Winchester's main governing board. Sets town policy, approves major contracts, and makes key appointments.
104 items across 6 meetings.
June 15, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
No executive session; next regular sessions June 29 and July 13, 2026.
📋 Proposed
$6,660 grant funds a Healthcare Navigator for monthly clinics serving Mandarin-speaking seniors.
💰 $6,660 grant
📋 Proposed
$5,074.43 from Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition supports the Winchester Coalition for a Safer Community's youth substance abuse programs.
💰 $5,074.43 donation
📋 Proposed
$1,350 in bank donations deposited into the Packer-Ellis Tennis Courts gift account.
💰 $1,350 donation
📍 Packer-Ellis Tennis Courts
📋 Proposed
$27,900 state conservation grant helps fund tasks related to acquiring the Forest Ridge property.
💰 $27,900 grant
📍 Forest Ridge
📋 Proposed
$13,720 EEC (Early Education & Care) stabilization grant covers the Recreation Department's childcare license for June 2026.
💰 $13,720 grant
📋 Proposed
$2,050 from Ek Ka Society Inc supports Concerts on the Common and sound/lighting for Battle of the Bands.
💰 $2,050 donation
💬 Discussed
General Town Manager update; full report in attached document.
💬 Discussed
Mid-year fiscal update covering town finances through April 30, 2026.
💬 Discussed
Board recaps its June 1 goal-setting session priorities.
📋 Proposed
Board interviews four candidates (Brian Vernaglia, Caroline Staudt, Michelle Bergstrom, John Healy) for two Affordable Housing Trust seats expiring 2028 and 2029.
📋 Proposed
Mark Scott, previously interviewed 5/20/26, to be appointed Board of Appeals alternate through March 31, 2028.
📋 Proposed
One-year wait period waived to reappoint incumbent Allan Eyden through May 31, 2029.
📍 Wildwood Cemetery
📋 Proposed
Board interviews Fred Huber and Dana Karlsson for a seat expiring October 31, 2026.
📍 Wright-Locke Farm
💬 Discussed
State legislators brief the Board on Beacon Hill matters affecting Winchester.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses the Rotary-linked library amphitheater project.
💬 Discussed
Board takes up a tax abatement matter involving the Winchester Swim & Tennis Club.
📋 Proposed
Proposed change to field use/management policy, referencing Manchester Courts (document: MANCHESTER COURTS FMC POLICY CHANGE MEMO).
💬 Discussed
Update on OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits, i.e., retiree benefits) funding status and obligations.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses a residential exemption option that would shift property tax burden from owner-occupants to non-owner-occupied properties.
💬 Discussed
Board reviews a Long Range Financial Planning Committee concept note on Winchester's fiscal future.
💬 Discussed
Board reviews a memo on borrowing between town funds to manage cash flow needs.
📋 Proposed
Routine one-day licenses for catering events at Wright-Locke Farm and Winchester Boat Club in June–October 2026.
📍 Wright-Locke Farm; Winchester Boat Club
📋 Proposed
Coming up: Select Board is scheduling public focus group sessions; flyer distributed.
📋 Proposed
Board notes open volunteer positions on town committees and commissions.
May 18, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Closed session to discuss strategy on OPEB (retiree benefit obligations) collective bargaining or litigation.
📋 Proposed
Closed session to consider discipline or dismissal of a public officer or employee.
📋 Proposed
Board to accept $13,720 EEC Stabilization Grant for the Kid Connection/WRAP childcare license for May 2026.
💰 $13,720 grant
📋 Proposed
Board to accept $4,460 reimbursement grant from DCR Bureau of Forestry for Conservation Commission forestry work.
💰 $4,460 grant
📋 Proposed
Town Manager appointed Sharada Gopalakrishna to the Conservation Commission, term expiring March 31, 2028.
📋 Proposed
Routine financial report from the Comptroller.
📋 Proposed
Public hearing on Comcast's request to install ~36 feet of conduit in the Lakeview Road right-of-way to serve 9 Lakeview Road.
📍 Lakeview Road / 9 Lakeview Road
📋 Proposed
Reappointment of Steve Cagnetta to the Affordable Housing Trust through April 2029; interviews of two candidates for a Board of Appeals regular seat through March 2029.
📋 Proposed
Update on town compliance with MS4 (federal municipal stormwater discharge) permit requirements.
📋 Proposed
Presentation on a stream restoration project planned for Davidson Park.
📍 Davidson Park
📋 Proposed
Review of current parking rates and fines; possible fee changes coming up May 18.
