Winchendon Public Schools Superintendent Thad King Departing as of July 31
On Friday, July 14, the Winchendon School Committee posted to ParentSquare, the parents-only private message system for the Winchendon Public Schools, the following statement:
"On July 14, 2023, the Winchendon Public Schools and Mr. Thaddeus King have come to a mutual separation agreement. Mr. King will be continuing his duties as superintendent until July 31, 2023, when his official tenure as superintendent will come to a close. The School Committee will then begin the search for a new superintendent and will appoint an interim superintendent to manage the day-to-day operations in the meantime.No communication was made available to the general public or local news by the School Committee or school administration, although someone in Winchendon alerted Gardner News reporter Stephen Landry. A parent posted the ParentSquare notice to a Facebook group. Taking the above statement as written, Mr. King was given, or gave, two weeks' notice to his termination date.
"We would like to thank Mr. King for his contributions to our school district as superintendent, interim superintendent and in his former capacity as high school principal, especially in the aftermath of the COVID 19 pandemic.
"The Winchendon School Committee."
The past several months have been tumultuous for the Winchendon School Committee, as parents and some school staff have flocked to the twice-monthly Committee meetings to extend the public comments section which starts each meeting for as long as an hour. Multiple different concerns have been expressed, including strong objections to a proposed reorganization of grade levels among the school buildings, complaints about the Special Education department and its staff, and questions about the unexplained leave of absence, and/or the failure to renew contracts, of numerous popular administrators and teachers. Many of these complaints circled around to place blame at Mr. King's doorstep, as the Superintendent. With the School Committee and administration remaining tight-lipped on all personnel matters, rumors and speculations have run wild on social media. The proposed grade level reorganization, which was planned to be in place this fall, has been dropped.
Along with the School Superintendent, Winchendon Public Schools is replacing a number of principals and faculty members, and a member of the School Committee (Committee member Alicia Jordan is leaving as of July 31, with athletic coach Anthony Findley appointed to fill the seat until the 2024 town election). Currently listed job openings for Winchendon Public Schools on the public education job portal SchoolSpring include:
Interim Superintendent
Dean of Students
Director of Pupil Services
Middle School Principal
High School Chemistry Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Athletics Director
Middle School Music Teacher
Special Education Teacher - Substantially Separate Classroom
Special Education Teacher - Substantially Separate Classroom
Elementary Music Teacher
Speech and Language Pathologist
Special Education Teacher Substantially Separate Classroom
Middle School Science Teacher
The interim Superintendent position was posted to SchoolSpring on July 18 and gives a start date of August 1; it states that "priority consideration will be given to candidates whose materials are received by Friday, July 21, 2023 at 5:00 p.m."
The Superintendent of Schools is hired by the School Committee, which in the past has engaged a professional recruitment firm to handle posting the position and filtering applications. On Tuesday, July 25 at 6:00 p.m., the School Committee will meet to review candidates for interim Superintendent, according to a posted agenda. The meeting will be in the Town Hall 2nd floor auditorium, 109 Front Street (accessible by elevator).
The Courier reached out to Mr. King for comment but did not receive a response by press time.
Winchendon Gets Another Fifteen Minutes of Fame as Channel 10 Covers Stolen Cow Skull
The last time Big Media in Massachusetts was interested in our lovely little town, we were "ground zero" for a mega-snowstorm. This week, an appeal on social media by Andy Brooks Jr. of Murdock Farm and Dairy Bar attracted the attention of NBC Channel 10, which sent a news team out from Boston to interview Mr. Brooks and Winchendon Police Lt. Kevin Wolski on Wednesday, July 19, and parlayed the visit into a 2:13-minute long feature in that night's newscast.
It all started when the skull of one of Mr. Brook's beloved Texas Longhorn cattle, Kiley, who had died several years ago, disappeared from the open barn at the farm over last weekend. This was no ordinary skull; Kiley's horns measured 84 inches, 7 feet, tip to tip. The skull has tremendous personal and sentimental value to the Brooks family, who planned to mount it as part of a commemorative display along with photographs of Kiley and her offspring. But such an unusual and impressive article can be attractive to collectors and trophy-hunters who might pay a lot of money for it.
