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This Week's Winchendon News
Winchendon PD Honors Two Retirements and a Promotion at BOS Meeting
Ofc. Derek Blair
Photo copyright Town of Winchendon
Sgt. Gerald Gagne
Photo copyright Town of Winchendon
Town Clerk Wendy Stevens, left, swears in new Sergeant James Maynard
Photo copyright Town of Winchendon
The Board of Selectmen's meeting on Monday, September 14, opened with ceremonies for retiring members of the department, one promotion, and an eloquent statement by Police Chief Dan Wolski about the profession of law enforcement and the men and women who work in it.
Retiring are Sergeant Gerald Gagne, who joined the force in 1993 and has served for over 32 years, and Officer Derek Blair, who has served in Winchendon for 26 years. Officer Blair grew up in Winchendon and is a United States Army veteran who served in the Persian Gulf War.
Chief Wolski said, "We obviously are here to honor and recognize their service, and I was thinking about that today. We certainly feel appreciated in the community by everyone. I'm sure all the officers could attest to the fact that you frequently will walk into a local business, Cumberland Farms, and somebody will see you in uniform and say, 'Thank you for your service.' We certainly appreciate it. And I do believe that they're very sincere, but we say it frequently for our police, our firefighters, men and women in public safety. We say it for our military folks, but like a lot of things that we get in the habit of saying, I think it can become a little perfunctory sometimes to merely say 'thank you for your service.'
"So I wanted to drill down on that a little bit. What does a three decade career in public safety actually entail? It entails quite a bit of sacrifice. Obviously, for the officer. Public safety, police, fire, nurses, and other occupations are not a Monday through Friday nine-to-five job. It's holidays, it's weekends, it's nights, and it's not just you that's making that sacrifice. It's your family as well.
"In addition to the sacrifice of a great deal of personal time, another thing in a small department like Winchendon, if somebody wants to take a vacation, somebody else has to work for them, so it's very rarely just a 40-hour week. It's 60, 70, hours, and more are not uncommon. And nights. Sergeant Gagne has worked his entire career either 11:00 to 7:00, the overnight shift, or a portion of the 3:00 to 11:00 shift.
In addition to the sacrifice of time is also a sacrifice of your peace of mind, because over three decades you are going to encounter all sorts of incidents that are stressful, just the very nature of them, because you're going to go to bad car accidents, and it does have a cumulative effect over time.
"So you would ask, why would somebody want to endure this? Well, obviously, you have a tremendous impact on the lives that you encounter as a police officer. Over just a short period of time, if you're an officer, even for a year, you're going to have a positive impact on the folks that you encounter. So it's to measure the positive impact that these two officers in combined 60 years of service, they have made a tremendous difference in the folks that they've encountered over the course of their career.
"I believe that police law enforcement remains one of the most noble professions, and anything that you do that's for the greater good, any cause for the greater good, can only occur if there is personal sacrifice and sacrifice of your family and loved ones. I think it's important for us.
"The police have been under a lot of scrutiny, as we all know, the last 10 years or more. And I think it's important for myself as a law enforcement leader, you as town officials and all of us as members of the police department, we need to be champions of this sentiment that law enforcement remains one of the most noble professions, because it's the only way that we're going to get competent and capable people to enter the profession and replace fantastic folks like Officer Blair and Sergeant Gagne.
"I can say for myself that it has been an absolute honor and privilege to work with both of these officers, and I learned a tremendous a lot from both of them, particularly Sergeant Gagne, because the first 10 years or more that I was on the job, he was my direct supervisor, and I learned a lot from him. So, in that vein of nobility, both of these officers can say that they are retiring not in just good standing, but great standing, and they themselves and their families, the whole police department and all of you as town officials can be proud of them."
