Winchendon Police Investigating Graffiti and Vandalism, Stepping Up Patrols
In what has become a continuous and increasing nuisance, involving vandalism at multiple locations mostly around the northern side of Winchendon, one or more vandals continue to spray graffiti defacing town and private property. Police are asking for any information which may be relevant to the random acts as they continue their active investigation.
When tracked on a Google Satellite street map view, it can be seen that all the incidents of vandalism are within easy walking distance of each other.
A simple internet search for the word MISFIT, which has been seen painted at the sites, brings up references to everything from music, bands, and companies, to various consumer products and clothing lines, along with a band especially popular among skateboarders.
Winchendon Police Chief David Walsh was contacted regarding the current taxpayer-funded staffing levels available on patrol during all three shifts, and what, if anything, could be done in the form of additional foot patrols without negatively impacting officers' ability to respond to calls. The demand on officers is dependant on the severity of the calls, their location around town, and staffing requirements per shift.
Walsh explained that while the department is not looking for additional employees at this time, often officer resources are or can be stretched thin.
"We have fifteen current full time officers at the Winchendon Police Department, which include both the Lieutenant and myself as Department Chief. However, it should be noted that there are many times where officers are either away at training such as our K-9 Officer with Clyde, or our Detective could be involved in a multitude of responsibilities including but not just limited to investigations. Oftentimes also on the day shift, Lt. Wolski visits the courts for all required legal reasons. So while we have fifteen full time members, it doesn't mean we have fifteen officers available for patrolling the streets," Chief Walsh explained.
Walsh went on, "In addition to this, you have officers who like any other employees have days off, vacation and sick days they have earned and use, and other factors. Because of this, and employee scheduled rotation, we average on patrol two officers on the day shift, three officers on the evening shift, and two on the overnight shift. We can have eight officers available dedicated strictly to patrol, not including the Detective and the SRO, 'School Resource Officer.' However, when school is out during the summer recess it does free up the SRO to be available if needed for patrols in town." It was also noted that there are three Sergeants on duty, one for each shift, who due to necessary work requirements may have to be at the station and not out on patrol unless a situation calls for their professional assistance or guidance.
Recently, due to the increase in vandalism of both private and public property, Winchendon PD has begun random foot patrols along the bike path during evening and overnight shifts, when they are able to do so. Calls for aid are always prioritized. As of Tuesday, July 21, police had completed nearly twenty recent foot patrols along the bike path, and will continue making patrols. By way of full transparency, Walsh showed the Courier documentation of patrols completed.
The Town of Athol is the largest town in North Worcester County with a population of roughly 11,500 residents. Winchendon is the second largest behind Athol, with 10,300 residents as of the 2010 Census. Due to the COVID-19 backlog, 2020 federal Census numbers are not yet available. With current projections and significant new construction, the population difference between the two communities is estimated to be less than one thousand persons. Athol Town Manager Shaun Suhoski and Athol Police Chief Craig Lundgren confirm that, including the Chief of Police, Athol has nineteen full time officers at this time, versus fifteen in Winchendon.
In closing, Walsh wanted the public to know, "We are going to be doing more foot patrols in the area, working with the DPW in the location of signage to make vandalism less appealing, and we are asking the DPW to paint over any vandalism more quickly to discourage additional spray painting, as it will quickly be just covered up again. We are working on this issue, and appreciate the public understanding these kinds of things can take time."
In addition to graffiti, other forms of vandalism in the same areas of town include occasional broken windows and property damage. A large plate glass storefront window at Robin's Retro Dolls on Central Street was broken just a couple of weeks ago.
If you have any tips or information regarding the vandalism and feel it could be useful in helping to solve the case, please call the Winchendon Police Department general dispatch number at 978-297-1212, and ask to be connected to Detective Alan Ross.
A dog waste can along the first 3/4 mile section of the bike path near Glenallen Street was also vandalized.
Photo by Keith Kent
This utility meter just over the Glenallen Street Bridge was recently discovered and reported, adding to a long list of vandalism.
Photo by Keith Kent
Library Director Informs Selectmen That Beals Renovation Costs Have Risen by $160K
Beals Memorial Library Director Manuel King presented the library's annual report and update to the Board of Selectmen at their meeting on Monday, July 19, ranging from the current value of the library's assets to future renovation costs which have significantly increased.
King spoke with Abacus Architects, who revised the previous design estimates created in 2019 upward to more current realistic numbers, due to fluctuating market price increases in both materials and construction costs.
"The new number is $760,000 which is $160,000 over the previous amount that was approved at town meeting on May 17 if the works starts in 2022. So I don't exactly know how we are going to come up with that extra $160,000 but we will work with you all and the town and see what happens," King explained.
The architect recommended that new lighting be installed in the building, but King informed the BOS that the library trustees felt the addition wasn't absolutely necessary. King said, "The additional lighting work cost would have been another $240,000 and that number was basically the reason why we felt we could live with the lighting we currently have."
On other topics, King informed the board that the library's Summer Reading Club has currently exceeded expectations, with 107 children signing up for the Summer Reading Club Challenge, along with 20 adults and teens.
King credited and thanked Summer Reading Club sponsors The Winchendon Cultural Council and the Friends of the Beals Library, along with thanking the prize sponsors Subway, Lickety Splitz, Brooks Automotive, Not Just Produced, To Each His Own Design, and Smith's Country Cheese.
Continuing with his report, King informed the BOS the library is currently expanding its "Beals Library Collection of Things" with items you wouldn't normally expect to see a library offer to patrons to borrow. King said the library currently has a telescope, and soon will add backpacks for hiking and Wi-Fi hot spots which patrons can check out as one would a book. He added that the library is looking for donated items in good working order such as a sewing machine, musical instruments, a DVD/Blu Ray player, a microscope and gardening tools.
