On February 12, the Winchester Select Board unanimously voted to put a $11.5 million override on the town’s March 21 spring ballot.  The Select Board reached this decision following:

• A diligent, eight month State of the Town process that created a long-term, comprehensive plan for both our schools and town services (led by the Select Board, and included representatives from the School Committee, the Finance Committee, Planning Board, and Capital Planning Committee, as well as seven at-large community members). 

• Over 25 meetings, information sessions, and public hearings to educate the community and garner input and feedback from both town leaders and the public.

• Widespread agreement among town leaders (including the Finance Committee, School Committee, Planning Board, Capital Planning Committee, and Select Board) that an override was needed - with the remaining question being: how much does our town need?

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The State of the Town process initially led to a majority of the Select Board recommending an override of $12.5 - $15 million to meet critical town needs and support strategic investments in school and town services, as well as outstanding capital needs.

However, after extensive discussions, an agreement to find even more cost efficiencies and non-property tax revenue revenue, and a desire to reduce the resulting tax impact on residents, the Select Board limited the override request to $11.5 million ($9 million for operating funds, and $2.5 million for capital projects). The open letter and detailed plan from the Select Board can be found here.

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This resulting plan is a balanced, thoughtful document that includes not just a review of the town’s needs, but deep dives into finding additional revenue and cost efficiencies, as well as protecting the town’s fiscal health. The plan is the most comprehensive review of the town’s finances conducted in decades and was the work of nearly 25 volunteers from across all of the above bodies.​

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What does the $11.5 million include?

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While the final decision of how to allocate town funds is always made by Town Meeting, the proposed override includes funding for the following critical needs and strategic investments: