Winchester meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Winchester boards meet on zoning, subdivisions; decisions pending

Over the past two weeks, Winchester's boards and committees held meetings focused on zoning variances, subdivision proposals, and routine procedural business. No minutes have been published yet, so no decisions are confirmed.

Zoning Board of Adjustment

The Zoning Board of Adjustment met on Aug. 13 to consider two applications.

295 Manning Hill Road (Map 5 Lot 1) — Hutley Survey & Design, PLLC, submitted a variance request on behalf of Malorie Paine to allow a historic dwelling, built around 1880, to remain in the front setback. The property was merged in 2023, decommissioning the dwelling as a separate residence. The applicant proposes to subdivide the property to restore two residential lots and has designed a new septic system. A $150 application fee is required.

130 Rabbit Hollow Road (Map 9 Lot 29) — Adam and Bianca Parker appealed a Code Enforcement Officer's Notice of Violation regarding tiny homes on wheels, which are not permitted by the town zoning ordinance. They also requested a variance to use a tiny home on wheels as a temporary residence with only a water connection and no septic. The applicants cited a composting toilet and well as meeting sanitary needs, and requested a waiver of the septic requirement due to site topography and cost. A water test report showed coliform absent, nitrate 0.5 mg/L, and pH 7.8. The property is a 2-acre sloping lot with 350 feet of road frontage, a well, a shed, and a camper. The abutters list includes Robert Stevens and Madonna Baker.

Planning Board

The Planning Board met on August 17 to continue public hearings on two subdivision applications, both submitted by Huntley Survey & Design, PLLC.

• **Minor subdivision at 295 Manning Hill Road** (Map 5 Lot 1) — proposed lots of 38.26 acres and 1.04 acres.
• **Major subdivision at 680 Warwick Road** (Map 3 Lot 1) — proposed lots of 24.34, 12.68, 3.22, and 3.03 acres.

Both properties are in the Agricultural and Rural Residential District; the major subdivision also falls within the Aquifer Protection District Overlay. The board also held a preliminary consultation with Graz Engineering, LLC, and discussed potential warrant articles.

Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen met on August 12 and August 19. Both agendas were largely procedural, including new business, ex officio reports, a 15-minute public comment period, and a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II. No specific decisions or discussion items were listed.

Other meetings

The Budget Committee met on August 11 with no specific items listed, only procedural headings. The Winchester National Bank Common Committee also met on August 11 to discuss renovations, funding, events, and projects.

Coming up

• **Cemetery Trustees** — August 25, 2026. Agenda includes approving minutes, the Sexton's report, new and old business, and correspondence.
• **Board of Selectmen** — September 2, 2026. Regular meeting with a 15-minute public comment period and a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II.

All meeting agendas and minutes, when available, are posted on the town website.

Winchester Selectboard approves rail trail work, other actions

Winchester selectmen approved a contract for rail trail construction behind Monadnock Speedway at their Aug. 5 meeting, along with several routine items and a conditional hire. The board voted 3-1-1 to award the work to Machetto. The board also approved a $30,000 asset management grant payment and a $966.80 rebate for an overpayment on Map 1 Lot 20-54.

Selectboard actions

The Selectboard approved the following items, all by 5-0 votes unless noted:

• Minutes of the July 22 meeting (5-0)
• Tax deed for Map 6 Lot 5-4-1
• Annual industrial discharge permit for Keeney Holdings
• $966.80 rebate for overpayment on Map 1 Lot 20-54
• Water/sewer connection for Map 26 Lot 37, with special exceptions
• Disabled exemption for Map 25 Lot 6
• East Coast Electronics Recycling Container for the Transfer Station
• $30,000 Asset Management Grant payment
• Overdrawing the Conservation Operating Budget line for mowing
• All three annual policies: Non-Profit Procurement, Investment Property, and Fund Balance
• Conditional hire of Scott Cole for seasonal cemetery laborer (5-0, in nonpublic session)

The board tabled the annual fuel pre-buy to monitor prices.

Other recent meetings

The Planning Board held a work session Aug. 3 to continue a public hearing on a major subdivision at 680 Warwick Road (Map 3, Lot 1), submitted by Huntley Survey & Design for San-Ken Homes. The proposal would divide a 42.6-acre lot into four lots. No decision was reported.

