Frequently Asked Questions

Proposition 2 1/2 is a law that places two constraints on the amount of the tax levy that can be raised by a city or town and how much the levy can be increased from year to year.

Each exemption has its own criteria of qualification. View exemptions the Town of Winthrop offers and the qualifications.

The Town of Winthrop offers a variety of different exemptions for the Elderly, Disabled Veterans, Blind Persons, Surviving Spouses, Orphaned Minor Child and Tax Deferral.

If you receive a notice of denial, you may call and set up an appointment to meet with the Assessors to discuss the reason for the denial. Or you may appeal to the State Appellate Tax Board within three months of the date of the Assessor's decision. Visit the Appellate Tax Board website.

Within 30 days of the third tax bill or "actual tax bill". This bill is usually issued at the end of December and applications must be filed with the Board of Assessors no later than February 1. This information is also on your tax bill. Once received, the Assessors have three months to take action on your abatement application.

First, check your assessment information.

• Is my data correct?
• Is my value in line with others on the street?
• Is my value in line with recent sale prices in my neighborhood?

If after checking and discussing your assessment value with the Assessor or his staff, and researching the assessments of properties within your area, a difference of opinion still exists, you may appeal your assessment to the Assessors by filling out an abatement application. Obtain an Abatement Application.

For single- and two-family houses, a deck located more than 30 inches above grade must have a guardrail of at least 36 inches in height. Handrails must be located at a height of from 30 inches-28 inches. If the guardrail also serves as the handrail for open-sided steps, the minimum height is 34 inches. Guardrails for uses other than one- or two-family structures must be a minimum of 42 inches.

Anyone seeking to construct, alter, or demolish a structure or install a sign must first obtain a building permit issued by the Building Department. The building permit must be obtained before the start of any work and must be prominently posted at the job site.

Building permits are issued to construction supervisors licensed by the State. The State license is only valid for work involving structures of less than 35,000 cu. As an exception to this requirement, building permits are also issued to homeowners doing work on one- or two-unit dwellings where they reside or intend to reside. Please note that when homeowners are issued building permits, they may be liable for contractors working on their property and they are not eligible for protection under the provisions of the Homeowners Improvement Contractor Law.

These permits are only issued to Massachusetts licensed plumbers, gasfitters, or electricians.

The work must be in compliance with the Winthrop Zoning Ordinance.

Work must be started within six months of the date the permit is issued. Once started, the work must be progressing continuously to completion. The Noise By-Law does not permit construction activities prior to 7 am and after 7 pm.

The Massachusetts Access Regulations are part of the Building Code and are enforced for new construction, alterations, and changes in use.

Available positions are posted both in Town Hall as well as in the Winthrop Transcript. You can also click on the Employment Opportunities link to see positions available online. An application can also be downloaded from the Town website as well.

State law prohibits parking within 20 feet of an intersecting way. Because this is a state law that all motorists are expected to know, signs are only required if the distance is changed from the 20-foot minimum. For more information on state-wide parking regulations, please refer to the Massachusetts Driver's Manual. This manual is available online at the RMV website.

You will be notified via first-class mail once a decision has been made. Appeals not submitted within 21 days (Date and Time Stamp or Postmark by USPS) of the date the ticket was issued will not be entertained except in the case of extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the Hearing Officer. During the review process, you may be granted the appeal based on the documentation provided, you may be asked to provide more documentation for a further review of your appeal, your appeal may be denied in which case a detailed letter explaining why you were denied will be sent to you.  If your written appeal is denied, you may request an in-person hearing, where you or your representative will have to appear to present additional information.

It generally takes 30 to 45 days for an appeal decision to be reached, but may take longer in some cases due to appeal volume, or research into the specific issue. Once an appeal is received, the ticket is placed on "hold" status. This status means the ticket does not accrue late fees or count against the motorist in any way until the appeal decision is reached. However, if the appeal is not received within 21 days, a late fee may be applied automatically by the computer system, even though the appeal was postmarked within 21 days. If this is the case, any incorrectly applied late fees will be waived.

No. When "Warning" is written across the ticket, the officer is informing you that you have parked in a manner that is a violation of an ordinance or law, indicated by the box(es) checked on the ticket. This is just as it says, a warning that you have done something that is a violation, but there is no fine associated with the ticket. If you continue to park in the manner for which the warning was issued, you may be issued a ticket with a fine in the future. Warnings are issued at the officer's discretion, or in special situations at the direction of the Chief of Police.  Since warnings carry no monetary fine, they cannot be appealed.

The schedule of fees for resident parking permits and placards is set by the Town Council. Currently, a resident permit is $5. There is no charge for a resident permit or visitor placard for residents age 65 or older, or to residents who have been issued a valid handicapped placard or plate by the RMV. The fee for a Visitor placard for all other residents is $10.

