The Winchendon Courier

Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication

Week of June 25 to July 2, 2020

What makes Winchendon what it is...How we're making Winchendon even better

Board of Selectmen Votes to Remove Conservation Commission Member

by Inanna Arthen
At their meeting on Monday, June 22, Winchendon Board of Selectmen voted to remove Conservation Commission member April Mills from the board based on an allegation that Ms. Mills had removed trees from her lakefront property without the approval of the Commission.

Ms. Mills appeared before the Board to read a statement explaining why the trees were removed. She stated that she observed branches falling in storms, woodpecker damage and metal cables that had become embedded in the trees' bark. She also observed carpenter ants infesting the trees.

Ms. Mills said that she had consulted with two arborists who had advised her that the trees were dying, at risk of falling, and presented several potential hazards, including injury to persons, damage to private property and bringing down power lines along the road.

Ms. Mills said that she submitted an application to the Conservation Commission as required, as the trees were on the shoreline of Lake Monomonac. A site visit was done and it was agreed that removing diseased and damaged trees was allowed. Because the Conservation Commission is short of members (there is currently a vacancy on the Commission), the Commission did not have a quorum for its May meeting, so no vote was taken on the application to remove the trees.

Ms. Mills pointed out that the rules allow for immediate action, with an after-action report, in cases of "imminent danger" from a situation, and she believed this rule applied to her case. "I didn't think I was doing anything wrong, I thought I was doing everything by the book, just like any resident has to," she told the Board.

While the work was being done, Ms. Mills reported that the road was temporarily blocked, and the officer on duty at the job received angry complaints from people who couldn't pass by on the road. The arborist recommended that two additional trees be removed "within one to two years." One threatened the power lines on the road. Ms. Mills felt it would be less inconvenient for her neighbors to have all the trees removed at once.

Ms. Mills stated that she sent photos of the felled trees to Winchendon Conservation Agent Alison Manugian, showing "no bark, holes in the center...there was literally nothing in the middle of these trees, and with the embedded cables." She was told "I would have to pay a fine for taking them down before the vote, just like everybody else."

Ms. Mills said, "Because I am on the Commission, the harassment continues." She said that a week later, when the arborist was removing the felled trees from the property, someone called the police to claim that she was taking down more trees and blocking the road.

"I joined the Commission thinking it was about protecting the wetlands, including the lake, making sure someone didn't build a deck of concrete or pressure-treated lumber or [fill] wetlands to make their property bigger. I'd like to continue serving on the Commission, and I promise not to get any more work done unless there's a full vote," Ms. Mills said.

Selectman Rick Ward stated that he had visited the site and taken pictures of the remaining stumps, which did not show any holes or insect damage as described by Ms. Mills.

"The issue here, I think, is the credibility of the Conservation Commission. The one job that they have, or the primary job, is to enforce Article 29 of our Bylaws, which deals with wetlands," Mr. Ward said. "Taking these trees down without getting approval violates everything that the Board stands for. So it's a matter of public trust."

Mr. Ward also alluded to "a view issue," suggesting that the trees were removed to allow Ms. Mills a better view of the lake from her home. Ms. Mills responded that she had heard the "rumor" that she removed the trees to gain a view. She stated that her view of the lake has not changed much, "and frankly, I liked the trees better." She described the damage to the felled trees in more detail.

Selectman Mike Barbaro thanked April for her statement. "But the integrity of the board, the Conservation Commission, is at stake," he said. Other members of the Board pointed out that a similar situation with past members of the Conservation Commission created a dilemma around "how lenient we should be" and how the public views the Commission.

The Board voted 4 to 1 to remove April Mills from the Conservation Commission.

Concerned citizens who would like to review Article 29 of the Winchendon Town Bylaws can find the Bylaws here (PDF). Article 29 begins on page 59.

Consulting Firm Addresses Growing Deficits in Water and Sewer Budgets

by Inanna Arthen
Kevin Olson and Neil Cheseldine from Wright-Pierce Environmental Services gave a presentation to the Board of Selectmen at their meeting on June 22, summarizing their analysis of the Water and Sewer four-year projected budgets and offering recommendations.

