TM McKinney Presents Proposed FY25 Town Budget to BOS
At their meeting on Monday, March 7, Town Manager Bill McKinney presented the proposed draft budget for Fiscal Year 2025 to the Board of Selectmen. The previous draft had represented what department heads felt they needed to have if possible. The new draft represents what IS possible, and comes to a total of $35,839,271, an increase of 3.98 percent over the current fiscal year, FY24 budget.
Mr. McKinney quickly went over the requested amounts. One of the larger increases in the first draft had been the Fire Department, which has cut back its asks substantially. "The fire chief was looking for another person, a fourth person on a shift and also an increase in pay," Mr. McKinney said, but those have been cut. The DPW would have liked an assistant director and some materials and supplies, but will be doing without those.
The town will be hiring a new Treasurer/Collector and will need to offer a higher salary. The salary for the Parks & Recreation Commissioner has been paid by the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, but that grant money is not certain, so the amount has been added to the budget.
Tuition and transportation for Monty Tech students has gone down a bit because there will be fewer Winchendon students attending Monty Tech, Mr. McKinney said. But tuition and transportation for School Choice, charter schools and Special Education has gone up substantially, based on the state "cherry sheets" which recently were released.
Retirement, Worker's Comp, Unemployment, Health/Life Insurance and Medicare have all gone up. Unemployment has doubled and Health/Life Insurance has increased nearly 13 percent, while Retirement has gone up nearly 10 percent.
On the revenue side, Mr. McKinney explained that one of the biggest hits for the town is a drastic reduction in the anticipated Chapter 70 funds from the state. In the past two years, Chapter 70 funding has increased by a million to a million and half dollars; this year, Winchendon is getting a $30,000 increase over last year. Local Aid funding is lower because the state's income is coming in far below projections.
"Almost half of our budget comes from the state," Mr. McKinney said. "They're not going up two and a half percent fully. The property taxes are going up two and a half percent. So it's tough for the budget itself to grow when we only control that." Excise tax income is down because people aren't buying new cars, Mr. McKinney said. Ambulance revenue is expected to go down because of the lack of personnel to respond to all calls, losing the town billable income for providing ambulance services which are picked up by other area departments.
With the adjusted expenses and anticipated revenue lined up, the budget has a shortfall of $744,623. Mr. McKinney proposes that this be covered by one-time payments from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies, $150,000 in cannabis fees, $250,000 from Free Cash and $144,623 from "Treasurer Misc".
"So there's $200,000 left in ARPA that had been looked at for other projects. We won't be able to do those other projects. That would have to go into the budget," Mr. McKinney went on. "Cannabis money. I budgeted $140, I could go up, I know you normally wouldn't because when you're showing some increases, you want to be able to have steady increases, not go straight up, because then there's nowhere to go in the next year when those other needs kick in. So that would pretty much eat up the entire cannabis revenue that we would expect to get. The challenge with cannabis is if New Hampshire ever legalizes it? You know, we wouldn't have people coming over and coming here so that's really not a sustainable number, which is why I wouldn't want to put it in the regular budget.
"Free Cash which we should be submitting for this week, should be at least $250,000. And then the Treasurer Miscellaneous which are payments, a lot of it is for the pot that I would add to the money that we would get from the Frenches, the tonnage that they pay. So again, that's going to go away. So it really would only extend into next year. So that's how we could get through and survive into next year. But it's not sustainable."
After some discussion about possible cannibis manufacturing opportunities [Courier note: there are four cannabis growing/manufacturing projects on the boards for Winchendon, on School Street, West Street, Gardner Road and Central Street, whose status is unknown], Mr. McKinney segued to the water and wastewater (sewer) Enterprise Funds. These funds have run deficits several times over the past several years, Mr. McKinney said. Director of Public Works Brian Croteau plans to move a staff position from the water to the sewer account.
"With the water Enterprise Fund, the challenge is going to be next year, when we start having to make repayments on the [$9.5 million loan from the state] that we're taking out for the water line replacement. So we want to at least build up a little bit of a reserve. I think it was a 13 percent increase that had been voted on for the water rates. So that is factored in there."
