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
State Sen. Jason Lewis hosted a meeting in late February with constituents to discuss the effects of federal tax cuts on the state budget. “The state budget is the most important piece of legislation that our state lawmakers and Gov. [Maura] Healey debate and pass every single year,” said Lewis,
The following was submitted by state Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven: State Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven announced her candidacy for state Senate in the 2nd Middlesex District, pledging to be an unabashed progressive voice in the Senate, one who leads with conviction, delivers results, and is committed to fighting for you, even when
The following was submitted by the Winchester Town Clerk’s Office: Did you know that you can cast a vote early for the upcoming Annual Town Election? Election laws were amended years ago and allow for voters to cast ballots several ways. The world is a busy place with family,
The Planning Board has unanimously approved a special permit for a proposed residential building at 10 Converse Place/33 Mt. Vernon Street at five stories with no affordable housing. The permit includes a number of conditions, including a payment in lieu of providing on-site affordable housing from the developer and
Two Winchester clergy members attended a recent Wildwood Cemetery Advisory Committee to advocate for green burials. Temple Shir Tikvah’s Rabbi Cari Bricklin-Small and First Congregational Church’s Pastor Will Burhans said some of their members have been asking for green burial options. The subject first came before the advisory
The Town Clerk’s Office is seeking workers for the upcoming 2026 election season to assist staff with election administration. Officials cited changes in many election laws in the recent Voter Act of 2022 as a reason for the variety of available positions. The town is looking for serious applicants
Three candidates for two open seats on the Winchester Planning Board debated housing production, zoning reform and growth Feb. 26 at a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Winchester. Incumbents Nicholas Rossettos and Keri Layton were joined by challenger Amy Beliveau at the Jenks Center, moderated by
The Winchester Select Board on Feb. 23 began drafting performance goals for Town Manager Chris Senior, coalescing around three themes — board support, staff leadership and financial management — as it works to meet a deadline to set goals by early March. The discussion followed a homework assignment the board gave itself
After a somewhat lengthy negotiation session that, at times, saw teachers marching with signs, the School Committee and the Winchester Education Association settled the teachers’ contract. Superintendent Dr. Frank Hackett said that under the new three-year agreement, teachers will receive what he called a 2-3 split for the current year,
