2023 Spring Town Meeting

The Annual Spring Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 24, 2023. The warrant for Town Meeting closes on Friday, March 10, 2023.

Accordingly, please plan to have any potential warrant articles, in warrant article format, submitted to the Select Board’s Office by 12:00 PM on or before March 10, 2023. Please be advised that you will not be able to make any edits your submitted article after March 10^th.

You can find additional information on Town Meeting on the Town's website.

From the Health Department

New resources for mental health help!

Community Behavioral Health Center
Crisis and Non-Urgent Care

Behavioral health and substance use care. Available to all MA residents regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

CORE Clinic Services:

Same day evaluation, support, and plan for care at Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHC).
Walk-in CBHC - 675 Main Street, Waltham or call 781-893-5110. This location is operated by Advocates Inc. Residents can walk in to any MA CBHC.
Monday-Friday, 8am to 8pm; Saturday & Sunday, 9am to 5pm

CRISIS Services:

Triage and evaluation, intervention and de-escalation. Mobile crisis support available.
CALL: 800-540-5806
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

For more information on accessing mental health services in MA call 833-773-2445 (Help Line).

Recreation Department

The Winchester Recreation Department’s Winter Program brochure has been released and program registration has begun! Please visit www.winrec.com to view and register for our winter programs, including information on our 2023 Kid Connection Pre-school and WRAP after school childcare. For more information, please call the recreation office at 781-721-7125

Kid Connection Preschool: 2.9yrs – 5yrs
Kid Connection is welcoming children ages 2 years, 9 months by Sept. 1^st, through 5 years old for the 2023 school year. Registration is by phone or in person.

Winchester Recreation After School Program (WRAP): K – 6^th
Open registration begins on Feb 7 for the 2023 after school childcare program for children entering K – 6 , centrally located in the Recreation Department Mystic Building. Registration is by phone or in person.

Council on Aging

Lantern Making and Rice Ball Tasting for Chinese New Year, Friday, February 3, 10:30am-12:00pm: Come and celebrate the Chinese New Year with lantern making and traditional rice ball tasting. Join Jennifer Zhang from the Winchester School of Chinese Culture, as she will teach us how to make lanterns using the traditional red envelopes. At the end of the session, Jennifer will boil some rice balls with sweet sesame paste inside (a special lantern festival delicacy) for you to taste. Registration required.

Free Tax Preparation Services! E-File Your 2022 Federal and State Income Taxes on Monday, Wednesday, Friday -- Starting February 6 to April 12, 2023 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. In affiliation with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program, the Jenks will offer free preparation of federal and state tax returns for low- and moderate-income taxpayers by appointment only. Call 781-721-7136. Note: You must have all information forms filled out in advance and remain at the Jenks for about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours.

Proof of vaccination is required to enter the building. Masks are encouraged, but not required. If you do not have proof of vaccination, contact the Jenks for alternative arrangements.

Retirements

Winchester resident Becky Wollinger has retired from the Town’s Treasurer/Collector’s Office after 27 years of service. Becky has served the Taxpayer’s of Winchester well over the years. It was not unusual for Becky to know many taxpayers by name and know the particular circumstances of their accounts. This allowed her to assist residents on an individual basis. Her knowledge and history of the department, and the Town, will be greatly missed!

Cathy Alexander retirees from the Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber would like to announce that Cathy Alexander, Executive Director of The Winchester Chamber of Commerce, has decided to retire after over 40 years of leadership at the helm of the Chamber. We are so grateful for all that Cathy has been able to accomplish over the past 40 + years.

Town Census

The Annual Town Census has been mailed. Keep your eye out for the important mailing in your mailbox!

The census has instructions on how to purchase your Transfer Station permit and dog license online. You may also come into Town Hall to purchase permits and tags in person on Mondays from 8am-7pm, Tuesday through Thursday from 8am-4pm and Friday from 8am – 12 noon. Drop boxes are also available at the front and rear of Town Hall.

Remember to return the census form to stay active on the voter list. The Annual Town Election is just around the corner on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at WHS Gymnasium.

What's on the Town's website?

Did you know you can purchase your 2023 Transfer Station Permit on the Town's website? Click on "Online Services" in the blue section under the calendar on the front page. You can buy your Transfer Station permit, order birth certificates and even pay your bills online from this page. Scroll this page to find the service you are looking for and click the appropriate links. You will be re-directed to Unipay, our online payment system, to complete your transaction.

The Town is on Instagram

Follow us at @winchester_01890