Town moves closer to inclusion in Group Insurance Commission

By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.

The Winthrop Town Council on Tuesday night adopted a key state law that will allow the town to conduct coalition bargaining with the town’s employees unions and retirees. Its  main goal is the town will attempt to reach agreement with those unions so the town can purchase employee/retiree health insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), at an estimated cost savings of between $600,000 and $800,000 beginning next fiscal year.
Town Manager Rick White told the council negotiations have been ongoing with the town’s unions separately for some time, but in order for any agreements to advance to the next step, the town is required by legislation to enter into coalition bargaining first.
The council voted unanimously to adopt Section 19 of Chapter 32 B of the Massachusetts General Laws, which gives the municipality the right to coalition bargaining.
White said negotiations have advanced to the point that a coalition agreement is possible before the October 1 deadline for filing with the state.
If the town is successful in getting 70 percent of the bargaining units representing the insured population to agree to utilizing the GIC, the town could save between $600,000 and $800,000 based on what was spent on insurance premiums in the current 2008 fiscal year.
“I think its really important to recognize all of the hard work that has gone into these discussions to this point,” said council President Thomas Reilly after the meeting. “The town manager and the union representatives from all of the unions have been working very hard on this issue for some time, and if they are successful, Winthrop would be one of the first communities in the state to take advantage of the new legislation and the savings that it could mean.”
Reilly said with the October 1st filing date approaching rapidly, only 20 other communities have approached the state about providing insurance through GIC, but none of them have finalized such plans as yet.

One contested race, one unfilled seat on November ballot

By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.

When Winthrop voters head to the polls in November for the town’s first municipal election in two years, there will be 13 seats up for election, and 13 names on the ballot. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean there candidates for all of the open seats.
In the race for Town Council president, two candidates have turned in nomination papers and will appear on the ballot, incumbent council President Thomas Reilly and Brian Perrin, a former selectman and veteran Winthrop police lieutenant.
For nearly every other seat on the ballot there is just one candidate, except for a two-year seat on the Library Board of Trustees, which has no candidate.
It will be interesting to see how Perrin will deal with his candidacy, since the town’s charter doesn’t allow town employees to hold elective office. If he wins, Perrin may be forced to resign his position in the Winthrop Police Department in order to serve the two-year term.
Here is a list of the other candidates, the offices they are seeking and the terms of office for each. All are incumbents:
Councilor At-Large, Philip Boncore, four-year term
Precinct 2 Councilor James Letterie, four-year term
Precinct 4 Councilor Jeanne Maggio, four-year term
Precinct 6 Councilor Linda Calla, four-year term
School Committee, Patricia Milano, four-year term
School Committee Gus Martino, four-year term
School Committee Mary Lou Osborne, four-year term
Winthrop Housing Board, Frank Ferrara, four-year term
Library Trustee, James Matarazzo, four-year term
Library Trustee, John Tranfaglia, four-year term
Library Trustee, Stephen Dalton, four-year term
Library Trustee, vacant, two-year term (to fill vacant seat)

By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.

Town Manager Richard White announced last week that Winthrop Police Sergeant Terrence Delehanty had been named to serve as Acting Assistant Police Chief, fulfilling a pledge he had made to Chief of Police David Goldstein to create the new position and potentially setting up a showdown with Town Councilors who have questioned the need for the new administrative position in the town’s police department and White’s authority to create it.
Delehanty assumed the position of Acting Assistant Police Chief on Monday, September 13, 2007. According to White, the creation of the position of Assistant Police Chief adds a critical visible leadership presence during the off shift hours (any time that is not Monday through Friday 8 A.M. to 5 P.M).
In making the announcement, both White and Goldstein discussed Delehanty’s qualifications, long ties to the community and personal attributes, which they used to make the decision.
“Terry has been indispensable to me as Chief” said David Goldstein.  “He is a thoughtful, innovative and creative problem solver.  His work product has been flawless in his career here. The personnel on his shift are always prepared and they produce.  His interview was a terrific reminder to me as to his strengths as a leader and a manager as well as to what he has been able to accomplish in his career as a law enforcement professional in Winthrop. I feel very fortunate that he is willing to perform at this next level of law enforcement and am certain the citizens of Winthrop will see immediate results in the performance of the Police Department as a result of his appointment.”
Delehanty is a lifelong resident of the Winthrop, a graduate of Winthrop High School and the University of Massachusetts, where he majored in criminal justice and was licensed to practice law in Massachusetts in 2000, after graduating from the Massachusetts School of Law.
White also said that Delehanty’s appointment followed an extensive internal interviewing process in which four candidates were interviewed to fill the Assistant Chief’s position. Police Chief David Goldstein interviewed all four candidates.  Candidates responded to a series of multi layered questions focusing on leadership, strategic planning for police departments, operations management, communication, supervisory style, priority setting as well as questions regarding some of the more technical aspects of law enforcement.
“Chief Goldstein reported that all four candidates acquitted themselves well during the interviews, but that Delehanty’s interview and performance as a police officer and police sergeant distinguished him as a leader best capable of helping him make the necessary changes that will help him make the Winthrop Police Department one of the highest performing departments in the greater Boston area,” said White.
“Long term, I anticipate that it will take more than 12 months for the Massachusetts Civil Service Commission to authorize the permanent creation of the Assistant Police Chief position,” added Goldstein. “Once authorized to create the position, a competitive process will be created and an assessment center selection process will implemented to select a permanent full time Assistant Police Chief.”
During an open meeting on August 14, several Town Councilors questioned White about Goldstein’s decision to remain as Police Chief and White’s decision to create the Assistant Chief position.
Councilors Joseph Ferrino, Linda Calla and Phil Boncore peppered White about the need for a Assistant Police Chief, when the town was struggling to put more patrol officers on the street. Additionally, they questioned White’s ability to create the position without the approval of the Town Council itself, referring to the move as a reorganization of the department.
However, White told the councilors that he saw the move more as a restructuring of the department’s existing personnel, a function that was in his job description as Town Manager, and informed the council that he had checked with Town Counsel Robert Noonan as well, before deciding on the new position.