No, there is no grace period after a permit expiration date. All permits and placards issued under the Resident Parking Program have an expiration date printed on them. Permits and placards expire on the date indicated. Resident permits and visitor placards expire on December 31 annually. The renewal period begins in October, and is advertised from mid-October through mid-January.

Stormwater is the water that runs off the land surface when it rains or when snow melts. It enters the Town's storm drain system and is transported to waterbodies (streams, rivers, wetlands, and the ocean).

Stormwater typically contains a number of pollutants, such as oil, grease, soapy water, sand, and dirt from roads and parking lots, pesticides and fertilizers from lawns, sediment from construction sites, and trash such as cigarette butts, wrappers, and plastic bottles. When these pollutants enter water bodies, they can pollute the beaches, hinder recreation, and harm aquatic and other wildlife habitats. Improperly managed stormwater runoff can result in flooding and erosion, too.

On "natural" land with vegetation, stormwater usually infiltrates into the ground or is lost to evaporation. Impervious surfaces like streets, parking lots, and rooftops prevent rain and snowmelt from soaking into the ground and therefore create extra runoff.

During rain, pollutants are flushed into the Town's stormwater collection system. Little things can make a big difference. The following is a brief list of good household practices:

• Do not dump anything in a storm drain. Oil, soapy water, trash, cigarette butts, and anything else dumped down a catch basin will end up in a local waterbody, on the beach, or in the ocean.
• Use fertilizers sparingly (free compost from the Town is a great alternative to fertilizers) and avoid using them before a rain storm.
• Sweep up driveways and sidewalks. Sweeping is better than washing.
• Pick up pet waste
• Plant native and drought-tolerant species, consider grass
• Care for your yard, vegetate bare spots
• Consider washing your car at a car wash
• Report illegal dumping: If you see someone dumping pollution into the storm drain or a local waterbody, please contact the DPW at 617-846-1341.

Winthrop Resident Parking stickers and Visitor Placards may be obtained by mail or online via applications available. Resident parking stickers are $5. Visitor placards cost $10 each. You can pay for your purchase with a VISA, Mastercard, or Discover credit or debit card or via ACH. Fees are waived for residents age 65 or older and for residents holding a valid handicapped parking placard or license plate issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles

Information about the Winthrop parking rules and regulations can be obtained from the Town of Winthrop website, including the Winthrop Resident Parking Ordinance (PDF). The site also contains additional information concerning parking stickers or placards.

Residential parking stickers and placards may be used in any area designated by the town council for residential parking. Areas may be designated for residential parking in any area regardless of zoning. The residential parking sticker program will be in effect town-wide from one a.m. to five a.m., Monday through Sunday, including holidays.

A valid parking permit is required to park on all town streets and municipal lots between the hours of 1 am and 5 am, every day. The DCR may implement their own restrictions on Winthrop Shore Drive independently of the town, and in accordance with their own state regulations. Please refer to their signage and regulations for that roadway.

Resident stickers and placards are valid for the calendar year listed thereon.

A Visitor placard can be used for up to three consecutive nights. However, there is also a limit to non-consecutive use as well. The ordinance states that a Visitor Placard can't be used on the same vehicle for more than three consecutive nights, or in repeated non-consecutive use as deemed by the enforcement officers. After discussions with the Town Manager, Town Council, and Parking Department, the Chief of Police has informed all officers that "repeated non-consecutive use" will be defined as more than three nights in a fourteen day period. Additionally, a vehicle with a visitor placard cannot be parked without moving for more than twenty-four hours.

No. A visitor placard cannot be used on a vehicle owned or operated by a Winthrop resident. You would need to apply for a temporary placard by providing a copy of the rental agreement and paperwork from the repair shop to the Tax Collector's office and completing an application. The time period for the temporary placard will vary depending on the time the vehicle is being repaired.

When Town Hall is closed, a Temporary Placard may be obtained from the Winthrop Police Department. This placard will be issued for an appropriate period of time to allow the motorist to go to Town Hall and obtain a permit.

Passenger vehicles with a valid Massachusetts registration are eligible for a resident sticker. Taxi cabs, livery vehicles, a vehicle with a commercial registration, a bus or camper over twenty-five feet in length, vehicle with a dealer or repair plate, and a trailer not attached to a vehicle with a parking sticker are all ineligible for a resident sticker. Additionally, these prohibited vehicles may not use a visitor's placard.

If you need a replacement sticker, please contact the Winthrop tax collector's office for assistance. There is no charge for replacement stickers if the original sticker or fragments thereof including the sticker number are returned. If the original sticker is not returned, the application will be processed as a new sticker. Lost, stolen, or damaged visitor placards may only be replaced through the revenue collections department.

