Winchester panel approves WCCP application for sunshades at Lincoln Elementary

At a remote meeting, members of Winchester Public Schools voted to approve a WCCP application from the Lincoln Parent Association to add two 10-by-10 soft-cover shade structures to the playground at Lincoln Elementary.

Caitlin Mostow, a representative of the Lincoln Parent Association, told the committee the group missed the public deadline and asked the committee to submit on their behalf. "I sent an email, a couple of hours ago with a final application," Mostow said, and added that the WCCP chair, Christina Marshall, had requested the final application. Mostow said she updated the submission to remove a proposed permanent hardtop and to reflect the lower-cost soft-cover option.

The committee discussed project details before the vote, including exact placement, storage and permitting. Committee member John asked whether the shade would be placed where a tree had fallen; Mostow confirmed the shade would go "in that exact location," described temporarily relocating a picnic table and grading the ground, and said PTO funds will cover installation costs. Mostow also described storage plans: the shades fold small and would be kept on-site in LSPA lockers in the Main Street lobby.

Mostow told the committee she had discussed a permanent hardtop option with the building commissioner but said the requirements for a permanent structure—engineering review for snow load and wind uplift, building permits, variances and setbacks—would make that option far more expensive and time-consuming. "It would have cost about 5 times the amount as well," she said, explaining the group chose a soft-cover design that can be snapped off in minutes for winter.

Tom, a committee member who made the motion to approve the WCCP submission, framed the shade as both a health-and-safety and a climate-adaptation measure and suggested the town consider planting more trees in the future. After discussion, Tom moved to approve the application; a second was recorded and the committee took a roll-call vote. The transcript records "aye" votes from Miss Bolognese, Mister Hopcroft and Mister Belair, and the acting chair cast an "aye," approving the committee's submission of the WCCP application on behalf of the Lincoln Parent Association.

Staff indicated they will summarize the committee's vote in a letter to WCCP and submit the supporting documents provided in Mostow's email. Mostow confirmed she had sent the updated application earlier that day and that WCCP was aware the committee would be forwarding the materials.

During closing business the committee agreed to meet as a budget subcommittee later in the week to review athletic fees, with the full committee aiming to meet the following week; staff said meeting notices would be posted on the town website and distributed via ParentSquare.

"Alright, Caitlin. Looks like you're gonna be throwing shade at Lincoln," the acting chair said after the vote, drawing light laughter from participants. The committee adjourned following a final procedural roll-call vote.