Winchendon Unofficial Primary Election Results

According to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, (see https://www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/research-and-statistics/registration-statistics.htm), as of February 24, 2024, voter registration in Winchendon was recorded as follows:

Total: 7,905
Democrat: 1,048
Republican: 998
Libertarian: 49
Unenrolled: 5,724

1,877 ballots were cast in the Presidential Primaries in Winchendon, which represents a voter turnout of 23.7 percent. Since Unenrolled voters can choose any party's ballot, it's not possible to determine how many Unenrolled voters chose to vote Republican, Democratic or Libertarian. However, significantly fewer Democratic ballots were cast (651) than the number of registered Democrats in town, while significantly more Republican ballots were cast (1,182) than the number of registered Republicans in town.

Since February 1, 2021, the number of registered voters in Winchendon has increased by 748 (from 7,157 to 7,905). The number of Unenrolled voters has increased by 960 (from 4,764 to 5,724). Registered Democrats have decreased by 167 (from 1,215 to 1,048) and registered Republicans have decreased by 43 (from 1,041 to 998). It was not possible to register as a Libertarian in 2021.

Large Turnout at ZBA Hearing on Permit Renewal for Gravel Mining Operation at 580 River Street

by Inanna Arthen
The Winchendon Zoning Board of Appeals had an unusually high turnout for their meeting on Wednesday, February 28, when the agenda included the application for renewal of the permit to operate a sand and gravel removal operation at the former Mabardy property at 580 River Street. Some 40 citizens attended the meeting in the Old Murdock Senior Center cafeteria, where it was moved to accommodate the expected high citizen interest. The Town Hall second floor auditorium was set up for early voting in the state primary elections, and the Town Hall 4th floor conference room would have been too small.

On Monday, February 26, a large crowd had packed the Board of Selectmen meeting held in the Beals Memorial Library second floor auditorium, for public comments regarding concern about the landfill capping operation ongoing on the same parcel of land on River Street. The land is owned by an entity named 580 River Street LLC.

The ZBA hearing on Wednesday was attended by representives from Civil and Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC), which is carrying out the operations on the property. Two representatives, civil engineer Kyle Hampton and Jon Kitchen, had also been at the BOS meeting on Monday.

Mr. Hampton began with a presentation on the history of the sand and gravel operation, strongly emphasizing that it is a separate operation from the landfill capping project that has been going on for several years on another section of the property. The Special Permit which was being presented for renewal includes earth removal operation, sand and gravel processing, asphalt, brick and concrete (ABC) recycling, and leaf and yard waste composting. Mr. Hampton showed photos of the sand and gravel pit in operation during the 1930s, 1970s, early 2000s at which time retention ponds were visible, and present day. The use of the property for this operation predates the area being zoned residential in 1958 and is therefore grandfathered in.

The ZBA issued the Special Permit in 1989 (to "C.J. Mabardy Washed Sand & Gravel, Inc."). It was appealed to the Land Court, no action was taken and the appeal was dismissed in 1996. In 1999 the Winchendon Building Commissioner issued a violation and said the operation must cease, but Mabardy appealed to the ZBA and the ZBA overturned the Building Commissioner's decision.

In 2008, the Special Permit was renewed for 10 years. The expiration date of the permit was extended by four years by the Massachusetts Legislature, and extended further during the COVID-19 state of emergency. The updated expiration date became March 8, 2024. The 2008 Special Permit included the following conditions:

• A natural buffer zone of at least 100 feet in width shall be maintained along all the property lines and the existing berm of trees along the River Street property line shall be maintained.
• The operator shall give five days written notice, including a rain date, by U.S. Mail or electronic mail to abutters on Sibley Road and shall visit homes within 1000 feet one hour before blasting to alert residents.
• The operator will continue to pay for the street light on pole #69.
• The operator will conduct the composting operation in a manner that will minimize and/or eliminate odor generation.