The Budget Committee met Aug. 11 with no specific items on its agenda. The Winchester National Bank Committee also met Aug. 11 to discuss renovations and funding; no decisions were reported.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment met Aug. 13 to hear appeals and variance requests for properties at 130 Rabbit Hollow Road and 295 Manning Hill Road. Applications included a camper used as temporary housing, a tiny home on wheels, and a setback variance for an 1880s dwelling. No decisions have been published.

Coming up

The Planning Board will continue public hearings on two subdivision applications at its Aug. 17 meeting: a minor subdivision at 295 Manning Hill Road (Map 5, Lot 1) and a major subdivision at 680 Warwick Road (Map 3, Lot 1). Both applications were submitted by Huntley Survey & Design. The board may approve or disapprove the applications; if no decision is reached, they will remain on the agenda.

The Board of Selectmen will hold a regular meeting Aug. 19 with a light agenda, including a 15-minute public comment period and a nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3II.

The Cemetery Trustees will meet Aug. 25 to approve minutes, hear the Sexton's report, and discuss new and old business. Public comment will be heard.

Winchester Planning Board continues review of 42-acre Warwick Road subdivision; no decisions yet recorded

Winchester's Planning Board has spent the past two weeks reviewing a major subdivision proposal for 680 Warwick Road, but minutes from the July 20 meeting have not yet been published, so no board decisions can be confirmed. The application by San-Ken Homes, Inc. would divide a 42.6-acre parcel into four lots, and the board is scheduled to continue its public hearing on August 3.

680 Warwick Road Subdivision

The property at 680 Warwick Road (Map 3, Lot 1) is the subject of a major subdivision application submitted by Huntley Survey & Design, PLLC on behalf of San-Ken Homes, Inc. The 42.6-acre parcel, located in the Agricultural District and Aquifer Protection District Overlay, would be divided into four lots: 24.34 acres, 12.68 acres, 3.22 acres, and 3.03 acres.

A separate agenda entry describes a four-lot configuration of three building lots (25.59, 12.62, and 2.05 acres) and a non-building back lot of 2.17 acres. The applicant, identified as Russell Huntley of Huntley Survey & Design, has requested waivers from state septic, subdivision, and driveway approvals, as well as municipal water approval, citing that no development is proposed at this time.

Abutters to the property include multiple parcels and the Town of Winchester Conservation Commission. The July 20 agenda also listed approval of minutes from the July 6, 2026 meeting and discussion of potential warrant articles.

Because minutes from the July 20 meeting have not been published, it is not possible to confirm whether the board accepted the application as complete, granted any waivers, or took other action.

Trustees of the Trust Fund

The Trustees of the Trust Fund met July 21 to review a report from Bar Harbor Wealth Management and schedule the next quarterly meeting. The agenda was procedural, with no major decisions or public hearings listed. Minutes have not yet been published.

Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen met July 22 for a routine session. The agenda included an update from Brown & Caldwell, ex officio reports, a 15-minute public comment period, new business, and a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II. No specific actionable items were identified on the agenda. Minutes have not yet been published.

Cemetery Trustees

The Cemetery Trustees met July 28 to approve prior meeting minutes, receive the Sexton's report, and discuss correspondence, old business, and new business. No specific decisions or financial items were listed. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **August 3 — Planning Board:** Continued public hearing on the major subdivision application for 680 Warwick Road (Map 3, Lot 1), submitted by Huntley Survey & Design, PLLC for San-Ken Homes, Inc. The board will also review previous minutes and discuss potential warrant articles.
• **August 11 — Winchester National Bank Common Committee:** Meeting at 6 p.m. at Town Hall to discuss renovations, funding, events, and projects.

Winchester selectboard approves $314,015 in water and sewer tax warrants; Planning Board weighs major subdivision

The Winchester Board of Selectmen approved water and sewer tax warrants totaling $314,015.46 at its July 8 meeting, the largest financial action taken by a town body in the past two weeks.

Selectboard actions — July 8

The board voted 5–0 to approve a water tax warrant of $154,946.62 and a sewer tax warrant of $159,068.84. Members also signed a $30,000 Storm Water Asset Management grant agreement on a 5–0 vote.

In personnel matters, the board promoted John Bebey to Highway Foreman with a pay increase to $26.39 per hour. That vote was 4–0–1. A separate 5–0 vote established a $2,000 credit card limit for the Highway Superintendent.

