Toy Town Adapts to COVID-19 Restrictions as Numbers Continue to Rise
Six Confirmed Cases, One Fatality in Winchendon
COVID-19 arrived in Winchendon this month, with six confirmed cases in town and one fatality so far, according to an update posted by Winchendon Town Manager Keith Hickey on April 3. Gail Whittle, a successful small business owner from Templeton who recently retired with her husband to a home on Lake Monomonac, died on April 3. (See her obituary in this edition.)
In a video update posted to the town website on April 7, Mr. Hickey reported that the Massachusetts State Legislature has passed Municipal Relief Legislation, giving communities authority to change the dates of their elections, town meetings, and due dates on property taxes, while waiving interest on the deferred payments.
Tentative new dates for town elections and Annual Town Meeting are June 15 and June 29, respectively. The Town Meeting Warrant will close on May 18.
In an effort to protect voters and election workers from social contact, Town Hall encourages registered voters to apply for an early ballot to be mailed to them. The early ballot application can be found on the Town Clerk's page: https://www.townofwinchendon.com/town-clerk/pages/early-ballot-application.
Please print and complete the form and send to the Town Clerk's office using postal mail (mail to Winchendon Town Clerk, 109 Front Street, Dept. 3, Winchendon, MA 01475) or the dropbox in front of Town Hall (109 Front Street, by the Front Street entrance), or email to: wstevens@townofwinchendon.com. As soon as the ballots arrive at the Town Clerk's office, they will be mailed out to the Early Voting applicants.
Real estate taxes normally due on May 1 will be due on June 1. The deadline for applications to apply for exemptions on taxes has been changed from April 1 to June 1. Interest and penalties will be waived on any property and excise tax, betterment assessment, water or sewer bill with a due date on or after March 10, 2020 if payment in full is made by June 30, 2020.
Massachusetts state income taxes will be due on July 15, moved up from April 15.
The town-wide Earth Day clean-up scheduled for Saturday, April 25 has been postponed to a later date to be determined.
The Montachusett Public Health Network has announced a new (MPHN)-COVID-19 Hotline for questions. Dial 1-844-968-3323 for more information.
Restrictions put in place by Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus remain in place until May 4. All non-essential business locations remain closed to both employees and the general public, and no more than ten persons may assemble in a public space at more than one time. This cap of ten persons does not include large stores such as supermarkets, but some are voluntarily limiting crowds. Market Basket in Rindge, NH is allowing no more than 145 shoppers inside the store at one time, with markers and staff outside to keep people waiting in line at least six feet apart.
Businesses and organizations which can continue operating remotely, without employees or the public being together in a physical location, are exempt.
Businesses which can be run by a single individual, or which are run from the owner's home, are also exempt.
Several small "non-essential" Winchendon businesses are continuing to operate from the owner's home or closed facility via email, phone, text or Facebook message and providing merchandise through curbside pickup or delivery to homes.
Sherrie Ehrlenmeyer of Pattie's Jewelry is posting daily specials on Facebook, boosting her posts, and dealing with customers by phone and messaging. Sherrie is going into the closed store solo to process payments and package purchases, which she hand-delivers to local customers' homes. She also has shipped purchases as far as Arizona. She told the Courier that she's doing okay, business is quite good. "I just hope things will ease up after the next two weeks," she said. The important thing for her is making sure all her bills are paid and items which were pre-ordered before the shut-down are paid for.
Michele Comeau is running To Each His Own Design solo from her new location, which is closed to the public. She takes orders via phone or Internet and delivers directly to her customers' homes. The store is concentrating on hardy flowers rather than delicate or perishable blooms, and flowers are delivered by the wholesaler as needed. Michele reports that business is a bit slower, and losing the business from churches decorating for Easter is a blow. "I'm keeping a positive attitude," Ms. Comeau told the Courier.
Massachusetts residents remain under a stay-at-home advisory.This means that persons should stay at home and refrain from all unnecessary travel and activities that involve physical proximity to other people. Persons over 70, or who have health conditions that increase the danger of a serious respiratory illness should limit in-person social interactions with other people as much as possible.
For full details and updates on Massachusetts state-wide COVID-19 news and restrictions, see https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information.
