Winchendon PD Offering R.A.D. Class for Women

The Winchendon Police Department will be offering a R.A.D (rape aggression defense) class starting in March 2025. Free to all women.

No prior experience is needed as we will teach basic skills that can be applied by everyone.

Class size is limited to 20 so sign up early with a dispatcher at the Winchendon Police Department. Dates: March 25, 27, April 1 and 3.

Attendance to all four classes is required for successful completion. Age requirement is 14 years old accompanied by an adult/guardian with a signed permission slip.

Time: 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.

Location: The first class will be held at the Winchendon Police Department in the training room. The remaining classes will be held at the Memorial School in the gym.

Any questions can be directed to:

Officer Tracy Flagg Tflagg@townofwinchendon.com
or
Officer Jim Wironen Jwironen@townofwinchendon.com
978-297-1212

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).

Winchendon Garden Club Scholarship Applications Open

The members of the Winchendon Garden Club have appropriated $2,000 which can be awarded for scholarships in 2025. These will be awarded to residents of Winchendon who are engaged in agricultural or environmental studies (see application for details). Applications must be postmarked no later than April 30, 2025.

Complete details and an application form are at WGC-2025-scholarships.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 MARCH 6
12:28 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Hospital Road), referred to other PD;
12:41-2:55 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:52 a.m.: extra patrols (Railroad Street), checked/secure;
1:01 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
1:04 a.m.: investigation (Pine Street), info taken;
1:14 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
2:49 a.m.: traffic hazard (River Street), services rendered;
5:08 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (River Street), removed to hospital;
6:22 a.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
7:37 a.m.: property found (Main Street), services rendered;
8:37 a.m.: assist citizen (Lincoln Avenue), property returned to owner;
9:36 a.m.: investigation (Ready Drive), report taken;
10:23 a.m.: 911, disturbance (Eagle Road), spoken to;
12:21 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville State Road), traffic citation issued;
12:30 p.m.: officer requested (Railroad Street), unable to locate;
12:41 p.m.: summons service (Old Centre), summons service;
12:50 p.m.: investigation (Hale Street), services rendered;
12:52 p.m.: parking violation (Hale Street), no police service necessary;
1:01 p.m.: property found (Ready Drive), no police service necessary;
1:25 p.m.: property damage (Alger Street), report taken;
2:04 p.m.: burglar alarm (Forristall Road), secured building;
2:11 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Cummings Road), removed to hospital;
2:16 p.m.: investigation (Memorial Drive), report taken;
4:22 p.m.: animal complaint (Hale Street), referred to ACO;
4:45 p.m.: 911, suspicious vehicle (Spring Street), advised officer;
4:54 p.m.: 911, suspicious person (Myrtle Street), unable to locate;
5:18 p.m.: burglar alarm (Water Street), accidental/defective alarm;
5:42 p.m.: officer requested (Teel Road), spoken to;
6:09 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Glenallen Street), removed to hospital;
6:18 p.m.: 911, suspicious (other) (Elmwood Road), secured building;
6:34 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Ipswich Drive), removed to hospital;
7:00 p.m.: shoplifting (Railroad Street), report taken;
7:04 p.m.: officer requested (Alger Street), spoken to;
7:58 p.m.: harassment (Pearl Drive), report taken;
8:26 p.m.: 911, 911 call non-emergency (Spring Circle), spoken to;
8:37 p.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
9:53 p.m.: extra patrols (Lake Dennison Beach Area, Main Street), checked/secure;
10:19 p.m.: extra patrols (Otter River Campground, Baldwinville State Road), checked/secure;

FRIDAY MARCH 7
12:12 a.m.: extra patrols (Cumberland Farms, Central Street), checked/secure;
12:57- a.m.: building checks, all secure;
1:33 a.m.: extra patrols (Cumberland Farms, Central Street), checked/secure;
1:36 a.m.: burglar alarm (Front Street) 2:08 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Baldwinville State Road), checked/secure;
4:41 a.m.: officer requested (Baldwinville State Road), services rendered;
7:00 a.m.: animal complaint (Hale Street), referred to ACO;
9:34 a.m.: suspicious vehicle (Pearl Street), spoken to;
11:38 a.m.: sex offender registration (Central Street), spoken to;
11:41 a.m.: tree down (Baldwinville State Road), referred to other agency;
11:53 a.m.: wires down (Cottage Street), referred to other agency;
12:05 p.m.: Fire Department call/general (Hyde Park Drive), services rendered;
12:28 p.m.: animal complaint (Linden Street), referred to ACO;
12:54 p.m.: wires down (Alger Street), referred to other agency;
1:00 p.m.: animal complaint (Central Street), referred to ACO;
1:06 p.m.: registration check (Spring Street), services rendered;
1:36 p.m.: wires down (Vine Street @ Maple Street), referred to other agency;
2:11 p.m.: 911, accident (Gardner Road), spoken to;
2:50 p.m.: investigation (Grove Street), report taken;
3:54 p.m.: tree down on wires (Central Street), referred to other agency;
3:55 p.m.: officer requested (Cummings Road), advised officer;
4:28 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville State Road), traffic citation issued;
4:56 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville State Road @ Alger Street), verbal warning;
4:59 p.m.: officer requested (Central Street), spoken to;
5:45 p.m.: suspicious person (Lakeshore Drive), spoken to;
6:18 p.m.: officer requested (Railroad Street), spoken to;
7:01 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
7:36 p.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;