Mr. Brooks posted to social media about the theft, asking his local friends and neighbors to keep their eyes peeled for any signs of someone hiding or trying to sell the skull. Much discussion and post-sharing ensued, and local folks began offering to match Mr. Brooks' $200 reward for any information leading to the recovery of the skull. Within two days, the reward pot was over $2,000.
In the meantime, Mr. Brooks installed some security cameras in the barn, and the perpetrators were caught on camera returning to the scene of the crime. Mr. Brooks, who runs Brooks Automotive as well as the farm, got the alert and rushed home to spot the thieves fleeing out a back way. They turned out to be young persons aged 12 and 13 who lived nearby. Kiley's skull was in their house yard, and the young people initially claimed to have no idea how it could have gotten there.
The truth eventually came out, and the young people will be charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering, and possibly other charges, Lt. Wolski told Channel 10. Mr. Brooks is very happy to have recovered the skull undamaged, and expresses gratitude for the immense community support he received.
Boston-area viewers got an interesting snapshot of Winchendon, a town with working farms, somewhat different crime concerns and a community that leaps to support their neighbors in trouble. Hopefully some of Channel 10's viewers will make the drive out here to sample Murdock Dairy Bar ice cream and take a look at the farm's beautiful Texas Longhorn cows.
Watch the Channel 10 video clip here:
"Bone-afide reunion in Winchendon"
Previous Courier profile of Murdock Farm and Dairy Bar, a Winchendon institution for generations:
"Murdock Farm Dairy Bar Marks 58 Years as a Thriving Winchendon Business" in the September 8-15, 2022 edition of the Winchendon Courier
Old Murdock Senior Center Work Has Begun, SOCOTEC Explains Challenges
Saving the primary view, by salvaging from the rear. Per lawful requirements under guidelines following the U.S. Department of the Interior preserving a historically protected building as close to original as possible, construction workers have very carefully begun the process as necessary, of removing bricks from the rear of the clock tower section of the building, and relocating them in the frontal, or primary view of the tower as required by law.
Photos by Keith Kent
As long awaited restoration work has finally begun on the current Senior Center known and loved by so many as Old Murdock which serves Toy Town with a wide variety of functions, nearly one and a half centuries of not just New England weather, but also the type of materials themselves the building is made out of now present a plethora of unique challenges moving forward in what will be a multi year restoration project.
The Courier contacted SOCOTEC of Boston, the design firm contracted to address those very challenges and help not only restore Old Murdock, but quite possibly one of the most majestic buildings for miles around ranging from its impressive ornate brick facades, to its still in place great hall gas light fixtures and even original E. Howard Tower Clock of Boston, MA.
Enter Lead Project Designer of the Old Murdock restoration project, Andy Barr of Russo Barr Associates, which was acquired by SOCOTEC. Barr has 35 years of expertise in this both complicated and challenging profession, and as Barr pointed out, Old Murdock falls into one extremely powerful guideline. As the building is historically protected on the "National Register of Historic Places" and falls under all required guidelines of the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. On the Construction end of the Old Murdock equations, is CSI, Contracting Specialists Incorporated, having multiple locations on the east coast, closest being in North Attleboro, MA. CSI Inc who is working on Old Murdock can be viewed at https://contractingspecialists.com/
Barr while just touching base on many issues Old Murdock faces as construction challenges, also made it clear the building is very repairable and while this is a multi phase project, more than just one year style project, rest assured this project can and will be completed over time. Barr was asked to explain what must be addressed most importantly.
Barr explained, "The first and most important strategic point of this project from the beginning it to not only stabilize the tower of the building, but make it water tight. This is why this is a multi phase project." Barr also added when asked about the level of deterioration, "The problems we are seeing here are not uncommon for old New England buildings, but the level of deterioration has gone a little bit farther than some. Then there is the size of the building it also becomes a little bit more difficult which also factors in. The problems that we are seeing here, are not uncommon for old masonry buildings, however yes the building is a little worse than comparable buildings of its age."
