Table of Contents
The Winchester Town Meeting Members Association (TMMA) supports informed discussion and decision-making for Town Meeting members. Its monthly Bulletin shares brief updates from town boards and commissions about their current work. Winchester News will publish each Bulletin as it’s released so all residents can stay informed. Winchester News has not edited this content.
Select Board News
The Select Board kicked off its Long Range Financial Planning Committee on September 14. This group is comprised of Board volunteers, town staff, and three town residents and will make recommendations to strengthen the town’s finances.
The recently created Human Rights Commission is seeking founding members, including one student member. Apply here. Many thanks to the working group members for helping launch this commission!
Fall Town Meeting is coming—the warrant closes on September 21! Watch the Select Board’s September 14 meeting for a preview of articles being put forth by the town. —Anthea Brady, Chair, Select Board
A New Year Begins!
WPS students returned to school on September 2, marking summer’s end and the start of a new academic year. We wish all students and educators well over the months to come!
The School Committee worked through a packed agenda at its first meeting of 2026-27, adopting important policies including student handbooks and a state-mandated policy to shield our students from warrantless activity by ICE; authorizing two articles for consideration at Fall Town Meeting (replenishment of the special education reserve and proposing a Carriage House feasibility study); extending contracts with key district leaders; receiving committee updates; and workshopping solutions as we look ahead to continued FY28 budget pressures. —Timothy Matthews, Chair, School Committee
Planning Board to Bring Multiple Articles to Town Meeting
On September 8, the Planning Board voted unanimously to bring three articles to Fall Town Meeting, all simplifying development review procedures, standards, and criteria:
1. Sections 3.5.5 and 4.1.1 – Addressing lot widths.
2. Section 7.3 – Streamlining Center Business District development review
3. Sections 9.4 and 9.5 – Simplifying project administrative logistics.
A potential fourth article will be voted on at a special September 17 meeting. If approved, it would add a new section 6.4 regarding retaining walls and slopes, providing clear criteria for by-right projects and a pathway for those requiring special permits. —Jack LeMenager, Chair, Planning Board
Permanent Street Tree Committee News
The Tree Committee is excited that our proposal for CPA funding is headed to Town Meeting. The proposed project will focus on assessing and improving tree canopy in town parks and open spaces in close coordination with other committees. The project would be a great first step in our ongoing work to reverse the current trend of tree loss and improve the canopy across town.
We would greatly appreciate your support of the proposal at Town Meeting. If you have questions about the proposal or our other priorities, or would like to be more involved in our work, you can reach out at afwhit@gmail.com. —Austin Whitman, Chair, Permanent Street Tree Committee
A Note from the Board of Health
The Health Department is busy gearing up for its flu and Covid vaccine clinics. Town-wide messages have been sent to all households. —Anne Marie Hill, Chair, Board of Health
Follow the Conversation
Visit TMMA's Forum to read posts from Town Meeting members about Town Meeting articles and issues. To contact your Town Meeting representatives with questions or comments, visit the TMMA website for the current list.
About TMMA
The Winchester Town Meeting Members Association is a non-governmental, non-partisan association that helps Town Meeting members stay informed about town issues and Town Meeting articles ahead of Town Meeting sessions.
