WINTHROP — Almost a month after a controversial mooring ordinance was repealed, the Town Council approved the appointment Monday of seven members to the Winthrop Moorings Committee, which will have a year to review the ordinance and recommend changes.
Barbara Brosius, Matthew Colpitts, Dwight Doughty, Michael Ketchen, Lynn Reed, Matt Steele and Jim King were recommended by the town’s Appointments Committee, which received a total of 13 applications from residents interested in being a part of the yearlong process.
“We have a good group of citizens, and I am sure they will reach a sensible solution,” Town Manager Anthony Wilson said. “I don’t know what the solution might look like, but seeing their willingness, I can say this committee will yield the best possible result.”
The Town Council voted 5-1 to approve the appointments — Linda Caprara was absent from the meeting, and Elizabeth Peters voted against the appointments. The council also voted 5-1 to approve the committee’s formal charge to review the repealed ordinance and report back to the council with recommendations.
Peters could not be reached Tuesday for comment.
According to the approved charge, the committee “may seek to answer three questions: One, does Winthrop need a mooring ordinance? Two, if so, what should the ordinance seek to accomplish? And three, what from the repealed ordinance should be retained, and what amendments should be incorporated?”
The mooring ordinance, which aimed to limit moorings in town waters as part of a redevelopment plan, went into effect in 2022 and received backlash from residents who questioned its need and validity.
A moratorium was later placed on the ordinance until issues were resolved, which ultimately led to it being repealed in June of this year.
The newly appointed members of the ad-hoc committee are expected to submit a report to the Town Council before the Aug. 30, 2024, deadline, and present their findings at the next scheduled meeting, following the receipt of the report.
Changes recommended for the ordinance will either be accepted by the Town Council as presented or a special referendum election will be called during the November session for residents to vote on the recommendations.
Wilson noted that the committee is expected to meet at least once a month, and the meetings can be attended by residents and members of the Town Council.
“The intent is to engage the public,” Wilson said.
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