Take the TOY TOWN TROLLEY On Saturdays Beginning January 11! FREE!

Beginning on Saturday, January 11, the Toy Town Trolley will be making three circuits around Winchendon and up to the Rindge shopping areas every Saturday. Rides are FREE to all residents! This service is funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and sponsored by the Town of Winchendon, the Winchendon CAC, the Winchendon Council on Aging and the Winchendon CCAP Task Force.

NOTE: ORIGINAL SCHEDULE HAS CHANGED. Each circuit will start at Hyde Park and stop at the end of Pearl Drive, the Town Hall bus shelter, Dollar Tree Plaza, the YMCA/GFA bus shelter, CVS, the fire station bus shelter, Ipswich Drive, the end of Ready Drive, the end of Goodrich Drive and the Winchendon Community Park. From there the trolley will head up 202 (so you don't have to!) and stop to let off shoppers at Tractor Supply, Market Basket/Marshalls, Walmart and Hannaford. It then returns to Not Just Produced and Sippin' Serendipity and immediately starts its next circuit with Hyde Park. Shoppers who were let off on the first through fourth circuits can reboard the trolley for home when it returns.

The first circuit starts at Hyde Park at 9:15 a.m. and the last circuit leaves Hannaford at 2:51 p.m.

For a grid of the complete updated schedule with times, see https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1E0NiGrFeB_wtjV61TCosVYm0p5g4dKQ6vExvOrI9288/htmlview. For a map of the route, see bit.ly/3W9gGYG. Printed copies are available at the Senior Center (52 Murdock Ave), Winchendon CAC/The Hub (5 Summer Dr), the Clark YMCA (155 Central St) and Not Just Produced (290 Central St).

If you have questions, concerns or suggestions, contact winchendonccap@gmail.com or call 978-297-3155.

Questions or Concerns? Email the Town Manager!

A one-click email form has been added to the town website for all residents who would like to contact the Town Manager with concerns and questions about things happening in the community. The button is at the top of the left column of buttons under "Citizen Action Center" on the left side of the website's front page. The direct link is: https://www.townofwinchendon.com/home/webforms/contact-us

Applications Open for Crafts Vendors at 4th Annual Food Truck Festival

Winchendon Parks & Recreation is looking for craft vendors for our 2025 food truck festival and Battle of the Bands event. The event will be at the G.A.R. Park, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon on Saturday, June 28 from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If interested, please fill out a vendor application here: https://www.eventeny.com/events/foodtruckfestivalandbattleofthebands-17886/

Applications Open for Vendor Spaces at the 2025 Fall Festival

The 9th Annual Winchendon Fall Festival, to be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., is now accepting applications for vendor spaces on Central Street. Contact Nicole Roberts at nroberts@winchendon-ma.gov or 978-297-3537 with any questions or if you wish to volunteer on the day of the event. (We always need more help!) Again, we wish to express our gratitude to everyone for their continued support of this great event.

Access the application information here:

fall_festival_application_tow_2025.pdf

Winchendon Lions Want to Welcome You!

The Winchendon Lions meet at the Winchendon American Legion Post 193, 295 School St., downstairs hall, 7:00 p.m.

Meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month, September through June. Dues are used for all Administrative cost, which is why we can say "All money received through fundraisers go back to the community, eye research, or other natural disasters around the world!"

Feel free to join us and try it out. We would love to see you!

If you have any questions feel free to call Joni 978-297-2753. Please leave a message if no answer!

"WHERE THERE'S A NEED, THERE IS A LION"

Town Committee Vacancies
as of January 27, 2025

by Inanna Arthen
If you'd like to be an active participant in decision-making and management for your community, consider joining a town committee or board. There are a number of vacancies currently open.