Temporary placards may be obtained from the Town Tax Collector's Office after the online or mail-in application process. If you need a temporary placard and Town Hall is closed, you may obtain one at the Police Department. If you need a temporary placard for boating purposes, you may obtain one from the Harbormaster's Office.

Temporary Parking Permit

A temporary permit is only valid while you are in the process of obtaining a permanent residential sticker for the current year.

Each household may purchase one visitor parking placard.

A visitor placard cannot be used for more than three consecutive nights, or in repeated non-consecutive use, currently defined as no more than three nights in a fourteen (14) day period. Additionally, a visitor placard cannot be used on a vehicle owned or operated by a Winthrop resident.

A resident of Winthrop is defined as any person actually living at a street address in Winthrop. Proof of residency is required to obtain resident stickers. No P.O. boxes are accepted. Proof of residency can be established by two of the following: a driver's license, car registration, tax or utility bill, lease or other document establishing residency. If applying via the online system, applicants shall provide both their driver's license number and registration number(s) as proof of residency and vehicle eligibility.

If you are a resident of Winthrop and are 65 years old or older at the time your application is filed, you qualify for the senior discounted pricing applicable to visitor placards. We require that you provide us with your driver's license number so we can verify your age. The senior pricing is only applicable for a visitor placard for the household where the senior lives, and for vehicles registered to the resident with the senior status. The senior discount does not apply to vehicles registered to other members of the household who are not seniors.

DPW - 617-846-1249 or visit the Public Works page for more information

To register for Parks and Recreation programs, visit Winthrop Parks & Recreation: Online Registration by MyRec.com Recreation Management Software 

Once you have completed and submitted the resident sticker application, you will receive an email notification of your order. Upon verification of your information, you will receive an another email that your order has been successfully processed and mailed. Stickers will initially be mailed out starting December 1st, and thereafter, stickers will usually be mailed within a 3 to 5 days of receipt of your application. If there are any questions regarding your information, we will contact you.

In order to verify your residency, handicap, and senior status, we need to use your driver's license to check our databases. We will never divulge or provide your personal information, including your driver's license number, to any third party except as may be required by law.

Please call City Hall Systems at 508-381-5455 if you have any questions regarding your online order. Any questions regarding the use of the Winthrop resident parking stickers or placards, or if you need a replacement sticker, should be directed to the Winthrop tax collector at 617-846-1750.

Birth, death, and marriage records are public records and may be requested by anyone unless the record is impounded for a certain reason.

If you were born in Winthrop or your parents were residents of Winthrop at the time of your birth, you may obtain your birth certificate by ordering online by clicking below, it will take you to a page that is blue and white - you will see where to choose state and city, then click a gray box that says "click here to view or pay bills", then on the left-hand side you will see a list of choices - click the type of vital record needed and fill out your information. We typically send out certificates the next business day.

Get a copy of a birth certificate.

If unsure of what city or town a birth certificate is located, please call the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records at 617-740-2600.

This is the only kind of Birth Certificate we sell. It is what is required for a passport it is stamped with a raised seal.

In Winthrop, the cost is $15.

Usually, identification is not necessary, however, in certain circumstances, it is required, for example, if your parents were not married at the time of your birth.

Unless your parents were not married at the time of your birth, birth certificates are available to any member of the public.

The death certificate is on file in Winthrop if the death occurred in Winthrop or the deceased resided in Winthrop and the death occurred within the state.

The cost in Winthrop is $10.

Assuming the license was recorded by the Winthrop Town Clerk's Office, you can physically enter the office or request a copy by mail. Please send a self-addressed stamped envelope along with the Death Certificate Request Form (PDF). The cost for a copy is $10.

You must come in together with your intended spouse to the Town Clerk's Office. This process needs to be done in person and can take up to 30 minutes. We are open Monday & Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday & Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Please plan on coming in at least 30 minutes prior to closing.

No.

You must bring an acceptable form of picture identification - Driver's License - Passport, etc. The cost is $35 and we accept cash, check or credit card. You must have the ability to tell us the correct spelling of parents names, dates of birth, country of birth, etc.

You must go to court and obtain a court order (permission) to marry.

The license will be issued three days later. The license can be picked up by either applicant at the Clerk's Office, Monday through Thursday. The office is not open on Friday. Please review the license carefully for errors. There will be a $25 fee to retype a marriage license after it has been released from this office.

The license is valid sixty days from the day the couple came into the office to apply and may be used in any Massachusetts city or town. However, it is not valid outside of the state.

The cost in Winthrop is $35 to file Marriage Intentions and a receive license to marry.

Assuming the license was issued by the Winthrop Town Clerk's Office, you can physically enter the office or request a copy by mail. Please send a self-addressed stamped envelope along with this the Marriage Cert Request Form (PDF).