(For a complete packet of documents related to the sand and gravel operation, see https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/events/306-000_special_earth_permit_renewal_application.pdf)

The discussion lasted more than two hours. ZBA Chair Cynthia Carvill frequently explained to the citizens attending that the ZBA can only take certain actions. She repeatedly urged citizens to learn how the zoning rules and regulations worked, and to bring complaints to the ZBA. She stated that there had never been a complaint about the sand and gravel operation brought before the ZBA up to this time.

Citizens raised many of the same questions that had been brought up on Monday. Some described damage to their properties and homes from blasting. The amount of trees removed from the property in recent years was brought up by numerous people. The issue of contaminated soil being tracked out of the site by trucks, and the truck washing station not being used, was discussed.

Ivan Ussach, Executive Director for the Millers River Watershed Council, rose to express concerns about impact on the watershed and river, directly adjacent to the property. Both Ms. Carvill and the CEC representatives repeated that the landfill capping and gravel operations are completely different. However, all operations on the site are being carried on by CEC, and all trucks entering and leaving the site are using the same access road.

Department of Public Works Director Brian Croteau rose several times to speak at length about what the town is doing to ensure that operations are safe and that citizen concerns are addressed immediately.

The CEC representatives said that no composting is currently being done on the property. No one was sure what the status is of the light on pole #69.

After all comments had been made, the ZBA did not feel able to make a decision on renewing the permit, and voted to continue the hearing to March 20, 2024.

Toy Towners Flock to Winchendon Lions Turkey Dinner

by Inanna Arthen
The Winchendon Lions Club served more than 85 enthusiastic diners at their Turkey Dinner on Saturday, March 2 at Immaculate Heart of Mary church, in the parish hall. Thanks to generous donations of funding and food by local business Horse & Buggy Feeds and the Winchendon Community Action Committee, dinner was free to all.

Winchendon Lions Secretary Joni LaPlante told the Courier that at least three people worked in the kitchen the night before roasting the turkeys ahead of time. It took about six turkeys to make enough for the full dinner. The following day at least 18 volunteers pitched in to prepare all the food and serve it. Many of the volunteers were Lions Club members but other folks stepped up to volunteer, as well.

Promotion for the dinner was done primarily through Facebook and by word of mouth, Ms. LaPlante said. The Courier had also placed the dinner in the Community Calendar.

Ms. LaPlante wanted to give special thanks to Walter and Mary Anair of Horse & Buggy Feeds, who donated both the turkeys and funding for cash expenses. Thanks also go to Miranda Jennings, Director of the Winchendon CAC, and the CAC staff and volunteers for their donations of vegetables and other food.

Some diners made a voluntary cash donation for their dinner, and all donations were given to the church to help cover their costs in electricity, heat and other expenses of hosting the event.

Lions International sponsors many service projects. Their "Sight Mobile" provides free testing for eye health and vision problems, and the Lions have a donation program for used eyeglasses that can be refurbished and provided to those in need. The Winchendon Lions helped bring in several providers at the last health fair at the Old Murdock Senior Center, including the Sight Mobile, Miracle-Ear, the Talking Library, blood pressure tests by the Winchendon Fire Department and diabetes testing.

The Winchendon Lions Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the Winchendon American Legion Post 193, 295 School Street, downstairs hall at 7:00 p.m. They welcome all interested persons who would like to learn more or become members. More more information, contact Joni LaPlante at 978-297-2753. The Lions' motto is, "Where there's a need, there's a Lion."

Winchendon Democrats to Elect Delegates to Democratic State Convention

On Saturday, March 16, at 9 a.m., Democrats will convene at the Winchendon Community Room at 108 Ipswich Dr. to elect 4 delegates and 4 alternates to represent Winchendon at the 2024 Democratic State Convention. The caucus will be held live at the Ipswich Dr. location, or by Zoom at:

Winchendondtc zoom account: 301 245 6637
Password: 99Rixr

Registered Democrats in Winchendon aged 16 years by Thursday February 15 may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus. Youth (age 16 to 35), people with disabilities, people of color, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus or by visiting massdems.org/massdems-convention.

