Information on Pending Zoning Bylaw Changes and
Water and Sewer Rate Increases Available to Residents
Zoning Bylaw Audit and Update
In November 2021, with Brovitz Community Planning & Design as consultant, the Planning Board began the process of auditing Winchendon's current zoning in an effort to make recommendations for changes that align Winchendon's zoning regulations with the goals and recommendations outlined in the Winchendon Master Plan (PDF).
Because an update to the Zoning Bylaws is a monumental task, the Planning Board plans to do the update in phases. The first phase focuses on the downtown commercial area and includes potential development of a "Downtown" zoning district that includes design and development standards. Other potential amendments include Article 5 - Use Table to improve the readability and incorporate updated uses and terms and Article 9 - Signs to incorporate specific requirements that support economic development and provide clear and concise language. Read the Current Zoning Bylaws (PDF).
The public is encouraged to participate in the process in any way possible and attendance at Planning Board meetings is highly encouraged. Questions on the update or other ways you can get involved? Contact any Planning Board member or reach out to: Tracy Murphy, Director of Plannning & Development at: tmurphy@townofwinchendon.com.
Zoning Audit & Update Page with links to all documents (mostly PDFs).
Water and Wastewater Rate Study
Winchendon residents who would like to read the complete rate study discussed at the Board of Selectmen's meeting on Monday, March 14 can find it here: Town of Winchendon Water and Wastewater Rate Study (PDF). The Courier will be covering this topic in depth in future weeks.
BOS Approve Construction Work to Commence on Winchendon Community Park Amphitheater
At the Board of Selectmen's meeting on Monday, March 14, Town Manager Justin Saltzbach gave the Board a requested update on their questions regarding the impact of the Winchendon Community Park amphitheater project on Robinson Broadhurst funding.
"At your last meeting there were concerns expressed at the increased award for the Winchendon Community Park amphitheater impact [on] the general grant award for this year," Mr. Saltzbach said. "So I've since had conversations with various members of the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, most recently their President, Mr. VanEtten, and he confirmed that the increase is entirely independent of the general grant cycle. So I wanted to bring that news back to the Board and just quickly to express gratitude to the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation for their generosity and all the work that they do in our community."
Selectman Barbara Anderson said she appreciated members of the Robinson Broadhurst committee, especially Mr. Glenn Hunt, reaching out to the Board by email to explain that general funding would not be affected. "I really did appreciate that. It was reassuring, and everybody wants to see the things for the town, you know we are so grateful for everything that we get. But I hate to see people start squabbling over whatever. So thank you," she said.
The Board unanimously approved a motion to authorize the Town Manager to execute the contract with City Enterprise Inc., the low bidder for the construction work.
WCAC Director, MHS Senior Honored with Prestigious Lions Club Awards
Arielle Benedict, A Murdock High School Senior, poses with Lions Club President Joni LaPlante as she accepts the Lions District 33-A Young Ambassador Award.
Photo by Keith Kent
Sibley wins Humanitarian Award!
Seen with Lions Club President Joni LaPlante, left, Jennifer Sibley, Director of the WCAC, happily accepts a very well deserved Lions District 33-A Humanitarian Award.
Photo by Keith Kent
In a first-ever accomplishment for the Winchendon Lions Club, its entries for the highly honorable awards of Young Ambassador and the Humanitarian Award were each chosen over nearly fifty Lions Club submissions from Lions Club District 33-A and the entirety of Worcester County. In a ceremony at the Winchendon American Legion Post 193 on Tuesday, March 15, Murdock High School Senior Arielle Benedict and Winchendon Community Action Committee Director Jennifer Sibley were recognized as the Young Ambassador and Humanitarian Award winners respectively, honoring Toy Town's finest for their outstanding achievements and efforts.