The cost for a copy is $10.

The Town of Winthrop budget can be viewed here.

Please visit the Town Manager - Licenses, Permits, and Forms Page and download a yard sale permit. Once the permit is printed and filled out, take it to the Treasurer's office at Town Hall and pay the $5 permit fee. The Treasurer's office will give you a receipt which you then bring up with your permit to the Town Manager's Office on the second floor.

Please call the Department of Public Works at 617-846-1341 or visit the Public Works page for more information.

Please see the License Commission page for information. The following forms can be picked up in the Town Clerk's office.

• Canning Permit
• Common Victualler License
• Entertainment License
• French Square Permit
• Inn Holder/ Lodging House License
• License to Operate a Coin-Operated Laundry
• Liquor License
• Sandwich Board Permit
• Sidewalk Permit
• Taxi Cab License
• Transient Vendor License
• Yard Sale Permit

Please Note: Please see what is required for each license/permit under the License Commission page.

Available positions are posted both in Town Hall as well as in the Winthrop Transcript. You can also click on the Employment Opportunities link to see positions available online. An application can also be downloaded from the Town website as well.

Please call the Department of Public Works for any snow issues at 617-846-1431, or visit the Public Works page.

Any person, partnership, or corporation conducting business in Winthrop under a name other than their own or corporate name.

Please Note: Depending on business and location, you may have to get approval from Inspectional Services.

The cost in Winthrop is $40. (Cost amended May 21, 2013)

A completed business certification form. If the complete application is to be returned to the town clerk by mail, the applicant's signature must be notarized prior to submission. All owner's must be present or have signatures notarized.

You can pick one up at the Clerk's Office or obtain it on the Town Clerk's website.  Please call our office to have an application emailed to you.

No, the tax identification number comes from the Department of Revenue at the state level. You must apply to the State Department of Revenue for this number.

Every four years. If the business is discontinued, the Town Clerk's office must be notified. There is a $15 discontinuance fee.

The applicant should come in to the Town Clerk's office and file a change of address form. The cost is $15.

If it is a complete change of ownership, a new business certificate must be filed, with a fee of $40.

All residents are permitted to utilize one (1) Town-issued trash bin and one (1) Town-issued recycling bin per unit, per dwelling. 

• Bins are Town property. Bins are to remain at the assigned address. Please label each bin with your address and unit number. 
• All trash and recycling should be neatly stored in your Town-provided bins on your property. 
• Do not alter your Town-issued bins. Town bins must be identifiable by the hauler for collection.
• All trash is to be bagged inside the trash bin.
• All recyclables are to be unbagged, and free-flowing in the recycling bin. 
• Any trash that does not fit in your closed  town-issued trash bin must be in a Town of Winthrop Pay-As-You-Throw Overflow Trash Bag. These bags must placed inside a covered bin supplied by the resident. The hauler will not collect any trash placed for pickup not following these policies. The uncollected trash/recycling becomes the responsibility of the homeowner/tenant. Fines may be accessed.
• Bags/items placed on the curb WILL NOT be collected.
• These bags are for household trash only. Do not place hazardous waste, yard waste, recyclables, construction debris, hazardous waste, textiles, or banned materials in these bags.  
• Overflow bags are sold in sleeves of 5 bags for $15.00. 
• Bags are available at the DPW, Town Hall, Cumberland Farms, T&T, and QuickFood Mart.  

Please note: Bug-infested items and rain-soaked items may be rejected by the hauler for pickup. You will need a private hauler for your item if this occurs. Items outdoors to be given away for FREE must be on your property and not on any public sidewalk or way. Items not taken after 48 hours need to be removed. Violations of solid waste ordinances and regulations will result in trash or recycling being rejected and a violation or fine may be added.

Town trash collection is limited to one, two, and three-family residences only. The weekly limit is 1 trash and 1 recycling bin, per unit, per dwelling. So a single-family home has one trash and recycling bin. A two-family and a three-family building has a set for each unit. All bins must fully close and private-use containers for PAYT overflow bags must also have a cover, which closes fully. The use of a privately owned bin is allowed. Private bins can be used only with the purchase of Town of Winthrop Overflow bags. No bags may be left on the curb outside of a bin. Current sales locations are available on the town website. Orange bulk sticker items, limit of 2 per household weekly, must have the sticker attached for collection or the item will be refused.

Any bins/items placed curbside that do not follow these regulations will not be collected by the hauler. These refused items/bins become the responsibility of the tenant/homeowner. The maximum weight per container is 50 pounds.

