MassVoter.com← Winthrop Town CouncilWinthrop Town Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
June 17, 2025
11 recorded votes, 9 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your Winthrop ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Attendance
Present: Joseph Aiello, Rob DeMarco, Patrick Costigan, Max Tassinari, Suzanne Swope, John DaRos, Hannah Belcher, James Letterie
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
MINUTES
Approve the Minutes of June 3, 2025, as circulated
Motion by Vice President Belcher to Approve the Minutes of June 3, 2025, as circulated.
The minutes say only "Motion Passed", with no count and no names.
From the minutes
“Motion by Vice President Belcher to Approve the Minutes of June 3, 2025, as circulated. 2nd by Councilor Tassinari Motion Passed.” (Motion: Belcher, second: Tassinari)
Approve the Minutes of June 10, 2025, as circulated
Motion by Vice President Belcher to Approve the Minutes of June 10, 2025, as circulated.
The minutes say only "Motion Passed", with no count and no names.
From the minutes
“Motion by Vice President Belcher to Approve the Minutes of June 10, 2025, as circulated. 2nd by Councilor DaRos Motion Passed.” (Motion: Belcher, second: DaRos)
OLD BUSINESS
Accept the Planning Board recommendation on Section 3A of the Massachusetts General Law to recommend the creation of two distinct overlay zoning districts to comply with Section 3A: Seal Harbor...
Motion by Vice President Belcher that the Town Council vote to accept the Planning Board recommendation on Section 3A of the Massachusetts General Law to recommend the creation of two distinct overlay zoning districts to comply with Section 3A: Seal Harbor Road (covering Seal Harbor and Fort Heath) and Governors Park; or take any other action thereto. Additionally, the Center Business District (CBD) is included as part of the compliance strategy as a Mandatory Mixed-Use Overlay, though it is not formally designated as a 3A Overlay District. However, the units already permitted in this district will contribute to the town's compliance, without any impact on the CBD; or take any other action thereto. The Planning Board also passed a motion outlining the necessary zoning changes, including the elimination of a Special Permit process for the applicants seeking to pay the parking in lieu fee, Town Ordinance Section 17.50.210. Going forward, this fee will be paid during the site plan review process, with the Planning Boards approval; or take any other action thereto.
Yes: Aiello, Belcher, DaRos, TassinariNo: Costigan, DeMarco, Letterie, SwopeThe minutes list this roll call but do not write down the result.
From the minutes
“Motion by Vice President Belcher that the Town Council vote to accept the Planning Board recommendation on Section 3A of the Massachusetts General Law to recommend the creation of two distinct overlay zoning districts to comply with Section 3A: Seal Harbor Road (covering Seal Harbor and Fort Heath) and Governors Park; or take any other action thereto. Additionally, the Center Business District (CBD) is included as part of the compliance strategy as a Mandatory Mixed-Use Overlay, though it is not formally designated as a 3A Overlay District. However, the units already permitted in this district will contribute to the town's compliance, without any impact on the CBD; or take any other action thereto. The Planning Board also passed a motion outlining the necessary zoning changes, including the elimination of a Special Permit process for the applicants seeking to pay the parking in lieu fee, Town Ordinance Section 17.50.210. Going forward, this fee will be paid during the site plan review process, with the Planning Boards approval; or take any other action thereto. 2nd by Councilor DaRos Town Council President opens the conversation for each Town Council to report on their believes of this law. Roll Call Vote YES: Councilor Aiello, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher NO: Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Swope, President Letterie.” (Motion: Belcher, second: DaRos)
Adopt two sections of the Hero's Act…
Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council vote to adopt two sections of the Hero's Act…
The minutes list this roll call but do not write down the result. The motion came from a council committee, so no mover or seconder is named.
From the minutes
“Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council vote to adopt two sections of the Hero's Act… No 2nd Needed ROLL CALL Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie.”
Authorize Unpaid Bills of a Prior Year to be paid from the current Dept. Budgets
Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council Vote to Authorize Unpaid Bills of a Prior Year to be paid from the current Dept. Budgets
The minutes list this roll call but do not write down the result. The motion came from a council committee, so no mover or seconder is named.
From the minutes
“Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council Vote to Authorize Unpaid Bills of a Prior Year to be paid from the current Dept. Budgets No 2nd Needed ROLL CALL Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie.”
Transfer $75,000 an appropriation from the General Fund to a Revolving Account closing of FY25
Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council Vote to Transfer $75,000 an appropriation from the General Fund to a Revolving Account closing of FY25
The minutes list this roll call but do not write down the result. The motion came from a council committee, so no mover or seconder is named.
From the minutes
“Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council Vote to Transfer $75,000 an appropriation from the General Fund to a Revolving Account closing of FY25 No 2nd Needed ROLL CALL Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie.”
