McDermott, Ladd's volunteerism honored with Spirit of America award

At its April 22 meeting, the Winthrop Town Council recognized Steven McDermott and Pat Ladd for their volunteerism and contributions to the community by presenting them each with a Spirit of America Award. 

The award is presented to local individuals, organizations and projects for commendable service and contributions to the community. Anyone can submit a nomination. Typically town select boards or councils will select and present the award to the recipients. The Spirit of America Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity established in Augusta in 1990 to honor volunteerism. Given that April is also National Volunteer Month, the Council took the opportunity to recognize McDermott and Ladd.

In presenting his award, Council Chair Shannon McDonnell called McDermott "someone who offered keen input in the chapters that address Housing and Future Land Use (in the Comprehensive Plan update) especially. ... Two years ago I met Steve at the Comprehensive Planning Committee meeting. He expressed his interest on the housing continuum in Winthrop and a concern for housing affordability. He quickly became a resource for the Comprehensive Planning Committee, but didn’t stop there. He provided valuable insight and recommendations on navigating state mandated amendments to our Zoning Ordinance; He presented the Community Resilience Project Grant as an opportunity for our town to seek funds for climate related projects, of which we are now pursuing heat pumps and LED upgrades for municipal buildings. He also met with town managers from Winthrop, Readfield, and Manchester to discuss the Housing Opportunity Grant.

"Today we’d like to thank Steve for dedicating his time and knowledge to educate, present, and share his expertise with municipal staff, councilors, committees, and working towards improving the housing options in Winthrop."

Ladd's nomination for the award noted she "cares about housing in Winthrop. A member of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan Committee and a longtime real estate agent, Pat has in recent years championed moves that could result in more affordable, workforce and senior housing opportunities in her community. Winthrop’s landscape is dominated by large farmhouses and Victorian homes – residences that don’t fit the finances or lifestyles of most of the town’s modern-day residents.

"Pat worked tirelessly on the housing and future land use chapters of the Comprehensive Plan update to ensure Winthrop’s municipal government is focused on facilitating housing opportunities that would benefit seniors who wish to age in place, young couples, the working class, and professionals at the onset of their careers. Her vision has enlightened some of us in municipal government to new housing opportunities, including tidy developments that include modular and mobile homes. Her support helped politically buoy an ordinance change to allow accessory dwelling units. Throughout her advocacy, she has remained constructive, upbeat and encouraging, which has instilled the trust and earned the ear of elected and appointed town officials.

"She has also followed through with action. Her real estate firm bid on the contract to sell tax-acquired properties, seeing that as an opportunity to assist in re-purposing properties and homes. It feels like momentum is building to address the local housing crunch in a meaningful way in Winthrop, and Pat Ladd has been at the forefront of that charge."