Select Board member Paris Bayani to resign effective July 14; special election required as board eyes new override

Paris Bayani, a member of Winchester’s Select Board, has submitted a resignation that takes effect July 14, the hosts of the Winchester Beat reported, citing Winchester News. Bayani chaired the state-of-the-town committee and was a leading architect of an override proposal that received unanimous Select Board support but failed at the ballot box.

Under state law, the four remaining Select Board members must set a date for a special election to fill the seat; the vacated seat carries a term expiring in March 2028. Town officials have not announced a special election date. Bayani’s statement, as reported, cited personal reasons for stepping down.

Board members are also discussing whether to bring a new override proposal to voters and whether to place it on the November ballot or wait until March. To qualify for the November ballot, a proposal would need to be ready in August, the hosts said. The Select Board is reportedly weighing options that could include placing multiple override questions on the ballot to let voters choose among different dollar amounts.

Why this matters: Bayani’s departure reduces the board to four members during a period when the town is weighing another revenue question and pursuing longer-range financial and capital planning. If the board advances an override, timing decisions will affect campaign and budgeting calendars.

No formal dates or motions were reported on the episode. The Select Board has not released a public schedule for a special election or a finalized override proposal.