Town of Winchester

The meeting included discussion regarding the interim Recreation Director resolution, which involved appropriating $5,000 from Fund 15 to cover temporary additional staffing costs for Anna Morzella during Tanya Risucci's leave, with specific stipulations on increased hourly pay and compensation for off-hours calls. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the higher-than-budgeted electricity costs for Ryan Field, noting the lighting is not LED and reviewing Softball financials. Program updates covered the start of Rec Basketball and Men's league games, significant safety concerns and cleanliness issues at Pearson School gym, and the upcoming budget submission deadline. The board also discussed defining capital versus expense budgets and listed various scheduled programs, noting the need for an indoor venue for the early Easter Egg Hunt.

Key discussions included an update on Phase 2 lead service line replacement, noting that 130 excavations are complete, with 84 unknowns and 3 known brass lines, and a plan to inquire with DWSRF regarding application support for the update. The Commission reviewed the finance director's report and a quarterly solar update, and discussed funding a $150,000 water rate study, expected to be complete by March 1, 2026. Other topics included an update on reimbursement from DWSRF for water tanks, Capital Improvement budget spending, operational updates on PS#1 Danfield startup and raw water pump VFD installation issues, the status of Crystal Lake filter bed 2 repairs planned for spring, generator installation at Industrial Park pump station 9, and finalizing OSHA reports and commencing required training after December 15, 2025. Executive Session was held to discuss compensation.

The meeting commenced with the call to order and the Pledge of Allegiance. Key agenda items included a student showcase highlighting the 100th day of school celebrations, where students shared various learning activities such as creating 100-link chains, building popsicle towers, and dressing up. A student representative provided updates on activities in unified arts, including physical education preparing for state testing, coding projects in library innovation, and art projects covering echo drawings and point perspective. School improvement needs, such as more hot lunch choices, were also noted. The Superintendent's report covered a grant-funded Literacy Night event, which allowed students to select free books. The board also addressed public comments and proceeded with the approval of various meeting minutes from previous regular, special, and committee meetings.

The meeting agenda included the call to order, agenda review, public comment, a report from the Chairman, and a report from the Director, which may include a possible call into the meeting. The agenda also designated sections for Old Business and New Business.

The special meeting focused primarily on the review and discussion of the fiscal year 2027 budget. Key discussions included an analysis of enrollment projections, which showed kindergarten enrollment trending toward capacity limits. Historical staffing data was presented to show that staffing levels have not kept pace with enrollment growth. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the breakdown of the budget, including the net cost to taxpayers after the offset from the ECS grant, the inclusion of town support for capital repairs for the first time, and clarification on out-of-district special education costs and state reimbursement policies (Excess Cost Shares). There was also an extensive discussion regarding the future proposed Pre-Kindergarten program build, its associated costs, and how existing Pre-K program funding would be affected, noting that new grant funding is typically supplementary, not supplanting, existing expenditures.