The Winchendon Courier

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

Week of March 24 to March 31, 2022

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

Winchendon Water, Sewer Users Facing Third Substantial Rate Increase

by Keith Kent, Winchendon Courier Correspondent
With the Winchendon Water and Wastewater Enterprise Funds continuing to lose money and operate at significant deficits, rates for both services will see large increases for the third time in just a few years, in an attempt to balance the Water and Wastewater budgets. The recent report from a second town-contracted independent rate study claims to have found no other options.

With a population of over 10,500 residents, Winchendon currently has about 1,300 water and wastewater users, and some 700 users of wastewater only, totaling about 2,150 ratepayers, according to Department of Public Works Superintendent Brian Croteau. The present rate for water use is $6.01 per 100 cubic feet (748 gallons), and for wastewater, $10.49 per 100 cubic feet.

Templeton, bordering Winchendon to the south, currently supplies some 1,500 water users, and 1,400 sewer users, with a population of roughly 8,100 residents. For water and wastewater, Templeton calculates things a bit differently than the surrounding towns, with water rates set at $9.55 for the first 12,500 gallons and then different rates for usage above that cap. For wastewater, Templeton applies the following categories, according to its website:

Step 1- $484.70 Minimum Annual charge, billed quarterly@ $121.17 (Based up to 35,000 gallons) (quarterly 8,750 gallons). A 2 percent increase from $475.20.
Step 2 - $8.97 per 1000 gallons for 35,001 to 60,000 gallons (quarterly@ 8,751- 15,000 gallons) A 2 percent increase from 8.80 per 1000 gallons.
Step 3 - $11.22 per 1000 gallons for over 60, 000 gallons (quarterly over 15,001 gallons). A 2 percent increase from 11.00 per 1000 gallons.
Rates for Sewer Only User- $650.76 yearly, billed quarterly@ $162.69. (increased 10 percent)

Meters are read in March, June, September and December.

Templeton offsets its wastewater costs by accepting large amounts of wastewater from both private septic systems in town, and out-of-town wastewater delivered to Templeton for processing, something Croteau is now looking into as a possible way to help Winchendon offset future Enterprise Fund operating costs.

With a population of roughly 11,500 residents, the Athol DPW told the Courier that it currently serves some 3,000 combined water and sewer ratepayers. Athol currently charges just $4.82 per 100 cubic feet of water, and for sewer, $7.71 per 100 cubic feet as the town is currently paying off wastewater upgrades. Gardner, with a population of some 21,000 residents nearly all of whom use either public water, sewer, or both, according to its municipal website currently charges $5.72 per 100 cubic feet of water, and $5.00 per 100 cubic feet of wastewater.

There is one common denominator readily taken from this data: to bring the prices down, a municipality simply needs more customers.

Winchendon, according to Croteau, currently has no money left for either replacing or expanding water and wastewater infrastructure. Both Croteau and Town Manager Justin Sultzbach confirmed that all funds retained for that function have dried up over the last five years while both Enterprise Funds were working at a deficit. Still stinging the town to this day is the loss of the $25,000 in water usage fees received annually from the former local golf course.

An independent Water and WasteWater Enterprise rate study was recently conducted by Raftelis Financial Services Inc., whose report is posted on the Town of Winchendon website at Town of Winchendon Water and Wastewater Rate Study (PDF).

The Raftelis study presented to the Board of Selectmen on March 14 follows a previous contracted study which was conducted for the town by Wright-Pierce in 2020. The former study found both Enterprise Funds would operate at increasing deficits over the next four years if rates were not considerably increased. According to Sultzbach, the two studies mirrored each other in many ways.

The new Raftelis rate study calculates that just for the Enterprise Funds to reach a break-even level, water and sewer rates for fiscal year 2023 would need to be increased by 18 percent and 10 percent respectively, with the sewer component still needing a small subsidy from the town to balance it. After that, the study finds that a 3 percent annual increase would maintain a self-sufficient operating ratio. The study also suggests alternative rate increases based on dividing ratepayers into categories such as Single Family Tier 1 and Tier 2, Multi Family residential, and non-residential, each paying different rates. These would allow a smaller increase for residential ratepayers.