Early in the meeting former Winchendon Lions President and two time Past District Governor Mark Desmarais said with a smile, "I have been doing this with this club for over twenty years, and I can't ever remember our club getting a winner chosen for one of these awards, let alone two in the entire district, so this is great, we are very happy they were both chosen."
Benedict, a MHS Senior, currently carries 4.67 grade point average and is on track to become class Valedictorian. Somehow, in-between all her studies, she finds a way to dedicate time to the community and causes such as volunteering at the local Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue and fostering cats. She also serves on the student council as Senior Class President, serves as a member of the Key Club, and is a member of the National Honor Society. A lofty resume for any age, but especially for an 18-year-old, who with the guidance and love of her parents also found her way though a global pandemic and still aspired for nothing less than greatness through education and community.
Lions Club President Joni LaPlante said, "Benedict is the youngest volunteer at the local cat shelter, sorts bottles and cans for the recycling center, and exhibits compassion for animals. Her leaderships has brought one year as Class Treasurer, two years as Vice President, and one year, this year as President of her Senior Class of 2022 of Murdock High School. She has also served for three years as President of the Key Club, and one year as Vice President of the National Honor Society. Under her leadership, the Murdock Class of 2022 has accumulated sufficient funds, hosted successful events, and boosted student participation. As President of the Key Club, she has successfully managed fundraising to benefit the people of the nation of Haiti. Throughout all of high school, Benedict received one grade of just 87 in Calculus, otherwise all of her other grades in all other subjects including Calculus have been 90 to 100, and she leads her class still with a GPA of 4.67. Congratulations Arielle Benedict, you are the District Young Ambassador Award winner, and you have made us all proud!"
Next, LaPlante spoke from the heart about Winchendon CAC Director Jennifer Sibley. "Sibley is a caring, compassionate, determined person in the hub center of Winchendon's constant activity. As a long time resident of her home while being caretaker for her mother, she founded a group called Working Wonders in Winchendon for the purpose of helping local people in need, from 2011 to present day. Sibley eventually became Director of the WCAC staring in 2018. She with her six volunteers makes it the success that it is today. Through both word of mouth and Facebook, families work through Sibley to start a chain to help other fulfill their needs anonymously, with her bringing in other organizations when needed to bring help. She donates time even on her own time, and always with respect and a smile. Sibley also has a priority in addiction awareness, to help get information out to others and have training available."
Laplante noted other accomplishments of Sibley and the WCAC including efforts to find household necessities from food to PPE, and other human needs such as equipment, toys for children and gift cards during the pandemic. Under Sibley, the WCAC currently assists 408 families, some 950 individuals and increasing. The WCAC also helps clients apply for jobs, housing, SSI, food stamps, fuel assistance, and more. Sibley also started the WCAC's "Haven of Hope Center" where people can go to do laundry, take a shower, charge their phones, and relax while they are there, and are interviewed to determine other needed services. Sibley is a member of HEAL Winchendon. LaPlante also noted Sibley is a recipient of the CAC Harvester Award from the Gardner Chamber of Commerce, and has received with certificates of recognition from the Massachusetts Legislature.
In closing, LaPlante said of Sibley, "Our town is blessed to have her. The Winchendon Lions Club nominated this lady because of her contributions to both our town and our Lions Club, and is a credit to our community."
After the awards presentation, the Courier sat down with Benedict and her parents, as well as Sibley, to ask what their award recognition meant to each of them individually.
Arielle Benedict said with a smile, "I was told when LaPlante called me that they had not ever had a person win this award and I was surprised to get the call telling me I won the Lions Young Ambassador Award. I was honestly also speechless when my Guidance Counselor told me I had won the award. I had applied but I was not really expecting anything, so when I was told I won, it was definitely a shock. My AP Biology teacher Mr. Foster told me he was really proud of me as he knows how much work I put in with my foster cats. This was all unexpected!"
