The Winthrop Town Council wants more information before it agrees to waive about $74,000 in town fees related to the construction of a new public library. Friends of the Winthrop Public Library (FOWL) had asked the town to forgo Westernization and building permit assessments including legal fees, permit application and plan review fees, and charges […]
Winthrop Town Council
Winthrop Town council approves 2020 budget
The Winthrop Town Council at its Dec. 4 meeting approved a 2020 town budget of $4.54 million that includes funding for several ongoing projects. The town anticipates total revenues of $6.47 million, but that includes all of the town’s reserve funds. The council earlier adopted the 1% property tax increase allowed under state law. According […]
Winthrop takes next step toward annexation of Gray property
Methow Trails plans to move HQ to the site The Winthrop Town Council has taken a necessary legal step toward the annexation of an 18.22-acre parcel that Methow Trails intends to purchase and eventually make its headquarters. At their meeting last week, council members accepted a formal petition for the annexation from owner Vern Gray, […]
Winthrop council continues discussion of live music curfew
Winthrop’s limit on live music after 10 p.m. may get some tweaking — or not — as the Town Council continues to discuss possible changes in the existing noise ordinance. At their regular meeting last week, some council members indicated they would at least be open to discussing later hours on a restricted basis. Others said they would like […]
Winthrop Town Council adopts revised water, sewer service rates
After weeks of review and discussion, the Winthrop Town Council quietly approved amendments to the town’s water and sewer service ordinance at its meeting last week. The amendments adjust prices charged to some water and sewer customers, both residential and commercial. Most noteworthy, from a public discussion standpoint, is that overnight transient rentals and single-family […]
Winthrop council continues Westernization code revision discussions
The Winthrop Town Council continued its discussion of proposed revisions to the town’s Westernization code as it applies to W-3 zoning at its meeting last week, and agreed that further refinements are necessary before the proposals reach the public hearing stage. Council member Kirsten Vanderhalf, who was part of an ad hoc committee appointed by […]
Winthrop council holds off on proposed solar array at town’s well pump house
An energy consulting company that is exploring ways the Town of Winthrop can save money inadvertently strayed into a local controversy when it recommended that the town consider a large solar panel array to power its well pump on Twin Lakes Road.
“Its an interesting idea,” Mayor Sally Ranzau said at last week’s Town Council meeting. “But the timing is a little awkward.”
Resignations decimate Winthrop’s Westernization Design Review Board
And then there was one.
A spate of recent resignations from Winthrop’s Westernization Design Review Board (WDRB), the appointed advisory group that administers the town’s Westernization ordinance, has left the board with but one member.
That means …
Winthrop Town Council adopts updated parks and recreation plan
The Winthrop Town Council has approved a six-year plan for the town’s parks and recreation facilities, in time to qualify for state Recreation Conservation Office (RCO) grants to support specific projects. RCO grants have been instrumental in such projects as the Winthrop Rink and the Susie Stephens Trail.
Winthrop urged to become ‘Fire-Adapted’
When it comes to wildfires, Winthrop has dodged the bullet so far, but a local resident is suggesting that town leaders do more to prepare for a time when the town may not be so fortunate.
“We’ve been really lucky in our community,” Winthrop resident …