The sewer Enterprise Fund has been running a deficit, and Mr. McKinney said he discovered why. "If you look on the revenue side down under betterments, the betterments had been budgeted well above what they were coming in, and for some reason, the betterments had, I think the year before that, were set at about $280,000 and jumped to $443,000. But the betterments actually go down, because we're not adding anything. We're not adding any new betterments, so I don't know why there was a revenue estimate of going up and the betterments are actually going down. So you can see the trend that's been going on. It's a little bit of fluctuation as people make the payoffs but overall, the trend will always go down, which is why it really should be $190,000."
The Transfer Station Enterprise Fund is "about break even," Mr. McKinney said. No price increases for stickers or bags are planned, but the rate for bulk demo waste is being increased. Mr. Croteau rose to explain that a new truck purchased for the Transfer Station came in last week, and they will be hauling their own trash rather than paying an outside vendor to do the hauling. "The costs have to increase but I feel that with the addition of this truck in our personnel that we have a major factor of controlling our costs," Mr. Croteau said.
The draft budget details may be viewed at
https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/news/draft_fy2025_general_fund_budget_3.11.24.pdf
Mr. McKinney's presentation may be viewed at:
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.townofwinchendon.com%2Fsites%2Fg%2Ffiles%2Fvyhlif8401%2Ff%2Fnews%2Ffiscal_year_2025_budget_presentation_march_11.pptx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK
Plans for Bull Spit Tap Room Uncertain as Brewery Business Goes Up for Sale
Bull Spit Brewing Company has listed its entire brewery business, including "Too much equipment to list. Established Distribution. Waterfront location, Multiple Buildings, large Warehouse," for sale, leaving Winchendon residents and customers to speculate about what may come of plans for a tap room and brewery in renovated buildings on Summer Drive. The listing gives the reason for the sale as "retire." Seller financing is available, and the listing also says, "open to partnership to transition."
Bull Spit Brewing Company is part of Kalon Farms, which produces locally raised meat and is based in Lancaster. In July of 2020, the company was the sole bidder on a Request for Proposal made by the town for 4 Summer Drive, with an opening bid of $5,001. Keith Kopley, President of Bull Spit Brewing, appeared before the Board of Selectmen on December 14, 2020 to present plans for a brewery, a taproom and space for outdoor entertainment. Then Town Manager Keith Hickey stated, "In my mind, the bid for the property was secondary to the ultimate reuse of the property, and the redevelopment of that property, bringing tax base back onto the tax rolls, having some new business in town, an opportunity to employ some new employees, as well."
The town of Winchendon was responsible for removing contaminants and hazardous materials from the site.
Bull Spit also purchased the former Goodspeed property at 15 Summer Drive for $40,000.
In summer of 2021, Bull Spit set up the "Pop Up Bull Yard" on a paved area at 270 Central Street owned by Tighe Mathieu of Mathieu Ford Sales. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays the Bull Yard featured live music and served wine and beer. It was so successful, Bull Spit extended its one-day liquor licenses to continue operation into the fall.
In April, 2021, the town of Winchendon was awarded a grant of $150,200 from the Massachusetts Development Brownfields Development Fund and began remediation work on the site.
On August 30, 2021, Jim Hunt and Rebecca Higgins of Bull Spit Brewing appeared before the Board of Selectmen to share updates on the progress of renovating 4 Summer Drive. The property had not officially changed hands, as the town retained title to it until the grant-funded work was complete. Then Town Manager Justin Sultzbach said, "when the property actually officially changes hands, that will be complete once we're done doing the grant-funded portion of the project. So things are going a little out of sequence here, so even though we may see some roof work going on or masonry work, the earthwork, of existing site conditions and any contaminants in the soil, that's something that's going to be done by the town, and has to be done prior to us officially handing the property over. So that's why we're going to hold off for a little while before formally signing the property over. When that time comes, Bull Spit will come back, and that's when we'll have conceptual drawings and other items so the community can get a really good idea, from a rendering perspective of what this, what the vision for this property will be, and I think that's probably an appropriate time for the Board to revisit officially signing off on the purchase and sale and all of that and formalizing that agreement. So that's something that I would imagine would happen before the end of this calendar year [i.e. 2021]."
