Minutes

Public Health & Safety · from the Town's website · 1 page · 21 KB
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Minutes of the July 29, 2026 Meeting
Members : Suzanne Swope, Chair
Paul Riordan , Vice Chair
Marty Finn, Member (on zoom)
Participants: Anthony Marino, Town Manager, Martin Pillsbury
Meeting Time: 4:00 pm
Place: Harvey Hearing Room
Summary 
The Committee of Public Health, Safety, and Public Works held a meeting to review the Winthrop
Hazard Mitigation Plan, with Councilor Swope leading the discussion and Tony presenting updates.
The meeting focused on reviewing a memo with suggested revisions to the plan, including
corrections to discrepancies, dating inconsistencies, and internal references. Key topics discussed
included funding opportunities through FEMA's BRIC grants, which were recently reinstated after
being cut the previous year, and the town's challenges with coastal flooding and sea level rise
projections. The group examined specific infrastructure concerns including stormwater systems,
Lewis Lake dredging needs, and the high school and senior center's location in FEMA AE flood
zones. Tony explained that while the high school was built elevated, the senior center would be at
risk in flooding scenarios, and discussed plans for implementing flood mitigation measures including
permeable driveways and local stormwater fees. The committee also reviewed emergency
preparedness measures, public communication systems, and the town's environmental justice
designation, with participants noting that while the plan included good recommendations,
implementation would require ongoing coordination between various town departments and staff.
The Committee of Public Health, Safety, and Public Works held a meeting to review the Winthrop
Hazard Mitigation Plan, with Councilor Swope leading the discussion and Tony and Martin
presenting updates. The meeting focused on reviewing Council Swope ’ s memo and Tony ’ s
response that included suggested revisions to the plan, including corrections to discrepancies,
dating inconsistencies, and internal references. Key topics discussed included funding opportunities
through FEMA's BRIC grants, which will hopefully be reinstated after being cut the previous year,
and the town's challenges with coastal flooding and sea level rise projections. The group examined
specific infrastructure concerns including stormwater systems, Lewis Lake dredging needs, and the
high school and senior center's location in FEMA AE flood zones. Tony explained that while the high
school was built elevated, the senior center would be at risk in flooding scenarios. The Committee
discussed plans for implementing flood mitigation measures including permeable driveways and
local stormwater fees. The committee also reviewed emergency preparedness measures, public
communication systems, and the town's environmental flood zone designations, with participants
noting that while the plan included good recommendations, implementation would require ongoing
coordination between various town departments and staff.