Benedict's parents, Jeffrey and Rebecca, could not have been more proud of their daughter. Jeffrey Benedict said, "I was very proud of Arielle, especially when I found out that no winner had ever been chosen previously from Winchendon for the Young Ambassador Award. I am just so very proud." Rebecca added, "I am also so proud of our daughter Arielle with all her volunteering through the years. All the responsibilities she has taken on, the fostering of cats, and all she has done for Murdock High School with all the committees she serves on, and all she has put together though those committees. We are so proud. This is so very well deserved, Arielle has really done a lot."
Asked for her reaction to receiving the Humanitarian Award, Jennifer Sibley joked, "What did I do to deserve it? You just sometimes are doing a lot of things and just don't know. I didn't even realize until they read a list of things I have done. You just get so involved and don't even realize it some times. I am not one to toot my own horn, but this is an honor. I just like to be able to do what I do. This award will be displayed at home. My family and I were supposed to attend the official Lions district awards presentation in Southbridge, but unfortunately we were not able to attend."
Asked what she would like to tell the people of Winchendon about supporting the WCAC, Sibley replied, "The Community Action Center is the most vital and important building in Winchendon. You would be surprised by the amount of people in town who can't survive and just can't make ends meet. We strictly thrive on donations, grants, and fundraisers. It's not just about money, it's all kinds of donations. If you can afford a bottle of shampoo, you're helping us help others. It's the community that makes it work. The ones that can help us, help us, and the ones that need us, have us."
To visit the Winchendon Lions Club online go to https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/winchendon/
and to view other Lions clubs in District 33-A, go to https://www.lionsdist33a.org/local-lions-clubs.html .
Lions unite!
A Pride of Winchendon Lions, poses with both its award winners happily celebrating their clubs nominee's accomplishments both in being chosen, and dedication to community.
Photo by Keith Kent
Our Neighbor's Kitchen Marks 25 Years of Community Service
It all started with a small group of people who cared. For over a quarter century the Unitarian Universalist Church of Winchendon (UUCW) has been at the forefront of Our Neighbor's Kitchen (ONK), taking on increasing responsibility and commitment. This month ushers in the 26th year of its operation. The first ONK supper, featuring corned beef and cabbage, was served March 28, 1996.
Initially, ONK was sponsored by The Winchendon Community Action Committee (CAC), Bethany Bible Chapel and the Cornerstone Church. The committee that "started it all" consisted of Martha Trepanier, Michael Klimowicz, Dale Greene, Fred Nalette, Janet Mancini and Mary Ann Puemape. UUCW donated use of their kitchen and Parish Hall dining facilities.
The program was an instant success. During the early years, UUCW gradually absorbed more and more of the responsibilities with the CAC and different churches providing some much-appreciated volunteer or financial support. By mid-2000s UUCW had taken over all operations: facility use, cooking, menu-planning, fund-raising, cleanup, promotion and recruiting volunteers. Sensing increased community demand, and in concert with the demise of Winchendon's only remaining grocery store, UUCW doubled its efforts in 2015 to begin serving twice-monthly meals.
And they haven't looked back. Today, ONK is a "well-oiled machine" backed by a wonderful group of community volunteers. Two UUCW church families trade off setting the menus, preparing the entrees, and running the kitchen. They have a repertoire of popular meals, but don't hesitate to try out new dishes on willing diners.
At-the-door donations cover a portion of the costs, and they supplement from a variety of sources, including the CAC, United Parish, special COVID grants and generous private individuals. As with any non-profit endeavor, UUCW must pay strict attention to fundraising and responsible spending.
UUCW was thrilled to be joined by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church several years ago who provide meals on alternate Thursdays. Free, home-cooked, nutritionally balanced meals are now available in Winchendon every Thursday evening, year-round.
On March 27, 1996, the eve of ONK's debut, Winchendon resident Ron Muse wrote an editorial in the Winchendon Courier, highlighting the new supper program and those kicking it off. He wrote in part:
"There are stories that transcend politics. There are tales that don't tell 'who did what to who' but rather who's doing what for her...The goal of [Our Neighbor's Kitchen] is simple. To provide food to anyone in the Winchendon community who is hungry or in need of fellowship.Well said Ron. How timeless...and still so relevant today. Thank you all.