The materials to repair Old Murduck however, are part of what will take time. Barr detailed, "The building is made of a unique size of brick, that is no longer produced. As the building is federally historically protected, and falls under U.S. Secretary of the Interior guidelines, it must be repaired to as close to original specifications everywhere as possible. Since these bricks are no longer produced and are an uncommon odd sized brick they don't make anymore, special orders would take months if you could even get them. So at this time CSI is taking bricks from the rear of the tower, and moving them to the front of the tower, where they can be seen. Then the places where bricks were taken from the rear of the tower in places that would only be viewable from the roof itself, will be filled with bricks that while that may be off just a bit, and not a perfect match, but will be made to be structurally sound."
Dangerous beginnings of separation! Captured in this closeup photo upon inspection, a rear upper corner outcropping of a section of ornate brick wall, which also includes arch design, shows both growing extensive structural damage, and lack of weight support, as over 140 years of New England weather now shows just what can happen when exposed to the elements when even hardened materials are left unattended over time.
Photo by Keith Kent
Extensive roof damage. This section of separating and dislocating roof cover, is but one of many located all over the current Senior Center, which SOCOTEC is along with contractor CSI still currently evaluating to see if it can be saved or needs to be entirely replaced, again to meet United States Department of the Interior federal historical guidelines.
Photo by Keith Kent
Barr was pleased to add that now since CSI Inc has the large scaffolding up around the tower, the companies can get a better look at both the building's deterioration, and roof damage as well. Barr also said the scaffolding recently completed is also allowing them with these new assessments, to begin designing the multiple phases of the project to come. "The intent is to restore the building as close to 100 percent as possible back to the state as it was when it was built, this is going to be a multi year project," Barr added.
In closing Barr as the Lead Designer early on in the large project was pleased to say, "Think of it like chasing an infection, the contractor has started to repair things, but as they are, we are finding out how far we have to go with it, and find out more as we go along."
SOCOTEC locally is located in Boston, MA, also has locations all around the nation and globe. It can be viewed on line at https://www.socotec.us/
Lake Dennison Remains Closed During Peak Season Due to Flooding
Where's the Beach? Once some 40 to 50 feet deep of waterfront park beach, and its entire width, is now completely hidden under the flood waters of a swollen Lake Dennison. Lifeguard Observations Chairs now surrounded by water, boast both NO SWIMMING signage, and flocks of Canada Geese who now swim over a beach where not just two weeks ago happy children were playing and building sand castles.
Photos by Keith Kent
As the Commonwealth deals with flooding issues around Massachusetts, especially in the Connecticut River Valley are south of the State of Vermont, waters from northern New England states draining south are entering the local region, prompting Massachusetts DCR to temporarily close the Lake Dennison State Park located in Winchendon for public safety purposes.
There has been some confusion at to the temporary closure locally, prompting the Courier to call the Otter River State Forest management office for simple clarification which manages both the Lake Dennison State Park, and adjoining Otter River Camp Ground. Park Officials were more than happy to offer easy explanations.
The park was closed for multiple purposes. First and foremost, much of the land the park manages right behind the immediate lake, beach, and campgrounds, along the adjoining roads is actually leased back to the park managed by DCR, by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, who manages both the Birch Hill Wildlife Management Area immediately behind both parks, and the Birch Hill Dam. Controlling the flood plane area which by design, the Dam and system prevents the lower areas of both the Towns of Athol, Orange, and more, from flooding over annually. The Birch Hill Dam, became fully operational in 1938.
Next is the Lake Dennison State Park Beach. The question was asked, "What is the maximum depth the rear cross barrier can be set at for swimming, and is it a Commonwealth or DCR regulation?" Park Officials replied, "That is a good question. It's actually a DCR regulation, and by design, the maximum DCR accepted depth for swimming is 8 feet in depth which is what you are discussing along the back of the floating barrier in the swimming area. When the water crests up over the bridge along the road next to the side of the beach, that dept easily extends to 13 feet or more, and for obvious reasons swimming is no longer declared safe at a DCR regulated beach so we have already by then previously shut it down."
Due to this, and the often times people not obeying the "No Swimming" signage, DCR as of time of this story during the park closure, has paid to maintain a full lifeguard staff at the Lake Dennison Beach, to prevent swimming for safety purposes. During normal conditions, Lifeguards are during the summer holiday season, on duty at their stations until 6:00 pm daily. However, even though the park is clearly marked "Park closes at dusk" Park Officials are often witnessed being given a hard time when asking stragglers to leave. Due to these kinds of situations, DCR can take no chances, and has had to keep lifeguards on duty during the day and until late afternoon to make sure no swimming has been taking place during flooding conditions, also keeping the beach parking lot gates locked closed.
Disappearing Act. As Lake Dennison is flooding over due to the Birch Hill Dam holding back water by design, picnic tables, grills, and benches are seen disappearing under the lake, with an occasional small fish now jumping around them. Speaking with a father, mother and son who were walking in with fishing poles, they joked how their son sat at one picnic table the previous day, casting his line out near other nearly submerged picnic tables trying to catch fish!
Photos by Keith Kent
Around the Commonwealth, it has been reported in the news media many times that over 60 public beaches have been closed due to higher than average rainfall. While most believe this additional rainfall believe it should actually help cleanse the water, to much rainfall often has a reverse effect all to often washing up additional bacteria, pathogens, and other substances often trapped, flushing them up and out in to the once former cleaner water reducing its quality.
Park Officials want the public to know they will have the park open, up and running, as soon as both Officials at the Birch Hill Dam and DCR deem is safe to do so, including any cleanup involved. Park employees worked diligently and proactively prior to the park pre-flood shutdown, picking up all campgrounds, cleaning all grills, all rest rooms, and removing all rubbish to their credit.
Speaking with DCR as of Thursday, July 20, the Birch Hill Dam gates had been just recently opened a bit, and park water levels had quickly lowered slightly. A brief visual inspection by the Courier at 11:00 am the same day yielded a noticeable roughly 1.5 foot drop in the water level, which could have easily yielded two feet or more by time of this story as water at the park boat ramp no longer reached the road and had retreated some roughly 15 feet.
Impassable Roads. Seen in this photo, New Boston Road is officially impassible for most motor vehicle traffic, as the Millers River just down stream, has completely backed up over the adjacent flood plane zone and now engulfing the road.
Photo by Keith Kent
Encroaching Boat Ramp! As lake levels rise, so does the height of the park boat ramp. As seen here, Lake Dennison is now just shy of cresting over the height of Royalston Road South, and in to the boat ramp parking area of the state park.
Photo by Keith Kent
DWP Patching Many Roads with Few Hands, More Chapter 90 Funding on Way in 2024
Photo by Keith Kent
Photo by Keith Kent
Winchendon Department of Public Works and Highway Department employees took full advantage of every possible minute of sunlight during the week of Monday, July 17, through Friday, July 21, as it has proven very difficult to patch Toy Towns roads with 2023's abnormally heavy seasonal rainfall to date.
Seen in the accompanying photos with this story on Alger Street during the early morning of Wednesday, July 19, DPW employees utilize a heavy roller, a spreader/grader, a Skid-Steer Loader with 1 Cubic Yard bucket, and heavy duty dump bed truck for transporting the hot asphalt to the various street sites as necessary.
When asked what streets were being addressed with patching as needed just this week or recently, DPW Highway Department Foreman Paul Hachey reported Alger Street along its length to Hitchcock Road, Hale Street, Benjamin Street, Hitchcock Road, and Hill Street on Thursday, July 20. Additionally so far this year the town has completed Baldwinville Road complete its length from Old Center to Mill Glen Road, patched sections of roads on all streets around Lake Monomonac with just possibly one or two to go, along with others, and that is just so far through the month of July with adverse weather conditions. This do not forget does not include many other duties which are expected to be completed.
No secret to many, due to budgetary constraints the Winchendon DPW has been shorthanded on staffing for years going back several Superintendents even while implementing a working foreman style Superintendent format assisting with snow and ice plowing efforts. During snow and ice removal seasonal storms, members of the Highway, Parks & Cemetery, and Water Department, all assist with plowing, salting, and sanding, along evening with Superintendent as needed.
This short staffing due to budget limitations, combined with extreme seasonal rainfall, has made it extremely difficult in 2023 to both keep up with the annual filling of thousands of potholes, and resurfacing roads along Toy Towns roughly 100 miles of paved roads and some 130 miles of traveled ways in total, while still trying as a town to keep its property tax rate set lower than its surrounding municipalities. Combined with what many municipalities call "Not enough Chapter 90 money to go around" and you all too often have many residents calling the town hall asking, "When is my road being addressed."
Chapter 90 of Massachusetts General Laws, sets and calculates how municipalities receive state aid for road repair reimbursement. Due to a lack of "Chapter 90" funding, which nearly all municipalities heavily rely upon for road repair, it is simply unrealistic that more than just a few or even several roads a year can be repaved annually due to the cost of the projects vs municipal wide revenue requirements and demands. To learn more about Mass Chapter 90 funding, you can visit https://www.mass.gov/chapter-90-program
On March 9, 2023, members of the (MMA) or Massachusetts Municipal Association, argued for an increased in funds and even potential change of the state formula for those funds, which even included local input from Athol Town Manager Shaun Suhoski, serving as chair of the Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts. That story can be viewed online at https://www.mma.org/municipal-officials-call-for-increase-in-chapter-90-road-program/
On this past March 21, 2023, the Massachusetts Transportation Committee released a revised Chapter 90 "One Year Bill" H. 3546 which did included additional funds for additional municipal pavement and small bridge programs, along with other ventures. That Bill story for more information can be viewed at https://www.mma.org/transportation-committee-releases-revised-1-year-ch-90-bill/
In closing, with the Commonwealth finally agreeing on changing the Chapter 90 Funding Formula for Massachusetts municipalities and their DPW's to better address road concerns to at least some degree, the new Fiscal Year 2024 amount Winchendon along with all other Commonwealth 351 municipalities will receive will be calculated on the following. Local Road Mileage (58.33%), Population (20.83%), and employment (20.83%). Based on this formula, the Town of Winchendon for Fiscal Year 2024, will receive $469,468.30 in Chapter 90 Funds, as listed on page 14 of the Fiscal Year 2024 Chapter 90 apportionment, which can be viewed online at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/chapter-90-apportionment
Mathieu Family Donates $10,000 to Clark YMCA's New Playground Campaign
Winchendon, MA - June 26, 2023 - The Clark YMCA is thrilled to announce the launch of its new playground campaign, and a generous $10,000 donation from the Mathieu Family. This significant donation will play a pivotal role in creating a vibrant and inclusive play space for children in our community.
The Campaign aims to raise $100,000 to replace the existing playground, provide children with a safe and engaging environment for play, social interaction, and skill development. The Mathieu Family's contribution will help fund the installation of new play structures, enhance safety features, and create inclusive play areas for children of all abilities.
"We are immensely grateful for the Mathieu Family's incredible generosity and support of our Playground Campaign," said Mike Quinn, Executive Director of the Clark YMCA. "Their donation is a tremendous gift and brings us closer to realizing our goal of providing a modern and inclusive playground that will benefit countless children in our community." The Mathieu Family's commitment to community and belief in the power of play align perfectly with the YMCA's mission to foster youth development and promote healthy lifestyles. Their contribution will have a lasting impact, providing children with a space where they can have fun, learn, and grow.
