How the Winchester Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. William McGonigle joined the board after the March 26, 2024 annual town election, succeeding Richard Mucci (whose last meeting was March 25, 2024); Michael Bettencourt was re-elected. On April 1, 2024 the board chose Michelle Prior as Chair by a roll call of 4-1 (Anthea Brady voting no) and John Fallon as Vice Chair unanimously. Covers 28 meetings, April 1 to March 10, 2025.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
From the agendas Winchester posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
What Town Meeting decided
In Winchester, Town Meeting — not the Select Board — votes the town budget, bylaws and zoning. Here is what it did with each article, in the Town Clerk’s own words. Town Meeting members are elected by precinct; counts are from the town’s electronic voting.
Spring Town Meeting · April 27, 2026 38 votes: 32 passed, 3 failed, 2 no action, 1 referred
Sessions: April 27, April 30, May 4 and May 7, 2026
Art. 16 · motion 8Capital: $102,000 for Building Department records managementPassed“Motion Carried Voice Vote”
Art. 16 · motion 9Capital: $150,000 from water and sewer retained earnings for MS4 permit compliancePassed“Motion Carried Voice Vote”
Art. 16 · motion 10Capital: $75,000 from water and sewer retained earnings for water treatment plant computer programmingPassed“Motion Carried Voice Vote”
Art. 2Vacate Town Meeting member seats under Charter Sec. 2.5(c) (consent agenda; motion was to indefinitely postpone)Indefinitely postponed“Motion Carried Voice Vote”
Not here yet: Some Winchester articles are not here because the Town Clerk has not posted their certified votes (including the FY2027 budget articles from the 2026 Spring Town Meeting), and the February 9, 2026 Special Town Meeting has no posted results; the 2026 Fall Town Meeting is on November 5, 2026.
Titles are short descriptions of each article from the official record; the quoted words are the Town Clerk’s. A vote at Town Meeting is not the final word on everything: some articles also need a ballot vote (such as a tax override) or the Attorney General’s approval (bylaws).
"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Winchester Select Board minutes from January 5, 2018 through September 14, 2026: 275 meetings and 3,365 votes. The town posts the board’s minutes in its Agenda Center from 2013, and older Board of Selectmen minutes (2004–2012) in its Document Center; MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. Until April 2018 the board was the Board of Selectmen: the Fall 2017 Town Meeting voted to rename it, the March 27, 2018 town election approved the change, and the minutes use “Select Board” from April 23, 2018. The minutes are typed documents with searchable text (five are Word files posted in the minutes slot). Missing: the minutes of the 13 meetings from November 17, 2025 through May 18, 2026 are not posted (November 17 and December 1, 2025; January 12, January 26, February 12, February 23, March 2, March 16, March 30, April 6, April 13, April 27 and May 18, 2026); the town has posted their agendas only. MassVoter is asking the town for them. Also not here: the October 22, 2018 meeting, whose minutes slot holds the minutes of the October 19, 2018 meeting (loaded under October 19); executive-session minutes; votes of the School Committee, the Planning Board, the Board of Assessors and the Housing Authority at joint meetings (only the Select Board members’ votes are shown); and meetings after September 14, 2026 (the September 28 and October 5, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Winchester’s minutes give each motion with its mover and seconder (“McGonigle - Bettencourt”) and then the vote. In 2018 and 2019 most votes say “All in favor … VOTED”, shown as every member present voting yes. Roll calls (“Roll Call: Bettencourt, Prior, McGonigle, Brady”), used for every vote at the remote meetings of 2020–2022 and since for executive sessions and some other votes, list the members voting yes and are shown by name; a member present but left out of a roll call is not shown voting, with a note. Split votes list the members on each side (“Yes: Brady, Fallon, McGonigle, Prior … No: Bettencourt”; “In favor: … Not in favor: …”) and abstentions by name; these are shown by name when they fit the count and the attendance. Since in-person meetings resumed in March 2022, most other votes are written only as “Brady - Bettencourt VOTED”, with no names, no count and no “All in favor”; those votes show the result only (1,112 votes in all). 3 votes show the count only, where the count and the names or the attendance do not match. A motion with no recorded vote is not counted as a vote. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Feb 24Approve the Vehicle for Hire license-Transportation Livery for Murat…Motion: *Motion That the Select Board approve the Vehicle for Hire license-Transportation…Passed · see note
February 24, 2025: Approve the Vehicle for Hire license-Transportation Livery for Murat Alpaydin, Alpaydin LLC
ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes
*Motion That the Select Board approve the Vehicle for Hire license-Transportation Livery for Murat Alpaydin, Alpaydin LLC. Fallon - Bettencourt VOTED
The minutes record the motion as “VOTED” but give no count, no names and no “All in favor”, so the result only is shown.