In November of 2021, Bull Spit opened a taproom in Maynard, Massachusetts. At that time, Mr. Kopley told the Worcester Business Journal that plans for the Winchendon location "are still in the works" but have been put on hold due to "environmental concerns about the property."
In the summer of 2023, Bull Spit set up the fencing, tables and stage from the Pop Up Bull Yard on the paved area next to the building at 4 Summer Drive, and hosted musicians, food and drink outside. They brought in their own food truck to serve sandwiches featuring local meat raised by Kalon Farms. In the meantime, they had closed their taproom in Maynard. At that time, Mr. Sultzbach told the Board of Selectmen that costs for the remediation had run about $100,000 over the amount bid and the town was seeking additional funding. The town was giving Bull Spit a "short term lease" to use the property which would dissolve and terminate when the property was formally turned over to Bull Spit.
At this time, 4 Summer Drive is listed in the Assessor's database as owned by the Town of Winchendon.
Mr. Kopley told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that Bull Spit plans to set up the outdoor Bull Yard this summer. He may put up a new building of some kind to allow for year-round business rather than renovate the old brick foundry. Whether he stays involved with the brewery depends on what happens with the potential sale or partnership. "You have to put more into it than I'm putting into it," he said.
Anyone interested in purchasing a brewery business, or partnering with Mr. Kopley, may see the business listing at https://www.bizbuysell.com/Business-Real-Estate-For-Sale/centrally-located-established-brewery/2208749/. The listing price is $875,000.
Supt. Goguen Presents Third Draft FY25 Budget for Winchendon Public Schools
Full-time Music Teachers will Remain at Elementary Schools and Help Cover Other Specials
At the their meeting on Monday, March 7, the Winchendon School Committee heard Interim Superintendent Dr. Ruthann Goguen's presentation of the third draft of the proposed budget for the Winchendon Public School District for Fiscal Year 2025 (and academic year 2024-2025).
Dr. Goguen stated that the total expenses in the FY25 budget are 2.4 percent less than the expenses in this year's FY24 budget. The total amount, which includes both the budget request and operational expenses that will be offset through other funding sources, is $18,539,180.84.
The amount requested from the town is $17,432,925.86. Of this amount, $14,039,746 will be Chapter 70 funding from the state, $6,846,442 will be Local Aid from the town (direct and indirect), and $384,026 will be credit from a past Proposition 2-1/2 override.
Addition revenue of $1,106,254 needed to balance the budget is estimated to come from the FY25 Circuit Breaker funding (state funding to assist with Special Education) of $600,000, estimated School Choice revenue of $227,389, and Rural Aid funding of $278,865.
Salaries, including regular salaries, substitutes, vacations, sick time, overtime and buybacks, come to about $13.8 million; all other expenses, including maintenance and all non-salary costs, come to about $4.8 million.
Dr. Goguen emphasized that the schools are not relying on trust fund monies to balance the budget. Funds have been applied for from the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation and the Murdock Trust, but they will be used for enrichment activities for the students, including school trips for the elementary and Middle School students, Robotics Competition Fees, Student Council and National Honor Society Field Trips, E-Sports Club Registration Fees, Band and Choir Field Trips, Murdock Choral Riser Upgrades, Murdock Art Class Field Trips, and Middle School Robotics Kits.
Continuing to staff changes, Dr. Goguen said, "After talking lots about the specialists at the elementary school and the split, we have put back two full time music teachers at each elementary school...the two full time teachers at each elementary school will be able to not only teach music, they will have extra time for band and special chorus and they will have time to provide a library." Music teachers will be handling library sessions as well as music. "There will be two reductions for art and PE, they will share across elementary schools much like how they're sharing technology currently now," Dr. Goguen said. "Students will have a special every day and no student will miss time for art, music, PE or technology or library. Music teachers will teach music to every student, offer Band and Chorus and instrument lessons, and teach library to every elementary student."
Funding for some positions has been moved from School Choice into the regular budget, including salaries for five FTE (full time equivalent) music and art teachers and 1 FTE Paraprofessional.
About $554,400 in expenses were cut from the second draft budget in other areas, including reducing Curriculum and Instruction costs, cutting SPED Contracted Services by half, reducing out-of-district Special Education costs, reducing SPED Summer Services, reducing the budget line for postage, and reducing the budget for High School software. Also, the proposed 1.0 FTE Athletic Director has been changed to a part-time stipended position.