The board approved several event-related requests. Sweetwater Distillery was granted use of 8–9 parking spaces for a private event (5–0). The Pickle Festival received approval to use multiple town properties, with Parker and Durkee Streets closed (5–0). Multiple property abatements and firework permits were also approved, each on 5–0 votes.

One item was tabled: an amendment that would require two engineers on project sites. No vote was recorded; the item was deferred to the July 22 meeting.

Planning Board — July 6

The Planning Board held a work session on a minor subdivision application at 295 Manning Hill Road. The proposal by Huntley Survey & Design for property owner Malorie Paine would split a 39.3-acre lot into two parcels: a 38.26-acre lot with a dwelling and a 1.04-acre lot with a structure. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so no decisions can be confirmed from the available record.

Other recent meetings

The Winchester National Bank Common Committee met July 14 to discuss renovations, funding, events, and projects related to the bank common. No specific actions or concrete proposals were listed on the agenda, and minutes are not yet available.

A July 15 Board of Selectmen meeting was primarily procedural, with no detailed agenda items provided. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **July 20 — Planning Board:** Public hearing and work session on a major subdivision application for 680 Warwick Road (Map 3, Lot 1). Huntley Survey & Design, on behalf of San-Ken Homes, Inc., proposes dividing 42.6 acres into four lots of 24.34, 12.68, 3.22, and 3.03 acres. The property is in the Agricultural District and Aquifer Protection District Overlay. The applicant is requesting waivers from state septic, subdivision, and driveway approvals, as well as municipal water approval, citing that no development is proposed at this time.
• **July 21 — Trustees of the Trust Fund:** Review of a report from Bar Harbor Wealth Management and scheduling of the next quarterly meeting.
• **July 22 — Board of Selectmen:** Update from Brown & Caldwell, a 15-minute public comment period, and a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II. The tabled amendment requiring two engineers on project sites may return.
• **July 28 — Cemetery Trustees:** Routine reports, Sexton's report, and correspondence. No specific decisions or financial items listed.

Winchester boards review subdivision, infrastructure updates in early July meetings

Winchester's boards spent the first week of July reviewing a proposed two-lot subdivision on Manning Hill Road and hearing updates on town infrastructure projects. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, only agenda items can be reported — no decisions are confirmed in the record.

Planning Board reviews subdivision at 295 Manning Hill Road

The Planning Board held a work session on July 6 to review a minor subdivision application filed by Huntley Survey & Design on behalf of Malorie Paine at 295 Manning Hill Road. The proposal would divide a 39.3-acre property into two parcels: a 38.26-acre lot with an existing dwelling and a 1.04-acre lot with an existing structure.

The agenda also included approval of Planning Board minutes from June 15, 2026, a possible nonpublic session under RSA 91-A, and scheduling of upcoming work sessions. No vote tallies or outcomes are available because minutes have not been published.

Selectmen hear booster station and biosolid project updates

The Board of Selectmen met July 1 to receive updates on the Brown & Cadwell Booster Station and the Biosolid Project. The agenda also listed new business, officer reports, a public comment period, and a non-public session. No specific actions or dollar figures were listed on the agenda, and minutes are not yet available.

The Selectmen met again July 8 in what the agenda described as a routine session with public comment followed by a non-public session. No specific items were listed.

Cemetery Trustees handle routine business

The Cemetery Trustees met June 30 to review the sexton's report and handle general administrative business. The agenda consisted of standard procedural items, with no specific actions listed.

Coming up

• **July 14 — Winchester National Bank Common Committee:** Will discuss renovations, funding, events, and projects related to the bank common. No specific proposals or actions are listed on the agenda.
• **July 15 — Board of Selectmen:** Procedural meeting with new business, public comment, and a possible non-public session. No specific agenda items are listed.
• **July 22 — Board of Selectmen:** Routine session with new business, ex officio reports, public comment, and a non-public session under RSA 91-A:3II. No specific items are identified.

All recent meeting agendas are available through the town's official postings. Minutes for the June 30 through July 8 meetings had not been published as of this report.

Winchester meeting roundup: Recent sessions procedural; Planning Board to review Manning Hill Road subdivision

Winchester's recent town meetings over the past two weeks were largely procedural, with agendas listing no specific decisions and minutes not yet published. The most substantive item on the horizon is a Planning Board review of a proposed two-lot subdivision at 295 Manning Hill Road, scheduled for today, July 6.

