Town Meeting Approves $171 Million FY27 Budget
Winchester Town Meeting approved a $171 million fiscal 2027 budget that absorbs 32 full-time equivalent school job cuts after March's override failed.
Town Meeting · Meeting of May 7, 2026
Winchester Town Meeting approved a $171 million fiscal 2027 budget that absorbs 32 full-time equivalent school job cuts after March's override failed. Finance Committee Chair Derek Ross said the town drew about $3.2 million from free cash to balance the budget, calling the $10 million reserve floor a financial "hard deck." School Committee Chair Tim Matthews said the School Committee voted 5-0 for the plan but warned families will see "reduced supports and fewer opportunities." Select Board Chair Anthea Brady said the Select Board backed the budget unanimously. Town Meeting member Nora Cooney said "we are simply not sufficiently funding our schools." Separately, members rejected, 72-75, a petition to study ranked choice voting, and indefinitely postponed a proposed committee to study restoring the town-owned Carriage House.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 1,022 words
Source: the Town Meeting meeting of May 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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