Muraco School feasibility funding back on the table for Winchester’s Town Meeting
School Committee takes a third vote on funding question
News
Winchester Town Meeting to weigh parliamentary rule book switch for third time
A proposal would replace a lengthy national manual with a Massachusetts-focused guide, reflecting how the body already handles many procedural questions.
From snow-clearing rules to ranked-choice voting: five Winchester citizen petitions
As Town Meeting opens Monday, a cluster of resident-led articles will test how far members want to go in forcing action on transparency, public safety and town governance.
Lawsuit, open meeting complaint and town counsel opinions collide over Winchester’s Converse Place/Mt. Vernon development
Plans for a five-story structure with shops, dozens of homes and telecom equipment have sparked parallel legal challenges over approval steps and transparency concerns.
Winchester Planning Board examines streamlining special permit, site plan reviews
Winchester planning officials are looking to streamline the procedures behind special permits and site plan reviews. The Planning Board on April 7 proposed making changes to a section of the zoning bylaw “to refine the procedures, standards, and criteria associated with special permits and site plan review in order to
Winchester’s new elementary literacy program decided, but funding still up in the air
The long wait is over. Almost. After two plus years and a nearly two hour presentation, the Winchester School Committee voted on March 26 to adopt a new literacy program, Arts & Letters, for the elementary grades. “This afternoon we celebrate another milestone,” said Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Laurie
Proposed human rights commission wins favorable action ahead of Winchester Town Meeting
The Winchester Select Board on April 13 voted favorable action on Article 4, a proposal to establish a Human Rights Commission in the town's bylaws, even as members pressed the working group behind the article on how the new body would operate, keep records and measure whether its
Winchester’s new CPA funding cycle begins May 15
The following was submitted by the Winchester Committee for Community Preservation: The Winchester Committee for Community Preservation (WCCP) announces that initial applications for the fiscal year 2027 Community Preservation Act (CPA) grants will be due at 5 p.m. on May 15. The application forms and information about the submission
Winchester weighs school cuts, hiring freeze while eyeing long-term budget reforms
Winchester officials spent the night trying to close a fiscal year 2027 budget still running millions short while laying the groundwork for a more disciplined, multi-year budgeting process some argue the town has lacked for years. The April 13 Select Board meeting mixed immediate deadline pressure — Town Meeting opens
Winchester Select Board advances transfer station revenue steps, holds off on commercial rate hike
The Winchester Select Board on April 13 approved a partial package of transfer station revenue measures, but pulled back from voting on higher commercial tipping fees, asking staff to return with a more rigorous analysis of indirect costs, capital costs and fee equity before any rate change moves forward. On
Explosion involving oil containers draws mutual aid response at former Meineke site in Winchester
An explosion involving oil containers at the former Meineke property on Main Street drew a response from Winchester firefighters and mutual aid crews from surrounding communities on April 16. There were no injuries, Fire Capt. Peter Gove told the Winchester News in a phone call around 5 p.m. “No
Winchester News launches Town Meeting guide, interactive tracker ahead of spring session
A separate explainer outlines how the 192-member representative body works and why residents may speak at the auditorium even though only elected officials vote.
Sen. Jason Lewis, Senate use Fair Share revenue to send funding to Winchester
The following was submitted by the Office of Sen. Jason Lewis: State Sen. Jason Lewis joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate to pass a supplemental budget primarily using Fair Share revenue from the state’s wealthiest earners to support municipalities and invest in education and transportation projects, alongside passing
Winchester gets first look at pared down school budget
The school community and School Committee got a first look at the new pared down budget on April 9 — and it wasn’t pretty. “Tonight we are presenting a first draft, a first round of a 5% budget,” said Superintendent Dr. Frank Hackett. “You’re going to hate most of
Winchester Health Department receives credit for vaccination rates during state conference
Winchester’s Health Department recently received a shout out from the state during the 31st Annual Mass. Adult Immunization Conference, held March 26 by the Department of Public Health. During the presentation by DPH Director of the Immunization Division Pejman Talebian, a slide was shown and highlighted. The slide shows
Winchester haulers push back on proposed transfer station fee hikes
Local haulers and residents pushed back against a slate of proposed transfer station fee increases in Winchester, warning the changes would burden small businesses and families already stretched by rising costs. The Winchester Select Board reviewed the proposals at its April 6 meeting as part of a broader effort to