As expected, Town Meeting took up the fiscal year 2026 budget at its third session on Monday evening, with debate heavily centered on the school budget. The School Committee in late March voted 4-1 to increase the district’s level service budget by 7%, bringing the newly FY26 budget to
Winchester residents will be paying more for water, come the summer. Town Meeting on Thursday night voted unanimously to approve an 8% increase in water and sewer rates. Article 21 called for the increase for fiscal year 2026, which starts July 1. Select Board member Anthea Brady said water and
Despite concerns by some Town Meeting members over editing bylaw changes presented by the Committee on Government Regulations (COGR) on the floor during the second session of the annual meeting on Thursday night, there was some lengthy debate over a number of revisions. Review of the town’s bylaws is
The new art show being hung at the Winchester Public Library this week might be an annual event, but this year it comes with a twist. “We wanted to honor the 175th anniversary of Winchester,” said Trish Gannon, a Winchester Artist Network member and participating artist. Gannon also serves on
The following was submitted by the Winchester Town Clerk’s Office: The Town Clerk’s Office will be mailing out a second request the week of May 5 to all households who have not yet responded to the annual census. In order to remain active on the voter list you
The first night of the annual Spring Town Meeting kicked off Monday night, with new Town Moderator Philip Frattaroli at the helm — and a problematic projector that brought on more than one joke from officials delivering committee reports. “Anyone have this on their Bingo card?” Frattaroli kidded, as the issue
A public hearing begun on April 1 to address a new building proposal for 10 Converse Place will be continued on May 6, at which time Winchester officials may take a vote on the plans. The Planning Board addressed the project during a public hearing on April 15. “We have
After being withdrawn at the Fall Town Meeting, The Ledges is once again on the spring agenda. But just like last time, officials are not supporting the petition. The Planning Board on April 15 recommended unfavorable action on Article 6 at the upcoming Spring Town Meeting, which kicks off April
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, 11-year-old Sofia Chaudrey began entering online art competitions and noticed a lack of opportunities centered around Islamic themes. So she created one. She launched a website with the help of her parents and a web developer. Her idea eventually evolved into Islamic Art
The following was submitted by Winchester Hospital: It was a special delivery for one Winchester family this Easter season. Twins Charlotte and Amelia of Winchester were born eight weeks early and are being taking care of in the Special Care Nursery at Winchester Hospital. The baskets they are in were
The following was submitted by Indivisible Winchester: A grassroots organization, Indivisible Winchester, has launched in response to growing concerns about the state of American democracy. Dedicated to electing bold leaders who will defend our democracy, safeguarding individual liberties, and fighting against the Trump agenda. Indivisible Winchester is the local chapter
The Winchester Community Music School broke ground last week for a new wing, named in honor of the school’s co-founder Corie Nichols. “It’s so amazing to think that when the school opened in 1981, we had 30 students,” Nichols said. “Now we have more than 900!” According to
Aided by friends, family, and of course hot chocolate and donuts, a group of brave volunteers on April 13 embarked in a polar plunge at Shannon Beach by Mystic Lake in Winchester. With Winchester residents of all ages, from children to WHS Swim Team members, and even the bravest of
A big step toward a possible new Muraco school building was taken when the School Committee voted April 10 to submit a Statement of Interest to the state’s School Building Authority. “I’m absolutely thrilled, as someone who lives in the Muraco neighborhood, to have this moving forward,” said
The Select Board met Monday to review proposed bylaw revisions and vote positions on warrant articles for the spring Town Meeting scheduled to open April 28 with a record 56 articles. Town Counsel Jay Talerman provided a detailed legal analysis of the Government Regulations Committee’s proposed general bylaw changes,
The Trump administration is gutting funding for farms and agricultural programs across the country, but Winchester’s Wright-Locke Farm is largely insulated from those cuts, because it relies almost exclusively on sales and donations. With federal funding freezes and mass layoffs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, local farms
