Tree canopy down 90 acres, no removal budget

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Winchester Tree Canopy Drops 90 Acres as Town Relies on Volunteers

A Tree Canopy Assessment by PlanIT Geo compared aerial imagery from 2013, 2018 and 2023 and found the town gained 53 acres of canopy between 2012 and 2018, then lost 143 acres between 2018 and 2023 — a net loss of 90 acres, or 2.3% of total canopy, which the firm likened to about 68 football fields. Public Works Director Robert LaBossiere said there is no specific line item in the budget to remove invasive plants, and that the Conservation Commission runs a volunteer program while the DPW assists with disposal. Asked how many removal requests his department had fielded this year, LaBossiere answered: "0."

Winchester News

Book Ends Winchester Hosts Historical Fiction Author Panel Tonight

Book Ends Winchester holds an author panel, 'Bringing History to Life Through Fiction,' today from 6 to 8 p.m., moderated by Virginia Pye with authors Julie Gerstenblatt, Jane Healey, Constance Hayes Matsumoto, and Weina Dai Randel.

Book Ends Winchester

Chamber of Commerce Unveils Spirit Weekend 2026 Schedule

The Winchester Chamber of Commerce and Glen Doherty Memorial Foundation host Spirit Weekend downtown Sept. 18-20, with a Friday street festival, Saturday sidewalk sales and farmers market Community Connect Day, and Sunday's memorial road race.

Winchester News

Library Hosts Catapult-Building Workshop for Kids Monday

The Winchester Public Library hosts a hands-on catapult-building workshop for grades 3-5 on Monday, Sept. 14, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., where kids launch mini marshmallows.

Winchester Public Library

Long Range Financial Planning Committee Holds Kickoff Meeting Monday

Winchester's Long Range Financial Planning Committee meets remotely Monday, Sept. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. to begin work on town fiscal forecasts and long-term budget modeling.

Town of Winchester

Human Rights Commission Applications Due Monday

Winchester is accepting applications through Monday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. for its newly formed Human Rights Commission, which the Select Board will staff with staggered terms.

Town of Winchester

Healey Orders Community Benefits for Large Data Centers

Gov. Maura Healey's Executive Order 658 bars state agencies from issuing environmental and energy permits for data centers over 25 megawatts unless developers reach community benefits agreements with host municipalities.

Winchester News

Griffin Museum Opens 'The Persistence of Memories'

The Griffin Museum of Photography opened 'The Persistence of Memories,' a video projection exhibit by Cummings Residency Prize winner Lua Kobayashi exploring the unseen history of Boston-area Japanese American communities; it runs through Oct. 25.

Griffin Museum of Photography

Winchester High Football Opens Season with 38-6 Win Over Lynn Classical

Coach Wally Dembowski's Winchester High football team routed Lynn Classical 38-6 at Knowlton Stadium on Sept. 10 in the season's home opener, featuring several new starters.

Winchester News

Rally Day Set for This Morning at Episcopal Church

Rally Day takes place today at 10 a.m. at The Parish of the Epiphany, Episcopal Church on Church Street.

The Parish of the Epiphany