As complex as life seems to get sometimes, it is simplified by the sobering thought that some people still go to bed hungry. While the idealogues will say people who are doing without should pull themselves up by their bootstraps, they miss the point that what makes us strong is not our might alone, but our compassion.
We continue to look at athletes and movie stars as our heroes, but the stuff of real heroes is not done on the silver screen or the athletic arena, but in the community where neighbor reaches out to neighbor...
The strength of a community continues to be those who work quietly, seeking neither praise nor publicity. Their goal is as simple and as daunting as providing a meal for a hungry person.
In many ways, these people are our leaders. And they set an example the rest of us can only hope to follow."
The Sackett family prepares take-out containers
Photo courtesy of Jill Sackett
The banner is out - and the cars await their meal delivery at Our Neighbor's Kitchen
Photo courtesy of Jill Sackett
Athol Savings Bank Supports Winchendon Lions Charities!
Athol Savings Bank of Winchendon graciously donated a check for $2,500 to the Winchendon Lions Club on Monday, March 14. Left to right, front row, ASB Membership Chair - Amanda Phillips, Lion Tracey Barrows, Lions Club President Joni LaPlante, ASB Financial Service Center Officer - Lori Phillips, and Past Lion President, Ken LaBrack. Second row left to right, Lions Club Treasurer, David Walsh, and Past President Deirdre Corno Holt. Back row, Past President and two time Past District Governor, Mark Desmarais.
Photo by Keith Kent
The Winchendon Lions Club was pleased to again receive charitable support from Athol Savings Bank, through its Winchendon branch, on Monday, March 14, adding to ASB's long history of community support not just for the Winchendon Lions Club, but for many Toy Town causes.
The Lions who met in the ASB Winchendon branch main lobby received a check for the amount of $2,500. The donation, which will be used to support a plethora of Winchendon Lions Club causes, was graciously accepted by both its club members and officers. Club President Joni LaPlante and Past President Deirdre Corno Holt explained the funds will help with the club's current upcoming fundraiser, the Scott Brown and the Diplomats Concert at Winchendon American Legion Post 193 on Saturday, April 2, beginning at 8:00 p.m. and running until midnight.
Past President and member Ken LaBrack added, "This donation by Athol Savings Bank will also help support our other fundraising efforts so we can continue to give back to the community. The concert fund raiser will also have raffles and a 50/50 raffle." Holt also said, "The Lions give to the people in need in Winchendon, and one hundred percent of our funds raised go back to the community. We thank everybody who has helped us in the past, and continue to help us in the future, and all you all do to support our efforts." Club President Join LaPlante added, "We would just like to very much thank Athol Savings Bank for all their generosity and also for all their support for our club throughout the years."
ASB Financial Services Center Officer Lori Phillips said, "It's amazing to be able to help our community, and we greatly appreciate everything the Lions do here in Winchendon."
New Mass Giant Pumpkin Growers Association Welcoming New Members
Meeting at Red Apple Farm on March 16 are some of the now combined members of the Mass Giant Pumpkin Growers Association, who are looking for new members to join them in the joys of growing gigantic pumpkins, of which multiple club members have successfully surpassed the 1,000 pound barrier!
Photo by Keith Kent
Growing giant pumpkins is both a science and an art. From ratios of fertilizer and soil acidity levels, to just enough or too much direct sunlight, these local folks are the professionals who know how to get it done, and by that they mean grow it really big. Now forming a new association of combined members, the Massachusetts Giant Pumpkin Growers Association are looking for more who are interested in learning their craft, and want you to know that if you're willing to join their ranks, they will teach you the secrets of how to grow your gourd to a half ton and more!
