Winchester still seeking volunteers for six open committee seats

Six volunteer committee seats remain open in Winchester town government after two application windows closed earlier this month.

The Cultural Council and both openings on the Retiree Health Insurance Advisory Committee have finished accepting applications; six postings from the Select Board’s summer recruitment push are still active, with the next deadline July 30.

All applicants must be Winchester residents. Most postings ask for a letter of interest, a resume and a completed Winchester Committee Volunteer Application, sent to Town Hall or the Town Manager’s Office at 71 Mt. Vernon St., or by email.

Close July 30 at 4 p.m.

• Audit Advisory Committee — Two seats, terms expiring Aug. 1, 2028, and Aug. 1, 2029, with no current incumbent.

The Select Board is seeking a resident with expertise in accounting, auditing or financial management to help oversee the town’s annual financial audit, recommend an independent auditing firm and stay current on standards set by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.

Apply to pmihelich@winchester.us.

• Energy Management Committee — One member, indefinite term.

Tracks municipal energy use, recommends efficiency upgrades, pursues grants and liaises with the Massachusetts Office of Energy Resources and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative in support of the town’s Green Community and Climate Action Task Force efforts.

Apply to pmihelich@winchester.us.

• Permanent Street Tree Committee — One seat, term expiring in 2029, one of four at-large seats on a seven-member committee that also includes representatives of the Conservation Commission, Planning Board and Climate Action Advisory Committee.

Works with the tree warden on planting, maintenance and tree inventory under the town’s Public Shade Tree Bylaw.

Apply to the Town Manager’s Office or pmihelich@winchester.us.

Closes July 31

• Wildwood Cemetery Advisory Committee — One seat, no current incumbent, for the remainder of a three-year term expiring May 31, 2028.

Advises the Select Board on the cemetery’s condition and maintenance.

Apply to Town Hall or pmihelich@winchester.us.

Closes Aug. 5 at 4 p.m.

• Personnel Board — Five openings: three seats expiring June 30, 2029, and two expiring June 30, 2028.

Advises the town’s human resources director, town agencies and town manager; helps coordinate collective bargaining and recommends compensation and personnel policy to Town Meeting.

Members are appointed jointly by the town moderator, the Select Board chair and the School Committee chair.

Apply to mmarshall@winchester.us or drop off at Town Hall.

Open until filled

• Long Range Financial Planning Committee — Three residents sought for a cross-board group building a multiyear financial model for the town's budget, covering revenue, expenses, reserve forecasts and stabilization funds.

Includes representatives from the Select Board, School Committee, Finance Committee and staff, with a Capital Planning Committee observer.

Renewable two-year terms; meets six times a year starting this summer.

Apply to pmihelich@winchester.us or mail to Town Hall.

Three committees share the closest deadline, July 30, followed by Wildwood Cemetery Advisory Committee on July 31.

The Personnel Board and Long Range Financial Planning Committee postings give applicants more time, with full details listed individually on the town’s website.

Will Dowd is a Massachusetts journalist who covers municipal government and community life for Winchester News. He is also the founder and editor of The Marblehead Independent, a reader-funded digital newsroom.