Any items from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Banned Waste List are prohibited from trash disposal. This list now includes all textiles, mattresses, and box springs. Bulk item stickers will not be accepted for any mattress or box spring. Email Capitol Waste or call 617-569-1718 to arrange for payment and collection of a mattress or box spring. Bulk Items without a bulk item sticker will not be collected. Any item over 26 inches tall or 30 inches wide is considered a bulk item.

The following are not accepted as trash but can be picked up curbside (year-round) on the third Tuesday of every month only, with the purchase of a Bulk Waste Sticker(s) online. Freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners Stoves, washers, dryers, hot water tanks, etc. are considered "White Goods." CRTs and TVs, video games and consoles, Automobile Engines and Parts, Rocks, Construction Debris and Materials, Yard Waste, Tree Trunks and Limbs, and Hazardous Material (gasoline, explosives, compressed gases, toxic or volatile chemicals, radioactive materials, pathological waste, etc.) are not accepted for trash pick up. Violations are punishable by a fine.

See the Household Hazardous Waste section for information on the Towns Recycling event for the disposal of Hazardous Household Waste items.

Trash pick up is one day late on holiday weeks. The following holidays are observed: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Patriot's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Learn about recycling holiday items (PDF).

"Complete Streets are streets for everyone." SmartGrowthAmerica.org

A Complete Street describes a public right-of-way that provides safe and accessible options for people of all ages and abilities and all modes of travel, including walking, bicycling, driving, and public transit. A network of Complete Streets expands travel choices by making it easy for people to cross the road, walk to school, bicycle to work, or hop on and off buses and trains. Complete Streets are designed with all users in mind, and they make non-motorized transportation more convenient, more attractive, and safer.

Complete Streets are context sensitive. They have no fixed design because each right-of-way is different in place and purpose. A Complete Street in an urban area will look very different from a Complete Street in a rural area. What matters is that the elements of each street reflect the needs of the people who use it, regardless of age, ability, or mode of travel.

Complete Streets elements can be realized on a large sale (e.g., intersection improvements) or can be more narrowly focused (e.g., adding a single bicycle lane or crosswalk). The MassDOT Highway Division identifies the following as examples of Complete Streets infrastructure:

• ADA/AAB-accessible curb ramps
• Audible pedestrian signals
• Bicycle parking facilities
• Bus pull-out areas
• Curb extensions
• Designated bicycle lanes
• Detectable warning surfaces
• High-visibility crosswalks
• Intersection signalization
• Medians and pedestrian crossing islands
• Pedestrian hybrid beacons
• Radar feedback ("Your Speed") signage
• Road diets
• Roundabouts
• Signal prioritization
• Shared lanes and shared-use paths
• Street lighting
• Street trees and furniture
• Traffic calming measures
• Transit-only lanes
• Transit shelters
• Sidewalks
• Speed tables and raised crosswalks
• Wayfinding signage

For more information, please visit Massachusetts Complete Street website, National Association of City Transportation website and Smart Growth America website.

Complete Streets help create livable communities for various types of users, including children, people with disabilities, and older adults. Complete Streets improve equity, safety, choice and public health, while reducing transportation costs and improving connectivity.

In 2006, the Massachusetts Highway Department (MassHighway), which was succeeded by the MassDOT Highway Division, became one of the first transportation agencies in the country to clearly realize the need to consider all users - including modes of travel and ability, as well as to consider the context of a project when building and renovating streets, parks, sidewalks, and parking lots statewide. At that time, MassDOT developed its award winning Project Development and Design Guide.

In support of Complete Streets, and in response to the establishment of M.G.L. Chapter 90I, as well as the Governor's Healthy Transportation Policy Directive of 2014, the MassDOT in working with the MA Department of Public Health established a funding program to encourage municipalities to routinely include Complete Streets design elements and infrastructure on locally-funded roads. This program consists of three tiers. In Tier 1, municipalities establish a Complete Streets Policy detailing how the municipality will incorporate the principles into their communities and projects. Once the Policy has been approved by MassDOT, the municipalities develop a community wide Tier 2 Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. Developing the Tier 2 Plan includes assessing the needs of their community and identifying Complete Streets improvements to address those issues. Once the Plan is completed and actions prioritized, municipalities are able to apply for Tier 3 funding for implementation of the improvements noted in their Tier 2 plan.

Since its launch in February 2016, 129 municipal Complete Streets Policies in the Commonwealth have been approved by MassDOT and 26 projects have gained Tier 3 funding, totaling almost $10 million. Since the initiation of the program, funds have been used to construct improvements ranging from new sidewalks and crosswalk rehabilitation to bus stop improvement and installation of bicycle and shared lane markings.