The CDC has recommended that everyone wear non-medical face masks or cloth face coverings of some kind when out in public, along with observing social distancing rules and minimizing direct interactions with others. (See directions below for sewing a DIY cloth face mask.) Masks or other face coverings should completely cover the nose, mouth and chin.
The daily increase in number of cases has not slowed down. The MA Department of Public Health announced that as of Thursday, April 9, there were 16,790 confirmed cases in Massachusetts, with 433 fatalities.
Below is an updated list of the COVID-19 arrangements made by town community services, centers, organizations and businesses, as far as the Courier was able to determine as of Thursday, April 9. Changes have been happening very quickly and without notice, so call or check the websites or Facebook pages of a business or organization for the most up to date information.
All restaurants and bars are still banned from serving customers on premises. Restaurants may sell takeout meals for pickup or delivery. Retail stores selling food, liquor stores and pharmacies are open, but are restricted to a maximum number of 10 customers at a time. Customers must stay at least six feet away from each other. Some stores have marked their floors with tape or signs to keep people in line at the correct distance (so remember to look down).
Winchendon Public Schools
All schools closed until at least May 4. A continuously updated page of information may be found here.
There will be no school-related events on or off campus, including sports events.
The school year will not be extended for COVID-19 closings. The last day of school will be June 19.
Online home schooling, learning and study programs are available from the schools and many other sources. A FAQ of detailed information can be found here (the situation may change rapidly so keep checking back).
Town Hall
Closed to the public. Most staff has been sent home, but are responding to emails and phone calls (expect a delay). Most bills can be paid and applications submitted online, and payments can be dropped off in the dropbox by the Front Street entrance to the building. Board and committee meetings are rescheduled or meeting virtually (see individual pages for each Board or committee on the town website).
The transfer station is OPEN for regular hours. Residents using the transfer station should complete their visit quickly and maintain a six-foot distance from each other and from attendants.
The Police Station and Fire Station are fully staffed but closed to walk-in visits by the general public. Call 911 for emergencies only and the business numbers for general questions and calls (Police: 978-297-1212; Fire: 978-297-2324). See each department's Facebook page for ongoing updates and information.
Old Murdock Senior Center
Closed to the public. Staff are at work and delivering lunches to seniors, as well as bags of groceries. The Center is also delivering loaner books and jigsaw puzzles to seniors.Contact them if you're a senior and need groceries or medications. 978-297-3155.
Beals Memorial Library
Closed to the public, all programs, events and meetings cancelled until further notice. Staff has been sent home until further notice for their safety. You can borrow library e-resources through the Beals website. (If you have a library card, you can use the Libby app to borrow ebooks via your cell phone.) Library materials can be returned in the outside drop box. Overdue fines are waived for the time being. Check the Beals Facebook page for video book readings by Library Director Manuel King.
BealsCon, scheduled for May 16, has been postponed to a later date to be determined.
Clark Memorial YMCA
All programs are cancelled until further notice, including regular after school programs and day care. The Emergency Child Care program for grades K-5 is available to families of essential workers, and families at risk who lack other options. Email Kyle Scrivines at k.scrivines@clarkymca.org with questions.
Winchendon Community Action Committee (CAC)
The building is closed to the public. Staff is at work and answering phones. Food, and some other supplies as available (for example, diapers) are being distributed curbside by appointment only--call to set up a pickup time. Their new hours for distributing food and other supplies are Monday through Thursday, 12:00-3:00 p.m. See their Facebook page for updates and information, or call 978-297-1667.
The Dance Center
Studio is closed for classes. There are online virtual dance classes and activities, see their Facebook page for more information.
RESTAURANTS
Christo's Place
Open for take-out only. Note temporary new hours: Mon-Tues-Wed-Thurs 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. &
Fri-Sat-Sun 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Pay-by-phone, curbside pickup and free delivery available. Continuing to offer free bagged lunches to Winchendon public schools students who qualify for free or reduced school lunch--message them on Facebook in the morning to reserve a lunch. Christo's family and staff ask that as few people as possible come inside the store to pick up orders, to help keep everyone safer. 978-297-1142.
C & S Pizza
Open for take-out only. 978-297-2202.
Dunkin Donuts
Open for take-out and drive-through only.
