Annual Town Meeting Warrant Includes Controversial School Budget, Four Citizen Petitions

by Inanna Arthen
Winchendon voters will be presented with a total of 32 articles in the Warrant for the 2024 Annual Town Meeting which will be held on Monday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the Murdock Middle High School Auditorium, 3 Memorial Drive, Winchendon. Due to the town's tight financial situation, expenditures are few and conservative for the coming fiscal year. The last four articles are non-binding referendums submitted by citizen petition which involve no expense to the town or taxpayers.

All articles below are recommended 4-0 by the Board of Selectmen and 6-0 by the Finance Committee, except where otherwise noted.

Article 1 - reports of Committees. The Board of Selectmen will report on the annual presentation of the Boston Post Cane to the town's oldest resident. The Finance Committee will give its usual presentation on the town's financial status and challenges, and how the Warrant articles before voters will impact those.

Article 2 - Establishing a special revenue fund (instead of a Stabilization Fund as previously approved by voters) for the monies the town receives as its share of the opioid litigation settlement funds. At the Finance Committee's public hearing on the Warrant on Tuesday, April 23, Town Manager Bill McKinney explained that the state changed the law about management of opioid settlement funds after Winchendon's Town Meeting vote last spring. Winchendon had received about $80,000, which would now be transferred out of Free Cash and placed into the new special revenue fund, which does negatively impact the town's Free Cash balance even though the money isn't actually spent. "Going forward, all the monies we receive from opioid settlements will go directly into the special revenue fund without any further appropriation to be spent, again on opioid related causes," Mr. McKinney said. He said the town has its contract with GAMMHA for services in place, although they have not been paid for any services so far.

(For a quick refresher about the very complicated and often confusing Opioid Settlement as a whole, see "Rep. Zlotnik Presents Proposal for Local Opioid Settlement Collaboration to BOS" in the August 25-September 1, 2022 edition of the Winchendon Courier, also Frequently Asked Questions About the AG's Statewide Opioid Settlements.)

Article 3 - Maximum payments allowed from various revolving funds. These are funds that come from various "user fees" in different departments, that the departments can then use to pay for goods and services they need. The departments may never come close to spending (or receiving) the amounts listed. This is a boilerplate article that simply sets the maximum amount they can spend without getting further authorization. These funds are not part of the town budget.

At the FinCom's hearing, FinCom member Dr. Maureen Ward questioned the number of funds, saying the town Bylaws only list four revolving funds. Mr. McKinney said that the Bylaws need to be updated to reflect the authorized revolving funds that are needed and in use. The FinCom discussed getting a clear understanding of which funds are really needed and actually used.

Article 4 - Senior Tax Workoff, $7,700. The Senior Tax Workoff is a town program allowing senior citizens to work in various odd jobs for the town in exchange for an offset (reduction) in their property taxes.

Article 5 - Town grant to the Winchendon Community Action Committee Inc. (CAC), $27,500. The CAC is an independent non-profit organization, but the town has granted it a sum of money for a number of years to support its work. The CAC operates a food pantry, assists residents in enrolling for services such as SNAP/HIP and heating assistance, offers financial counseling workshops, hosts the Youth Changemakers Sunshine Cafe and a farm stand in season, hosts the Makers Hub for local entrepreneurs, and most recently, runs community bowling on afternoons and evenings, among many other things. See www.winchendon-cac.org for much more information.

Article 6 - Asks voters to approve the FY2025 town budget in the amount of $17,712,045. This represents a very tight budget. Mr. McKinney explained that the presentation of the budget in the Warrant has been somewhat compacted (rather than being printed with all line items individually shown) in order to save space and make changes show up clearly.

For more details about the budget, see "TM McKinney Presents Proposed FY25 Town Budget to BOS" in the March 14- March 21, 2024 edition of the Winchendon Courier.

Article 7 - Asks voters to approve $1,072,078 for direct costs and $216,337 for indirect costs for the Water Department Enterprise Fund. Mr. McKinney explained that "indirect costs" are employee benefits for town staff outside of the water department per se, which are partially offset by Water Department revenue. This article is recommended 3-0-1 by the Board of Selectmen.

Article 8 - Asks voters to approve $1,271,179 (from user receipts and Betterment Revenues) for direct costs and $135,403 for indirect costs for the Wastewater (Sewer) Enterprise Fund. This article is recommended 3-0-1 by the Board of Selectmen.

Article 9 - Asks voters to approve $259,810 for direct costs and $23,474 for indirect costs for the Transfer Station Enterprise Fund, all of which comes from Transfer Station Receipts.

Article 10 - Asks voters to approve appropriating $70,000 from Transfer Station Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings to cover additional expenses. "Retained earnings" in an enterprise fund are revenues put into the fund and not spent. The transfer station has been taking in more materials and has seen a "drastic increase" in resident usership, and has more revenue than it was authorized to spend on itself. This article authorizes it to spend more of that.

