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The Select Board on April 7 approved the 56-article warrant for the 2025 Spring Town Meeting and advanced a series of proposals ranging from flood mitigation funding and outdoor dining approvals to new draft regulations under the town’s tree bylaw and a commercial waste pilot program.
Board members also made several key appointments and discussed preparations for upcoming Town Meeting sessions, which begin April 28 at Winchester High School. Additional sessions are planned for May 1, 5 and 8 if needed
Warrant finalized for Spring Town Meeting
The board voted unanimously to finalize the Spring Town Meeting warrant, which features 56 articles covering zoning changes, financial appropriations, citizen petitions and 18 proposed bylaw amendments from the Committee on Government Regulations.
Officials noted that this year’s warrant is among the longest in recent memory. Several board members described the breadth of material — including policy reforms, public infrastructure measures and a number of governance updates — as “sizable” and “dense,” reflecting a comprehensive effort by staff and volunteers to address structural needs across town government.
The warrant includes four citizen petitions, two of which come from residents of The Ledges condominium. Among the regulatory articles are zoning changes affecting the Floodplain Overlay District and the creation of a new chapter banning second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides on town-owned land.
Muraco culvert project requires additional $2.6M
The board reviewed a new $2.6 million cost increase in the Muraco culvert flood mitigation project, which stems from safety directives issued by the MBTA.
The agency raised concerns during the planning and staging phases about the stability of the existing rail infrastructure and temporary track crossings required for construction.
The project was previously authorized through a 2021 debt exclusion and a $9.11 million Town Meeting vote. In 2023, the town secured additional funding after inflation drove the project’s cost to $10.2 million.
The latest increase brings the total to roughly $12.8 million and will require the town to repeat the same approval steps through the Department of Revenue and Spring Town Meeting.
The board voted to authorize the submission of required documentation to the state. Construction remains on hold until new approvals are secured.
Tree committee presents draft regulations
Members of the Permanent Street Tree Committee presented a draft regulation package that would implement new policies under the town’s Public Shade Tree Bylaw.
The regulations, if adopted, would codify how the town plants, maintains and preserves public shade trees along roadways, on school campuses and in public parks.
Committee Chair David Miller said the proposal builds on the advisory work the committee has done since the bylaw was adopted and would give the town clearer standards for public tree care. The bylaw grants the Select Board authority to adopt tree rules after a public process, including a hearing.
Board members thanked the committee for its work, but did not vote on the proposal. The issue is expected to return for further discussion later this spring.
Outdoor dining permits approved with conditions
The board approved outdoor dining permits for five Winchester restaurants for the 2025 season: A Tavola, Nouvelle Maison, Black Horse Tavern, First House Pub and Lucia’s.
While most restaurants proposed layouts similar to prior years, board members discussed a Church Street seating configuration proposed by Nouvelle Maison that would use a “no parking” space. Staff advised against approving that request, citing drainage and visibility issues near the intersection.
First House Pub and Black Horse Tavern drew several comments from neighboring property owners, who raised concerns about dining configurations that exceed the applicant’s building frontage. Town staff said enforcement of frontage rules and public right-of-way access remains a condition of approval.
This year’s outdoor dining season will run from May 7 to Oct. 15 under the policy adopted in January. Town staff will continue to monitor compliance.
DPW proposes commercial waste pilot
The Department of Public Works presented a proposal to launch a three-month commercial hauler pilot program at the town’s transfer station beginning July 1.
The program would allow commercial waste haulers to drop off 15 to 20 tons of additional refuse per week. DPW officials said the goal is to test operational capacity, track environmental impacts and assess revenue generation potential.
Board members expressed general interest in the initiative, but did not vote. A formal decision is expected later this month.
Appointments and reappointments approved
The board voted to approve several appointments and reappointments to town boards and committees.
Harout Ghazarian was reappointed as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Vickie Krilorian was reappointed to the Board of Registrars of Voters. Corne Biemans was reappointed to serve as a Commissioner of Trust Funds.
Three positions on the Council on Aging were filled. Sven Andersen and Soojin Chung were appointed as new members, and Nick Troisi was reappointed. Troisi was also reappointed to the Senior Citizen Tax Committee.
Reeya Karki was appointed to the Cultural Council as a new member. The board interviewed the three new applicants and confirmed all others based on prior service.