Officials report no damage during planned maintenance operation

By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.

Two MWRA maintenance workers at Deer Island were taken to the hospital Tuesday morning, after they were accidentally sprayed with raw sewerage, when a sludge pipeline they were working on burst during a planned maintenance procedure at the plant.
The accident took place shortly after 11 a.m.
According to MWRA spokesperson Ria Convery, the two workers were decontaminated on site, before being sent to the hospital for precautionary reasons and the spill and burst pipeline were cleaned up and fixed in about two hours.
There was no interruption to sewer service and no damage to the plant was reported.
“The reality is that one of the secondary tanks had been emptied out for some planned, scheduled maintenance. There was evidently some back pressure built up in the line and the valve they were working on let go,” said Convery. “The workers were sprayed with sludge, but they were decontaminated on site, before being sent to the hospital.”
Convery said the workers were forced to wait in line at the hospital emergency room, which they reportedly took as a good sign.
“About one-hundred gallons of sludge was released, but it was into a contained area that is built to store the material, so there was danger to any other part of the plant,” Convery added.
Immediately following the incident an emergency call had indicated that there may have been an explosion with hazardous material, but Convery said that report was wrong.
“There was a small evacuation in that part of the plant, but the workers were all sent back to their posts within the hour,” she added.

The WINTHROP BOARD OF HEALTH has tested the following BEACHES and announces that they are SAFE FOR SWIMMING as of Wednesday, August 2, 2007:

Yirrell
Pico
Grand View Avenue
Donovan

HALFORD BEACH IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO HIGH LEVELS OF ENTEROCOCCUS.

HALFORD BEACH WILL BE RETESTED ON MONDAY, AUGUST 7.

Next regular testing is August 9.

For information on WINTHROP BEACH, please call the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s   “BEACHES HOTLINE” at 617-626-4972 or go to: HTTP://MASS.DIGITALHEALTHDEPARTMENT.COM/PUBLIC_21/BEACHES.CFM

Town Manager, Richard J. White announced today that Chief David Goldstein has reconsidered his intent to resign his position as Police Chief.  White remarked, “I was terribly disappointed to have received David’s resignation. I have great respect for him as a professional and as a person. He is a real asset for the Town.  However, although disappointed for Winthrop, I was happy for David.  He had an opportunity to teach.  This is something that excites him and that he loves dearly.”  White further went on to explain that as he was developing a plan for recruiting an Acting Police Chief and a permanent replacement for Goldstein, he quickly realized that he needed to restructure the command staff to provide for a deputy chief’s position to help carry some of the extraordinary administrative load of the department for the next chief to be successful.  This was an action on White’s to do list and one contemplated by several Boards of Selectmen in the past but never implemented.

As White worked on his plans for recruiting a new Police Chief, he began bouncing ideas off of Chief Goldstein. “It became clear to me as we talked about the future and my plans for the Department that David was still very much invested in Winthrop and its Police Department.  His level of enthusiasm and the support he provided me as I thought through the steps convinced me that David still wanted to be Winthrop’s Police Chief” said White.  It was during this process that White began testing the Chief’s commitment to teach full time figuring that if he was going to provide a different level of support to the new Chief, why not offer it to the old one before he leaves.  “Once I started probing, I knew David’s mind and heart was still committed to Winthrop” said White “and I knew he would never teach at BU in September”.

A Deputy Chief’s job description is being drafted and will be submitted to Civil Service for approval and a testing process.  In the mean time, Chief Goldstein has met with B.U. officials to break the bad news to them and is developing an internal recruitment process for the acting Deputy Police Chief position.  Goldstein said “I expect to have a deputy from the command staff ranks before September. Submitting my resignation as Winthrop’s Police Chief was one of the most difficult actions I have taken in my professional career.  I had no idea the Town Manager would make it more difficult than I ever imagined.”

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.