Sultzbach explained, "This problem has been going on for a good five years now. The study found that hiring a company to do the work cost the town no more than being able to provide the services in-house as it formerly did. The currently contracted company, Veolia, still allows the town the ability to have a strong purchasing power as a large company can obtain goods at a lower cost, provides us with pricing fluctuation protection, and helps with removing liability on the staffing side."

Sultzbach added, "There are future revenues coming in that will help offset future costs. We have new water meters being installed because we have houses where we know they don't work and are only paying just $15 a quarter, Bull Spit Brewery will be using water when they eventually open their brewery production facility in town, and there will be future business with legal marijuana grow facilities that need water also. Add to that our DPW is looking into being able to process outside sewage to increase revenue, along with we have been using cameras to find the leaky pipes around town."

In closing Sultzbach said, "We need to remember we have zero money at this time due to the depletion of the water and sewer Enterprise Funds for any related future capital needs. These funds should be running at a five percent to ten percent surplus of earnings, so the money can be there for capital needs and repairs. Currently, we have nothing, no reserves in those funds if needed. So it's important we get back to that level as soon as possible. I know it's been tough, but we will find our way though this."

The Board of Selectman will determine which rate increases or type of increases should be implemented based on the rate study's reported findings at a future meeting. To view the March 14, 2022 BOS meeting with the Raftelis study presentation online, see March 14, 2022 Winchendon Board of Selectmen Meeting (rate discussion begins at 00:55:30 in the video).

Fire & Iron Station 857 Holding Multiple Fundraisers to Support Toy Town Veterans Housing

by Keith Kent, Winchendon Courier Correspondent
Continuing a long tradition of fundraising in support of veterans' causes, local Fire & Iron Station 857 will hold its 15th Anniversary Breakout Party on April 23 and a Covered Bridge Motorcycle ride on July 23, along with a Henry Rifle Raffle, all to benefit the Winchendon Veterans Housing Project.

You can support the cause by attending the 15th Anniversary Breakout Party on Saturday, April 23, beginning at 7:00 p.m. and lasting until midnight, at the Gardner Polish American Citizens Club (PACC) at 171 Kendall Pond Road West, Gardner, where there will be seating for up to 300 people. There will be a large buffet and raffles, with admission of $20 per person at the door. Music at the event will be provided by DJ Lance Legace. Fire & Iron is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the event is open to the public, with 50 percent of the proceeds raised earmarked for the Winchendon Veterans Housing Project managed through the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. of Gardner.

Next, Fire & Iron Station 857 will sponsor a scenic summer Covered Bridge motorcycle ride on Saturday, July 23, beginning at American Legion Post 193 at 295 School Street, Winchendon. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and kickstands go up at 11:00 a.m. Fundraising costs for the event are $15 per rider and $10 per additional passenger. 100 percent of the proceeds raised from the ride will go towards the Winchendon Veterans Housing Project. The ticket price includes meatball subs which will be served after the ride, and as part of the fundraising event there will also be a 50/50 raffle drawing.

As part of the Covered Bridge Ride event on July 23, there will be a separate raffle for a Henry Military Service Tribute 2nd Edition Rifle, .22 S/L/LR. 100 percent of ticket sale proceeds generated by the Henry Rifle raffle will be donated by Fire & Iron Station 857 to the Winchendon Veterans Housing Project. Tickets for this raffle cost $10 each, and if you win the raffle you must produce a valid FID Card to take possession. Tickets will be available to buy right up until the drawing takes place. You can purchase tickets through Paypal to fireandiron857@gmail.com, or through Venmo to venmo@wfdharley.

Member and past Station 857 President Ricci Ruschioni explained, "Fire & Iron Station 857 has three major causes it supports: Wreaths Across America, Cancer, and the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center. Like many groups, we haven't done as much in the past because of COVID-19, but we still held raffles to support Wreaths Across America. We are a 501(c)(3), have raised money for Kathy's House for female veterans, the MVOC, and love supporting veterans causes." Current President Tony Basso added, "We want to give the PACC in Gardner a great shout-out, as they could have charged us, and they donated the hall for free for us to use for our Anniversary Fundraiser. We want to make sure they know we thank them." Ruschioni continued, "The American Legion Post 193 in Winchendon has also for free donated their pavilion out back for our July 23 fundraiser ride so we thank them also." Retired Winchendon Fire Department Lt. Rick Peters, who lives out of state, is also selling raffle tickets for the Henry Rifle to help with the local veterans housing cause.