The study found that both Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds face a significant operating deficit over the next four years if rates and usage continue at their current levels. These funds are supported entirely through user rate fees and not from the town's general tax base, and both will close FY21 with a substantial deficit.

An analysis of surrounding Central Massachusetts communities shows Winchendon's current water and sewer rates to be below the average for the region. Many individual factors contribute to the rates in each community. Assuming that only an increase in rates will prevent the deficits, Wright-Pierce suggested three scenarios for increases, including a single increase which will balance the budget for 2021 (but possibly not beyond), a single increase that will yield a net four-year balanced budget, and an incremental increase over the next four years.

No decisions have been made about water and sewer rates at this time. Concerned citizens who wish to review the report and the Power Point presentation may view them on the town website, here.

Board of Selectmen Appoint New Members to Three Town Boards

by Inanna Arthen
At their meeting on June 22, the Winchendon Board of Selectmen approved appointments of new volunteer members to the Conservation Commission, Winchendon Cultural Council and Planning Board.

Nicole Elias requested to be appointed to the Winchendon Cultural Council. Ms. Elias has been teaching at Murdock High School for several years. She was not able to attend the meeting, but Jill Sackett, Chair of the WCC, was present to vouch for her. "The Cultural Council is really looking forward to bringing forward someone not only from the public school system, and bring that perspective to the Cultural Council, but also someone with the training that she has in the fine arts," Ms. Sackett said. "We have struggled to have enough people to meet, and to have a quorum...we've really been working hard to increase our ranks." The Cultural Council may have up to 19 members and has 10 open seats.

Les Goodrich, who has been serving as an Alternate member of the Planning Board, requested to be added as a Regular Member when a vacancy opens on July 1.

Melissa Blanchard requested to be appointed to the Conservation Commission. Ms. Blanchard was in attendance to explain why she was interested in taking a seat on the board. "I've been a resident in town for nineteen years," she said. "I'm a plumber by trade, so I'm very familiar with Massachusetts General Law and code, and I have a large interest in conservation. I had previously lived on a lake for twenty-nine years prior to moving to town, I'm very good with ecology and the environment." She added, "I like the fact that our town is a Right to Farm town and I'd like to see our community stay as our community is."

The Board of Selectmen approved all three appointments unanimously.

Beals Memorial Library Launches Summer Reading Club

The Beals Memorial Library invites you to sign up for the Summer Reading Club for Kids, Teens and Adults from June 29 – August 28.

We kick things off on Monday, June 29th at 1:00 p.m. with a Quest to help Hardcover rescue the Dragon Queen’s stolen eggs before the evil wizard Old PaperBack takes over the Kingdom of Winchendonia.

Go to www.bealslibrary.org on Monday to get the first clue to join me in my quest to restore the eggs to the Dragon Queen.

Register Now at www.bealslibrary.org for the Imagine Your Story Summer Reading Club as we embark on a journey filled with fantasy, adventure, and fun.

The Summer Reading Club is sponsored by the Friends of the Beals Memorial Library, Winchendon Cultural Council, Beals Comic Con, Lickity Splitz and Subway in Winchendon, MA.

Restaurants May Resume Indoor Dining as Part 2 of Phase 2 Re-Opening Begins

by Inanna Arthen
With no setbacks in Massachusetts' success in slowing COVID-19, Governor Charles Baker announced last Friday, June 19 that the second part of Phase 2 of the re-opening plan could begin on Monday, June 22.

Restaurants may now open for indoor dining with precautions in place. Self-serve stations are closed, no condiments will be left on tables, and menus must be electronic, displayed publicly or disposable. No more than six people may be in one party, and no bar seating is allowed. Close-contact services such as nail salons, massage therapy, makeup salons, personal training, tattoo and piercing parlors, hair removal services, and tanning salons may open, with rules about sanitizing equipment and surfaces between clients.

Some, but not all, of Winchendon's restaurants have resumed indoor dining, and some additional businesses have reopened this week; see below for updates.

Winchendon reported no new cases of COVID-19 in the past week. The official count for Winchendon as of Wednesday, June 24, is 88, the same as the week before. In the past three weeks, one new case has been reported. (See updated town-by-town reports from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, including an interactive map, here.)

