On Wednesday, January 18, 2023, MWRA has arranged with the towns of Stoneham and Winchester to schedule a trial activation of a temporary bypass line installed between the two communities’ water distribution systems. This temporary bypass will be used to support a planned shutdown of a metered MWRA connection to Winchester on Forest Street, in order to allow for replacement of a critical water main in this area under Contract 7117: Section 89 Pipeline Replacement. Once activated, this line will remain in service for six to eight weeks until water main replacement at the MWRA connection is completed. 

Wednesday activation of the bypass is expected to begin at 9am; once activated, Winchester residents along Eugene Drive, Keenan Drive, and Bellevue Avenue may notice some discolored water or slightly reduced pressure when supplied by the bypass. Stoneham residents near the activated bypass along Hill Street and Katherine Road may also see similar service impacts. If discolored water does occur, it will be from a small amount of iron in local pipes following the redirected water supply to this area, and may also be possible for 1 to 2 days after the activation of the bypass line. Please note that iron will stain light colored items in your laundry, especially when bleach is used. Residents should check water clarity before washing any white or lighter colored laundry during this period of work. Residents may want to wait for the water to clear before using it. 

On Thursday, January 19, 2023, MWRA has arranged with the towns of Stoneham and Winchester to schedule a trial activation of a temporary bypass line installed between the two communities’ water distribution systems. This temporary bypass will be used to support a planned shutdown of a metered MWRA connection to Winchester on Forest Street, in order to allow for replacement of a critical water main in this area under Contract #7117: Section 89 Pipeline Replacement. This operation will be a limited four-hour test to evaluate performance of the bypass under high-flow conditions; otherwise the line will only be operated in this capacity under emergency conditions during construction. 

Thursday activation of the bypass is expected to begin at 9am; once activated, Winchester residents east of Washington Street, Main Street, and Grove Street may notice some discolored water or reduced pressure when supplied by the bypass. Stoneham residents near the activated bypass along Hill Street and Katherine Road may also see similar service impacts. If discolored water does occur, it will be from a small amount of iron in local pipes following the redirected water supply to this area, and may also be possible for 1 to 2 days after the activation of the bypass line. Please note that iron will stain light colored items in your laundry, especially when bleach is used. Residents should check water clarity before washing any white or lighter colored laundry during this period of work. Residents may want to wait for the water to clear before using it. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact MWRA Community Relations Coordinator, Sean Navin at (617) 788-1112 or [email protected]. 

Reminder - All Night Parking Ban 

Throughout this winter vehicles parked on the street for more than 1 hour between 1 am-7 am may are subject to being ticketed. During a snow emergency vehicles left on the street may be ticketed and/or towed.  

Vehicles in violation of the of the town’s all night parking ban will be subject to fines. For residents who live in or around the center of town, vehicles can be parked, overnight, in the Jenk's lot and in the non-metered spaces on Aberjona Drive. Those vehicles MUST be moved prior to businesses opening in the morning.

Upcoming Government Meetings

January 17 - Library Board of Trustees

January 18 - Commissioners of Trust Funds, School Committee, Cultural Council, Housing Partnership Board

January 19 - Historical Commission, Personnel Board

January 23 - Select Board (agenda will be posted on Thursday), Traffic & Transportation Advisory Committee

Agendas and more information can be found on the Town's Government Calendar.

Running for Public Office

Nomination papers are now available at the Town Clerk's Office.  You must come in person to pick up your papers.  The day to obtain papers from the Town Clerk's Office is January 25th.  All documents need to be returned to the Clerk's Office by January 27.   The last day to register for the March 18th Annual Town Election is March 8th.  

Offices to be filled are:

-Moderator for One Year 

-One Member Select Board for Three Year 

-One Member Assessor for Three Years 

-One Member Assessor for Two Years 

-One Member Board of Health for Three Years 

-Two Members of Planning Board for Three Years 

-One Member of School Committee for Three Years 

-Two Trustee of the Public Library for Three Years 

-One Member of Housing Authority for Five Years 

-Numerous Town Meeting Members in each precinct

 You can find more information on Resources for Candidates on the Towns' website.  Please contact the Town Clerk's Office with any questions.

WPD Retirements

The Winchester Police Department would like to congratulate Lt. Arthur “Brud” Houllahan (35 years), Lt. Thomas Groux (35 years) and Patrol Officer Thomas Romeo (38 years) on their retirements this January.  Combined they have served the Town of Winchester for 108 years!  

Lt. Houllahan and Lt. Groux were hired together and attended the State Police Needham Academy in May of 1988. Upon their graduation, Houllahan and Groux served as Patrol Officers working the overnight shift and walking the Town square.  Lt. Houllahan was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2002 where he spent 7 years as the Safety Officer.  Coincidently, Groux was promoted in 2009 to the rank of Sergeant, replacing then Sgt. Houllahan as the Safety Officer – where they both promoted safe routes to school, traffic enforcement and pedestrian safety as well as community policing.  Houllahan and Groux both reached the rank of Lieutenant – Houllahan in 2009 and Groux in 2017 – where they served as Shift Commanders overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Police Department and line officers. Throughout their careers, Lt. Houllahan and Lt. Groux also served as members of the Honor Guard, Union Representatives and Crash Reconstruction experts.

Thomas Romeo attended the State Police Academy in Framingham and graduated in January of 1985.  Romeo started his career working the overnight shift and “walking the beat”.  Officer Romeo served the Department and Town in nearly every role possible as a patrol officer– working overnight shifts, evening, weekend and holidays.  He also severed as a member of the Honor Guard, Union Representative, WPD Relief Association and organized the WPD Softball Team.  Officer Romeo was a wealth of knowledge and reliable information as he prided himself on getting to know those he served.  You could always find Officer Romeo having a cup of coffee at the Town Pantry or at the Winchester Co-Op Bank engaging citizens in a positive way.

Thank you Lt. Houllahan, Lt. Groux and Ptl. Romeo for your years of dedication and service to the Town of Winchester.  Enjoy your hard earned retirement! 

Youth Mental Health First Aid

A skills-based training course

January 31 and February 2
10:00am to 12:30pm (2 sessions)**
Winchester Room, Town Hall

If you live or work in Winchester, CLICK HERE to register (deadline 1/27/23)

Learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance-use challenges among adolescents ages 12-18. instructors will discuss trauma, self-care, and the impact of social media and bullying. You’ll build skills and the confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to young people who are struggling.

Individuals must complete both days of the in-person instruction and approximately 1.5 to 2 hours of online pre and post course work to be certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered.

Questions? [email protected]

Sometimes first aid isn’t a bandage or CPR or calling 911.  Sometimes first aid is YOU.