Winchester approves $7.9 million solar expansion, adds Ambrose School after amendment

Town meeting voters approved Article 16, a roughly $7.9 million bonded project to expand solar panels on multiple town buildings.

Presenters described the proposal as revenue‑positive in its first year with an estimated net benefit of about $300,000 annually, and said the project could draw roughly $2 million in federal grants. The town stated projected lifetime savings of roughly $7.3 million over 25 years. The project would be financed by borrowing (bonding), not by using free cash.

The article drew extended debate. Chris Nixon moved to amend the project to include the Ambrose School (identified in the discussion as about 21 years old); that amendment passed and the overall article then passed. The transcript did not record a roll‑call vote tally in this session. Town meeting postponed the capital planning report to the reconvened session on Thursday to allow fuller review.

Next steps include bond authorization, grant administration and scheduling installations through the town's capital planning and facilities departments.