WINTHROP TOWN MANAGER’S WEEKLY BLOG December 28, 2017 Volume 2, Number 52

Cold Weather Safety Tips

 Minimize outdoor activities for the whole family, including pets.  If outside, dress in several layers of loose- fitting, lightweight clothing instead of a single heavy layer. Outer garments should be tightly With below freezing temperatures in woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens (not gloves) and the forecast for this week and next, sturdy waterproof boots to protect your extremities. Cover your mouth Chief Paul E. Flanagan and the with a scarf to protect your lungs. Winthrop Fire Department are asking  Be a good neighbor. Check with elderly or disabled relatives and residents to review and follow neighbors to ensure their safety. several key safety tips. Additionally, because of the extreme cold, other areas of your home and According to the vehicles may be affected: Emergency Management Agency, Increased fire risk due to unsafe/improper use of alternative heating daytime high temperatures will sources or people trying to thaw frozen pipes with blowtorches or likely not rise above the teens from similar devices. Thursday through the weekend, and high temperatures in some inland  If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen locations may not rise above the pipe. Locate the area of the water pipe that might be frozen. Likely single digits. Overnight low places include pipes running against exterior walls or where your water temperatures will likely drop below service enters your home through the foundation. zero.  Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or wrapping pipes The coldest periods are forecast to with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or be Wednesday night into Thursday propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame devices. A morning and Thursday night into blowtorch can make water in a frozen pipe boil and cause the pipe to explode. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as Friday morning. Another bout of well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide. especially cold wind chills is possible Saturday night into Sunday morning Possible increase in incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning from and Sunday night into Monday unsafe/improper use of alternative heating sources. morning.  Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as alternate emergency “We want to ensure that community heating equipment in case you lose electricity. members are safe when outside, in  When utilizing alternate heating sources, such as an emergency their homes and while driving during generator, your fireplace, wood stove or space heater, make sure they this bout of extremely cold weather," are properly ventilated and always operate a generator outdoors and Chief Flanagan said. "Please away from your home. Improper use of heating devices can lead to remember to always dress dangerous carbon monoxide buildup in the home. appropriately and limit your time and pets' time outdoors." Possible Vehicle Failure

 Make sure your car is properly winterized. Keep the gas tank at least With this type of weather, frostbite half full. Carry a winter emergency car kit including blankets, extra and hypothermia are possible for clothing, a flashlight with spare batteries, non-perishable foods, those without proper protection windshield scraper, shovel, sand, tow rope and jumper cables in the from the cold. trunk.

DPW Trucks/Inspection Requirements SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS Earlier this month, six of our Department of Public Works vehicles – three large salters, two smaller President-Elect Ron Vecchia would like to warmly invite all plows/salters and one dump truck – residents, and employees to attend the Ceremony to swear in newly failed the state’s new inspection elected officials on January 2, 2018 at 6:30pm at the Neil Shapiro requirements for commercial Center for Performing Arts in Winthrop High School. A proposed vehicles. agenda is below and please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 617-846- 1742 with any questions. Given that we are already in the middle of the season, the Town of SWEARING-IN CEREMONY Winthrop has determined that it will January 2, 2018 be most cost effective to privately Winthrop High School, 400 Main Street contract our salting needs this 6:30 PM winter. DPW employees will continue to plow our streets, with assistance from private Opening Remarks Town Manager Delehanty contractors. We have set agreements with efficient contractors to cover Pledge of Allegiance our community and are confident our National Anthem performed by Winthrop Middle & High residents will be taken care of during School Band each and every storm.

