From TheConversation.org Massachusetts is updating its sex education guidelines for the first time in 24 years In June 2023, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shared with the public a draft of a new framework that will guide how elementary, middle and high schools in the state approach sex education. The
By Sandra Thompson The Anna LaViolette Fund is changing, but the good news is it’s going to continue in the spirit of market volunteer Anna LaViolette. Winchester and Woburn residents can receive $10 in tokens to use for market food. The fund was created in 2019 to honor the
By Joyce Westner The Packer Ellis tennis courts on Palmer Street need repairs due to recent rainstorms and lack of maintenance, according to a resident who spoke at Monday night’s Select Board meeting. Ferenc Vajda spoke on behalf of the Winchester Tennis Association (WTA), a 94-year-old non-profit whose members
An occasional column about town activities by Tara Hughes August 15, 2023. Did you know that 195 communities have passed the Community Preservation Act (CPA) to establish a real estate tax surcharge, but Winchester is not one of them?* The CPA was discussed at the Select Board meeting on August
By Joyce Westner The little park across from the Winchester Public Library was enhanced by the addition of bright yellow begonia plants in what the Winchester Coalition for a Safer Community calls a “Hope Garden.” The organization, begun in 1998, has the mission “to reduce substance abuse, particularly in the
By Joyce Westner August 16 - The Mystic River Watershed Association (MYRWA) has obtained nearly $200,000 in grant money to create a shared use path along Mystic Valley Parkway. According to their website, “The project will bring accessible facilities to a section of the Mystic Lakes State Park that
By Richard Rohan In the Select Board’s Meeting Room, August 14, 2023, 6 PM Here are some highlights from the agenda for the upcoming meeting of the Select Board. https://winchester.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08142023-5054?html=true The meeting is scheduled to open at 6PM so that the
By Joyce Westner When school starts in September, parents may be pleased to know that Massachusetts is funding free school lunches for all students. This program was started during the height of the pandemic, and according to an article in the Boston Globe, “The $172 million cost of the meals
By Tara Hughes August 9, 2023. The Washington Post’s slogan is “Democracy Dies in Darkness”. While it may sound extreme, there is data to back it up. “The loss of local journalism has been accompanied by the malignant spread of misinformation and disinformation, political polarization, eroding trust in media,
By Joyce Westner Hard as it is to believe that endless summer days will be waning, September will bring the grand reopening of the Griffin Museum of Photography and also the Winchester Community Music School’s Music Fest will return for all residents to “meet the instruments,” and enjoy games
By Richard Rohan Amended on Sept. 12, 2023 At Tuesday’s Planning Board meeting, Civico Development and Causeway Development unveiled their plans for a 60-unit mixed income rental building on the Town-owned land known as the Waterfield lot, adjacent to the Winchester Center MBTA station. After the presentation the Planning
By Rich Rohan The Waterfield Lot development moves into the next phase on August 8 at 7:30 PM when the Planning Board opens a public hearing on the plans submitted by the developer, CIVICO. The Winchester Master Plan had identified the Waterfield lot adjacent to the Winchester Center commuter
By Joyce Westner August 3, 2023 – At a recent State House hearing, WinCAM Executive Director David Gauthier testified for the need to support local cable access TV as their revenues have been steadily decreasing. In 1984 Congress imposed a 5% tax on cable services using the argument that they were
Community-submitted news By Suzanne Leslie August 3, 2023 - Swim Winchester, a nonprofit group aiming to build an aquatic facility on Skillings Field, is hosting a Community Swim Celebration at D.C.R. Hall Memorial Pool in Stoneham, this Sunday, August 6 from 9-11 a.m. Senator Jason Lewis is
By Richard Rohan August 1 - After eight months without a town planner following the departure of Brian Szekely, the Winchester Planning Board, in a rare Monday afternoon meeting, voted 4-1-0 to offer the full time planner position to Taylor Herman. Herman was one of three candidates elevated to the
by Joyce Westner July 31, 2023. Many sports-minded residents have embraced the relatively new game of pickleball, and there are many places to play, from public courts, private clubs, to the Jenks Center whose members can take lessons from a local “Pickleball Ambassador.” And she’s hoping the town will
