Over a Dozen Major Projects Planned for Winchendon Downtown Business District in 2022
Transformations Ahead for Blair Square, Central Street and Environs
If Winchendon residents thought 2021 was a busy year for the downtown central business showcase, with theoretical projects rapidly progressing to physical plans of action, early 2022 is sure to be even more interesting as nearly a dozen major downtown projects both public and private are slated to either continue as planned or break ground, providing Winchendon with a very busy upcoming new year.
Central Street Reconstruction
The largest public downtown and business showcase improvement project slated for 2022 is the Central Street reconstruction project. Department of Public Works Superintendent Brian Croteau and Town Manager Justin Sultzbach both confirmed the project is slated to begin as early as March, 2022.
Croteau explained, "Project stages will include sewer lines which have already been cut, water lines, road reclaimation and replacement, followed by sidewalks, and then new curbing. All two way traffic streets connecting with Central will have new bump-outs to force traffic to pull out a little further to see around the sidewalks. Summer, Grove, and Pond will receive those modifications."
Sultzbach elaborated, "This work will be phased, starting with the taxpayer funded replacement of water and sewer lines along Central Street. Following this work we will see the state funded portion of improvements which will include new roads, curbs and sidewalks, as well as the installation of street trees, benches, and municipal style streetlights spanning from Blair Square to the intersection of Maple Street. This process will take about a year, weather permitting."
Sultzbach followed with positive financial news. "We just received an additional $100,000 local earmark on Governor Baker's ARPA spending bill to facilitate water and sewer repairs in our downtown. We were one of a small handful of communities in Northern Worcester Country to receive additional funding."
Blair Square
Regarding the advancement of a new upcoming traffic circle to increase traffic flow and reduce the high accident rate at Blair Square, Sultzbach explained, "Blair Square has been through several in-house revisions for a preliminary design including input from our DPW team and Planning and Development team. We are prepared to submit a draft to the Board of Selectman some time in January for preliminary public feedback. A full biddable design will require additional funding, and the construction phase is also presently unfunded. With that said, we are prepared and on track to get the Blair Square project on the TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan) through Mass DOT. The approval for these funds is oftentimes a multiyear process and is not guaranteed. The important takeaway here is that you need a preliminary design in hand to get on the TIP, so a special thanks to the Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen for releasing those funds when I got to town so that we could get this multiyear process rolling."
Railroad Street
At Railroad Street, work has been well underway for several months under the supervision of both Croteau and Clerk of the Works Project Supervisor and previous DPW Superintendent, Albert Gallant. At this time all new underground drainage has been installed, in addition to new water and sewer lines. A first top coat of asphalt has been applied with new curbing to be installed. 2022 will realize completion of the new and safer one-way street with over 15 new designated parking spaces, trees, a park bench, and more.
Lake Street
On Lake Street connecting the Front Street and Spring Street bridges, traffic has been rerouted to be one-way from Front Street to Spring Street, to aid residents in slowly transitioning to the future downtown traffic pattern, and a future Blair Square traffic circle to reduce both congestion and high motor vehicle accident rates for increased public safety. At this time, a bottom coat of new asphalt along with a new sidewalk have been added to the street, improving pedestrian safety where there were once no sidewalks and many potholes.
Summer Drive
Summer Drive, tucked away behind the rear of the Clark Memorial YMCA, while deceptively quiet has been a hotbed of activity. The Bull Spit Brewing Company which currently is rehabilitating not only the former Goodspeed Equipment property for future production, storage, and distribution, is also rehabilitating and developing the waterfront property at 4 Summer Drive only a few doors down, to become the future site of the Bull Spit Brewery Tap Room and waterfront outdoor live entertainment facility.
Explaining the current status of the Bull Spit Brewing Company project, Sultzbach said, "The property at 4 Summer Drive is on pause for the winter. We are currently coordinating with Bull Spit's engineers to determine tank placement for their operations. This earthwork goes hand in hand with contaminated soil removal, which will complement the hazardous building materials remediation that has already taken place and is complete as of this summer. We anticipate the grounds of this property, as well as the brewing operation, to be up and running this summer, 2022. An inside taproom will follow, potentially for winter 2022."
