* TMMA Members -- This discussion board is not longer active. The current discussion board is located at https://forum.winchestertmma.org/flarum/public/.
EVENTS
* For current TMMA Events, see https://forum.winchestertmma.org/flarum/public/t/calendar.
* Winchester Town Calendars are available at: https://www.winchester.us/calendar.aspx?CID=0&Keywords=&startDate=&enddate=&.
* For current TMMA Events, see https://forum.winchestertmma.org/flarum/public/t/calendar.
* Winchester Town Calendars are available at: https://www.winchester.us/calendar.aspx?CID=0&Keywords=&startDate=&enddate=&.
Winchester TMMA Discussion Board
Town Meeting Members Association, Winchester, MA
Category List
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Expand for more options.The TMMA hosted an orientation to Town Meeting for newly elected Town Meeting members on Wednesday, April 17. Town Moderator Heather von Mering, Town Counsel Jay Talerman, and Town Clerk MaryEllen Marshall described the legal foundation for Town Meeting, its structure, committees, use of Robert's Rules and its voting and debate procedures. Members of the TMMA board followed with a brief introduction to TMMA. This category provides links to the presentations and Zoom recording.
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Expand for more options.Previews of 2024 Spring Town Meeting Articles.
5 discussions
2 comments
Most recent: Town Meeting Preview #3: Article 27. Finance Committee – Stabilization Funds by Richard Rohan-2
May 2024
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Expand for more options.Section 3A of MGL c. 40A "Multi-Family Zoning Requirement for MBTA Communities," mandates that by December 31, 2024, the town have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right. The zone must be located not more than 0.5 miles from a commuter rail station and have a minimum gross density of 15 units per acre. Units must have no age restrictions and be suitable for families with children.
2 discussions
52 comments
Most recent: Information and discussion about MBTA Section 3A Multifamily Housing Zoning by Maura Sullivan-1
April 2024
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Expand for more options.The Community Preservation Act (CPA) allows communities to create a local Community Preservation Fund for open space protection, historic preservation, affordable housing and outdoor recreation. Monies are raised locally through a surcharge of not more than 3% of the tax levy against real property. Municipalities must adopt CPA by ballot referendum. The state provides matching funds, currently about $3 for every $10 of local monies. The Select Board may recommend adoption of the CPA.
5 discussions
110 comments
Most recent: Community Preservation Act Study Committee by Roger WilsonJr-1
May 2024
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Expand for more options.The Capital Planning Committee (CPC) reports that the town's available capital funds are not meeting the demand for capital improvements. The CPC anticipates funding $16M of the $25M requested in FY25. The five-year estimated demand exceeds $90M. The CPC and the Select Board may recommend an override to increase funding for capital improvements.
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Expand for more options.The annual town budget is reviewed and approved by Town Meeting each spring. The process starts with the Town Manager who prepares a draft budget, including projected revenues and expenditures, and submits it to the Finance Committee in mid-February. The Finance Committee then carefully reviews it and presents its recommended budget to Town Meeting for debate and approval.
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Expand for more options.The Planning Board is studying the North Main Street Corridor (lands boarding North Main between Skillings/Lake and Cross Street). The work involves developing a vision for the corridor and then recommending zoning changes, design guidelines, and public realm improvements. The Planning Board is considering bringing its recommendations to the 2024 Spring Town Meeting.
1 discussion
2 comments
Most recent: Info on Planning Board's North Main St. Re-zoning initiative by Richard Rohan-2
February 2024
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Expand for more options.MGL Chapter 40B requires that cities and towns provide 10% of their total year-round housing units as deed-restricted Affordable Housing. Winchester has 3.07% (248) affordable units as of June 2023. At less than 10%, developers of affordable housing may override Winchester’s zoning bylaws. To claim “safe harbor” and deny a project, Winchester must produce about 40 affordable units per year. Winchester is not currently in “safe harbor.”
1 discussion
9 comments
Most recent: Housing Partnership Board and Affordable Housing Trust Committee by Richard Rohan-2
May 2024
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Expand for more options.The Town Bylaws (Section 7-9, Re-Enactment and Publication of Bylaws) state that "At intervals of not more than ten years, proposed revisions or recodifications of the bylaws of the town shall be presented to the town meeting for re-enactment...." The 2023 Fall Town Meeting directed that the process for town committee appointments and reappointments be reviewed as part of the decennial bylaw review.
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Expand for more options.Traffic congestion, traffic safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers, and parking capacity, especially within the town center, are continuing concerns of residents and businesses. The town commissioned a town-wide traffic study. Town officials and Town Meeting must now determine priorities and funding sources for improvements.
4 discussions
8 comments
Most recent: Traffic and Transportation Advisory Committee by Roger WilsonJr-1
May 2024
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Expand for more options.Click here to post questions, information and comments on other issues of general interest to Town Meeting members.
4 discussions
13 comments
Most recent: Emails to all Town Meeting Members by Frieda Nace-8
April 2024
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Expand for more options.Welcome! We look forward to making the TMMA a valuable resource for you as a Winchester Town Meeting member. Click on this category to see information about the TMMA, the TMMA's discussion board, and acceptable use of the discussion board. Please let us know your questions and ideas for improvements. Thanks! NOTE: * 2023 Fall discussion board posts are archived (read only) at https://forum.winchestertmma.org/vanilla.
6 discussions
4 comments
Most recent: Questions? Suggestions for Improvements? by Nicholas Bogovich-8
November 2023
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Expand for more options.The 2023 Fall discussion board (including Town Meeting Articles) have been archived. To view the posts (read-only) go to: https://forum.winchestertmma.org/vanilla.
7 discussions
58 comments
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