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The following is an open letter submitted by the WinCAM board of directors:
Dear Select Board Members and the Winchester community:
On behalf of the WinCAM Board of Directors, I thank you for allowing the time to share this open letter regarding recent changes at the station.
For more than two and a half decades, WinCAM has connected, informed, and educated our community. To ensure we can continue fulfilling that mission for years to come, we have made a difficult decision to relocate operations.
Like most community media organizations nationwide, WinCAM has experienced a steep decline in its primary source of operating revenue, cable television franchise fees. Between 2014 and 2024, cable subscriptions in Winchester alone declined by more than 40%, resulting in an overall reduction in funding that supports our mission.
Recognizing that the decline in cable franchise revenue is a statewide challenge, WinCAM’s Executive Director Dave Gaultier has for years been tirelessly engaged in advocacy efforts at the State House. Working alongside industry leaders, legislators, and statewide organizations, he has helped educate policymakers on the urgent need to modernize the funding model for community media across the Commonwealth.
While great strides have been made, meaningful reform takes time.
As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, WinCAM also relies on the generosity of individual donors, local businesses, sponsors, and community partners. While this support has become increasingly important, charitable giving alone cannot fully offset the ongoing decline in franchise fee revenue. Like many nonprofits, we must continually adapt to ensure our long-term sustainability.
After carefully evaluating numerous alternatives, WinCAM’s Board of Directors made the difficult decision to relocate.
This was one of the most significant decisions in the organization's history and was not made lightly. The Board’s responsibility is to ensure the long-term health of the organization while protecting the services our community depends upon. Ultimately, relocating was the most fiscally prudent course of action — one that allows us to preserve our mission, safeguard essential programming, and continue serving the greatest number of residents for years to come.
Leaving our longtime home on Swanton Street is bittersweet. For 12 years, the facility provided an outstanding home for our organization, helping us expand educational programming, strengthening community engagement, and became an integral part of life in Winchester. We are deeply grateful to the School Department for its longstanding partnership and generosity in the new rental space at Parkhurst.
Our new location alongside the school administration provides a more sustainable operating model while allowing us to continue offering the same core services our community expects. Although this move improves our financial outlook, it does not eliminate the broader funding challenges facing community media.
WinCAM remains committed to serving as Winchester’s trusted source for local information, education, and civic engagement. In 2025 alone, we broadcast nearly 100 public meetings — including meetings of the Select Board, School Committee, Planning Board, Town Meeting, and other public bodies—live across television and digital platforms. For many residents, these broadcasts provide an essential connection to local government and help ensure transparency, accessibility, and informed civic participation.
As we look ahead, we ask our community to continue investing in local media. Whether through individual donations, business sponsorships, volunteering, or simply sharing our work. Your support directly strengthens WinCAM’s ability to inform, educate, and connect our community.
This transition reflects the same commitment that guided our founding: ensuring WinCAM remains a lasting resource for the people of Winchester. While saying goodbye to Swanton Street is emotional, we are excited to welcome the community to our new home this September and to continue serving Winchester for many years to come.
Sincerely,
The WinCAM Board of Directors
Linda Doucette, Allan Eyden, Mariano Goluboff, Ruba Gnanaratnam, Wei Han, Lauren Herrmann, Shawn Macannuco, Peter Pongratz and Andrea Zampitella