While there is much work to yet be completed for Bull Spit's projected Summer Drive opening, two full 50 cubic yard open top roll off dumpsters can be seen from the bike path, demonstrating that Bull Spit is moving the project forward. The company and its list of sites can be viewed online at bullspitbrewing.com.
At 5 Summer Drive, Simply Grounded, a new Yoga and Pilates studio, officially opened for business in the Summer of 2021, offering both private and group classes. It can contacted by phone at 978-868-4546 or visited online at simplygroundedyogapilates.com.
Beech Street
Beech Street will see plenty of action in 2022. The transformation of the long dilapidated former auto repair garage located at the intersection of Spring and Beech Streets along the waterfront, into the entrance to the downtown central showcase is well underway. A full transfer of ownership to the town was approved by voters at the 2021 Fall Special Town Meeting, with a full hazardous materials study and cleanup cost estimate already having taken place. According to Sultzbach, the structure is slated to be razed, its grounds cleaned of contaminants, and fully cleared in 2022. Its place will be taken with a new small riverfront community park in 2023, greatly improving the gateway to the business district, while simultaneously removing a former toxic site.
Also on Beech Street, the town, by voters' approval at the 2021 Fall Special Town Meeting, is taking possession of the duplex located at 11 Beech Street next door to the garage. The duplex will be completely rehabilitated by the Winchendon Redevelopment Authority. The property will be later sold at full market value helping the town recoup its project costs for the dual property community improvement projects.
On and around Central Street
Along with the above, the Central Street area will see a new Walgreens Pharmacy, a potential future Fire Station redesign and Phase II work on the Beals Memorial Library. A new municipal parking lot will be created in the open grassy lot next to the rear police station parking lot and behind Fisher Auto Parts, which will provide parking for not just the Beals Memorial Library, but all downtown businesses.
Maple Street
In further Maple Street news, Tracy Murphy, Director of Planning and Development, along with Croteau, announce the confirmation of a grant for $399,000 for the reconstruction of sidewalks and improved accessibility from the intersection of Maple and Central Street to the Winchendon Community Park, as part of the Mass DOT Complete Streets Program.
Murphy explained, "The project seeks to fill network gaps and provide connectivity to and from vital services in the downtown area as well as provide access to public amenities such as the future amphitheater at the Winchendon Community Park and near the widely popular North Central Pathway. The project includes installation of ADA compliant measures, improved safety with a vehicle lane diet and appropriate markings, improved pavement markings for crosswalks, the installation of sidewalks along the southern side to Elm Street, reconstruction of existing sidewalks, installation of bike racks, and the installation of a bike lane where possible and shared lanes where not. In addition, this project not only complements but connects numerous ongoing revitalization efforts in the downtown area."
To view the new Maple Street Grant and many other previous grants obtained by Murphy and the Planning and Development office, please visit Town of Winchendon Grant Activity.
For a more in-depth understanding of the Maple Street project and other information by Mass DOT, visit MassDOT Complete Streets Funding Program Project Prioritization Plan (PDF).
Ray Coe Retires After 15 Years in Town Communications
Step in to my office!
Seen in this photo, Ray Coe takes one last seat in the big chair for the camera, posing with all the video equipment he has been in charge of over the years for the Town of Winchendon, covering many televised meetings of all kinds.
Photo by Keith Kent
A well deserved goodbye.
Seen in this "farewell from the Town Hall" photo, 86-year-old Ray Coe of Winchendon accepts heartfelt thanks from Linda Daigle and Justin Sultzbach for his 15 years of service to the town. In the Town Hall 2nd floor auditorium just outside the broadcasting room, from left: Linda Daigle, Executive Assistant to the Town Manager, Ray Coe, and Town Manager Justin Sultzbach.
Photo by Keith Kent
Ray Coe of Winchendon, who has faithfully and diligently videorecorded and broadcast live meetings of all town boards and committees, as well as recording Annual and Special Town Meetings since the year 2006, along with managing the public access channel bulletin board, has finally decided to retire at what Coe calls an "Active and youthful age of just 86 years young."
As the old saying goes, "It's hard to keep a good man down" and Coe, who is often seen not only up but out and about, after fifteen years of being the gentleman behind the curtains has finally decided to take some well-deserved time off at the advice of his family. His memories are many and his dedication to the Town of Winchendon distinguished, but most importantly he carries the true hallmarks of being well-liked and respected by those he served throughout his life during an expansive and vaunted service to his community.