Cultural Council - 12 vacancies
Fence Viewer and Field Driver - 1 vacancy
Finance Committee - 1 vacancy
Historical District Commission - 2 vacancies
Planning Board - 1 alternate vacancy
Winchendon Youth Ad Hoc Committee - 1 vacancy
Zoning Board of Appeals - 1 alternate vacancy

If you'd like more information about any of these positions or are interested in being considered for an appointment, contact the Town Manager's office at 978-297-0085, or send a letter of interest to ddennis@winchendon-ma.gov or Town Manager, 109 Front Street Dept. 1, Winchendon MA 01475.

For a description of each board or committee, see: https://www.townofwinchendon.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif8401/f/uploads/july_town_boards_and_commissions.pdf (PDF).

Get Involved with Your Town--Run for a Committee Seat!

Nomination papers for the Annual Town Election are now available at the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall (109 Front St). Nomination papers must be obtained and turned in on or before Monday, March 17, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. Available Terms are:
ONE - 3-year term for Moderator
TWO - 3-year terms for the Board of Selectmen
ONE - 3-year term for the School Committee
ONE - 1-year unexpired term for School Committee
ONE - 3-year term for the Board of Health

The Finance Committee has a vacancy. The duty of the Committee is to investigate the financial affairs of the town, including receipts of and expenditures by the different departments, or any Town Officer; the methods in which the town business is conducted; the general conduct of the town affairs; and all the articles in town warrants for town meetings referred to it; and, in the discharge of its duties, shall have free access to all books of accounts, books of record and all accounts, bills, and vouchers on which money has been or may be paid from the town treasury. If interested in serving on the Finance Committee, send letters of interest to ddennis@winchendon-ma.gov or mail to Town of Winchendon Attn: Debra Dennis 109 Front Street Winchendon MA 01475

Shop Small, Shop Local in 2025!

Click to see larger image

Click here to download a printable PDF of the Small Business Saturday Winchendon shopping map!

Need a Ride?

Check out these transportation services and resources available through the Winchendon Community Connection and Access Project

• Rides available as far as Worcester for medical appointments, shopping, recreation, employment and more!
• All residents can get a ride. Priority is given to Senior Citizens and residents with disabilities.
• Most rides are FREE through MART or at a low suggested donation to the Winchendon Senior Center.
• Wheelchair accessible vehicles available.

Request a ride over the phone by calling 978-297-3155, Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Request a ride online at www.winchendon-cac.org

Request a ride in person at the Winchendon Senior Center, 52 Murdock Ave, Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., or the Winchendon CAC, 5 Summer Dr, Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

If you have questions, reach out to winchendonccap@gmail.com or call 978-297-3155.

Let us help you get where you need to go!

Town Committee Monthly Meetings by Week

Agendas, minutes and meeting recordings available on the Town website at Agendas, Minutes & Past Meetings, as well as on the pages for each Board or Committee.

Boards may cancel or change times for meetings, or add extra meetings, based on specific business at hand. Check the Town Meetings Calendar tab at https://www.townofwinchendon.com/

week	MON	TUE	WED	THUR
1st	Communications Committee 4:30pm Board of Health 6:00pm	Planning Board 6:00pm		School Committee 6:00pm
2nd	Board of Selectmen 6:30pm	Finance Committee 7:00pm	Agricultural Commission 7:00pm	Conservation Commission 6:00pm
3rd		Planning Board 6:00pm	Winchendon Redevelopment Authority 5:00pm Zoning Board of Appeals 7:00pm	School Committee 6:00pm
4th	Board of Selectmen 6:30pm

Recordings of town meetings may be viewed on the new "Winchendon TV" website. Most meeting videos are posted within a day or two of the meeting.
https://winchendon.cablecast.tv/CablecastPublicSite/?site=1%C2%A0%C2%A0

Employment

New Listings!