Meeting at the Red Apple Farm function hall in Phillipston on Wednesday, March 16, pumpkin growers from Phillipston to Greenfield decided to team up and join forces. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with the constant multitude of life's distractions, has reduced participation and membership in pumpkin growers' groups. It was time to combine membership from the North Quabbin Region and Franklin County all the way to the Connecticut River, and not only team up, but seek to grow the team the same way they grow their pumpkins: larger. With a name and a purpose, the Massachusetts Giant Pumpkin Growers Association want to teach any new members the art of growing, and show you that if there is a will, there is a way to break the coveted half-ton mark and continue beyond.
Those in the craft build everything from what starts out as small pumpkin greenhouses and protection structures commonly know in giant gourd speak as, "The Hut." Thomas Brouillet of Phillipston, who has broken not only the thousand pound barrier, but 1,100 and even reached 1,248 pounds, when asked about the "Hut" explained, "You see, you need sunlight to grow your pumpkin, but too much direct sunlight will harden the outer surface and it will turn orange. You don't want that, because it means the outer layer once hardened will no longer be able to expand and allow growth. So you keep a Hut over the pumpkin so you keep the sunlight off the outer layer of it, but allow the sunlight to reach the stems. Sometimes you can even use sheets to protect the pumpkin from sunlight, or other options."
When asked just how much growth could be expected if a pumpkin is protected and watered properly, Brouillet and his fellow members in the room all agreed. "Easily up to 35 to 40 pounds per day, just one day, and that can continue going for some time!" As a gallon of water weighs about 8.3 pounds, the gourds under the right conditions can completely absorb and hold 4 to 5 gallons of additional water each day.
Some group members who also broke the coveted half-ton mark are Sue and Lew Chadwick, and Art Kaczenski. Sue Chadwick has broken 1,000 pounds once, and Lew Chadwick has broken 1,000 pounds on three occasions with a best of 1,180 pounds. Kaczenski, who once nearly reached the massive 1,800 pound barrier, explained, "A soil Ph of above 6.5 but no more than 6.9 is necessary to be slightly acidic, but not too acidic. If you get too high of a Ph you tie up necessary nutrients, and if you get too low you tie up necessary macronutrients." Kaczenski's gargantuan pumpkin was displayed at the Boston Public Market in October of 2020, where the Red Apple Farm also has maintained a very popular kiosk known for their Apple Cider Donuts and Frozen Apple Slushies. Members explained that a 400 square foot lot of properly prepared soil would be good for attempting to grow two giant pumpkins, which grow at an optimum temperature of 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. All these and many more are just some of the secrets of the talented association members' craft.
Members also pointed out that pumpkin plants must go into the ground by May 10 or shortly after, as there is only about a 120 day window to grow a giant pumpkin, and still be able to enter your hopefully ginormous gourd in the coveted Topsfield Fair, where the first one-ton pumpkin ever grown in the world was weighed at 2,009 pounds and later followed by the current Massachusetts record of 2,075.5 pounds. A Connecticut grower's pumpkin has weighed in at 2,294.5 pounds at the famous fair. You can read about them at www.topsfieldfair.org/explore/pumpkin-weigh-in/ .
2021 was a rough growing season, but members still contributed three entries to the Red Apple Farm Giant Pumpkin Contest. In an average season, members agreed the number would usually be 14 to 15 giant gourd entries. Even the world famous "Big-E" in Springfield, according to members, only had several large entries, a testimony to just how hard 2021 growing conditions were for all. Now, the goal for 2022 is on to grow not only their pumpkins bigger, but their group ranks as well. Brouillet said, "This thing started out over forty years ago with just six guys on a $50 bet at the King Phillip Restaurant as to who could grow the biggest pumpkin, and the rest just continued to this day."
In closing members were asked if they had a message for anybody considering joining the association. Sue Chadwick said, "You will meet really nice people." Another member said, "If you have any questions, you can turn to any of us any time and we will help you." Brouillet also added, "Don't worry about trying to call us, just come on down and show up and we will welcome you when you arrive!"