Board of Selectmen Chair Andrew Beauvais said, "On behalf of the Board of Selectmen and the entire Winchendon community, I want to thank both of you for your dedicated service to our town, your commitment, professionalism, and sacrifices both you and your families have made are deeply appreciated. We congratulate both of you on your retirement, and wish you both good health, happiness, and all the best in this next chapter. Thank you for your service to Winchendon, and of course, if you ever find yourselves missing the excitement of town government and politics, we would be happy to welcome you to any of our vacant seats on any of our boards and committees."
The Board then presented Officer Blair and Sergeant Gagne with an official citation, signed by the Board, and the two honorees came forward for a photo.
Following this, Chief Wolski announced the official promotion of Officer James Maynard to the rank of Sergeant.
"James also grew up in Winchendon," Chief Wolski said. "His family is from Winchendon, and he started with the police department in 2018. He has a tremendous amount of character, loyalty to the town and the department. And one thing of special note that Sergeant Maynard took over the mantle a couple years ago, was our post overdose support team. That's folks that, if somebody suffers an opioid overdose, an officer responds to the home with a social worker, and offers that individual, tries to connect them with resources if they're interested, and it's a very important position. And it takes a certain level of compassion, understanding, and a certain level of tact to be able to communicate effectively in those situations. And Sergeant Maynard took took over the mantle and has done a tremendous job in that position. Obviously, the vacancy is occurred because of the retirement of Sergeant Gagne, so it is time to pass the torch to the new generation. And he has very large shoes to fill, but I'm very confident in my expectations of how he will perform."
Sergeant Maynard came forward, and Town Clerk Wendy Stevens administered the formal oath for his new rank.
The Beals Indie Author Book Fair Spotlights Self-published Authors
Douglas Dumont
Kimberly Hallinan
Sally Cragin
Jean Varda
Marie LeClaire
Shawn McClintock
Victoria R. Delmar
Catherine ZebrowskiThe Beals Memorial Library in Winchendon is excited to host its first Indie Author Book Fair on Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The event shines a bright light on self-published, independent authors, six of whom are highlighted below. The Fair also features the work of 16 other writers, who as a whole, pen a variety of genres from Mystery and Science Fiction to Historical Fiction, Poetry and much more for your reading pleasure.
Authors spotlighted today include; Douglas Dumont of Jaffrey, NH; Kimberly Hallinan of Gardner, MA; Sally Cragin of Fitchburg, MA; Jean Varda of Westminster, MA; ; Marie LeClaire of West Boylston, MA; Shawn McClintock of Bolton, MA; Victoria R. Delmar of Boston, MA; and Catherine Zebrowski of Winchendon, MA.
Douglas R. Dumont is the author of the Dust to Ink series, historical crime novels set in the industrial mill towns of 1890s New England. His stories blend Western grit with the atmosphere and history of the Northeast, following characters who navigate corruption, violence, and impossible choices in a rapidly changing America. Drawing on a lifelong interest in history and public service, Dumont creates immersive settings where forgotten places and overlooked lives become the backdrop for compelling mysteries. He currently serves as Planning Director for the Town of Jaffrey, New Hampshire. Dust to Ink: The Throat is the first novel in the series.
Kimberly Hallinan is a wife, mother to 4, and a Mammie to 5. She is also a second grade teacher in Gardner where she lives. Kimberly is both the author and illustrator of her book Martha Just Wants to Know, and her newly awaited release of Martha Just Keeps Learning. She also makes colorful, personalized paintings for children. Making children smile, learn, and feel joy in learning is her passion, and her books are designed to be read aloud to classrooms and to children. They are full of playful rhyming and based on highly relatable characters.
Sally Cragin teaches New England history, writing, literature, and theatre in the ALFA program at Fitchburg State University. She is also the author of The Astrological Elements, and Astrology on the Cusp (Llewellyn Worldwide) which have been translated and sold in a number of countries including India, Russia, Canada, British Virgin Islands, the Czech Republic and Estonia. She was the first astrology commentator for Audible.com (1999-2001). She writes annual astrology forecasts for Llewellyn Worldwide Almanacs. She also writes poems, short stories and plays.