Other staff changes proposed in the second draft budget remain in place, including two staff reductions at the High School (English Language Arts and History) and three staff reductions at the elementary schools (two of them offset by retirements).
More support for Special Education is being added, along with support for Multilingual Learner (MLL) students, who have increased from 30 to 37 since December, 2023 (23 percent in 3 months). Languages spoken at home by WPS students currently include Portuguese, Spanish, Ga, French, Illango, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Arabic, Japanese and Tagalog.
Dr. Goguen shared the district's new Mission and Vision plan with the Committee:
Our mission is to collaboratively provide a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment to create compassionate and powerful critical thinkers in an ever-changing world.A public hearing on the proposed FY25 school budget will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 5:00 p.m., in the Town Hall 2nd floor auditorium, 109 Front Street. All interested persons shall be given the opportunity to be heard for or against the whole or any part of the proposed budget. The hearing will be followed by the regular School Committee meeting. The full budget will be available for viewing by the public at the Superintendent's Office, 175 Grove Street (Toy Town Elementary), Winchendon, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Our vision is to provide an equitable and excellent well-rounded education that will prepare every student for success in college, career, and life!
Our instructional priority is to build a culture of achievement where everyone feels a sense of belonging and students are doing the majority of the thinking and applying what they are learning in real life.
The Version 3.0 Draft Budget Summary may be viewed at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KGpT1JfieDBzzziMDSkRfT88w_F7Qulc/view.
Dr. Goguen's presentation slides may be viewed at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YmCqkAD_phadtbHHa_9RjNoGQDYxB0j1/view
Wyndonshire Renaissance Faire Expands to Second Weekend at Red Apple Farm
Step back in time and experience the magic of the Renaissance era over two splendid weekends. The Wyndonshire Renaissance Faire at the Winchendon Community Park in Winchendon, MA and the Enchanted Orchard Renaissance Faire at Red Apple Farm are joining forces to bring an unprecedented celebration of medieval culture, entertainment, and tradition to North Central MA.
The Town of Winchendon welcomes you to the Wyndonshire Renaissance Faire, taking place on April 27 and 28 in the picturesque Community Park. This event promises a weekend filled with historical reenactments, artisan markets, and performances that capture the spirit of the Renaissance.
The revelry continues the following weekend, May 4 and 5, at the Enchanted Orchard Renaissance Faire hosted by Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, MA. Set amidst our blossoming orchards, this Faire brings an additional layer of enchantment with unique agricultural-themed activities, local farm produce, and a connection to nature that only a farm setting can provide.
While each Faire has its distinct charm and offerings, together they represent a collaboration that celebrates the rich tapestry of Renaissance culture and history. Attendees are encouraged to experience both events to fully immerse themselves in the era's artistry, cuisine, and community spirit!
Open Position for Superintendent of Schools Posted
The Winchendon Public School District has announced the position vacancy for Superintendent of Schools as of March 13, 2024. Complete applications must be submitted by April 15, 2024. The School Committee hopes to make an appointment in May and the anticipated start date for the position is July 1, 2024. The listing states,
The Successful Candidate Will Be:The apoplication portal may be found at https://winchendonk12ma.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=199
- A dynamic educational leader with at least five (5) years of experience in upper level school district administration;
- Dedicated to collaborating with and providing effective communication with students, faculty, staff, parents, school committee members and members of the community;
- Willing to strengthen and support excellent teaching and learning in the Winchendon Public Schools;
- Able to ensure strong fiscal accountability through strategic budget planning, implementation and oversight;
- One who listens before leading decisively and fosters a positive climate in all schools for all students, staff and families;
- Capable of building strong relationships with local, state and federal policymakers;
- Licensed as a Superintendent of Schools in Massachusetts;
- Holder of a Master's degree.
Applications Open for Massachusetts Agriculture Youth Council
This Council was created to cultivate and foster the next generation of leaders in the agriculture industry
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is proud to announce the creation of the Massachusetts Agriculture Youth Council ("Council"). This Council is created to cultivate and foster the next generation of leaders in the agriculture industry. The Council will be comprised of high school students in their senior year and will meet monthly to discuss agricultural issues, hear from guest speakers from the agriculture industry, learn about the legislative procedures and workforce development opportunities, attend special events and tours, and enhance professional skills.