Article 11 - Asks voters to approve $125,884 for direct costs to operate the Public, Education and Governmental (PEG) Access Media, and $5,106 for indirect costs funded by PEG Access receipts, for the Cable Public Access Enterprise Fund (which is new). The $125,884 comes from Comcast.

Article 12 - Asks voters to approve the operating budget of the Winchendon Public School District in the amount of $17,432,926. The school budget has created considerable controversy, and this article is recommended 3-1 by the Board of Selectmen and 5-1 by the Finance Committee due to concerns about where cuts have been made in the budget and where spending has increased.

In the April 23 hearing, Dr. Ward said, "Although it's a bottom line budget, and the School Committee did meet the bottom line, in good conscience, as a former educator, I can't support this budget because of the content. They have cut $755,000 for Memorial in teachers, classrooms, specialists, guidance and behavior specialists, and librarians. They've cut $367,000 from Toy Town, $77,000 from the Middle School and $35,000 from the High School for a total of $1.8 million in cuts to increase class sizes, decrease the one on one time with students, in a district where 75 percent of the students last year failed to meet proficiency. The district office on the other hand, the superintendent salary increased. The superintendent's clerical has staff increased. Legal fees went up 50 percent. Special Ed legal fees went up 150 percent. They have a special ed assistant director now with a 19 percent increase, and the clerical staff at the high school went up 100 percent, along with an increase in district wide salaries, which is the very definition of top heavy. So I won't be supporting it not because of the bottom line, but because of the content."

For more details, see "School Staff and Residents Voice Concerns About FY25 School Budget" in the April 4-April 11, 2024 edition of the Winchendon Courier

Article 13 - Asks voters to approve $622,230 for the town's assessment for its share of the Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School ("Monty Tech") budget. FinCom Chair Tom Kane explained that the amount is a little less this year because Winchendon is sending fewer students to the school. Formerly Winchendon could send more students than its quota because other towns were not using all their spaces, but that is no longer the case. Dr. Ward added that in fact Monty Tech now has a waiting list of over 350 names. This article is recommended 3-0-1 by the Board of Selectmen.

Article 14 - Asks voters to approve using $42,982.31 in unspent funds from salt shed roof repairs last year to make additional improvements around the DPW facility. Director of Public Works Brian Croteau said that the remaining funds will be used for weatherization and garage doors. The original amount was borrowed, not taken from Free Cash, so it has to be re-appropriated to something by Town Meeting vote.

Article 15 - Asks voters to approve using $110,445 of Wastewater Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings for one half of the cost of a 6-wheel Dump Truck. The other half will be taken from the Water Enterprise Fund. Mr. Croteau explained that this truck is required for every sewer repair and water break, and the current truck (bought in 2005) is not dependable. The new truck will not be outfitted with a snowplow blade, to increase its useful life. There is about a year wait time for the truck to be delivered. This article is recommended 3-0-1 by the Board of Selectmen.

Article 16 - Asks voters to approve using $110,445 of Water Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings for one half of the cost of a 6-wheel Dump Truck. The other half will be taken from the Wastewater Enterprise Fund. See Article 15. The Water Enterprise Fund only has about $45,000, so the remainder will need to be borrowed. This article is recommended 3-0-1 by the Board of Selectmen.

Article 17 - Asks voters to approve a total of $77,000 from Free Cash for a DPW vehicle ($62,000) and exterior repairs to the Beals Memorial Library ($15,000). Mr. Croteau explained that the vehicle is his 2012 Ford pickup, which is the oldest vehicle in the town fleet and rotting apart. It will replaced with another pickup. The library repairs comprise "some exterior trim and soffit that's rotted and falling off." This closes up the building and protects the interior repairs that were recently finished.

Article 18 - Asks voters to approve using $71,200 in grant money, from the 911 Grants, for the purchase of a new police cruiser. A new cruiser is purchased every year.

Article 19 - Asks voters to approve transferring $200,000 from Free Cash to the Stabilization Fund. Last December, the town had to cover some unpaid bills, including a large health insurance bill, by taking money from the Stabilization Fund because Free Cash was not yet certified. This replaces that money into the Stabilization Fund.

Article 20 - Asks voters to approve transferring $80.949.93 from Free Cash to the new Opioid Special Revenue Fund (see Article 2). This is required by state law.

Article 21 and Article 22 - These articles are related, and ask voters to approve changing the maximum terms for borrowing funds for various capital expenditures, both approved in the past and in the future. Mr. McKinney explained that he looked at the debt payment schedules the town is facing and found that it will cost much less to spread payments over longer terms. Many of them are five-year loans. By extending these to ten-year or even longer, the annual debt service to the town will be a much smaller amount each year.