Jean Varda is a local poet originally from Cambridge Massachusetts. She has self-published eight books of poetry and has her own press. She has led poetry writing workshops since 1975 in the Boston area then in California where she lived for 40 years. She has been published in numerous small press publications. She enjoys giving public readings and has led numerous Open Mics for poets on the West Coast.
Marie LeClaire is an accomplished novelist specializing in Magical Realism. With six published novels and four anthologies to her credit, she captivates readers with her imaginative storytelling. Marie's work explores the intersection of the ordinary and the extraordinary, drawing inspiration from her surroundings and experiences. Known for her collaborative spirit, she actively works with local authors on innovative projects, including a new anthology. Since her debut, Marie has garnered a loyal following, making her a prominent figure in the literary community.
Shawn McClintock was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and resides in Massachusetts. He owns and operates a doggy daycare and teaches hip hop dance, work that reflects his longstanding affection for animals and the arts. He's been lifelong lover of horror and all things spooky, and he hopes to bring that enduring interest to the page with his first novel, It Feeds. He looks forward to seeing what comes next and to dive into the world of writing.
V.R. Delmar is the pen name of a Canadian MD, author of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. In her spare time, she travels to promote her books and spends time with her son and her cats. Sentinel 10 is an adult paranormal urban fantasy series filled with psychic powers, romance and adventure, but beneath its supernatural world lies an exploration of love and evil. What makes us fall in love? What are the many faces of evil? My understanding of these questions has been shaped not only by a lifetime of reading and introspection. The paranormal is an entertaining allegory, a lens through which to explore the many challenges a young woman faces as she builds a career, navigates relationships, and gradually discovers who she is, and what it means to remain human in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
Catherine Zebrowski grew up in Worcester County and has been writing poetry and fiction for many years. She has published two novels. Through a Bakery Window, an 1899 mystery novel based on a true story that occurred in Spencer MA, and Sleepwalking Backwards, a mother-daughter mystery novel. Her most recent publication is a memoir called Me, Fran and the shadow man. She also writes songs with a duet partner and they play guitar and sing at area open mics under the name Ray and Kit. She is currently working on another novel and a book of poetry for children.
Throughout the day, these and the other authors will take to the outdoor stage to talk about their work or do a reading. Roundtables will also take place in the Library auditorium covering the subjects of Intro to Publishing: How to Get Started; Scams to Avoid; and Working with Third Party Contractors: Artists, Editors, etc. There will also be two workshops covering the topics of E-pubs Unzipped, and From Book to Audiobook.
To top the day off, there will be a performance of a live "Mystery Making" Improv show featuring regional authors Nicole Asselin, Judith Carlough, and Mike Ciaraldi from the Sisters in Crime network, who will be brainstorming on their feet to build a brand-new crime story using live audience suggestions. This fast-paced, interactive workshop-style performance highlights how mystery writers build plots and convention.
In addition, the kids will have a variety of fun activities to keep them occupied while parents find a new book to love. Also on hand will be the Lickity Splitz Food Truck serving grilled foods & ice cream, and Pepe's Eatery, serving wood fired pizza.
For more information visit the Library website at bealslibrary.org/bookfair, or call the Library at 978-297-0300. The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant Street in Winchendon.
The Beals Indie Author Book Fair is a collaboration with By Light Unseen Media, and is funded in part by the Winchendon Cultural Council, and the Friends of the Beals Memorial Library.
The Beals Indie Author Book Fair Features Roundtable Discussions & Workshops
Inanna Arthen
Tim AndersonThe Beals Memorial Library in Winchendon is hosting its first Indie Author Book Fair on Saturday, September 19, 2026 from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM and invites lovers of literature of all ages to attend the event. The Fair highlights the work of 24 writers, who throughout the day, will take to the outdoor stage to talk about their work or do a reading.