As the Winchendon Veterans Housing will be located in the former Streeter and Poland School buildings, Ruschioni added he thought it was great that the integrity of the buildings was being saved. He also said his MC was honored to be able to help in any way. "Veterans are the true heroes of our country, and I think they are overlooked far too much by our own people and our government, and both we and I are honored to be able to help with the cause." Fellow member Lance Budka added, "I think there are far too many veterans who are homeless and/or forgotten, and I think it's our turn and an honor to help them out."

Tim Bissonnette, another member of Station 857, added, "This is a great way to help heroes, so this is a good way to contribute to something like this housing project that is going to help better their lives. The MVOC is a spider web that helps many people who may need the right frame of mind to assist them find options, and the MVOC is a great organization to help simplify that process, so our group wants to do anything it can to help these men, women, and families, have the funds to help veterans with this project, along with getting back with their lives and a more comfortable environment for them to deal with."

All the MC members agree that they want the public and other MCs to know all are welcome to come and support the worthy fundraising cause. Ruschioni said, "This is about two organizations with Fire & Iron and the MVOC working together, and all those who want to come out and attend, raise money and help support our veterans. With the cause being 44 housing units in the town of Winchendon to house veterans, it would be nice to see as many people come out as possible to support your local veterans!"

You can follow Fire & Iron Station 857 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/toytowncrew. For information about the design, project scope, and history of the Winchendon Veterans Housing Project, see "Former Streeter/Poland School Buildings Slated to Become 44 Units of Veterans Housing" in the December 23-30, 2021 edition of the Winchendon Courier.

Winchendon Community Heart & Soul Project Prepares to Begin Gathering Residents' Stories

by Inanna Arthen
Seven members of the Winchendon Community Heart & Soul core team appeared before the Board of Selectmen on Monday, February 28 to talk about the Heart & Soul project, which is about to enter its second phase, in which team members will invite Winchendon residents to be interviewed about their community. The Board appeared a little startled as the whole row of Heart & Soul volunteers took their seats to give a fully collaborative PowerPoint presentation.

Molly Velasco began by thanking the Board for approving the resolution in support of the Heart & Soul project last year, "because it worked, we got the grant, and that was very exciting." She went on, "So last spring the HEAL team applied for the Community Heart & Soul Foundation's Seed Grant Program. This program provides tools, structure, coaching, to help us bring the community together and make sure all voices are being heard, and help us make the changes we as residents want to see happen."

Melinda Bowler continued, "We are actually the first Massachusetts town to get the grant for Heart & Soul." She explained that the team had come before the Board to ask for permission to talk to the townspeople. "Myself, I had started asking people on my own, in my own family, and I found that certain people have liked the idea, and they've been writing down their story," Ms. Bowler said. "They've lived in Winchendon for pretty much all their lives, and they've gone through some thick and thin things with the town, being little and growing up in town. Writing the story, they've actually came and told me that it's very healing to them to open up and tell their story."

Picking up the narrative, Miranda Jennings went on, "We focus on three things. We focus on what matters most to residents. We focus on involving everyone, and that's not just us saying 'oh yeah we're talking to everybody.' We've done a demographic study of our community thanks to a lot of local data, original data, and we have a very long spreadsheet, and we've looked at different populations in our community, we've looked at the demographics, and we plan on listening to people that is a representative sample of...the demographics of our community. So we're not going to listen to the same voices that are typically heard. We're going to go where people are at, not invite people to spaces that have typically been scary, or not accessible to them. But like the committee is doing for the Community Preservation Act, we'll be going out to the community, to meet where people are, meeting them where they're at.

"And the last place is playing a long game. We want to focus not on short-term projects but really get our community to think about what are some big changes we want to see in town. Revitalizing our downtown, or, it's not for us to decide, but helping our citizens then have the tools, apply for grants, to make some really big changes in town."

