Budget, services may stay level

Town Manager Richard C. Howard has outlined his preliminary budget for fiscal 2013, which begins July 1. Under Howard’s balanced budget proposal, the town would provide level services in the upcoming fiscal year without an override. According to Howard, an anticipated increase in state aid and an expected decline in health care costs mean that Winchester will not have to issue any pink slips and will be able to fund all of the raises that the town has promised its employees. Howard took over as town manager last month.