Also featured are three informal roundtable discussions where participants can share their experiences, and talk about what has worked for them. The discussions will cover the subjects of Intro to Publishing: How to Get Started; Scams to Avoid; and Working with Third Party Contractors: Artists, Editors, etc.
There will also be two facilitated workshops covering the topics of E-pubs Unzipped, and From Book to Audiobook.
The Book Fair is free to attend and anyone who is interested can participate in the sessions.
Roundtable Discussion 1: Intro to publishing: How to get started
So you're finishing your book and you're ready to get it out to your readers. What are your options, and what steps should you take to reach your goal? Let's talk about what "self-publishing" involves, whether to submit to an agent, or a small press, what "hybrid publishing" is, how much time publishing takes (to do it right), and what you need to know before you make those big decisions. Share your experiences and your questions!
Roundtable Discussion 2: Scams to avoid
There be sharks in these waters... new authors--and experienced ones--can fall prey to all kinds of scams designed to part them from their money. Let's talk about the many perils on the path to getting your book published--from fake review and book club schemes, to fraudulent "promotional" packages, disappearing freelancers, shady literary agents and dishonest publishers--and what some of the "red flags" are to help you stay unscathed. Share your experiences and your questions!
Roundtable Discussion 3: Working with third party contractors: Artists, editors, etc.
If you're publishing your own book, you may want to hire skilled professionals to make sure your finished product is the best it can be, and that you can compete with the Big Five publishers. Let's talk about where to find freelance editors, proofreaders, illustrators and book designers, what you can expect to pay, what kind of red flags to watch out for, and how to work professionally with contractors and freelancers. Share your experiences and your questions!
Workshop 1: E-pubs Unzipped - Faciltated by Inanna Arthen
Whether you read ebooks, or you're an author who wants to make your book available in ebook form, you might wonder what makes an ebook work and what exactly an "epub" (also the foundation for Kindle books) is. In this workshop, we'll "unzip" an epub book and show you exactly what's inside, how to prepare your book to become an epub, why some ebooks have problems, and how those problems can be fixed. Do you have a book that you think can't be made into an ebook--too many illustrations, for example, or special formatting? Come see how these challenges can be solved! Bring any questions you have about epub and Kindle books.
Workshop 2: From Book to Audiobook -- Facilitated by Tim Anderson
Interested in what goes into creating your own audiobook? Join independent author Tim Anderson, (pen name Tanner Howsden) for a look at all aspects of audiobook production, including such things as recording equipment, distribution platforms, cover art, working with narrators, advertising, and more!
Inanna Arthen (Vyrdolak) is a writer, freelance book designer, lifelong scholar of vampire folklore and fiction, and author of The Vampires of New England Series. Their short story "The Fishman and His Wife" appears in the anthology Twice Upon an Apocalypse. Inanna runs the independent press By Light Unseen Media LLC (bylightunseenmedia.com) and is a member of New England Horror Writers, Independent Publishers of New England and Independent Book Publishers Association. Find out more at inannaarthen.com.
Tim Anderson is a self-published author who has written several novellas and short stories under the name Tanner Howsden. He has also had on-camera roles in the web series "The Guild" and the music video for "Eclan (Arrival)".
Participating Book Fair authors include Donald Ballou Smyth, Catherine Zebrowski, Barbara Friedman, Deborah Fukuda, Jorge Sanchez, Kris Bowser, Mary Anne Kalonas Slack, Michelle Elliott, Robin Roberts, Ann Goltz, Jack McClintock, Jacqueline Gamache, Michael Glenzel, Melanie Meadors, Ruth Madison,Douglas Dumont, Kimberly Hallinan, Sally Cragin, Jean Varda, John Daly, Via Luino, Marie LeClaire, Shawn McClintock, and Victoria R. Delmar.
The Fair also includes Raymond Rugg, the independent publisher of genre fiction and poetry, Tree-Lion Press; and Jacqueline Gamache, the publisher of the Literary Magazine, Lore & Rime, which focuses on short fiction & poetry for adults. Tracy Cutter of Language Lover Editing Services will also be there offering her services, which include copy editing, line editing, and proofreading.