Friends Garden
CLOSED.
Gabby's Pizza
Open for take-out only. New temporary hours, Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Occasionally close earlier. Offering "make your own pizza" kits: pound of fresh dough, pound of cheese and 1 oz of sauce, enjoy baking pizza with your kids! 978-297-3909.
The Glen Caffe
Closed, but preparing take-out meals for sale at Not Just Produced, 290 Central St., until further notice.
Gourmet Donuts
Open for take-out and drive-through only. No refills of reusable cups for sanitary reasons. You can call ahead with your order and it will be ready to pick up. 978-297-9700
The Harbour Sports Bar
CLOSED until further notice.
Hometown Cafe
Open for take-out only. Menu, including daily specials, posted on their Facebook page. 978-297-2233.
Lickity Splitz
OPEN for the season on April 9. Take out only, call in orders in advance for pickup. See their Facebook page for menus, hours and information. 978-297-1777.
Little Anthony's & Little Lizzie's
Open for take-out only, pickup at Little Lizzie's ice cream window. Menu and online ordering may be done here. Beer and wine available for take-out. Local delivery available. Will be open on Easter Sunday. 978-297-2669, 978-297-1880.
Ruschioni's Cruisin' 12 Diner
Open for take-out only. See their Facebook page for daily menus and specials. Grocery food (cheese, butter, bread, etc) available to order, cash only, delivery available. List with prices on their Facebook page. 978-616-8956.
Subway
Open for take-out only, see Facebook page for hours, weekly specials and ordering information.
Zoe's Restaurant and Pizzeria
Open for take-out and delivery only. Also offering take-out for beer and wine. See their Facebook page for menus and specials. Order on Wednesday and get a trivia question to answer! 978-297-5200.
RETAIL BUSINESSES
Belletetes Winchendon
As an essential business, Belletetes Winchendon is open to customers but asks that you place orders for curbside pickup, or delivery, if at all possible. The new email address for ordering is orders@belletetes.com. Reduced hours, closed Sundays. For details, see the most recent customer update (March 27) on their Facebook page.
Cumberland Farms
OPEN.
CVS
OPEN.
Family Dollar
OPEN.
Not Just Produced
OPEN. New and additional inventory. Hosting the Winchendon Mobile Market on Fridays, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Packaged meals ready-to-go prepared by the Glen Caffe. Only ten customers can be inside the store at one time. 978-413-8518.
Pattie's Jewelry
Store closed to the public, open for business by phone and internet. See their Facebook page for daily specials and information. Hand delivery of local purchases, layaway available. 978-297-3536.
Powell Stone and Gravel
Buildings closed to public. Open for phone orders with curbside pickup or delivery. Order by phone, email or text. See complete information here (PDF). 978-297-5600.
Rite-Aid/Walgreen's
OPEN.
Smith's Country Cheese
OPEN. Call for curbside pickup. 978-939-5738. (Please note that the CheeseFest and CheeseChase events planned for May 17 have been postponed to a later date TBD.)
To Each His Own Design
Store closed to the public, OPEN for business. Taking orders by phone or over the internet, delivering. See their Facebook page for news and specials. 978-297-3959.
CHURCHES
The Chapel, The Chapel Downtown
All in-person worship, meetings and gatherings suspended until further notice. Virtual and video services and meetings being arranged--see their Facebook page or website for more information.
Cornerstone Church
All in-person worship, meetings and gatherings suspended until further notice. Holding virtual prayer meetings online. See their Facebook page for more information.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
All public mass suspended until further notice; building closed. Church office closed to the public, staff at work and answering phones and emails. The community is encouraged to share streamed televised mass on worcesterdiocese.org. Easter Mass will be live-streamed from IHM.Contact the office at renee@heartofmary.com, Fr. Henry at pastor@heartofmary.com, or call 978-297-0280.
All events, including Our Neighbor's Kitchen suppers, are cancelled until further notice.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon
Our Neighbor's Kitchen suppers are cancelled until further notice. AA meetings on Monday nights are suspended until further notice. Contact the church via Facebook message with any questions.
United Parish of Winchendon
Worship services, programs and activities suspended until further notice. See their Facebook page for daily videos, Bible readings and prayers.
