Winchester Town Meeting raises retiree COLA base, debates procedural reforms
Members rejected an immediate shift in parliamentary procedure, opting instead for more study before replacing Robert’s Rules.
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Winchester community steps up as SNAP benefits freeze
Winchester’s food pantries, farmers market and volunteers have launched a coordinated effort to ensure that low-income residents have access to food amid the federal government shutdown. The Trump administration said it was suspending Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as the shutdown extended into November. Last week, however, two
Sen. Jason Lewis, Senate approve supplemental budget to support healthcare, affordable housing, food assistance, and more
The following was submitted by the Office of Sen. Jason Lewis: State Sen. Jason Lewis joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate to approve legislation that responsibly closes the books on Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) with a $2.3 billion supplemental budget that supports healthcare, affordable housing, food assistance, preparations
Winchester Town Meeting OKs $4.4M in capital spending amid fiscal warnings
Winchester Town Meeting members approved $4.4 million in capital appropriations Monday night while receiving sobering warnings about a looming structural deficit and hearing updates on the town’s newly secured climate leader status and ongoing search for a permanent town manager. The opening session of Winchester’s Fall 2025
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane chosen as Winchester’s new town counsel
The Winchester Select Board recently voted to appoint Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane LLP as the town’s new legal counsel, concluding a monthlong search that drew three finalists and extensive board deliberation. The Quincy-based firm began its work ahead of Fall Town Meeting. Board members cited the firm’s
Winchester Town Meeting to vote on updated MBTA Overlay District, boosting affordable housing
Town Meeting members will vote on an amendment to the town’s MBTA Overlay District that would bring affordable housing standards in line with the rest of Winchester while maintaining state compliance. Article 4, proposed by the Planning Board, would update the MBTA Overlay District — a zoning area that allows
Winchester residents rediscover town’s historical boundary marker
By Peter G. Engeldrum & William Swanton It all started at a Winchester Historical meeting. Winchester residents William Swanton and Peter Engeldrum were chatting about the Middlesex Canal as the conversation drifted toward Engeldrum’s latest film about Winchester’s boundary markers. Engeldrum was explaining to Swanton that he could
Sen. Jason Lewis announces November office hours in Winchester
The following was submitted by the Office of Sen. Jason Lewis: State Sen. Jason Lewis will be holding office hours in Winchester on Monday, Nov. 10, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Winchester Public Library, 80 Washington St. Any Winchester resident is welcome to attend office hours, with
160 Forest St. articles gain support for passage at Winchester Town Meeting
Winchester town officials are coming together to support two articles on the Fall Town Meeting warrant that would allow for the renovation and sale of a house at 160 Forest St. The Historical Commission this week unanimously voted to support both Article 28 and Article 29 in order to fund
‘Fashion It Forward’ community clothing drive collects gently loved kids’ clothes for Cradles to Crayons
The following was submitted by Jules Children’s Boutique: Local clothing boutiques Jules Children's Boutique, 560 Main St., and Jules Women’s Boutique, 3 Thompson St., in Winchester, are excited to launch their first-annual clothing drive, “Fashion It Forward,” benefiting Cradles to Crayons Greater Boston. The campaign runs
New sculptures arrive on Winchester Riverwalk
The following was submitted by Arts Winchester: Arts Winchester is excited to introduce four new sculptures to the Winchester Riverwalk. On the week of Sept. 15, two new sculptures were installed in time for the Spirit Weekend activities. “Evolution” by R Douglas Rice was installed behind the Jenks, replacing “Waterfowl.
Winchester man lobbies for amendment to add recall mechanism to state constitution
While Massachusetts communities have the ability to recall an elected official, thanks to their charters, the state itself has no such mechanism. That means the governor, state legislators, district attorneys, sheriffs and county commissioners cannot be removed unless voters decide not to re-elect them. According to the National Conference of
Winchester Scout Troop #507 builds picnic table at Elliot Park
The following was submitted by Randie Black-Schaffer: Winchester Scout Troop #507 spent the morning at Elliot Park on Saturday building picnic tables for the park. After a microburst in May destroyed one picnic table at Wedge Pond, Randie Black-Schaffer asked Scout leaders about building more tables. The Select Board approved
Middlesex Fells disposal stations aim to reduce pet waste bags
What’s one of the biggest problems facing the Middlesex Fells Reservation? Believe it or not, dog poop bags. That’s right. The problem has proliferated the state’s recreation areas as more and more residents enjoy the great outdoors with their pets and in instances they pick up after
Chamber event spotlights Winchester’s budget pressures and override plan
Officials outlined a multiyear plan to stabilize funding through updated fees, long-term liability planning and potential new revenue streams.
Protestors of all ages rally in Winchester on No Kings Day
By Daisy Levine and Aayushi Datta Hundreds of people of all ages, many dressed in costumes and waving American flags, turned out Saturday at the Winchester Unitarian Society for the town’s No Kings protest. “This is what democracy looks like!” they chanted. The Oct. 18 rally drew more than