To top the day off, there will be a live performance of the "Mystery Making" Improv Game featuring regional authors Nicole Asselin, Judith Carlough, and Martha "Max" Folsom from Sisters in Crime New England, who will be brainstorming on their feet to build a brand-new crime story using live audience suggestions. This fast-paced, interactive workshop-style performance highlights how mystery writers build plots and convention.
In addition, the kids will have a variety of fun activities to keep them occupied while parents find a new book to love. Also on hand will be the Lickity Splitz Food Truck serving grilled foods & ice cream, and Pepe's Eatery, serving wood fired pizza.
For more information visit the Library website at bealslibrary.org/bookfair, or call the Library at 978-297-0300. The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant Street in Winchendon.
The Beals Indie Author Book Fair is a collaboration with By Light Unseen Media, and is funded in part by the Winchendon Cultural Council, and the Friends of the Beals Memorial Library.
BOS Vote Not to Go Forward with Fitness Court Funding
At their meeting on Monday, September 14, the Board of Selectmen opened a discussion on the proposal to construct a National Fitness Campaign Fitness Court in Winchendon, for a total cost of $179,050. Thanks to the hard work of Parks & Recreation Coordinator Shaina Cunningham, the town had been approved for a grant of $50,000 towards the project. To receive that amount, the town needed to commit to raising the rest of the project cost, $129,050, and issue a purchase order for that amount, by the deadline of September 17. Board Chair Andrew Beauvais said, "If we don't act on this tonight, we do risk losing that funding, and the opportunity it presents. We would have to reapply next year, I understand, and the grant process is changing. So the funding that they have approved for the $50,000, my understanding is it could be less."
(For previous Courier coverage of this, see "BOS Approve Resolution to Accept Matching Grant Money for a Fitness Court in Winchendon" in the August 13-August 20, 2026 edition of the Winchendon Courier (scroll down to article. Also appeared in the September, 2026 print edition, page 16).)
Town Manager Bill McKinney said, "So the issue is that when they were making the presentation, they had said we'd be able to use opioid funds for this project. I checked with the state, and they said no, you can't. So even though we would have had enough opioid funds that we'd be able to cover this while we actually go out and do the fundraising, since that is no longer available, that's why we need authorization from the Board to issue a purchase order to be able to front the money while we go out and do the searching for sponsors, searching for grants, because if we don't get it, then the town runs the risk that the town would end up paying whatever funding is not able to be raised independently through any grants."
He went on, "It would have to be approved tonight to be able to issue the purchase order, and then that gives us the rest of the fiscal year to go out and and raise that $129,000 to in essence pay the town back, and any shortfall would have to be made up with funds that we have in our budget, probably from one of the DPW line items."
Unfortunately, Ms. Cunningham was no longer at the meeting to clarify questions about partial funding that had been approved or could be sought. Mr. Beauvais said that $2,000 was approved from the Health Equity Partnership of North Central Mass, and $10,000 from the Community Foundation of North Central Mass. There were plans to request some funds from the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, and plans to request sponsorships from local stakeholders, businesses and so on. But to do that, the purchase order for the $129,050 needed to be approved.
When the proposal was presented on August 10, and the Board approved a non-binding resolution to go forward with the project, three possible sites for the Fitness Court were on the table. In order of preference, these were Grout Park by the bike path, G.A.R. Park by the Old Murdock Senior Center, and Winchendon Community Park. Board member Melissa Blanchard asked if a decision had been made among the three options. Mr. McKinney said no, and that initially the town would be purchasing the Fitness Court components and storing them over the winter, for set-up in 2027. At that time, a final decision would be made about where to put it. (The Court involves a concrete slab base the size of a school classroom, 35 x 35 feet, so wherever it goes, it's staying.)