📋 Proposed
Review of Transfer Station fee schedule; potential rate increases affecting what residents pay for trash disposal.
📋 Proposed
Post-Town Meeting debrief on outcomes and any required follow-up actions.
📋 Proposed
Discussion of Winchester Community Capital Program priorities and CPA (Community Preservation Act) funding alignment.
📋 Proposed
Discussion of whether to place a Prop 2.5 override (allows property taxes to exceed the 2.5% annual cap) on the November 2026 ballot; voter survey draft also on table.
📋 Proposed
Discussion of abatements for old water billing accounts.
📋 Proposed
Review of the Select Board's draft meeting schedule for FY27.
📋 Proposed
One-day licenses for Marble Ridge Farm (June 6, Griffin Museum Patio) and Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy (June 12, All Seasons Barn).
📋 Proposed
Outdoor seating sidewalk permits for Frozen Hoagies at 534 Main Street and Revel at 7 Thompson Street.
📍 534 Main Street; 7 Thompson Street
📋 Proposed
Auction license for Frank Spinosa, InSite Contracting, 162 Cross Street on June 20, 2026, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 162 Cross Street
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of Select Board minutes from October 6, 20, and 27, 2025.
April 27, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Closed session to discuss strategy on OPEB (other post-employment benefits) collective bargaining or litigation.
📋 Proposed
Spring Town Meeting sessions scheduled for April 30 and May 4, 2026 — residents may vote on warrant articles affecting taxes and town services.
📋 Proposed
Mid-year financial update on town revenues and expenditures through Q3 of FY26.
📋 Proposed
Board will set its official positions on Spring 2026 Town Meeting warrant articles; details in attached list.
📋 Proposed
Dorothy Simboli (regular) and Lauren Jonak (alternate) reappointed to Board of Appeals through March 31, 2029.
📋 Proposed
Ruthie Gagne reappointed to Board of Registrars through March 31, 2029.
📋 Proposed
Robert MacIntosh reappointed (5th term, one-year wait waived) through March 31, 2029.
📋 Proposed
David Campbell, Catherine Jackson, and Jing Zhang reappointed to Council on Aging through March 31, 2029.
📋 Proposed
Kathleen McGovern reappointed to Senior Citizen Tax Committee through March 31, 2029.
📋 Proposed
Multiple one-day liquor licenses for events at Griffin Museum and Wright-Locke Farm in April and June 2026.
📍 Griffin Museum; Wright-Locke Farm
📋 Proposed
James Edwards designated as Special Municipal Employee for one year (April 27, 2026–April 27, 2027).
📋 Proposed
$5,500 donation from Friends of Winter Pond for aquatic plant management and water quality testing at Winter Pond.
💰 $5,500 donation
📍 Winter Pond
📋 Proposed
$750 donation from Winchester Rotary Club to support the 2026 Concerts on the Common series.
💰 $750 donation
📋 Proposed
$1,800 in donations from multiple donors for supplies and improvements at Packer Ellis Tennis Courts.
💰 $1,800 donation
📍 Packer Ellis Tennis Courts
📋 Proposed
$10,000 from Eriksson-Ellis Trust plus $150 in patron contributions donated to Council on Aging for senior services and transportation.
💰 $10,150 donation
April 13, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Closed session to discuss collective bargaining strategy on OPEB (retiree benefits) and union contracts.
📋 Proposed
Regular session and Spring Town Meeting scheduled for April 27 and April 30, 2026.
📋 Proposed
Board to accept a $13,720 state EEC grant supporting the Kid Connection/WRAP childcare license for April 2026.
💰 $13,720 grant revenue
📋 Proposed
Town Manager to appoint Nicholas Ciaccio and Michael Connors as full-time dispatchers (promoted from part-time) and Joseph Falso as part-time dispatcher.
📋 Proposed
Martha Hoyt reappointed to Conservation Commission and Bruce Hickey to Historical Commission, both through March 31, 2029.
📋 Proposed
Hearing on Eversource's request to install ~39 feet of conduit within the Robinson Park right-of-way to bring electric service to 9 Robinson Park.
📍 Robinson Park / 9 Robinson Park
📋 Proposed
Board to review and potentially change Transfer Station fees — outcome could raise costs for residents who use the facility.
💰 Fee changes under discussion; amounts TBD
📋 Proposed
Board to review updated electrical and plumbing permit fee schedule with proposed increases compared to current rates.
