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Winchester manager proposes $43.88M budget, board and public spar over 9.38% increase
Summary
Town Manager Harrington presented a proposed $43,880,000 FY2027 budget that would raise the mill rate from 29.17 to 31.91 (a 2.74‑mill, 9.38% increase). Officials stressed competing priorities—education, roads, debt service and attracting development—and scheduled budget workshops to identify efficiencies and possible cuts.
Town Manager Harrington presented the Town of Winchester’s proposed $43,880,000 fiscal year 2027 budget during a public hearing on April 6, saying it would require a proposed mill rate of 31.91, up from 29.17 (a 2.74‑mill change representing a 9.38% increase in the tax levy). Harrington described a line‑by‑line review process, noted grand list growth of roughly $5.7–$5.8 million and said state aid (ECS) remains flat at $7.8 million.
Harrington said the administration trimmed capital requests from 59 to 26 projects and will continue to pursue cost containment and alternate service delivery options. Key figures he presented included the proposed budget total ($43,880,000), estimated project revenues for capital items, and an example homeowner impact: a median property produced an estimated $684 annual increase under the proposal.
The manager highlighted investments intended to support economic development—naming recent and prospective private investments on Main Street—and said a federally funded Safe Streets for All survey (a $250,000 grant) is open for resident input. He also updated the board on an RFP for payroll automation and a completed police‑HQ feasibility study with an estimated cost of $12.8 million.
Public commenters voiced divergent concerns. David Woodbury, who identified himself as recently homeless, urged greater investment in local social and mental‑health services and questioned cuts to social‑services funding; Town Manager Harrington directed him to the town’s Winstead Cares coordinator, Sarah Toomey. Candy Perez asked whether projected speed‑camera revenue was included in next year’s budget; the town manager said the proposed budget includes no revenue from speed cameras to avoid creating a structural hole if revenues decline. Several residents, including Frank Oliveri, warned a near‑9.4% increase would be hard on senior and fixed‑income households.
Board members debated tradeoffs between investing to attract businesses and the tax impact on residents. Some selectmen argued that continued investment in schools and infrastructure is necessary to sustain and grow the grand list—citing new retail and redevelopment—while others emphasized the need to prioritize road repairs and expressed skepticism that voters will approve a steep increase.
The board scheduled further budget workshops: general government review April 13 and education reviews April 14 or April 15 (dates subject to participants’ availability), with a possible finalization at the April 20 meeting and an April 24 deadline for adoption. Harrington told the board his office will present additional efficiency savings at the first workshop.
The manager said the detailed budget and presentation will be available on the town website and social channels; he urged residents to review materials and to participate in scheduled workshops and the referendum process later this spring.