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13
1:20 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Front Street), removed to hospital;
1:35 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), no fire service necessary;
1:55 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
2:01-2:29 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
2:21 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
2:34 a.m.: extra patrols (Orient Place), checked/secure;
7:20 a.m.: 911, accident (Baldwinville State Road), report taken;
7:33 a.m.: MV operating erratically (Main Street), no police service necessary;
9:54 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
10:09 a.m.: MV accident, no injuries (Central Street), spoken to;
10:24 a.m.: 911, accident (Central Street), report taken;
11:07 a.m.: 911, fire alarm (Glenallen Street), no fire service necessary;
11:25 a.m.: 911, fire alarm (Glenallen Street), services rendered;
12:06 p.m.: summons service (Maynard Street), unable to serve;
12:08 p.m.: investigation (Central Street), report taken;
1:34 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Mechanic Street), removed to hospital;
4:17 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Robbins Road), removed to hospital;
4:34 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Prospect Street), written warning;
4:38 p.m.: MV stop (Ash Street), verbal warning;
4:54 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), written warning;
5:22 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Oak Street), removed to hospital;
5:33 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Spruce Street), referred to other agency;
6:16 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville State Road), services rendered;
6:19 p.m.: officer requested (Willow Street), report taken;
7:50 p.m.: officer requested (Pine Street), gone on arrival;
8:18 p.m.: burglar alarm (Glenallen Street), secured building;
8:27 p.m.: 911, officer requested (Ipswich Drive), info given;
9:01 p.m.: officer requested (Walnut Street), spoken to;
9:30 p.m.: officer requested (Glenallen Street), unable to locate;
11:58 p.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 14
12:01 a.m.: fire alarm (Memorial Drive), services rendered;
12:07 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), summons;
1:15-2:00 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
1:31 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
5:21 a.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), written warning;
5:53 a.m.: burglar alarm (Murdock Avenue), accidental/defective alarm;
6:41 a.m.: tree down on wires (Doyle Avenue @ Hale Street), referred to other agency;
9:49 a.m.: welfare check/elderly (address not published), spoken to;
10:20 a.m.: 911, fire alarm (Glenallen Street), services rendered;
10:23 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Joslin Road), removed to hospital;
10:41 a.m.: 911, unattended death (Hyde Park Drive), referred to other agency;
11:10 a.m.: 911, welfare check/elderly (address not published), services rendered;
11:26 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Front Street), removed to hospital;
11:27 a.m.: officer requested (Central Street), spoken to;
1:55 p.m.: fire alarm (River Street), services rendered;
2:59 p.m. court (Gardner Courthouse, Metthews Road), services rendered;
3:23 p.m.: assist citizen (Central Street), services rendered;
3:51 p.m.: investigation (Old Gardner Road), property seized;
4:12 p.m.: fire/auto (Old Gardner Road), assisted;
4:22 p.m.: harassment (Alger Street), report taken;
5:32 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Prospect Street), removed to hospital;
6:18 p.m.: info/general (Pine Street), advised officer;
7:20 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), written warning;
7:22 p.m.: 911, 911 call non-emergency (Athol), no police service necessary;
7:26 p.m.: 911, fire/mutual aid (Athol, Main Street), assisted;
9:53 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Bike Path Parking Lot, Glenallen Street), checked/secure;
9:58 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Orient Place), spoken to;
10:06 p.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
10:25 p.m.: extra patrols (Front Street), checked/secure;

Summons:
Edward J Burns, Jr, age 63, 121 Michigan St, Winchester, NH, charged with: unlicensed operation of MV; MV lights violation.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15
12:53 a.m.: extra patrols (Front Street), checked/secure;
1:04 a.m.: registration check (Beech Street), checked/secure;
1:23 a.m.: extra patrols (FMJ Auto, Spring Street), checked/secure;
1:32 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Front Street), removed to hospital;
3:05 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
3:09 a.m.: extra patrols (Central Mass Tree Inc, Gardner Road), checked/secure;
3:16-3:51 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
3:27 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Walnut Street), removed to hospital;
3:33 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Pleasant Street), checked/secure;
9:40 a.m.: investigation (Gardner Road), investigated/report taken;
10:58 a.m.: Department of Public Works call/general (Vaine Street), referred to DPW;
11:50 a.m.: officer requested (Central Street), assisted;
12:00 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
2:51 p.m.: assist other police department (Baldwinville State Road), info given;
3:28 p.m.: welfare check/general (Spring Street), transport;
4:28 p.m.: officer requested (Summer Street), spoken to;
4:35 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Spring Street), removed to hospital;
4:59 p.m.: 911, disturbance (School Street), report taken;
9:30 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Gardner Road), advised officer;