Jane LaPointe spoke in greater detail about the way the Heart & Soul program is designed to engage and empower residents, tie into the town's Master Plan and connect Winchendon to a network of communities that also have done or are doing the Heart & Program. "Ultimately, what Heart & Soul does, it is about empowering people in our community to shape the future of our community, of their community, in ways that improve local decision making, that create a shared sense of belonging, and that strengthen the social, cultural and economic vitality and viability of the community. So that's really what is at the heart of Heart & Soul," Ms. LaPointe said. "we've already been involved in Zoom meetings and whatever, where we are learning from other communities, that have gone through the whole thing and they're now on the fifth part of this, which is transforming their communities. And the transformation that's really important here is the transformation of our residents from being consumers of town services into citizens, with an opportunity to most effectively and productively engage in shaping the future of Winchendon." There is an entire chapter on community engagement in the Master Plan.

Team members explained that Heart & Soul has already begun engaging the community by collecting "thin data" and launching the Seeds of Hope pole banner project. HEAL Winchendon had a booth at last autumn's Fall Fest at which attendees were invited to spontaneously answer the question, "What is your greatest hope for Winchendon?" The answers showed definite patterns and priorities among Winchendon residents of all ages and categories as the same "hopes" were mentioned repeatedly. For the Seeds of Hope project, funded by the Winchendon Cultural Council, artists of all ages from elementary school to adult professionals were invited to create a piece of art representing their answer to the questions "What do you love most about Winchendon?" and "What are your greatest hopes for Winchendon?" Fifty pieces of art, some of them exhibited at last June's Taste of Winchendon festival, were submitted. Twenty-seven of them have been turned into two-by-four foot vinyl banners which will be displayed around Winchendon this spring and summer.

Camille Hart wrapped up the presentation by explaining that the next step is the interviewing and storytelling part of Phase 2. "So at this part we're specifically looking to reach citizens, like Miranda said, that haven't been heard from in the past, that go more unseen and unrepresented in this type of work. We want to make sure that we're gathering new voices of residents that have something new to share. We're trying to think of creative ways to go where people already are, talk to them on their own terms, like at schools, events, hosting dinners at places where they'll feel comfortable to start having these conversations. We're looking to gather stories from 300 or more residents, ranging from, again, all over Winchendon. The conversation would focus on the following questions, but could could really in any direction that the resident wants to take them. So, 'what matters most to you about living here?' 'What would you like to see be the same here five years from now?' 'What would you like to see changed?'"

Ms. Jennings urged anyone in town who would like to be part of the project to contact her or any of the Core Team members. "If you'd like to get involved, we would love to have your involvement in this project, but also in transforming our community and really showing that we are a community of possibilities and not a community of problems."

Selectmen Barbara Anderson and Rick Ward both spoke to the importance of gathering stories from younger people, newer people, and older residents, especially those who had been in town their whole lives. "I was born and raised here. So we come from a different, we come from a perspective of, we remember when you couldn't walk a quarter mile without bumping into a major supermarket in this town. That's how many there were. They were all over," Mr. Ward said. "We remember when Central Street was stores side-by-side, the entire length of Central Street. Movie theaters, everything. So if you get that perspective, you're getting a perspective of folks who had it all in this town, and saw it all disappear. And now probably wanting that back. And you're getting the new folks who don't have a vision of what this town used to be, but they still want the same things as the older folks want. So it would be neat to get those stories tied together, or even getting those groups talking together. Because particularly with the senior citizens you're not going to have those stories long. You need to get those stories down now. I applaud you for doing that."

The Winchendon Heart & Soul Core Team currently consists of: Inanna Arthen, Melinda Bowler, Deb Bradley, Abigail Bradley, Tamarah Casavant, Shaina Cunningham, Angelina Dellasanta, Jeremy Diaz, Doneen Durling, Erica Eitland, Camille Hart, Paul Hackett, Miranda Jennings, Jane LaPointe, Janet Lee, Ava Newton, Minna Scholten, and Molly Velasco. Interested Winchendon residents may contact Miranda Jennings at miranda.jennings@healwinchendon.org.