Recent meetings: agendas only, no decisions recorded

Four town bodies met between June 22 and July 1, but each session is listed as "agenda only" with minutes not yet published, meaning no confirmed outcomes are available from the official record.

• **Supervisors of the Checklist (June 22):** Convened for a routine public session to handle checklist matters. No specific agenda items were listed.
• **Board of Selectmen (June 24):** Held a regular meeting consisting entirely of procedural boilerplate, with no specific legislative items or public hearings listed.
• **Cemetery Trustees (June 30):** Met to review the sexton's report and handle general administrative business. The agenda listed standard procedural items only.
• **Board of Selectmen (July 1):** Received updates on the Brown & Cadwell Booster Station and Biosolid Project. The meeting also included new business, officer reports, a public comment period, and a non-public session. No vote tallies or dollar figures are available in the agenda record.

Because minutes have not been published for any of these meetings, no decisions, votes, or expenditures can be confirmed from the available documents.

Coming up: Planning Board subdivision review

The Winchester Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustments will hold a work session today, July 6, to review a minor subdivision application by Huntley Survey & Design for property owner Malorie Paine at 295 Manning Hill Road.

The proposal would split a 39.3-acre lot into two parcels: a 38.26-acre lot with an existing dwelling and a 1.04-acre lot with an existing structure. The agenda includes detailed survey information, zoning district requirements, and soils data. The board may also approve minutes from its June 15, 2026 meeting, schedule upcoming work sessions, and enter a possible non-public session under RSA 91-A.

No decision has been made on the subdivision; the board will consider the application at the meeting.

Other upcoming meetings

• **Board of Selectmen (July 8):** Procedural meeting with public comment and a non-public session. No specific items listed.
• **Winchester National Bank Common Committee (July 14):** Will discuss renovations, funding, events, and projects related to the bank common. No specific actions or concrete proposals are listed on the agenda.
• **Board of Selectmen (July 15):** Primarily procedural, with new business, public comment, and a possible non-public session. No major decisions or discussions are specified.

Residents interested in the Manning Hill Road subdivision review can attend the Planning Board work session today, July 6. Details are available on the official agenda.

Winchester Board Meetings: Routine Sessions Hold, Subdivision Review Set for July 6

Winchester’s town boards convened several routine meetings over the past two weeks, with no major decisions or public hearings reported. The most substantive item on the horizon is the Planning Board’s July 6 work session, where a minor subdivision application for property on Manning Hill Road will be reviewed.

Recent meetings

During the period of June 22 to July 1, five town bodies met in sessions described in agendas as either procedural or limited to administrative updates. Minutes for these meetings have not yet been published, so no votes or outcomes are available.

• The **Supervisors of the Checklist** held a public session on June 22 with no specific agenda items, handling routine voter checklist maintenance.
• The **Board of Selectmen** met on June 24 with only boilerplate procedural items on the agenda.
• On June 30, the **Cemetery Trustees** gathered to review the sexton’s report and conduct general administrative business.
• The **Board of Selectmen** met again on July 1, with an agenda that included an update on the Brown & Cadwell Booster Station and Biosolid Project, as well as new business and a non-public session.

None of these meetings included public hearings or action items requiring recorded votes, based on the agendas provided.

Upcoming: Subdivision review

The Planning Board will hold a work session on Monday, July 6, to review a minor subdivision application submitted by Huntley Survey & Design on behalf of property owner Malorie Paine. The proposal seeks to divide 39.3 acres at 295 Manning Hill Road into two lots:

• A 38.26-acre lot containing an existing dwelling
• A 1.04-acre lot that includes an existing structure

The board will also consider approval of June 15 meeting minutes, may enter a non-public session under RSA 91:A, and is expected to schedule future work session dates. No further details on zoning or site conditions were included in the multiple agenda summaries, though one summary mentioned that the board will review survey information, zoning district requirements, and soils data.

Also coming up

After the July 6 Planning Board session, several other boards will meet over the next two weeks:

• **Board of Selectmen** meets July 8 with a public comment period and a non-public session; no specific action items are listed.
• The **Winchester National Bank Common Committee** convenes on July 14 to discuss renovations, funding, events, and projects related to the bank common, though no concrete proposals appear on the published agenda.
• The **Board of Selectmen** holds another meeting on July 15, again with new business, public comment, and a possible non-public session, but no detailed agenda items.

All meetings are open to the public. Residents seeking more information can consult the town website for full agendas and access details.