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16
1:15 a.m.: info/general (Woodlawn Street), advised officer;
2:31-3:48 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
3:27 a.m.: officer requested (North Street), spoken to;
7:02 a.m.: accident (School Street), services rendered;
9:39 a.m.: accident (Spring Street), services rendered;
10:40 a.m.: mutual aid to scene (other town, Monson Turnpike), services rendered;
12:14 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Pearl Drive), removed to hospital;
12:59 p.m.: fire/auto (Gardner Road), services rendered;
1:01 p.m.: property damage (Glenallen Street), advised officer;
3:34 p.m.: assist other police department (Baldwinville Road), spoken to;
3:53 p.m.: Department of Public Works call/general (Glenallen Street), referred to DPW;
5:33 p.m.: ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
6:45 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Glenallen Street), removed to hospital;
7:02 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Gardner Road), spoken to;
7:49 p.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
8:01 p.m.: MV stop (Glenallen Street), summons;
8:32 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
9:51 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Alger Street), removed to hospital;
9:59 p.m.: info/general (School Street), report taken;
10:39 p.m.: 911, burglar alarm (Central Street), checked/secure;
10:58 p.m.: 911, burglar alarm (Central Street), checked/secure;
11:42 p.m.: building checks, all secure;

Summons:
Michael Lazar Martiniz Zapata, age 31, 131 Spring St, Winchendon, MA, charged with: operating MV with suspended registration; uninsured motor vehicle; marked lanes violation.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 17
2:46-3:09 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
6:26 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Summer Street), removed to hospital;
7:27 a.m.: welfare check/general (Summer Street), services rendered;
7:30 a.m.: tree down (Willow Street), referred to DPW;
8:32 a.m.: tree down (Front Place), referred to DPW;
8:39 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Brown Avenue), removed to hospital;
9:51 a.m.: accident (Beech Street), assisted;
10:39 a.m.: officer requested (Alger Street), advised civil action;
10:50 a.m.: sex offender registration (Spruce Street), assisted;
11:03 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Glenallen Street), removed to hospital;
11:32 a.m.: officer requested (Alger Street), report taken;
12:37 p.m.: accident (Central Street), assisted;
12:52 p.m.: sex offender registration (Walnut Street), assisted;
12:55 p.m.: investigation (Central Street), info taken;
1:22 p.m.: tree down on wires (Robbins Road), referred to other agency;
1:35 p.m.: tree down on wires (Lakeshore Drive), unable to locate;
1:50 p.m.: registration check (Mill Street), no police service necessary;
2:04 p.m.: sex offender registration (Main Street), assisted;
2:39 p.m.: property found (Main Street), info taken;
2:46 p.m.: wires down (Beech Street), no police service necessary;
3:52 p.m.: officer requested (Mason Street), referred to other PD;
3:53 p.m.: 911, MV accident with injuries (Baldwinville State Road), removed to hospital;
3:56 p.m.: info/general (Pine Street), advised officer;
4:57 p.m.: officer requested (Front Street), no police service necessary;
6:16 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Spring Street), unable to locate;
7:18 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), accidental/defective alarm;
7:39 p.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
8:57 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
9:44 p.m.: 911, fire/carbon monoxide incident (Toy Town Lane), no fire service necessary;
10:08 p.m.: Department of Public Works call/general (Otter River Road), referred to DPW;
10:14 p.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
10:27 p.m.: extra patrols (Mill Glen Road), checked/secure;
10:30 p.m.: disabled vehicle (Maple Street), assisted;
10:31-10:48 p.m.: building checks, all secure;
10:42 p.m.: lift assist (North Royalston Road), assisted;