Complete Streets in Winthrop

In March 2017, the Town of Winthrop approved a Complete Streets Policy (PDF). This policy, like others throughout the Commonwealth, states that all state, town, and private projects in the town with a transportation component take road users of all ages, abilities, and modes into consideration where feasible, and sets out reasonable definitions of where such consideration might be infeasible. It also sets out design guidance, standards, recommendations and best practices from both governmental and non-governmental organizations to be used be designers for the implementation of the Complete Streets Policy.

Developing Winthrop's Tier 2 Complete Streets Prioritization Plan

The Town of Winthrop was awarded a grant of $37,862 from MassDOT to develop a Tier 2 Complete Streets Prioritization Plan which has recently begun This process involves assessing needs such as pedestrian connections, safe pedestrian crossings, safe bicycle routes, and many others. In addition to professional assessment and observation, public input in this process is important and welcomed. As part of the project, an online tool has been setup to allow residents and interested parties to input directly to the project. Anyone who has experienced a problem or has an idea related to street safety in Winthrop is encouraged to complete a wikimap survey so that the project team can be aware of these issues as they develop the Plan.

Yes. View the Town Marina page for more information.

The Winthrop Public Landing is a designated state/ DCR boat launch facility that is managed by the Town of Winthrop. Both DCR and the Town of Winthrop have regulations regarding parking at the landing.

View a map of parking areas at the Public Landing.

Vehicles with Boat Trailers

Those using the boat ramp must pay a $10 recreational, or $100 commercial ramp usage fee first. This is not a parking fee. Parking for boat trailers is reserved in the center two parking rows of the lot marked "Trailer Parking Only". Vehicles with boat trailers parked in the lot without a ramp fee receipt displayed in the window are subject to a $25 fine per town ordinance 12.28.020.

Vehicles Without Trailers

All other vehicles without boat trailers should park along the perimeter of the lot. During slow boating times such as foul weather, off-season, etc., cars may be allowed to park in trailer spots at the discretion of the Harbormaster.

Overnight Parking

The DCR has an 18-hour parking limit at the Landing. If you are going on an excursion or need to park longer than 18 hours, the harbormaster department can issue you a temporary Winthrop visitor parking pass for $10. The visitor parking pass allows for parking on Veterans Road only. Visitor permits can only be issued to non-resident visitors to the town.

Parking Citations

Any parking citation issued by the Harbormaster or the Winthrop Police can be appealed or paid by following the information on the Parking Clerk page.

If you have received a parking citation from the DCR, you can appeal the ticket or pay the ticket.

No! Only emergency vehicles or marina tenants are authorized to drive on the town pier. Any other vehicle that drives on the pier is subject to a fine.

To obtain a mooring permit in Winthrop you must first pay the Town of Winthrop waterways fee and boat excise tax (if you haven't paid excise tax in another city/town). Waterways fees are paid in the Tax Collector's Office at Town Hall. Once your fees are paid, you have the option of placing your own mooring or contacting an authorized private mooring service to place it for you. The Harbormaster maintains a list of authorized mooring service companies. If placing your own, you must contact the harbormaster office to obtain a placement location and schedule an inspection of the tackle. If using an authorized private mooring service, the company is authorized to place and inspect the mooring.

The pump-out service is in operation from May 1st to on or about October 31st (weather permitting). To pump out, you may use the self-serve facility located in the Town Marina (42°22'01.3" N 70°58'22.6" W) at the Landing or request a visit from the pump-out boat. The pump-out boat operates from 10 am to 2 pm daily. To hail the pump-out boat call 617-207-9092 or by VHF radio ch. 06. Please do not hail for pump-outs on VHF Ch. 16 as 16 is for emergency hailing only.

In accordance with town by-law 12.32 sec 4-9 any boat habitually moored in the town of Winthrop must display an up-to-date Town of Winthrop Waterways and Excise Sticker on the boat and a Mooring Permit sticker on the mooring ball (if any). Additionally, boats moored in Winthrop must be registered with the Environmental Police or Documented with the Coast Guard.

Stickers are issued by the Tax Collector's Office at Town Hall after payment of Excise and Waterways fees. Boats not displaying town stickers that are habitually moored in Winthrop are subject to a $75 per day fine.

View Instructions on Placing Stickers (PDF).

Yes, but you must stay at least 150 feet from the shoreline. CMR 323 2.07: 1-C (PDF) prohibits the operation of any motorboat within 150 feet of any shoreline being used as a swimming area whether public or private. Additionally, operation from 150 feet to 300 feet of the beach must be at headway speed only. The Winthrop Harbormaster Department strictly enforces these regulations to ensure the safety of those enjoying our beaches.

Equipment requirements vary depending on the size of your boat. Additionally, as a new boater, there are many other rules and regulations you should be aware of. View a detailed summary of the pertinent rules and regulations regarding boating in Massachusetts.

Yes, however, Snake Island is a protected habitat for migratory birds. Visitors to the island should remain on the beach and shores of the island only.