In the spring, the Town of Winthrop Distinguished Guests Remarks: Senator Boncore and Speaker will put a plan in place for next DeLeo winter. We will perform an in-depth cost benefit analysis on the six Swearing-In by Town Clerk Carla Vitale vehicles to determine if we should replace them, or continue using third party contractors for our salting The Order: needs. Given the small size of our Housing Authority Member Frederick J. Silck III community, it may ultimately be Housing Authority Member Peter T. Gill more cost efficient for the town to use contractors rather than buying Library Trustee Virginia F. Wallace and maintaining a new fleet of Library Trustee Gillian M. Teixeira winter vehicles. Library Trustee Betty Nicolas Peabody The Town of Winthrop would like to thank the Massachusetts Port School Committee Member James F. Fabiano Authority and Massachusetts Water School Committee Member Jennifer J. H. Powell Resources Authority for their School Committee Member Brian J. Perrin assistance over Christmas and into the New Year. Precinct 1 Councilor Michael McDuffee Precinct 3 Councilor Nick LoConte Precinct 5 Councilor Peter Christopher

Councilor At-Large Michael P. Lucerto

Council President Ronald V. Vecchia

President Vecchia’s Remarks

Family & Friends Invited for Coffee & Cookies

Happy New Year! Please celebrate responsibly. May 2018 be filled with much happiness, good health and prosperity.

Sincerely, Chief Terry Delehanty

Contact Us

Town Manager’s Office (617) 846-1705

townmanageroffice@town. winthrop.ma.us

2018 Resident Parking Permit Applications Now Being Accepted!

There is no fee for a parking permit if you apply online. There is a fee of $10.00 for a visitor's placard whether you apply online or in person. This fee is waived for senior citizens or residents with a valid handicapped parking placard or plate issued by the RMV.

Please visit https://www.town.winthrop.ma.us /resident-parking- program/pages/resident-parking- GRAB YOUR SKATES! stickers to determine if you are eligible for a parking permit. Public skating is available every Sunday* from 12:40 – 1:50 at Larsen Rink. Price is only $3 a person. There is a $5.00 fee for a permit if *No public skate New Year’s Eve or February 4th. th you apply in person. This fee is Public Skate ends on March 18 . waived for senior citizens or residents with a valid handicapped Blades will return for their next home game parking placard or plate issued by January 6th at 8pm. the RMV.

To apply for your parking permit or For more information, please contact the rink manager at (617) 846-5770. visitor placard online, please visit https://winthropstickers.cityhallsys tems.com/ VETERANS SERVICES NEWS

The next Veterans/Families Food Bank will take place on January 10th at the American Legion (next to Town Hall). Pick-up is from 10:30-11:30. If you are new to our Food Bank, then you must pre-register with Veteran Services.

2018 Veterans Food Bank Dates 2/7/2018 4/4/2018 7/11/2017 3/7/2018 5/2/2018 8/1/2017 6/6/2018 9/5/2018

2018 Dog Licenses

Apply for your 2018 dog license in one of three easy ways.

1. Do it immediately in a few minutes online at http://www.town.winthrop. ma.us/town- clerk/pages/dog-licenses

2. Wait until the middle of January for the census to be mailed to your home, on the bottom will be a mail in slip, you can send in check and proof of rabies in the same envelope as the census and tag will be mailed to you.

3. You can come into Town Clerk’s Office, fill out form, leave payment and proof of rabies and tag will be mailed February 10 to you within 14 days.

Please note the Town Clerk’s Office does not save Rabies information, nor do we have it if you used the Town sponsored rabies clinic. It is the responsibility of the pet owner to have medical information for your animals.

The gym is $50.00 an hour and payment is required in advance. Follow the directions in the flyer below to request a reservation. This includes the gymnasium and the arcade room if you wish to use it for food and drink. We can turn on the machines if you wish to use them. Cost of games varies. Also we have a moon bounce for rent to use in the gym at a flat fee of $100.00 and also a GAGA pit for the same rate.

Residents can stay informed of all town notifications:

Sign up for Code Red & the Town Manager’s Blog- http://www.town.winthrop.ma .us/subscriber

Town Website- www.town.winthrop.ma.us

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ winthropma

WINTHROP PROJECTS, PLANS, AND

PRESENTATIONS ARE NOW JUST A CLICK AWAY!

