Winchester Annual Town Meeting Begins for 2012

The annual Winchester Town Meeting began on Monday evening at the auditorium. 

There, the finance committee presented the Fiscal Year package for 2013, which will be discussed in much greater detail on Monday, May 7.

The Winchester School Committee discussed the need for funds, new district boundaries and special education stabilization.

“We think the high school should be the jewel of this town,” Winchester School Committee Chairman Chris Linskey said.

The Winchester Planning Board, meanwhile, has an objective to replenish neighborhoods by updating the town zoning bylaws, which were drawn up in the 1950’s.

“We are running out of undeveloped land as a source of revenue,” Town Planning Board Chairman Lance Grenzeback said. 

John French, trustee of the Winchester Library, thanked those who contribute to the library.

“The library’s basic function is enrichment and continuing education," he said. "It plays a key part of what makes the town so desirable."

The library collection has increased by 5 percent, while having added 10,000 e-books. Moreover, the library has also introduced Spanish classes for children, and created the “Read to Dogs” program, in which children read to dogs to boost their skills in reading aloud.

A fundraiser last fall raised enough funds to keep the library open on Sundays during through the fall, spring and winter.

Winchester Board of Health officials on Monday presented their annual report, citing the ban of tobacco sales in pharmacies, the prohibition of cigar bars in Winchester and increased penalties to those who buy tobacco for minors.

The Board of Health also collected five and a half tons of hazardous waste materials and 410 lbs. of unused medications. The board distributed 1,602 flu vaccinations at schools, as well as 1,747 shingles vaccines.

The health department will also host a hazardous waste collection day on Monday, April 28, and have rabbies vaccinations for pets available on Saturday, May 5.

Winchester Board of Selectman Chair Jimmy Johnson said that town's biggest issues will be the developement of and the cost of healthcare in Winchester.