Participating in the Council will provide students with an opportunity to learn about the varied agricultural sectors in Massachusetts, emerging trends and innovation in farming, and deepen understanding of other states' agricultural issues through connections with youth councils across the United States. The Council will also have the opportunity to share ideas, which may be used to help in the further development of MDAR programs and support of agriculture in Massachusetts.
This opportunity is open to rising high school seniors enrolled in any public or private high school in Massachusetts. Members will serve a 1 year term from June to May of their senior year. MDAR will select 14 students to serve on the Council, with 1 student selected from each Massachusetts county. MDAR intends to hold monthly meetings, with both in-person and virtual opportunities, on the first Thursday of the month at 5pm, please note this day might change based on council member's availability. In-person opportunities, including attendance at events and farm/industry tours, will be available on an optional basis. Transportation to and from events will not be provided by MDAR, but MDAR will make every effort to keep costs as minimal as possible. MDAR will also make every effort to have virtual options for all events whenever possible.
Council members under the age of 18 will require parent or guardian permission to participate on the Council and any events hosted by MDAR in connection with the Council.
We encourage all Massachusetts High School juniors to learn more and apply to the Council.
Please send completed application and attachments via email to Katelyn.Rozenas@mass.gov. Applications may be found at https://www.mass.gov/doc/massachusetts-agriculture-youth-council-application/download and are due March 17, 2024.
Murdock Middle School Dealing with "Behaviors"
Murdock Middle School administration has taken some steps to discourage what Interim Superintendent Dr. Ruthann Goguen calls "spring fever" and "an uptick in behaviors" at Murdock Middle School. On March 13, new Interim Principal at MMS Cory Rogers sent a message out to parents to explain some of the steps regarding "behaviors" in the cafeteria.
"After being in the cafeteria for lunch over the last two weeks, I have made some short-term adjustments to the space and offerings for the lunches for [grades 7 and 8]," Mr. Rogers wrote. "I have removed the round cafe style tables which were in a corner space which limited our ability to see students on camera during lunch. This area has historically been where a significant number of bad choices have been made, from smearing pizza on the windows or seats to 'popping' milk cartons which cause many students unnecessary stress from the surprising sound which students have reported seem like gunshots. I have witnessed all of these first hand in the time I have been here."
In addition to adjusting tables, Mr. Rogers wrote, the special options of pizza and tacos were being temporarily discontinued. Express lunch options and regular lunch menus would be available daily. "It is my hope that this is a short-lived intervention. As uncomfortable as it is, it is a necessary step in returning order and respect to the staff who are serving meals and also cleaning up daily after lunch." Mr. Rogers stated that he had met with all the students to explain these steps and the reasons they were being taken. He added that any parents who would like to volunteer as lunch monitors are invited to contact the school.
At the School Committee meeting on Thursday, March 7, Dr. Goguen stated that administrators from other schools would be supporting Mr. Rogers. Murdock High School Interim Assistant Principal Andrew Bloch will be at MMS on Wednesdays and Thursdays, while Toy Town Elementary Dean Laura Lambert will assist on Mondays and Tuesdays. They will work with Mr. Rogers in "bringing the climate to a calmer state and helping get a code of conduct reinstituted in the school," Dr. Goguen said.
Winchendon's Digital Equity Planning Has Begun! Your Voice Matters!
Take the Massachusetts Statewide Digital Equity Survey!
The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) has launched the Massachusetts Statewide Digital Equity Survey to better understand the needs of Massachusetts residents when it comes to computers and internet access.
This important survey will help MBI to develop a comprehensive Digital Equity Plan for the Town and state and ensure that all Massachusetts residents can fully experience the opportunities that come from having the access and skills to use computers and the internet in their everyday life.
It is critical that Winchendon residents respond to this survey so that our voices and perspectives can be included in the State's plans. On behalf of Town of Winchendon, we encourage you to please complete this 5-minute online statewide digital equity survey by clicking this link:
https://mbicx.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bxTlMGFVF8KjigC
Share the link with your friends, colleagues, and community members.
Thank you for supporting this important process!