The rate of increase in number of cases in Massachusetts continues its downward trend. The MA Department of Public Health announced that as of Thursday, June 25, there have been 102,762 confirmed cases in Massachusetts (909 more than the previous week), with 7,752 fatalities (161 in the previous week). Massachusetts now has the lowest rate of transmission of any state in the U.S. Although free coronavirus testing was offered on June 17 and 18 to anyone who had "attended a large gathering," the many Black Lives Matter rallies and protests in the state have not been followed by any increase in positive COVID-19 tests.

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 Montachusett Public Health Network COVID-19 Hotline number, answering questions about the COVID-19 situation, is 1-844-968-3323.

Re-opening plans for the state economy are dependent on the rate of new reported cases continuing to decrease. A surge of new cases resulting from increased social interaction may require tighter restrictions to be reinstated. For the time being, Phase 2 guidelines remain in force. As of now, the earliest that Phase 3 may begin is July 6. The state will be monitoring closely for any uptick in cases related to indoor dining.

During Phase 2, all residents are strongly urged to wear face masks in public settings, especially indoors, and maintain a distance of at least six feet from other people. Those at high risk should continue taking precautions to avoid infection by the virus.

Retail stores may open with a maximum number of eight customers, or 40 percent of the building's occupancy limit, allowed inside at one time. Shoppers should wear face masks and maintain a six-foot distance from one another and from store employees. Fitting rooms are open by appointment. No sampling of personal products such as cosmetics will be allowed.

Restaurants will be open for indoor and outdoor dining, with tables six feet apart or separated by solid barriers. Parties will be capped at six persons, and menus must be disposable or electronic. Tables and chairs must be sanitized after each party leaves, and tables will have no place settings; tableware must be rolled or packaged. Employees must wear face masks, and diners should wear masks except when they are seated at the table.

Hotels, inns, and other lodgings may open to general guests. Function rooms will remain closed, and all movable items (pens, directories, and so on) must be removed from rooms.

Day camps may open with safety guidelines, including temperature checks for children and staff, face masks, and a size limit of 10 campers on groups. Overnight camps may not open until Phase 4.

Libraries may open to patrons, with restrictions to be announced. Other businesses that can open at the beginning of Phase 2 include personal services that don't require close personal contact, funeral homes, warehouses, distribution centers, golf facilities, outdoor recreational facilities including pools, playgrounds and spray decks, and outdoor historical sites and spaces.

For complete details, including full details for Phase 2, see the overview on the Mass.gov website. Download the complete, 29-page report at Reopening Massachusetts (PDF).

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, June 25. 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. (Winchendon businesses or organizations who would like to be added to this list, or change their information, should email editor@winchendoncourier.net with details.)

Winchendon Public Schools
Lunches and breakfasts will continue to be distributed to families over the summer five days a week. Families of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch should have, or will be, getting P-EBT cards in the mail to receive SNAP food benefits over the summer. The school department is assembling a district reopening steering committe and focus groups to discuss plans and options for the re-opening of school in September. Those who are interested in participating should fill out a form here (Google Form).

Town Hall
During Phase 2, Town Hall remains closed to the public. Most staff will continue to work from 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 extended hours (see "Toy Town FYIs, below). Residents using the transfer station should complete their visit quickly and maintain a six-foot distance from each other and from attendants.

Winchendon Fall Fest, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 10, has been cancelled.

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, but preparing to open under Phase 2 restrictions. Staff are at work and continue to deliver lunches to seniors, as well as bags of groceries. On July 1 (rescheduled from June 24 due to weather forecast), the Center will serve tuna sandwiches and chips in the parking lot. See their Facebook page for details. 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
The library continues to maintain Phase 1 procedures until further notice. Building closed to the public, all programs, events and meetings suspended until further notice. As of Tuesday, May 26, at 1:00 p.m. the library will resume circulating materials via pickup in the library lobby or curbside. Patrons can reserve items over the phone, by email or online. Pickup will be by appointment. Patrons must be wearing masks to enter the side door lobby, one at a time. Only physical items owned by Beals Memorial Library are available until further notice (no interlibrary loans). 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, originally scheduled for May 16, has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 5, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It will be held at the library as a scaled-back event.