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18
1:03 a.m.: parking violation (Central Street), parking ticket issued;
1:31 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), written warning;
1:37-2:10 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
2:13 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
2:23 a.m: neighbor dispute (Alger Street), spoken to;
6:39 a.m.: death notification (Maple Street), message delivered;
7:38 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Linden Street), removed to hospital;
7:42 a.m.: Department of Public Works call/general (Vaine Street), referred to DPW;
10:00 a.m: info/general (Old Centre), spoken to;
10:09 a.m.: welfare check/general (East Monomonac Road), services rendered;
10:16 a.m.: assist other agency (Hyde Park Drive), services rendered;
10:40 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (West Street), removed to hospital;
12:34 p.m: Department of Public Works call/general (Spring Street), spoken to;
12:40 p.m.: sex offender registration (Walnut Street), assisted;
1:53 p.m: summons service (Spring Street), summons served;
2:02 p.m: summons service (Walnut Street), summons served;
2:05 p.m.: harassment order service (Prospect Street), harassment order served;
2:40 p.m.: investigation (West Street), report taken;
2:53 p.m.: officer requested (Joslin Road), spoken to;
3:10 p.m.: assist other agency (West Monomonac Road), services rendered;
3:19 p.m.: 911, 911 hang-up (Ipswich Drive), no police service necessary;
3:37 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Robbins Road), removed to hospital;
3:42 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Central Street), advised officer;
3:44 p.m: 911, officer requested (Alger Street), services rendered;
4:41 p.m.: wires down (Spruce Street), no fire service necessary;
4:54 p.m.: 911, disturbance/fight (Alger Street), arrest;
6:09 p.m.: harassment order service (Prospect Street), harassment order served;
6:13 p.m.: officer requested (North Royalston Road), advised officer;
6:35 p.m.: wires down (Poland Avene), services rendered;
6:57 p.m.: 911, assault (Central Street), no police service necessary;
7:09 p.m.: welfare check/general (Belmont Avenue), spoken to;
8:24 p.m.: warrant arrest (Walnut Street), unable to locate;
9:13 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Hospital Road), referred to other PD;
9:58 p.m.: burglar alarm (Pleasant Street), accidental/defective alarm;
10:06 p.m.: extra patrols (Central Street), checked/secure;

Summons:
Jason Tejada, age 31, 202A Alger St, Winchendon, MA, charged with: criminal harassment.
Courtney Nicole Ayotte, age 32, 202A Alger St, Winchendon, MA, charged with: criminal harassment.
Arrests:
Christopher Ortiz, age 40, 202 Alger St Apt. #B, Winchendon, MA, charged with: A & B with a dangerous weapon.
Courtney Nicole Ayotte, age 32, 202A Alger St, Winchendon, MA, charged with: A & B with a dangerous weapon; assault with a dangerous weapon; A & B.
Xena Bellaneth Tejada, age 26, 202 Alger St, Winchendon, MA, charged with: A & B.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18
12:25 a.m.: traffic hazard (Main Street), services rendered;
12:39-2:17 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
2:06 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
10:00 a.m.: disabled vehicle (Jackson Avenue @ Franklin Street), assisted;
10:14 a.m.: summons service (Hale Street), summons served;
10:58 a.m.: disabled vehicle (Rindge, Glenallen Street), referred to other PD;
2:46 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Robbins Road), removed to hospital;
3:28 p.m.: lock-out vehicle (Central Street), services rendered;
4:30 p.m.: disabled vehicle (West Street), assisted;
5:38 p.m.: fire/unknown type (Hyde Park Drive, no fire service necessary;
5:43 p.m.: 911, MV operating erratically (Glenallen Street), advised officer;
7:02 p.m.: ambulance needed (Ipswich Drive), accidental/defective alarm;
7:06 p.m.: MV operating erratically (Gardner Road), advised officer;
7:22 p.m.: MV stop (West Street), written warning;
10:36 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Lakeview Drive), removed to hospital;