Modify the General Fund Budgets to facilitate the June 30, 2025 closing of FY25
Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council Vote to Modify the General Fund Budgets to facilitate the June 30, 2025 closing of FY25
The minutes list this roll call but do not write down the result. The motion came from a council committee, so no mover or seconder is named.
From the minutes
“Motion by the Finance Committee with a Positive Recommendation that the Town Council Vote to Modify the General Fund Budgets to facilitate the June 30, 2025 closing of FY25 No 2nd Needed ROLL CALL Yes: Councilor Aiello, Councilor DeMarco, Councilor Costigan, Councilor Tassinari, Councilor Swope, Councilor DaRos, Vice President Belcher, President Letterie.”
NEW BUSINESS
Accept the Re-appointments made by Town Council President Letterie for the following Committees for a term of 3 years ;or take any other action thereto
Motion by Vice President Belcher That the Town Council accept the Re-appointments made by Town Council President Letterie for the following Committees for a term of 3 years ;or take any other action thereto
From the minutes
“Motion by Vice President Belcher That the Town Council accept the Re-appointments made by Town Council President Letterie for the following Committees for a term of 3 years ;or take any other action thereto 2nd by Councilor DeMarco BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE Ken Goodwin BOARD OF REGISTRAR'S Paul Reardon CITIZENS ADVISORY OF FINANCE William Gault COMMISSION ON DISABILTY Karla Murphy CONSTABLE Thomas Schlicting COUNCIL ON AGING Kathleen Driscoll Cynthia Huff CULTURAL COUNCIL Nellie Kurz Karen Blake SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE Wendy Millar Page Katelyn Zelaya TREE COMMITTEE Tim Duplin Joanne Hillman Motion Passed Unanimously.” (Motion: Belcher, second: DeMarco)
Choose a councilor for the vacant Precinct 2 seat: Karin Chavis or Michael Kinlin (first vote)
There will be vote taken for each candidate: Roll Call Vote Councilor Aiello Michael Kinlin Councilor DeMarco Karin Chavis Councilor Costigan Karin Chavis Councilor Tassinari Michael Kinlin Councilor DaRos Michael Kinlin Councilor Swope Karin Chavis Vice President Belcher Michael Kinlin President Le
Choice vote, recorded as each councilor's pick: Karin Chavis 4 (DeMarco, Costigan, Swope, Letterie), Michael Kinlin 4 (Aiello, Tassinari, DaRos, Belcher). "The vote is 4-4." No one was appointed. Shown as the result only.
From the minutes
“There will be vote taken for each candidate: Roll Call Vote Councilor Aiello Michael Kinlin Councilor DeMarco Karin Chavis Councilor Costigan Karin Chavis Councilor Tassinari Michael Kinlin Councilor DaRos Michael Kinlin Councilor Swope Karin Chavis Vice President Belcher Michael Kinlin President Letterie Karin Chavis President Letterie reports the vote is 4-4.”
Choose a councilor for the vacant Precinct 2 seat: Karin Chavis or Michael Kinlin (second vote)
Second Vote is Taken for the Precinct 2 Seat: Roll Call Vote Councilor Aiello Michael Kinlin Councilor DeMarco Karin Chavis Councilor Costigan Karin Chavis Councilor Tassinari Michael Kinlin Councilor DaRos Michael Kinlin Councilor Swope Karin Chavis Vice President Belcher Michael Kinlin President L
Choice vote, recorded as each councilor's pick: Karin Chavis 4 (DeMarco, Costigan, Swope, Letterie), Michael Kinlin 4 (Aiello, Tassinari, DaRos, Belcher). "At this point, there is an impasse. Precinct 2 has NO Councilor Appointed, Seat Remains Empty." Shown as the result only.
From the minutes
“Second Vote is Taken for the Precinct 2 Seat: Roll Call Vote Councilor Aiello Michael Kinlin Councilor DeMarco Karin Chavis Councilor Costigan Karin Chavis Councilor Tassinari Michael Kinlin Councilor DaRos Michael Kinlin Councilor Swope Karin Chavis Vice President Belcher Michael Kinlin President Letterie Karin Chavis At this point, there is an impasse. Precinct 2 has NO Councilor Appointed, Seat Remains Empty.”
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn
Motion to adjourn by Vice President Belcher at 10:40 pm
From the minutes
“Motion to adjourn by Vice President Belcher at 10:40 pm 2nd by Councilor DaRos Passed Unanimously.” (Motion: Belcher, second: DaRos)
From the Winthrop Town Council’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center. We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Member photos: Winthrop Sun Transcript (candidate announcements for Letterie, Millar, Dimes and Romano; Costigan and Swope from a captioned June 2026 Strawberry Festival photo by Salza). Former members and Tassinari, Reardon and Finn show initials for now.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →