Town Manager Report: DCR Discusses Winchester's Role in New Fells Plan

The Middlesex Fells Reservation could be undergoing some changes in the future. The Department of Conservation and Recreation held it's first public hearing on the , and the opinions of those in attendance varied greatly.

The plan aims to outline for the reservation, evaluate existing conditions and create land stewardship zoning. It is expected to be completed by this summer.

Acting Town Manager Mary Ellen Lannon met recently with DCR Representative Paul Jahnige, to inquire as to what Winchester’s role would be in the DCR’s new plan.

Winchester owns the watershed land, inside the Fells. Last summer, that area was where a man-made forest fire that burned over five acres of the Fells believed to have started.

According to Lannon, the DCR wants to gauge Winchester’s interest in the following area:

• See if the town is interested in opening up sections of its land periodically for passive recreation.
• Assistance from the town to decide the best way to handle unofficial trails within the greater system of trails.
• Assist with signage to better direct visitors through the land.
• Enforcement of Winchester’s land if the town decided to open the watershed area.

WinCAM Update: The of WinCAM, David Gauthier, began his new job last week. According to Lannon, Meldoie Wing, WinCAM Board member, they have completed the installation of their new INet Technology. Wing informed the Board of Selectmen and Town Management that the poor sound quality is a cable company problem and not specifically a WinCAM problem.

Wing said that if residents call the Town Manager’s office to report a problem, they should contact WinCAM directly as they have staff available from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wing said that if they hear about a problem or complaint, they can deal with it in real time and troubleshoot the problem immediately.

Information Technology Update: The Town Manager’s office will be handling the administrative operations of the IT Department along with the town’s Network Administrator – Matthew Griffin