Ms. Blanchard said, "Well, it's just we can't keep the e-chargers [in Grout Park] safe without being vandaled. We can't keep the gazebo [in G.A.R. Park] safe without being vandaled, and we're going to be spending money to put the fitness stuff in, and we can't keep the parks that we have now with no surveillance within them. We had to take the railings off the gazebo because of the kids walking on them. All the e-chargers were destroyed at the park. So I'm just thinking if that funding doesn't go through, and then the town has to pocket that money, and then we're leaving it up to where we're putting it. Is it going to be something that, unfortunately, will get vandaled."
Board member Tiffany Newton said, "I have concerns because when this was presented, it was saying that all the money would be fundraised, and I get the point that that's still the goal, is to go out and fundraise. But I am not comfortable fronting this kind of money for a project that, while I think it would be great for our community, is not necessary, especially given the fact that we had an override two years ago. We used hundreds of thousands of dollars of Free Cash to balance the budget this year, and while I haven't seen [Mr. McKinney's] five-year projections, based on discussions over the last few years, I know that we're going into a deficit again this year. If we have even this small amount of $129,000 extra in our budget this year, why weren't we making cuts? And if it's needed in our budget, what are we losing out on in these departments to front it for this project? I'm not in favor of this."
Board member Audrey LaBrie confirmed that if the town can't come up with the dollar amount, it is not obligated to accept the grant. Mr. McKinney said that if the purchase order is approved tonight, the town would have to come up with the $129,050, out of the budget if enough couldn't be raised from sponsors and other grants. "It's an aggressive ask, and that's why I didn't feel comfortable signing off on that," he said. "If I could have used the opioid funds, there wouldn't have been a problem, and that's why I wanted to double-check with the state, and I'm glad that I did, because they mentioned that you can use it, and some cities had in other states, but not in Massachusetts."
(The "opioid funds" are the town's portion of a nation-wide settlement with pharmaceutical companies over their marketing of prescription medications. Winchendon has been using its funds to pay for services from GAAMHA in Gardner. For background about these funds, see "Rep. Zlotnik Presents Proposal for Local Opioid Settlement Collaboration to BOS" in the August 25-September 1, 2022 edition of the Winchendon Courier (scroll down to article).)
Ms. LaBrie brought up questions about the locations proposed, which were all pre-approved by the National Fitness Campaign and Blue Cross/Blue Shield, according to Mr. Beauvais. Ms. LaBrie pointed out that for the most preferred location, Grout Park, the presentation slide indicates "an adjacent playgound and basketball courts" so that parents could be working out while their children played within view and earshot. But the closest playground and basketball courts are at the Clark YMCA. Also, Ms. LaBrie said, she couldn't visualize where in Grout Park a classroom-sized slab would fit.
Mr. McKinney said that the Court would go where the giant bike sculpture is now, and the picnic tables, which would be moved. The Court would overlook the pond. Mr. Beauvais said that Department of Public Works Director Patrick Wood had checked the area and verified that the Fitness Court could go there.
"Personally, I feel that any such thing on the G.A.R. Park would be a bit of desecration," Ms. LaBrie said. "It's a very meaningful park. I would not want to see something like this added to that park personally." The Winchendon Community Park, while active, doesn't seem to meet the stated criteria of a "visible and connected" location for the Court.
There was some discussion about grant funding that might be available, including Mass Trails, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Service Incentive Grants (SIG), which can be as much as $25,000.
Ms. Blanchard said, "I just feel like that's not how it was presented when it came before us. That it wasn't going to cost us anything. That it was all going to be through getting the additional funding through sponsorships and grants, otherwise. And I don't recall there being a mention of us having to front money for this project when it was presented last time."
Mr. Beauvais asked for a motion on approving the purchase order for $129,050. After quite a long pause, Ms. Newton moved that the Board not move forward with the purchase order for the project. Ms. LaBrie, Ms. Newton and Ms. Blanchard voted yes on the motion, while Mr. Beauvais voted no.