The Winthrop Harbormaster Department has transient slips and mooring available for rent.

The white "Restricted Area" buoys seen along the shores of Winthrop Harbor are markers identifying the restricted area of Logan Airport. No person without permission from the state police other than law enforcement and public safety vessels should be between the "Restricted Area" buoys and the shore of the airport. Any person found within the security zone is subject to a fine and or arrest pursuant to Mass General Laws. Clam diggers and others needing access to these areas must contact the State Police F Troop at Logan Airport.

Yes. Massachusetts law requires all vessels with an engine (gas or electric) to be numbered. If your dinghy or inflatable has an engine of any kind you must register it with the Massachusetts Environmental Police. The boat must display its numbers on both sides and have a valid registration sticker.

Yes, for up to 60 days.

M.G.L. 90B sec. 2-5 mandates any boat registered in another state that remains in Massachusetts waters for more than 60 days to be registered in Massachusetts.

Boat registration is handled by the Massachusetts Environmental Police. Learn more about registering your boat.

Yes. However, you must notify the Harbormaster Department and pay a $10 short-term tie-up fee. The $10 fee allows tie up for up to 4 hours. There is no fee required to tie up if you are launching or hauling your boat at the boat ramp, emergency matters, or if directed to do so by the Harbormaster. Additionally, the Harbormaster Department must assign you a spot as the marina and docks are very active and most spaces are already rented by marina members.

Those wishing to tie up longer than 4 hours may rent a transient slip or mooring. Get rates for transient slips and mooring.

The Winthrop Harbormaster Department enforces state and local boating laws in Winthrop waters. The two types of citations issued by the department are the blue Town of Winthrop Violation Notices and the white Environmental Uniform Citations.

If you have been issued a blue Town of Winthrop Violation Notice you have the following options:

1. Pay the fine within 21 days to the Town of Winthrop
2. Or, Send a written appeal inside the ticket to the Municipal Hearing Officer whose address is on the ticket within 21 days

Failure to take any action may result in an application for a criminal complaint being filed in the East Boston Court and or non-renewal of the mooring permit.

If you have been issued a white Environmental Uniform Citation you have the following options:

1. Pay the fine within 21 days to the East Boston Court Clerk's Office
2. Or, Request a hearing/ appeal through the Clerk's Office at the East Boston Court within 21 days

Failure to take any action may result in an application for criminal complaint being filed in the East Boston Court.

No. If you have paid your excise tax for your boat in any other Massachusetts city or town you do not need to pay it again in Winthrop. You must bring proof of payment with you when paying your waterways fees at town hall.

Contact the Animal Control Officer at 617-846-1212.

Contact the Department of Public Works at 617-846-1341.

The Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off Program allows seniors, aged 60 and older, to volunteer their services in exchange for a reduction in their property tax bill. Participants may earn a maximum reduction of $750 per fiscal year based on a rate per hour of service that cannot exceed the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' minimum wage.

Applications for the 2023 Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off Program are currently being accepted. Applications must be returned to the Senior Center by noon on Friday, April 7, 2023. For more information on the program, and to download an application visit the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Program page. Applications are also available at the Senior Center.

Medigap plans are health insurance plans that provide extra protection beyond Medicare by filling in some of the "gaps" in Medicare coverage. In Massachusetts, these plans allow continuous open enrollment. You must have Medicare A or B to enroll, and cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan. Anyone who is eligible may enroll or change plans or coverage levels at any time, with changes effective the first day of the following month. Note that Medigap policies do not cover prescription drugs, which are covered separately under Medicare Part D.

A Medigap policy will generally pay only when Medicare approves payments. You are free to choose any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare and you do not need referrals to see a specialist.

For assistance with choosing a Medigap plan or any Medicare issue, contact SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone). Trained SHINE Counselors offer free, in-person, confidential counseling on all aspects of Medicare and related insurance programs. You can schedule an appointment at the Winthrop Senior Center by calling 617-846-8538, or by calling the Regional SHINE office at Mystic Valley Elder Services in Malden at 781-388-4845.

When you don't drive, and if public transportation doesn't work for you, you risk missing important appointments, feeling isolated from friends and community, and not having what you need on hand.

TRIP Metro North gives you the tools you need to make arrangements with friends, neighbors, relatives, or other folks interested in committing a little bit of their time to give you a lift. You and your driver work one-on-one to make a plan and you get where you need to go. You can even work with more than one driver if that's what suits you. On a monthly basis, TRIP Metro North will send you a check to reimburse your driver for mileage making for a fair and friendly arrangement.

If you are an adult living with disabilities and/or if you are 60 years or older who cannot drive or use public transportation and resides in Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Revere, Stoneham, Wakefield, or Winthrop, you may be eligible for TRIP Metro North.

