Town Election Information
State Election
Tuesday, November 8, 2022 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Old Murdock Senior Center 2nd floor auditorium, 52 Murdock Ave
State Election Warrant (PDF)
Winchendon Family Loses Home, Pets in Devastating Fire
A Mill Street family lost their home, car and several beloved pets in a devastating house fire this week. Two pets are still missing but are believed to have escaped the fire.
Chief Tom Smith of the Winchendon Fire Department told the Courier that the call came in at 2:51 a.m. on the morning of Tuesday, November 1. The two residents of the home escaped safely and were not injured. One person was taken to the hospital for observation.
Chief Smith said that Winchendon FD and the state Fire Marshall's office are investigating the cause of the fire, but it is not considered suspicious. The home is a total loss, he said, and the insurance company and the Red Cross are in touch with the family.
The Winchendon CAC told the Courier that the family is staying in a motel for the time being. They were awakened by their car's alarm and barely escaped. The CAC is collecting donations to assist them. A list of items needed and details may be found at this link: List of Items needed for Mill Street family (Google doc). Donations may be dropped off at the Winchendon CAC, 273 Central Street, and the CAC will get them to the family. Gift cards to local businesses are also welcome. The family says on social media that they have more clothing than space to keep it until they get into temporary housing, but they will be needing warm winter clothing.
The missing pets are Gabby, a solid gray cat and Halo, an orange cat with a short curled tail. Halo is a therapy animal. If anyone in the area spots either animal, please let the Winchendon CAC know (978-297-1667) and they can communicate with the family.
Public Invited to Winchendon Community Grocery Store Meeting Nov 9
Winchendon residents who are interested in seeing a community grocery store open in town are invited to attend a community meeting on Wednesday, November 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the Winchendon CAC, or join the meeting via Zoom.
The HEAL Winchendon grocery store team is now meeting at least weekly to discuss business models, potential locations, funding and many other nuts and bolts details. Critical to the success of a store is the active support and engagement of local residents. No store will be sustainable unless enough people commit to shop there.
At the meeting, attendees will hear updates on where the project stands, see some of the research done by the project consulting firm, and have an opportunity to contribute their ideas and feedback. Persons with hands-on experience in managing a retail food store are encouraged to attend and share their knowledge of the practical aspects and challenges.
Attendees can RSVP at this Facebook event page: www.facebook.com/events/1271221940364464. Those not on Facebook can access the RSVP Google Form directly at https://forms.gle/DqzMwbnLotb1v7GT7. All are welcome, in person or via Zoom.
There is now a Friends of the Winchendon Community Grocery Store Facebook page, which all interested persons are invited to follow for updates and related events.
Winchendon's Energy Program Rate 31% Below Winter Basic Service Rate
WINCHENDON, MA - Beginning with the December 2022 meter reads, the Winchendon
Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.23481 per kWh. The
Town of Winchendon signed a 12-month contract with a new electricity supplier, Constellation
NewEnergy. The Program's rate is 31 percent lower than National Grid's winter Residential
Basic Service price of $0.33891 per kWh.
According to National Grid, energy costs are escalating due to global conflicts, inflationary
pressures, and increased demand. National Grid's website explains that, in total, the monthly bill
of a typical residential electric customer using 600 kWh will increase from $179 in the winter
2021-2022 season to approximately $293 for the winter 2022-2023 season, or a 64 percent
increase, which translates into approximately $114 per month. This means the cost of electricity
on the Basic Service plan will more than double from last year, rising from $0.14821 per kWh to
$0.33891 per kWh, a record high.
For Winchendon residents and businesses who are participating in the Town's Community
Choice Power Supply Program, the current program rate of $0.10304 per kWh will expire with
the December 2022 meter reads and the new program rate of $0.23481 per kWh will take effect.
This represents an increase of $79 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage
of 600 kWh but participants can still expect to see an average savings of $62 per month over
National Grid for the months of November 2022 through April 2023.
"Our team has been monitoring global energy costs out of concern for how this will effect
families and businesses in Winchendon. We are grateful our proactive stance helped cushion
some of this increase--but these fluctuations will have a serious impact on our residents this
winter" said Town Manager Justin Sultzbach. "Electricity prices have increased significantly
since the Town signed its current 36-month contract in 2019. The Program's new rate is fixed for 12 months which protects against market spikes over that time. This short term agreement will
hopefully allow time for the energy market to stabilize."
All residential and business accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain in the
Program at the new rate as of the December 2022 meter reads. This change will be noted on the
December 2022 bills and will be seen on the January 2023 bills. Participating residents can
expect to see an average savings of $62 per month on their electricity supply for the months of
November 2022 through April 2023 (based on average usage of 600 kWh per month).
There are no enrollment, early termination, or cancellation fees attached to the Winchendon
electricity program. Residents who chose to OPT-OUT previously can OPT-IN at a later date if
they decide to at no cost. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier
may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should
verify terms before switching.
Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the
aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the
aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the program against National Grid's Basic
Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.
National Grid has several programs to help income-eligible families and customers needing
special assistance meet their energy needs. To learn more visit nationalgridus.com/MAHome/Bill-Help/Payment-Assistance-Programs.
Residents may also visit colonialpowergroup.com/winchendon or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to
learn more about Winchendon's Community Choice Power Supply Program or to OPT-IN or
OPT-OUT.
Toy Town Celebrates Halloween With Spooky Fun for All
Winchendon kids and adults had unseasonably mild temperatures and clear skies for trick-or-treating on Monday, October 31. The Winchendon Fire Department distributed candy and some 1,000 safety lights to over 1,200 costumed children who stopped by the station. The Winchendon Firefighters Association donated the lights and treats.
Some Winchendon homeowners turned their yards into amazing displays with lighting, figures, music, decorations and costumed live people welcoming trick-or-treaters.
Over the weekend, the Winchendon Recreation Department hosted a Howl-Ween Pet Parade for costumed pets at the Clark Memorial YMCA. Prizes went to the Space alien dog for most creative, the hotdog for funniest, and the purple bat for scariest. The Clark hosted a "trunk or treat" event for kids. United Parish hosted a "trunk or treat" event in their parking lot.
On Friday, October 28, the schools decorated classrooms, with teachers and students alike dressing in costumes. Memorial School held a costumed Halloween parade around the track at Murdock Middle High School. (See some photos on the Schools page)
Several years ago, the Board of Selectmen voted to always hold trick or treating on October 31, and not move it to the closest weekend day just for convenience. There is no denying it: Winchendonians love their Halloween!
"Santa Maria" on Lake Monomonac--tack hard to starboard! This pirate ship has just sailed onto Oak Street.
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Swinging on a lovely autumn day on Oak Street.
Photo by Inanna Arthen
Detailed schematic for proposed design of new Fire Station
This is a schematic showing details of the proposed plan for the new Fire Station. The architects will create final plans based on these specifications. Residents can see a larger version at the Winchendon Fire Station, 405 Central Street.
Image courtesy of Winchendon Fire Chief Tom Smith, published with permission