Clark Memorial YMCA
Continues to maintain Phase 1 restrictions. 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. See the Clark YMCA Facebook page for video exercise lessons and daily workout challenges.

According to the Clark's May Update (PDF), Camp Clark is still scheduled to run this summer.

The 2020 Summer Solstice Festival originally scheduled for June 20 has been cancelled.

Winchendon Community Action Committee (CAC)
Public is allowed inside the building by appointment, three appointments per 30 minutes. NO ADMITTANCE WITHOUT MASK AND HANDS SANITIZED IN AND OUT WITH PROVIDED SANITIZER. CAC Haven of Hope is open to provide services during business hours, including showers, laundry, pre-made meals and relaxation area. Summer clothes donations are being accepted, and are available to those in need. See their Facebook page for hours, updates and information, or call 978-297-1667.

Winchendon American Legion Post 193
Still working on plans for re-opening, with hopes of opening the outside pavilion on a part-time basis to start. See their Facebook page for updates.

The Dance Center
Studio is closed for classes. Online virtual dance classes and activities continue. The Studio hopes to re-open in mid-July. See their Facebook page for more information.

RESTAURANTS

Carriage House Restaurant
Open for indoor dining starting June 24. See their Facebook page for menus and specials. 978-297-1089.

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. Lobby was closed temporarily for extra cleaning and sanitizing.

Friends Garden
OPEN for take-out only as of May 1. 978-297-2277, 978-297-2278.

Gabby's Pizza
Back open for take-out only. Check their Facebook page for updates. 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! Note: customers MUST wear a mask to come inside to pick up orders. 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
Will begin outdoor seating for meals on Friday, June 12. Outdoor meals will be served Wed-Sat, 4:00-8:00 p.m. Check their Facebook page for hours, menus and updates. Customers are encouraged to order online at toasttab.com/harbour-restaurant. 978-297-2133

Hometown Cafe
Limited indoor dining as of June 22. Outdoor seating for meals as of June 8. Menu, including daily specials, posted on their Facebook page. Customers are asked to wear masks when picking up orders, and to call in orders ahead if possible. 978-297-2233.

Lickity Splitz
Limited indoor seating, two tables available. See their Facebook page for menus, hours and information. Now open seven days a week.978-297-1777.

Little Anthony's & Little Lizzie's
Outdoor dining in pavilion area as of June 10, full menu and beverages. No indoor seating yet. Open for take-out, 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. Local ice cream now available. 978-297-2669, 978-297-1880.

Murdock Farm and Dairy Bar
Open for the season. Daily 1:00-9:00 p.m. Check their Facebook page for specials and updates.

Ruschioni's Cruisin' 12 Diner
Limited indoor dining as of June 22. Customers are asked to respect protocols for sanitizing tables and keeping distance. Open for take-out. Will have some outside tables available. 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. Closing at noon on Father's Day, June 21. 978-616-8956.

Subway
Open for take-out only, see Facebook page for hours, weekly specials and ordering information. 978-297-0011.

Zoe's Restaurant and Pizzeria
Dining with outdoor seating as of June 11. Open for take-out and delivery. 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

Beaman's Bait Shop
OPEN.

Belletetes Winchendon
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.

Deedee's Treasures
Postponing their spring re-opening. Can arrange purchase and pickup of fabric by appointment only. Call 978-413-0415. See their Facebook page for further updates, including new stock and announcements.

Family Dollar
OPEN.

Horse & Buggy Feeds
OPEN. Garden plants are in. See their Facebook page for news and specials. Only eight customers inside at a time, customers are asked to maintain social distancing.

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. Organic produce from Charlie's Redhouse Farm. Only ten customers can be inside the store at one time. 978-413-8518. Call and order ahead for curbside pickup.

Pattie's Jewelry
Store open to the public, with limits on number of people inside at one time. See their Facebook page for daily specials and information. Hand delivery of local purchases, layaway available. 978-297-3536.