To enroll in TRIP Metro North, contact the TRIP specialist: 781-388-4819 or visit the TRIP Metro North website.

Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in Massachusetts have a Family Caregiver Support Specialist to provide support to family caregivers caring for older adults - or adults of any age living with Alzheimer's - and grandparents (55+) caring for grandchildren. The Family Caregiver Support Specialist focuses on caregiver needs through one-on-one counseling, in-home assessments, and referrals to in-home and other respite services.

If you do not know the Family Caregiver Support Specialist in your area, please contact Ana Karchmer - The Family Caregiver Support Program Manager at the Executive Office of Elder Affairs at 617-222-7490.

In the event of inclement weather, all Senior Center activities, programs as well as van transportation will be canceled when the Winthrop Public Schools are closed.

You must be 60 years of age or older to join the Senior Center. Visit the Senior Center Membership page for more information on becoming a member.

You are receiving this hearing notice because you are abutter (as defined by law) to a proposed development that will be reviewed by the Winthrop Planning Board. The notice is required by statute to let you know that a public hearing is being held on the project.

The Planning Board has five elected members and several appointed associate members. The Board has the responsibility to review proposed development projects and makes decisions on them in accordance with statutes and local bylaws. The board holds its hearings in the evenings. Board members have a variety of backgrounds and volunteers to serve on the board. They are assisted by a professional staff that works in the Town Clerk's office during the day.

An application, plans, and supporting materials are on file at the Town Clerk's office. You are welcome to review this information and may pay for copies of any information you would like to keep. If you are requesting multiple copies, you may have to fill out a Request for Public Information Form, giving the staff 14 days to produce the copies. Copies cost 25 cents/page. Our office is generally open Monday through Wednesday from 8 to 4:30, and Tuesday through Thursday from 8 to 7. It is best to call and make an appointment to ensure that staff will be there.

The notice you received in the mail tells you when the public hearing is scheduled. It is also published in the legal notice section of The Winthrop Transcript. At the first hearing, the applicant will present plans and explain what is proposed for the Board and the audience. The Board will ask questions. Generally where clarification is needed. There will be an opportunity for those in the audience to ask questions or offer opinions. Comments may also be submitted in writing. Since the Board often hears several projects in an evening, hearings last a specified period of time. At the end of this time, the hearing may be either closed or continued.

Occasionally, for simple projects, hearings can be completed in one night and are closed; meaning that no further testimony is taken. More often, hearings will be continued with direction given by the Board to the application on revisions to the plans or information that is needed. Continued hearings may be several weeks or months in the future depending on how long it takes the applicant to gather the required information and the Board's workload.

Occasionally, the hearing process is delayed due to weather, the absence of a Board member or at the applicant's request. To verify that a hearing is being held on a scheduled date, you can call the Planning Board office.

If a Public Hearing is Continued or delayed, abutters notices will not be sent back out. Please refer to the Public Calendar and Bulletin Boards.

Comments can be submitted in writing prior to the close of Public hearing. As with all testimony, it is most helpful to raise concerns early in the process.

After the hearing and the record are closed, no new information can be submitted. The Board deliberates and writes a decision at a posted Board meeting. The Board generally either approves a plan with conditions or denies it if it does not meet town standards. Interested individuals are welcome to attend and listen, but may not make further comments. The board makes its decisions on subdivision waiver requests at this time. The decision is voted on and filed with the Town Clerk by the decision deadline.

The scope of issues that the Board can consider in reviewing projects is defined by state law and town bylaws and regulations. In presenting testimony (oral or written) it is most helpful to focus on these issues.

Copies of subdivision decisions are not sent to abutters. You may request a copy of any decision from the Planning Board office.

Appeals may be made to the Superior Court (and in some cases Land Courts). For subdivision, site plan, and special permit decisions, there is a 20-day appeal period (from the date the decision is filed with the Town Clerk). You will not receive notice of any appeals filed other parties (such as the applicant).

"Sharrows" are a shorthand term for "Shared Lane Marking". They are road markings to indicate that motorists and cyclists must share the travel lane.

• Improve safety and travel conditions for bicyclists.
• Alert drivers to anticipate where bicyclists ride.
• Encourage safe passing of bicyclists by motorists.
• Reduce the incidence of wrong-way bicycling.

Sharrows are typically used when there isn't enough room on the street for bicycle lanes.

The markings are placed approximately where cyclists should be riding. Cyclists should stay in the middle or to the left of the markings.

Slow down and drive carefully. Because the travel lane is too narrow for safe side-by-side travel by motorists and cyclists, motorists should slow down and either wait for the cyclist to turn off the roadway, or wait until s/he can move into an adjacent travel lane.