("This Is What We Need!" A Massachusetts town aims to bridge divides with Community Heart & Soul by Melody Warnock.)

from left, Community Heart & Soul Core Team members Shaina Cunningham, Camille Hart, Jane LaPointe, Inanna Arthen, Miranda Jennings, Melinda Bowler and Molly Velasco
Town of Winchendon video screencap

Winchendon, Worcester County See Mixture of Decreasing and Increasing COVID Numbers

For the first time in many months, Winchendon has dropped to a COVID-19 positivity level of less than 3 percent. This is good news for Toy Town residents as our ten-town area has experienced a mixed bag of testing results.

Winchendon has dropped nearly 50 percent from a 4.98 percent COVID positivity, based on 502 tests, reported on Thursday, March 3, to 2.60 percent based on 577 molecular tests, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health report of Thursday, March 24.

Five nearby towns decreased or stayed the same with Athol dropping from 2.16 to 1.73 percent, and its school district partner Royalston happily reporting 0.00 percent for the second consecutive week. Also decreasing are Phillipston, from last week's 5.33 percent down to 2.82 percent, and still highest in the area, Ashby, decreasing from 7.21 to 5.17 percent.

Neighboring Ashburnham increased from .088 percent to a still low 1.85 percent positivity. Its school district partner, Westminster, also increased from 2.80 to 3.72 percent positivity. Gardner increased by a slight margin, ticking up slightly from 2.39 to 2.56 percent positivity. Templeton increased from 2.61 to 4.78 percent, and Hubbardston increased very slightly from last week's 2.76 percent to 3.06 percent.

Over all, the ten-town region surrounding Winchendon still managed to drop slightly from the previous week's 2.96 to 2.83 percent COVID positivity despite five of the ten tens seeing an uptick. Of towns in Franklin County to the west, Orange reported 3.07 percent, New Salem 1.52 percent, and Petersham 0.00 percent. East of Winchendon, Fitchburg with a population of 42,000 people reported 2.08 percent, and Leominster with nearly 44,000 residents reported 2.16 percent positivity. The largest city in Worcester County, Worcester, at 209,000 residents registered at just 0.68 percent, and the largest city in the Commonwealth, Boston, registered at 1.30 percent.

Overall, as of the Thursday, March 24 14-day reporting period update, our ten-town area registered at an average 2.83 percent, Worcester County registered at 1.51 percent, and Franklin County registered at 2.15 percent positivity. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts registers at 1.70 percent.

In the Winchendon Public Schools District, children in the age 5 to 11 bracket are 22 percent fully vaccinated and 25 percent partially vaccinated, children aged 12 to 15 are 42 percent fully vaccinated and 45 percent partially vaccinated, and teens aged 16 to 19 are 47 percent fully vaccinated and 54 percent partially vaccinated.

In closing, the Town of Winchendon Board of Health still strongly recommends becoming vaccinated if one is not yet vaccinated for COVID-19 and is healthy enough to do so. Please speak with your primary health care physician to get scientific answers about vaccinations, against COVID-19 or any other health condition.

Keith Kent
Chair
Board of Health
Town of Winchendon

THE TOWN OF WINCHENDON IS HIRING!
Be sure to check out our Classified and Employment Ads on the Events Page!

Stone Ladeau Funeral Home

Subway October 2021 Sub of the Day

While some are riding bikes, others like these two sporting enthusiasts enjoy some end of season ice fishing waiting for their signals to pop up! As most of the shore line edge has melted, these veterans must have a secret spot to venture out.
Photo by Keith Kent

As Spring arrives, so does our State Park thrive!

A Bald Eagle, part of a mated nesting pair, examines the canopy below searching for food along the shoreline of Lake Dennison while its other half rested far out on the center ice. The pair of Bald Eagles have been quite the subject of talk as of late with their frequent local sightings.
Photo by Keith Kent

With the ice quickly melting and sections of roads becoming easier to travel, a man rides his bike along New Boston Road at the Lake Dennison State Park getting in some early season training and exercise.
Photo by Keith Kent

With the snow gone and the ground receiving sunlight, wild berries of many kinds are now growing in the woods, surely being enjoyed by bears who have now awakened from their long winter hibernation.
Photo by Keith Kent

Click Here for Community Directory

Winchendon Businesses, Organizations, Services, and Government

Open Seat for Montachusett Regional Vocational School District Representative

In accordance with the Agreement establishing the Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School District (as amended), notice is hereby given that letters of interest are being accepted for appointment of the Town of Winchendon's representative to the Regional District School Committee to fill a vacant seat to expire on June 30, 2025. Winchendon residents interested in being considered for appointment are asked to forward a letter of interest to the Selectmen's Office, Winchendon Town Hall, 109 Front Street, Dept. 1, 4th Floor, Winchendon, MA 01475 or email your letter to the Board of Selectmen's Executive Assistant, Linda Daigle, at ldaigle@townofwinchendon.com. The deadline for accepting letters is April 4, 2022. Said position is jointly appointed by the members of the Board of Selectmen, Town Moderator and local School Committee.

