“We’re asking anyone who parks along the side of the road on those streets to park in the same direction that traffic is moving, so that there will be fewer traffic tie-ups once the fireworks display is over,” said Scarpa.
The police response will include 17 officers on patrol from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 3, including a mix of mobile units, bike units and foot patrols as well as three auxiliary police officers.
On July 4 there will be normal daytime staffing, with additional officers at the public landing to ensure safety of the Horribles Parade and supervise parking. Beginning at 4 p.m., the department will deploy 23 uniformed officers for the 4 to 10 shift to help with traffic safety and law enforcement efforts.

Town, citizens file court action against Centerfield Taxiway

By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.

The Town of Winthrop has joined with two independent citizens to file a Petition for Review with the United States First Circuit Court of Appeals, to have the court review the FAA’s final approval for the Logan Airport Centerfield Taxiway project.
The action, which was filed Tuesday, June 19 on behalf of the Town of Winthrop and Winthrop resident Harvey Maibor and Ronald Hardaway of East Boston, asks the court to determine if the Decision and Order of the Federal Aviation Administration, dated April 20, 2007 complies with the orders of the court in the previous court cases opposing the taxiway.
“This suit is seeking compliance with the original FAA order of decision that authorized the construction of Runway 14/32 but requested further study of the feasibility of constructing the centerfield taxiway,” explained Attorney Jerome Falbo of the Winthrop Airport Hazards Committee.
In the petition, the petitioners request that the court set aside and vacate the FAA order and remand the order back to the FAA with instructions to comply with the requirements of the law.

Will begin three-year term on July 8

By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.

A close 5-4 vote of the Town Council on Tuesday night resulted in the election of Town Manager Secretary Carla Vitale as the next Town Clerk for the town of Winthrop.
Councilors Joseph Ferrino, James Letterie, Nick DelVento, Russ Sanford and Phil Boncore each voted for Vitale.
Councilors Richard Gill, Jeanne Maggio, Linda Calla and Council President Thomas Reilly each cast their votes for assistant Town Clerk Susan Duplin.
There was little debate about the candidates before the vote was taken. However, several councilors did take the opportunity to thank each of the three candidates for the position and also praised each as having their own individual strengths and qualifications for the position.
Councilor Maggio began the discussion prior to the vote, by praising and thanking all the candidates, but said she was making the vote she did because Duplin, “stood out because she has already begun the state certification process to be a Clerk” and because of her knowledge of the state laws, and election process which make up the bulk of the Clerk’s job, and because Duplin has already served in the position on an interim basis when retiring Clerk Claire Sheltry has been away.
“This should not be on the job training,” said Maggio.
However, Coumcior Ferrino noted that in the past the Clerk’s position had been an elected position and thus had “always been a learn as you go position.”
“We must make the decision we believe is best for the future, and for the growth of the community,” said Ferrino. “In my belief that person is Carla Vitale and with her and Sue working together we will have one of the best clerk offices in the state.”
Other councilors also took the opportunity, prior to the vote, to thank each of the three candidates, who were all interviewed by the full council in open session on Tuesday, June 12 at Town Hall.

Mass. Lobstermen’s Association drops its appeals of Winthrop Beach project

By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.

Secretary of Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles announced on Tuesday that an agreement had been reached between the Massachusetts Lobsterman’s Association and the Department of Conservation and Recreation on the use of sand from an offshore borrow site (NOMES 1) to be used to replenish Winthrop Beach. The agreement includes the Lobstermen’s pledge to drop its appeals of the state permits, which had previously been granted to the project, and allows the DCR to apply to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a federal dredging permit.
The announcement effectively removes the final state hurdles to the Winthrop Shores Restoration project, which has been in the planning and permitting stages for almost a decade.
“(House Ways and Means) Chairman Robert Deleo and I have been talking about this project since the day I took office,” said Bowles, in a private interview at the Sun Transcript office on Tuesday. “He has been a very dedicated advocate for this project and I’d like to commend the chairman fro his work and effort on this project. I’d also like to commend the Lobsterman’s Association, which had raised some legitimate issues of concern (in their appeal) and this settlement addresses those issues.”
Secretary Bowles also credited the Department of Conservation and Recreation for its willingness to work with the Lobstermen to come to agreement.
“However, I don’t want to give the impression that this is all over,” said Bowles. “We still have some work to do to obtain the other federal permits that are needed from the Army Corps of Engineers. We will be meeting with the federal officials involved in granting those permits to make sure they know that Governor Patrick views this project as a priority, as do I and as does the congressional delegation.”
Representative DeLeo, who has been championing this project on Beacon Hill for nearly a decade, said he was excited at the news that the state appeals had been dropped.
“It’s an awful big victory for this project,” said Deleo. “The secretary has been a man of his word in terms of his commitment to this project, he has lived up to what he said he would try to do and he deserves a great deal of credit for getting us a step closer.”
DeLeo said that he had been in daily contact with Secretary Bowles over the past few months and pledged to continue working to see the project completed.
“The poor guy came in to my office just to say hi and introduce himself and I spent a half-hour just talking to him about the Winthrop Beach,” said DeLeo, of his first meeting with Bowles. “I’ve already started the process of contacting the federal government. Congressman Markey has been involved and has been very helpful and I’ve spoken personally to the gentleman at the Army Corps of Engineers about the project and I intend to do so again.”
Secretary Bowles was confident that obtaining the federal permits would take place in short order and even said he was optimistic that the permits “could be obtained by the end of the summer,” potentially clearing the way for work on the project to begin “in the coming fiscal year.”
However, DCR Spokesperson Wendy Fox said that timetable might be a little optimistic.
“Certainly, DCR is delighted with the secretary’s announcement that an agreement on the appeals has been reaxched, and we will do everything we can to get this project going as quickly as possible,” said Fox. “However, it is possible that too much time has already passed (this year), to be able to start the project (in the coming fall). We are probably looking at a start date in the fall of 2008.”
According to Bowles, the settlement with the Lobstermen includes assurances that the sand from the NOMES 1 site will only be used once, because of concerns about the cod habitat. Additionally, the DCR has agreed on a moratorium on dredging for the next five years and some funds will also be provided to study the marine habitat at the NOMES site further.