The Perennial Patch
Open for the season. 978-297-0604.

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.

Reflections Country Collections
Closed until further notice, but according to their Facebook page, they'll be back. Watch their page for updates. 978-297-2411.

Rite-Aid/Walgreen's
OPEN.

Robin's Retro Dolls
Store closed to customers but Robin is buying and selling dolls by appointment, mail order, and on eBay. Contact her at 978-912-1688 with inquiries. If you have a doll to sell, text a photo to 978-912-1688 and she'll get back to you. Planning to re-open on July 6.

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.)

Sunset View Farm
Open for the season. Asparagus, maple syrup, jams, garden plants. 978-297-2305. See their Facebook page for hours and updates.

To Each His Own Design
Store is open to customers. Taking orders by phone or over the internet, delivering. See their Facebook page for news and specials. 978-297-3959.

Toy Town Treasures
Open with Phase 2 precautions as of June 9. No more than eight customers inside at one time, face masks required. See their Facebook page for updates and specials.

Winchendon Furniture
Winchendon and Keene showrooms now open. Customers asked to wear face masks. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the store. See their Facebook page for hours, updates and specials. 978-297-0131.

Wolf Talk Trading Post
Holding a "store closing" sale.

OTHER BUSINESSES

Athol Savings Bank
Building closed to walk-in customers. Open for drive-through, ATM, online banking and by appointment for in-person services. See their Facebook page for updates, including current hours. 978-249-3200.

Brooks Automotive
Open for essential repairs and towing services. Call or check their Facebook page for updates and hours. 978-297-2561.

Clifford P. Beauvais Insurance Agency
Open Mon-Thur 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Fri 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. For emergencies outside these hours, email Matt@Beauvaisins.com. If possible, call or email before coming to the office. Must wear a face mask to come inside. 978-297-0472.

LaPoint Law Office
Office is closed to the public, but attorneys are responding to queries and serving existing clients. Contact them at 978-297-2390, 978-297-3673, or by fax at 978-616-8491, or by email at: lapointelawoffice@gmail.com, dlapointe@attorneylapointe.com, or davidlapointejd@gmail.com. See their Facebook page for more information.

Tip Top Nails
Open as of June 22. 978-297-0400.

Toy Town Barber Shop
Open with precautions as of Tuesday, May 26. Customers are asked to wear masks and stay six feet apart while waiting. Advance appointments preferred. Call Sharon Esper at 603-554-2402 (cell) or 978-297-7354 (shop) to make an appointment.

CHURCHES

The Chapel, The Chapel Downtown
Holding worship services in the chapel. Attendance limited, all attendees must follow guidelines. Services will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. See their Facebook page or website for more information.

Cornerstone Church
Beginning in-person Sunday worship services for seniors only this Sunday, June 28. Plan to begin full in-person worship services in two weeks. Holding virtual prayer meetings online. See their Facebook page for more information.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church
Open for mass at 6:30 p.m. Services will return to normal schedule with guidelines in place. Attendance will be limited and all attendees must wear masks. See the church Facebook page for more information. Contact the office at renee@heartofmary.com, Fr. Henry at pastor@heartofmary.com, or call 978-297-0280.

Our Neighbor's Kitchen community suppers will resume as take-out meals on Thursday, June 18.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon
Our Neighbor's Kitchen suppers will be distributed as "take-out" from the church circular driveway in May. AA meetings on Monday nights are suspended until further notice. Contact the church via Facebook message with any questions.

United Parish of Winchendon
In-person worship services resuming Sunday, June 28. Pre-registration required; check their Facebook page for registration form and further updates. Sunday worship being streamed online, see their Facebook page for information, as well as for daily videos, Bible readings and prayers.

Winchendon CVS One of 21 COVID-19 Test Locations in Massachusetts

by Inanna Arthen
Beginning Friday, May 22, the Winchendon CVS will be offering COVID-19 tests to residents who meet CDC criteria for testing and age requirements. The tests will use a self-swab system, and residents must register for an appointment in advance and drive to the drive-through window to be tested. No tests will be administered on a walk-in basis for safety reasons. The CVS store is located at 301 Central Street.