The 2024 Convention will be in person at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA on June 1st. Those interested in getting involved with the Winchendon Democratic Committee, or for questions about the caucus, should contact:

Michael D'Intinosanto
Chair, Winchendon Democratic Town Committee
(978)350-6364
Winchendondtc@gmail.com

The Beals Memorial Library Receives Extension for National Grant for Small and Rural Libraries

$10,000 Grant Will Help the Library Work with Individuals on the Autism Spectrum

Winchendon - The Beals Memorial Library has been selected as one of 310 libraries nationally to participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.

This competitive award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the library. Additionally, the library is a Round 2 recipient of this grant award, having also received $10,000 for Round 1 last year. Individuals and families on the spectrum are underserved within Winchendon's community, and the library wants to change that by expanding services to provide an environment that allows individuals to engage in sensory-friendly programming and special events through the See Beyond the Spectrum initiative. Over the last year, the library has utilized the funding provided by the grant to create a more accepting and accessible library for individuals on the spectrum, neurodivergent patrons, and their families. In doing so, the library has engaged with community organizations to host sensory-friendly programs, has initiated a monthly sensory-friendly browsing hour, added new items to the collection to benefit autistic and neurodivergent patrons, and organized training for library personnel. The Round 2 grant extension, once again spearheaded by library staff member, Alexis Chanthachack, will allow the library to continue funding these programs and services for another year and give the library the opportunity to continue to set an example to communities throughout Massachusetts, showing the difference that an autism friendly library experience can make for patrons on the spectrum.

Are you a parent or caretaker of a child with autism? The library will be offering a number of programs and events throughout the month of April in honor of Autism Acceptance Month! On Monday, April 8, at 6:00 p.m., there will be an autism documentary screening. On Saturday, April 13, the library will have their monthly Sensory-Friendly Browsing Hour from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by the Sensory Friendly Family Movie Matinee at 10:00 a.m. The following week, on Tuesday, April 16, the library will be hosting an outdoor Family Story Walk from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Participants will receive a free copy of the selected book while supplies last. On Saturday, April 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the library will be offering a Sensory-Friendly Touch-A-Truck event at the Winchendon American Legion. Individuals who are neurodivergent, on the autism spectrum, or have other special needs, and their families are invited to climb in and check out trucks and emergency vehicles without the lights, sirens, and horns! On Monday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m., caregivers, family members, and anyone supporting individuals with autism, neurodivergence, or other special needs are invited to participate in the monthly Walking Beside You Caregiver Support Group. Finally, the library will be wrapping up the month on Saturday, April 27, with a Sensory Kid Corner at the upcoming Winchendon Renaissance Faire, beginning at 10:00 a.m.!

If you are interested in learning more about the See Beyond the Spectrum initiative, please contact library staff member, Alexis Chanthachack, at 978-297-0300, or visit bealslibrary.org/autism for more information.

Since 2014, ALA's Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums; take part in anti-violence activities; provide a space for residents to come together and discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees, and staff.

Comerford receives Legislator of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council

(BOSTON, MA) March 6, 2024 - Today, Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) was honored at the State House by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC), receiving the Legislator of the Year award during the organization's 46th legislative advocacy day.

MDDC is an independent agency, funded by the federal government, dedicated to empowering people with developmental disabilities and their families to enjoy full productive lives by promoting self-sufficiency, community inclusion, and opportunity. Learn more about MDCC and its work here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-developmental-disabilities-council

An excerpt from Comerford's remarks:

"In accepting this tremendous honor, I want to name the shared values that I have learned from you all: a shared commitment to access and equity; a shared commitment to full inclusion and respect for all people; a shared commitment to ensuring that the people most affected by any policy and budget decisions have a voice in shaping them; and a shared commitment to have people living with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities. Your agenda is my agenda."

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