From the minutes
“*Motion That the Select Board approve the Vehicle for Hire license-Transportation Livery for Murat Alpaydin, Alpaydin LLC. Fallon - Bettencourt VOTED.” (Motion: Fallon, second: Bettencourt)
Feb 24Appoint Aria Bower as an alternate member of the…Motion: *Motion That the Select Board appoint Aria Bower as an alternate…Passed · see note
February 24, 2025: Appoint Aria Bower as an alternate member of the Disability Access Commission term to expire August 31, 2027
AppointPassed · No count or names in the minutes
*Motion That the Select Board appoint Aria Bower as an alternate member of the Disability Access Commission term to expire August 31, 2027. Fallon - McGonigle VOTED
The minutes record the motion as “VOTED” but give no count, no names and no “All in favor”, so the result only is shown.
From the minutes
“*Motion That the Select Board appoint Aria Bower as an alternate member of the Disability Access Commission term to expire August 31, 2027. Fallon - McGonigle VOTED.” (Motion: Fallon, second: McGonigle)
Feb 24Approve the Eversource Transformer License Agreement for the EV…Motion: *Motion That the Select Board approve the Eversource Transformer License Agreement…Passed · see note
February 24, 2025: Approve the Eversource Transformer License Agreement for the EV charging stations at the Jenks/Town Hall parking lot and authorize the Town Manager to sign the agreement
ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes
*Motion That the Select Board approve the Eversource Transformer License Agreement for the EV charging stations at the Jenks/Town Hall parking lot and authorize the Town Manager to sign the agreement. Fallon - Brady VOTED
The minutes record the motion as “VOTED” but give no count, no names and no “All in favor”, so the result only is shown.
From the minutes
“*Motion That the Select Board approve the Eversource Transformer License Agreement for the EV charging stations at the Jenks/Town Hall parking lot and authorize the Town Manager to sign the agreement. Fallon - Brady VOTED.” (Motion: Fallon, second: Brady)
Feb 24Approve One Day Liquor License(s) for Jean Wallace for…Motion: *Motion That the Select Board approve One Day Liquor License(s) for…Passed · see note
February 24, 2025: Approve One Day Liquor License(s) for Jean Wallace for Studio on the Common - March 4, 2025 - Studio on the Common 22 Church Street
ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes
*Motion That the Select Board approve One Day Liquor License(s) for Jean Wallace for Studio on the Common - March 4, 2025 - Studio on the Common 22 Church Street. Fallon - Brady VOTED
The minutes record the motion as “VOTED” but give no count, no names and no “All in favor”, so the result only is shown.
From the minutes
“*Motion That the Select Board approve One Day Liquor License(s) for Jean Wallace for Studio on the Common - March 4, 2025 - Studio on the Common 22 Church Street. Fallon - Brady VOTED.” (Motion: Fallon, second: Brady)
Feb 24Approve the Eleventh Annual Kids PMC Bike Ride -…Motion: *Motion That the Select Board approve the Eleventh Annual Kids PMC…Passed · see note
February 24, 2025: Approve the Eleventh Annual Kids PMC Bike Ride - June 14, 2025, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. on the following streets: Wedgemere Avenue, Calumet Road, Salisbury Street, and Foxcroft Road
ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes
*Motion That the Select Board approve the Eleventh Annual Kids PMC Bike Ride - June 14, 2025, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. on the following streets: Wedgemere Avenue, Calumet Road, Salisbury Street, and Foxcroft Road. Fallon - Brady VOTED
The minutes record the motion as “VOTED” but give no count, no names and no “All in favor”, so the result only is shown.
From the minutes
“*Motion That the Select Board approve the Eleventh Annual Kids PMC Bike Ride - June 14, 2025, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. on the following streets: Wedgemere Avenue, Calumet Road, Salisbury Street, and Foxcroft Road. Fallon - Brady VOTED.” (Motion: Fallon, second: Brady)
Feb 24Approve the request from Kimberley Higgins, Preschool Social Academy…Motion: *Motion That the Select Board approve the request from Kimberley Higgins,…Passed · see note
February 24, 2025: Approve the request from Kimberley Higgins, Preschool Social Academy (PSA) to hold their PSA Pony Ride Family Event Saturday, April 12, 2025 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Town…
ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes
*Motion That the Select Board approve the request from Kimberley Higgins, Preschool Social Academy (PSA) to hold their PSA Pony Ride Family Event Saturday, April 12, 2025 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Town Common. Fallon - Brady VOTED
The minutes record the motion as “VOTED” but give no count, no names and no “All in favor”, so the result only is shown.