King informed the board that in FY19, "The total value of circulating material was $434,412 with value in the books, audio books, and DVDs which circulate to other libraries and its own patrons. However last fiscal year that dropped to just $69,207." As with all libraries, the drop can be largely attributed to the COVID-19 mandated shutdown statewide.
Current total number of items in the library's collection, according to King, remains around 20,000 with an estimated value of $470,648. King went on to say, "When we talk about the fire suppression system and electrical work we need, this doesn't even consider the value of the paintings, computers, all that stuff and more. Protecting all that is vitally important."
King stated that the library has 4,233 active patrons with current library cards for 2021.
Upcoming events in August include movie nights on August 6, 13, and 20 featuring an outdoor movie, refreshments and live musical entertainment. The Beals Memorial Library 108th Birthday will be celebrated on Friday, October 2, with cake and an open house. The Beals Prize for Poetry will be awarded on Friday, October 8, celebrating poetry in Winchendon with ten finalist contestants from all over the state. King added that all library events are free to the public.
King also mentioned that he has met with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners regarding the Beals collection of old books. The MBLC has recommended the library start a "Community History Committee" under the auspices of the Trustees."I am hoping we can get a group of local people to be on that committee with me," King said.
BOS member Danielle LaPointe thanked and congratulated King, saying, "I think this is absolutely fabulous and I am so glad you are here and I hope people know about this treasure we have. Libraries really struggle to keep people coming in their doors and we really appreciate all the efforts you and your coworkers and colleagues are putting in to maintain this for us and it's just great."
Selectman Rick Ward added, "To the folks out there, I hear people saying there is nothing to do in Winchendon. The library has activities going on all the time. You just go to their website where there are lots of things to do for kids and adults also."
King closed with, "I couldn't do all this without my staff, and they are just wonderful."
You can visit the Beals Library on the Internet at www.bealslibrary.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BealsLibrary or call them with any questions at 978-297-0300.
(Photos by Keith Kent)
Water Runoff and Wetland Questions Bog Down Winchendon Community Park Amphitheater Project
The proposed amphitheater project in the Winchendon Community Park is suffering delays as three different town boards--Conservation Commission, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals--continue their public hearings on the project into August.
At the Planning Board meeting on July 20, board member Burton Gould raised strongly worded questions as to whether the project architects and engineers had considered the location of wetlands within the boundaries of the park, flatly stating his opinion that they had not. David Pollak of Abacus Architects and David LaPointe from Beals + Thomas Engineering explained that they had been given schematics of the wetlands by the town Conservation Agent.
These questions had been addressed at the Conservation Commission meetings in June and July.
Abacus Architects and Beals + Thomas came before the Conservation Commission on June 10 with a preliminary plan, stating that they were asking for feedback from the Commission. Their presentation included the wetlands diagram provided to them by the town, showing the boundary line of the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone, the 75-foot wetlands setback line and the 50-foot no-build/no-disturb wetlands boundary line. Also indicated during the presentation was the location of an intermittent stream. (This schematic may be seen in the video recording of the June 10 ConComm meeting, at about 57:00 minutes into the video.)
During the public comment portion of the June 10 ConComm meeting, an abutter also mentioned drainage culverts running underneath the soccer field at the top of the park, adjacent to Maple Street.
When Abacus returned for the continued hearing before the Conservation Commission on July 8, they had adjusted their plans in accordance with the concerns raised by the ConComm on June 10, moving the edge of the stage structure back out of the 100-foot zone and re-designing the storm water mitigation system for the parking lot. The ConComm approved of the plans and thanked Abacus and Beals + Thomas for listening to their feedback at the June 10 hearing. The ConComm hearing was continued in case the Planning Board and/or ZBA asked for further changes.
At the July 20 Planning Board meeting, it appeared that some Planning Board members were not familiar with previous presentations made by Abacus Architects to the public, the Board of Selectmen and the ConComm. The discussion by the board and members of the public went on for well over an hour with concerns raised over wetlands, environmental impact, water runoff, and traffic. Other members of the public spoke in strong support of the amphitheater project. The Planning Board voted to continue their public hearing until August 17, 2021, at 6:40 p.m., with the recommendation, suggested by Mr. Gould, that the project be reviewed by municipal consulting firm Tighe and Bond.
Abacus Architects appeared for a public hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals on July 21. Again, board members appeared to be unfamiliar with the project prior to receiving their packets for the hearing. The hearing was set to consider special permits for the parking lot and the use of the park for public recreation and entertainment. Discussion among the board and members of the public focused on environmental impact to the site. The ZBA voted to continue their public hearing to August 18 at 7:30 p.m., and to do a site visit on Tuesday, July 27 at 5:00 p.m.
While Abacus had stated in previous presentations that they didn't expect the construction of the amphitheater itself to take long, they had hoped to break ground this spring. An invitation to bid on the construction work still needs to go out.
The Courier has been covering the evolution of the amphitheater project since January of 2020 and has viewed every presentation made about the project in its entirety. See "Focus Group Offers Feedback on Plans for Amphitheatre in Winchendon Community Park" in the January 30-February 6 2020 edition of The Winchendon Courier, "Robinson Broadhurst Foundation and Abacus Architects Present Plans and Timeline for Performing Arts Center in Winchendon Community Park" in the November 12-19 2020 edition of The Winchendon Courier and
"ConComm Hearing for Community Park Amphitheatre Project Raises Questions, Concerns" in the June 17-24 edition of The Winchendon Courier.
The Winchendon Community Park amphitheater project is being funded entirely by The Robinson Broadhurst Foundation as a gift to the town of Winchendon.