7:37 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), verbal warning;
7:44 p.m.: MV stop (Gardner Road), verbal warning;
7:44 p.m.: building check (Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
7:49 p.m.: 911, B & E / motor vehicle (Mechanic Street), checked/secure;
7:58 p.m.: MV stop (Mill Street), verbal warning;
8:36 p.m.: wires down (Cottage Street), false alarm;
8:47 p.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
9:06 p.m.: 911, 911 hang-up (Spruce Street), unable to locate;
10:00 p.m.: extra patrols (Murdock Middle High School, Memorial Drive), checked/secure;
10:16 p.m.: 911, lift assist (Harris Road), assisted;
11:38 p.m.: MV accident, no injuries (Pleasant Street), report taken;

SATURDAY MARCH 8
12:20-3:36 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
5:38 a.m.: officer requested (Cummings Road), spoken to;
7:42 a.m.: ambulance needed (Hyde Park Drive), false alarm;
8:45 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (School Street), removed to hospital;
9:31 a.m.: registration check (School Street), removed to hospital;
9:35 a.m.: Fire Deparment call/general (Central Street), services rendered;
11:32 a.m.: wires down (Russell Farm Road), referred to other agency;
11:33 a.m.: info/general (Mellen Road), info given;
12:00 p.m.: officer requested (Pleasant Street), info taken;
12:08 p.m.: MV stop (Central Street), verbal warning;
1:21 p.m.: property found (Central Street), property returned to owner;
1:41 p.m.: 911, MV accident, no injuries (Front Street), services rendered;
2:08 p.m.: animal rescue (Central Street), services rendered;
2:40 p.m.: info/general (Alger Street), spoken to;
2:55 p.m.: officer requested (Pearl Drive), report taken;
4:39 p.m.: assist other Police Department (Eagle Road), unable to locate;
5:05 p.m.: tree down (Woodlawn Street), referred to DPW;
7:01 p.m.: officer requested (Glenallen Street), report taken;
8:09 p.m.: officer requested (Baldwinville State Road), services rendered;
8:22 p.m.: registration check (Baldwinville State Road), services rendered;
8:55 p.m.: 911, fire/structure (Linden Street), services rendered;
11:04 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Maple Street), removed to hospital;
11:36 p.m.: 911, unwanted party (Washington Avenue), spoken to;
11:57 p.m.: suspicious vehicle (Railroad Street), spoken to;

TUESDAY MARCH 11
12:16 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), traffic citation issued;
12:48-1:43 a.m.: building checks, all secure;
12:56 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Community Park, Ingleside Drive), checked/secure;
1:02 a.m.: extra patrols (Railroad Street), checked/secure;
1:32 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Gardner Road), removed to hospital;
2:22 a.m.: extra patrols (Citgo Lube and Repair, Water Street), checked/secure;
2:46 a.m.: extra patrols (Toy Towne Condominiums, Spring Circle), checked/secure;
3:02 a.m.: extra patrols (Winchendon Plaza, Central Street), checked/secure;
6:22 a.m.: burglar alarm (Central Street), accidental/defective alarm;
8:21 a.m.: burglar alarm (Central Street), spoken to;
9:05 a.m.: Keep The Peace (West Street), spoken to;
9:21 a.m.: MV stop (Spring Street), verbal warning;
9:57 a.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Teel Road), removed to hospital;
11:16 a.m.: Fire Department call/general (Spring Street), services rendered;
12:17 p.m.: MV stop (Baldwinville State Road), warrant arrest;
12:33 p.m.: fire/mutual aid (other town, Lisa Drive), services rendered;
2:38 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Central Street), removed to hospital;
3:24 p.m.: welfare check/general (Linden Street), spoken to;
3:58 p.m.: investigation (Central Street), services rendered;
5:03 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Black Bridge), removed to hospital; 6:10 p.m.: 911, ambulance needed (Metcalf Street), removed to hospital;
6:18 p.m.: animal complaint (Maple Street), unable to locate;
7:26 p.m.: officer requested (Belmont Avenue), spoken to;

Arrests:
Jessica Valley, age 34, 411 Harvard Ave, Athol, MA, charged with: possession of Class A drug; possession of Class B drug.
Todd A, Gagnon, age 58, 105 Sunnyhill Road, Lunenburg, MA, charged with: MV operator refuse to identify self; unlicensed operation of MV; arrest based on a warrant.
Ashley A Wrightbatchelder, age 34, 70 Gardner Rd, Winchendon, MA, charged with: possession of class A drug.