In donating to the Playground Campaign, Tighe Mathieu stated "My mother strongly believed in the power of community upbringing. She often shared how significant the Girls Club in Worcester was during her own childhood. When raising her eight children, she instilled this mentality and frequently utilized The Clark for support. Now, it has come full circle as my own children grew up at The Clark and my grandchildren will do the same. This place has been a part of multiple generations of families from Winchendon, and we are proud to contribute to the rejuvenation of the playground in honor of Ralph and Ann Mathieu."
The campaign aims to raise $100,000 through community-driven initiatives and partnerships. The YMCA encourages individuals, local businesses, and community organizations to contribute to this worthy cause. "The campaign represents our unwavering commitment to providing children with a safe and stimulating environment that fosters their growth and happiness," said Mike Quinn. "We believe that every child deserves a place to play, explore, and make lifelong memories, and we are excited to embark on this journey with the support of our community." The Clark YMCA is truly appreciative to the Mathieu family for their generosity and commitment to improving the lives of children in our community. "We invite everyone in the greater Winchendon area to join us in making this new playground a reality," added Mr. Quinn. "Together, we can create a transformative space that will empower children, nurture their imagination, and promote a sense of community pride."
For more information about the Clark Memorial YMCA's Playground Campaign or to make a donation, please Scan the QR Code, visit https://www.theclarkymca.org/support-y or contact the Clark Memorial YMCA at 978-297-9622.
Theater Fun and Other Programs at the Beals Memorial Library
Join the Winchendon Library for a number of fun programs the week of July 24 to July 28, including a fun, four-day series of theater classes with Ali Coes of Little Spark Theater and a Ventriloquist Workshop with Kevin Driscoll.
Photo courtesy of Beals Memorial Library
Step onto the stage at the Beals Memorial Library! Each week, as part of their ongoing Summer Reading Club, the library is holding programs based on the theme "Find Your Voice" that are sure to be fun for the whole family, including the main program of the upcoming week, beginning on Monday, July 24th: Theater Squad! Here's everything happening the week of July 24 - July 28:
From Monday, July 24, to Thursday, July 27, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., kids ages 11 to 14 are invited to sign up for Theater Squad! Theater Squad is a four-class series taught by Little Spark Theater's Ali Coes that will teach kids the basics of theater and stage presence while they create their own play. Participants will brainstorm ideas for a play, create their own script, and give a short performance for their caregivers. This program has limited space available, so sign up today to join! Theater Squad is made possible with funding provided by the Winchendon Cultural Council, Light Unseen Media, and the Friends of the Beals Memorial Library.
Also on Monday, July 24, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., the library will be hosting Yoga and Guided Meditation with Paula Lashua-Brisbois every Monday through August 14. All skill levels are welcome and mats and blocks are available, if needed. These classes are free to attend and are available to adults and teens. Yoga is brought to you with federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
On Tuesday, July 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., take a walk with a story for the third of four Storywalks of the summer. Join the Beals Memorial Library and the Winchendon Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant (CFCE) for a fun, interactive outdoor reading adventure by following the path of poster boards set up throughout the library lawn. The third story of the month will be Perfectly Norman, by Tom Percival. Celebrating the things that make us unique, Perfectly Norman centers on a young boy named Norman who has always been perfectly normal...until he grows a pair of wings! Each child who participates in this program will receive a book while supplies last!
Finally, on Wednesday, July 26, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., learn how to bring your puppets to life at the library's Ventriloquist Workshop with professional ventriloquist, Kevin Driscoll! Kids are invited to participate in a two-part workshop where they'll create their own hand puppets and then use their puppets during an introductory course on ventriloquism. Limited space is available, sign up today to join! This program is sponsored in part by the Friends of the Beals Memorial Library.
The Beals Memorial Library is located at 50 Pleasant Street in Winchendon. All programs at the library are free to attend! For more information or to sign up for programs, call the library at 978-297-0300, email at bealsmemoriallibrary@gmail.com or visit their website at bealslibrary.org.