Mask Mandate Lifted for all Town Buildings - Feb. 28, 2022

A message from the Town Manager

Given input provided at the February 14, 2022 Board of Health and Board of Selectmen Meetings, I am happy to announce that we will be lifting the mask requirement in all Town Buildings starting next Monday, February 28th - in line with the Governor's recommendations for Public Schools.

Many factors have contributed to this decision, including the national and local downward trend of infection rates, the widespread availability of vaccines, and increasing efficiency and reliability in home testing. Should these or any other factors change in the future, our policy will be sure to change along with it.

If you have any underlying health concerns or have not been vaccinated, masks indoors are strongly encouraged but not required. Social distancing is also recommended when able to do so.

Justin Sultzbach, Town Manager

Report a Pothole to the DPW

You can report potholes directly to the DPW using this form on the town website:

www.townofwinchendon.com/public-works/webforms/report-pothole

Sections of Elmwood Road, North Central Street Closed

by Inanna Arthen
The unpaved sections of Elmwood Road (between Forristall Road and Glenallen Streets) and North Central Street have been closed to through traffic "indefinitely" due to the extremely poor conditions of the road surfaces after the freezing, thawing and icing weather conditions of the last few weeks. The school bus company will keep parents updated about school bus routes.

The town appears to have notified no one of these closings except the school department, so the Courier is letting our readers know.

Winchendon Town Hall & Transfer Station Now Accepting Credit/Debit Payments

We are excited to announce that the DPW, Treasurer/Collector's Office and the Transfer Station can all now accept in-person credit and debit card payments. This means next time you need to purchase or pay for:

Trash bags
Transfer station stickers
Excise bills
Tax bills
Water & Sewer bills
And more

You can pay with a credit or debit card! (subject to a convenience fee).

Senior Center Still Seeking Van Driver

The Town of Winchendon seeks to hire a Van Driver for 25 hours per week, to work out of the Winchendon Senior Center. This person will serve as a Van Driver for transportation of the elderly and/or handicapped residents.

Duties will include (but are not limited to):

Driving the elderly to various destinations
Assisting clients who use wheelchairs, walkers, and canes
Maintaining the vehicle through regular cleaning
Maintaining Trip Logs for all activities

A more detailed description is available from the Winchendon Senior Center. Those interested should submit a resume and cover letter to:

Sheila Bettro, Director; Winchendon Senior Center, 52 Murdock Avenue, Winchendon, MA 01475.

Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is hired. The Town of Winchendon is and Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applications Available for Senior Tax Work-off Program

The Senior Work-Off Abatement Program is a program allowing the Town of Winchendon the opportunity to utilize the knowledge and skills of its senior residents in exchange for credit toward the resident's property tax bill. The purpose of this program is:

To employ qualified senior citizens who will apply their earnings toward payment of a portion of their property taxes;
To increase senior citizen involvement in local government; and
To enhance municipal service by using the skills of resident senior citizens.

Qualified and income-eligible residents will accrue the Commonwealth's minimum wage per hour ($13.50/hr) toward a maximum credit of $1,100.00 per household during the fiscal year. The criteria for this program is:

You must be 60 years old or older
Homeowner in Winchendon and occupy property
Annual income below $40,150 if single; or below $45,900 if married.

Applications for the program are now available in the Town Manager's office or on the town website, and will be accepted until the eight slots are filled. There are different types of positions that are available depending on the preference and qualifications of the resident and the needs of each department. Types of past and current positions have been: Custodial services, clerical help for both School & Town, library aides, Senior Center aids, cable station operator, Bike Path clean up, painting, light outdoor work and classroom volunteers. Click here for more information and a downloadable application.