Patients should make an appointment at MinuteClinic.com, and bring the appointment confirmation, proof of identity and date of birth, and an insurance card with them. Most patients will not have any out-of-pocket costs, as health insurance will cover the test, but patients can check with their insurer to confirm that the test is covered.

This test is for active COVID-19 infections. It is not an antibody test to discern a past infection.

Full details are on the CVS website.

CVS plans to open 1,000 test sites across the country.

If You Call for Emergency Services...

...the Winchendon Fire Department asks that you let the dispatcher know if you have flu-like symptoms, are quarantined or are under self-quarantine. This will allow the first responders to take all necessary precautions to avoiding spreading COVID-19 and to protect themselves and you.

Do You Have a Garden in Winchendon?

You can help the Winchendon HEAL Project bring affordable, whole food back to town by telling us about your garden! Fill out this online survey:

https://forms.gle/ToDJfajMfk89L99H6

What is the HEAL Winchendon Food Project?
growingplaces.org/programoverview/heal-winchendon

Make DIY Cloth Face Masks

by Inanna Arthen
Many people are sewing cloth face masks for themselves and for health care workers. There is even a Facebook group supporting this effort, Mask Makers.

There are a number of patterns available on the Internet. The Courier is sharing the PDF pattern below, which includes templates and clear, photograph-illustrated sewing directions, for the convenience of our readers. The pattern is being distributed by Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, NH and may be copied and shared freely.

The CDC has issued a nationwide advisory asking people to wear face masks at all times when out in public. COVID-19 is spread primarily through the air, and infected persons are the most contagious before they have any symptoms. It's estimated that as many as 50 percent of infected persons may never show symptoms or get sick, but still are able to infect others. Wearing face masks will significantly reduce the chances of infected people spreading the virus.

Face Mask Pattern and Directions (PDF)

Stone Ladeau Funeral Home

Town Seeks Volunteers for Town Committees and Boards

by Inanna Arthen
If you'd like to be an active participant in decision-making and management for your community, consider joining a town committee or board. There are a number of vacancies currently open.

Communications Commission - 3 vacancies
Conservation Commission - 1 vacancy
Cultural Council - 11 vacancies (can have up to 19 members)
Fence Viewer and Field Driver - 1 vacancy
Open Space Preservation Appraisal and Survey Revolving Fund Advisory Committee - 1 vacancy
Recreation Commission - 1 regular vacancy, 2 student vacancies
Winchendon Community Park Committee (formerly the Ingleside Utilization Committee) - 5 vacancies (can have up to 15 members)
Zoning Board of Appeals - 2 alternates vacancies

If you'd like more information about any of these positions or are interested in being considered for an appointment, contact the Town Manager's office at 978-297-0085, or send a letter to Town Manager, 109 Front Street Dept. 1, Winchendon MA 01475.

A complete description of each committee's responsibilities may be found here (PDF).

Toy Town FYIs

The 2019 Annual Town Report may be downloaded as a PDF from the town website. Printed copies are available at Town Hall, and will be distributed at Annual Town Meeting as usual, when Town Meeting takes place (still to be determined).

Transfer Station Open Extended Hours

From June 1st to October 1st, the transfer station will be open as follows:

Thursday - 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Water Conservation Restrictions in Place

Beginning on May 1st and ending October 1st, the Town will be under a mandatory even / odd water conservation schedule.

Outdoor watering by water users with odd numbered addresses is restricted to odd numbered days. Outdoor watering by water users with even numbered addresses is restricted to even numbered days. Watering is only permitted from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Please direct any questions to the DPW at 978-297-0170.

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.

Annual Town Meeting, originally scheduled for Monday, May 18, has been postponed to a future date still to be determined by the Board of Selectmen.

Winchendon Asks for Community Input for Preparedness and Hazard Mitigation Plans

The Town of Winchendon invites residents to view a short video about the potential impact of climate change on Winchendon, and then reply to a community survey. Your responses will assist the town in making long-term plans for future challenges posed by the effects of climate change and possible weather-related crises.

Winchendon Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness and Hazard Mitigation Survey.

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