This Week in History: The Importance of Fish in the Resevoir

This is a regular column with items drawn from past editions of the Winchester Star.

1912

Fish and Fishing: The Sanitary and Scientific Side of the Question: 

In 1880, the reservoir in Winchester was properly stocked with black bass for the purpose of purifying the water and to maintain a food source for the town until the head of the Fish and Games Commission became too old to hand out fishing permits. By 1912, the reservoir was overrun with carnivorous fish and the need for regulated fishing was in order.

The Housing Problem:

A town meeting was held and the topic of discussion was the evils of overcrowding in areas nearby Winchester and the dangers of the “three decker.” The Rev. Elmer Forbes called on the people of Winchester to “close the stable door before the horse is stolen,” by voting against the construction of any such "tenement" houses.

1962

Recount:

The election of Selectman John Lymna and John H. Vandyke were upheld in recount from the election on March 5.

Town approves ambulance, equal pay for teachers:

At town hall meetings, the measure to raise town employee pay by three percent passed and funds in the increased police budget would include a Town-owned, and Town-stationed ambulance.

1987

Dog Attack:

Multiple reports of dog attacks in the Pierrepont Road neighborhood prompted immediate action from selectmen after neighbors complained that a four-year-old was bitten while riding his tricycle.

Racial differences source of strength says school policy:

A formal policy praising racial and ethnic diversity in Winchester earned praise from the school committee.

All the information for this story came from the Winchester Star.