There are so many projects happening right now in Winthrop. Whether they are in process or in the planning stages, Winthrop residents can easily keep informed, review presentation materials, project plans and get information. A new link titled Projects, Plans and Presentations has been added to the Town of Winthrop website.

Go to https://www.town.winthrop.ma.us/winthrop-projects- plans-and-presentations to learn more! SAINT VINCENT de PAUL OFFERS SUPPORT TO WINTHROP RESIDENTS

St. John the Evangelist Parish has a Saint Vincent de Paul Society Chapter. The mission of the Society is to give temporary support to parishioners and other Winthrop residents who find themselves in need. Please call 617-846-7400 if you or someone you know is in need of assistance.

BAKER-POLITO ADMINISTRATION In addition, several Boston ice rinks will hold free public skating hours on ANNOUNCES AT New Year’s Day from 11:00AM to 4:00PM. Participating locations include STATE PARKS Kelly Outdoor Rink in Jamaica Plain, Murphy Memorial Rink in South Boston, and Steriti Rink in the North End. Steriti Rink will also be open Keeping with tradition dating back 27 noon – 10:00PM on Sunday, December 31. Public ice skating times and years, the Baker-Polito Administration locations of DCR managed rinks can be found on the agency’s webpage, as today announced times and locations well as a full list of all DCR owned rinks. for the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) First Day Hikes. In Massachusetts, hikes will be offered at the following nearby locations For 2018, family-friendly hikes will be and times: provided at state parks across the Commonwealth, as part of America’s Carson Beach and Dorchester Heights, 12:00PM State Parks First Day Hikes initiative, 165 William J. , South Boston which is a national effort to get people Participants will meet at the Edward McCormack Bathhouse. Hot outside in all 50 states. This year’s chocolate will be available after the hike. guided hikes have been coordinated at The event is being co-sponsored by the National Park Service and Boston Blackstone River and Canal Heritage Harbor Now. State Park; ; ; DCR’s Carson Breakheart Reservation, 10:00AM Beach and NPS’s Dorchester Heights; 177 Forest Street, Saugus Great Falls Discovery Center; Nantasket Participants will meet at the Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center. Clam Beach Reservation; and Chowder will be served following the hike. State Reservation. The event is being co-sponsored by the Friends of Breakheart.

“The Commonwealth is proud to once Blue Hills Reservation, 1:00PM again offer First Day Hikes to residents 840 Hillside Street, Milton and visitors seeking to ring in the new Participants will meet at the Houghton’s Pond parking lot. Please arrive year by spending time together in our early and allow time for parking. Hot chocolate and snakes on sale at noon beautiful DCR parks,” said Governor by Venture Scouting. Charlie Baker. “These seven guided Additionally, the Trailside Museum will be open from 12:00PM-1:00PM. hikes, spread out across Massachusetts, will provide nature enthusiasts with an Reservation, 11:00AM excellent opportunity to enjoy the Route 3A, Hull outdoors and continue this annual Participants to meet at the MJM Bathhouse at 204 Nantasket Ave. Hot tradition into 2018.” beverages and snacks will be served following the hike. The event is being co-sponsored by the Hull Health Commission. “For 27 years, our state park staff have carried on an important tradition that Details about each hike and tips to prepare are provided on DCR’s website has gained national recognition for its at www.mass.gov/dcr. Social media users are encouraged to share their success,” said Lieutenant Governor experiences by tagging @MassDCR or using #FirstDayHikes. Karyn Polito. “First Day Hikes are another great opportunity to celebrate the Commonwealth’s conservation efforts and enjoy our beautiful natural resources.”

Across the nation, America’s State Parks will provide opportunities to explore close-to-home natural resources spanning mountain ranges, grassland reservations, forests, beaches and islands. Visitors will often witness breathtaking vistas or overlooks while being guided by knowledgeable state park interpreters. In Massachusetts, DCR park staff will lead the hikes, which average one to three miles or longer depending on location.