HEAL Winchendon Offering Financial Coaching Workshops

HEAL Winchendon, in conjunction with the Winchendon CAC, is offering a free financial coaching program to any residents who are interested. The program runs for eight weeks with a flexible schedule and is available in both English and Spanish. Coaching will be scheduled at the Winchendon CAC, 273 Central St. To enroll, fill out the form at HEAL Financial Coaching Sign-Up (Google form) or call 978-621-4524.

RCAP Offers Free Online Workshop on Managing Private Wells for Homeowners

On Wednesday, March 30 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., RCAP Solutions is offering an online workshop for homeowners on proper management of private wells. There is no charge, but pre-registration is required.

The workshop will provide information on water well basics and construction, maintenance and management of existing water wells and solving water quality and quantity problems.

This workshop is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, through a grant to the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), a non-profit organization that provides technical assistance to rural water and wastewater communities. RCAP Solutions is the Northeast and Caribbean affiliate of RCAP.

This training will be held virtually using the GoToTraining platform.

Click Here to register for the program.

If you have questions, contact Jim Starbard at 978-502-0227 or email jstarbard@rcapsolutions.org.

2022 Annual Town Meeting Set for Monday, May 16; Warrant Open

The Winchendon Board of Selectmen have scheduled a Special and Annual Town Meeting for Monday, May 16, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. to be held at Murdock Middle High School, 3 Memorial Drive. The Town Manager's Office is accepting warrant articles now through Monday, April 4, 2022 at 12:00 noon when the warrant will officially close.

If you have any questions on warrant articles or citizen petitions, Please reach out to the Town Manager's office at 978-297-0085 ext. 5

Open Air Burning Season Starts January 15, 2022 and Ends May 1, 2022

Don't miss out on this whimsical time of year where you can spend time in the great outdoors becoming one with nature, all the while freeing your yards of all the unsightly winter debris.

Permits are available for purchase online (that's right you don't even have to leave the house)!

For assistance, the link below provides step-by-step instructions:
2020 Burn Permit Application Made Easy

THERE ARE 2 STEPS TO COMPLETE THE PERMIT PURCHASE:

Step 1: Pay & obtain confirmation number.
Step 2: Apply for the permit using the confirmation number as proof of payment.

www.townofwinchendon.com/fire-ems/pages/burn-permits

Toy Town FYIs

2022 Dog Licenses Now Available

2022 dog licenses are now available. You may purchase at the Town Clerk's office using check or cash, or you may purchase through the mail, Town Hall drop box, or online through the Town Clerk's page. The licenses will be mailed to you. Please be sure to provide a valid rabies certificate. Spayed and neutered dogs are $10.00. Non-spayed and non-neutered dogs are $20.00.

Winter Parking Ban Now in Effect

From December 1st through April 15th, it is illegal to park your motor vehicle on the streets of Winchendon between the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. This is to allow the snowplows to do their jobs in case of a snow storm. Violations may incur fees up to $50 and/or a tow.

Sign up for Code Red Emergency Alerts
Sign up for our emergency notification program today! Receive up-to-date information before, during and after an emergency in your neighborhood. You can choose to be notified via voice, text and email notifications of emergency and inclement weather alerts.

Is Your House Number Clearly Visible from the Street?
The Winchendon Fire Department reminds all residents to make sure their house number is clearly visible for first responders who may need to find you. Numbers should be at least four inches high and facing the street, with lighting if possible. Put numbers on a contrasting background so they will stand out. If your driveway is long, put the number on a mailbox or pole on the street or at the end of driveway, facing in both directions. (Reflective numbers are helpful.) Check your house numbers to make sure foliage has not grown up in front of them without your being aware of it.

Town Committee Vacancies
as of February 28, 2022

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 Committee - 1 vacancy
Cultural Council - 13 vacancies
Fence Viewer and Field Driver - 1 vacancy
Historical Commission/Historic District - 1 Alternate vacancy
Open Space Preservation Appraisal and Survey Revolving Fund Advisory Committee - 1 vacancy
Planning Board - 1 Alternate vacancy
Recreation Commission - 1 student vacancy

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.

Complete description of each committee's responsibilities, updated for May 10, 2021 (PDF).

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.

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