A volunteer campaign called Yes for Winchester is working to build community support for an $11.5 million override on the town’s March 21 election ballot, relying primarily on house parties, lawn signs and neighbor-to-neighbor outreach rather than traditional political infrastructure. The campaign began preliminary planning before the Select
The following was submitted by Ryan O’Malley: To the residents of Malden, Melrose, Wakefield, Stoneham, Reading, and Winchester: Over the last few weeks, I have met with many residents across our district to learn about the issues that are important to you. Based on those conversations, I am excited
The river restoration plan for the Aberjona River in Davidson Park has been revised using nature based techniques that can be installed with minimal disturbance to wetland resources. It will include rock weirs to create step-like increases in the water level during typical flow conditions to counteract cascades resulting from
Ahead of the March 21 election, incumbent Michelle Prior and challenger Shamus Brady offered contrasting styles, but frequent agreement at a candidate forum for the Select Board, with both backing the pending override vote while differing on how to generate revenue, speed housing development and attract businesses. The two are
The Winchester Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) seems to have all the information it needs to make a decision on a proposed Chapter 40B apartment proposal at the intersection of Washington and Swanton streets. “It’ll be sort of wrapping things up tonight and moving forward on deliberations,” ZBA Chair
John Bellaire and Heather von Mering outlined competing visions for the town’s public schools at a candidate forum, clashing over technology in classrooms, special education access and teacher accountability ahead of the March 21 election. The two are vying for one three-year seat on the Winchester School Committee. The
Cambridge Vice Mayor Burhan Azeem says Massachusetts remains a great place to live — but one that too many residents can no longer afford. In an interview, the 29-year-old city councilor returned repeatedly to that tension. It is, he said, the central motivation behind his campaign for the open 2nd Middlesex
The following was submitted by the Office of Senator Jason Lewis: State Sen. Jason Lewis will be holding Virtual Office Hours on Monday, March 16, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Any constituent of Lewis is welcome to attend Office Hours, with no appointment necessary, to discuss any
With Winchester’s Spring Town Meeting scheduled for April 27, the Select Board has spent weeks hashing out a slate of warrant articles that would commit the town to its most ambitious solar energy program yet, address long-standing drainage and dam infrastructure needs, bolster financial reserves and launch a new
Matthew McLaughlin grew up in a Somerville that people called “Slummerville” — a low-income, working-class city that outsiders looked down on and that insiders survived. His father, a custodian like his mother, died when McLaughlin was 12, making him, by his own account, something like the head of a household with
Fernanda Stern and her 6-year-old daughter struggled to use the town’s sidewalks two days after last month’s blizzard to get to school from their home on Highland Avenue. Large mountains of snow had forced them to either walk on the street or in snow banks for weeks. Snow
Two candidates for Winchester’s School Committee will face voters at a forum as the district navigates a new literacy curriculum, budget pressures and questions about student mental health. Heather von Mering and John Bellaire are competing for an open seat on the School Committee, which oversees a budget von
The following was submitted by the Office of Rep. Michael S. Day: Rep. Michael S. Day and his colleagues in the House of Representatives recently passed energy affordability legislation that would result in over $9 billion in savings for utility ratepayers over the next 10 years. The bill maintains critical
Public safety data How Winchester compares on firearms licenses in comparable Massachusetts communities Active licenses as of Jan. 25, 2025 — Source: Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board License to carry firearms Firearms identification card Winchester and Marblehead are the focus communities. Peers selected based on comparable population size, demographics and suburban
The following was submitted by the Office of Sen. Jason Lewis: State Sen. Jason Lewis joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate to pass legislation that protects residents from discrimination in the housing market as the Trump administration abandons its enforcement of the federal Fair Housing Act. Illegal discrimination continues
The Winchester Select Board on Feb. 23 approved an overnight parking pilot, raised building permit fees for the first time since 2021, adopted the 2026 outdoor dining policy and directed the town manager to examine reinvesting downtown-generated revenue into town center improvements. The board voted unanimously to implement the overnight