Article 23 - Asks voters to approve forming a Youth Commission, consistent with the parameters in Mass General Law, for the town of Winchendon. This doesn't cost the town anything. (See "Youth Changemakers Present Plan for a Town Youth Commission to the BOS" in the May 2-May 9, 2024 edition of the Winchendon Courier, and https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/news/7.2_establishment_of_youth_advisory_ad-hoc_comm_presentatio.pdf.)

Article 24 - Asks voters to approve forming a Commission on Disabilities, consistent with the parameters in Mass General Law, for the town of Winchendon. This doesn't cost the town anything. (See "BOS Hears Details About Proposed Town Commission on Disability" in the April 11-April 18, 2024 edition of the Winchendon Courier, and https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/news/art._24_-_mgl_c.40_s8j_disability_commission.pdf.)

Article 25 - Asks voters to approve the Board of Selectmen entering into a Payment-In-Lieu-Of-Taxes (PILOT) agreement with the operators of a pending solar facility being installed at 875 Spring Street. Mr. McKinney explained that this is the first new PILOT agreement the town has entered into for some 6-7 years. It's based on a cost per kilowatt hour that the solar facility is projected to produce and then goes up two and half percent per year, for a term of, typically, 20 years. Mr. McKinney was not sure what the revenue would be compared to what the town would get in simple property taxes over the same period of time. This article is recommended 3-0-1 by the Board of Selectmen.

Article 26 - Asks voters to approve increasing Demand Fees that the Collector/Treasurer's Office can charge when they have to pursue non-paid bills and demand payment, from the current $5.00 to $15.00. The current rate is the bottom of the average scale. The state law allows towns to charge up to $30 per demand.

Article 27 - Asks voters to approve conveying a parcel of town-owned property on Lincoln Avenue to the Winchendon Redevelopment Authority so that WRDA can do something constructive with it. This had come before voters in December and been approved, but must be voted on again because the parcel number was incorrect. It has now been corrected. This is the site of the former Alaska Freezer plant which was demolished in 2019.

Article 28 - Asks voters to approve amending the town's Flood Zoning Bylaw to be compliant with federal FEMA guidelines, and incorporate the MA Model Flood Zoning Bylaw. See https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/news/art._28_-_flood_plain_zoning_bylaw_fema_changes.pdf for the text of the proposed changes. This article is recommended 3-0-1 by the Board of Selectmen.

Article 29 - Non-binding referendum placed by Citizen Petition. Asks voters to affirm that Winchendon should not permit any projects which involve Comm-97 or other contaminated soil to be brought, stored or dumped in Winchendon.

Article 30 - Non-binding referendum placed by Citizen Petition. Asks voters to affirm that no permits will be granted or renewed for earth removal operations within the town.

Article 31 - Non-binding referendum placed by Citizen Petition. Asks voters to affirm that all costs for the new water main will be assigned to those "who solely rely on these public services" and not residents with private wells and septic, and also, that additional grants and a "fiscally responsible contract with Ashburnham" will help reduce costs.

Article 32 - Non-binding referendum placed by Citizen Petition. Asks voters to affirm that Winchendon supports the ongoing campaign to update the Massachusetts state seal and flag to remove graphic representation of colonial atrocities against our local indigenous peoples and replace the imagery with other designs to be determined. (See "ATM Warrant Article 32: Citizen's Petition / Resolution in Support of Changing the Commonwealth Flag and Seal of Massachusetts" in the May 9-May 16, 2024 edition of the Winchendon Courier)

The video of the Finance Committee's hearing on the Warrant articles may be viewed at https://winchendon.cablecast.tv/CablecastPublicSite/show/88?site=1%C2%A0%C2%A0

Adelard Vaine Awarded Boston Post Cane for 2024

by Inanna Arthen
At the Old Murdock Senior Center Open House on Saturday, May 11, Winchendon resident Mr. Adelard J. Vaine, age 99, was awarded the Boston Post Cane and a Certificate of Recognition by Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Rick Ward in a brief but well-attended ceremony. The Senior Center dining room was SRO as visitors of all ages applauded Mr. Vaine's acceptance of the award.

The Cane presentation was begun by the Boston Post in 1909, and is presented annually to the town's "oldest citizen." Mr. Vaine is a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War and has celebrated his 70th wedding anniversary with his wife Lorraine, who accompanied him arm-in-arm to the event. Also accompanying the couple were many of their family, representing multiple generations.

Old Murdock Clock Chimes Once More at Senior Center Open House

by Inanna Arthen
After months of careful repair, the bell in the clock tower of the Old Murdock Senior Center chimed the hour of noon once again during the Senior Center's Open House on Saturday, May 11. A crowd of people gathered in front of the building's majestic front steps as Senior Center Director Miranda Jennings called forward long-time volunteer, top expert on the Old Murdock, and clock caretaker extraordinaire Art Amenta to receive his well-deserved applause. Mr. Amenta is a graduate of Murdock High School--albeit when the High School was in the current Toy Town school building, where it moved in 1961--and his class yearbook is still upstairs on display on the Old Murdock third floor.

