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Attorney Melissa Mathis has withdrawn her candidacy for an open Planning Board seat in Winchester’s March municipal election ballot, leaving the race for the seat wide open.
The withdrawal comes as Winchester prepares for an election that will bring significant changes to town leadership.
Six current office-holders are choosing not to seek re-election, while five incumbents are running to retain their seats and six newcomers vie for their first elected positions in town government.
According to the Town Clerk’s Office, a pair of competitive races highlight the March 22 ballot — a four-way contest for Select Board and a three-way race for School Committee — while several key positions remain either uncontested or without candidates.
The election will also be one of leadership transitions, with six incumbents choosing not to seek re-election and only five current office-holders submitting papers to return.
In the Select Board race, incumbent Anthea Brady seeks another three-year term, facing challenges from Dorothy Simboli, Paras Bhayani and Richard Welch. John Fallon has decided not to run.
Simboli, who ran unsuccessfully for Select Board in 2024, brings experience as a Town Meeting member since 2016 and eight years on the Board of Appeals, where she handled special permits, variances, and affordable housing cases. She is an attorney specializing in real estate and land use.
Welch, a 35-year Winchester resident, brings extensive experience in real estate development and home building. As president of Mesiti Development Corporation, he has developed and built hundreds of senior living units and has experience with affordable housing projects throughout the state.
In March 2022, Bhayani joined the advisory board of OneGoal-Massachusetts, an organization dedicated to closing the degree divide in the Commonwealth, advising on growth strategy and resource development.
Locally, Bhayani has been an advocate for educational improvements, urging the Winchester School Committee to invest in early literacy programs to enhance student outcomes.
Beyond the contested races, the election cycle sees several other leadership changes.
Philip Frattaroli is the sole moderator candidate. Incumbent Heather von Mering did not pull papers to seek re-election after five terms wielding the Winchester Town Meeting gavel.
Frattaroli, who previously ran unsuccessfully for Planning Board in 2022, has served as a Town Meeting member since 2021. He holds a juris doctorate from Suffolk University Law School and has served on the Winchester Chamber of Commerce.
The School Committee race sees incumbent Karen Maruyama Bolognese and Christian Nixon seeking re-election. They face a challenge from newcomer Stefanie Mnayarji for the two available three-year terms.
Mnayarji has a background in economics and entrepreneurship. Locally, Mnayarji has been an advocate for education and school infrastructure, actively engaging in Town Meeting discussions on issues such as playground maintenance and resource allocation.
George Nowell Jr. seeks re-election to the Board of Assessors. Anne Marie Hill stands as the sole candidate for the Board of Health seat, as incumbent Ruth Trimachi chose not to run again.
Four positions remain without any candidates: a four-year Housing Authority Commissioner position, previously held by Brenda Kleschisky, one three-year Library Trustee seat, following Wendy Karle's decision not to run and the Planning Board seat being vacated by Diab Jerius. For the Library Trustees, incumbent David Coughlan seeks re-election to one of the two available three-year seats. These positions could be filled through write-in campaigns — as could any position on the ballot.
The election will take place March 22 at Winchester High School cafeteria. Early voting will be available, with specific times to be announced by the Town Clerk’s Office. Residents must register to vote by March 12 and mail-in voting requests will be accepted until March 17.
Additional information about voting procedures and candidate information is available through the Winchester Town Clerk’s Office at (781) 721-7130 or via email at townclerk@winchester.us.