From the minutes
“*Motion That the Select Board approve the request from Kimberley Higgins, Preschool Social Academy (PSA) to hold their PSA Pony Ride Family Event Saturday, April 12, 2025 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Town Common. Fallon - Brady VOTED.” (Motion: Fallon, second: Brady)
Feb 24Approve Ellen Knight, Winchester Archivist, as a Special Municipal…Motion: *Motion That the Select Board approve Ellen Knight, Winchester Archivist, as…Passed · see note
February 24, 2025: Approve Ellen Knight, Winchester Archivist, as a Special Municipal Employee to February 24, 2026
ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes
*Motion That the Select Board approve Ellen Knight, Winchester Archivist, as a Special Municipal Employee to February 24, 2026 Fallon - Brady VOTED
The minutes record the motion as “VOTED” but give no count, no names and no “All in favor”, so the result only is shown.
From the minutes
“*Motion That the Select Board approve Ellen Knight, Winchester Archivist, as a Special Municipal Employee to February 24, 2026 Fallon - Brady VOTED.” (Motion: Fallon, second: Brady)
Feb 10Accept, with gratitude, a donation of $2,500 from the…Motion: *Motion That the Select Board accept, with gratitude, a donation of…Passed · see note
February 10, 2025: Accept, with gratitude, a donation of $2,500 from the Johnston Family to the Fire Department to be deposited into the Fire Department Gift Account
ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes
*Motion That the Select Board accept, with gratitude, a donation of $2,500 from the Johnston Family to the Fire Department to be deposited into the Fire Department Gift Account. Fallon - Bettencourt VOTED
The minutes record the motion as “VOTED” but give no count, no names and no “All in favor”, so the result only is shown.
From the minutes
“*Motion That the Select Board accept, with gratitude, a donation of $2,500 from the Johnston Family to the Fire Department to be deposited into the Fire Department Gift Account. Fallon - Bettencourt VOTED.” (Motion: Fallon, second: Bettencourt)
Feb 10Accept, with gratitude, EEC Stabilization Grant of $13,720.00 for…Motion: *Motion That the Select Board accept, with gratitude, EEC Stabilization Grant…Passed · see note
February 10, 2025: Accept, with gratitude, EEC Stabilization Grant of $13,720.00 for the Recreation Department Kid Connection/WRAP EEC Childcare license for the month of February 2025
ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes
*Motion That the Select Board accept, with gratitude, EEC Stabilization Grant of $13,720.00 for the Recreation Department Kid Connection/WRAP EEC Childcare license for the month of February 2025. Fallon - Bettencourt VOTED
The minutes record the motion as “VOTED” but give no count, no names and no “All in favor”, so the result only is shown.
From the minutes
“*Motion That the Select Board accept, with gratitude, EEC Stabilization Grant of $13,720.00 for the Recreation Department Kid Connection/WRAP EEC Childcare license for the month of February 2025. Fallon - Bettencourt VOTED.” (Motion: Fallon, second: Bettencourt)
Feb 10Accept, with gratitude, a donation of $9,000 from the…Motion: *Motion That the Select Board accept, with gratitude, a donation of…Passed · see note
February 10, 2025: Accept, with gratitude, a donation of $9,000 from the Friends of Wedge Pond to the Town of Winchester to address the lake weed, excessive lily pads and the water quality…
ApprovePassed · No count or names in the minutes
*Motion That the Select Board accept, with gratitude, a donation of $9,000 from the Friends of Wedge Pond to the Town of Winchester to address the lake weed, excessive lily pads and the water quality testing at Wedge Pond. Fallon - Bettencourt VOTED
The minutes record the motion as “VOTED” but give no count, no names and no “All in favor”, so the result only is shown.
From the minutes
“*Motion That the Select Board accept, with gratitude, a donation of $9,000 from the Friends of Wedge Pond to the Town of Winchester to address the lake weed, excessive lily pads and the water quality testing at Wedge Pond. Fallon - Bettencourt VOTED.” (Motion: Fallon, second: Bettencourt)
From the Winchester Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (Select Board). We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no Select Board photos): Winchester News candidate profiles — Michelle Prior and Michael Bettencourt (2026), Anthea Brady and William McGonigle (2025), courtesy of the candidates. Cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.