By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.

Assault victim Eddie Banks of 135 Shore Drive in Winthrop spoke this week about the frightening attack he survived just a few feet from his own doorway.
Banks, a self-employed car dealer and Bosnian immigrant told the Sun Transcript Tuesday, that he has no idea who would want to hurt him and he said that he felt lucky to be alive, after being attacked by two men brandishing firearms in his driveway late Monday night.
“I was coming up the driveway, like I always do and I saw the first man (crouching) behind my other car, and he had his face masked, so I could not see him,” said Banks.
Banks said he immediately thought the man was there to rob him and he began offering money and his watch to the stranger to avoid trouble.
“I even offered him the keys to my car, but he still tried to get me to come to the back of the driveway,” said Banks. “When he tried to pull me (towards the back) I tackled him to the ground, but then the other guy jumped out and the gun went off.”
Banks said he did not know how long the fight lasted, but said that both men fled the scene when neighbors came out of their homes to see what was going on.
Banks said he has lived in this country for 10 years, after emigrating here from war torn Bosnia with his parents ten years ago.
“My parents gave up everything to bring us here and provide safety for my brother and I,” said Banks. “To have something like this happen here, it’s just hard to believe.”
Witnesses told police that they saw the two attackers get into a white BMW SUV, which they had parked around the corner prior to the attack.
However, Banks said he is not sure, and said that he thinks there is a possibility that the witnesses, who reportedly saw the men enter his driveway, where they lied in wait for banks arrival, may have been involved in the incident somehow.
“They seemed like they wanted to be helpful, but if that is so, why didn’t they call police when they saw what was happening,” Banks asked.
Police have said that Banks has been helpful with the investigation so far, and they are confident that they will be able to develop a list of suspects in the coming days. However, it is still worth noting that Banks was attacked in the driveway of his own home, by people who appear to have been waiting for him.

By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.

A Winthrop man returning home to his Shore Drive residence at about 12:20 a.m. Tuesday morning was confronted by a pair of masked gunmen in an incident police say may not have been a random robbery attempt.

“It appears, because of the circumstances of the attack that this victim was targeted for this crime,” said Lieutenant Detective Brian Perrin of the Winthrop Police Department.

According to Perrin, the victim exited the vehicle and noticed one of the two attackers standing in hisdriveway and brandishing a gun.

“He tried to give him his watch and his wallet, but the suspect refused to take it and tried to lure him further into the driveway,” said Perrin.  “At that point, the victim began to think that this was moe than a robbery and he lunged at his attacker and the gun  went off in the fight.”

The bullet from the weapon wet through an exterior of wall of the home and lodged itself in an interior wall in the first floor apartment. According to police, tenants of the first floor unit were home at the time and heard both the commotion in the driveway and the gunshot.

“This could have been a real tragedy if someone inside the house had been walking through the interior room when the weapons fired,” said Perrin.

Eventually, the attackers gained the advantage on the victim and began pistol-whipping the man, before fleeing the scene.

He sustained some pretty serious facial injuries and was taken to the Massachusetts General Hospital, to have his injuries treated and to be evaluated further,” added Perrin. “Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a white BMW SUV pull up to the house shortly before the victim arrived home. the passenger in the vehicle exited the SUV and went into the driveway. the driver oif the vehicle parked the car around the corner from the home, on Dolphin Avenue, and walked to the driveway as well.”

Police are suspicious about the nature of the attack and say that it indicates the victim was targeted for the attack, because the attackers appear to have laid in wait for the victim to arrive home. Two witnesses said they saw the attackers drive away immediately following the attack, but they could not get a clear view of the faces of the suspects.

“We’ve interviewed th victim at length and have received a great deal of information from him,” said Perrin. “We may have some suspects, in the form of  some previous business customers. But, we’re following up on every lead and we believe we have suspects in the case soon.”

Perrin said that when suspects are taken into custody, they will likely be facing charges for  armed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and attempted murder.