Coe was born in 1935 and moved to the Town of Winchendon in 1970. During his career working for the town, Coe has experienced four sitting U.S. Presidents, four Town Managers, nearly countless municipal meetings of all kinds covered, a global pandemic, rapid expansion of both technology and medical science, and much more. Beginning in 2006, Coe decided to apply for the position of running and recording Town Meetings at the age of "just 70." As the average male from his generation had already been retired nearly five years, Coe was eagerly beginning the next chapter in his work history, keeping both his mind and his body active well beyond the average age. However, in speaking with Coe it quickly becomes apparent that Coe, a very humble man, is far from anything but average.
When asked what first inspired him to apply for the position fifteen years ago, Coe replied, "I was an amateur radio operator, and before when I was in the military I served in the U.S. Army Security Agency as a Cryptographer during the years of 1954 - 1958 Korean War. Back in 2006 Linda Daigle was managing the town bulletin board on the public access channel, and she was pretty busy with that and everything else so she wanted to find somebody else who could do this. I applied for the job, and Linda picked me."
Daigle explained, "Back in the day Comcast bought the equipment for the town, and former Town Manager Jim Kriedler said we were getting this new technology in and who is interested in learning it? I love that kind of stuff so I wanted to learn it all. I was able to teach Ray how to do the public access channel bulletin board, and because of his background, he just slid right in to broadcasting." Daigle continued with, "He was easy to teach because he already had that mindset. It's been a great pairing with us, and I am really going to miss him a lot."
Asked what he thought after his very first meeting videotaping, Coe replied with a grin and a giggle, "I made it I guess, it worked, and I didn't have any problems, and I can shut them on and off when I want to." Daigle elaborated, "It's cool because you kind of feel like the Wizard of Oz in that room behind the curtain back there, because you have all this control of all the equipment and you can zoom in on each person back there or where ever you want to."
Discussing the responsibilities of being the meeting equipment operator, Coe was asked about some of his fond memories over the years. Cracking a slight smile, Coe said, "Sometimes I don't get the recording equipment shut off in time, and people may be still being recorded and just keep talking and Linda has to edit them out." Coe also joked, "Remember to talk into the microphone, never mind looking at the person you're talking to and just talk into the microphone. Also, everybody is guilty at some point of forgetting at times to stop talking after the meeting is over, and some times we pick up stuff we're not supposed to!"
During his long career with the town, Coe was picked to cover all School Committee meetings over the years. Until his last meeting of the School Committee, no other person had recorded and broadcast its meetings during his years with the town. At his last School Committee meeting Coe was honored by the Committee, who asked him to come out from behind the curtain, and was acknowledged by its members for all his years of service and dedication to both the Committee and the town. Regarding the event Coe admitted, "I was quite surprised, I tried to stay out of the camera as much as possible."
As the years went on, Coe's family talked to him from time to time about fully retiring and enjoying more personal time. Coe joked, "My family says why are you still working, why? I tell them it's because I liked what I do." Coe is no stranger to adversity. In the same year he began working for the town, he lost his wife of 41 years, Brenda Coe, who passed away on March 11, 2006 at the age of 63. Along with the loss of his wife, Ray Coe, a father of five children, has survived three, losing sons Ray Jr. and Bryan, along with a daughter, Charlene. Still alive and successful in the business world, his sons David and Matthew check in on their dad often, with Coe adding, "Both David and Matthew graduated with honors and were both Valedictorians at Murdock High School." Currently, Coe was happy to add, "I have a significant other who I have been with for some 14 years now, Joan Bronson, and she is very, very important in my life."
Daigle closed her thoughts with, "I am really going to miss Ray, he has been my right arm for a very long time in this work. When ever I need to test equipment, I can't do it by my self, and I would call Ray and he would be right there. That's the kind of guy he is. He has always been there for me when ever I needed him. He has never said no, not even once. He is a great guy, and he is smart to, he knows his stuff. He has been nothing but great, and I am going to miss him." Coe making Daigle burst out in laughter replied to her compliments saying, "I fooled her all the time!"