"I'm very new at the Senior Center," Ms. Jennings said, "My first or second day Art invited me to the tippy top of the bell tower. I think it was to actually see if I can handle this job.

"It was very scary. It was amazing the workmanship and the time and effort that he puts in to winding this clock, to maintaining it, to everything. It's just incredible and he is passing on his skills to his son...Lynn [Murray] comes every week and winds the clock by hand. So this clock works literally because our community takes care of it and winds it and makes it go round and round.

"We would like to present you with this cake to celebrate and thank you for your many years of dedicated service to the Winchendon Senior Center and the town of Winchendon. We hereby dedicate the clock tower of the old Murdock building as the Arthur Amenta Clock Tower."

Attendees whooped and clapped as Department of Public Works Director Brian Croteau used two hands to present Mr. Amenta with his festive cake.

The stairs of the building echoed with the memories of hundreds of students going up and down them to classes during the years, almost 100 of them, that Old Murdock served as a school. Volunteer Lynn Murray, another Murdock High graduate, wore her original Murdock High School Band cap as she conducted historical tours around the building from the basement (once home to science rooms and a print shop where the school printed its own yearbooks) to the third floor conference room. She pointed out what rooms were used for which classes, and talked about doing plays on the stage in the auditorium as a 6th grader. Lynn was also responsible for the trivia questions posted all around the building, asking such brain-teasers as "why does the Civil War Monument in G.A.R. Park face west instead of south?" (Because it faces the school by design.) In the entryway on the first floors, memorabilia from the Old Murdock's high school days included copies of the school literary journal, Murdock Murmurs, from the 1930s.

The entire building was filled with generations of visitors. Young students from Toy Town (right across the park from Old Murdock) sold popcorn and ran Bingo games in the first floor parlor. There were crafts, pickleball and cookie-decorating. At the beginning of the event at 11:00 a.m, tables out front were selling raffle tickets, garden plants, Winchendon Community Park swag, baked goods and sweets. As the day grew chillier, however, activities were moved inside. Two rooms of the basement were organized into an indoor yard sale. The dining room was bustling with live music and visitors of all ages enjoying refreshments and camaraderie.

The event was brought to a heartwarming close with the presentation of the Boston Post Cane and a certificate (and a cake!) to 99-year-old veteran Adelard Vaine as the town's "oldest citizen." Mr. Vaine attended with his wife Lorraine and many of his family.

The Old Murdock opened in 1887, and recently has been undergoing badly needed maintenance and repairs. But those who attended Saturday's Open House could have no doubts: from the foundation to the roof, there's plenty of life left in the old girl yet.

For more information about the many programs, events and activities going on at the Old Murdock Senior Center, see the Center's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oldmurdock, or pay them a visit at 52 Murdock Avenue, right next to G.A.R. Park (you can't miss it!). The Senior Center hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday. The phone number is 978-297-3155 and they can be reached by email at winchendoncoa@gmail.com.

Northern Lights Thrill Toy Towners

by Inanna Arthen
People all around the globe were treated to a sight seldom seen outside of the polar regions on Friday, May 10: the Northern (or Southern) Lights, or auroras: shimmering colored light displays in the night sky caused by storms on the surface of the sun. Although the lights appeared only as a pale glow in the sky when viewed with the naked eye in Winchendon's latitude, photographs and videos on devices set to "night vision" or long-exposure revealed a far more dramatic reality. Winchendon lucked out--there were very few clouds that night. Numerous people around town posted images they had taken with their cameras or cell phones.

Many of the lights seen early in the night were all vividly pink (or purple, as described by some). But later in the night the lights shifted to green, and then changed from one color to the other. This was perceptable with the naked eye if viewers allowed their eyes to become fully accustomed to the dark--the shift in hue from pink to green was very subtle but visible.

The Courier was not able to set up better equipment than a cell phone, but still got some photos showing the change in color after midnight--these were taken just a few minutes apart.

The sun is reaching the peak of its 11-year sunspot cycle, meaning that the surface of the sun is active with solar storms that throw off streams of energy into space, called coronal mass ejections. When such a stream collides with Earth (many of them don't), it creates a disturbance in Earth's magnetic field called a geomagnetic storm. The storm last weekend was classified as a G5, the most extreme identified by the National Oceanic and Aeronautic Administration (NOAA). It was the strongest such storm to reach Earth since 2003. Auroras were forecast for the next two nights, but skies around New England were cloudy. But for those who missed this event, there may be more opportunities in the near future. There are several more months to go before the sun's activity cycle reaches its peak.

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