The next meeting of the Mass Giant Pumpkin Growers Association will be held at the Red Apple Farm function hall on Wednesday, April 13, at 6:00 p.m., with a meeting date yet to be determined in May where the group will hand out young pumpkin plants to anyone interested in trying to grow giant pumpkins.
Toy Town, Area See Continued Steady Drop in COVID-19 Positivity Rates
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health report released at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, Winchendon has now dropped to just 3.45 percent COVID positivity based on 579 molecular tests, as most cities and towns in the area continue to see falling numbers. Over the last several weeks, Winchendon as a town has dropped from 4.98, to 4.10, to 3.45 percent.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts currently realizes a 14 day reporting average of 1.64 percent, down from 1.85 the week before, and 2.32 percent positivity on March 3. It should be noted some communities are showing a small uptick in COVID positivity, based on waste water collection specimens around the Commonwealth.
Locally in our ten town area, Ashburnham is down to just 0.88 percent and school district partner Westminster increased slightly to 2.80 percent. Ashby, east of Ashburnham, unexpectedly jumped up more than double in a new town surge, from 3.85 to 7.21 percent positivity based on just 111 tests. Gardner with over 20,000 residents went down from 2.81 to 2.39 percent based on 1,337 reported tests. School district partners Templeton and Phillipston went down from 2.95 to 2.61 percent, and 6.67 to 5.33 percent respectively. Athol in three weeks has continued to drop, going down from 7.92 percent on March 3, to 5.03 percent on March 10, to just 2.16 percent on March 17. Its school partner Royalston has become the first in the area to register at 0.00 percent based on 56 tests. Hubbardston bordering Gardner to the south increased slightly from 2.07 to 2.76 percent. With a few going up, and most municipalities seeing falling numbers, the immediate ten town area has now dropped in the last three weeks' reporting from 5.20, to 3.41, to now just under 3 percent at 2.96 percent positivity, a very welcome and long awaited trend.
Massachusetts currently lists 5,308,436 of its 6.9 million residents as fully vaccinated, with 2,892,000 individuals having received a booster dose of a vaccine. In Worcester County, at least 81 percent of individuals now have at least one dose, with 89 percent of the county's residents ages 12 and up having at least one dose, and ages 5 and up registering at 85 percent partially vaccinated. Overall, Worcester County is now 71 percent full vaccinated. Ages 12 and up are 78 percent fully vaccinated, and ages 5 and up are now listed at 75 percent fully vaccinated. Those fully vaccinated with a booster vaccination have now reached 53 percent of the total Worcester County population.
School age individual groups in the Town of Winchendon currently per the new March 17, report register as the following. Children ages 5 to 11 are reported as 22 percent fully vaccinated and 25 percent partially vaccinated. Children ages 12 to 15 are reported as 42 percent fully vaccinated and 45 percent partially vaccinated. Teens ages 16 to 19 are reported as 46 percent fully vaccinated and 53 percent partially vaccinated. All three groups remain virtually unchanged over the last three weekly reports with only minor differences. All six DPH listed adult age groups have not changed from the prior week's report. Total populations vaccinated in Toy Town also remain unchanged, at 56 percent fully vaccinated, and 63 percent partially vaccinated, as each group picked up 10 people or less from the week prior.
If you are a Winchendon resident, and have not yet picked up your free town supplied COVID-19 tests, there are still some left at the Town Hall Public Health Department. Proof of a Winchendon address is necessary, and you may receive up to three test kits, with two tests in a kit, per family, provided you have not already received any.
In closing, the Board of Health still recommends becoming vaccinated, if not yet vaccinated, and only if healthy enough to do so. Please consult your Primary Health Care Physician with any questions.
Keith Kent
Chair
Board of Health
Town of Winchendon