Town Manager Justin Sultzbach who only recently joined the Town of Winchendon in his position this past May of 2021, when acknowledging Coe's service and achievements said, "Ray served for a decade and a half which really shows his dedication to the town and community. Such an important piece of work that we do here in town is supported by the fact that what we do is open and viewable for the citizens. Ray did nothing less than an excellent job of making sure the community was always informed about what the boards and committees where doing in town, and for that we say to Ray, we are forever grateful."
In closing Coe was asked what was he going to do with his new free time. Coe replied, "Oh I will find something!" A very humble Coe then simply said, "I did the best I could. Everything seems to have worked out, and people seemed to be happy with their meeting coverage, so I guess it all worked out."
Commonwealth COVID-19 Cases Surge to New Confirmed Records
The town of Winchendon's COVID-19 viral positivity rate continues to increase, reaching 14.47 percent as reported by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, up from 14.13 percent 7 days prior, as the entire area and nearly all the Commonwealth realizes new science backed confirmed record viral infection rates and case counts.
According to the new DPH data released at 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 30, 2021, 7 out of 10 municipalities within two towns of Winchendon realized significant increases. Ashburnham is nearly unchanged at 10.28 percent, and its school district partner Westminster increased from 14.05 to 14.97 percent. Templeton increased from 7.80 to 10.00 percent positivity, while its school district partner Phillipston surged from 9.60 to 13.99 percent. Athol surged from 8.90 to 11.96 percent, and its school district partner Royalston, bordering Winchendon to the west, rose from 11.94 to 12.21 percent. Ashby, two towns to Winchendon's east, after two weeks at over 20 percent in the last month dropped from 14.89 to 12.16 percent. The City of Gardner to the south increased from 9.91 to 11.98 percent, and Hubbardston to Gardner's south surged from 10.09 to 14.19 percent. Additionally, Hubbardston's school district partner, Barre, increased significantly to 16.56 percent.
With the rapid level of individual viral positive increases, the 10 town area surrounding Winchendon has, in one week, increased from 11.25 to 12.62 percent viral positivity on average. Across the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts state-wide positivity rate of only 3 percent just weeks ago has reached a two week or 14 day average of 7.74 percent, and a 7 day or one week state-wide average of 16.47 percent as of December 30, 2021.
Vaccination rates reported by the Mass DPH for the Town of Winchendon again remain stagnant with only 5,701 of the town's 10,765 residents, or 53 percent, fully vaccinated, and 6,465 or 60 percent of residents receiving at least 1 vaccination dose. Child population groups fully vaccinated in the Town of Winchendon per the December 30 report are listed as ages 5 to 11: 8 percent; ages 12 to 15: 37 percent; and ages 16 to 19: 49 percent.
On the county level, Worcester County's vaccination rate for the age group of 5 years and older is now listed at 72 percent fully vaccinated, and the category of 12 years of age and older are now 76 percent fully vaccinated.
The Commonwealth as a whole has reached four new record highs in the last 7 consecutive days with 21,137 newly confirmed viral positive cases on Thursday, December 30 alone. As a Commonwealth, Massachusetts has now reached 5,076,581 of its 6,096,000 residents fully vaccinated. Again, the most recent 7 day Commonwealth viral positivity average is 16.47 percent.
Speaking for the Town of Winchendon Board of Health, if you are healthy enough to get vaccinated, please strongly consider doing so. Please do the responsible thing and stop listening to the multitude of falsehoods reported irresponsibly on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. Be responsible, and speak with an actual medical doctor regarding your health if you have any questions.
In closing, as many people can be viral positive at least 5 to 7 days before symptoms appear, these current numbers do not potentially reflect all individuals who may have become ill at this time after indoor holiday gatherings, with larger indoor New Year's Eve gatherings still to take place at the time of this report. Additionally it should be known any viral test kits which were either purchased at pharmacies or received from the Commonwealth free of charge, are not accounted for in any Mass DPH reports as there is no associated mandated reporting, meaning the current viral positivity percentages are potentially considerably higher than currently shown in the data. Again, for the sake of your family and community, if you are not already, please get vaccinated if you are healthy enough to do so.
Keith Kent
Chair
Board of Health
Town of Winchendon
To schedule a free COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster, at any time, go to www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine.