💰 Fee increases proposed; see highlighted schedule
📋 Proposed
Board to discuss a Spring Town Meeting warrant article related to the Human Rights Commission.
📋 Proposed
Board to review the FY2027 municipal budget ahead of Spring Town Meeting — key vote affecting the tax levy.
💰 FY27 budget; amounts TBD
📋 Proposed
Discussion of long-range financial planning framework for future town budgets.
📋 Proposed
Board to assign members to sponsor or present specific Spring Town Meeting warrant articles.
📋 Proposed
Board to adopt official positions (support/oppose/neutral) on Spring Town Meeting warrant articles.
📋 Proposed
Consent agenda: one-day liquor licenses for Book Ends, 559 Main Street, on April 25–26, 2026.
📍 559 Main Street
📋 Proposed
Board to note open seats on town committees and commissions.
April 6, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Closed session to discuss strategy on OPEB (retiree benefit obligations) collective bargaining or litigation.
📋 Proposed
$18,829 state Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant accepted for Fire Department turnout gear.
💰 $18,829 grant
📋 Proposed
Four reappointments through March 31, 2029: Archives Advisory (Susan Keats), Conservation (Ann Storer), Historical Commission (Julie Broderick, Emily Dowling).
📋 Proposed
Routine Town Manager report and general topics; supporting memo attached.
📋 Proposed
Routine financial report from the Comptroller.
📋 Proposed
Coming up April 6: board to review proposed changes to Transfer Station (trash/recycling drop-off) fees; revenue increase memo attached.
💰 Fee changes under review; revenue increase memo cited
📋 Proposed
Coming up April 6: board reviews FY2027 municipal budget status ahead of Spring Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews draft post-election voter outreach plan for Spring Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Board to act on motions for Spring Town Meeting, including an EFPBC (likely Elementary Facilities Planning & Building Committee) article.
📋 Proposed
Board to finalize the Spring Town Meeting warrant (dated April 3, 2026) setting all articles residents will vote on.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews and updates member assignments to town committees and commissions.
📋 Proposed
Four one-day licenses: Studio on the Common (Apr 10, 22 Church St), Sanborn House (Apr 16), Temple Shir Tikvah (May 3), Griffin Museum (Jun 6).
📍 22 Church St; Sanborn House; Temple Shir Tikvah; Griffin Museum
📋 Proposed
Board to note open seats on town committees and commissions.
March 30, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Closed session to discuss collective bargaining or litigation strategy on post-employment benefits (OPEB) and union contracts.
📋 Proposed
Two speed feedback signs and a trailer to be installed on Swanton Street between Loring Ave and the Aberjona River via a MassDOT grant at no town cost.
💰 Grant-funded; no stated town cost
📍 Swanton Street between Loring Ave & Aberjona River
📋 Proposed
$90,094 state energy grant funds window replacement at Mystic School/Recreation ($48,067) and LED lighting at McCall Middle School ($42,027).
💰 $90,094 grant; $48,067 Mystic School windows, $42,027 McCall LED lighting
💬 Discussed
General town manager update; details in attached report.
💬 Discussed
Mid-year fiscal update covering town finances through February 28, 2026.
📋 Proposed
Public hearing on proposed changes to Winchester's water and sewer rates for FY27 under Town By-Laws Chapter 7, Section 3.
💰 Rate changes TBD; affects all water/sewer customers
📋 Proposed
Internal reorganization of Select Board roles and assignments.
📋 Proposed
Review of outdoor dining permit requests from local businesses for the upcoming season.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews the outcome of the recent override vote and discusses immediate actions and timeline for responding to the result.
💰 Implications for town budget TBD based on override outcome
📋 Proposed
Board prepares motions for Articles 7 and 15 at Annual Town Meeting and a Special Town Meeting literacy article.
📋 Proposed
Status update on the Washington/Swanton Street project, likely related to road or infrastructure improvements.
📍 Washington Street / Swanton Street
📋 Proposed
One-day liquor licenses for June 18, July 16 & 24, 2026 at Winchester Swim & Tennis Club.
📍 Winchester Swim & Tennis Club
📋 Proposed
Preschool Social Academy (PSA) pony ride event on the Town Common, May 30, 2026, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
📍 Town Common
📋 Proposed
Network for Social Justice event on the Town Common, June 11, 2026 (rain date June 12), 3–7 p.m.
📍 Town Common
📋 Proposed
Open seats on Audit Advisory Committee, Cultural Council, Personnel Board, and Wildwood Cemetery Advisory Committee; applications at winchester.us/jobs.