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Winchester Community Access & Media (WinCAM) is moving to the Parkhurst School. The decision was made over a month ago, but reality hit in July.
As the WinCAM team and volunteers began to unpack boxes and set up shop in their new space, they also had a message for the community: “WinCAM remains committed to serving as Winchester’s trusted source for local information, education, and civic engagement.”
That message is just part of an open letter that WinCAM board member Lauren Herrmann read during public comment at the Select Board’s July 27 meeting. With a move that started essentially that same day and will continue through August, WinCAM staff worked hard and fast to get to a point where they could broadcast the meeting that would carry their message.
“It was actually pretty amazing,” said WinCAM Executive Director David Gauthier. “At the beginning of the day, we weren’t ready. But thanks to really smart people on our end and the School Department’s end, they figured it out.
“It’s pretty amazing that our broadcast server and internet service are already moved over, and we still operate at Swanton,” he added. “If the town didn’t have its own fiber network, this couldn’t happen.”
With WinCAM up and running, Herrmann read the open letter on behalf of the WinCAM board of directors. Explaining the decision to move, she said, “like most community media organizations nationwide, WinCAM has experienced a steep decline in its primary source of operating revenue, cable television franchise fees.”
From 2014–2024, cable subscriptions in Winchester declined more than 40%, leading to an overall drop in funding. Streaming services do not currently generate any revenue for stations like WinCAM, though legislation has been pending for several years that could change that.
“After carefully evaluating numerous alternatives,” said Herrmann, “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.”
She expressed gratitude to the School Department for “its longstanding partnership and generosity in the new rental space at Parkhurst” and explained that “relocating was the most fiscally prudent course of action.”
She also highlighted Gauthier’s tireless advocacy efforts and his work over the years to “educate policymakers on the urgent need to modernize the funding model for community media.”
However, she added, “meaningful reform takes time.”
That is not time WinCAM had. As revenues shrank and expenses grew, the WinCAM board was increasingly concerned about making the rent at their longtime home at 32 Swanton St., where the station had been based for 12 years.
Herrmann acknowledged the generosity of private donors, sponsors, and community partners, saying “this support has become increasingly important.” However, she said, “charitable giving alone cannot fully offset the ongoing decline in franchise fee revenue.”
And so the board voted to move. It was not what anyone at WinCAM wanted, but with the move now underway, Gauthier said, “I’m pretty excited about it at this point. We’re way ahead of schedule, so moving becomes less stressful.”
Smaller items are being moved continuously in the WinCAM van, and the main move of large items is scheduled for Aug. 25.
Gauthier also appreciated the ongoing support from the schools.
“We’ve had students from the Winchester High post grad summer program helping us, everyone in the district office has been extremely welcoming, and the communication has been great,” he said.
He acknowledged the change will take some adjustment, but overall said “this is a positive move for the organization.”
As Herrmann closed her remarks, she asked that the community “continue investing in local media,” noting that “your support directly strengthens WinCAM's ability to inform, educate, and connect our community.”
In 2025 alone, WinCAM broadcast nearly 100 live public meetings, and many residents rely on their recordings to stay informed.
Herrmann finished with an invitation: “We are excited to welcome the community to our new home this September and to continue serving Winchester for many years to come.”
Jennifer Haefeli is a Winchester resident.
